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Costa Rica’s Central & North Pacific Coast

From £1696 pp*

Costa Rica

12 Nights / 13Days

Private group for 2-6

Costa Rica’s Central & North Pacific Coast

From £1696 pp*

What You'll Do

Explore the North Pacific coast of Costa Rica, uncovering pristine coastline, lush, tangled jungle with amazing wildlife, characterful towns and rural villages where you can really immerse yourself in the Costa Rican way of life.

 

Summary:

Day 1          San Jose

Day 2 & 3 Monteverde

Day 4 & 5  Albangaritos

Day 6 – 8   Santa Teresa

Day 9 & 10  Central Pacific Coast

Day 11 &12  Jaco

Day 13 Departure

You’ll start your adventure from Alajuela, and head straight for the place you’ve come for, the North Pacific coastline of Costa Rica. The country prides itself on a brand of tourism that is eco-friendly and socially sustainable, and this will be very much the focus of the ten-day tour, as well as experiencing Costa Rica’s highlights on this stunning stretch of coastline.

You’ll be visiting local, rural communities like an eco-farm in the Puntarenas Province on your first day, where you’ll be immersed in rural Costa Rican culture, getting to know how the farm runs and learning how to cook real, authentic Costa Rican cuisine.

Then, you’ll be off to Ensenada Wildlife Refuge, a stunning stretch of protected mangrove forest that offers some of the best bird watching in the world, as well as the opportunity to see crocodiles and howler monkeys as you cruise your way through the otherworldly forests by boat – an essential part of any wildlife holiday in Costa Rica.

From surfing at the world-renowned Santa Teresa one day, to soaring on a zip-wire through the steaming air, the jungle canopy stretched out beneath you, there are magical waterfalls, atmospheric little towns, and stunning beaches to be found all the way to Jaco, where your once in a lifetime adventure ends.

As well as the adrenaline-pumping activities, incredible food and stunning scenery that you’ll experience, this tour offers an opportunity to really get under the skin of Costa Rica and see the hidden gems, off the tourist trail, that you would otherwise miss.

Thanks to your local drivers and guides, you’ll meet and interact with local people and stay in their homes, get to know their way of life and establish human connections that create long-lasting memories, from spending a day with fisherman in the islands of the Nicoya Gulf to making wonderful, sociable meals at Betty’s house.

*per person price is based on 2 adults and 2 children ( under 12) sharing a family room in low season.

Experience
Highlights

Get off the beaten track and see the local side to Costa Rica most tourists miss

Discover incredible wild spaces like dense jungles and pristine beaches

Thrill at adventures like ziplining, surfing and quad-biking in stunning settings

Meet the locals, try their food, and see how life really is in Costa Rica

Your Local Host:

Roberto

I was born and raised in Costa Rica and have lived here my entire life. And ever since I could, I’ve been travelling the world. Soon after I left school, I travelled around Costa Rica and discovered every single part of it! Although, we do have a fairly small country, there’s an insane amount to explore, and I’m still exploring Read More

Experience Itinerary

Arrive in Costa Rica

Arrive in San Jose airport, where you will be picked up and driven to your first accommodation. Recover from your long journey and get ready for the adventure of a lifetime.

 

 

 

 

Accommodation

Hotel Aeropuerto

Located in Alajuela, Costa Rica, Hotel Aeropuerto is conveniently situated 4 kilometers from Juan Santamaría Internacional Airport. The hotel boasts 24 rooms, each features air conditioning, cable TV, Queen size beds, telephone, and coffee maker. Guests can enjoy dining at the onsite Las Planchas Restaurant which serves breakfast, lunch and dinner. Hotel amenities include Wi-Fi, garden and a swimming pool.

Monteverde Cloud Forest

Today your shuttle will pick you up early in the morning to drive you to the cloud forest of Monteverde, with a stop over in Zapotal of Miramar in Puntarenas province, is a small rural community of 100 inhabitants. The dairy products are the main economic activity but a few families made a bet on authentic rural tourism: you will visit an ecological farm where everything is produced organically. You will learn about wastewater purification process,about how to feed a biodigester with pigs, how to grow chicken organically and how to maitain an organic garden with medicinal plants. But most importantly, you will learn how to cook Costarican style, at Betty’s house!

Then you will get to the 1440 meters above sea level mountain, on top of Costa Rica’s continental divide, and the much cooler weather of Monteverde and Santa Elena.  Free afternoon to visit the shops, ice cream parlors, cheese factories or coffee houses of Monteverde.

As sunset falls in the forest and it’s nocturnal animals truly awaken. The night visit to Monteverde Reserve is an excellent opportunity to see up close the vast biological diversity of the area from another perspective. During the night, many species emerge and display a unique spectacle in which only the darkness, the stunning forest and we will witness. A flashlight will be provided for each person for a better appreciation of the 2hours tour. 

