Luxury holidays in Costa Rica
Watch for sloths at your villa and soak in a hot spring beneath Arenal at dusk. Tell us how active you like to be, and we shape the lodges around it.
It comes off your final price, and is refunded in full if you don't go ahead.
In Costa Rica, the wildlife comes to you. Howler monkeys call at first light, toucans land on the balcony rail and sloths move through the canopy outside your room. Near Arenal, hot springs run warm beneath the volcano, and in Monteverde the cloud forest drips with orchids and moss. A good naturalist will point out glass frogs and hummingbirds you would never spot alone.
The country has two coasts, each with its own character. On the Pacific, the Papagayo Peninsula has quiet coves and resorts, and Manuel Antonio mixes rainforest with beach. On the Caribbean side, turtles nest on the sands of Tortuguero and Puerto Viejo has a laid-back Afro-Caribbean feel. For more energy, raft the Pacuare River or look for jaguar tracks on the Osa Peninsula.
Costa Rica
4 days · 3 nights
La Fortuna → Monteverde
Two nights in La Fortuna, in sight of Arenal Volcano, with a guided walk to look for sloths and time for the hotel's thermal pools. Cross Lake Arenal by boat to the misty highlands of Monteverde for a guided night walk in the cloud forest.
Costa Rica
4 days · 3 nights
San José → Arenal → Monteverde → San José
Fly into San José and head north to La Fortuna, at the foot of the Arenal Volcano, for two nights of hot springs, a gentle river float and lunch with a local family. Cross Lake Arenal by boat to Monteverde for a guided walk in the cloud forest, then return to the airport on day four.
Costa Rica
3 days · 2 nights
San José → Arenal → San José
A short trip from San José to La Fortuna, the village beneath the Arenal Volcano. Your one full day crosses the hanging bridges of Mistico Park and ends with a swim below the La Fortuna Waterfall, with two quiet evenings in the rainforest either side.
Costa Rica
15 days · 14 nights
San José → Tortuguero → Puerto Viejo → Arenal → Monteverde → Manuel Antonio → San José
A loop from San José that crosses the whole country: two nights on the canals of Tortuguero, three on the Caribbean coast at Puerto Viejo, then the Arenal Volcano and the Monteverde cloud forest. It ends with three nights at Manuel Antonio on the Pacific. Transfers are arranged for you and most days are left free, so you can explore on your own or add the outings that appeal.
Costa Rica
7 days · 6 nights
San José → Arenal → Manuel Antonio → San José
Collect a hire car at San José airport and drive north through the hill town of Zarcero to the Arenal Volcano for two nights. Then head south to Manuel Antonio for two nights by the Pacific, and return to the capital past volcanoes or valleys of your choosing. The route is a suggestion, so each day is yours to shape.
Costa Rica
15 days · 14 nights
Liberia → Tamarindo → Samara → Tambor → San José → Tortuguero → Sarapiquí → Arenal → Monteverde → Liberia
Begin slowly on the Pacific coast, with nights at Tamarindo, Samara and the quiet horseshoe bay of Tambor. Then cross the country to the canals of Tortuguero and the rainforest of Sarapiquí, before finishing beneath the Arenal Volcano and in the cloud forest of Monteverde. Guided outings are spaced out, with plenty of free afternoons for optional tours or simply resting.
Costa Rica
9 days · 8 nights
San Jose → Tortuguero → Arenal → Tamarindo → San Jose
Cross Costa Rica from coast to coast. Start with two nights in Tortuguero, reached by boat through the rainforest, then two beneath the Arenal Volcano and two on the beach at Tamarindo before a last night in San Jose.
Costa Rica
11 days · 10 nights
Liberia → Rincón de la Vieja → Arenal → Sarapiquí → Tortuguero → San José → Vara Blanca → Jacó → Liberia
Collect your car at Liberia airport and drive a loop of the whole country. Bubbling mud pots at Rincón de la Vieja and two nights by Arenal give way to the rivers of Sarapiquí, two guided nights in Tortuguero, a night in San José and another in the hills by Poás Volcano, before two slow days on the Pacific near Jacó.
