Luxury Costa Rica
Example Itinerary
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Overview
Long respected for its progressive environmental policies, Costa Rica has been an incredible success story for responsible tourism, proving it need not come at the expense of comfort, or even luxury for that matter. One of the smallest countries in Latin America, it makes up for its small size by packing a big eco-punch of immaculate nature; a plethora of low-impact activities; and high-end, sustainable accommodation.
Heading south from the capital, San José, the journey begins ...
Long respected for its progressive environmental policies, Costa Rica has been an incredible success story for responsible tourism, proving it need not come at the expense of comfort, or even luxury for that matter. One of the smallest countries in Latin America, it makes up for its small size by packing a big eco-punch of immaculate nature; a plethora of low-impact activities; and high-end, sustainable accommodation.
Heading south from the capital, San José, the journey begins with bang at the much-loved Corcovado National Park. Scour the Osa Peninsula’s biodiverse forests by land and water from your award-winning lodge, nestled up in the canopies overlooking the Pacific Ocean, and walk down to the wild, untouched beaches below when you please. Then, on the banks of the beautiful Pacuare River you’ll stay in a remote jungle lodge for the chance to meet the indigenous Cabecar Community and go white-water rafting in its crystal-clear waters. Driving to the cooler cloud forests of Costa Rica’s Central Highlands, hiking and tortilla making are offset by downtime and gourmet meals at your Relais & Chateaux lodge & spa before heading to arguably the country’s most exclusive hotel at Arenal Volcano.
Enjoy strolling through miles of hanging bridges above the trees and soaking in volcanic thermal springs before winding down the adventure on the beautiful white-sand coast of the Nicoya Peninsula. Relax at a barefoot luxury, beachfront hotel for the final couple of nights, availing yourself of a private plunge pool and sumptuous meals on the beach, before concluding your magical escape back in the capital.
TRIP HIGHLIGHTS
How Tailor-Made Works
Discuss your initial ideas with one of our experts, the types of things you want to see and do.
Your expert will start designing your perfect trip. Within a day or two we'll send a suggested itinerary.
At this stage you can still tweak anything from accommodation to experiences and dates, using our expert advice.
Time to prepare for your trip, safe in the knowledge you'll be in the expert hands of local guides and drivers throughout.
Relax and enjoy...through our partners you'll have support on the ground as well as 24-hour emergency assistance in the UK.
Example Itinerary
This is an example itinerary. Our experts have all travelled widely in the region and will be happy to tailor any of our itineraries to suit your tastes and budget, or build a trip from scratch.
Day 1 Arrive San José – Corcovado National Park
After a morning arrival to San José airport, a personal assistant will be waiting to welcome you to Costa Rica and escort you to a comfortable airport hotel. Day use has been arranged for a private place to run through your upcoming itinerary and to freshen up after your arrival flight. Heading back to the terminal later on, you’ll take a short flight down to Costa Rica’s southern coast where you’ll be met and whisked away to your lodge in the country’s beloved Corcovado National Park.
Day 2 Corcovado National Park: Pristine Coastal Rainforest
After a discussion with the guides at your luxury lode, a jam-packed day of activities will be organised. You may start in search of wildlife found on the biodiverse Osa Peninsula via an exploratory morning hike with a naturalist guide. Don’t miss the opportunity for a guided tour around the grounds of this award-winning lodge – a lesson in luxury sustainable tourism. Then it’s time for lunch with a view at the Lapa Rios restaurant overlooking the Pacific Ocean. Later, an easy afternoon stroll through the rainforest will bring you to the rugged coastline for some highly recommended time on these protected, wild beaches.
Day 3 Corcovado National Park: Unspoiled Waters
Today you may wish to see what wildlife lurks around the national park’s unspoiled waters, and a few possible options include a hike along the riverbed to a wild waterfall, trying your hand at surfing at one of the continent’s premier surf destinations or organising a whale watching tour (if in season). Morning and afternoon activities can be broken up with lunch back at the hotel or a boxed lunch can be packed if out for the day.
Day 4 Corcovado National Park – Pacuare River
Leaving the national park via boat and a flight back to the capital, a private driver will be waiting to transfer you to the jungle hideaway of Pacuare Lodge. Perched on the banks of the Pacuare River, listed by National Geographic as one of the world's top ten, Pacuare is hidden by lush rainforest. Spend the evening soaking up its natural beauty and tranquillity from your deluxe cabin suite.
Day 5 Pacuare River: Rainforest Activities
Waking up to bird song and the flow of the river, an adventure-packed day lies ahead. The Pacuare River begins at about 2,000m in the Talamanca Mountain Range and empties into the Atlantic Ocean. The powerful waters and topography of the river make this a dream area for adventure sport. Whilst famous for white water rafting, you can also climb, abseil or go swimming amongst the beautiful deep green forests, waterfalls and natural pools. There is also the option to hike to a nearby indigenous Cabecar community or enjoy a low-key sustainability tour to learn about the lodge's recycling program and efforts to protect endangered felines.
