Ultimate Costa Rica
Ultimate Costa Rica 18 Days
Costa Rica is one of the world’s great nature destinations, and this immersive journey reveals its extraordinary variety in style. From the cloud forests of San Gerardo de Dota and the wildlife-rich waterways of Tortuguero to the laid-back Caribbean coast and the pristine rainforests of the Osa Peninsula, each region offers a completely different perspective on the country’s remarkable landscapes and biodiversity.
Along the way, search for resplendent quetzals, monkeys, sloths, scarlet macaws and countless other species, raft the thrilling Pacuare River, snorkel around Caño Island and explore the legendary Corcovado National Park. With private transfers and all mentioned excursions included throughout, the itinerary is carefully arranged to make discovering Costa Rica as seamless as it is unforgettable.
This itinerary is also available as a self-drive itinerary for a small additional charge.
Prices shown are per person based on double occupancy. Please enquire for solo rates.
Highlights
- Explore Costa Rica’s remarkable variety, from cloud forest and volcanoes to Caribbean beaches and Pacific rainforest
- Search for the resplendent quetzal in the highlands of San Gerardo de Dota
- Discover Poás Volcano, La Paz Waterfall Gardens and a traditional Costa Rican coffee estate
- Experience an exhilarating whitewater rafting adventure on the Pacuare River
- Cruise the wildlife-rich canals of Tortuguero National Park in search of monkeys, sloths, caimans and tropical birds
- Enjoy time on Costa Rica’s laid-back Caribbean coast around Puerto Viejo and Cahuita
- Explore Corcovado National Park, one of the most biodiverse places on Earth
- Snorkel the protected waters around Caño Island in search of colourful reef fish, turtles and rays
- Travel with private transfers and all mentioned excursions included throughout
What's Included
- Accommodation and meals as specified in itinerary
- Domestic flights: Limon to Drake Bay (via San Jose) | Drake Bay - San Jose
- Private transfers throughout except the shuttle transfer from Pacuare River to Puerto Viejo which is on a shared basis
- Meet & greet upon arrival at SJO Airport
- Excursions as described (share basis)
- All hotel and VAT taxes
So much to experience
Our popularitinerary Suggestions
All our itinerary holidays are fully customisable
Arrive San Jose
Doka Estate - Poas Volcano - La Paz
Transfer to San Gerardo de Dota
San Gerardo de Dota
Transfer to Turrialba
Pacuare River Whitewater Rafting
Transfer to Tortuguero
Tortuguero National Park & Village
Transfer to Puerto Viejo
Cahuita National Park Tour
Days at Leisure in Puerto Viejo
Fly to Drake Bay (Osa Peninsula)
Corcovado National Park Tour
Caño Island Snorkelling
Day at Leisure in Osa Peninsula
Fly to San Jose - End of Tour
A view from Above
Accommodation Options
Savegre Mountain Lodge & Spa, San Gerardo de Dota
Savegre Lodge is a peaceful mountain retreat in San Gerardo de Dota, set at around 2,200 metres in Costa Rica’s cool, cloud forest-covered Talamanca mountains. Surrounded by private reserve, river, gardens and ancient oak forest, it is one of the country’s best-known bases for birdwatching, particularly for those hoping to see the dazzling resplendent quetzal, along with hummingbirds, tanagers and many other highland species.
Accommodation ranges from comfortable standard rooms to independent junior suites and more secluded master suites, all with private bathrooms, heating, WiFi and views of the gardens or mountains. Some rooms add balconies or terraces, lounge areas, bathtubs, fireplaces or Jacuzzis for extra comfort after a day outdoors. Guests can explore forest trails, waterfalls and the Savegre River on guided walks, birding tours, horseback rides or fishing excursions, then return to Las Bromelias Restaurant for Costa Rican and international dishes, including fresh trout, or unwind at Del Río Spa and the cosy Los Robles Bar & Lounge. Family-run and deeply rooted in the valley, Savegre Lodge is a wonderfully tranquil base for experiencing Costa Rica’s highland cloud forest.
Mawamba Lodge, Tortuguero
Mawamba Lodge is a 15 acre beach front property situated on a sand strip between the Tortuguero Canals and the Caribbean Ocean. It is surrounded by lush gardens, pristine beaches and the amazing Tortuguero National Park with its abundance of wildlife, this really is a perfect retreat for nature lovers.
The hotel's rustic accommodations blend perfectly with the surrounding natural richness. From the comfort of your wooden bungalow you will be able to listen to the jungle as it comes alive each day whilst the garden hammocks prove to be the perfect spot to relax after a day of adventures and discoveries. The lodge has several private nature trails and an open sky butterfly farm which will give guests the opportunity to discover a little more about the areas flora and fauna first hand.
Whilst staying at Mawamba Lodge you will have the opportunity to partake in a selection of optional extra activities, including massage, a night hike, fishing, dining on the katonga floating restaurant or an early morning boat tour inside the canals of the National Park. Accompanied by your naturalist guide and an experienced boatman in the area, the morning boat ride will allow you to appreciate the amazing variety of animal species the National Park shelter, including three species of monkeys, 400 species of birds, hundreds of reptiles and amphibians, such as iguanas, crocodiles, alligators, frogs , turtles and a a large number of mammals including the illusive jaguar.
The beach opposite the lodge has become the most important nesting site of the green turtle in Tropical America. Between June and October you will have the opportunity to take a night tour to watch these the sea turtles make their nest and between September and November you might be lucky enough to see a hatching, which is quite spectacular with some nests having as many as 150 eggs.
