Let yourself be seduced by the paradise Costa Rica and relax in the safe atmosphere of dream accommodations, offering fine dining, thrilling eco-adventures, amazing wildlife observation and inviting spas. Begin by exploring Costa Rica's south, those who look for peace and silence will be delighted.
Be impressed by the changing climates, from the cool paramo to the tropical warmth of the coastal region. Walk in the Aguti reserve and breathe the fresh air of the Monteverde cloud forest. Or do you prefer to relax in the volcanic thermal water at Arenal Volcano? You surely will take the calming sunsets of Playa Guiones in your thoughts long after your trip has ended.
In our travel proposal, we chose overnight stays, amongst others, in the hotels Grano de Oro, Kurá and Senda, which belong to the Cayuga Collection. These hotels, despite their remote location, combine comfort at a high level, a particularly exemplary sustainability strategy and, not only at this moment so important, strictly respected hygiene protocols.
The first day of the tour determines its season/rate.
The rates for Christmas/New Year (09.12.21 - 15.01.22) are on request.
On request
After a definitive booking, cancellations before tour start will be billed with a USD 50 service fee per reservation.
Until 31 days before arrival: no penalty fee
30 - 15 days before arrival: 50% penalty fee
14 - 00 days before arrival or no-show: 100% penalty fee
Individual service providers may have stricter terms of cancellation:
Kurá Design Villas
Periods 01.11.21 - 21.12.21 & 05.01.22 - 30.04.22:
Up to 30 days before arrival: no penalty fee
29 - 00 days before arrival or no-show: 100% penalty fee
Please note that some service providers ask for a written confirmation of the cancellation circumstances, for example, a health certificate or the confirmation of the flight cancellation due to border closure etc.
Grano de Oro****, Deluxe King - San José, 2 nights
Kura*****, Junior Suite - Uvita, 3 nights
Senda Monteverde****, Junior Suite - Monteverde, 3 nights
Amor Arenal****(*), Canyon Casita King - La Fortuna, 3 nights*
Lagarta Lodge****, Jungle Junior Suite - Nosara, 3 nights
Upon your arrival at San José airport, you will be met by a representative after passport control, who will escort you to the airport exit by baggage claim and customs check. Our English-speaking airport guide from ARA Tours will welcome you at the exit of the airport.
Included meals: Welcome cocktail
Included activities: None
Your private, English-speaking tour guide will pick you up at the hotel. He/she will accompany you today and introduce you to Costa Rica and today's destinations. Early in the morning, you will drive past small towns towards Irazú Volcano, where you will be impressed by the lush green landscape and the view of the Central Valley. First you will go up to the 3'432 meters high summit, where the weather can be very windy and cold! However, if the sky is cloudless, you can enjoy a beautiful view, with very good luck even to the Atlantic and Pacific coasts. The next destination is a coffee farm near Turrialba, picturesque, surrounded by rivers, waterfalls, trees and many birds that have found their home here. After lunch, you will learn about all the processes involved in coffee production, from growing and drying to making different types of coffee, packaging, and enjoying the coffee out of the cup.
On the way back to San José, you will stop in the former capital of the country, Cartago. Here, you will visit the Basilica ¨Nuestra Señora de los Ángeles¨, an important place of pilgrimage for Costa Ricans. You will return to your hotel in the late afternoon. Tour duration approximately from 7:30 am to 5:00 pm.
Included meals: Breakfast, lunch
Included activities: Entrance fee Irazú Volcano National Park, coffee plantation tour.
This morning you will pick up your rental car at your hotel and start the approximately 4-hour drive to the south of the country. We recommend the route via Cartago and the highest pass in the country, the Cerro de la Muerte at over 3'400m above sea level. The panorama on the descent to the Pacific coast in good weather is breathtaking. From San Isidro you take the route to Dominical and then to Uvita. Four-wheel drive is essential for the last few kilometres to the hotel. If you prefer, you can park the rental car at the hotel car park in Uvita and request the free shuttle for arrival and departure. Particularly in terms of environmental protection, but also in terms of design, Kurà presents itself as a pioneer in the hotel market. If your visit falls in the months of May to October, you can choose one of the hotel's signature activities, cooking or cocktail classes, free of charge.
Included meals today: Breakfast, lunch
Included entrance fees/activities: None
Take advantage of the hotel's spa and excursion programmes, or visit one of the surrounding natural beaches on your own. Alternatively, you can simply switch off and enjoy the pool with a beautiful view of the sea!
The hotel offers a free shuttle to the beach at certain times between 7 am - 3 pm.
Included meals today: Breakfast
Included entrance fees/activities: None
Today's excursion leads south along the coast and then via Palmar Norte into the interior of the country. After about 1.5 h drive, you will reach the project of the Borucas, a tribe consisting of about 2'560 members who have settled in the South Pacific of Costa Rica. During your visit, you will learn more about the efforts of the Boruca women, who have formed a small association, and visit their eco-cultural project, which aims to present the Boruca traditions to the world. You learn how cotton thread is made from seeds, how it takes on the different colours and how different items are woven with it. Part of the Boruca tradition is also to paint animal motifs on balsa wood. These paintings are then used as masks during the celebrations of the "Baile de los Diablitos" ("Dance of the Little Devils"), a tradition from colonial times. You will finally end today's visit to the village of Boruca with a delicious yadé (lunch in the Boruca language).
