This 6 day itinerary will take you to the North Pacific region of Costa Rica where you will enjoy a great combination of beautiful beaches, rainforests, active volcanoes and culture. At over 34,000 acres, Rincón de la Vieja has room for two volcanoes, 32 rivers and streams, and an incredible variety of flora and fauna. Enjoy a hike into this national park and observe the volcanic activity in mud pots. You will visit a local community and spend time with locals eager to share their knowledge of the ancient techniques of pottery and traditional cuisine. Your last few days will be spent at one of the beautiful beaches of the golden coast.
Right for You?
One of our local experts in Costa Rica will make this the perfect trip for you!
Speaks: English and Spanish
Highlights
- Eat delicious local cuisine
- Hike into an active volcano
- Learn about the ancient art of pottery in a local community
- Relax on beautiful beaches
- Soak in the therapeutic thermal waters
Details
Itinerary
Welcome to Costa Rica, one of the most biodiverse countries on Earth! Upon arrival to Liberia, our local guide will welcome you at the airport for a private transfer to the Rincon de la Vieja area. Our guide will give you all the tips and recommendations to get the most of your stay in Costa Rica.
Rincon de la Vieja houses a wide variety of tropical forests, including cloud forest, rainforest and mountain ecosystems.
Exotic and rare flora and fauna find refuge here including kinkajous, pumas, a variety of monkeys, sloths, tapirs and jaguars.
The rare emerald toucans and the colorful motmots shine in the sunlight along with vibrant and wild orchids. Laurel and Guanacaste trees form the perfect canopy to give habitat and conditions to birds and mammals.
During the afternoon you can soak at the hot springs in the hotel and a free evening to rest and enjoy your first Costa Rican dinner
Optional afternoon activities: Tubing adventure, waterfall hike rappelling, horseback ride, rafting,
Transportation: Approx. 45 minutes from the Liberia Airport to your hotel.
Accommodations Options: Borinquen Mountain Resort & Spa (4 star hotel) or Cañon de la Vieja Lodge (3 star hotel)
After breakfast you will enjoy a guided hike into Rincón de la vieja National Park.
Where you will know from a dry forest to a cloudy one in the middle of a volcanic environment in a short journey. Emanations of boiling mud, boiling water and vapors that resonate in the environment. You can witness all this volcanic activity and, in addition, you can visit a dry forest, a wet one, a very humid one and a cloudy one.
During the afternoon you will feel the exhilaration of a zip line experience that has a total of 8 cables and 16 platforms that travel from one end of the Colorado River canyon to the other, offering an impression view of the nature below. There are cables that vary in length from 150m to 360m long and 75 m high. Safety is paramount, guides are always part of the tour to ensure our visitors safety and the latest equipment is used. The journey lasts approximately 1 hour.
Included activities: Rincon de la Vieja guided hike, zip lining adventure.
Optional activities: Tubing adventure, waterfall hike rappelling, horseback ride, rafting,
Transportation: 30 minutes from Cañon de la Vieja to Rincon de la Vieja National Park or 1 hour from Borinquen Mountain Resort. Zip lining on site of both hotels.
Accommodations Options: Borinquen Mountain Resort & Spa (4 star hotel) or Cañon de la Vieja Lodge (3 star hotel)
On the way to your beach destination you will visit the community of Santa Barbara (approx. 1.5 hours).
Santa Barbara, is the birthplace of the marimba, an instrument that is a national symbol of Costa Rica. In addition, it is the only part of the country where the ancient tradition of ceramics is maintained, a tradition inherited from our indigenous people.
When you arrive you will try your culinary skills and learn how to create a local dish for lunch from the hands of the local experts.
After lunch you will experience a complete demonstration of the pottery process, starting with making the mud with your feet, cooking it in a mud oven. You will learn from the history of the family whose modus vivendi has been transmitted from generation to generation.
