The greatest wildlife-watching destinations in Costa Rica? They’re the ones you haven’t heard about… yet. So, journey through untouched rainforests, jungle hillsides and concealed coastlines to search for sloths, monkeys and more with the help of our expert guides. The highlights are plentiful. Go deep into the Osa Peninsula, one of the most biologically intense places on Earth, immerse yourself in a remote mountain community, and stay in handpicked Premium accommodation each night – because going remote doesn’t mean giving up the luxuries!
Activity Areas
Birdwatching
Marine Wildlife
Wildlife Holidays
Region & Country & City
Central America: Arenal Volcano, Costa Rica
Included in the Price
— All breakfasts, four lunches, seven dinners
— All accommodation
— All transport and listed activities
— Expert tour leader, chosen for their experience and great customer feedback
— Arrival and departure transfers
— Tips for local staff and driver
Not Included In The Price
— Travel insurance
— Single accommodation (available on request)
— Visas or vaccinations
— Tip for the tour leader
Accommodation Information
— Travel by air-conditioned bus and boat
— 10 Premium nights (hotel and lodges)
Map
Itinerary
Day 1 Adventure begins in historic San José
Begin in San José, the mountain-wrapped capital of Costa Rica, meeting our representative at the airport for a transfer (45 minutes) to the hotel.
Around 6pm, say hola to your tour leader and fellow travellers, when we gather as a group for the first time to get to know each other and learn more about the adventures ahead.
Your tour leader then ensures a big welcome with a group dinner at the hotel's award-winning restaurant.
Want to explore San José further? Secure pre-tour hotel nights through your sales representative.
Accommodation: Hotel Grano de Oro (or similar)
Day 2 Tree planting at La Tigra Rainforest Reserve • Arrive in La Fortuna
Bid farewell to San José and transfer (four hours’ drive) to La Fortuna de San Carlos, a popular town watched over by the imposing giant cone of Arenal volcano.
En route, we stop at La Tigra Rainforest Reserve to get in touch (and give back!) to nature on a special tree-planting experience. Exploring the rainforest, we learn about its vital contribution to the local communities, while also digging into the earth and planting our own native trees as part of the reserve’s restoration project. We also tour the lodge garden, where the team grow vegetables and greens, before tucking into a delicious lunch made with the produce from that very same garden.
Arriving in La Fortuna, we have the rest of the day to relax and enjoy the hotel facilities. Perhaps a dip in the hot spring pools?
Accommodation: Arenal Kioro Hotel (or similar)
Day 3 Search for wild sloths • Enjoy an immersive Costa Rican cooking experience
The La Fortuna area is a natural haven for sloths, with plenty of wilderness, an absence of predators, and sustenance-providing guarumo trees. Join the tour leader for a guided exploration around a section of that local wilderness, in which we admire the flora and watch wild sloths in their natural habitat. Returning to the hotel, we have the rest of the afternoon to enjoy the hot springs more.
When the sun goes down, we head to a local family project for an immersive cookery experience. Start with an exploration of their garden, where we collect vegetables and aromatic spices for the kitchen. Then, under the expert guidance of a chef, we learn the art and techniques behind Costa Rican cuisine, learning how to cook a traditional dish and tortillas over a wood fire. Dinner will be delicious.
Accommodation: Arenal Kioro Hotel (or similar)
Day 4 To coastal Quepos
We’re off to Quepos on the Central Pacific coast after breakfast. Popular with sun-seekers, it’s the perfect place to unwind following a busy couple of days.
After the 4hr 45min journey, take the opportunity to relax. There’s plenty of facilities at the hotel to enjoy, including an adults-only pool and sunset terraces.
Accommodation: Si Como No (or similar)
Day 5 Birding in Esquipulas Rainforest • Coffee-tasting masterclass
Embark on an unforgettable journey through the lush landscapes of Esquipulas Rainforest Private Reserve today, a birder’s paradise with more than 200 bird species, including king vultures and hummingbirds. Accompanied by an expert guide, explore winding trails where every step reveals the beauty of Costa Rica’s rich biodiversity.
