Mystic Highlands and Volcanoes to Tropical Beaches

Welcome to Costa Rica, one of the most biodiverse countries on Earth! Once you arrive to the San Jose airport you will be greeted by your driver and head towards Cerro Las Vueltas Biological Reserve (approx. 2 hours), where you will spend the next two nights, learning about the ‘Paramo’ and how the Seelye family decided to leave it all and start a new life on their sustainable farm. Enjoy a freshly prepared welcome dinner.

Overnight at: Las Vueltas Lodge

If staying at Las Vueltas isn’t the right fit for you  we recommend Tami Lodge for your first two nights instead. An immersive glamping experience in a rural community where you will learn about coffee production, go birdwatching, and participate in some short hikes.

Today you will spend the day on the farm, helping milk the cows, feed the trout and harvest some of the things needed for lunch. Enjoy the fresh air of the Costa Rican Highlands, keep an eye out for the quetzal, and, learn the different practices of a sustainable farm. 

You will have the opportunity to visit the castle tree and climb it with the Seelye Family kids.

Included activities: farm visit, milk the cows, castle tree visit.

Optional activities: Paramo Hike, coffee tour.

Overnight at: Las Vueltas Lodge

If you chose to stay at Tami Lodge you’ll have many options of activities to participate in which includes a coffee tour, waterfall hike, birdwatching tour, handcraft or marmalade classes and organic farming. 

After breakfast you will be picked up by a private shuttle and continue your way to the Indigenous Territory of Terraba (approx. 2 hours). The origin of the Brörán, proper name of the Térrabas, which means mass of fermented corn, is known to be of Chibcha ancestry as well as other indigenous peoples that inhabit the South of Costa Rica.

You will learn  the process of roasting and grinding cacao. The presentation will end with a delicious cup of freshly prepared hot chocolate.The cacao plant is very important  within the Térraba culture and holds many mystical powers.   

After a delicious, local lunch in the community restaurant you will head to a workshop on how to make wooden masks. These masks are a way of life in the community, as it is a symbol of their ancestry and traditions. You will make your own wooden mask and take it home as a souvenir.

Included activities: Cacao presentation and wooden mask workshop.

Overnight at: El Descanso Lodge 

After breakfast you will be transfer to Boruca (approx. 30 minutes), another indigenous community, where daily life reflects a self- sustaining agricultural village, but one where the majority of the economy is supported by artisan crafts and ecotourism.

At Magdalena´s house you will learn about the ancient natural dyeing and weaving processes. Boruca has a long tradition of hand-dying threads from naturally found colors from sources including leaves of the sangrilla tree, bark of the carbonero tree, clay, indigo plants and occasionally the ink of a mollusk. After spinning thread from locally-grown cotton, they use a loom to weave the thread into handbags, wall hangings, coin purses and more.

After lunch you will continue your way down to the Pacific coast, to the town of Ojochal and its surrounding beaches which provides the ideal setting to rest and relax. Lush tropical forests melt on the sandy shores of the tropical Pacific creating a magnificent landscape. Due to their geographical location, these beaches are much less developed and with fewer visitors compared to the most popular destinations.

Included activities:  ancient natural dyeing and weaving processes.

Overnight at: Yaba Chigui  (4 star hotel) 

Today you will have the option to stay in Dominical, go to the beach, and relax at the hotel, or choose one of the following two exciting activities below.

Option #1: Snorkeling at Marino Ballena National Park

Marino Ballena National Park has  a beautiful coral reef and large diversity of marine life. You will visit the best snorkeling treasures of the Marino Ballena National Park: reefs of Ballena Island, Tres Hermanas Islets and the Punta Uvita Whale tale. Discover underwater treasures such as, parrotfish, butterfly fish, blue surgeonfish, and a great number of starfish at a depth that ranges from 1 to 3 meters. Observe the land formations of Ballena Island and Tres Hermanas Islets and their local inhabitants, the brown booby and green iguana. This tour includes a small ‘refrigerio’ otherwise known as plentiful Costa Rican snack.

Included activities: Guided snorkeling tour, snorkeling gear, snacks.

