Jungles & Volcanoes of Costa Rica

If you wake early, why not visit the botanical garden to start your day, before we drive into the mountains to the area known as the Quetzal Valley where Costa Rica’s rich birdlife thrives. With luck, we’ll spot the valley’s namesake bird, the resplendent quetzal. We’ll stop for lunch at Mirador de Quetzales, then walk along the cloud forest trails in search of rare wildlife and flora. The evening’s yours to enjoy before dinner back at the lodge.

Minimum altitude 2,700m

Maximum altitude 2,800m

Distance: 3km

You’ll experience the cloud forest of Reserva Savegre today, taking the Los Robles trail to reach the viewpoint, then returning along La Quebrada trail with a boxed lunch included for our journey. You can spend the afternoon relaxing back at the hotel or if you want to explore further in your own time, why not complete one of the shorter trails such as Canto de la Aves or Los Pioneros.

Minimum altitude 2,200m

Maximum altitude 2,600m

Distance: 7.8km total. Steep ascent at the start and over three hours’ walking time

We’ll drive across mountainous areas including the Braulio Carrilo National Park to Costa Rica’s Atlantic region and Sarapiqui. We’ll visit the Pierella Ecological Garden to have lunch and learn about this sustainable butterfly farm and conservation project. Once we arrive at the hotel, you’ll have free time before dinner.

Minimum altitude 100m

Maximum altitude 100m

Distance: 2km with multiple stops (two hours)

We’ll head into the jungle to explore the tropical rainforest on Selva Verde's 500-acre private reserve with our expert naturalist guides. Then we’ll travel to the Arenal Volcano area and La Fortuna to check in to our hotel and relax for the afternoon.

Minimum altitude 100m

Maximum altitude 100m

Distance: between 3km and 5km. On the longer route, the last 200m has a steep incline

Explore the western side of the volcano on the Arenal 1968 trail named after the year it dramatically erupted. Hike the old lava flow trails and enjoy a picnic lunch, before a relaxing afternoon at our hotel. In the evening we’ll drive to the neighbouring town of La Tigra where a local family will host us on a nocturnal rainforest nature walk followed by traditional homecooked meal.

Minimum altitude 600m

Maximum altitude 900m

Distance: 3.2km (1.5 hours) or 5.3km (2.5 hours) with an ascent of approximately 150m to a viewpoint

La Tigra night walk minimum altitude 500m and maximum altitude 600m. Distance: 1 km

This morning, we’ll head to Los Chiles to visit the Caño Negro Wildlife Refuge. A slow river boat ride will take us along the Frío River, a biologically diverse wetland conservation area where you’re in with a chance of spotting monkeys, caimans, turtles, sloths, and butterflies. Our lunch is included today and later you’ll have time to relax before dining out at a restaurant in La Fortuna.

We’ll travel to Rincón de la Vieja Volcano in Guanacaste. Then we’ll head to our hotel which will be our base for the next three nights.

Taking our packed lunch, today we’ll hike through the Rincón de la Vieja National Park today, home to over 300 species of birds. We’ll see part of the Colorado River and several active fumaroles of this geyser volcano.

Minimum altitude 1,400m

Maximum altitude 1,800m

Distance: from 2.8km to 7.6km

Today is a free day for you to relax and enjoy this diverse setting, with lunch included at the hotel if you plan to stay and relax here. There are waterfall hikes and volcanic mud baths to experience, or you can relax in the Rio Negro Hot Springs. If you’re feeling adventurous, there are a range of optional activities on offer including ziplining and canyoning.

The beautiful Guanacaste beaches are in reach today. On the way, we’ll stop at Santa Rosa National Park. Explore the trails and learn more about its history before journeying through several picturesque towns to reach the coast and our final beach-side accommodation.

You have a full day of free time and leisure. Relax by the pool, enjoy a refreshing dip at the beach, or discover one of the many optional activities.

After a last morning at the beach, we’ll head to our final destination, the San Ramón Cloud Forest – an important area of biodiversity which is nestled between the picturesque mountains of Alajuela province in the Central Valley.

We explore one of the most remote and peaceful areas in Costa Rica today - the waterfalls of Bajos del Toro. Surrounded by jungle and misty rain clouds, these beautiful falls offer freshwater pools to bathe in mid-hike. We’ll take a packed lunch to enjoy as we take a break to soak up the scenery. In the evening, there’s a farewell dinner at our hotel.

Minimum altitude 890m

Maximum altitude 1,125m

Distance: 1km – 1.5km trail

Leaving the mountains today, we’ll head back to San José for our evening departure flight. On the way, we’ll visit the Poas Volcano for a short walk around the crater. Weather permitting, we’ll take in views of one of the largest volcano craters in the world. We’ll also visit Botos Lagoon, an extinct volcanic crater housing a huge variety of wildlife, plants, and flowers.

After enjoying a traditional lunch, with-flight guests will transfer to the airport for our overnight flight back to the UK.

Minimum altitude 902m

Maximum altitude 2,708m

Distance: 1km with small number of steps

With-flight guests arrive back in the UK