Highlights
- Enjoy spa treatments in the tranquil valley above San José
- Brave class III/IV rapids on a whitewater rafting adventure down the Río Pacuare
- Soak in natural hot springs near Arenal Volcano
- Go snorkeling off the tropical beaches of Manuel Antonio National Park
- Start your day with a yoga class in a luxurious mountain hotel
Brief Itinerary
| Day | Highlights | Overnight |
|---|---|---|
| Day 1 | Arrival in Costa Rica - Private Transfer to The Retreat | Alajuela |
| Day 2 | Luxury Rainforest Lodge on the Pacuare River | Turrialba |
| Day 3 | Exclusive Pacuare River Trip | Turrialba |
| Day 4 | Rafting the Río Pacuare - Bajos del Toro | Bajos del Toro |
| Day 5 | Bajos del Toro Waterfall Hike With Private Guide | Bajos del Toro |
| Day 6 | Transfer to Arenal - Luxury Tabacón Hot Springs | Arenal/La Fortuna |
| Day 7 | Arenal 1968 Hike With Private Guide | Arenal/La Fortuna |
| Day 8 | Exclusive Chocolate Making Experience | Arenal/La Fortuna |
| Day 9 | Transfer to Alajuela | Alajuela |
| Day 10 | Depart Costa Rica |
Detailed Itinerary
Day 1: Arrival in Costa Rica - Private Transfer to The Retreat
Welcome to Costa Rica!
Upon arrival at Juan Santamaría International Airport (SJO), your private driver will meet you and whisk you off on a 45-minute journey west to the city of Atenas, located in Costa Rica's Central Valley. This remarkably beautiful area makes up most of Costa Rica’s interior and is home to over 50% of the country's population. It boasts many coffee plantations and is fringed by rugged mountains and two active volcanoes, Irazú and Poás.
Your destination is The Retreat, a luxury wellness center located on the slopes of a mountain just outside Atenas. Immediately after check-in, you will enjoy their signature "heaven on earth" 60-minute massage. You can then spend the remainder of the day relaxing and enjoying the prime views overlooking Atenas and the Central Valley below.
The Retreat is the creation of celebrity chef, best-selling author and health and wellness life-coach, Diana Stobo. The aesthetics of the deluxe rooms, suites, and bungalows seamlessly blend with the natural beauty of the grounds, and luxury amenities include organic “farm-to-spa” treatments and gourmet gastronomic experiences. Also, easily accessible from The Retreat are many sights and excursions such as botanical gardens, chocolate tours, and waterfalls.
Day 2: Luxury Rainforest Lodge on the Pacuare River
In the early morning, you'll transfer to San José and continue east for three hours down the Atlantic slope of the Talamanca Mountains towards the Caribbean coast. Your destination is the Pacuare River Lodge. As the name suggests, this rainforest lodge is located on the banks of the Pacuare River. This is not only one of the world's premier whitewater rafting destinations, it's also a highly biodiverse region home to much exotic flora and fauna.
The scenery around the river is characterized by lush primary rainforest, lowland tropical forest, and dramatic waterfalls. The lodge is situated in the midst of all this natural beauty, offering visitors both rustic rainforest accommodation and luxury amenities. The 20 villas and suites offer terraces with river views and king-size canopy beds with 300-thread-count Egyptian sheets. There's even a bar, wellness spa, and a millennium pool on site.
This is an eco-lodge in the strictest sense of the term. Their operation promotes sustainability within this river region, which is why their maximum capacity is a mere 56 guests. Even the wood used to construct the lodge came not from the surrounding rainforest trees but from local reforestation projects.
Upon checking in you'll have time to relax, tour the grounds, and learn a little bit about the lodge, its sustainability initiatives, and all the activities on offer. These include massage treatments, waterfall hikes, canyoning, and river rafting excursions.
Day 3: Exclusive Pacuare River Trip
Today, your rainforest adventure begins by crossing the Pacuare River on a gondola suspended from a steel cable. You'll then explore the river basin and rainforest as your accompanying naturalist guide points out all the unique flora and fauna of the region. You're bound to see exotic birds and animals like sloths and monkeys hanging in the trees.
Then it's time for a visit to the village of Bajo del Tigre, a small farming community that produces spices, roots, tubers, and more. You’ll visit a local family’s home and try a traditional Costa Rican snack, such as picadillo, while seeing how they live. You will then visit the community’s one-room schoolhouse (during weekdays ) where one energetic teacher teaches all grades. Following, you'll head back on a trail that winds its way down to the Pacuare Lodge.