Costa Rica
8 days · 7 nights
San José → Tortuguero → Arenal → Monteverde → San José
A week through Costa Rica's green heart. Boats carry you into the canals of Tortuguero on the Caribbean side, then the road turns west to Arenal's hot springs and over the lake to the cloud forest of Monteverde. Add three nights on the Pacific at Manuel Antonio or in Guanacaste if you want beach time to finish.
Costa Rica
10 days · 9 nights
San Jose → Tortuguero → Arenal → Monteverde → Samara → San Jose
Cross from the Caribbean canals of Tortuguero to the Arenal Volcano, where your hotel has its own hot springs, then take the lake crossing up to Monteverde for two nights in the cloud forest. The journey ends on the Guanacaste coast at Samara, with a boat trip to look for dolphins and snorkel off a small island.
Costa Rica
10 days · 9 nights
San José → Tortuguero → Arenal → Monteverde → Manuel Antonio → San José
Fly into San José and head straight for the Caribbean side, where boats carry you through the canals of Tortuguero. From there the road climbs to Arenal and its hot springs, crosses the lake to the Monteverde cloud forest, and drops down to the Pacific at Manuel Antonio for two nights by the sea.
Costa Rica
8 days · 7 nights
San José → Monteverde → Tamarindo → San José
After a night in San José, spend three nights in Monteverde with a guided hike in the cloud forest reserve, a walk across Selvatura's treetop bridges and a coffee, chocolate and sugar cane tour. Then head to Tamarindo on the north Pacific coast for three nights of beach time, finishing with an afternoon catamaran sail into sunset.
Costa Rica
12 days · 11 nights
San José → Tortuguero → La Fortuna → Monteverde → Manuel Antonio → San José
Start with coffee in the hills around San José, then travel by road and boat to the canals of Tortuguero on the Caribbean side. Cross to Arenal for a forest hike below the volcano and to Monteverde for the hanging bridges, and finish with three unhurried nights at Manuel Antonio on the Pacific coast.
Costa Rica
9 days · 8 nights
San José → Arenal → Tortuguero → Puerto Viejo → San José
Collect your hire car in San José and drive north to Arenal Volcano for two free days. Leave the car behind for two guided days by boat in Tortuguero, then drive down to the Caribbean coast at Puerto Viejo before a last night in the capital.
Costa Rica
10 days · 9 nights
San José → Tortuguero → Arenal → Monteverde → Tamarindo → San José
From San José, cross the mountains to the canals of Tortuguero, then head west to the Arenal Volcano and up into the Monteverde cloud forest, with a guided walk in each place. The trip ends with two free days at Tamarindo, a surf town on the Guanacaste coast, before the drive back to the capital.
Costa Rica
10 days · 9 nights
San José → Tortuguero → Arenal → Monteverde → Manuel Antonio → San José
From San José, cross the mountains to the canals of Tortuguero, then head west to the Arenal Volcano and up into the Monteverde cloud forest, with a guided walk in each place. The trip ends on the Pacific at Manuel Antonio, where a guide takes you through the national park with a stop on one of its beaches.
Costa Rica
10 days · 9 nights
San José → Tortuguero → Arenal → Monteverde → Manuel Antonio → San José
The first days are arranged for you: a night in San José and two at a lodge on the canals of Tortuguero, with boat trips and meals included. In Guápiles you collect a hire car and drive on at your own pace to the Arenal Volcano, the Monteverde cloud forest and the beaches of Manuel Antonio, with two nights in each.
Costa Rica
13 days · 12 nights
San José → Tortuguero → Arenal → Monteverde → Tamarindo → San José
From San José, cross the mountains to the canals of Tortuguero, then head west to the Arenal Volcano and up into the Monteverde cloud forest, with a guided outing in each. Four free nights at Tamarindo on the Guanacaste coast follow, before a final night in the capital with time for its theatre, markets and museums.
Costa Rica
8 days · 7 nights
Liberia → Rincon de la Vieja → Bijagua → Monteverde → Manuel Antonio → Liberia
Collect a hire car in Liberia and drive yourselves through western Costa Rica, from the bubbling mud pools of Rincon de la Vieja to the quiet farming country around Bijagua. Two nights in the Monteverde cloud forest follow, then two by the beaches and rainforest of Manuel Antonio before the drive back to Liberia.
