Luxury Costa Rica Wildlife Tour - 14 Days

Day 1: Arrive in San José, Afternoon City 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. Drop your bags at the Hotel Presidente on Avenida Central in the core of downtown. Once a popular fashion boutique in the 1950s, the 4-star hotel's design speaks to its history with industrial-yet-trendy decor featuring exposed brick, antique sewing machines, and a giant mural depicting Costa Rican history. 

Check into your contemporary room and then head to the rooftop terrace, shaded with palm trees, for a welcome drink with city views. This afternoon, venture out with a private guide to explore the city on foot. Start in serene Parque La Sabana, then wander streets steeped in history, lined with buildings that date back over a century. Highlights include the Teatro Nacional, the University of Costa Rica, and the National Liquor Factory. 

Day 2: Boat to Tortuguero, Local Village Tour

Escape the city today and travel 2.5 hours by private boat to Tortuguero on the northern Caribbean coast. Only accessible by boat or charter plane, this remote village is part of the Tortuguero National Park and sits on a sandbar between peaceful lagoons and beaches lapped by the Caribbean Sea. The area is most famous as a nesting site for the green, hawksbill, leatherback, and loggerhead turtles that flock here between July and October. 

Disembark at secluded Tortuga Lodge & Gardens, set on the waterfront between two lagoons, surrounded by exotic foliage. This colorful, plantation-style 4-star property is set on a 70-acre (28 ha) nature reserve with jungle trails where you can spot everything from monkeys to dart frogs and sloths. Settle into your chic room, complete with a lagoon-view balcony, then retire to a hammock on the sun terrace, where you can take a dip in the pool. 

Dine on fine Costa Rican Caribbean dishes overlooking the lagoon at the on-site Green Turtle Restaurant before your private afternoon tour of Tortuguero village. Accompanied by a guide, you'll explore the village's Afro-Caribbean roots, wandering from the beach to the main street, lined with typical shops and restaurants. Enjoy some free time to shop for souvenirs before taking a boat back to your lodge.

Day 3: Tortuguero Boat Tour, Twilight Manatus Hotel Trail Walk 

Discover the natural splendors of Tortuguero National Park today on a private boat tour along its wildlife-rich canals. Often referred to as the mini Amazon, the park is home to over 400 bird species, 160 types of mammals, 30 freshwater fish species, and 60 varieties of frogs. Sail through this watery wonderland surrounded by dense forests where creatures like jaguars and tapirs tread. 

Your guide will point out animals on the riverbank, including spider and howler monkeys playing in the treetops alongside toucans and green parrots. In the waters, search for prehistoric-looking caimans and crocodiles, West Indian manatees, and bull sharks. You might even see a basilisk lizard, known as the Jesus Christ lizard for their ability to skim across the water's surface. 

Return to shore to recharge before your twilight tour of the Manatus Hotel Trails in a private section of rainforest along the Caribbean coast. Head out with a flashlight to witness wildlife emerging at dusk, transforming the forest into a whole new environment. You'll witness the bedding-down rituals of daytime animals and the first stirrings of nocturnal creatures, from spiders and bats to porcupines. 

Day 4: Tarpon Fishing Experience, Massage at Manatus Hotel

Today, you'll embark upon a private tarpon fishing tour in the 400,000-acre (162,000 ha) Tortuguero Conservation Area. Costa Rica's Caribbean coast, particularly the stretch between Río San Juan and Río Parismina, is one of the world's best places to catch this mammoth variety of fish, which can weigh up to 150 pounds (68 kg). Set sail with an experienced guide and settle in for a fishing session; as well as tarpon, you'll have a chance to catch jacks, snapper, mackerel, and big groupers. 

Return to your hotel to freshen up and have lunch before this afternoon's pamper session at Manatus Hotel. Indulge in an open-air massage, soaking in the sound of the rainforest. Afterward, relish a final relaxing evening at your lodge; feast on seafood overlooking the lagoon. 

Day 5: Transfer to Sarapiquí, Costa Rican Chocolate Tour

Say goodbye to the Caribbean coast this morning and travel two hours west to Sarapiquí by private boat and car. This region stretches from the central volcanic mountain range across the vast northern plains to Nicaragua and is studded with national parks. The Río Sarapiquí, popular with kayakers and rafters, brings life to the landscape, which is carpeted in premontane rainforest and plantations where locals grow everything from bananas to coffee and cacao. 

Your driver will take you straight to Selva Verde Lodge, a 3-star eco-hotel set in a 500-acre (200 ha) rainforest reserve. Follow elevated walkways that blend in with the jungle to your room, which has a forest-view balcony. After settling in, head to the pool for a swim or tackle one of the reserve's jungle trails; staff offer complimentary daily bird-watching tours. 

