A Week In... Costa Rica

Tour begins: 5:30 PM, InterContinental Costa Rica at Multiplaza Mall by IHG. A transfer is included from San José's Juan Santamaria International Airport to InterContinental Costa Rica in San José, Costa Rica's capital, nestled in the country's fertile Central Valley and surrounded by mountains. Arrive at your hotel and settle in before joining your fellow travelers for a welcome reception and dinner. 

The morning brings your first encounter with Costa Rica's extraordinary natural beauty at La Paz Waterfall Gardens, where rushing waterfalls, lush tropical vegetation, and the sounds of the rainforest create an unforgettable introduction to the country's biodiversity. Here, in the verdant mountains north of San José, trails lead through a landscape shaped by abundant rainfall and volcanic geology. Water spills over rocky cliffs into forested ravines, while the surrounding environment offers a window into the ecosystems that make Costa Rica one of the world's most biologically rich countries. After lunch, a short flight carries you toward the Caribbean lowlands and the remote wilderness of Tortuguero. From above, the landscape becomes a vast green tapestry, threaded with rivers and waterways that wind toward the sea. A boat transfer brings you to your rainforest lodge, tucked into the tropical landscape of Tortuguero. Far removed from the bustle of city life, this is a place where the sounds of birds, insects, and flowing water provide the evening's soundtrack. Settle in and enjoy dinner surrounded by the natural rhythms of the rainforest. 

There are few places in Costa Rica quite like Tortuguero, a world of water and wilderness where the rainforest seems to rise directly from the rivers. Located along the country's northeastern Caribbean coast, Tortuguero National Park protects a rich mosaic of tropical forests, freshwater canals, lagoons, and coastal habitats. Its name, meaning "place of turtles," speaks to one of its most extraordinary natural stories. The beaches here are among the Caribbean's most important nesting grounds for endangered green sea turtles, which return to these shores to lay their eggs. Begin your day with a guided cruise through the park's intricate network of canals. As your boat moves through the water, keep watch for monkeys moving through the branches, sloths resting high in the canopy, and colorful birds perched above the riverbanks. Later, travel by boat to Tortuguero village, a small Caribbean community where daily life has long been shaped by the surrounding waterways. Learn about the coconut palm, often called the "tree of life," during a demonstration exploring the many traditional uses of its fruit and the role it plays in local culture. This afternoon, choose between another canal cruise, offering a fresh perspective on the park's wildlife, or time to relax at your lodge and simply enjoy the rainforest around you. For guests traveling during the summer green turtle nesting season, a special nighttime excursion offers the possibility of witnessing one of nature's most remarkable rituals. Under the cover of darkness, female turtles emerge from the Caribbean to nest on the beaches where they began life. Conducted under strict conservation guidelines, this seasonal experience provides a rare opportunity to observe the delicate relationship between wildlife and its protected habitat.

Trade the quiet canals of Tortuguero for the lively waters of the Sarapiquí River, as your journey continues inland toward Costa Rica's volcanic heartland. Travel by boat from Tortuguero and continue through the lush Caribbean lowlands, where tropical agriculture and rainforest landscapes unfold along the way. The Sarapiquí region is known for its remarkable biodiversity, its fertile farmland, and the river that has helped shape life here for generations. Embark on a guided rafting adventure along the Sarapiquí River. With Class II rapids adding just the right measure of excitement, paddle through a landscape of green riverbanks and dense tropical vegetation. Following lunch, discover another side of the region's agricultural heritage during a visit to a pineapple farm where you'll learn how this tropical fruit is cultivated in Costa Rica's warm, fertile growing conditions and enjoy a tasting of its sweet, sun-ripened flavors. By late afternoon, arrive in the Arenal region, dominated by the striking silhouette of Arenal Volcano. Once among Costa Rica's most active volcanoes, Arenal is now in a resting phase, but its volcanic legacy remains very much alive in the area's geothermally heated waters. Your home for the next two nights is Tabacón Hot Springs Resort, a lush retreat celebrated for its naturally heated mineral springs. Enjoy dinner at the resort, with time to settle into the peaceful surroundings.

In the shadow of Arenal Volcano, the rainforest reveals itself in layers. At ground level, a dense world tropical vegetation flourishes beneath the trees. Far above, the canopy forms a living roof, sheltering an extraordinary variety of birds, insects, and other wildlife. Today, experience this remarkable ecosystem from an entirely different vantage point. Begin with a scenic gondola ride above the rainforest canopy, taking in sweeping views of the surrounding landscape as you ascend toward the zipline platforms. Then, for those ready for a little adventure, it's time to fly. Glide above the treetops on an exhilarating zipline course, where the forest stretches beneath you in a sea of green. Guests who prefer to remain closer to the ground can return by gondola and enjoy a nature walk. The afternoon is yours to savor at Tabacón, where one of Arenal's most remarkable natural gifts awaits. Fed by geothermally heated water, the resort's thermal river flows through a lush tropical setting, creating a series of warm pools and cascades surrounded by greenery. Enjoy dinner at your leisure this evening.

Today, Costa Rica's scenery begins to change as you travel west toward Guanacaste and the Pacific coast. The lush tropical landscapes surrounding Arenal give way to the rolling hills and seasonal dry forests that distinguish this northwestern region. Guanacaste has a character all its own. Named for the broad-canopied guanacaste tree, Costa Rica's national tree, the province is known for its ranching traditions, folkloric music, and a strong cultural identity rooted in the country's rural heritage. Along the way, stop for lunch before continuing toward the Gulf of Papagayo, where sheltered bays and forested headlands meet the blue waters of the Pacific. Arrive at El Mangroove Hotel, a contemporary coastal retreat near Playa Panamá, and settle into a different pace of life. The afternoon is yours to enjoy the hotel's amenitites if you wish: relax by the pool or take in the peaceful atmosphere of the coast.

The waters of the Gulf of Papagayo are yours to explore this morning on a private cruise along Costa Rica's beautiful Pacific coastline. With its protected bays and rich marine ecosystems, this part of Guanacaste offers wonderful opportunities for observing life above and below the surface. Watch for dolphins as your boat travels through the gulf, then slip into the water for a snorkeling adventure if you wish. Beneath the surface, rocky reefs and coastal habitats support a colorful assortment of tropical fish and other marine creatures. Return to your hotel for lunch and an afternoon at leisure. This evening, gather with your fellow travelers for a farewell reception by the beach accompanied by traditional marimba music.

Tour ends: Guanacaste. Fly home anytime. A transfer from El Mangroove to Liberia International Airport is included. You should allow a minimum of three hours for check-in at the airport.