Romantic Beach & Cloud Forest Escape in Costa Rica - 7 Days

Highlights

• Go sailing along Costa Rica's incomparable northern Gold Coast
• Hike alongside crystalline rivers to waterfalls and volcanoes
• Explore the Monteverde cloud forests on ziplines and suspension bridges
• Savor a romantic nine-course dinner among the treetops of Monteverde

Brief Itinerary

Detailed Itinerary

Day 1: Arrive in Liberia, Transfer to Tamarindo, Sunset Cruise

Welcome to Costa Rica! Your romantic getaway starts when you touch down in the city of Liberia, the capital of Guanacaste province. This is the main hub for activities and excursions to some of the most incredible destinations in Costa Rica's north. A driver will meet you at the airport for the ride to the coast and one such national highlight: Tamarindo. Once a sleepy fishing village, in recent decades, it's become a popular surfing destination, filled with travelers and expats and featuring a fun nightlife scene.

After checking into your beachfront resort, you'll have the remainder of the day to relax on Tamarindo's golden sands. Then, later in the afternoon, head over to the pier and kick off your arrival in paradise with a sunset cruise. This four-hour ride follows Costa Rica's Gold Coast, famous for its white-sand beaches, secluded bays, and tropical jungles. So kick back, relax, and keep an eye out for exotic wildlife like dolphins, sea turtles, and flying fish as the crew serves up tropical drinks. There will also be a stop for snorkeling before returning to Tamarindo after sunset.

Day 2: Catamaran Tour, Day Trip to Río Celeste & Tenorio Volcano 

If you thought a sunset cruise was fun, wait until you experience this morning's private sailing adventure. Return to the harbor after breakfast and board a catamaran for a half-day trip back up the Gold Coast. Enjoy fresh fruit snacks and tropical drinks on deck as you cruise past secluded bays, white-sand beaches, and coastal jungles. Don't be surprised if you see marine life like sea turtles, dolphins, and (possibly) whales swimming by the boat. Toward the end of the tour, a barbecue lunch will be served onboard.

When you return to shore, a driver will be waiting to whisk you inland from the coast to Tenorio Volcano National Park, with its sky-blue lagoons and Río Celeste Waterfall, perhaps the most romantic falls in the country. You'll arrive at this marvel of Mother Nature on a 4-mile (7 km) hike that follows rainforest trails along the mesmerizing Río Celeste. This river is famous for its mineral content, which lends its waters a bright turquoise hue. According to local legend, God washed his brushes in this very river after painting the sky. 

There will also be ample opportunities for wildlife spotting during this hike. Don't be surprised if you spot monkeys and sloths in the trees, as well as blue morpho butterflies and anteaters near the trail. Eventually, you'll arrive at the star of the show, descending 253 steps in the middle of the rainforest to the base of the Río Celeste cascades. Here, you'll marvel at the otherworldly blue waters (swimming is prohibited) before hiking back to the park entrance. From there, you'll transfer back to Tamarindo.

Day 3: Transfer to Monteverde, Rainforest Night Hike

Say goodbye to the Pacific coast as you leave early on a four-hour scenic transfer east to the Cordillera de Tilarán highlands. Your destination is Monteverde. This region is home to the most famous cloud forest ecosystem in the country, which sits at 5,000 feet (1,500 m) in altitude.

Its most popular ecotourism destination is the Monteverde Cloud Forest Biological Reserve, a protected 40-square-mile (105 sq km) area. Suspension bridges throughout the reserve allow for walks above the forest canopy, allowing opportunities to spot the resplendent quetzal, a rare and exotic bird.

First, you'll check into a rainforest hotel offering private bungalows with views over the forest canopy and out to the coast. After settling in, you'll meet a naturalist guide for a private evening rainforest hike. Strap on a headlamp and set off on a 2.5-hour adventure along forest trails to spot some of the region's most exotic nocturnal animals. Expect to see a range of fascinating creatures, including frogs, tarantulas, bats, coatis, kinkajous, and owls. Afterward, you'll return to the hotel.

Day 4: Sky Tram & Forest Zipline Adventure

More thrills are in store this morning as you spend the day at Sky Adventures, an aerial amusement park that literally raises jungle excitement to the next level. Its Sky Tram network of gondolas transports visitors from one adrenaline-pumping activity to another. Begin with a guided Sky Walk, which combines trails and suspension bridges that reach heights of up to 984 feet (300 m) above the jungle canopy. Later, you'll ride in an open-air Sky Tram gondola. During this journey, you'll ascend over the rainforest and enjoy sweeping views over the mountains. 

Upon reaching the end of the line, the exhilarating adventure of whizzing down the mountain begins. You'll strap into a zipline cable that stretches over the treetops and across canyons, ultimately returning you to the starting point at Sky Adventures' main building. Sky Trek is regarded as the most thrilling zipline in the country, and this makes sense, considering that Monteverde is the birthplace of the canopy tour as we know it.

Day 5: Cloud Forest Reserve Guided Hike, Dinner in the Treetops

The Monteverde Reserve isn't the only biodiverse protected area in the region. Another highlight wildlife reserve is Santa Elena. Though covering a mere 766 acres (310 ha), it's an ideal place to spot some of the country's most exotic birds, including the resplendent quetzal, hummingbird, black guan, toucanet, and more. During a four-hour private guided hike, you'll also have the chance to spot other impressive animals, like spider monkeys, sloths, poison dart frogs, pumas, and (if you're lucky) the endangered jaguar. 

After the hike, you'll return to your hotel in Monteverde and can spend the rest of the day relaxing. Dinner this evening is a special occasion indeed, as you and your partner will sit down for a nine-course tasting menu served on a terrace overlooking the treetops. The menu is a culinary journey honoring Costa Rica, featuring local ingredients grown by farmers. Think of your server as a naturalist guide who will lead you through the experience and reveal insights about the exotic and delicious ingredients. 

Day 6: Coffee & Chocolate Tour, Transfer to Liberia

Your last morning in Monteverde is yours to spend however you wish. Feel free to sleep in, enjoy a relaxed breakfast amid forest views, and embark on one more nature hike. Around midday, meet a private guide who will take you on an adventure to discover the two golden crops of Costa Rica: coffee and cacao (cocoa).

You'll arrive at a local plantation that grows both of these fruits, whose prized beans are used to prepare rich coffee and decadent chocolate. As you stroll the fields, your guide will explain the cultivation and methods utilized to produce these delicacies. You'll even get to participate in every stage of the process, from harvesting, peeling, roasting, and grinding the beans.

The best part of the tour is near the end when you get to enjoy the fruits of your labor, savoring freshly brewed coffee paired with rich chocolate bars. Afterward, your driver will transfer you back to Liberia, where you'll settle into your comfortable hotel near the airport. The rest of the evening is yours to enjoy at your leisure—perhaps relaxing poolside as you savor your final Costa Rican sunset.

Day 7: Depart Liberia

Though your Costa Rican adventure ends today, the memories will last a lifetime. Enjoy a leisurely breakfast at your hotel in Liberia before meeting your driver for the 20-minute ride to the airport, where you'll catch your flight home. Safe travels!

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