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Off the Beaten Track on Costa Rica’s Caribbean Coast

Highlights

  • Spot nesting sea turtles on pristine Caribbean beaches and learn how they are protected
  • Discover authentic Costa Rican cuisine on a hands on cooking class with a local family
  • Stay in a riverside jungle lodge and head out on hiking and boating expeditions
From £2382 pp*
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10 Nights

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What you'll do

Overview

Discover the very best of the Costa Rican Caribbean coast - spot nesting turtles on white-sand beaches, learn to cook authentic cuisine with local families, discover stunning wildlife in the Costa Rican Amazon, and drink in views of active volcanoes over 10 unfrogettable nights.

Tour Summary:

Day 1: San Jose
Day 2 and 3: Turrialba
Day 4 and 5: Barre Da Paccuare
Day 6 – 9: Punta Cocles
Day 10: Santa Barbara de Heredia

Your Costa Rican wildlife adventure begins when you land in San Jose, where you’ll be taken directly to your hotel and given a night to relax and recharge, so that you’re fresh for the rest of your tour.

Start by visiting Irazú Volcano National Park, where you can gaze in awe at Costa Rica’s highest volcano and hike up to the crater, before you head towards Turrialba, soaking up views of steaming volcanos and lush jungle before reaching your first overnight stop, a classic Hacienda that boasts magical views of Turrialba volcano itself.

Spend another day here hiking through La Marta Wildlife Refuge, visiting a research station dedicated to protecting the beautiful natural haven, and get to grips with authentic Costa Rican cuisine on a cooking class with a local family.

From there it’s on to Barra De Pacuare, where you’ll embark on boat rides through the canals known as the ‘Costa Rica Amazon’, and if you’re lucky (and in Costa Rica from February to August) glimpse nesting turtles along the miles of pristine beaches.

Whilst in Barra De Pacuare you’ll also get chance to visit a sea turtle conservation project and explore lagoons and biological reserves, all before you head to postcard-perfect Caribbean beaches to relax at the end of your wildlife, volcano and jungle adventure.

This itinerary is packed with unique, local experiences you simply wouldn’t find yourself, designed to get you off the beaten track and show you the real, authentic side to Costa Rica that will live long in the memory.

*From price based on travel for 2 people in 2024 during the low season (between May and June and August to November). For larger groups, solo travellers or children cost please enquire directly to hello@nitgb.com

Please note: this is a private itinerary but on some experiences throughout the tour you may join a small group.

Arrival Day

Arrive into San Jose Airport, where you will be picked up and taken directly to your hotel in the Costa Rican capital, where you will get the chance to relax, refresh and get ready for your adventure to begin.

Accommodation: Hotel Grano de Oro

Meals: Breakfast

Volcanoes and Traditional Haciendas

Your first visit will be to Irazú Volcano National Park. Irazú is the highest volcano in Costa Rica at just over 3400 meters above sea level.

Then you drive to the Turrialba Valley, a city that was once the gateway to the Atlantic coast, now an important agricultural region and tourism destination. Turrialba is named after the volcano (Torre=tower and alba=white). The volcano sits along the southeast of the Central Volcanic Corridor and currently it is the most active volcano in the country.

A combination of reliable rainfall, numerous powerful rivers and rich volcanic soils have made Turrialba an important agricultural region which has been carefully developed to ensure a balance with nature and conservation.

The lush mountainous landscapes, pristine tropical forests, thundering rivers and wildlife ensures that there is plenty to do here, and it is also a great place to discover the agricultural side of the country with a visit to one of the plantations to sample some of the best organic produce in Costa Rica.

You will stay in a Costa Rican Old Hacienda, where a guide can show you the farm animals and the beautiful tropical gardens, or you could take a kayak out on  the beautiful lake of the Reventazón River Dam.

Accommodation: Casa Turire Hotel

Meals: Breakfast

Cooking with a Local Family

Turrialba hosts a beautiful reserve full of tropical plant species and today you will take a guided hike through La Marta wildlife reserve to a research station administrated by a local private university, drinking in views of jungle-covered hillsides.

After this experience immersed in nature, you will have the opportunity to enjoy cooking lessons with a local family, discovering the secrets of local Costa Rican cuisine, before enjoying your delicious hand made lunch, a truly local experience.

Accommodation: Casa Turire Hotel

Meals: Breakfast

The Costa Rican Amazon

Transfer to the Caribbean plains on a scenic drive as you cross the green mountains that divide Turrialba and the Caribbean Coast.

Boca Pacuare is today’s destination, the fascinating canals of the Caribbean coast, known as the Costa Rican Amazon, as they snake their way through the jungle.

A boat will take you up to this area through the extensive system of canals to the lodge where you will spend the next two nights. Your guide will provide invaluable insight into this complex ecosystem, before you reach the miles of untouched Caribbean beaches.

The world’s largest Turtles, Green sea turtles, nest in this region from June to October, peaking in numbers during July and August, whilst the mighty leatherbacks, measuring up to eight feet in length, nest from February to June.

Accommodation: Lirio Lodge

Meals: Breakfast, lunch and dinner

Sea Turtle Experience

Today you’ll have a full day to explore the Boca Pacuare area, start with a floating trip on the canals of the Madre de Dios lagoon, a great opportunity to see a huge variety of birds, reptiles, monkeys, and butterflies.

To top it off, you will also visit the Pacuare Biological Reserve. Head to the Sea Turtle Conservation Project and spend time with the volunteers in charge of the program to get an idea of local life in the area. If you visit during the weekdays, you will also visit the local rural school.

When in season, there is an optional night tour to see the green turtle laying eggs on the beach. All the visits will be done with a local naturalist guide.

Accommodation: Lirio Lodge

Meals: Breakfast, lunch and dinner

Transfer to Caribbean Paradise

Your adventure in Costa Rica continues after breakfast, when you get back on the boat through the canals so you can rejoin your driver and head to the South Caribbean.

On the way, you will visit an iguana conservation project lead by the Bribri Indigenous Group of the Kekoldi Reserve.

Enjoy the rest of the afternoon and night immersing yourself in the relaxing Caribbean lifestyle, music and gastronomy, as you reach one of the best beaches in Costa Rica and your hotel, Le Cameleon Boutique Hotel

Accommodation: Le Cameleon Boutique Hotel

Meals: Breakfast

Relax on the Caribbean Coast

Spend your final days in Costa Rica relaxing on the beautiful Caribbean coast, drinking in the rays on white-sand, palm-fringed beaches.

On one of the days, you will meet a local guide in Manzanillo, and head out on a hike of this amazing refuge. It was created in 1985, to protect both marine and coastal land areas. It also includes communities whose traditional lifestyle has always been to care for their natural environment, so it has some residential/ecotourism zones.

After the hike you will board a boat to search for dolphins: between Punta Mona (Monkey Point) and the mouth of the Sixaola River you can observe three species of dolphins, including the rare Small Pink Tucuxi.

Accommodation: Le Cameleon Boutique Hotel

Meals: Breakfast

 

Coffee Highlands and the Central Valley

Transfer back to the Central Valley for your last night in Costa Rica. On this day, enjoy a great last experience of authentic Costa Rican culture and cuisine on a day that includes a visit to a sustainable forested coffee farm.

Taste cuisine that creatively honours the culinary traditions of the coffee highlands, and drink in the richness of the local culture, views of steaming volcanoes, cloud forests and the splendour of the lush natural surroundings.

You will stay the night on the stunning coffee plantation, a unique place to stay that help you feel truly immersed in authentic Costa Rican culture.

Accommodation: Finca Rosa Blanca Coffee Plantation Resort

Meals: Breakfast

Farewell to Costa Rica

The time has come for you to say farewell to Costa Rica and your new friends who have helped you see the country through the eyes of a local.

We hope you have had an incredible time in Costa Rica, and are returning home with wonderful travel memories that will last a lifetime

Meals: Breakfast

 

 

What's included

Included

  • Private transfers from and to the airport
  • 10 Overnight stays
  • 1 night San Jose - BB*
  • 2 nights Turrialba - BB
  • 2 nights Barra de Pacuare - FB*
  • 4 nights Punta Cocles - BB
  • 1 night Santa Barbara de Heredia - BB
  • Irazú Volcano National Park tour
  • La Marta Wildlife Refuge tour
  • Cooking class and lunch with a local family
  • Sea Turtle Conservation Project visit
  • Local school visit (weekdays only)
  • Turtle hatching night tour (season dependent)
  • Manzanillo hike and dolphin spotting
  • *BB - Breakfast Included
  • *FB - Breakfast, lunch and dinner included

Accommodation

Hotel Grano de Oro - Standard Room (or similar)

In Costa Rica, the term “Grano de Oro” is used to refer to the coffee bean, their “Grain of Gold”. The founders of this boutique hotel fell in love with the idea that such a small fruit could be so valuable. They loved the natural beauty of the country and the people, and in particular the metropolitan city of San Jose. The original tropical Victorian home, which is now known as the Grano de Oro, was a private family residence belonging to the Pozuelo family, built at the turn of the 20th century.

