Off the Beaten Track in Costa Rica

Arrival at San José Airport. Meet and greet and transfer to your hotel. Free time to relax or explore the surrounding area.

After breakfast, we’ll head to a coffee plantation in the Poas Volcano region for a comprehensive guided tour led by a specialist guide. Here, we’ll have the opportunity to learn about all the steps and processes involved in coffee farming and production in Costa Rica, visiting the plantation, factory, and roasting facility. The comprehensive coffee plantation tour also includes a coffee tasting.

In the afternoon, we visit the picturesque towns of Grecia and Sarchí, each with its rich artisan traditions and unusual architecture. We then travel to the Monteverde region, a scenic route punctuated by a few pleasant breaks. As we leave the Cordillera Central to enter and explore the reliefs of the Tilaran mountain range, our guide will discuss the geology of Costa Rica. Check in at a charming eco-lodge in the verdant Monteverde region, surrounded by the cloud forest.

In the early evening, we follow our guides on a nocturnal wildlife observation excursion into the forest, as the creatures of the night awaken and become active. This excursion includes the loan of a flashlight and the assistance of a local guide, an expert in nocturnal wildlife and the region’s trails, to support our French-speaking naturalist tour guide.

Breakfast at the lodge, followed by an exploration of the Curi-Cancha Biological Reserve, or Santuario Ecologico  , or Santa Elena, to observe the flora and fauna of the Monteverde cloud forests. Divided by the Tilaran Mountains, the region’s reserves span several ecological zones, home to more than 100 species of mammals, 400 species of birds, and 1,500 species of plants. Guided hike and wildlife photography along the nature trails, accompanied by our French-speaking naturalist guide.

In the afternoon, we explore the trails and suspension bridges of a private reserve in the region. Here, we’ll have the opportunity to gaze up into the canopy and enjoy exceptional vantage points for observing and photographing the flora and fauna.

Option : The more adventurous can also experience zip lines here by sliding down the cable courses that crisscross the property (optional activity replacing the visit to the suspension bridges and for which a fee applies).

At the end of the day we will have the opportunity to visit a hummingbird garden where we can observe a wide variety of species as the birds drink nectar from the feeders.

After breakfast, we will travel through the bucolic landscapes of the Tilaran mountain range, towards the Arenal Volcano region. We will make a few interesting stops along the way, to observe and photograph wildlife if the opportunity arises (monkeys, coatis, birds, reptiles that our guide and driver might spot along the way…); to appreciate the landscapes of the region; to have a snack-coffee in a restaurant located on a promontory offering beautiful views of the lake and to visit craft stalls encountered along the way.

In the afternoon, check into a pleasant, charming hotel located on the edge of the volcano. Relax by the hotel’s pool and gardens, or take a local observation walk with our guide.

Option: This evening, we offer an optional visit to one of the region’s thermal baths. These havens of relaxation in the heart of nature feature pools fed by spring water heated by volcanic activity. The pools have different temperatures, allowing visitors to switch from hotter to colder, depending on their preferences. Enjoy a pleasant moment of relaxation here in a charming natural setting (optional activity payable on site).

After breakfast, we head to the Arenal Volcano National Park area for a morning exploration to observe the birdlife and perhaps monkeys and other mammals that reside in the area, as well as to contemplate the majestic volcano from the designated observation points. Our guide will tell us about the different types of volcanoes and volcanology in general, and will talk to us more specifically about the characteristics of this one. Hiking trails lead close (while respecting safety limits) to the volcano’s crater, evolving among young secondary forests and on lava formations from old volcanic eruptions. Since 2010, the surface activity of the volcano has decreased its production of lava and smoke exhalations and seismic activity has ceased. There are now almost no more carbon dioxide emissions or acid rain. For these reasons, it is believed that the colossus is now in a dormant stage.

After visiting the park, we will travel by road (approx. 25 min.) to the other side of the mountain, to a small estancia where we will be served a delicious typical Costa Rican lunch, before our visit to the farm’s plantations (ornamental, edible and medicinal plants), the nursery and the biomass digester using bio-methanization.

Enjoy your afternoon relaxing by the pool. You can also take a walk with our local guide to explore the area or visit the thermal baths in the evening (optional activities payable locally).

We’ll depart early in the morning for Guapiles, where we’ll enjoy a hearty breakfast in a pleasant restaurant. After lunch, we’ll continue our journey to the private dock at La Pavona, where we’ll board a speedboat to travel through the region’s rivers and canals to Tortuguero. We might make a few stops along the way to observe wildlife. Arrival and check-in at the hotel.

In the afternoon, we join our guide for a tour of the village of Tortuguero, located on a sandbar bordering the Caribbean Sea and separated from the mainland by the Tortuguero River. Here, we’re far from the hustle and bustle of big cities: no cars can access this region, which can only be reached by boat or plane. The village tour will conclude with a walk along the beach to the lodge, during which we may have some great opportunities to observe wildlife.

Free morning to relax or to participate in optional activities offered by the hotel (not included), such as kayak rental and fishing.

Tortuguero National Park, connected to the rest of Costa Rica only by canals or by air, is located in the Caribbean lowlands, bordered by the ocean, in one of the wettest regions of the country (nearly 6 meters of rain fall here each year); these are factors that condition this entire bioclimatic zone. The region is known for its very diverse birdlife and for its beaches ideal for observing the turtles that come to nest there, notably the green turtle (Chelonia mydas) from June to October and the hawksbill turtle (Eretmochelys imbricata) from May to October and the leatherback turtle (Dermochelys coriacea) from March to July.

