Costa Rica's Hidden Gems & Niche Eco Experiences

This morning, you will depart for Costa Rica’s enchanting southern Caribbean coast. This journey takes you heading east through the scenic Braulio Carrillo National Park, a lush mountainous region with misty forests and stunning views. The route continues along Route 32, descending toward the Caribbean lowlands. You will pass through the port city of Limón, then follow the coastal road south along Route 36 until you reach the laid-back beach town of Puerto Viejo de Talamanca.

The South Caribbean of Costa Rica is famous for its paradisiacal beaches, picturesque coastal towns, multiculturalism, and their nature reserves: Cahuíta National Park and Gandoca Manzanillo Wildlife Refuge. Both are well recognized, not only because of their natural beauty, but also because they are becoming unique conservation places along the South Caribbean Coast.

Accommodation: Boutique Hotel
Meals: Breakfast

Today, you will visit Cahuita National Park, which protects 2,635 acres on land and over 55,000 acres of marine area. It covers mangrove and tropical rainforest-lowland habitats, and most importantly, its coral reefs, which are also responsible for the establishment of the national park.

In this ecosystem, nestled in the Caribbean but with a forest environment, it is the first place in the world with more biodiversity of different ecosystems in each square meter of land and sea, which offers a vast variety of activities for tourism, such as snorkeling and hiking.

You will be snorkeling for approximately 2 hours in the most important coral reef in Costa Rica. With white sand beaches, turquoise seawater, and a diverse marine life, you will be observing, along with your guide, many varieties of coral (35 different species), including the Elkhorn species, light yellow brain, and the blue staghorn. Also present and possible to see are several species of tropical fish, sharks, eels, sea urchins, 140 species of shellfish, 44 types of crustaceans, 128 types of algae, sea turtles, sea cucumbers, ocean sponges, lobster, and shrimps, among others.

After snorkeling, the boat will bring you to Punta Cahuita to start a 2-hour hike, alongside your certified bilingual guide, where you will be able to observe various types of snakes (boas, bocaraca, velvets, tinsel, micas, frog, etc.), sloths, white-faced monkeys, howlers, anteaters, armadillos, raccoons. Be ready to also feast your eyes on the beautiful blue morpho butterfly!

At the end of the tour, you will enjoy a delicious Caribbean lunch on the way back to your selected hotel in Puerto Viejo de Limón.

Accommodation: Boutique Hotel
Meals: Breakfast & Lunch

Your journey continues with a descent to the northern lowlands and Sarapiquí rainforest, where you'll check into your eco lodge. The network of reserves and national parks hosts diverse bird life, including the endangered great green macaw. After exploring, you can enjoy a swim in the pool and a chilled drink as you watch butterflies and birds in the surrounding gardens.

Tonight, you will participate in a night walk along the onsite trails. ​Selva Verde Lodge offers an immersive night hike led by naturalist guides, where guests can explore the rainforest after dark. With flashlights in hand, participants search the grounds and trails for nocturnal wildlife, including tree frogs, leaf-mimicking insects, and mammals like kinkajous and bats.

Accommodation: 3* Eco Lodge
Meals: Breakfast

This morning you depart Selva Verde on the drive to Caño Negro Wetlands. Caño Negro Lake and the Río Frío provide vital water for over 300 species of birds. You will have the opportunity to enjoy a luxury glamping experience nestled in Hacienda Caño Negro Natural Park. Each spacious tent is over 50 square meters and has been thoughtfully designed and built by local Costa Rican artisans. Inside, you'll find a king-size bed and a queen-size nest bed, elegant furnishings, and a private garden featuring an outdoor tub and rainforest shower. Guests enjoy exclusive access to private trails, guided tours, and cultural activities, all aimed at connecting deeply with nature and local culture.

Accommodation: Glamping Hotel
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner

Spend the day at leisure if you wish, or choose one of several included experiences that you can arrange at the front desk of the glamping hotel. Experiences available are:

• A guided tour along private trails and through a private forest to learn about the wetlands and wildlife
• Dawn or dusk photography tours to capture the incredible birds and nature in this ecosystem
• A cultural workshop to learn about the area's sustainable ranching and farming practices and life in this rural area

Caño Negro is known for its marine birds such as roseate spoonbills, jabiru storks, northern jacanas, neotropical cormorants and great blue herons. It is one of the best places on the globe to see the Nicaraguan grackle. Caño Negro’s status as a wetland of international importance is evidenced by its being a named a Ramsar site in 1991.

