A 12-day journey through Costa Rica combining culture, volcanoes, rainforest, and wildlife. Start in San José and explore Poás Volcano, coffee culture, and artisan Sarchí, then continue to Irazú Volcano and the cloud forests of San Gerardo de Dota. Discover birdlife including the quetzal, followed by Cartago and a chocolate experience in Sarapiquí. Enjoy Arenal Volcano, hot springs, hanging bridges, and rural farm life, then continue to Bijagua and the Río Celeste waterfall. End in Rincón de la Vieja National Park with volcanic landscapes and wildlife, before returning to San José for departure.
TOUR HIGHLIGHTS
San José: Costa Rica’s vibrant capital, San José sits in the heart of the Central Valley surrounded by mountains and volcanoes. It is the country’s cultural and political centre, offering a lively mix of history, architecture, and everyday urban life. The city features important museums, historic buildings, colourful markets, and lively neighbourhoods that reflect Costa Rica’s cultural diversity and “Pura Vida” spirit.
San Gerardo de Dota: A serene highland valley nestled within Costa Rica’s Talamanca mountain range, San Gerardo de Dota is renowned for its pristine cloud forest, cool climate, and exceptional biodiversity. It is one of the country’s premier destinations for birdwatching, including sightings of the iconic Resplendent Quetzal, and offers a peaceful atmosphere ideal for nature lovers seeking tranquility and mountain scenery.
Sarapiqui: Located on the edge of Costa Rica’s Caribbean lowlands, Sarapiquí is a lush region of tropical rainforest, rivers, and agricultural plantations. Known for its rich biodiversity, it offers excellent opportunities to observe wildlife such as monkeys, sloths, toucans, and frogs, while also showcasing the country’s agricultural heritage, including cocoa, pineapple, and tropical fruit production.
Arenal: Dominated by the iconic Arenal Volcano, this region is one of Costa Rica’s most impressive natural landscapes. It combines rainforest, volcanic terrain, and fertile farmland, offering a wide variety of flora and fauna. The area is also known for its rural traditions, hot springs, and panoramic views of the volcano and surrounding lake.
Bijagua: Set between the Tenorio and Miravalles volcanic ranges, Bijagua is a quiet rural region surrounded by rainforest and rich wildlife. It is part of the northern biodiversity corridor, home to diverse ecosystems, indigenous heritage, and traditional rural communities. The area is particularly valued for its natural reserves, orchids, and lush tropical scenery.
Rincon de la Vieja: A dramatic volcanic region in northwestern Costa Rica, Rincón de la Vieja is known for its geothermal activity, dry tropical forest, and rugged landscapes. The national park features volcanic formations, fumaroles, hot springs, and rich wildlife, making it one of the country’s most diverse and geologically active natural areas.
1 giorno: ARRIVAL SAN JOSÉ
Upon arrival in San José, meet our representative and transfer to the hotel.
Overnight in San José.
2 giorno: SAN JOSÉ – POÁS – SARCHÍ – SAN JOSÉ (116km – 3hrs)
After breakfast, departure for Alajuela province, in the Poás region. During the ascent, enjoy magnificent views from the mountains near Poás Volcano, one of the most active in the country in recent years. Visit a coffee plantation and learn about the entire production process. You will also taste different types of coffee and coffee products. Lunch on site. Departure to the artisan village of Sarchí, where the famous colorful ox carts were made to transport coffee and fruit to export ports. These carts, matched to ox yokes, have become decorative art objects. Return to San José for a relaxed afternoon. Dinner in San Jose.
Overnight in San José.
3 giorno: SAN JOSÉ – SAN GERARDO DE DOTA (91km – 3hrs)
Panoramic visit of the capital and its main attractions such as the theater, Gold Museum, Central Market, among others. Departure for Cartago and visit to Irazú Volcano National Park. During the ascent, observe various plantations. If the weather is clear, enjoy spectacular panoramic views of the valleys and the surrounding mountains. Upon arrival at Irazú Volcano, walk to the main crater where you will see a unique lunar landscape with an emerald-colored lake and rising steam. The hike ends at the summit at 3,432 m above sea level. Continue to San Gerardo de Dota through beautiful mountain scenery. Dinner in San Gerardo de Dota.
Overnight in San Gerardo de Dota.
4 giorno: SAN GERARDO DE DOTA
Full-day excursion in this mid-altitude region. Walk to observe many bird species (toucans, green woodpeckers…), and with some luck, the famous Quetzal, a mythical bird revered by the Mayans. For dinner, catch your own trout. In the afternoon, you may continue hiking or relax at the lodge. Dinner in San Gerardo de Dota.