In the afternoon, we will enjoy a boat excursion to discover the floral and faunal life of the region.

Option: In the evening (in the green season only, from July to October), an activity of observing turtle nesting can be considered by those interested (optional activity payable on site).

Departure in the morning by boat to La Pavona dock. Transfer to San José. Arrive in San José in the late afternoon and check into your hotel.

This morning, after breakfast, we set off early for Irazu Volcano, the highest in Costa Rica, reaching 3,432 meters. Famous for the turquoise green of the lake filling its main crater, the volcano remains active after a long history of eruptive cycles. The protected area we are visiting has many interesting geological features that our guide will be able to tell us about. From the site, we can observe the five craters that form the complex: the main crater (1,050 meters in diameter) is occupied by a sulfurous lake with green waters and fumaroles escape from its northeast flank; the second crater, Diego de la Haya, formed during the eruption of 1723, is significantly smaller than the first and contains a reddish lake; the Playa Hermosa crater is covered with sparse vegetation; the other two craters constitute the Fumerola group. The Sapper Formation is the highest point of the massif from where both coasts, Caribbean and Pacific, can be observed (in the morning on a clear day).

After dinner, we continue to the highest peaks in the country, in the Talamanca Mountains, a magnificent region perched between 2,000 and 3,000 meters above sea level, between the Caribbean Sea and the Pacific Ocean. Leaving the Pan-American Highway, we will then follow a narrow road descending towards the Dota Valley. This journey is accompanied by significant changes in vegetation and climate, until we reach the banks of the Savegre River, with its very special biotope of cold jungles, with its giant bamboos, tree ferns and massive trees laden with lichens and epiphytic plants. Check in at our eco-lodge located on the banks of the river.

In the afternoon, a short hike along the region’s trails is offered with our naturalist guide to observe the distinct flora and fauna of these neotropical elevations (cloud forest). The region, located at an altitude of 2,200 m, offers some of the best birdwatching spots in Costa Rica on the trails and in the lodge’s gardens.

Morning exploration on the lodge’s trails to look out for an active and varied birdlife, especially to observe the hummingbirds that are very lively early in the morning! After breakfast, binoculars in hand, set off on the trails with your naturalist guide in search of the mythical quetzal, because you are here in one of the best regions of Central America to observe them. Your guide will suggest a walk adapted to the pace of the group and taking into account the advice of local guides regarding the most recent quetzal nesting sites observed.

In the afternoon, we set off again on a hike along the river to the waterfall. Here, we’ll also have great opportunities to observe the flora and fauna. The beauty of the surroundings, the interesting trails (for observing the birdlife and the rich, lush vegetation), the region’s cool climate, and the comfort of the lodge are all factors that combine to create a memorable stay, ideal for ecotourism, discovery, and relaxation, in an enchanting and soothing natural setting.

Today we head south down the Talamanca mountain range, passing through the heights of Cerro de la Muerte where we might make some nice observations during a short walk to the top of the mountain range. We then continue our route to the village of Sierpe, passing through the town of San Isidro del General and following the Costañera Sud, along the shores of the Pacific swept by the warm and humid sea breeze. From here, we embark to go to Bahia Drake by boat, following the course of the Sierpe River and crossing the ‘mangrove’ which will perhaps provide us with some nice opportunities to discover the riverside fauna of this region.

Two-night stay in a simple and modest rustic inn, in the Bahia Drake region and near Corcovado National Park, protecting one of the most important segments of tropical rainforest on the Pacific slope in all of Central America.

Free afternoon to relax at the beach or at the inn, or to go on some local observation hikes with our guide…

Early morning breakfast at the lodge and then, around 7:00 a.m. transfer by boat to the Sirena or San Pedrillo resort in Corcovado National Park (1 to 1.5 hours). Due to its remoteness, geographical location and size, this park protects a vast biological diversity and provides habitat for numerous animal species, many of which remain in danger of extinction or were until recently. Hiking exploration from the beach and the resort, interpretation, observation and photography of the varied fauna and colorful flora of the coastal areas of Corcovado Park.

After dinner, we will continue our exploration of the park with a hike along the trails and beach. In addition to monkeys, toucans, trogons, and macaws, we might, with a bit of luck, spot tapirs, crocodiles, anteaters, peccaries, and several other local animals during this walk.

In the mid-afternoon, we’ll return by boat to Drake Bay to end the day at leisure. Relax at the beach or lodge, or explore the friendly village of Drake and its surroundings on a short walk with your guide. On a clear day, you can enjoy a magnificent sunset here, with views facing due west over the Pacific Ocean.

In the morning, transfer to the Carara National Park sector, occupying a privileged bioclimatic transition zone between the dry regions of the northern Pacific slope and the more humid regions of the southern Pacific coast, a teeming meeting area for animal and plant species from these two major bioclimatic divisions. A wildlife observation cruise of approximately two hours is planned, gliding over the calm waters of the Guacalillo estuary and/or the Tarcoles River. Here we will certainly have great opportunities to admire and photograph crocodiles (one of the largest colonies of American crocodiles in the world is found here) and other reptiles, as well as scarlet macaws, herons and other wading birds frequenting this rich, complex and diverse ecosystem located at the meeting point of biotopes.

In the afternoon, we will return to our hotel to enjoy some relaxing time at the beach and pool.

Departure to San José for a last night.

Transfer to San Jose airport to take your return flight to Montreal.