Sample Itineraries in Costa Rica

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Day 1 - Arrival in San José 

Upon arrival, your private transfer will take you to your hotel in Santa Ana. In the evening your Tour Leader will meet you for a Welcome Orientation to discuss the week and then treat you to a Welcome Dinner and get to know each other.

Included: Private transfer from Airport to Hotel; Accommodation in Santa Ana. (Meals - Dinner). 

Day 2 - Masquerade Workshop 

Ciudad Colón

After breakfast we will visit a local fruit market to prepare ourselves for lunch. Today you will understand one of Costa Rica’s traditions in the Central Valley: Masquerades. This dates to colonial times and represents an opportunity for the communities to honor their Patron Saints on their day. Nowadays it has been recognized as a National Symbol. Our hosts in nearby Ciudad Colón will welcome us into their home and explain the tradition during a hands-on workshop. Bring your dancing shoes!

After a home-cooked lunch we will walk the town, enjoy some ice cream and be back at the hotel mid-afternoon and after a brief rest, we will tour the hotel and its contemporary art collection.

Included: Transfers, activities; Accommodation in Santa Ana. (Meals – Breakfast and Lunch). 

Day 3 - Coffee Tour

Turrialba

This morning, we will leave Santa Ana and head out towards the Turrialba. On the way we will make a stop in Cartago and its Basilica to learn about the legend and its importance to many Catholic Costa Ricans. Every year close to 2 million worshipers make the pilgrimage from all over Costa Rica and even from Guatemala thousands of kilometers away.

Next stop is a coffee tour at a family-owned farm to learn all about coffee production and tasting. Our final short stop before arriving at the hotel is the Central American Tropical Research Center (Catie) to see its impressive seeds collection and repository and learn about the work supporting conservation and agricultural research.

Included: Transfers, entrance fees; Accommodation in Turrialba. (Meals – Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner). 

Day 4 - Grano de Oro Indigenous Community 

Turrialba

We have partnered with the Grano de Oro Women’s Association to visit and enjoy and interesting people-to-people interaction. After a heartfelt welcome we will sit down with members of this Cabecar community for a glimpse at their lifestyle and traditions. Afterwards, we walk in the countryside to visit an Elder of the community in his home where the learning continues from a different perspective. We will partake in a traditional cacao ceremony.

Included: Transfers, entrance fees; Accommodation in Turrialba. (Meals – Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner).

Day 5 - Sloth Sanctuary Center 

Cahuita

Time for the Caribbean Coast! After a leisurely breakfast we take the 2.5 hour drive to Cahuita and its certified Sloth Sanctuary Center. During our guided visit we will learn about the Center and its efforts to rehabilitate and reintroduce Sloth. It is a heartwarming visit as we will understand current challenges and opportunities. Lunch will be at a nearby restaurant serving Caribbean cuisine before we arrive at our hotel for some free time. 

Included: Transfers, entrance fees; Accommodation in Cahuita. (Meals – Breakfast, Lunch).

Day 6 - Relaxing in Cahuita National Park

Cahuita

Today is free for you to unwind on the pristine white sand of Cahuita National Park. This small park is also special because it has shared management between Costa Rica’s National Park System and the local community. There will be ample opportunities for wildlife watching and depending on weather also snorkeling.

Lunch will be on your own at any local restaurant. And after free time, dinner will be a cooking class with a local family.

Included: Transfers, entrance fees; Accommodation in Cahuita. (Meals – Breakfast, Dinner).

Day 7 - San José 

San José

After breakfast, have some free time to enjoy the beach and then transfer to San José with stops along the way. This evening, we will reflect on the experience and then have a Farewell Dinner. 

Included: Accommodation in San José. (Meals – Breakfast, Dinner). 

Day 8 - Departure 

Unless you are extending your time in Costa Rica, we will help you arrange individual or group transfers to the airport. 

Included:  Breakfast costa rica tours indigenous tourism

Day 1 - Arrival in San José 

Cariari 

Upon arrival, your private transfer will take you to your hotel near the sirport. In the evening your Tour Leader will meet you for a Welcome Orientation to discuss the week and then treat you to a Welcome Dinner and get to know each other.

Included: Private transfer from Airport to Hotel; Accommodation in Cariari. (Meals - Dinner). 

Day 2 - Coffee Tour, bat conservation lecture

Sarapiqui

After breakfast we will start the drive towards a coffee plantation on the slopes of Poás Volcano. This working farm is one of the largest in the part of the Central Valley and has the oldest wet mill in the country. During the visit you will learn the entire process of coffee farming from the seed to tasting a freshy brewed cup. Before continuing to our final destination in Sarapiquí on the Caribbean lowlands you will be treated to a traditional Costa Rican lunch onsite and the opportunity to visit its butterfly exhibit. Later this day and after dinner, learn about Tirimbina’s bat conservation project lead by local and international scientists.

Included: Transfers, activities; Accommodation in Sarapiqui. (Meals – Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner). 

Day 3 - Rainforest hike, lunch at local farm

Sarapiqui

This morning wake up early to the sounds of the rainforest and before breakfast do on a light hike to understand why Costa Rica holds close to 5% of the world’s biodiversity. After breakfast we will visit a conservation education center and then visit a local family-run farm to learn about opportunities and challenges of this rural community. After a delicious home-cooked luch we will return to the lodge.

Included: Transfers, entrance fees; Accommodation in Sarapiqui. (Meals – Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner). 

Day 4 - Tortuguero 

Tortuguero

Tortuguero is a small community surrounded by canals and the Caribbean Ocean. After breakfast we leave Sarapqui by private van and then take a public boat for approximately a 1.5 hour ride to town. The best way to experience the richness of Caribbean culture is to stay in town at a local family-run lodge. In the afternoon we will be treated to a coconut workshop and learn how to make traditional sweets. 

Included: Transfers, entrance fees; Accommodation in Tortuguero. (Meals – Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner).

Day 5 - Canals of Tortuguero

Tortuguero

Tortuguero can be translated to “land of the turtles” and this is because it is an importante nesting ground particularly for the green turtle (June to October and other species March to May). Surrounded by canals and rainforest, the location offers a great opportunity for wildlife watching. Based on weather we will plan the day accordingly to include a moderate hike up the tallest mountain the the area at 120 meters above sea level.

Included: Transfers, entrance fees; Accommodation in Tortuguero. (Meals – Breakfast, Lunch).

Day 6 - Turrialba, CATIE

Turrialba

After breakfast we will take the boat back to the mainland to take our van and head to Turrialba making stops along the way. Today’s highlight is the Central American Tropical Research Center (CATIE) to see its impressive seeds collection and repository and learn about the work supporting conservation and agricultural research. Our rustic lodge is perched high above the valley with great views of the surrounding countryside.

Included: Transfers, entrance fees; Accommodation in Turrialba. (Meals – Breakfast, Dinner).

Day 7 - Grano de Oro Indigenous Community 

Turrialba

We have partnered with the Grano de Oro Women’s Association to visit and enjoy and interesting people-to-people interaction. After a heartfelt welcome we will sit down with members of this Cabecar community for a glimpse at their lifestyle and traditions. Afterwards, we walk in the countryside to visit an Elder of the community in his home where the learning continues from a different perspective. We will partake in a traditional cacao ceremony.

Included: Transfers, entrance fees; Accommodation in Turrialba. (Meals – Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner).

Day 8 - Departure 

 Unless you are extending your time in Costa Rica, we will help you arrange individual or group transfers to the airport. 

Included:  Breakfast