End the afternoon with a tour of a nearby plantation, where you'll learn how chocolate is made, from cacao seed to bar. An expert guide will take you through the entire process during a walk through the grounds and workshop, ending with a delicious tasting session.

Day 6: Río Sarapiquí Boat Trip, La Selva Nature Hike

Start the day with a private boat trip down the Río Sarapiquí. Travel with a naturalist who'll help you locate creatures such as the spectacled caiman, green iguanas, turtles, and rare Neotropical otters. Peer through binoculars to spot the many varieties of birds that live along the river, including herons, wood storks, and delicate flycatchers. 

Continue your wild expedition this afternoon with a private nature hike through a preserved slice of rainforest. Your guide is on hand to teach you about the unique native flora and fauna that field researchers regularly study. Listen to the buzz of the forest and take in the sights and smells during your trek before returning to your lodge for a relaxed evening.

Day 7: Transfer to Boca Tapada, Rainforest Night Tour

Journey 1.5 hours north to lesser-visited Boca Tapada this morning. Set in the northern lowlands, this area is an unspoiled paradise untouched by mass tourism. Much of the landscape is protected by the Maquenque Wildlife Refuge, which provides a haven for animals such as the endangered great green macaw, which comes here to nest, as well as a kaleidoscope of other birdlife, reptiles, amphibians, and mammals. 

Check into Maquenque Ecolodge, which lies inside the wildlife refuge bordering the powerful Río San Carlos. Stay in a rustic bungalow complete with a lagoon-view terrace or a quirky treehouse among the canopy; each features solar-powered hot water and access to canoes for exploring the waterways. Head down to the garden pool or wander tranquil trails that crisscross the 68 acres (27 ha) of rainforest surrounding the 3-star lodge. 

Enjoy typical Costa Rican dishes with panoramic views of the mountains and lagoons at the lodge's El Paso de la Lapa restaurant before your private night tour. Venture into the rainforest with a lodge guide to witness nocturnal animals in their natural habitat. Look out for frogs, snakes, spiders, and even alligators as you learn about the area's intricate ecosystems.

Day 8: Bird-Watching in Maquenque, River Kayaking Tour 

Spend the morning bird-watching in Maquenque. Rise at 5:30 am for the best sightings, following your private guide through gardens and past lagoons to a forest path and nesting site. The forest here is home to over 592 bird species, including migrating varieties from Nicaragua. Highlights include honeycreepers, jacamars, and hummingbirds. 

After lunch, take a private kayak safari along the Río Tres Amigos. As you paddle, soak up the forest scenery and watch out for animals. Your guide will give you a lesson in ecology and biodiversity while allowing you time to enjoy floating through the pristine Costa Rican rainforest. Return to the lodge afterward for a well-deserved rest; book an open-air facial or massage for the ultimate treat.

Day 9: Río San Carlos Boat Tour, Rainforest Hiking in Boca Tapada

After breakfast, walk down to the lodge's pier, where you'll board a boat for a cruise down the Río San Carlos. Drift downstream, your guide pointing out everything from tortoises to king vultures as you journey close to the Nicaragua border. You'll stop to explore the traditional town of Boca San Carlos, where you'll meet the locals and get a glimpse into their daily lives. 

After lunch at the lodge, stretch your legs by hiking through the rainforest with a private expert guide. Learn about the medicinal properties of native plants used by locals for generations and encounter animals. Eventually, you'll reach a crashing waterfall, where you can swim in a glassy pool surrounded by towering trees. Head back to your lodge for a final night in this wildlife refuge. 

Day 10: Transfer to Corcovado National Park, Jungle Night Walk

Today, you'll make the five-hour journey by private car and plane 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 3-star 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 new 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 11: 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 flora and fauna. Keep an eye out for some of the 494 bird species recorded in the park, including scarlet macaws and harpy eagles. 

Eventually, you'll reach a 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 savor an open-air meal with sweeping coastal views at the on-site Miramar Bar and Restaurant.

Day 12: 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 waters where 19 species of 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, enter 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 see an octopus. Afterward, enjoy a picnic lunch on the beach and time to sunbathe or explore Isla del Caño before returning to your resort.

Day 13: 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, searching 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 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 trekking back to the biological station. Finally, enjoy one last night in your luxe rainforest resort; take a sunset beach stroll and have dinner beneath the stars.

Day 14: Return Flight to San José, Depart

Fly back to San José this morning, savoring aerial views of the forest-lined coast and Pacific Ocean. Here, you’ll connect to your homebound flight—safe travels! 

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