Costa Rica
7 days · 6 nights
San Jose → Arenal → Tamarindo → San Jose
A simple, relaxed week: a night in San Jose, a night in La Fortuna beneath the Arenal Volcano, then three nights at Tamarindo on the north Pacific coast. Transfers between each stop are arranged, and the days in between are yours.
Costa Rica
3 days · 2 nights
San Jose → Jaco → San Jose
A short, easy break from San Jose: a transfer to Jaco on the central Pacific coast, a free afternoon by the sea, then a guided zipline course the next day. The third morning brings you back to the airport.
Costa Rica
3 days · 2 nights
San Jose → Monteverde → San Jose
Travel from San Jose up into the hills of Monteverde for two nights surrounded by forest. The middle morning is a guided walk in the Monteverde Cloud Forest Biological Reserve, and the rest of the time is yours.
Costa Rica
8 days · 7 nights
San Jose → Tortuguero → Arenal → Monteverde → San Jose
After a night in San Jose, travel by road and boat to the rainforest canals of Tortuguero on the Caribbean side. From there the route turns inland to the Arenal Volcano and climbs to the cloud forest of Monteverde, with a guided outing at each stop and free afternoons in between.
Costa Rica
8 days · 7 nights
Liberia → Rincon de la Vieja → Monteverde → Arenal → Liberia or San Jose
Fly into Liberia for two nights by the hot springs of Rincon de la Vieja, then move on to the Monteverde cloud forest for a night walk and a waterfall hike. The last three nights are at Arenal, with hanging bridges, the La Fortuna waterfall and a day of canyon rappelling.
Costa Rica
3 days · 2 nights
San José → Osa Peninsula → San José
A short flight from San José brings you to the Osa Peninsula, a corner of Costa Rica where rainforest, mangroves and the Pacific meet. Two nights at a hotel near Puerto Jiménez frame one guided wildlife tour by 4x4, gentle enough for any fitness level.
Costa Rica
4 days · 3 nights
San José → Osa Peninsula → San José
A short flight from San José brings you to the Osa Peninsula, where rainforest, mangroves and the Pacific meet. Three nights at a hotel near Puerto Jiménez give you one guided wildlife tour by 4x4 and a whole free day to rest or go kayaking and birdwatching.
Costa Rica
3 days · 2 nights
San Jose → Puerto Viejo → San Jose
Leave San Jose for the southern Caribbean coast and two nights in Puerto Viejo, a colourful town with Afro-Caribbean roots in its food, music and buildings. The middle day is a guided walk through Cahuita National Park, with time to swim along the way.
Costa Rica
9 days · 8 nights
San Jose → Tortuguero → Arenal → Monteverde → Tamarindo → San Jose
Begin on the Caribbean side with two nights in Tortuguero, reached by boat. Then cross to the Arenal Volcano for a guided hike and an evening in the hot springs, take the lake crossing to Monteverde's cloud forest, and end with two nights on the beach at Tamarindo.
Costa Rica
10 days · 9 nights
San José → Tortuguero → Arenal → Monteverde → San José
Start in San José and head for the Caribbean canals of Tortuguero, where two nights at a jungle lodge include a guided boat trip and a walk through the village. Then come two free days around Arenal Volcano, a boat crossing of Lake Arenal to the Monteverde cloud forest, and a catamaran day out to Tortuga Island before you fly home.
Costa Rica
10 days · 9 nights
San José → Tortuguero → Arenal → Monteverde → San José
The trip opens with two guided nights at a lodge in Tortuguero, reached by boat. At Guápiles you collect a 4x4 and drive yourselves to Arenal and on to Monteverde, handing the car back in San José before a catamaran day to Tortuga Island.
Costa Rica
3 days · 2 nights
San José → Tortuguero → San José
A short, easy escape from San José to the Caribbean coast. A boat takes you to a lodge inside Tortuguero, where a guide leads you through the canals on the first afternoon and along the forest trails the next morning, with a visit to the car-free village before you head back.
