Current as of: November 12, 2025 - 15:05

Signature Costa Rica | Where the Wild Answers

Signature Costa Rica | Where the Wild Answers Trip Notes

  • Ways to Travel: Guided Group
  • Programmes: Culture
  • Activity Level:

    2 out of 7 - Easy & Moderate

  • 9 Days: Land Only
  • Ages: 18+
  • Trip Code: LCC
  • Carbon Footprint: 40.3kg CO2e

Trip Overview

Journey into nature’s wild heart, where wildlife reigns, spirits soar, and the soul comes alive

Life runs deep through Costa Rica. It’s heard in the chorus of forest birds, seen in the flow of artisans’ hands, and felt in the slow drift of cloud over forested peaks. To see it is one thing. This journey makes you a part of it. Led by your Signature Guide, cross landscapes alive with energy – mist-shrouded mountains, shimmering wetlands, and geothermal rivers − meeting guardians of nature, observing the wildlife, living the pura vida.

Venture to the very heart of each destination on our Signature Collection, where every journey is shaped by our unrivalled local connections and insider expertise. Step beyond the ordinary with private invitations, rare encounters, and experiences few will ever share. So when someone says, “I’ve been there,” you’ll simply smile, knowing you’ve experienced it differently.

Signature Experiences:

  • Join coffee innovators at Café Sombra Verde, tracing the journey from bean to cup in an immersive sustainability-focused tasting
  • Glide through the wildlife-rich Caño Negro waterways on a private boat, sharing stories and food with local families
  • Step into the rhythm of rural life on Doña Olga’s family farm and enjoy a homestyle lunch made with love

Signature Day: Experience our distinctive Signature Day, choosing between a zip line course through a canyon, a guided nature hike, a river tubing adventure or birdwatching and mountain biking

Signature Stay: Find a sanctuary of comfort, conservation and biodiversity at Tocu Tent Camp, set within the remote wetlands of Caño Negro

Signature Guide: Let your hand-picked Signature guide lead you to the country’s soul − sharing their home, heritage, and heart

Is This Trip for You?

This trip is graded Activity Level 2 (Easy & Moderate). For more information on our trip gradings, visit the Activity Level Guidelines page.

Driving times: The longest travel time takes place on Day 8 (four hours). All other journeys are under 2hr 30min.

Prebooking activities: An immersive adventure of your choice awaits on the Signature Day. All you need to do is prebook the activity at least 60 days before departure through our Signature Collection travel experts.

Group

When it comes to unlocking a destination, your Signature Guide is the key holder. Hand-selected for their extensive experience and unrivalled local knowledge, they ensure your experience runs effortlessly thanks to their exceptional organisational skills. Our Signature Guides are named on our website, so you can begin your journey with complete confidence and anticipation of the wonders each day will bring.

Adult min age: 18

Min group size: 4

Max group size: 16

Itinerary

Land Only

  • Start City: San José
  • End City: San José

Land Only Itinerary

Day 1
Unwind amid Alajuela’s emerald hills | Welcome dinner under the forest canopy
Signature Costa Rica | Where the Wild Answers

Welcome to Alajuela, where are journey begins in the soft green folds of the Central Valley. Settle into our tranquil resort hideaway, surrounded by mist-kissed forest and sweeping views over the valley below.

Complimentary arrival transfers are provided today. Those arriving early can take a moment to unwind, perhaps follow a shaded trail to a secluded waterfall or relax in the open-air spa, lulled by birdsong.

As evening falls, gather for our welcome reception: a private farm-to-table dinner under the canopy, where your gourmet dinner is accompanied by sunset light and the sounds of the forest.

Overnight at Xandari Resort & Spa

Meals included: Dinner

Day 2
Trace craft traditions | Join coffee innovators for a special bean-to-cup experience
Signature Costa Rica | Where the Wild Answers

The journey continues towards one of Costa Rica’s best-kept secrets: Bajos del Toro, a cloud forest of cascading waterfalls and lush mountain scenery.

Signature Experience: En route, pause at Café Sombra Verde in the artisan town of Sarchí for a behind-the-scenes look at sustainability-focused coffee production, tasting fresh brews amid the gardens. A special lunch invites you to taste your way through the coffee heritage of Costa Rica.

Continue to our lodge, a haven between misty peaks where floor-to-ceiling windows invite relaxation and immersion into the forest. Enjoy the afternoon at leisure, perhaps a forest-view massage or a gentle walk before a dinner of seasonal dishes at a local restaurant.

Overnight at El Silencio Lodge & Spa

Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Day 3
Create and connect in Bajos del Toro | Join Doña Olga for an immersive farm visit
Signature Costa Rica | Where the Wild Answers

Rise early to join an ornithologist on trails alive with birdlife. After breakfast, join master painter Ronald Jiménez − one of the last traditional oxcart artists from Sarchí − for an oxcart-art masterclass, creating your own piece of folk art to take home.

