Costa Rica Private Journey

With its natural bounty of rainforest lagoons, towering volcanoes, and long, palm-fringed beaches, Costa Rica is a paradise for nature lovers. Almost 20 percent of the country is protected in national parks or nature reserves that are prime examples of Costa Rican ecosystems, including deciduous tropical forests, mangrove swamps, rainforests, cloud forests, and wetlands. On this Private Journey, you can hike, mountain bike, explore a tropical rainforest, and paddle by sea kayak in azure Pacific waters, all with expert naturalist guides at your side. Your journey includes mountainous Arenal Volcano National Park, the waterways of Tortuguero National Park on the Caribbean Coast, and Manuel Antonio National Park on the sparkling Pacific. We also offer an extension to world-famous Monteverde Cloud Forest Reserve, one of the outstanding nature reserves in the New World tropics, and an optional day of whitewater rafting on the wild Pacuare River.

Itinerary at a Glance

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Days 1-2
Arenal, Mountain of Fire

In Arenal Volcano National Park, follow an elaborate network of spectacular hanging bridges that give access to the canopy of the park’s primary rainforest, where more than 350 species of birds and a colorful array of butterflies reside. After an active day, enjoy an optional soak in a hot spring and watch the glow of Arenal from your private balcony at your cozy lodge.

Days 3-4
Tortuguero, the Emerald Forest

Set along natural inland waterways of the Caribbean, Tortuguero National Park protects one of the last large areas of tropical rainforest in Central America. In this deep green world accessible only by boat, a maze of tranquil waterways overhung with rainforest provides a rich habitat for caimans, crocodiles, manatees, monkeys, three-toed sloths, river otters, and a dazzling array of birdlife. Explore this wondrous ecosystem by small boat or sea kayak (optional); Tortuguero is also a world-famous nesting spot for green sea turtles (July-October) as well as leatherbacks (March-May).

Days 5-8
Manuel Antonio National Park, Jewel of the Pacific Coast

Try your hand at Costa Rica’s popular adventure sport—the zipline—for a bird’s-eye view of the rainforest canopy! At Manuel Antonio, set beside the Pacific coast, walk through vine-draped forests where monkeys leap from tree to tree, sloths gaze down from the canopy, and iguanas sun themselves on logs. Optional activities include ocean kayaking, surfing, and a sunset sail featuring whale and dolphin watching. Depart on Day 8.

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What the Trip is Like

This trip is Level 2, Easy to Moderate. Although the overall pace of this trip is relaxed and you are free to choose the activities you like, this is an active vacation. The shape you're in will be an important factor in your enjoyment.

Explanation of Trip Levels