Monteverde - Hanging bridges

In the morning you will discover the canopy of the cloud forest, walking over the hanging bridges and spotting wildlife.  The cloud forest hosts a remarkable amount of biodiversity.  A walk through a cloud forest in Monteverde reveals a lush garden of mosses, ferns, flowers and epiphytes growing thickly on every tree. Clouds drift in and settle among the slopes, providing the plants with the continuous moisture that they require. Dangling roots and vines sweep across the trails, while the sounds of birds and other creatures echo throughout the forest. You will have the rest of the day to enjoy the area, including the small and quaint town of Santa Elena, filled with tasty restaurants and folksy artisan shops.

Head to the Coast and Get Off the Beaten Track

Then, you’ll continue your journey to the tropical dry forest of Ensenada Wildlife Refuge. A private refuge with a family-run lodge, this lush, biodiverse area is legendary for its birdwatching and mangrove forests . Relax in the peaceful atmosphere here, with views over the Nicoya Gulf, the Mangroves and  salt marshes.

The estate is 800 acres where horses and cattle roam, and the main production is salt and growing fruit. Since 1977 the estate has been pursuing a programme of reforestation and much of the area has been reclaimed and re-wilded by the atmospheric, twisting branches of the mangroves, providing a haven for all manner of exotic birds, crocodiles and howler monkeys.

A stay at the Hacienda is a unique and unforgettable experience, it is family run and you have the opportunity to participate in the daily activities of typical country life of Costa Rica. Your accommodation will be in a bungalow facing the Gulf with twin beds, a private bathroom and a spacious terrace with a hammock to relax and watch the sunset.

 

Accommodation

Hacienda La Ensenada

 

Meals 

Breakfast

Explore Unique Eco-Systems

The mangrove forests for which this area is renowned work to create a unique ecosystem and environment, as they act as a water purifier and as a nursery for all kinds of native wildlife.

On your third day in Costa Rica, you’ll begin exploring this magical landscape by boat, slipping silently through the dappled sunlight beneath the twisting mangroves.

Spot roseate spoonbills, hawks, black-bellied whistling ducks, and egrets over your two-hours gliding through the shade of the trees.

Accommodation

Hacienda La Ensenada

Ferry to Surfers Paradise

The next day, you’ll be heading to the Nicoya Peninsula by ferry, then crossing it to the west coast and the stunning little town of Santa Teresa.

A surfer’s paradise, it combines sea, sand and beautiful trails winding inland to create the perfect spot for nature lovers. The town of Santa Teresa sits snugly on the long line of palm-fringed beaches, and exudes a deliciously laid-back, surfer town kind of vibe.

Pair this with great restaurants, cafes and bars and you’ve got yourself the perfect base for exploring the North Pacific coast.

Accommodation

Manala Hotel

Located in the small town of Santa Teresa and is within walking distance of the beach, the accommodation is in spacious bungalows featuring modern amenities including air conditioning, minibar and a fully equipped bathroom. The hotel has an in-house restaurant serving light dishes including pizza and pasta. The bar serves a range of cocktails and tropical beverages. Guests may also relax at the beautiful outdoor swimming pool which is surrounded by lush vegetation.

A Day of Adventure and Adrenaline

Strap yourself in for a day of adventure, because today you’ll be jumping onto a zipline that carries you through the tropical dry forest canopy. As you soar through the cool coastal air, you will see the incredible landscape unfold beneath you, for one of the highlight activities of the tour.

Then, get your hiking shoes on and strike out through the jungle for the great Montezuma Waterfall. Nestled in the deep jungle, white water cascades into a deep blue lagoon totally surrounded by pristine nature.

Take a dip in the refreshing pool, or add more adventure to your trip by leaping from the heights of the waterfall into the water below.

Accommodation 

Manala Hotel

Meals

Breakfast

Ride the Waves in Santa Teresa

You can’t visit this surfing haven without trying your hand at the most popular activity there. So on your final day here, you’ll be taking advantage of the perfect surf that comes rolling into the stunning beaches from the Pacific with a surf lesson from a local expert.

Learn to ride the waves and immerse yourself in the natural environment in the greatest way possible, and enjoy the freeing sensation of standing and surfing to shore in beautiful settings.

 

Accommodation

Manala Hotel

Meals

Breakfast

Glamping on a Remote Tropical Island

You’ll be heading back across the Nicoya Gulf today, and  travelling south towards Jacó. As you hop on the ferry, there is a beautiful little island in the gulf known as Jesusita Island and this will be your stop for two nights.

