Luxury Costa Rica Eco-Escape to Corcovado National Park - 7 Days

Day 1: Arrive in San José, Barrio Escalante Evening Tour

Welcome to Costa Rica! Touch down in the thriving capital, San José, a cultural hub ringed by mountains and volcanic peaks that rise from the fertile Central Valley. The city offers everything from historic neighborhoods to world-class restaurants, vibrant clubs, and museums specializing in pre-Columbian gold and pottery. A visit to the striking Teatro Nacional de Costa Rica (National Theater of Costa Rica) is a highlight. 

Your private driver will take you to the city's peaceful Santa Ana neighborhood, where you'll check into the 5-star Studio Hotel. Settle into your room at this unique boutique hotel, which features the city's most extensive collection of artwork after the National Gallery. Each room is decorated with pieces from internationally renowned artists, elegant furnishings, and views of the Santa Ana Mountains. 

This evening, you'll take a private tour of San José's trendy Barrio Escalante, a neighborhood beloved for its eclectic food scene, parks, and thrumming nightlife. Learn about Costa Rican history and traditions from your guide as you wander the streets, sample Costa Rican coffee, and enjoy a delicious local meal.

Day 2: Transfer to Corcovado National Park, Jungle Night Walk

This morning, fly 1.5 hours south to the Osa Peninsula, home to 2.5% of the world's biodiversity. The region's crowning jewel is Corcovado National Park, which covers up to 40% of the Osa Peninsula and protects the largest tract of primary forest along the Pacific coastline. Waterfalls, postcard-worthy beaches, swamps, and mangrove forests provide sanctuary for a staggering array of wildlife, from tapirs to pumas. 

Take a boat straight to the all-inclusive Copa De Arbol Beach & Rainforest Resort, which lies between Corcovado National Park and Drake Bay. This oceanfront property sprawls over 70 acres (28 ha) of forest, where you'll spot reptiles, birds, and marine life. Settle into your luxury, thatched wooden cabin among the trees, taking in ocean views from your balcony. You're just steps from the golden sands of Playa Copa De Arbol, where kayaking and snorkeling adventures await. 

This evening, set out on a night walk through the rainforest with a private guide. As the sun sets, the landscape comes alive with a whole new set of creatures that thrive in the darkness. Listen to the chorus of chirping crickets and croaking frogs, monkeys rustling in the trees, and bats soaring overhead. As you navigate the trails with a flashlight, stop to marvel at everything from spiders to tree frogs and ocelots.

Day 3: San Pedrillo Ranger Station Guided Hike

Discover Corcovado's natural gems today on a private park tour. Board a boat from Playa Copa De Arbol for a scenic 30-minute ride to the San Pedrillo Ranger Station in the north of the park. Here, you'll hike along lush park trails and stream beds while your knowledgeable guide teaches you about the park's biodiverse flora and fauna. Look out for some of the 494 bird species recorded in the park, including scarlet macaws and harpy eagles.  

Eventually, you'll reach a crashing waterfall where you can cool off in a sparkling pool before hiking back to the station for a picnic lunch in the forest. Return to your resort afterward for a free afternoon; laze by the four-tiered oceanfront infinity pool or soak in a Jacuzzi, take one of the standup paddleboards for a spin, or hit the beach. This evening, you can enjoy an open-air meal with sweeping coastal views at the on-site Miramar Bar and Restaurant.

Day 4: Snorkeling at Caño Island Biological Reserve

Set sail this morning for a trip to Caño Island Biological Reserve, a 7,166-acre (2,900 ha) protected reserve known for its colorful underwater life. Take a boat just 10 nautical miles (18 km) from your resort, looking out for sea birds and migrating whales. Gear up for your snorkeling adventure and plunge beneath the glassy waters where 19 species of colorful coral flourish, including brain, head, and sea fans. The water here is particularly clear from December to April, reaching up to 80-foot (24 m) visibility. 

Led by your guide, glimpse an underwater landscape of caves, cliffs, and canyons. You'll spot some of the region's 60 species of marine life, from lobsters and giant conchs to white-tipped reef sharks, manta rays, and sea turtles. Large schools of parrotfish and snappers flit among the corals, along with puffer fish and starfish—you might even catch a glimpse of an octopus. Afterward, enjoy a picnic lunch on the beach and time to sunbathe or explore Isla del Caño before returning to your resort for the evening.

Day 5: Sirena Biological Station Trekking & Boat Trip

Make the most of your final day in the Osa Peninsula with another private tour of Corcovado National Park. This time, you'll take a boat down the coast to Sirena Biological Station, looking for marine treasures like leaping dolphins, sea snakes, and turtles. After a thrilling beach landing, change into your trekking shoes for a hike through the rainforest with your expert guide, who'll point out native species of flora and fauna.

Wildlife sightings can include all of Costa Rica's four species of monkeys, as well as sloths, coatis, and banana-beaked toucans. Corcovado is also one of the best places in Costa Rica for seeing the elusive Baird's tapir. Continue to an isolated spot in the jungle to have your picnic lunch at the mouth of the river before returning to the biological station. Finally, enjoy one last night in your luxe rainforest resort; take a sunset beach stroll and feast on fresh seafood under the stars.

Day 6: Return to San José, Private Walking Tour

Say goodbye to the rainforest this morning and fly back to San José, savoring aerial views of the forest-lined coast and Pacific Ocean. Drop your bags at the opulent Gran Hotel Costa Rica, a 1930s property on Avenida Central, just minutes from key city sights like the National Theater and the Museo del Oro Precolombino (pre-Columbian Gold Museum), and then head out to explore.

Take a tailored walking tour of the city, known affectionately to its residents as Chepe, with a private guide. You'll wander streets steeped in history, lined with buildings that date back over a century. Optional sites include the fascinating Museo del Jade (Jade Museum), street art, and the buzzing central market, where you can immerse yourself in local life and pick up souvenirs. End the day with a typical Costa Rican meal at one of the capital's top eateries.

Day 7: Depart San José