Costa Rica
8 days · 7 nights
San José → Arenal → Monteverde → Manuel Antonio → San José
A loose, easy week that links Costa Rica's best-known nature areas by shared transfer and leaves the days to you. Two nights by Arenal Volcano, one in the Monteverde cloud forest and two on the Pacific at Manuel Antonio, with a night in San José at each end.
Costa Rica
8 days · 7 nights
San José → Arenal → Monteverde → Manuel Antonio → San José
Collect a 4x4 at your San José hotel on the second morning and drive yourselves to La Fortuna and Arenal Volcano for two nights. From there head up to the Monteverde cloud forest for a night, then down to Manuel Antonio on the Pacific for two more before driving back to the capital.
Costa Rica
5 days · 4 nights
San José → Tortuguero → San José
A short trip built around San José. One long day takes you through the craft town of Sarchí to La Fortuna for lunch, an afternoon in volcanic hot springs and dinner facing Arenal. After that comes a night at a lodge in Tortuguero, with the village in the afternoon and the canals at dawn.
Costa Rica
9 days · 8 nights
San José → Arenal → Tortuguero → Puerto Viejo → San José
Begin with two nights at Arenal and a guided walk in the volcano's national park, then cross to the Caribbean side for two nights in Tortuguero, reached by boat. The trip ends on the south Caribbean coast at Puerto Viejo, with its Afro-Caribbean culture and a day of snorkelling and walking in Cahuita National Park.
Each of these can join your Costa Rica days, timed around the weather.
Ride forest trails of different grades in Bajos del Toro, passing rivers and waterfalls deep in the cloud forest.
The Nicoya Peninsula is one of the world's Blue Zones, where people live long, healthy lives. Spend a few days of yoga, good food and rest in Santa Teresa.
A private helicopter flight over Poás Volcano National Park shows its crater and the forest around it.
A guide leads you through the stalls of the Central Market to meet artisans, then on to the Teatro Nacional and other old buildings.
Cross the lagoon to a village reached only by boat or plane, and spend time with the families who live there.
A private helicopter flight takes in the cone of Arenal, its lake and the rainforest that wraps around both.
Charter a private yacht to reach the quiet Pacific coves that cannot be reached by road, with time to swim and snorkel.
Each region has a different climate, so most trips combine two or three.
A cone-shaped volcano above rainforest and a lake, with hot springs, hanging bridges and the La Fortuna waterfall close by.
Cloud forest high in the Tilarán mountains, where suspension bridges and night walks reveal quetzals, sloths and hundreds of orchids.
A canal-laced village on the Caribbean coast, reached by boat, where green turtles nest on the beach in the middle of the year.
A small national park on the Pacific, with white sand coves, capuchin monkeys and sloths in the trees above the beach.
The dry northwest around Liberia, Tamarindo and Sámara, with long surf beaches, golden sunsets and the sunniest weather in the country.
A relaxed Afro-Caribbean coast in the southeast, with reef-fringed beaches, cacao farms and rainforest running down to the sea.
Explore Costa Rica on a small group tour, at your own pace on a self-drive, or by river and ocean cruise.
Walk cloud forest and volcano trails with a few others and a naturalist guide who spots everything.
Drive between Arenal, Monteverde and the Pacific beaches with every lodge booked and the route mapped.
December to April is driest on the Pacific side, and the Caribbean coast keeps its own calendar.
Dry and sunny across the Pacific side and the central valley.
Clear skies over Arenal and the Guanacaste beaches.
Hot, dry days on the Pacific coast, the peak of the dry season.
The last dry weeks, with Easter a busy holiday period.
Green season begins, with afternoon showers and fewer visitors.
Lush forests and quieter parks, rain mostly in the afternoons.
A short drier spell, and green turtles begin nesting in Tortuguero.
Turtle nesting in Tortuguero and whales off the southern Pacific coast.
Wet on the Pacific side, but the Caribbean coast is often dry.
The wettest month on the Pacific, a good time for Puerto Viejo.
Rains ease and the forests are at their greenest.
Dry season returns, with busy festive weeks late in the month.
Many routes connect through North America, and Liberia is handy for Guanacaste. Your travel expert finds the best connection from your home airport.
Tell us when you want to go, for how long and who is travelling. Your travel expert replies in writing with a trip shaped around you.
