Highlights
- Hike the rugged trails of Corcovado and spot jaguars
- Swim with sea turtles in the Isla del Caño Marine Reserve
- Take a dip in waterfall lagoons and enjoy luxurious spa treatments
- Laze on white-sand beaches and take romantic sunset cruises
Brief Itinerary
| Day | Highlights | Overnight |
|---|---|---|
| Day 1 | Arrive in San José, Food & City Tour | San José |
| Day 2 | Fly to Drake Bay, Waterfall Tour & Marino Ballena National Park | Drake Bay |
| Day 3 | Day Hike in Corcovado National Park | Drake Bay |
| Day 4 | Isla del Caño Snorkeling Tour | Drake Bay |
| Day 5 | Transfer to Manuel Antonio, Sunset Catamaran Tour | Manuel Antonio |
| Day 6 | Manuel Antonio Guided Nature Hike, Rainforest Spa Treatment | Manuel Antonio |
| Day 7 | Fly to San José, Depart |
Detailed Itinerary
Day 1: Arrive in San José, Food & City Tour
Happy honeymoon, and welcome to Costa Rica! The next seven days are packed with experiences that combine the most romantic outings with some of the best wildlife experiences in the country. You'll arrive in San José, the capital and central hub for exploring this natural biosphere of a country. A driver will be waiting at the terminal to whisk you off on the 45-minute ride into the city and your centrally-located boutique hotel.
No doubt you'll be hungry after the long flight. Luckily for newlyweds, the first item on the agenda is a food tour. A local guide will meet you at your hotel, and from there, you'll embark on a half-day food hop around the city. It begins at Mercado Central, the epicenter for all things culinary in San José. Browse over 200 shops, food stalls, and sodas (traditional restaurants) in this massive municipal market, stopping to sample local herbs and exotic tropical fruits.
After the market, continue walking down Avenida Central, the city's historic heart. As you go, you'll pass landmarks like the Teatro Nacional, a masterpiece of neoclassical architecture that dates to 1897, and the Museo del Oro Precolombino (Pre-Columbian Gold Museum), which holds a vast collection of pre-Columbian gold artifacts. At the end of the tour, you'll return to your hotel.
Day 2: Fly to Drake Bay, Waterfall Tour & Marino Ballena National Park
And you're off! This morning, you and your spouse will return to the airport in San José and catch a 1.5-hour flight to Drake Bay. Located on the Osa Peninsula, at the far south of the Pacific coast, it's the gateway to Corcovado National Park, one of the country's most remote and rugged national parks. Corcovado is most famous for having the largest tract of rainforest on the Pacific coast, home to almost 500 species of birds and other wildlife.
The outdoor adventures begin right upon arrival. After dropping off your bags at your secluded rainforest lodge, you'll meet a guide and transfer a little ways up the coast to Nauyaca Falls, a secluded waterfall perfect for a romantic outing. At the entrance to the falls, you'll meet your guide and embark on a private scenic hike (or horseback ride) to Nauyaca, a group of two falls that plunge 141 feet (43 m) over cliffs into a crystalline lagoon below. It's a perfect swimming spot, so don't forget your bathing suit.
Later, transfer a short way south to Marino Ballena National Park, famous for its beach in the shape of a whale's tail. While here, you can embark on a combined hike and boat tour along the coast. Throughout the trip, you'll be accompanied by an expert guide who will point out the wildlife (both marine and terrestrial) in the park, which includes humpback whales, dolphins, and sea turtles. They'll also offer insight into the ecosystem, which accounts for 1% of Costa Rica's entire protected marine territory. After the tour, you'll return to Drake Bay.
Day 3: Day Hike in Corcovado National Park
Rise early and lace up your hiking boots for a dawn excursion into Corcovado National Park. A boat ride will take you along the coast, and you'll disembark on the beach at San Pedrillo, Corcovado's northernmost ranger station. Then, your bilingual guide will lead you on a private 3.5-hour nature hike along clearly marked trails into the park.
As you go, the guide will identify many of the endemic animal species you see, like white-faced, spider, and howler monkeys, as well as white-lipped peccaries, scarlet macaws, coatis, and other animals—get lucky, and you might even spot the elusive jaguar. You'll transfer back to the hotel at the end of the trek.
Day 4: Isla del Caño Snorkeling Tour
Chat with a local specialist who can help organize your trip.
In the morning, you'll explore the waters of the Isla del Caño Biological Reserve on a snorkeling excursion. This protected marine area (once the site of a pre-Columbian cemetery) is located off the northern tip of the Osa Peninsula, 12 miles (20 km) from Drake Bay. The half-day excursion begins when you board a boat and take a safety lesson for all ages and experience levels.
Then, it's time to plunge into the water, where you'll find abundant marine life, including reef sharks, sea turtles, parrotfish, eels, manta rays, pufferfish, snappers, sea cucumbers, and octopuses. There's also a wide variety of coral-building organisms and 19 different species of coral. Visibility is excellent throughout the year, making this a perfect site for underwater photography. You'll return to Drake Bay early in the afternoon and have the rest of the day free to relax at your hotel.
Day 5: Transfer to Manuel Antonio, Sunset Catamaran Tour
Time to hit the road this morning as you meet your driver for the 2.5-hour ride up the coast to Manuel Antonio National Park. This 1,680-acre (680 ha) protected area is a true gem of Costa Rica, home to virgin rainforest running from the mountains to the coast, where white-sand beaches and coral reefs await. Upon arrival, you'll check into your 5-star beachfront resort near the main town of Quepos, then you'll have the rest of the day to stake out your own secluded section of sand and kick back.
At the end of the afternoon, you'll board a private luxury catamaran and explore Manuel Antonio's coastal wonders on a sunset tour. Relax on deck as you cruise past islands, rock formations, and dramatic cliffs along the scenic coastline—keep an eye out for the playful dolphins that often trail the boat. The tour includes snacks and tropical drinks served onboard, plus a stop for swimming and snorkeling in a secluded bay. You'll return to Quepos and your hotel at the end of the tour.
Day 6: Manuel Antonio Guided Nature Hike, Rainforest Spa Treatment
Wake up early for a private adventure into Manuel Antonio National Park. This three-hour hike follows a 2-mile (3 km) trail, during which your expert guide will point out interesting wildlife in the area. These include howler monkeys, sloths, iguanas, and various birds like araçaris and hummingbirds. The guide will also offer insight into medicinal plants and trees used in traditional Costa Rican culture.
After the tour, you'll return to the resort and unwind with a spa treatment. This won't take place in some antiseptic treatment room but rather on a deck outdoors, amid the relaxing sounds of the rainforest and with views of the Pacific. The spa offers various packages ideal for couples. End the day with one last romantic dinner in Costa Rica as the sun dips behind the horizon.
Day 7: Fly to San José, Depart
More Great Costa Rica Itineraries
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