Itinerary Expand all San Jose to Liberia Day 1 Explore San Jose in your own time On arrival at San Jose airport, you’ll be met and taken to your hotel, Studio Hotel in Santa Ana. The rest of the day is yours to shake off the flight and venture out to San Jose (or Chepe, as the locals call it) at your own pace. Accommodation: Studio Hotel or similar Day 2 Experience the vitality of the Rio Celeste on a river tubing adventure You’ll travel 125 miles this morning, headed to the Celeste River in the Tenorio Volcano National Park. Its rainforest and the magnificently blue river are highlights of Costa Rica’s natural phenomena. Now the adventure begins. Brace yourself: you’ll be river tubing, hurtling downstream through Grade I and II rapids, flanked on each side by tropical rainforest. All to a soundtrack of monkey calls and birdsong. It’s exhilarating stuff and the perfect intro to this untamed wilderness. Tonight, you’ll stay at Rio Celeste Hideaway, a small eco-friendly resort on the slopes of Tenorio Volcano. Accommodation: Rio Celeste Hideaway or similar Meals included: Breakfast Day 3 Marvel at the incredible Rio Celeste Waterfall After breakfast, you’ll venture further into the ecosystem on a four-hour hike in Tenorio Volcano National Park. You’ll spot exotic plants and wildlife before you reach the magnificent Rio Celeste waterfall and the place where the river acquires its vivid turquoise colour. Later, when the sun goes down, you’ll follow a forest trail by torchlight to witness some nocturnal species emerging. Accommodation: Rio Celeste Hideaway or similar Meals included: Breakfast Day 4 Rincon de la Vieja After breakfast, you’ll head to Rincon de la Vieja, home to two volcanoes and 32 rivers. Alive with geothermal energy, Rincon de la Vieja effervesces with fumaroles, warm springs and mud pots. You’ll check into Hacienda Guachipelin. Near to the hotel is a crystal clear river that feeds ten riverbank pools with thermal, mineral-rich water. Soak in the pools, then apply a volcanic mud masque and let it dry before leaping into the cool stream. And repeat. And repeat. And repeat… Accommodation: Hacienda Guachipelin or similar Meals included: Breakfast Day 5 Swing through the tree canopy on a white-knuckle adventure, then hike to the Cauldrons Carb-load at breakfast. You’ll need the energy for a zip line tour, where you’ll fly through the trees on zip lines, rappelling, climbing and swinging. You’ll cross hanging bridges over a narrow river canyon. Proper exhilarating stuff. Feet back on solid ground, you’ll hike to the aptly named Cauldrons, where steam and sulphur belch from the fumaroles. Accommodation: Hacienda Guachipelin or similar Meals included: Breakfast Day 6 Join pods of dolphins on the Pacific Ocean After breakfast, you’ll head south-west to the paradisiacal coast today. You’re bound for Tamarindo on the Nicoya Peninsula, Costa Rica’s renowned surf spot. The afternoon is yours to explore your new digs – the beachfront Tamarindo Diria hotel. Take a swim in one of the pools or take a stroll on the beach. Late afternoon, you’ll board a catamaran to explore some of the bays. With a suitably tropical drink in hand, scan the sea for dolphin pods and sea turtles. Perhaps even the odd whale if you’re particularly lucky. You’ll drop anchor for a snorkel or explore a deserted beach while the crew prepare a BBQ feast. Accommodation: Tamarindo Diria Hotel or similar Meals included: Breakfast Dinner Day 7 Free day in Tamarindo Today is a free day to enjoy Tamarindo's beachfront utopia before your thoughts turn to packing up ready for your departure tomorrow. Enjoy swimming or relaxing by the sapphire waters! Or why not take a surfing or SUP lesson (optional activites- extra cost). The barrel curls will beckon experienced surfers, but the instructors are there to guide beginners in riding their very first wave. Fancy another watersport instead? A Stand Up Paddleboarding lesson is an alternative choice - a growing phenomenon that’s easy to get the hang of. Don’t miss the final sunset – they’re truly out of this world in these parts. Accommodation: Tamarindo Diria Hotel or similar Meals included: Breakfast Day 8 Head to Liberia Airport and wave goodbye to Costa Rica After a final breakfast, one group transfer will be arranged to Daniel Oduber International Airport in Liberia. Alternatively ask us about extending your stay in Tamarindo and spending a few more days enjoying all that Costa Rica has to offer. Meals included: Breakfast
Costa Rica Holders of British, US, Canadian, Australian, New Zealand and most EU passports can enter Costa Rica for a stay of 90 days without a visa. Proof of onward travel may be required when entering Costa Rica - we suggest you take a print out of your flight details in case officials ask to see them. All passengers flying via the USA will have to clear immigration during transit. Prior to travel you must apply for an Electronic Travel Authority (USD14) under the Visa Waiver Programme. Please see here for more information. The same applies to travel via Canada which also requires an Electronic Travel Authority. If you are not a UK citizen please check with your local U.S. Embassy.
Costa Rica There are no mandatory vaccination requirements, however, if you have travelled to a country at risk of Yellow Fever prior to arriving in Costa Rica you will be required to have a valid Yellow Fever Certificate with you. Recommended vaccinations are: Hepatitis A. The risk of malaria is slight but you may wish to consult your GP or travel health clinic for further advice. Dengue fever is a known risk in places visited. It is a tropical viral disease spread by daytime biting mosquitoes. There is currently no vaccine or prophylaxis available for Dengue, and therefore the best form of prevention is to avoid being bitten. We recommend you take the usual precautions to avoid mosquito bites. Zika fever is a mosquito‐borne viral disease and a known risk in places visited on this trip. There is currently no vaccine or prophylaxis available, we therefore strongly recommend you take the usual precautions to avoid mosquito bites.
Hotels Studio Hotel An elegant hotel in Santa Ana, about seven miles from the centre of San Jose. If you’re fatigued from your flight, there’s a rooftop pool for a few restorative laps before turning in. Rio Celeste Hideaway Surrounded by rainforest, this eco-principled hotel is a collection of bungalows. There’s a freeform pool for relaxing after jungle adventures. Hacienda Guachipelin Comfortable rooms with air conditioning and free Wi-Fi. Perfectly positioned for adventures in the Rincon de la Vieja National Park. Tamarindo Diria Hotel A beachfront resort with lagoon-style pools and tropical gardens. Rooms are typically Costa Rican in style, with all the amenities you’d expect from a resort hotel.
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