Day 6 Pacuare River – Bajos del Toro: White-water Rafting
The Pacuare River offers up some of the finest white-water rafting in Latin America, coursing its way through untamed wilderness and steep gorges that provide shelter to jaguars, ocelots, monkeys and sloths. After a morning's rafting excursion, you'll then transfer through the volcanoes and cool cloud forests of the Central Highlands to the Relais & Chateaux cloud forest lodge and spa, El Silencio. Enjoy an evening relaxing in these verdant forests on the slopes of Poas Volcano, before a gourmet dinner using ingredients from the hotel’s organic garden.
Day 7 Bajos del Toro: Cloud Forest Hike & Grocery Shop Visit
An energetic morning begins with an invigorating hike from a trailhead close to the hotel, along a soothing creek through the sights and smells of fresh forest to reach not one but three magical waterfalls. Winding down this afternoon, you’ll call into a local grocery shop for a crash course in tortilla making and a leisurely wander around the local area.
Day 8 Bajos del Toro – Arenal
Following breakfast, you’ll be driven to your next hotel, Nayara Springs, near the iconic Arenal Volcano. Enjoy a free afternoon to enjoy the facilities at this five-star, Relais & Chateaux property which regularly tops the list of Costa Rica’s most exclusive hotels.
Day 9 Arenal: Hanging Bridges & Hot Springs
Take a morning yoga class up in the forest canopies before a nutritious breakfast to rejuvenate with finest, organic ingredients before the day’s activities. A private driver and guide will chauffeur you to the Arenal Hanging Bridges after breakfast for a unique way to walk through the 250-hectare reserve of primary forest, exploring it at different heights along a series of canopy bridges. The spectacular views of Arenal Volcano through the forest creates an unforgettable experience. After lunch back at the hotel, enjoy an afternoon soaking in a scenic, natural hot spring and spa on the slope of a volcano.
Day 10 Arenal – Santa Teresa
Taking a scenic route to the northern Pacific Coast, you’ll board a ferry to cross the islands and Gulf of Nicoya to reach the peninsula, where a private car will be waiting to take you to the exclusive beachfront Nantipa property.
Day 11 Santa Teresa: Beach Time
Enjoy a final day of relaxation at this stunning slice of Costa Rican paradise. Wake up with a morning dip in the private plunge pool outside your bungalow, before walking over to the beach for breakfast and a day spent lounging on its silky white sand with a good book. The Pacific waves and the shady pool are available to cool off in during the day and you can make use of hotel’s range of wellness therapies before it’s time to get ready for a special farewell dinner under the stars on the beach this evening.
Day 12 Santa Teresa – Depart San José
After a final beachfront breakfast, you’ll be taken to a small nearby airport for a short flight back to San José where your stylish Costa Rican adventure wraps up.
EXAMPLE ACCOMMODATION
Pacuare Lodge, Siquirres
Pacuare Lodge is a premier eco-lodge offering elegant accommodation, exquisite cuisine, luxurious spa facilities and outdoor adventures in an area of outstanding natural beauty. The lodge is located on Costa Rica's most spectacular white-water route with a plethora of birdlife and butterflies in the surrounding rainforest. Getting there is half the adventure, as you arrive by boat along the river through lush jungle and narrow canyons where tropical trees tower over the riverbank and crystalline waterfalls plummet out of the greenery.
Nayara Springs, Arenal
Inspired by the romance of an African safari and wrapped in rainforest, Nayara is an eco-luxury resort nearby Arenal Volcano consisting of Nayara Gardens and Nayara Springs (adult only). One of the best properties in the Arenal area, Nayara is perched on a mountain top with panoramic views over the rainforest and to the Arenal volcano. The spacious casitas, suites and villas are built on stilts to maximise the vista and leave a minimal footprint. Each of the rooms has large screened windows that open out to the forest and feature private terrace Jacuzzis, plunge pools and/or outdoor showers. Although set on a steep slope, golf carts can transport you to wherever you need to go; whether you would like a cocktail at the adult only wet bar, a treatment at the spa, international cuisine in the multiple dining areas, a class at the yoga platform, a slice of cake in the café or a glass of wine at the wine bar. Its award-winning Spa is perched on a cliff overlooking the forest and each guest at Nayara Tented Camp has their own private guide with expert knowledge of the area.
El Silencio, Bajos del Toro
El Silencio Lodge and Spa provides an immersive experience into rural Costa Rican culture and nature. Set in a 500-acre tropical forest, with a winding river and three waterfalls cascading down the mountainside, the hotel encourages guests to switch off from modern day distractions. The fifteen suites do not feature televisions or Wi-Fi; however, guests instead can open their floor-to-ceiling, sliding glass doors out on to a private deck from which to enjoy the spectacular surrounding mountain or river views from their own outdoor whirlpool. The main building houses a lounge café and Las Ventanas Restaurant, serving fresh local fare from the hotel’s organic mini farm.
