Costa Rica luxury trip
- Tackle the Pacuare River by raft and enjoy the unspoilt rainforest along the way
- Go on horse-riding tours through coffee and cocoa plantations
- Sip a Coconut Lime Margarita on the tropical beach at Santa Teresa
- Spot humpback whales and dolphins in Marino Ballena National Park.
Itinerary
Day 1: Amsterdam – San José
Your luxury trip of Costa Rica begins today. You’ll fly from Amsterdam to San José. Upon arrival at the airport, you’ll be welcomed by one of our local staff members, who will take you to your accommodation in San José. You will be staying at Grano de Oro, housed in a Victorian-style villa. The hotel’s restaurant is one of the best in the city.
Overnight stay: Grano de Oro | bed and breakfast
Day 2: San José – Turrialba
Early this morning, you’ll be picked up from your hotel and taken to the Pacuare Lodge. The lodge can only be reached by river, which means it is truly nestled in the heart of nature. You won’t just be travelling down the river; you’ll be rafting. During this trip, you’ll float past mountains and gradually see the surroundings transform into unspoilt rainforest. Here and there, you’ll spot beautiful birds or blue butterflies shimmering in the sunlight. Upon arrival at the lodge, you’ll be shown to your suite, which overlooks the river. In the afternoon, you may wish to take part in one of the activities offered by the lodge, such as birdwatching.
Overnight stay: Pacuare Lodge | full board
Day 3: Turrialba
Today you’ll enjoy your stay at the Pacuare Lodge. Take part in one of the excursions offered by the lodge. These include rafting, kayaking, rock climbing, abseiling, birdwatching, hiking or a visit to an indigenous Cabécar family. In short, there’s something for everyone. After a busy morning, you can relax on the sun loungers by the pool, order your favourite drink at the bar and let yourself be surprised again with a delicious meal at dinner. Our colleague Petra visited the Pacuare Lodge and writes about it on our blog. Click here to read her report.
Accommodation: Pacuare Lodge | full board
Day 4: Turrialba – San José – Liberia – Origins Lodge
Today you’ll continue your luxury trip of Costa Rica. You’ll leave the Pacuare Lodge whilst rafting. You will be taken to San José airport for your flight to Liberia, in north-western Costa Rica. From here, you will drive to your next accommodation in a rental car (approx. 120 km | 2.5-hour drive). You will be staying at the Origins Lodge for the next few days.
Origins Lodge is situated on a mountainside, overlooking the valley below. The lodge offers an exclusive retreat in the heart of nature and comprises just seven lodges built from stone, wood and bamboo. Each lodge has a private terrace with a fire-heated plunge pool. Ideal for watching the sunset whilst surrounded by nature. Here you can expect a high standard of service, and the friendly staff will ensure that you, as a guest, want for nothing. Enjoy the cuisine in the French fusion restaurant and unwind with a massage or a yoga session.
Accommodation: Origins Lodge | bed and breakfast
Days 5 and 6: Origins Lodge
During your stay at Origins Lodge, you’ll be invited to take part in the activities organised by the lodge. Start the day with a yoga class or take a dip in the swimming pool. You can take a look around the coffee and cocoa plantation or explore the trails at Origins Lodge, where you can find tropical fruits. You might even spot some wildlife. The lodge also has its own horse ranch, so you can explore the estate on horseback. Round off the day with a tropical cocktail on the veranda whilst watching the sun disappear behind the horizon.
Accommodation: Origins Lodge | bed and breakfast
Day 7: Origins Lodge – Santa Teresa
(approx. 300 km | 4-hour drive)
After breakfast, you’ll drive on to Santa Teresa on the Nicoya Peninsula, one of the world’s five Blue Zones. Here, you’ll stay at the Nantipa – a Tico beach experience. This is a beautiful, small-scale hotel with 15 detached luxury bungalows and suites overlooking the 150-metre-long beach. It is the ideal place to relax and experience that true holiday feeling. Nantipa has its own beachfront restaurant, Manzu. Here, too, the relaxed beach atmosphere is perfectly captured. Treat yourself to the signature cocktails created by the Mulberry Project, made using local fruit and liqueur. The menu features dishes inspired by Costa Rican cuisine (tacos, gallos and casados). If you’re a seafood lover, you should definitely order one of the ceviches or freshly grilled seafood.
Accommodation: Nantipa | bed and breakfast
Days 8 and 9: Santa Teresa
These days are free to explore Santa Teresa. Here you’ll find one of Costa Rica’s most beloved beaches, discovered by surfers whose stories have sparked the curiosity of other travellers. Many young travellers have fallen in love with this place and have never left. As a result, there are many international influences to be found in Santa Teresa. There is plenty to do here, both on land and on the water. The charming centre of Santa Teresa is within walking distance (150 metres). Discover the unspoilt beaches, surrounded by forest and shady spots. You can also enjoy a range of active pursuits such as hiking, a sunset boat trip, snorkelling, horse riding or beach-hopping by boat.
