Day 1: Arrival in San José
After a long journey via Paris, we landed in San José, the capital of Costa Rica. We were met at the airport by our guide and driver who stayed with us throughout the trip. It was lovely having the same people by our side the whole way. We checked into Hotel Presidente, right in the heart of the city, and enjoyed a relaxed dinner before getting some rest.
Day 2: Journey to Tortuguero
The adventure began with a bumpy drive past banana plantations (including the Del Monte site) before boarding a boat that took us deep into the waterways of Tortuguero National Park. The canals felt like something out of a film. We stayed at Pachira Lodge, surrounded by rainforest and wildlife. That evening was all about relaxing at the lodge, listening to the sounds of nature.
Day 3: Exploring Tortuguero
We took a small boat trip through the canals where we spotted monkeys, exotic birds and crocodiles. In the evening, we enjoyed a private dinner experience at the Katonga Floating Restaurant, gliding along the water while we dined – just us, which made it feel very special.
Day 4: From Tortuguero to Arenal
After breakfast, we travelled back by boat to meet our driver and continued on to the Arenal Volcano area. Checking into Arenal Manoa, we were wowed by the views from our suite, complete with a pool looking towards the volcano. That evening we did a guided night walk, exploring private gardens owned by a local family. It was magical listening to frogs and spotting insects, followed by a home-cooked Costa Rican dinner served by the family’s grandson. This was a real highlight of the trip and I would highly recommend it to anyone.
Day 5: Hot Springs and Luxury Hotels
This day was full of hotel visits, including the famous Nayara properties (Gardens, Springs and Tented Camp), each one more stunning than the last. In the afternoon, we relaxed in the natural Tabacón Hot Springs. Even in the pouring rain, it was an unforgettable experience.
Day 6: On to Monteverde
We waved goodbye to Arenal and travelled to Monteverde, home to the Cloud Forest. We checked into Senda Monteverde, a beautiful eco-lodge, and also inspected a few other local properties. Dinner at Senda capped off the day.
Day 7: Adventure in the Cloud Forest
This was our activity day! We took the Sky Tram up to breathtaking views, then zipped across the forest on thrilling ziplines. Afterwards, we walked a few hanging bridges where we spotted a family of monkeys. We visited Sibu Boutique Hotel and Poco a Poco, both charming properties, and ended the day with dinner at Sibu Boutique Hotel.
Day 8: To Manuel Antonio
Our journey continued to the Pacific coast and the Parador Resort & Spa. The coast is best visited outside the rainy season (December to April), but even in September the views were spectacular.
Day 9: Wildlife and Sunset Dining
A guided walk in Manuel Antonio National Park stopped abruptly as the rain was just so heavy we were struggling to look up into the trees. That afternoon back at the hotel we were incredibly lucky to spot a sloth less than a metre away from us in a tree. What an incredible experience being so unbelievably close to a sloth – although it’s illegal to take selfies with them, which helps protect the animals from stress. We also saw monkeys, birds and reptiles. That evening we dined at Ronny’s Place, a hidden gem with views across the coastline and one of the best spots for sunset.
Day 10: Back to San José
After breakfast, we left Manuel Antonio and returned to San José for our flight home. It was hard to say goodbye after such a wonderful trip.
Final Thoughts
Costa Rica has it all: rainforest, wildlife, adventure and relaxation. My personal highlights were the night walk and seeing a sloth so close in Manuel Antonio. The food was delicious everywhere, tap water is safe to drink, and free Wi-Fi is available in most places including hotels, restaurants and even in our vehicle. It’s such a varied and rewarding country to explore and I would go back in a heartbeat.
I hope my journey has given you a taste of just how special Costa Rica is. If you’d like to experience it for yourself, I’d be delighted to help make it happen. Give me a call on 01489355100 or drop me an email and I’ll do all the leg work for you.