Combining some of the best eco-lodges in the country, this tour takes you deep into the heart of the Costa Rican jungle and offers wildlife encounters that you will never forget.
Day 1
On arrival into San José you’ll be transferred to the charming Hotel Grano de Oro where you’ll overnight.
Day 2
This morning you’ll take an early flight to Tortuguero National Park. The short but scenic journey takes you over pristine rainforest before landing at a simple airstrip by the side of the canals. A couple of minutes by boat and you’ll be at Tortuga Lodge & Gardens, your home for the next two nights. Enjoy a leisurely day exploring the hotel gardens, have a swim in the lovely pool or just settle into a hammock and take in the views.
Day 3
Before breakfast there’s an option to join a bird and nature walk with one of the hotel’s naturalist guides. Later, you’ll leave the lodge by boat with your guide to explore the canals of the national park. The park is teemimg with wildlife and you can expect to see monkeys, caimans, terrapins and a vast array of birdlife. After lunch your guide will take you on a tour of Tortuguero village. Dinner is taken back at Tortuga Lodge’s delightful canalside restaurant.
Day 4
After breakfast you’ll leave Tortuguero by boat, heading for the town of Guápiles where you’ll be picked up in a 4x4 vehicle for the dramatic onward journey. Following a rough track through the rainforest, you’ll arrive on the banks of the Pacuare River. The adventure continues as you cross the river by hanging gondola before being whisked to the exquisite Pacuare Lodge, where you’ll stay for the next two nights in a gorgeous Linda Vista Suite with views of the rainforest and the river. To make your first night here even more magical, you’ll be treated to a romantic private dinner by the river, lit by a fire pit and candles.
Day 5
You’ll spend today at Pacuare Lodge with a choice of complimentary activities to enjoy. Start early with a daybreak birdwatching tour, or just relax with a long, leisurely breakfast. Activities on offer include zip lining, canyoning and hikes deep into the rainforest. There is also a waterfall just a few minutes from the lodge which is perfect for a swim.
Day 6
Depart the lodge on a private white water rafting expedition. Enjoy the thrill of the ride as you raft through dramatic gorges and pristine rainforest. Your guide will prepare lunch on the riverbank before you continue your journey by private car, heading north to the tiny town of Bajos del Toro where you’ll spend two nights at El Silencio Lodge & Spa.
Days 7 & 8
Set in a 500-acre private cloud forest reserve, you’ll have two days to relax and take in your beautiful surroundings. Enjoy the Relais & Châteaux cuisine, indulge in a spa treatment and visit the thriving rural town of Bajos del Toro. There are also hiking trails in the cloud forest and other activities on offer.
Day 9
Depart for San José where you’ll board your flight to Puerto Jiménez in the south of Costa Rica. From here you’ll be transferred by boat, across the Golfo Dulce, for two nights at the wonderful Playa Cativo, a remote eco-lodge in the heart of the jungle.
Days 10 & 11
Surrounded by 1,000 acres of pristine rainforest, Playa Cativo offers unparalleled wildlife experiences. You’ll have the opportunity to hike the Piedras Blancas National Park, one of the most biodiverse areas of the planet, with an experienced naturalist guide to accompany you. You’ll also kayak the Rio Esquinas, exploring the mangrove forests and enjoying some of the best birdwatching in the country. The hotel gardens offer plenty of opportunities for wildlife spotting and there is a private beach with paddle boarding and snorkelling on offer.
Day 12
Transfer by boat and air back to San José for your flight home.
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11 Nights from £4,989
per person. Includes return scheduled and domestic flights, 11 nights accommodation, daily breakfast, Full Board at Tortuga Lodge, Pacuare Lodge and Playa Cativo, private transfers and sightseeing as specified.