Signature Experience: Visit Doña Olga’s family farm for a special insight into rural life. Hand-feed gentle dairy cows, witness the age-old tradition of a working sugar mill, and share a lovingly prepared homestyle lunch, made with fresh local ingredients and served straight from the heart.

Return through cooling forest air to dinner at a local restaurant, stories still fresh from the day.

Second night at El Silencio Lodge & Spa

Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Day 4
Find home in the wilderness | Discover the land of the jaguar with their guardians
Signature Costa Rica | Where the Wild Answers

Travel to Caño Negro, a mosaic of rivers, lagoons and life. Arrive at our Signature Stay, Tocu Tent Camp, a rare opportunity to combine comfort and conservation in the heart of one of the most diverse ecosystems in Costa Rica.

Celebrate with a four-course lunch that pays tribute to Caño Negro gastronomy, where each dish highlights the ancestral influence of the indigenous Maleku people.

Join an exclusive, expert-led talk about local jaguar conservation efforts and take part in a tree planting ceremony to help regenerate the hacienda’s biological corridor. As dusk deepens, a moonlit forest walk reveals frogs, night birds and secret stirrings of the wild, followed by a five-course tasting dinner showcasing the foundations of Costa Rican cuisine.

Overnight at Tocu Tent Camp

Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Day 5
Meet the keepers of Caño Negro | Drift through waterways alive with life and culture
Signature Costa Rica | Where the Wild Answers

Signature Experience: Glide by private boat through shimmering waterways alive with migratory birds, caimans, and monkeys. Step ashore to share island life with welcoming families: lunching with Doña Rosi, visiting Doña Carmen’s butterfly house, and learning traditional corn biscuit-baking over clay ovens.

Return for a relaxed afternoon, then cook alongside local chefs in an intimate evening class celebrating Costa Rican cuisine.

Second night at Tocu Tent Camp

Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Day 6
Journey to Río Perdido | Soak in thermal waters and taste local produce
Signature Costa Rica | Where the Wild Answers

Drive west through a changing scenery of rolling hills, golden plains, and volcanic canyons to the secluded Río Perdido Hotel & Thermal River. Enjoy lunch with a vantage point overlooking the forest, canyon and river before an afternoon exploring tropical dry forest trails. Our nature hike takes us to the natural Carbonatadas spring, where locals once sought healing from the mineral waters. As evening falls, sink into one of the natural thermal pools and dine on produce sourced locally and inspired by tradition.

Overnight at Rio Perdido Hotel & Thermal Resort

Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Day 7
Signature Day | Embrace your playful spirit or surrender to nature's calm

Today is your Signature Day, where you can select an authentic, curated experience to connect deeply with Costa Rica. You could:

  • Soar across the white canyon on zip lines, swing like Tarzan over the river, and cross suspension bridges while taking in spectacular views of the surrounding landscape.
  • Float and splash along a crystalline river on a specially designed flotation device. The river tubing adventure combines calm waters with playful rapids for both relaxation and excitement.
  • Undertake a challenging hike over rocky terrain, steep climbs, and eroded volcanic formations, enjoying dramatic vistas as you go.

Other options include a birdwatching excursion and a mountain bike ride through volcanic landscapes.

As dusk paints the canyon gold, gather for dinner at Río Perdido’s open-air restaurant, the sounds of the forest your evening soundtrack.

Second night at Rio Perdido Hotel & Thermal Resort

Meals included: Breakfast, Dinner

Day 8
Return to the Central Valley | Let a waterfall and warm welcomes guide you back
Signature Costa Rica | Where the Wild Answers

Leave the dry forest for the fertile valleys of San José. Pause at Llanos de Cortés Waterfall, a curtain of white mist and emerald light, then stop in Orotina to sample tropical fruits and share a family lunch rich with tradition. Arrive at Hotel Grano de Oro, your elegant retreat in the capital, and celebrate your final night with a joyful farewell dinner, a celebration of Costa Rican cuisine and the journey.

Overnight at Grano de Oro Hotel

Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Day 9
Say a fond farewell to Costa Rica

Before taking your complimentary departure transfer to the airport take a quiet moment to look back on the journey: the forests, the people, the wildlife. This chapter may have closed, yet Costa Rica’s spirit travels with you, ready to be revisited.

Alternatively, extend your stay and continue your journey of discovery. Speak with your Signature Collection travel expert to explore the possibilities.

Meals included: Breakfast

Accommodation

Experience the best of Costa Rican hospitality

Every aspect of the Signature Collection is meticulously planned to take you deeper into the destination. That means your accommodation is a refined showcase of local hospitality, whether you’re staying in a pioneering luxury hotel or enjoying privileged access to an experiential stay.

