Off the Beaten Path on Costa Rica's Caribbean Coast
Minimum 2 people
10 Nights
Costa Rica
From £2,382 per person*
Highlights
-
Spot nesting sea turtles on pristine Caribbean beaches and learn ho they are protected
-
Discover authentic Costa Rican cuisine on a hands-on cooking class with a local family
-
Stay in a riverside jungle lodge and head out on hiking and boating expeditions
What You'll Do
Discover the very best of the Costa Rican Caribbean coast: spot nesting turtles on pristine white-sand beaches, learn to cook authentic cuisine with local families, explore stunning wildlife in the Costa Rican Amazon, and enjoy breathtaking views of active volcanoes over the course of 10 unforgettable nights. Tour Summary: - Day 1: San José - Days 2 and 3: Turrialba - Days 4 and 5: Barra de Pacuare - Days 6 to 9: Punta Cocles - Day 10: Santa Barbara de Heredia Your Costa Rican wildlife adventure begins upon your arrival in San José. You’ll be taken directly to your hotel, where you can relax and recharge for the exciting days ahead. Start your journey by visiting Irazú Volcano National Park, where you can marvel at Costa Rica’s highest volcano and hike up to the crater. As you make your way to Turrialba, soak in views of steaming volcanoes and lush jungle. Your first overnight stay will be at a classic hacienda that offers magical views of Turrialba Volcano. Spend the next day hiking through La Marta Wildlife Refuge, visiting a research station dedicated to preserving this beautiful natural haven. You’ll also participate in a cooking class with a local family to immerse yourself in authentic Costa Rican cuisine. From Turrialba, you’ll travel to Barra de Pacuare, where you'll embark on boat rides through the canals of what is known as the “Costa Rican Amazon.” If you visit between February and August, you may even spot nesting turtles along the miles of unspoiled beaches. While in Barra de Pacuare, you will have the opportunity to visit a sea turtle conservation project and explore lagoons and biological reserves. Afterward, you can relax on postcard-perfect Caribbean beaches to unwind from your wildlife, volcano, and jungle adventure. This itinerary is packed with unique local experiences that you wouldn’t find on your own, designed to take you off the beaten path and showcase the real, authentic side of Costa Rica—an experience that will stay in your memory for years to come.

What's Included
Included
-
Private transfers to and from the airport
-
10 Overnight stays
-
1 night San Jose - BB*
-
2 nights Turrialba - BB
-
2 nights Barra de Pacuare - FB*
-
4 nights Punta Cocles - BB
-
1 night Santa Barbara de Heredia - BB
-
Irazú Volcano National Park tour
-
La Marta Wildlife Refuge tour
-
Cooking class and lunch with a local family
-
Sea Turtle Conservation Project visit
-
Local school visit (weekdays only)
-
Turtle hatching night tour (season dependant)
-
Manzanillo hike and dolphin spotting
*BB - Breakfast Included | *FB - Full Board (Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner included)
Not Included
-
International Flights
-
Personal expenses
-
Travel Insurance
-
Tips
-
Any meals, drinks and snacks not mentioned in the itinerary
-
Night sea turtle tour in Tortuguero (can be booked and paid locally)
Hotel Grano de Oro - Standard Room (or similar)
In Costa Rica, the term “Grano de Oro” translates to “Grain of Gold” and refers to the coffee bean. The founders of this boutique hotel were captivated by the idea that such a small fruit could hold immense value. They appreciated the natural beauty of the country, its people, and especially the vibrant metropolitan city of San José. The original structure, now known as the Hotel Grano de Oro, was a private family residence belonging to the Pozuelo family and was built at the turn of the 20th century. The Hotel Grano de Oro has gained recognition as a distinctive property, featuring a modest on-site restaurant, a jacuzzi terrace, massage therapy, and a fitness room.
Facilities
-
En-suite bathroom
-
Air conditioning
-
Free Wi-Fi
Accommodation
Your Local Host
Roberto
I was born and raised in Costa Rica, and I have lived here my entire life. Ever since I was able to, I’ve been traveling the world. Soon after finishing school, I explored every part of Costa Rica! Although our country is relatively small, there’s an incredible amount to discover, and I’m still on that journey today. I seek out new hiking trails, lagoons, and viewpoints that lead to places I never knew existed. It truly is fascinating. Driven by my passion for discovery and exploring new places, I co-founded my immersive travel company with a friend over 18 years ago. Since then, I’ve had a wonderful time helping people discover my beautiful country and its neighboring countries! We select destinations that are different from those offered by other tour companies—places that are emerging or have a unique charm that most people are unaware of. We collaborate with local businesses that employ residents, and we choose sustainable hotels that positively impact their environment. We always ensure that our partners are committed to sustainability. It’s our mission to spread the benefits of tourism, ensuring that the revenue generated remains within local communities. This way, we can help develop and conserve these beautiful destinations for everyone to enjoy.

Location
This tour starts from Costa Rica’s capital, San Jose, where your guide will lead you for the next 15 days around the central Pacific region.
You’ll drink in incredible natural parks, volcanoes, waterfalls, jungles, and graceful colonial cities, get to know local, offbeat communities and, spot stunning wildlife and try the best, most authentic food.
Your Itinerary
1. San Jose
2. San Gerardo De Dota
3. Drake Bay
4. Manuel Antonio
5. Puntarenas
6. Santa Barbara de Heredia
FAQs
What clothes should I pack?
When is the best time to see the turtles?
This experience is brought to you by:
