Itinerary
- Day 1
San José
You'll arrive in San José and get settled into your place. After meeting with a local specialist to go over your itinerary and ask any questions, the rest of the day is yours to wander around the capital at your own pace. The 19th-century architecture here is worth checking out, and there are independent coffee shops, parks, and museums scattered throughout. Don't skip Mercado Central where you can grab a traditional casado or fresh coffee. By evening, you can hit up a local salsa bar for classes or dancing, or just kick back with beers and bocas at a neighborhood spot.
Optional Activities
- Explore 19th-century architecture in San José
- Visit independently owned coffee shops
- Explore parks and museums
- Browse Mercado Central (Central Market)
- Eat a traditional casado at Mercado Central
- Attend salsa classes at a local salsa bar
- Dance at a local salsa bar
- Visit a local bar for beers and bocas
Landmarks Mercado Central 
- Day 2
San José to Puerto Viejo
You'll drive roughly 5 hours from San José to Puerto Viejo, the laid-back Caribbean coastal town. Once you're settled into your accommodation, spend the afternoon relaxing on the palm-lined beach, by the pool, or walking through town to check out local craft shops. If you're up for water activities, grab a tuk-tuk or rent a bike to head to Punta Uva or Cocles, which have some of the best beaches around. Come evening, you'll find European fusion restaurants and lively bars where you can soak in the Caribbean vibe.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Optional Activities
- Stroll through Puerto Viejo town
- Relax at the pool
- Relax on the palm-fringed beach
- Explore local craft shops
- Visit Punta Uva beach
- Visit Cocles beach
- Rent a bike to explore the area
- Enjoy dinner at a European fusion restaurant
- Experience Caribbean nightlife and bars
Landmarks Puerto Viejo Punta Uva Cocles Beach 
- Day 3
Cahuita National Park
After breakfast, you'll get picked up and driven about 40 minutes to Cahuita National Marine & Nature Park. You'll start with a boat trip along the coast to the colorful coral reef at Punta Cahuita, then snorkel in the clear water to see hundreds of tropical fish around the reef. Back on the beach, grab a fresh fruit snack before heading out on an easy nature trail through the park where your guide points out the local flora, fauna, and Afro-Caribbean heritage. You'll finish with a typical Afro-Caribbean lunch in Cahuita village, then return to Puerto Viejo with a free afternoon and evening.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch (Typical Afro-Caribbean lunch with rice and beans in Cahuita village)
Included Activities
- Boat trip along Caribbean coast to Punta Cahuita coral reef
- Snorkeling at Punta Cahuita reef
- Nature trail hike in Cahuita National Park
- Guided wildlife and flora commentary during nature trail
- Typical Afro-Caribbean lunch in Cahuita village
Optional Activities
- Refreshing swim in Caribbean waters during nature trail
Landmarks Cahuita National Marine & Nature Park Punta Cahuita Cahuita village 
- Day 4
Puerto Viejo
Today is all yours to spend in Puerto Viejo however you want. Playa Salsa Brava is great for surfing with lessons, Punta Uva works for snorkeling and kayaking, and Playa Cocles offers Caribbean relaxation. You can rent a bike to explore or take a horse riding tour. There's also the Sloth Sanctuary to see rescued animals, an organic chocolate farm tour, a chance to meet the Bri Bri tribe, nearby waterfalls to visit, Caribbean cooking classes, or the Jaguar Rescue Center with lunch included.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Optional Activities
- Visit Playa Salsa Brava for surfing
- Take surfing lessons at Playa Salsa Brava
- Snorkeling at Punta Uva
- Kayaking at Punta Uva
- Hiking at Punta Uva
- Relax at Playa Cocles
- Rent a bicycle to explore the area
- Take a horse riding tour
- Visit the Sloth Sanctuary
- Meet and photograph adult and baby sloths
- Tour an organic chocolate farm
- Try chocolate products at the farm
- Meet with the local Bri Bri tribe
- Learn about Bri Bri language, lifestyle and culture
- Visit a spectacular nearby waterfall
- Take a Caribbean cooking class at a local home
- Morning tour to Jaguar Rescue Center
- Lunch and relax at Beach Club Noa at Cocles beach
Landmarks Playa Salsa Brava Punta Uva Playa Cocles Sloth Sanctuary Jaguar Rescue Center Beach Club Noa - Day 5
Puerto Viejo to Arenal
You'll leave Puerto Viejo for a 6-hour drive to Arenal. As you approach La Fortuna, Arenal Volcano rises into view above the landscape. After settling into your accommodation at the base of the volcano, the rest of the day is flexible. If you want to jump in early, there's an optional frog and cultural exchange night tour at Don Oscar's family property where a nature guide helps you spot nocturnal wildlife along rainforest trails at dusk, followed by a home-cooked meal from a wood-burning stove.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Optional Activities
- Explore La Fortuna town
- Relax in La Fortuna
- Frog and cultural exchange night tour at Don Oscar's property
- Nocturnal wildlife spotting along rainforest trails
- Spot Costa Rica's famous frogs
- Typical home-cooked meal prepared on a wood burning stove
Landmarks Arenal Volcano La Fortuna 
- Day 6
Arenal Sky Walk
You'll get picked up for a sky hike in the rainforest around Arenal Volcano at Arenal Reserve. You'll climb higher into the canopy with views of the volcano, Arenal Lake, and surrounding mountains. Walking across hanging metal bridges takes you alongside tall trees, and if heights don't bother you, there are incredible views down into the forest. A nature guide helps spot birds and howler monkeys at eye level. Back in La Fortuna by afternoon, you can relax or soak at optional natural hot springs warmed by the volcano.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Included Activities
- Sky Hike through Arenal Reserve rainforest
- Guided nature hike with expert commentary on flora and fauna
- Walk across hanging metal bridges with rainforest canopy views
- Guided wildlife spotting—birds and howler monkeys
Optional Activities
- Soak at natural hot springs warmed by Arenal Volcano
Landmarks Arenal Volcano Arenal Reserve Arenal Lake 
- Day 7
Caño Negro Nature Reserve
A bilingual nature guide picks you up for a full-day trip to Cano Negro Nature Reserve in northern Costa Rica. You'll board a boat and navigate the Rio Frio through wetlands, rainforest, and swampland. You'll see over 200 bird species including the endangered Jabiru Stork, plus capuchin monkeys, sloths, iguanas, river turtles, caiman, and the basilisk Christ Lizard. After a riverside lunch, you'll return to your Arenal hotel with the evening free to relax or use the optional hot springs.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch (Delicious riverside lunch)
Included Activities
- Guided boat tour through Caño Negro Nature Reserve on Rio Frio
- Wildlife spotting—birds, monkeys, sloths, iguanas, river turtles, caiman, basilisk lizard
- Delicious riverside lunch
Optional Activities
- Soak at natural hot springs warmed by Arenal Volcano
Landmarks Caño Negro Nature Reserve Rio Frio - Day 8
Arenal to San José
It's time to head back to San José. You'll drive roughly 4 hours to the capital and drop off your rental car at the airport. If you want to extend your trip, there are other options like exploring the highlands with volcanoes such as Tenorio and Rincon de la Vieja, rivers for whitewater rafting, or heading to the Northern and Central Pacific beaches before departing.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Optional Activities
- Visit Costa Rican highlands volcanoes—Tenorio, Rincón de la Vieja
- Whitewater rafting on Savegre River
- Birding at San Gerardo de Dota or Monteverde
- Beach exploration—Tamarindo, Nicoya Peninsula, Tango Mar beach retreat, Manuel Antonio, Costa Ballena
- Explore Northern and Central Pacific dry-tropical forests and tropical jungles
Landmarks Tenorio Volcano Rincón de la Vieja Savegre River San Gerardo de Dota Monteverde Tamarindo Nicoya Peninsula Tango Mar beach retreat Manuel Antonio Costa Ballena
