Rainforest & Restful Retreats in Costa Rica

On arrival at San Jose airport, you'll be met and taken to your hotel, Studio Hotel in Santa Ana. The rest of the day is yours to shake off the flight and venture out to San Jose (or Chepe, as the locals call it) at your own pace. Stay: Studio Hotel or similar.

You'll travel 125 miles this morning, headed to the Celeste River in the Tenorio Volcano National Park. Its rainforest and the magnificently blue river are highlights of Costa Rica's natural phenomena. Now the adventure begins. Brace yourself: you'll be river tubing, hurtling downstream through Grade I and II rapids, flanked on each side by tropical rainforest. All to a soundtrack of monkey calls and birdsong. It's exhilarating stuff and the perfect intro to this untamed wilderness. Tonight, you'll stay at Rio Celeste Hideaway, a small eco-friendly resort on the slopes of Tenorio Volcano. Stay: Rio Celeste Hideaway or similar (B).

After breakfast, you'll venture further into the ecosystem on a four-hour hike in Tenorio Volcano National Park. You'll spot exotic plants and wildlife before you reach the magnificent Rio Celeste waterfall and the place where the river acquires its vivid turquoise colour. Later, when the sun goes down, you'll follow a forest trail by torchlight to witness some nocturnal species emerging. Stay: Rio Celeste Hideaway or similar (B).

After breakfast, you'll head to Rincon de la Vieja, home to two volcanoes and 32 rivers. Alive with geothermal energy, Rincon de la Vieja effervesces with fumaroles, warm springs and mud pots. You'll check into Hacienda Guachipelin. Near to the hotel is a crystal clear river that feeds ten riverbank pools with thermal, mineral-rich water. Soak in the pools, then apply a volcanic mud masque and let it dry before leaping into the cool stream. And repeat. And repeat. And repeat… Stay: Hacienda Guachipelin or similar (B).

Carb-load at breakfast. You'll need the energy for a zip line tour, where you'll fly through the trees on zip lines, rappelling, climbing and swinging. You'll cross hanging bridges over a narrow river canyon. Proper exhilarating stuff. Feet back on solid ground, you'll hike to the aptly named Cauldrons, where steam and sulphur belch from the fumaroles. Stay: Hacienda Guachipelin or similar (B).

After breakfast, you'll head south-west to the paradisiacal coast today. You're bound for Tamarindo on the Nicoya Peninsula, Costa Rica's renowned surf spot. The afternoon is yours to explore your new digs – the beachfront Tamarindo Diria hotel. Take a swim in one of the pools or take a stroll on the beach. Late afternoon, you'll board a catamaran to explore some of the bays. With a suitably tropical drink in hand, scan the sea for dolphin pods and sea turtles. Perhaps even the odd whale if you're particularly lucky. You'll drop anchor for a snorkel or explore a deserted beach while the crew prepare a BBQ feast. Stay: Tamarindo Diria Hotel or similar (B/D).

Today you'll take to the sapphire waters on either a surfing or SUP lesson. The barrel curls will beckon experienced surfers, but the instructors are there to guide beginners in riding their very first wave. Fancy another watersport instead? A Stand Up Paddleboarding lesson is an alternative choice - a growing phenomenon that's easy to get the hang of. The rest of the day is yours to enjoy this beachfront utopia before your thoughts turn to packing up ready for your departure tomorrow. Don't miss the final sunset – they're truly out of this world in these parts. Stay: Tamarindo Diria Hotel or similar (B).

After a final breakfast, one group transfer will be arranged to Daniel Oduber International Airport in Liberia. Alternatively ask us about extending your stay in Tamarindo and spending a few more days enjoying all that Costa Rica has to offer (B).