Basic Costa Rica: Coastlines & Cloud Forests

Arrive in San Jose at any time. There are no planned activities so check into our hotel and enjoy the city. Stay: Boutique Hotel Casa Las Orquideas

We begin with an incredible bus ride over the mountains to the Caribbean coast. The picturesque village of Puerto Viejo de Talamanca’s white and black sand beaches are surrounded by exotic tropical vegetation. Stay: Hotel Cabinas Guarana

Opt to rent a bike, relax on the beach or hike in Manzanillo National Wildlife Refuge. Stay: Hotel Cabinas Guarana

Opt to rent a bike, relax on the beach or hike in Manzanillo National Wildlife Refuge. Stay: Hotel Cabinas Guarana

Travel north up the Caribbean coastline before heading inland through varied landscapes. Stop at Coope San Juan for a homestay in the local community and cooperative that includes lunch, dinner, and an activity with the community. Stay: Coope San Juan Homestay (D)

Get your adrenaline pumping and pre-book the Costa Rica Adrenaline Bundle on the checkout page to include this optional activity on your tour or ask your GCO or travel agent for assistance. Stay: Poshpacker Arenal (B)

Enjoy an entire free day in La Fortuna. Opt to go whitewater rafting, mountain biking, caving, horseback riding, or a tour of the Caño Negro Wildlife Refuge. Like much of Costa Rica, the area is a birders’ paradise, with over 600 species as permanent residents. After a long day of exploring, you can choose to take a relaxing soak at Baldi Hot Springs. Stay: Poshpacker Arenal

From the central valley, ascend to the Monteverde cloud forest region. Spend a couple of days exploring the town and a cloud forest reserve, truly a bird lover's paradise. This unique community has several cooperatives worth visiting including artist collectives and a cheese factory. Local guides are extremely knowledgeable about the area and passionate about conservation of this precious ecosystem. Optional activities include a walk along suspension bridges through dense forest, a coffee tour, or an adrenaline-filled zipline above the cloud forest on one of the many famous canopy tours. Stay: Hotel Manakin

Free day to enjoy; opt to tour the cloud forest or visit a coffee plantation. Stay: Hotel Manakin

Travel to the Pacific coast of the southern Nicoya Peninsula and enjoy the laid-back beach town vibes of Santa Teresa or Montezuma. Stay: Selina Santa Teresa

Fill your days with as much or as little as you like. Start off with an early yoga class or sleep in before setting off to explore nearby beaches in search of a perfect, tranquil spot for a day of relaxing along the beautiful Pacific coast. Take a day trip to the beautiful Isla Tortuga, where you can snorkel along a volcanic rock reef or check out the nearby surf havens of Mal Pais and Santa Teresa. Adrenaline junkies can take their pick of activities as well - ziplining, boogie boarding, horseback riding or scuba diving are all options. On the other hand, if relaxation is what you seek, opt for a yoga class or take a leisurely hike to search for orchids. Want to learn how to surf in Costa Rica? Pre-book the Santa Teresa Surf Lesson on the checkout page to include this optional activity on your tour or ask your GCO or travel agent for assistance. Stay: Selina Santa Teresa

Fill your days with as much or as little as you like. Start off with an early yoga class or sleep in before setting off to explore nearby beaches in search of a perfect, tranquil spot for a day of relaxing along the beautiful Pacific coast. Take a day trip to the beautiful Isla Tortuga, where you can snorkel along a volcanic rock reef or check out the nearby surf havens of Mal Pais and Santa Teresa. Adrenaline junkies can take their pick of activities as well - ziplining, boogie boarding, horseback riding or scuba diving are all options. On the other hand, if relaxation is what you seek, opt for a yoga class or take a leisurely hike to search for orchids. Want to learn how to surf in Costa Rica? Pre-book the Santa Teresa Surf Lesson on the checkout page to include this optional activity on your tour or ask your GCO or travel agent for assistance. Stay: Selina Santa Teresa

Return to San José for some last-minute shopping and a final night on the town. Stay: Boutique Hotel Casa Las Orquideas

Depart at any time.