Option #2: Terraba Sierpe Mangrove & Wildlife Tour

Enjoy a leisurely morning before taking a shuttle (approx 1.5 hours) to Sierpe for an amazing afternoon boat ride through the stunning Terraba Sierpe mangrove ecosystem, one of the largest mangrove wetlands in all of Central America!  This nature lovers tour is great for all ages. Be fascinated by the thriving and diverse ecosystem of white, black, red, cat and pineapple mangroves. Your bilingual guide will share the beauty and natural history of this complex, self-sustaining mangrove system that contains more than 55 species of fish.  Discover a wide variety of tropical flora and fauna in the canals and howl with playful white-faced monkeys, take pictures of stunning iguanas, see the great power of crocodiles, and search for rare birds  You will head back to Dominical in time for dinner, or eat at a local restaurant in Sierpe.

Included activities: Guided mangrove boat tour, snacks.

Option #3: Corcovado Guided Hike

Famous for being–the Amazon of Costa Rica—the Corcovado National Park is the largest stronghold of primary forest on a Pacific coastline, and is famous for being “the most biologically intense place on Earth”.  Be prepared for a thrilling tour as you explore some of Mother Natures most amazing works of art.  The area holds thousands of species of flora and fauna, many unique to the area and others which have disappeared from other regions, or are in danger of extinction. Approximately, 6,000 insects (including the 123 different butterflies discovered so far), 500 trees (a fourth of all the tree species that exist in Costa Rica), 367 birds, 140 mammals, 117 amphibian and reptiles, and 40 freshwater fish species live here in coexistence.  Immerse yourself in life’s wonders with the BEST Costa Rica Nature Tour.

Included activities: Full day guided hike in Corcovado National Park with a local guide.

Overnight at: Yaba Chigui  (4 star hotel) 

After an early breakfast you will make your way towards the Tarcoles River (approx. 2 hours) for a crocodile safari.

Get up-close with American crocodiles of all sizes, and observe an abundance of beautiful exotic birds! Enjoy spectacular rainforest scenery and cruise through dense mangrove forest canals. Spot jungle wildlife such as iguanas, lizards,  monkeys and more!

After lunch continue to the Poas Volcano area (approx 1.5 hours) in time to check into your hotel for dinner and some r&r. 

Included activities: Tarcoles River Crocodile Safari

Optional activities: Spend the morning at the beach in Dominical, or morning half day trip to Nauyaca Waterfalls, which includes a 45 minute hike (instead of crocodile safari).

Accommodation options : __Peace Lodge__ (4 star hotel)   or  Poas Volcano Lodge (3 star hotel)

Your amazing trip is coming to an end! You will make your way to the airport in San Jose with plenty of time to catch your flight home. We hope you enjoyed your trip and will come visit  again soon.

Accommodations

Lodging each night is included in your choice of boutique hotels or ecolodges. Recommendations are included in the day-by-day itinerary

Tours & Activities

Unique experiences available daily. See the day-by-day itinerary for recommended tours and additional options available.

Guides

English speaking local & specialized guides during activities

Ground Transportation

Private/Shared Shuttles to get you between destinations (Renting a car is also an option but not as recommended)

Entrance Fees

To National Parks

Food

Included meals are noted in the itinerary: B= Breakfast, L= Lunch, BL= Boxed Lunch, D= Dinner

24/7 assistance

In country assistance in English during the whole trip

Airport Transfers

Transportation arranged to get you to/from the airport

• International Flights

• Optional Activities

• Not specified meals

• Alcoholic drinks

• Tips

• Travel Insurance

If trip is cancelled: 

45+ days in advance - 100% will be refunded

15 - 44 days in advance - 50% will be refunded

8-14 days in advance - 30% will be refunded

0-7 days in advance - 0% will be refunded

High Season Cancellation Policy

If your trip falls during peak season (Easter week or December 20-January 10) the following applies.

If trip is cancelled: 

90+ days in advance - 100% will be refunded

45-89 days in advance - 50% will be refunded

14-44 days in advance - 30% will be refunded

0-13 days in advance - 0% will be refunded