Accommodation: Glamping Hotel
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner

The journey from Caño Negro to Arenal offers a scenic and relaxing transfer through the northern lowlands of Costa Rica. Departing from the Caño Negro Wildlife Refuge, the route takes you through a picturesque landscape of rural towns, lush farmlands, and tropical countryside.

The drive typically takes about 3 to 3.5 hours, depending on weather and road conditions. Along the way, you may pass through small local communities such as Los Chiles, Muelle, and La Fortuna, the charming town at the base of the majestic Arenal Volcano.

As you approach the Arenal area, the terrain gradually shifts from flat wetlands to rolling hills and forested areas, offering beautiful views of the volcano and Lake Arenal. This scenic transfer is not only a transition between destinations but also an opportunity to experience the rich biodiversity and culture of northern Costa Rica.

Accommodation: 4* Lodge
Meals: Breakfast

Hiking up close, right on the edge of the old lava fields, is an unforgettable experience that you should not miss while you are staying in the Arenal area! The 1968 Park is an amazing place to learn more about the mighty Arenal Volcano’s ferocious history. This hike will be a real lava adventure to explore the latest eruptions.

Professional and serviceable staff will be waiting for you at the lobby of your selected hotel and will transfer you in a comfortable, air-conditioned vehicle to the Arenal 1968 lookout reserve. This transfer usually takes under 30 minutes, depending on the hotel location.

Upon reaching the reserve, you will receive a briefing on the security recommendations that you should follow. Although there has not been any major activity since 2010, the volcano is still considered active, and all hiking trails around Arenal Volcano are limited to areas surrounding the base for safety reasons.

During the 2-hour hike (2.4 miles, 3.8 km), the naturalist guide will share with you important information about eruptions that buried much of the surrounding jungle during the dramatic eruptions of 1968, as well as useful recommendation that will allow you to discover more secrets of the wildlife that hides among the forested areas.

From the highest point of the trail, at the Lava Flow Summit, you can normally get a spectacular view of the Arenal Volcano, the lake, and the Tilaran Mountains. These views will give you a better panorama of the old lava flows, which were coming down from the slope of the volcano and into the valley.

At the end of the hike, you will be transferred (20-minute ride) to the Eco Termales hot springs. This is a beautiful sanctuary surrounded by nature, and it's long been more of a family project than a business. There are four pools where clients will have plenty of time to enjoy all the varying temperatures. The coolest pool is 91 degrees Fahrenheit, and the hottest is 105 degrees Fahrenheit. It also includes one with a cascading waterfall, creating a refreshing mist over the water.

Once you are relaxed and have enjoyed the dinner, you'll be driven back to your hotel, so you can rest as never before.

Accommodation: 4* Lodge
Meals: Breakfast & Dinner

Departing from the Arenal region, your journey continues toward Costa Rica’s Gulf of Nicoya. As you travel from the lush volcanic highlands to the Pacific coast, you’ll notice the scenery gradually shift—from rainforest-covered mountains to drier, coastal landscapes. The journey includes a scenic drive followed by a short boat transfer to Isla Chiquita, a peaceful island retreat known for its ocean views and close connection to nature.

You can leave the hire car in Punta Cuchillos, and Isla Chiquita will take you to the hotel by boat.

Accommodation: Glamping Hotel
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner

As night falls over the calm waters surrounding Isla Chiquita, you’ll embark on a magical boat tour to witness one of nature’s most enchanting phenomena: bioluminescence. With each movement in the water, tiny plankton emit glowing blue light, creating a mesmerizing, starry effect beneath the surface. This experience offers a peaceful and unforgettable way to connect with the ocean’s natural wonders.

Accommodation: Glamping Hotel
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner

Enjoy a free day in Isla Chiquita to unwind and soak in the peaceful island atmosphere. Surrounded by ocean views and gentle sea breezes, this is the perfect setting to relax at your own pace. Take advantage of the hotel’s facilities—whether it’s lounging in a hammock, savoring fresh local cuisine, or simply enjoying the sounds of nature.

For those looking to explore, the hotel offers complimentary use of kayaks and paddle boards, allowing you to glide across the calm waters of the Gulf of Nicoya and connect with the natural beauty of the area at your leisure. Whether you prefer restful moments or light adventure, Isla Chiquita offers a balanced and refreshing retreat.

Accommodation: Glamping Hotel
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner

Traveling from Isla Chiquita to the Naranjo region takes you from the peaceful, sun-kissed waters of the Nicoya Peninsula to the lush highlands of Costa Rica’s Central Valley. Your journey begins with a boat transfer back to the mainland, followed by the Paquera–Puntarenas ferry, a scenic ride across the Gulf of Nicoya that offers beautiful ocean views and a chance to relax before continuing by land.

