Luxury Costa Rica Beach Break: Puerto Viejo de Talamanca - 5 Days

Day 1: Arrive in Costa Rica & Transfer to Puerto Viejo de Talamanca

Welcome to Costa Rica! Touchdown in San José and meet your private driver for the 4.5-hour journey east to the Caribbean coast. Your final destination is Puerto Viejo de Talamanca, a beach town beloved for its supreme surf breaks, fringed by mangroves and backed by thick rainforests home to native wildlife. Check into your 5-star hotel, Aguas Claras, which lies behind the pale sands of Playa Chiquita and was devised by artist Elizabeth Steinvorth.

You'll stay in one of the resort's luxury, restored beach homes; each has been individually designed with local art and has an eco-friendly focus. Relax on your veranda, swim in the pool, or head straight to the beach to dip your toes in the balmy waters. Sample some of the area's cuisine this evening at a local restaurant; Puerto Viejo de Talamanca is known for its Afro-Caribbean dishes and fresh seafood, which you can enjoy with ocean views.

Day 2: BriBri Community & Chocolate Tour

Get a dose of local culture today with a private visit to the Bribri Indigenous community. A local guide will teach you about this ancient community's history and traditions, leading you on a forest hike to a crashing waterfall. Along the way, learn about the area's flora and fauna, including cacao beans, plants, and herbs used for healing by the Bribri people. Take a break at the waterfall with a refreshing swim in its topaz pool.

Afterward, return to the Bribri community for a chocolate-making demonstration. Learn about the entire production process, from bean to bar, and take part in various steps, from roasting the cacao beans to grinding them into a paste and mixing them with sugar to create a delicious chocolate treat. You'll also discover the cultural significance of cacao to the Bribri people and its use in traditional ceremonies.

Enjoy a free afternoon to chill at your resort, or take an optional, one-on-one Afro-Caribbean cooking class. You'll meet chefs who've inherited their culinary skills from past generations and can teach you to cook traditional Afro-Caribbean dishes steeped in local history. Discover the secrets behind signature dishes such as spicy jerk chicken, coconut rice and beans, coconut base soup, and the rich chocolate desserts for which the area is known. The chefs will also regale you with stories about their cultural heritage as you cook; finish by feasting on your creations. 

Day 3: Cahuita National Park Tour, Rainforest Spa Session

Start the day with a decadent two-hour pamper session at the resort's spa. You'll enjoy a rainforest immersion massage and tropical facial, beginning with an aromatic foot soak while you sip on a jungle elixir. Next, settle into your private, open-air treatment room for a full-body massage and facial while listening to the sounds of the jungle and feeling the cool breeze. The treatments feature natural ingredients such as coconut and papaya.

The rest of the day is yours to spend as you please. Experience the Caribbean coast's natural wonders with an optional private tour of Cahuita National Park. This protected park is renowned for its coastal rainforest, soft-sand beaches, and crystal waters, home to the country's largest coral reef system. Start with a scenic cruise to Punta Cahuita, where you'll anchor up for some snorkeling; and glimpse over 120 varieties of fish, along with stingrays, octopus, and perhaps even reef sharks among the coral.

Alternatively, hit the beach or lounge by the hotel pool with a cocktail to continue the relaxation theme. If you're feeling active, take a surfing class on the black sands of Playa Negra or rent a bike to explore the area on two wheels. Puerto Viejo's lively markets are perfect for souvenir shopping and immersing yourself in local life. In the evening, dine on the beachfront under the stars at your hotel's stellar DaLime Beach Club restaurant.

Day 4: Cahuita Sunrise Kayaking, Transfer to San José

Rise early for a sunrise kayaking tour in Cahuita National Park. Gear up and then, accompanied by a private guide, paddle onto the calm waters as you soak up the golden sunrise and views of the coast backed by rainforest. As your guide regales you with information about the area's flora, fauna, and historical roots, look out for surrounding wildlife, from colorful fish and dolphins to monkeys and sloths on the tree-lined shore.

Paddle back to shore for breakfast before checkout, then transfer to the airport, where you'll board a flight back to San José. Check into the Hotel Grano de Oro, a Victorian home that's been restored and converted into a boutique hotel featuring elegant rooms with turn-of-the-century-style wood paneling, handmade tiles, and antiques. For your final evening in Costa Rica, head into the capital to explore or dine at the on-site restaurant for fine French-Mediterranean cuisine.

Day 5: Depart San José