Luxury Caribbean Explorer

1 nts San Jose, 3 nts Arenal Volcano, 2 nts Tortuguero, 4 nts Puerto Viejo de Talamanca

This luxury itinerary stays in some beautiful hotels that have combined beautiful design, attention to detail, and incredible natural locations to offer exceptional stays. Beginning at Amor Arenal, branded as rustic luxury in the jungle, these individual cabins offer views of the Arenal volcano and surrounded by lush tropical foliage, all of which can be enjoyed from your jacuzzi on your private deck. Excursions include a private guided hanging bridges walk and white water rafting on the Penas Blancas River.

You will then travel to the humid jungle canals of Tortuguero where you will see the diversity of wildlife and birds that frequent this unique and interesting habitat. Sightings may include caimans, howler monkeys and spider monkeys. If you travel between the months of July and October you can take a guided night walk on the Caribbean beach and may see nesting Atlantic Green Turtles. Staying at the beautiful, recently refurbished La Tortuga Lodge that offers private excursions with excellent guides and fantastic wildlife spotting opportunities.

Finishing at the less visited Caribbean coast near the town of Puerto Viejo and between the national parks of Cahuita and Manzanillo. This area combines stunning beaches with a backdrop of palms and rainforest, with plenty of wildlife spotting opportunities and opportunities to visit indigenous cultures and learn about their way of life. A great way to explore is to hire bikes. Included in your stay is a guided tour of Cahuita National Park where you may see Capuchin monkeys, two and three toed sloths, eyelash vipers, racoons, leafcutter ants and a variety of birdlife. *Snorkelling is optional for Cahuita tour, best months for snorkelling the reef are September and October. You will also enjoy sea kayaking at the beautiful Punta Uva beach and river.

Price Guide

10 nights from £4,345 per person based on double occupancy

These prices are excluding international flights. Average direct flight prices to Costa Rica range from £900 per person to over £1,000 per person at peak times (Christmas, Easter and Summer). Flight routes vary, there are direct flight options with British Airways from London Gatwick but also many alternative routes via the US. Please contact us for accurate flight pricing for your timings and place of departure.

Day to Day

Below is an example day by day itinerary

Day 1

Met on arrival at San Jose International Airport and transferred to Gran Hotel in down town San Jose.

Day 2

Private transfer in air-conditioned minibus to Amor Arenal hotel in the Arenal region. Spend the afternoon enjoying the views of Arenal volcano and the lush tropical forest surrounds, or relax in your outdoor jacuzzi on your private deck. Overnight Amor Arenal (B).

Day 3

Enjoy a private guided hanging bridges tour, a 3 km tour takes in 5 hanging bridges, and your guide will share his knowledge of the local flora and fauna. You may see a variety of bird species including hummingbirds, motmots, trogons, toucans. Overnight Amor Arenal (B).

Day 4

Collected from your hotel to embark on an exciting adventure to the Rio Balsa where you will board your raft with your guide and paddle down the river, over the rapids and enjoying lush, tropical scenery. In between the rapids your guide will be on the look out for bird life and animals such as sloths that could be hanging around the rivers edge. Overnight Amor Arenal (B).

Day 5

Private minibus transfer to Guapiles where you will transfer with your luggage into a boat and continue your journey to La Tortuga Lodge along the hot and humid canals of Tortuguero. After lunch you will have guided visit to the Tortugero Village and a chance to visit the Sea Turtle Information Centre. *Between the months of July and October, the Atlantic Green Sea Turtle comes to the Tortuguero beach to lay her eggs, it is possible to book an evening visit to the beach to try and witness these incredible site. Overnight La Tortuga Lodge (BLD).

Day 6

Nature abounds at La Tortuga Lodge and many activities are available that maximise your experience of this unique place. Included in your stay is a guided hike to Cerro Tortuguero, where you will expect to see a variety of rainforest wildlife and birds and get an excellent vantage point of the canals. In the afternoon you will do a guided boat tour along the Tortguero canals where your guide will point out wildlife such as basilisks, caimans, capuchin monkeys, herons and other species. Overnight La Tortuga Lodge (BLD).

Day 7

Travel by boat back along the Tortuguero canals to the boat dock where you will be met and transferred by private minibus to Aguas Claras Boutique Hotel near the town of Puerto Viejo. Journey time approx. 6 hrs. Spend the afternoon relaxing in their stunning outdoor pool, or walk 5 minutes to their secluded beachfront with beach club. Overnight Aguas Claras (BL).

Day 8

Travel to nearby Cahuita National Park for a guided walk through the forest and stunning coastline, you may see sloths, snakes, spiders, monkeys, toucans, motmots and other species. There is also an opportunity to snorkel the coral reefs. Overnight Aguas Claras (B).

Day 9

Visit nearby Punta Uva beach to start your guided kayaking tour, in this area there is a very good chance of spotting a number of sloths, maybe even one swimming across the river, your guide will help you spot them whilst gently kayaking down the river. Overnight Aguas Claras (B).

Day 10

Day at leisure. *Optional excursions could include horse riding along the beach, visiting the indigenous BriBri tribe and appreciating their way of life and customs, including how to make chocolate from bean to bar. A short walk from Aguas Claras is the very interesting Jaguar Research Center which is home to rescued or injured sloths, monkeys and other animals. Animals are either rehabilitated and released back into the wild, if this is not possible they are looked after at the centre.

Day 11

Transferred by private minibus back to San Jose International Airport to connect with your return flight back to the UK. Journey time approx. 4 hours.