A glorious, untouched gem of lush green forest and golden sand beaches set in glistening blue waters, it’s an incredible place to get off the beaten track and experience nature at its purest.

During the day you can try your hand at artisanal fishing, your guide will take you to some of the best spots on the island and you can catch fish in the traditional way, spending a day getting to know the slow life of the local fisherme. In the afternoon relax and take in the sunset from your lounging deck, accompanied by only the sounds of nature, the gentle hissing of the surf and the call of tropical birds, in your own private paradise.

On one evening  you will have the opportunity to see  a rare natural sight on the ocean,  as darkness falls and you take to a boat just off the coast where you will witness the amazing sight of bioluminescence!  In the dark waters surrounding Isla Chiquita there are high concentrations of  light-emitting plankton that create this magical effect. Upon being disturbed, the algae give off a burst of light, and as there are millions of them it looks like sparkles in the water. Depending on the number of algae it appears as bluish or greenish sparkles,  and is a magical sight.

Accommodation

Isla Chiquita Glamping

Located on the shores of Costa Rica’s Gulf of Nicoya, each of the 15 glamping tents features a king bed, a daybed lounger, and a spacious lounging deck with stunning ocean views.

The dining experience at Isla Chiquita brings together the best of two worlds; the stunning natural beauty of the Gulf of Nicoya and the freshest ocean-to-table seafood to be found in Costa Rica. Guests can enjoy a diverse array of excursions, from self-guided kayaking and stand-up paddle-boarding to bird watching, sports fishing and island hopping tours.

Meals

Breakfast

Ferry to your beach stay at Playa Hermosa

Your ninth day will be spent travelling south by boat to beautiful Playa Hermosa.

Your hotel for the next two nights will be the Hotel Resort Terraza del Pacifico, which is located directly on the ocean at the majestic Playa Hermosa Beach.

Relax and enjoy your last days in Costa Rica, by the beach, at the pool or taking part in some of the many activities close by the hotel in this surfers paradise.

 

 

Accommodation

Hotel Resort Terraza del Pacifico

Located directly on the beach with two outdoor pools and a restaurant serving Costa Rican and International cuisine. There are 61 rooms,  each with air-conditioning and wonderful views overlooking the gardens, pools and the ocean. There are lots of activities to try close to the hotel such as kayaking, horse riding and rafting, or you could choose to spend your time relaxing and taking in the gorgeous views.

costa rica Jaco

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Meals

Breakfast

 

Jungle Adventures in Jacó

Today, experience the thrill of exploring the wild, untamed jungle as you ride quad-bikes along the dirt trails and river beds, splashing through the forest on a unique journey through nature.

Enjoy a two hour guided white-knuckle ride  ( or something a little more tame – depending on your preference) through the spectacular forest and then take a cooling dip in a wonderful natural swimming pool surrounded by many species of indigenous flora and fauna,  a great way to refresh, you will swim immersed in nature at its richest and most vibrant.

 

 

Accommodation

Hotel Resort Terraza del Pacifico (or similar)

Meals 

Breakfast

Transfer to San José and Departure

It’s time to say goodbye and head back to San José and the airport, after an incredible ten-day journey around the beautiful, unspoilt North Pacific coast of Costa Rica.

Location Information

The tour begins in Alajuela, heading south through Abangaritos, Santa Teresa, the Central Pacific Coast and then down to Jaco.

All transport is provided, including all ferries and transfers from accommodation to accommodation, so you can simply relax and watch the stunning scenery unfold before you.

On your final day, you will be driven back to the airport in San Jose.

Your Stays on this Holiday
San Jose
Nicoya, Puntarenas
Santa Teresa
Jaco
San Jose

  • All transfers from to San Jose airport, between hotels and activities
  • 1 night in Country Inn suites, San Jose B&B
  • 2 Nights Hacienda La Ensenada, Albangaritos B&B
  • 3 nights Manala Hotel, Santa Teresa B&B
  • 2 Nights Isla Chiquita Glamping B&B
  • 2 nights Terraza del Pacifico, Jaco B&B
  • Visit to an eco-farm and cooking lesson
  • Boat ride through the mangroves
  • Visit to Ensenada Wildlife Refuge
  • Montezuma Forest Zip-line Canopy Experience and Waterfall hike
  • Surfing lesson
  • Quad-bikes jungle ride

FAQs

Lightweight cotton and linen clothing is recommended for most of the year, with warmer clothes for cooler evenings. Waterproofing is necessary during the rainy season. Loose-fitting clothing is best. Wear neutral browns and greens for bird and wildlife viewing. Always bring mosquito repellent for both day and night.

Weight*
Height*

*To prepare your surf equipment

Children's ages are 12 and under.