Accommodation: Nantipa | bed and breakfast
Day 10: Santa Teresa – Monteverde
(approx. 215 km | 5-hour drive)
Your next destination is Monteverde, where you’ll be staying at Senda Monteverde. This accommodation is situated in Costa Rica’s cloud forest. Here, you’ll stay in a comfortable, modern mountain lodge with an open-air veranda from which you can look out over the Pacific Ocean in the distance or the cloud forest. After lunch, you’ll be given a guided trip of the Monteverde Institute, where extensive research is carried out into the cloud forest ecosystem. You’ll visit the organic garden, where the ingredients for your lunch are grown, and the medicinal garden. You will then visit the native plant nursery to learn more about reforestation techniques and tree species. You can also do your bit by helping with maintenance work and creating a space where seeds can germinate.
Accommodation: Senda Monteverde | bed and breakfast
Day 11: Monteverde
You will be collected from your hotel today for a walking trip through the cloud forest of Monteverde. Your guide will lead you through this protected area along one of the many walking trails, which are surrounded by towering trees with colourful orchids, tropical bromeliads and velvety mosses. The mist that hangs here makes it feel as though you have stepped into a fairytale setting. In the trees and bushes, you can spot birds, monkeys, reptiles, amphibians and insects. You might even see sloths, tree frogs and colourful butterflies. Afterwards, you’ll be taken back to your hotel. For the rest of the day, you’ll have the opportunity to explore the area at your leisure.
Overnight stay: Senda Monteverde | bed and breakfast
Day 12: Monteverde – Uvita
(approx. 255 km | 4.5-hour drive)
You’ll continue your luxury trip to Uvita, where you’ll spend the final days of your wonderful trip. You’ll stay at Kurà Design Villas, an exclusive boutique hotel in the Uvita rainforest. All rooms have a terrace and offer panoramic views of Marino Ballena National Park and Uvita beach. Our colleague Johan recently visited this accommodation; you can read about his experience here. Uvita is known for its famous ‘whale’s tail’, the sand formation on the coast that resembles a whale’s tail.
Accommodation: Kurà Design Villas | bed and breakfast
Day 13: Uvita
Today you’ll visit Costa Rica’s highest waterfall, the Nauyaca Waterfall, with breathtaking views over the surrounding valley. Accompanied by a guide, you’ll walk through the reserve’s beautiful organic garden. You’ll be served a delicious lunch in the cave behind the waterfall, a truly unique setting. You’ll then follow a steep but well-maintained path, enjoying spectacular panoramic views. As you trek through the wilderness, you’ll encounter a wealth of wildlife, including toucans, macaws, monkeys, sloths, armadillos and various reptiles. Why not take a refreshing dip in the pristine natural pools along the trail?
Overnight: Kurà Design Villas | bed and breakfast
Day 14: Uvita
Today is a day at leisure. You’ll have time to explore the local area. Visit the Marino Ballena National Park. Between December and April and between July and September, you’ll have a good chance of seeing humpback whales swimming here, and dolphins are present all year round. If you love nature, do visit the Barú National Wildlife Refuge. Here, for example, you’ll find a beach where loggerhead and green sea turtles come to lay their eggs. In addition, more than 310 different species of birds and mammals live here. Of course, there are also plenty of beautiful beaches in the area where you can relax, such as Playa Ventanas. At low tide, you can admire the sea caves along the coast here. If you’d like to read more about whale watching, check out the blog.
Accommodation: Kurà Design Villas | bed and breakfast
Day 15: Uvita – San José – Amsterdam
Unfortunately, your luxury trip of Costa Rica has come to an end. You will drive to San José airport (approx. 215 km | 4-hour drive). Here, you will board your intercontinental flight to Amsterdam, where you will arrive the following day.
Day 16: Amsterdam
You will arrive in Amsterdam today.
Travel price
From €9,800 per person
- Based on 2 people travelling together
- Subject to the time of booking, availability of local flights, availability of accommodation and the travel period
Included:
- domestic flight, economy class (14 kg hold luggage)
- 12 nights’ accommodation, meals as stated
- 2 nights’ accommodation at Pacuare Lodge on a full-board basis, with all excursions led by professional guides
- 12 days’ car hire (Cat. SUV or similar alternative) including basic insurance, starting from Liberia and dropping off in San José
- all transfers and excursions as listed
- local taxes, where applicable
- entrance fees, where applicable
- Public levy Calamity Fund travel; €2.50 per booking
- SGR contribution of €5 per person per booking
- 24/7 our backup; locally and in the Netherlands
- comprehensive travel pack with small gift
Not included:
- International flights, we will book them for you if required
- Early check-in/late check-out, based on availability sometimes given by hotel. If you want to make sure you have this, please enquire with us about the extra cost.
- travel and cancellation insurance
Request a travel proposal - Costa Rica luxury trip
Would you like to go on this luxury trip of Costa Rica? We can, of course, organise the above trip for you, but we’d also be happy to put together a programme based on your wishes and ideas. Please feel free to get in touch. Call +31 73 610 62 04, email info@sapapanatravel.nl or request a bespoke quote below. We’d be happy to help.
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