Included meals today: Breakfast, lunch
Included entrance fees/activities: Visit of the Borucas
Today, a 4.5-hour drive takes you first northwards along the coast. Soon after Dominical, you could take the opportunity to go hiking in the Hacienda Barú reserve. The village of Santa Elena near Monteverde is situated at about 1'400 m above sea level, several reserves partly above, why it is not surprising that the climate is cool and humid and a dense cloud forest has formed. Your accommodation for the next few days offers the best service and rooms with plenty of comfort. From the hotel, you can reach the village in a few minutes on foot, always downhill, and have a look around in the cosy little village. In the hotel itself, there are seating areas in the beautiful garden to enjoy nature and observe animals, it is not uncommon for a coati to pass by!
Included meals today: Breakfast
Included entrance fees/activities: None
A hiking trail leads you directly from the hotel to the Aguti Reserve, rubber boots and walking sticks can be borrowed. On various hiking trails, you can walk through the cloud forest and sit on a bench at a lagoon to observe nature. You can relax even more deeply during one of the yoga classes offered free of charge several times a week.
Included meals today: Breakfast
Included entrance fees/activities: None
The village of Santa Elena and its surroundings also offer many interesting ways to experience nature from different angles. Hike over suspension bridges, climb a giant tree, glide silently up into the forest by gondola and, if you dare, zipline back down in an adventurous way! Hummingbird gardens, bat house and snake and frog museums can be visited in the village and at tour providers.
Included meals today: Breakfast
Included entrance fees/activities: None
Before continuing to the next region today, you will visit the property of Don Gilbert, a farmer in the region. The experience begins at Don Gilbert's home, where you will learn about the Tico way of life and family history, such as how coffee farming developed in his village and how his grandfather was also involved in this growth. During a tour of the farm, you will learn about different crops such as the coffee, chives, bananas and various fruit trees. While you walk around the farm, Don Gilbert also shows you sugar cane and demonstrates how it is ground to produce the sweet sugar cane juice, which you are of course allowed to taste. All in all, an authentic visit to a real farmer who opens the doors of his small farm to show you how he spends his daily life in the country.
Afterwards, you will drive around Lake Arenal and soon reach La Fortuna. If the weather is fine, you will be able to see the conical shape of the famous Arenal Volcano from afar.
Included meals today: Breakfast
Included entrance fees/activities: Visit of a farm with English-speaking translator
Hotel Amor Arenal is synonymous for relaxation. If you would like to go exploring, there are two unique hiking trails from the hotel to experience one of the most beautiful and most visited areas of Costa Rica on foot or on horseback. You will discover diverse vegetation and waterfalls without losing sight of the magnificent Arenal Volcano. Back at the hotel, you can relax with a drink in the thermal waters, either in the hotel's three pools or in your room's pool spa. As for the cuisine, you can enjoy healthy and fresh dishes in the hotel restaurant, prepared with fruit and vegetables from the gardens and meat from grazing animals.
Included meals today: Breakfast
Included entrance fees/activities: Access to the hotel's trails
If your stay falls during May and June 2022 or September and November 2022, a romantic private dinner will be included.
Of course, a hike at the foot of the volcano is not to be missed. You can choose from the hiking trails of the national park or various private reserves, all of which include a short section to the cooled lava flow of the 1968 eruption. Local guides who will tell you the interesting history of the colossus and the village of La Fortuna can be organised upon advance reservation. For those who like it more racy, there are adventure tours to pick from: Canopy, rafting, rappelling, horseback riding, cave tour and much more.
Included meals today: Breakfast
Included entrance fees/activities: None
Your destination for today is on the northern Pacific coast. Drive back along the road around Lake Arenal to take the road from Tilarán over the Friendship Bridge with Taiwan, La Amistad; in total you will be on the road for a little more than 4 hours until you reach Nosara. The terraced hotel complex is situated on a cliff 40 m above the sea and is an oasis of peace for nature lovers. It offers a spectacular panoramic view of the Pacific Ocean and borders a private nature reserve, which is freely accessible to hotel guests. The hotel gives you a USD 25 credit per person to treat yourself to a relaxing 80-minute massage at the spa at a reduced rate!
Included meals today: Breakfast
Included entrance fees/activities: None
The private, 35ha nature reserve Nosara offers the opportunity to observe anteaters, armadillos, iguanas, numerous bird species and other animals. Activities such as kayaking on the river, excursions by electric boat, canopy or horse riding are offered within walking distance of the hotel. Today you can explore the various beaches in the area: Playa Pelada Beach is a 15-minute walk, Guiones beach and the tourist centre of Nosara are 10 minutes away by car. Nearby is the nesting area for the olive turtle, Playa Ostional.
The hotel offers a free shuttle to the beaches Pelada and Guiones, at certain times during the day.
Included meals today: Breakfast
Included entrance fees/activities: None
One last day to relax and enjoy. The hotel's infinity swimming pools are ideal places to relax, as is a jacuzzi, spa and art gallery with artwork from the Maleku Indians.
Included meals: Breakfast
Included activities: none
Today you say goodbye to paradise and start the return journey to the Central Valley and the airport, we recommend estimating around 5 hours for this drive. The rental car drop-off is planned at the airport office of the rental company, which take you by shuttle transfer to the departure lounge.
Included meals: Breakfast
Included activities: none
WhatsApp: +506-8893-3863
Phone: +506-2232-0400
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Apdo 799 – 1007
San José, Costa Rica
Licenced by the Costa Rican Tourist Board: Lic ICT OT 294
Liability insurance: Instituto Costarricense de Seguros (INS) Coverage: Territory of the Republic of Costa Rica