The Hotel Grano de Oro has gained recognition as a unique property with a modest on-site restaurant, jacuzzi terrace, massage therapy and fitness room.

Casa Turire Hotel - Standard Deluxe Room (or similar)

The hotel features stunning views of the Turrialba volcano and all guest rooms have a balcony with beautiful views of Angostura Lake.

The hotel has a gourmet restaurant which serves traditional Costa Rican and international dishes and guests may enjoy a relaxing massage at the spa which offers a variety of treatments including a volcanic rock body wrap.

Lirio Lodge - Eco Bungalow (or similar)

Lirio Lodge hotel is located in Barra de Pacuare on the banks of the Mother of God Lagoon surrounded by tropical rain forest and overlooking an unspoiled natural canal. The tranquility of the water and the area brings wildlife near to the lodge making it the ideal destination for nature lovers.

The on-site restaurant and bar is located on the water, providing guests with fantastic views while enjoying breakfast, lunch or dinner.

Le Cameleon Boutique Hotel - Deluxe Room (or similar)

Le Cameleon Boutique Hotel located in Limon offers artistic architecture, soothing music emanating from the courtyard’s sun-kissed pool area, and a thriving tropical garden contributing to the relaxing ambiance.

The hotel boasts a spa, daily yoga classes, and a beach club. Guests can enjoy dining at the on-site restaurant, Ocho y Medio, and at the on-site market cafe.

Finca Rosa Blanca Coffee Plantation Resort - Junior Suite (or similar)

Finca Rosa Blanca Coffee Plantation Resort is surrounded by coffee plantations, volcanoes and lush gardens, there is a strong emphasis on sustainability here and a tour of the coffee farm is available.

Finca Rosa Blanca is famous for its organic gourmet cuisine, the Restaurant offers classic Costa Rican food and Bar Buho has comfy sofas set around a fireplace.

There is an infinity pool and spa.

All 13 rooms are individually designed and have a Jacuzzi bath along with spectacular views.

Your local host

Roberto

I was born and raised in Costa Rica and have lived here my entire life. And ever since I could, I’ve been travelling the world. Soon after I left school, I travelled around Costa Rica and discovered every single part of it! Although, we do have a fairly small country, there’s an insane amount to explore, and I’m still exploring it today, seeking out new hiking trails, new lagoons, different viewpoints, that take you to places you hadn’t even knew existed before, it really is fascinating.

Due that passion for discovery and exploring new places eating away at me, I started my immersive travel company with a friend (over 18 years ago to be exact) and began having way too much fun helping people discover my won... Read All

I was born and raised in Costa Rica and have lived here my entire life. And ever since I could, I’ve been travelling the world. Soon after I left school, I travelled around Costa Rica and discovered every single part of it! Although, we do have a fairly small country, there’s an insane amount to explore, and I’m still exploring it today, seeking out new hiking trails, new lagoons, different viewpoints, that take you to places you hadn’t even knew existed before, it really is fascinating.

Due that passion for discovery and exploring new places eating away at me, I started my immersive travel company with a friend (over 18 years ago to be exact) and began having way too much fun helping people discover my wonderful country and the countries around it, so as soon as the possibility came around I just grabbed it, and have worked in the industry ever since.

We choose destinations that are not the same as all the other tour companies out there, those that are emerging or have something special about them, that most people don’t know about, we work with local companies that employ real locals and we choose hotels that are sustainable and have a positive impact on their environment.

We always ensure the people we work with are committed to sustainability, it’s our mission to spread the wealth of tourism, to make sure that the money from tourism is kept in the local communities so that the destination can be developed and conserved as a beautiful place to visit.

 

Roberto image

Location

The tour starts and ends at San Jose Airport, where you will be picked up to begin your adventure before you’re dropped back off there at the end of the 10 nights. From there you’ll head west to Turrialba to explore national parks and authentic rural life, before transferring to the coast at Barra de Pacuare.

After your time in the ‘Costa Rican Amazon’, you’ll head south to Punta Cocles for some quality beach time, finally heading back to San Jose via a spectacular coffee plantation resort.

1: San Jose
2: Turrialba
3: Barre Da Paccuare
4: Punta Cocles
5: Santa Barbara de Heredia

FAQs

What should I wear?

Lightweight cotton and linen clothing is recommended for most of the year with warmer clothes for cooler evenings. Waterproofing is necessary during the rainy season. Loose-fitting clothing is best. Wear neutral browns and greens for birding and wildlife viewing. Always bring mosquito repellent for both day and night.

When is the best time to see the turtles?

Green turtles: July – mid-October (peak: August – September)

Leatherback sea turtles: February – June (peak: March – April)

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