Highlights
- Enjoy unspoiled coastal beaches and rainforests
- Get up close and personal with sloths, monkeys, and more
- Learn about Costa Rica's wildlife conservation efforts
- Discover the delicacies of Afro-Caribbean cuisine
Brief Itinerary
| Day | Highlights | Overnight |
|---|---|---|
| Day 1 | Arrive in San José, Visit Toucan Rescue Center | San José |
| Day 2 | Transfer to Tortuguero, Guided Boat Tour of the Tortuguero Canals | Tortuguero |
| Day 3 | Transfer to Puerto Viejo de Talamanca, Local Cooking Class | Puerto Viejo de Talamanca |
| Day 4 | Punta Uva Kayaking & Rainforest Hike, Beach Visit in Cahuita | Puerto Viejo de Talamanca |
| Day 5 | Return to San José, Depart |
Detailed Itinerary
Day 1: Arrive in San José, Visit Toucan Rescue Center
Welcome to Costa Rica! Upon arrival at the airport in San José, take a convenient 45-minute transfer to your local hotel to get settled in. After that, it's time to get out and explore, and your first port-of-call will be the Toucan Rescue Ranch, just half an hour from the Costa Rican capital. The rescue center houses a variety of the country's exotic animals, with kind, determined staff working round-the-clock to rescue and rehabilitate various species, including sloths, which you'll be meeting during your visit.
In fact, you can enjoy a truly one-of-a-kind experience at the Toucan Rescue Ranch: coffee with a sloth! You'll be able to sip some delicious, locally brewed coffee while admiring the rescue sloths going about their daily routines. Ranch guides will show you around, introducing you to the rescue center's mission and initiatives while also sharing some insight into the fascinating characteristics of the creatures you'll see along the way.
Day 2: Transfer to Tortuguero, Guided Boat Tour of the Tortuguero Canals
Day two takes you to Tortuguero National Park, one of the most-visited natural expanses in all of Costa Rica, famed for its extraordinary biodiversity. Rainforests, swamps, beaches, and mangroves make up the park, playing home to turtles, caimans, crocodiles, jaguars, monkeys, and over 440 species of bird. And you'll be able to see plenty of them once you arrive. It may take five hours to get there from San José, but the journey is an adventure in its own right as you pass dramatic mountains and dense forests before boarding a boat for the final leg of the voyage.
The two-hour guided boat tour of the Tortuguero rivers, canals, and lagoons provides the perfect introduction to this remarkable wilderness. Listen to the sounds of the rainforest, watch out for crocodiles and turtles as you travel along, and keep your eyes peeled for many other species of flora and fauna, pointed out by your friendly guide as you go. With the ride complete, you can finish the day by exploring the charming small town of Tortuguero before settling into your hotel and enjoying a delicious dinner on the Caribbean coast.
Chat with a local specialist who can help organize your trip.
Day 3: Transfer to Puerto Viejo de Talamanca, Local Cooking Class
Start your third day with a trip to the Sea Turtle Conservancy (STC) Visitor Center, learning all about the conservancy's hard work to protect the local turtle populations and their natural habitats. Then, enjoy a relaxing three-hour transfer south via boat and car to reach the coastal community of Puerto Viejo de Talamanca, known for its black-sand beach and spectacular surrounding scenery.
Day 4: Punta Uva Kayaking & Rainforest Hike, Beach Visit in Cahuita
The one-of-a-kind experiences continue today, starting with a rainforest hike and river kayaking trip in the small coastal town of Punta Uva, just a short trip down the coast from Talamanca. Wildlife lovers will fall in love with the dense forest, where monkeys, sloths, and tropical birds wait to greet you. It's a great place to snap some selfies with the local critters or simply stop, stare, and take in the special beauty of this part of the world before hiking back to town.
Later on, you'll head out to nearby Cahuita, another Costa Rican coastal gem. There, you have several options available. Those with plenty of energy left in the tank can take a tour of Cahuita National Park, meeting even more wildlife, dipping beneath the waves to admire the local coral reefs, or basking on the soft Caribbean sands. Otherwise, you can simply head straight for the beach, grab a beach chair, and rest, letting worries and stresses slip away before sampling some of the popular local Afro-Caribbean cuisine.
Day 5: Return to San José, Depart
More Great Costa Rica Itineraries
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