Day 4: Rafting the Río Pacuare - Bajos del Toro
After breakfast, you'll embark on a 2-5-hour whitewater rafting adventure down the Pacuare. You'll experience the best of both worlds as you alternate between exciting class III/IV rapids and long stretches of tranquil, slow-moving water that allows you to enjoy the passing scenery on the riverbanks. This includes towering river canyons and unspoiled rainforest abounding with wildlife such as macaws, toucans, and monkeys.
After the rafting excursion, you'll hop in a vehicle and transfer three hours west to the highland region around the town of Bajos del Toro. The town sits at the foot of the towering Poás Volcano and is surrounded by a number of protected wilderness areas including the Poás Volcano National Park, Juan Castro Blanco National Park, and the Bosque de Paz Rain/Cloud Forest Biological Reserve.
You'll arrive at the El Silencio Lodge & Spa, a secluded and luxurious eco-hotel in the mountains and flanked by two national parks. After checking into your private villa, you'll have the rest of the afternoon free to relax and enjoy the surroundings.
Chat with a local specialist who can help organize your trip.
Day 5: Bajos del Toro Waterfall Hike With Private Guide
You're in for a treat, as today you'll visit the Catarata del Toro, a cascading waterfall that plunges 300 feet into a volcanic crater. The best part is that this waterfall is off the tourist trail so most of the visitors are locals. This is a medium-difficulty, 90-minute hike along the wilderness trails around Bajos del Toro.
Along the way, the guide will reveal insight into the eco-system and the various exotic flora and fauna it supports. This is a cloud-forest region, meaning the temps are cooler due to the higher mountain altitude, and the area gets more precipitation. This results in burgeoning green forests as far as the eye can see that abound with exotic animals. Eventually, you'll reach the waterfall where you'll be treated to incredible views as well as an opportunity to swim in the lagoon.
Day 6: Transfer to Arenal - Luxury Tabacón Hot Springs
After spending the morning at El Silencio, you will transfer 2.5 hours north to the town of La Fortuna, which is the home base for excursions into Arenal Volcano National Park. Even though the imposing (and active) Arenal Volcano is the major attraction here, the surrounding rainforest eco-system is equally impressive. You can enjoy a variety of activities in the Arenal region, including whitewater rafting, rappelling, hiking, and canopy tours.
The Arenal region is also renowned for its natural hot springs, and some of the most luxurious can be found on the grounds of the luxurious Tabacón Grand Spa Thermal Resort. This resort is situated on more than 900 acres of unspoiled tropical reserve, and it's where you'll stay for your duration in Arenal. After checking in, you'll have the afternoon free to relax and enjoy the flowing waters of the thermal hot springs.
Day 7: Arenal 1968 Hike With Private Guide
This four-hour excursion starts after breakfast with a pickup from your hotel and a transfer to the dock at Lake Arenal. You'll board a boat for a short ride across the lake during which you'll enjoy the passing scenery, which features stunning views of the towering Arenal Volcano looming over the horizon. You'll arrive at the Peninsula Sector, one of two sections of Arenal Volcano National Park. This one has its own network of hiking trails in an area called Arenal 1968.
This private reserve is named for the volcano’s eruption of that same year, which completely changed some of the region’s topography: lava fields now dominate one side of Arenal. Trails wind through those lava fields as well as through the rainforest, offering beautiful views of the volcano. This is a fairly challenging hike but one that comes with many rewards.
Day 8: Exclusive Chocolate Making Experience
Start the day with a hands-on program in which you'll learn about the origin, history, and production methods of one of Costa Rica's most famous exports: chocolate. Participate in the harvesting of cacao, the drying and grinding of the seeds, and learn how a traditional chocolate drink was developed centuries ago. Of course, you'll have the opportunity to sample freshly made chocolate.
This is a three-hour guided tour, after which you'll return to your luxurious resort and can soak in the natural hot springs.
Day 9: Transfer to Alajuela
It's a long 3.5-hour drive to Alajuela Province, but of course, you'll have a chance to stop along the way for picture breaks, pictures, and snacks. Your destination is the Xandari Resort and Spa, located in the hills just north of Alajuela. This is a city known for its rich history and laid-back charm. Its biggest claim to fame is being the hometown of Costa Rica’s most beloved national hero, Juan Santamaría, a humble drummer boy who sacrificed his life at the Battle of Santa Rosa against William Walker’s Filibusters.
The Xandari Resort and Spa is a five-star tropical paradise comprising of 24 individually designed villas nestled on a plantation overlooking the Central Valley of Costa Rica. The resort is a natural oasis with trails, exotic gardens, waterfalls, three lap pools, two poolside Jacuzzis, and five private spas with panoramic views. It's no overstatement to say that this is one of the true hidden gems of Costa Rica.
Day 10: Depart Costa Rica
With a newly rejuvenated body and soul, it's time to say adiós to Costa Rica! After breakfast, you'll transfer to the airport and catch your international flight home. Come back soon!
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