From Santa Barbara you will continue to the beach location you choose: Hermosa Beach, Negra Beach or Potrero Beach for dinner and a relaxing evening
Included Activities: Cooking and pottery lessons.
Optional activities: Sunset Catamaran.
Transportation: 1. 5 hours from Rincon de la Vieja to Santa Barbara and 1 hour from Santa Barbara to any of the beach locations.
Accommodation Options: Latica Lodge- Playa Negra (4 star hotel) , Mangaby- Playa Hermosa (3 star hotel) or Bahia del Sol- Playa Potrero (5 star hotel)
Today you will have the option to relax at the hotel and beach for the day, or choose one of two exciting activities below.
Option #1: Surfing Lessons
The Guanacaste region is a great central place to use as home base to explore many of the area breaks to the north and south. There are several breaks in the area including the famous spot of Playa Negra, and the untouched wave of Playa Junquillal.
To learn how to surf all you need is the ability to swim and a good sense of humour. You’ll be paired with an instructor who will show you the ropes and teach you how stand up on your surfboard and ride your first wave in your first class.
Included Activities: Two hour surfing lessons.
Option #2: Snorkeling
Explore the Pacific marine life on a snorkeling tour. Off the shores of Tamarindo, you will travel by boat to your snorkeling destinations. This excursion includes all equipment as well as an experienced guide, soft drinks and fresh tropical fruits.
Included Activities: Two hour snorkeling tour.
Accommodations Options: Latica Lodge- Playa Negra (4 star hotel) , Mangaby- Playa Hermosa (3 star hotel) or Bahia del Sol- Playa Potrero (5 star hotel)
Explore a fascinating intricate system of calcareous caves at Barra Honda.
Hiking through the Barra Honda National Park lead you to an intricately large system of limestone caverns which house a multitude of capricious forms and figures. Reef rocks constitute Barra Honda hill, of 300 meters tall, which means, by old reefs that sink caused by an elevation provoked by tectonics faults 60 millions of years ago.
You will be gear up with special rock climbing equipment to explore and enjoy these caves and see the flora and fauna of this place, you can see coatis, agoutis, anteaters and monkeys also point out species of tree and medical plants. This hike takes around one hour approx. and may be difficult depending on your physical condition.
Included Activities: Barra Honda Caves Tour.
Transportation: 1. 5 hours from any of the beach hotels.
Another day option if you feel that Barra Honda is not for you:
Option #2: Ostional sea turtle nesting
One of Costa Rica’s most beloved seaside visitors is the sea turtle. And you could say that sea turtles love Costa Rica right back. Year after year, they return to the same Costa Rica beaches to lay their eggs. One of the most spectacular displays of this is the arribada, or the annual arrival of hundreds of thousands of sea turtles to lay their eggs under the new moon.
Included Activities: Ostional turtle nesting tour (seasonal activity from August to November for nesting and hatching from December to February).
Transportation: 1. 5 hours from any of the beach hotels.
Accommodation Options: Latica Lodge- Playa Negra (4 star hotel) , Mangaby- Playa Hermosa (3 star hotel) or Bahia del Sol- Playa Potrero (5 star hotel)
Your amazing trip is coming to an end! You will take an early private ground transfer from your chosen beach location to Liberia Airport where you will connect to your flight home. We hope you enjoyed your trip and will come visit again soon!
Transportation: 30 minutes to 1.5 hours from your beach hotel to the Liberia International Airport.
Accommodations
Lodging each night is included in your choice of hotels, ecolodges, or community lodges. 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)
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
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International Flights
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Optional Activities
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Not specified meals
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Alcoholic drinks
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Tips
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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
What's Included
Your Local Host
MARO Experiences
Locally Owned Social Enterprise
A local travel agency specializing in connecting travelers to Costa Rica's nature and cultures. Their goal is to create authentic experiences for travelers that contribute to sustainable growth for local communities. The agency offers mid-range bookings and is
Getting There