Nantipa, Santa Teresa
Nantipa is a luxury, boutique hotel that holds membership and accolades associations such as the Small Luxury Hotels of the World. The intimate property offers a very special stay. Accommodation comprises five beach view bungalows, two pool view bungalows, eight suites and three new beach front villas. Each room has ample space, luxury amenities, modern tech and private balconies or terraces that open up to idyllic views; additionally, bungalows have private plunge pools. The rustic, beachfront Manzú restaurant offers open air dining, shaded by a tropical thatched roof. Guests can enjoy its international kitchen using Costa Rican flavours or walk up from the beach to cool off with a cocktail from the bar. As well as its exclusive location on a stretch of the sandy white Santa Teresa Beach, guests can relax by and cool off in the hotel’s huge designer pool.
Lapa Rios Lodge, Corcovado
Lapa Rios is one of only 24 National Geographic Unique Ecolodges of the World. Set within a 1000-acre private nature reserve in Central America’s last remaining lowland tropical rainforest, the Osa Peninsular. Lapa Rios is a paradise for lovers of wildlife, birding, nature and beaches. The seventeen private bungalows line three ridges, overlooking the pristine point where the Golfo Dulce meets the Pacific Ocean. The bungalows nearest the beach are a five-minute walk down the steep ridge, but there is the option to be driven back up to the main lodge. The bungalows are open-air with screens that allow you to experience the sounds, sights and smells of the rainforest and the ocean, as well as be woken up naturally by the gorgeous sunrise. All bungalows have ceiling fans only and offer stunning views of the Pacific Ocean or Golfo Dulce from your bed or spacious private decks – complete with an outdoor shower. The pool is naturally heated and close to the Wi-Fi hut and restaurant. Gourmet dining can be had at the restaurant, which also has a spiral staircase leading to a fantastic viewpoint. The lodges privileged rainforest and beach location allows for a great variety of land and water-based tours and activities, of which many are included in your stay.
Hotel Rating
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Accommodation listed here is intended as a guide only, to give you a taste of what we can do. Our experts can tailor any aspect of this itinerary and accommodation to suit your budget and tastes.
WHAT'S INCLUDED
MEALS
TRANSPORT
ENTRANCE FEES
EXPERT TEAM
ACCOMMODATION
WILD MILES
ACCOMMODATION
Wild Miles Club
When you book a trip with Wild Frontiers you are awarded points, which are based on the return distance from London to the arrival city of your trip. Points are awarded for all our holidays, including both our escorted group tours and tailor-made trips. When you accrue points, you will qualify for the following discounts on all future bookings:
| Blue | More than 10,000 points | 2.5% discount |
| Bronze | More than 30,000 points | 5% discount |
| Silver | More than 45,000 points | 7.5% discount |
| Gold | More than 60,000 points | 10% discount |
This itinerary is aimed to give you an idea of what we can offer. The price shown above is per person, based on two people travelling outside of peak periods. As this itinerary is only a suggestion and can be tailor-made to suit your interests and budget, your final price may differ.
Positive Impact of this Trip
Making a Difference
Community Tourism
People and local communities have always been at the heart of Wild Frontiers and the travel experiences we offer. Through community tourism we have the opportunity to generate real positive impact, supporting people we visit through sustainable local development, and in turn help to alleviate poverty and protect culture and environments in often more vulnerable destinations. While doing so, our clients gain richer travel experiences and more meaningful connections with the people they meet.
Conservation and Climate Action
As a travel company, we hold a responsibility to minimise our environmental footprint and contribute to sustainability, and work closely with local communities to support their efforts. By implementing initiatives such as carbon measuring, tree-planting, reducing single-use plastic and promoting eco-friendly practices, we can help mitigate the negative impacts of tourism on fragile ecosystems and local communities. Additionally, prioritising conservation efforts helps preserve natural habitats and wildlife, ensuring that future generations can continue to enjoy the wonders of our planet.
Wild Frontiers Foundation
The Wild Frontiers Foundation aims to provide a platform to create awareness, raise money and deliver funding to projects in countries where we operate as a travel company. Through the foundation, we are able to channel money into grass roots projects, which we have either established ourselves or support through charity partners. These include initiatives focused around education, the empowerment of local people and community conservation.
START PLANNING YOUR TRIP
Our team of experts have a wealth of knowledge and experience to help you plan your adventure of a lifetime.
WHY WILD FRONTIERS?
Expert travel consultants
Up-to-date knowledge and advice from our experienced consultants on the best places to stay, things to do and regions to visit to make your holiday the trip of a lifetime.
EXPERIENCED LOCAL GUIDES
We use experienced local guides to help bring the sights to life, introduce you to local characters and ensure you get under the skin of your destination.
HAND-PICKED ACCOMMODATION
Whether you are looking for a boutique hotel, homestay, local guesthouse, luxury spa, tented camp or heritage hotel, our experts can select the perfect property for you.
24-HOUR SUPPORT
Our local agents are there to help you on the ground should you need any assistance, and in addition you will be given a 24-hour UK emergency phone number.Meet the expert, Richard
Richard is our Latin America expert, who has travelled extensively in the region.
Speak to Richard by calling
1(833) 200-4640
OTHER ITINERARIES IN COSTA RICA
Check out our group tours in Costa Rica
As well as private tailor-made trips, we also offer small group tours (max size 12) to Costa Rica. Led by an experienced tour leader, travel with a group of like-minded people on one of our award-winning group tours.
View Group Tours in Costa Rica