After our hike (2hr to 2hr 30min), indulge in a coffee-tasting masterclass. We sip exceptional organic coffee, learning how to identify key qualities such as acidity, aroma and subtle tastes. More than just a tasting, this experience digs into how growers are looking to produce coffee in a sustainable way that’s better for nature.
Accommodation: Si Como No (or similar)
Day 6 To our remote lodge in the wildlife-rich Osa Peninsula
Bid farewell to Quepos, as we set off for the Osa Peninsula, one of the greatest wildlife-watching destinations in the Americas − National Geographic even called it ‘one of the most biologically intense places on Earth’.
Our journey includes a two-hour transfer to Sierpe Dock, where we catch a boat for a one-hour cruise to Drake Bay, on the north side of the peninsula. We then head into the jungle-covered hills overlooking the bay, where we spend the next two nights experiencing a truly wild landscape, still largely untouched by development.
Accommodation: Aguila de Osa Rainforest Lodge (or similar)
Day 7 Explore the ‘Amazon of Costa Rica’ • Swim at San Pedrillo waterfall
Journey deep into Corcovado National Park today, starting with a 30-minute boat ride along the west coast of the Osa. After a wet landing at the ranger station, enjoy a brief talk from one of the resident rangers about Corcovado and the vital conservation work taking place here.
Then, set off on a hike, while our local guide points out many of the diverse species along the trail. You may see white-faced, spider and howler monkeys, white-lipped peccaries (wild pigs), scarlet macaws, coati, and countless species of birds and insects. The trails are clearly marked and easy to navigate, ascending and descending through the primary and secondary rainforest.
Late morning, we hike to the beautiful San Pedrillo waterfall, spotting more flora and fauna en route. Upon arrival, relax or take a refreshing swim in the natural pool. After, we return to the ranger station to catch the boat back to the hotel; on the way, if we’re lucky, we may spot humpback whales or dolphins breaching and spinning.
Accommodation: Aguila de Osa Rainforest Lodge (or similar)
Day 8 To the remote mountain village of San Gerardo de Rivas
We leave our lodge after breakfast and return to Sierpe Dock by boat (one hour), before transferring (2hr 30min) to San Gerardo de Rivas, a small village in the untouched Chirripó Pacífico valley.
Here, we can enjoy the peace and quiet of a traditional Costa Rican community in the scenic mountains.
Accommodation: Hotel Rio Chirripó (or similar)
Day 9 Hike the wild Finca Talari estate • Enjoy dinner at the beautiful home of Doña Leila
Go deep into the wilderness today, exploring the natural private reserve, Finca Talari. Hiking 3mi (5km) along the trails, we look for monkeys, agoutis, the resplendent quetzal and, the most famous bird in the area, the motmot, with the help of our expert guide, while also visiting the Talari River. Those brave enough can take a dip in the frigid river waters!
Later, we visit the beautiful wooden home of Doña Leila, which was built in 1950 and has a lovely garden. Here, Doña Leila tells her story about how she inherited the property, before enjoying a homecooked dinner prepared by our welcoming host.
Accommodation: Hotel Rio Chirripó (or similar)
Day 10 To a boutique hotel outside San José city
Depart San Gerardo de Rivas after breakfast and drive (3hr 45min) to Escazú, in the San José Province, where we stay in a boutique hotel on a lush hilltop overlooking the Sun Valley of Santa Ana.
This evening, we enjoy a memorable farewell dinner at the hotel restaurant, tucking into farm-to-table Costa Rican cuisine.
Accommodation: Hotel Alta las Palomas (or similar)
Day 11 Finish the adventure
The trip ends today after breakfast and there’s a free 45-minute transfer for you to the airport. If you’d like to extend your adventure, speak to your sales representative about booking additional hotel nights.