Overnight in San Gerardo de Dota.
5 giorno: SAN GERARDO DE DOTA – CARTAGO – SARAPIQUÍ (269km – 5hrs)
Departure for Cartago and visit the Basilica of Our Lady of the Angels, known for its Byzantine style and stained glass windows. It is Costa Rica’s main pilgrimage site due to the Virgin of the Angels celebration. The relic of the Black Virgin has remained intact since the basilica’s construction. After lunch, continue to Sarapiquí to learn about chocolate: its history, processing, and preparation. Taste organic rainforest chocolate. Dinner in Sarapiquí.
Overnight in Sarapiquí.
6 giorno: SARAPIQUI
Typical breakfast and a day of discovery and adventure. Visit a palm plantation and learn about its production secrets. Taste the fruit and learn a traditional recipe. In the afternoon, take a motorboat ride to observe birds, butterflies, sloths, monkeys, and possibly crocodiles in their natural habitat. Dinner in Sarapiquí.
Overnight in Sarapiquí.
7 giorno: SARAPIQUÍ – ARENAL (110km – 2hrs)
Departure for La Fortuna, at the foot of Arenal Volcano. Free time to explore the town. After dinner, discover the lush Arenal forest by walking across hanging bridges while spotting monkeys and toucans. Enjoy hot springs, waterfalls, and natural pools at the hotel, or visit nearby thermal baths if the hotel does not have them. Dinner in Arenal.
Overnight in Arenal.
8 giorno: ARENAL
After breakfast, hike the trails of Arenal Volcano National Park, where you can approach an ancient stream of fossilized lava. Then head to La Fortuna to experience “Vida Campesina” (rural life). Enjoy a guided farm tour discovering traditional crops, medicinal plants, and vegetables. Visit the “troja” to process sugarcane and taste its juice, raw cane, and the alcoholic drink “guaro” (adults only). Taste seasonal fruits and visit farm animals. Prepare your own corn tortillas and enjoy a typical organic lunch made mostly from farm products, cooked on a wood stove. Finish with traditional “café chorreado.” Rest of the day at leisure. Dinner in Areal.
Overnight in Arenal.
9 giorno: ARENAL – BIJAGUA (85km – 2hrs)
After breakfast, continue to Bijagua, stopping to learn about Maleku culture. Walk an easy trail to observe plants, amphibians, mammals, reptiles, and insects. Visit the Maleku Indigenous Cultural House and a medicinal plant and orchid garden. At Ecocentro Danaus, the Maleku community presents exhibitions and sells handicrafts. They are one of the smallest indigenous groups in Costa Rica, known for balsa wood carvings and traditional hunting tools. Continue to Bijagua for a full rainforest immersion experience. Dinner in Bijagua.
Overnight in Bijagua.
10 giorno: BIJAGUA – RINCÓN DE LA VIEJA (110km – 2hrs)
Hike in Tenorio Volcano National Park to reach the magical Río Celeste waterfall. Observe its striking turquoise color, caused by an optical effect from sunlight interacting with minerals in the water. Lunch at the hotel, then continue to Rincón de la Vieja with a stop at the “Las Pumas” refuge, which rescues and cares for animals such as macaws, monkeys, and toucans. Dinner in Rincón de la Vieja.
Overnight in Rincon de la Vieja.
11 giorno: RICON DE LA VIEJA
Guanacaste region is a UNESCO World Heritage site. Visit Rincón de la Vieja National Park, one of the most active volcanoes in the country. Hike through tropical dry forest and, with luck, spot capuchin monkeys, howler monkeys, and coatis. Walk among fumaroles and bubbling mud pools. Before dinner, enjoy the therapeutic and relaxing benefits of volcanic mud applied in a natural setting. Afternoon at leisure for optional activities. Dinner and overnight.
Overnight in Rincon de la Vieja.
12 giorno: RINCÓN DE LA VIEJA – SAN JOSE DEPARTURE (250km – 4.5hrs)
After breakfast, departure for San José to catch your return flight. Lunch on your own en route.
Pack light, breathable clothing for warm and humid conditions, plus a light jacket for cooler highland areas and early mornings. Comfortable walking shoes with good grip are essential for hikes, volcano trails, and suspension bridges. Bring rain protection (rain jacket or poncho), insect repellent, sunscreen, and a hat. Don’t forget swimwear for hot springs and waterfalls, a reusable water bottle, and a small daypack for excursions.