Hotel Villa Florencia, Turrialba
Hotel Villa Florencia is a welcoming countryside retreat in Costa Rica’s Turrialba Valley, surrounded by sugarcane plantations, tropical gardens and mountain scenery. Just a short drive from the town of Turrialba, it offers a peaceful base for relaxing between adventures, with easy access to the Pacuare and Reventazón rivers, Guayabo Archaeological Site, CATIE Botanical Garden and the volcanic landscapes of the region.
Rooms are spacious, comfortable and warmly furnished, with standard, superior and suite options available. Many look out over the gardens or offer direct access to them, and amenities include private bathrooms, hot water, WiFi, TV, coffee maker and homely touches designed for an easy stay. Guests can unwind by the swimming pool, enjoy the Jacuzzi, terrace, gardens and open-air spaces, or dine at Oropéndolas Restaurant, where fresh ingredients and garden views create a relaxed setting for Costa Rican and international flavours. With personal service and a tranquil rural setting, Villa Florencia is a lovely stop for nature lovers, families and travellers exploring the Turrialba area.
Gran Hotel Costa Rica, San Jose
Gran Hotel Costa Rica, Curio Collection by Hilton is a beautifully restored heritage hotel in the heart of San José, set on the Avenida Central pedestrian boulevard overlooking the National Theatre. First opened in 1930 and now a designated historical-architectural monument, it blends Costa Rican history with contemporary urban style, placing guests just steps from museums, cafés, shops and some of the capital’s key cultural landmarks.
The hotel’s 79 rooms and suites are sleek and comfortable, with modern amenities including WiFi, 50-inch HDTVs, mini-refrigerators, work desks and walk-in showers. Higher-category rooms and suites offer additional space, city views and upgraded comforts, while facilities include a fitness centre, business centre, restaurant and valet parking. Dining brings together international cuisine with local flavours, and the fifth-floor piano bar is a stylish spot for city views, cocktails, global whiskies and gin after a day exploring San José.
Aguas Claras Hotel, Puerto Viejo
Aguas Claras is a colourful, art-filled boutique hideaway on Costa Rica’s Caribbean coast, tucked within lush tropical gardens near Playa Chiquita. Eclectic, handcrafted and full of personality, it blends relaxed beach living with bold design, local artwork and a true sense of place, creating a private oasis just outside Puerto Viejo.
Accommodation ranges from individually styled Pavlova Suites to spacious one and two-bedroom bungalows, some with private plunge pools and generous indoor-outdoor living areas. Each space has its own character, with Caribbean-inspired décor, private bathrooms, air conditioning, fans, minibar, coffee maker and WiFi, while verandas and garden corners invite slow mornings and lazy afternoons. Guests can unwind by the pool, enjoy yoga or spa treatments, borrow bicycles, or wander down to DaLime Beach Club on Playa Chiquita for beachfront dining, music and cocktails. Papaya Restaurant adds another layer of flavour, serving tropical fusion cuisine with Afro-Caribbean influences in a vibrant jungle setting. With sloths, monkeys, frogs and birds often seen around the grounds, Aguas Claras is a stylish and soulful base for experiencing the wild, creative spirit of Puerto Viejo.
La Paloma Lodge, Osa Peninsula
This remote rainforest retreat is set above Drake Bay on Costa Rica’s wild Osa Peninsula, with sweeping views over the Pacific Ocean and lush jungle all around. Spread across 14 acres, just a short walk from the Agujitas River and secluded black-sand beaches, it offers a wonderfully immersive base for exploring Corcovado National Park, Caño Island and one of the most biodiverse regions on Earth.
Accommodation includes spacious ranchos and superior rooms tucked among tropical gardens, with ocean views, private balconies or decks, hammocks and plenty of privacy. Many ranchos are ideal for families or small groups, with multiple beds and bathrooms, while all rooms include air conditioning, ceiling fans, orthopaedic beds, hot water, in-room safes and filtered water. Days can be spent hiking rainforest trails with expert naturalist guides, snorkelling or diving around Caño Island, birdwatching, relaxing by the pool, or simply watching monkeys, toucans and scarlet macaws from your balcony. With warm, personal service, fresh locally sourced meals and a deliberately unplugged feel, La Paloma Lodge is perfect for travellers wanting comfort, wildlife and true back-to-nature adventure.
Too much to choose from? This is where we come in
Take advantage of our vast experience, passion and expertise to help you hand craft the perfect Costa Rica adventure for you.
Sheena’s abiding love of adventure travel has taken her to some of the most incredible wildlife-rich places on Earth. Her vast experience and genuine desire to share her knowledge makes her an outstanding and invaluable person to help you organise your wildlife adventure trip.
Simon’s deep passion for and first-hand knowledge of a vast range of destinations all over the world gives him the ideal skills to help you create a truly unforgettable wildlife inspired adventure to the most exciting places on the planet.
Mike has more than fifteen years hands-on experience in the industry, travelling to some of the most incredible wild places on the planet. His far-reaching knowledge and invaluable skills will ensure that your wildlife travel adventure is a dream come true.
Ready to start planning youronce in a lifetime trip?
Call us
0800 195 3385
Outside the uk
+ 44 1625 5811 43
Call us
+ 44 1625 5811 43
Call us
+ 44 1625 5811 43
Chat Now
Fill in our
Enquiry form
Book a
Consultation
Ready to start planning youronce in a lifetime trip?
Call us - 0800 195 3385
Outside the uk? + 44 1625 5811 43
+ 44 1625 5811 43
Call us - 0800 195 3385
Chat Now
Fill in our
Enquiry form
Book a
Consultation