Once back on the road, the scenery gradually changes, from coastal landscapes and dry tropical forests to rolling hills, coffee plantations, and cloud forest-covered mountains. As you head toward Naranjo, you’ll pass through charming rural communities and enjoy sweeping views of the Central Mountain Range.

This region is known for its cool climate, vibrant culture, and green countryside. Upon arrival, you’ll be surrounded by tranquil valleys and coffee-covered slopes, offering an authentic and peaceful experience in the heart of Costa Rica’s coffee country.

Accommodation: Boutique Hotel
Meals: Breakfast

This morning, you will explore the town of Naranjo, a rural community surrounded by coffee plantations, fertile lands, and farms, where the rugged mountains rise imposingly up to the central volcanic mountain range.

High-quality coffee has played an important role in this region, being the economic engine of Naranjo's inhabitants. It has even been called the “golden grain”, achieving several world awards for its exquisite flavors.

The beautiful coffee crops with their shiny green leaves, scented white flowers, and red cherries have become an attraction for tourists who want to learn about the whole process from the harvesting stage to seeing how coffee beans are roasted.

At the arranged time, the tourist transportation and naturalist guide will be waiting for you at the lobby of your hotel to take you on a short, 25-minute drive. You will arrive at Espiritu Santo Coffee plantations, where you will learn the traditional methods that transform small reddish fruits into the finest coffee to be exported.

During an hour and a half walk, the professional guide will show you all the secrets of why this famous drink has taken the world over. The visit takes place on a farm owned by the local cooperative of coffee growers, where the coffee landscape of rolling hills makes a unique scenery.

After enjoying the coffee experience, you will continue to Naranjo's local market, where the guide will explain to you about hundreds of products that are grown locally. Most of the people at the market are locals out in their daily routines, picking out a huge diversity of fruits, vegetables, dairy products, and meats for their families.

Additionally, the visit to the market will help you to share the culture of Costa Rican people, as you will enjoy a traditional lunch in one of the eateries, an experience that will immerse you in the local gastronomy.

Afterwards, you will visit the beautiful church, the Basilica of the Lady of Piedades. Rebuilt after several earthquakes in the 1940s, today it looks resplendent with its white, brown, and terracotta colors.

On the way back to the lodge, you will stop at a local bakery to buy some bread and continue to Don Carlos's farm, where you will enjoy a steaming cup of coffee overlooking the coffee plantations.

This activity lasts approximately 7 hours.

Accommodation: Boutique Hotel
Meals: Breakfast & Lunch

After breakfast, your naturalist guide will be waiting for you in the lobby of your hotel to start the 1-hour scenic drive. You'll go through the mountains, pass by small villages with plantations of potatoes, cabbages, and pasture fields until you reach Catarata del Toro, nestled in a 250-acre private property of primary rainforest.

Once you arrive at the visitors’ center, you will have a first look from the top of the stunning waterfall, which flows into a dormant volcanic crater.

Along a challenging 30-minute hike, you will enjoy the sounds of tropical birds and howler monkeys as you make your way down the steep jungle path, where several species of trees, plants, and colorful flowers can be seen. The guide will always be attentive to pointing out wildlife, like armadillos, blue morpho butterflies, and many birds, including hummingbirds!

The first 15 minutes of this hike are on irregular terrain. There will be some strategically-placed viewpoints on the trail to offer you time to rest and to enjoy the stunning views while you grab some shots of the waterfall at different angles. Then, you will start to go down. There are 375 steps to reach the bottom of the waterfall, most of which are sturdy concrete to mitigate slipperiness. Once down, you will be rewarded with a close-up view of the 90-meter drop that sinks into an extinct volcanic crater.

The green cliffs full of moss that surround the natural setting are out of this world! The unique rock formations lined against the walls are even more remarkable from this vantage point.

The streaks of vivid red and orange colors caused by old lava flows and the strange chemical composition of the water, remnants from the extremely acidic crater, will make for one of the most amazing encounters with nature.

After visiting the waterfall, you will continue to the village of Bajos del Toro, where you will enjoy a traditional lunch in a local and authentic eatery. After lunch, head back to the hotel with a short stop in Zarcero Park, the most recognized park in Costa Rica, thanks to its cypress topiary gardens.

Accommodation: Boutique Hotel
Meals: Breakfast & Lunch

On your final day, you will drive back to Alajuela to return your rental car to the rental office. After dropping off the car, a shuttle will be provided to take you comfortably to the airport in time for your departure.

Safe travels, and we hope the charm of Costa Rica stays with you!

Meals: Breakfast