Day 1
Overview & Highlights
Start with a drive up crossing the Paramus of the Cerro de la Muerte towards San Gerardo de Dota Valley; then a tropical beach & jungle stay to explore a marine national park where humpback whales are seasonally observed.
Highlights:
• Search the beautiful Resplendent Quetzal bird and learn about a variety of plants, birds, and wildlife species.
• Enjoy the charm of the mountains, the robledal primary forest, and the clear waters of Rio Savegre.
• Visit the whale tail of Punta Uvita and observe colorful tropical fish while you snorkel.
• From a safe boat, spot bottlenose dolphins, and Humpback whales swimming in the bays of Bahia Ballena National Park.
Best time to travel:
Any time of the year.
Whale watching season in Marino Ballena National Park is from August to April. Although, it is said that the best time to see whales is from August to October.
Welcome & transfer in SJO Airport to your hotel
On arrival at the San Jose International Airport (SJO), you will be meet & greet by our bilingual representative who will help you with your luggage and transfer you to the hotel.
Gran Hotel Costa Rica, Curio Collection by Hilton (1 night)
Welcome to Gran Hotel Costa Rica, Curio Collection by Hilton, an iconic gem in the heart of San Jose. Located on the pedestrian boulevard Avenida Central, our hotel overlooks the National Theatre and is steps from cafés, shops, museums and other top attractions.
Every guest room has a king bed or two full beds with pillow-top mattresses and soft linens for a great night’s sleep. Enjoy complimentary WiFi, a 50-inch HDTV, mini-refrigerator, coffeemaker, private safe, and work desk with ergonomic chair. The bathroom features a walk-in shower, hairdryer and deluxe bath products.
Day 2
San Jose walking tour
Today you will enjoy a Walking & Sightseeing Tour of the city with your guide. San José is full of interesting stories and rich history, you just need a good storyteller to unveil its charms for you.
On this tour, we will walk through the major historical landmarks such as the National Theater (1897) Correos de Costa Rica building (1917) experience the daily bustle of the Central Market, and the modern cool spots as well as share how locals enjoy their city.
Entrance fees to attractions are to be paid on-site.
Day 3
San José to Savegre Valley
Pick up at your hotel for the private transfer to Savegre Valley. On the way stop for sightseeing the former capital of Costa Rica, Cartago. Now this provincial capital located at the base of Irazú Volcano remains as an important religious center. On August 2nd thousands of pilgrims walk here to celebrate the feast day of Our Lady of the Angels.
Hotel Savegre (2 nights)
Hotel Savegre is proud to offer visitors the opportunity to visit our private nature reserve of almost 988 acres through a network of trails of around 18.6 miles that start and end at the hotel. The reserve has spectacularly high-level biodiversity that attracts visitors from all over the world.
Our helpful and genuinely friendly staff are the hotel’s signature feature. The Chacón family, pioneers in the San Gerardo de Dota region have been operating the hotel since its inception and it has always been our utmost aim to provide top-quality service that goes hand in hand with the environment.
The beautiful natural surroundings of Del Rio Spa greet you with inspiring views and lush cloud forests, where the crystalline waters of the Savegre river guide you along a journey to health, beauty, and well-being.
The Junior Suites are individual cabins and have a private bathroom with tub, hot water, hair dryer, coffee maker, safe, telephone, radio-alarm clock, electric room heater, or fireplace.
Day 4
Savegre Valley
Savegre is in the heart of a natural forest reserve with an uncountable number of flora and fauna.
Measuring approximately 25 miles from its source in the mountains of San Gerardo de Dota to its mouth in the Pacific Ocean, the Savegre River is considered the cleanest river on the Central American Pacific coast and is the fifth cleanest in the world.
The Savegre river basin is part of the UNESCO biosphere reserve.
Day 5
Kura Boutique Hotel (3 nights)
Costa Rica’s most glamorous hotel, Kura Costa Rica is an eco-friendly boutique hotel with eight luxury and hillside suites located on the southern Pacific coast, where the rainforest-covered mountains meet the pristine coastline.
Starting with a commitment to protect the local environment, Costa Rican founders and owners Alejandra Umaña and Martin Wells – a biologist and architect respectively – wanted to share their love of the country’s biodiversity and beauty by creating a hospitality experience that enhanced, yet did not compete with the majestic surroundings.
Set on an impressive mountain ridge overlooking the Pacific Ocean and the town of Uvita, Kura was created around a minimalist design that allows the beauty and unruliness of the rainforest to take center stage. The luxurious accommodations integrate seamlessly with the elegance of the lush mountain-top setting
Day 6
Marino Ballena Park Combination Tour (Whales & Dolphins)
The Bahia Aventuras Combo Tour is the best option to see most of the Marino Ballena National Park. The Boat departs from Punta Uvita Beach after a safety briefing from our guide and will explore the Marino Ballena National Park searching for the majestic Humpback Whales and other marine wildlife such as the Pacific spotted dolphins, bottlenose dolphins, seabirds, and sea turtles.
When is the dry season (December-April) tour includes snorkeling, so we will embark on a journey to whale island, also referred to as “whale rock,” to do so where you can observe turtles, bi-color parrot fish, Angelfish, puffer fish, and much more. Additionally on this trip, we’ll pass by the incredible natural formation of the whale’s tail and a brief pass by Ventanas beach to see and learn about the wonderful marine caves that were carved by the ocean.
Day 7
Free day at Kura Resort (Uvita)
A village of waterfalls, wildlife, and slow sustainable living, Uvita offers an authentic slice of real Costa Rica. From chic eateries and farmers markets to whale-watching, there is plenty to explore and experience for even the most well-travelled.
The pristine beaches of the Marino Ballena National Park in Uvita are all within a 20 to 30-minute drive. They include Uvita Beach, Arco Beach, Ballena Beach and Piñuela Beach. A little further afield you’ll also find Ventanas Beach, Hermosa Beach, and Dominical. During the week, you may be pleasantly surprised to find very few other visitors on these stunning shores.
During your stay, we are pleased to offer complimentary scheduled transfers every day at low tide to Uvita Beach for the Whale’s Tail, Hermosa Beach, or the private beach club at Ballena Beach. Please let us know the evening before if you would like to visit the beach and we will check the times for you.
Any time you hit the beach, we’ll provide you with ice water and towels. We also have portable beach chairs available if you would like them, and we can even pack a picnic.
Day 8
Domestic flight Quepos to San José
Take a short scenic domestic flight crossing the Central Pacific Coast towards the central valley of San José. Enjoy the views of rivers crossing the blue and green color mountains.
Domestic terminal to International Terminal SJO Airport
Upon arrival at SJO Domestic terminal, you will be picked up for the private transfer to the International Terminal on time for your check-in process with your airline.
*Check-in: 2 hours before your flight departure time.
Adiós Costa Rica!
