Highlights
- Relax in the Rio Negro Hot Springs, as locals do
- Enjoy horseback riding through Rincón de la Vieja National Park
- Go for a refreshing swim in the spectacular Oropendola Waterfall
- Visit a local village known for its generations-old ceramics-making
- Snorkel with tropical fish off the Catalina Islands
Brief Itinerary
| Day | Highlights | Overnight |
|---|---|---|
| Day 1 | Arrive in Liberia, Soak in the Río Negro Hot Springs | Rincón de la Vieja |
| Day 2 | Ride Horses in Rincón de la Vieja National Park | Rincón de la Vieja |
| Day 3 | Sail on the Gulf of Papagayo at Sunset | Gulf of Papagayo |
| Day 4 | Go on a Jungle Cruise & Visit an Indigenous Village | Gulf of Papagayo |
| Day 5 | Snorkel Around the Catalina Islands | Gulf of Papagayo |
| Day 6 | Return to Liberia, Depart |
Detailed Itinerary
Day 1: Arrive in Liberia, Soak in the Río Negro Hot Springs
Welcome to Costa Rica! You'll arrive in Liberia and transfer to your hotel in Rincón de la Vieja. Thermal waters have rejuvenating and therapeutic properties that people worldwide have appreciated for millennia. Today is your chance to experience this at some of Costa Rica's loveliest hot springs. Located on the edge of Rincón de la Vieja National Park and the country's most active volcano, you can take a dip in the incredible hot springs of the Río Negro. Beautiful and relaxing, these volcanic hot springs are naturally heated by the Rincón de la Vieja Volcano.
Surrounded by a dense, dry tropical forest, the Río Negro Hot Springs area is beautiful and peaceful. The crystal clear waters of the river flow beside 10 thermal pools built on the riverbank, each rich in minerals and naturally heated in the volcano's depths. You can use some of the hot volcanic mud to plaster over your body: this works just like a body mask in a spa, with all the associated benefits of nutrient-rich volcanic mud on your skin.
Learn more about the top nature experiences in Costa Rica.
Day 2: Ride Horses in Rincón de la Vieja National Park
Today you'll go horseback riding in Rincón de la Vieja National Park. Pause to enjoy views of the Rincón de la Vieja Volcano, the largest and most active volcano in Guanacaste Province. Some of the highlights along the journey are steaming fumaroles, mini-geysers, and bubbling volcanic mud pits.
Follow the Las Pailas loop trail over 2.5 miles (4 km) through tropical forest. Lookout points along the way feature some of the best views of the volcano and the wildlife that abounds nearer the trail, including tropical birds, armadillos, collared peccaries, iguanas, white-nosed coatis, and various types of monkeys. You'll be ready for a refreshing swim in the Oropendola Waterfall when you finish your ride. It's a short walk from the park entrance on a trail that winds along the Río Blanco. The Oropendola Waterfall plunges an impressive 82 feet (25 m) down to a bright turquoise pool.
Learn more about adventures in Rincón de la Vieja National Park.
Chat with a local specialist who can help organize your trip.
Day 3: Sail on the Gulf of Papagayo at Sunset
This morning, a driver will pick you up in a private, air-conditioned minivan and transfer you to the Gulf of Papagayo. Check into your room and take some time to relax. Later in the afternoon, you'll be picked up at your hotel and transferred to the landing dock in Playas del Coco. You'll board a catamaran and begin silently gliding along the Gold Coast past picturesque bays, white-sand beaches, and tropical jungles.
Soak up the bright afternoon sun until it transitions into soft pinks and oranges. You're likely to spot animals, from dolphins to sea turtles, flying fish, and the occasional breaching whale. The crew will serve up plenty of delicious tropical drinks as you make your way to a tranquil bay where you can swim in the crystal clear waters of the Pacific.
Read more about the best things to do in the Gulf of Papagayo.
Day 4: Go on a Jungle Cruise & Visit an Indigenous Village
Outdoor adventure and wildlife experiences await you today. First, you'll transfer to Palo Verde National Park, where you'll embark on a two-hour river trip. As you motor down the Tempisque River on this jungle cruise, white-faced capuchin monkeys swing from the tree branches on the shore while caimans and even the occasional crocodile patrol the waters.
Take in the sights and sounds of various species, including tiger herons, ospreys, ibises, and the jabiru. Afterward, you'll transfer to the small village of Guaitil. Many residents of this indigenous community make handcrafted pottery, and it's a great place to pick up some high-quality souvenirs.
Day 5: Snorkel Around the Catalina Islands
The Catalina Islands are a group of 20 volcanic islands and rock formations that rise above the ocean surface in front of Flamingo Bay. This morning, you'll be picked up from your hotel and taken to a local dive shop in Playas del Coco, where you'll be given snorkeling gear. Then you'll board the diving boat for a 40-minute ride to the Islands.
The rocky islands may not look like much at first, but below the surface of the indigo waters, you'll find an underwater menagerie of exotic wildlife. You'll see quickly why the Catalina Islands are a world-famous diving location attracting divers of all experience levels. Animals you'll spot include giant manta and devil rays, sea turtles, parrotfish, moray eels, and more. In the right season, you can even hear humpback whales singing!
Find out more here about snorkeling around the Catalina Islands.
Day 6: Return to Liberia, Depart
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