Below are the accommodations we use on this adventure:

Alajuela: Xandari Resort & Spa (night 1)

Signature Costa Rica | Where the Wild Answers

Sink into the journey at Xandari, where artist-designed villas open to tropical gardens and valley panoramas. Three pools, a spa, and on-site waterfall trails set an unhurried tone, while the open-air restaurant highlights produce grown on the property.

Bajos del Toro: El Silencio Lodge & Spa (nights 2-3)

Signature Costa Rica | Where the Wild Answers

Find the serenity of the wild in El Silencio, a premier mountain resort within the vast expanse of a pristine natural reserve. It’s nourishment for the soul, with a wellness centre offering views of the river and forest, a tranquil spa, and open-air yoga deck. Or simply unwind in your suite, each with a private outdoor viewing deck and jacuzzi.

Caño Negro: Tocu Tent Camp (nights 4-5)

Signature Costa Rica | Where the Wild Answers

Your Signature Stay is the meeting point of conservation and comfort. Stylish canvas suites built by local artisans sit amid wetlands alive with birdlife. Each features an outdoor tub, rainforest shower, and nest hammock. Celebrate Costa Rican cuisine at Kura restaurant and enjoy sunset with a cocktail at Kapi Forest Lounge.

Río Perdido: Río Perdido Hotel & Thermal River (nights 6-7)

Signature Costa Rica | Where the Wild Answers

Within a rare dwarf forest, built around a warm mineral river, Río Perdido is a living embodiment of Costa Rica’s pura vida. Soak in thermal pools, unwind at the swim-up bar, walk to the Yurro waterfall, then dine on seasonal menus shaped by the surroundings. You’ll sleep in modern bungalow-style rooms with nature at your door.

San José: Hotel Grano de Oro (night 8)

Signature Costa Rica | Where the Wild Answers

Conclude your journey in this lovingly restored tropical Victorian mansion. Refined hospitality awaits, with warm service and polished rooms. When it’s time to relax and toast to the adventure, head to the rooftop sundeck or recharge on the jacuzzi terrace − a serene end to your Costa Rican story.

  • Enhance your stay: Personalise your experience with curated room upgrades and additional nights tailored to your travel plans.

Food & Drink

This journey is designed to deepen your connection to the country through food and drink. Expect farm-led dining at Xandari, a bucolic lunch with Doña Olga, Maleku indigenous cuisine at Caño Negro, and a celebration of Costa Rican cuisine throughout.

Transport

From the moment you land to the moment you depart, all transport is taken care of for you. On this adventure, we use comfortable private vehicles throughout, with seamless transfers coordinated by your Signature Guide.

Weather & Seasonality

Costa Rica is tropical year-round. December to April is generally drier, especially in Guanacaste’s dry forest. May to November brings greener landscapes and short, often afternoon, showers. Cloud-forest locations feel cooler and misty at elevation; the lowlands and wetlands are warmer and humid.

Joining Instructions

As with all adventures in the Signature Collection, we take care of your arrival and departure transfers, allowing you to fully relax and immerse yourself in the local culture.

  • Arrival airport: Juan Santamaría International Airport (SJO)
    • Your adventure begins with a welcome reception at 6pm on Day 1 at our first accommodation.
  • Departure airport: Juan Santamaría International Airport (SJO)
    • Your adventure concludes after breakfast on the final day.

Full joining instructions including local emergency numbers will be sent to you as part of our Final Joining Instructions. If you do not receive these at least a week before departure, or require them earlier please contact our office or your travel agent.

Location start: San José
Location end: San José

What To Take

Essential Equipment

No specialist equipment is required for this journey, though certain Signature Day activities (like mountain biking or river tubing) are best enjoyed with appropriate clothing. For more information on what you might need to pack, please see our packing guide.

Practical Information

Visa

Costa Rica

Travellers from the UK, US and EU normally do not need a visa to enter Costa Rica; however, proof of onward travel may be required – we suggest you take a physical copy of your flight details in case officials ask to see them.

Please note, visa requirements often change and it is your responsibility to obtain any required visas for this trip. Therefore, we recommend that you check with the nearest embassy or consulate of your chosen destination(s), including any countries you may be transiting or transferring through.

The following establishments provide visa advice for citizens of the named country,

  • Australia: Smartraveller
  • Canada: Travel Advice and Advisories, Government of Canada
  • United Kingdom:  Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (FCDO)
  • USA:  Bureau of Consular Affairs

Vaccinations and Health

Costa Rica

There are no required vaccinations. However, you may want to consider vaccinations for tetanus, hepatitis A, rabies and typhoid. The risk of malaria is slight, but you may wish to consult your doctor or travel clinic for further advice.

Many travellers will also require a yellow fever vaccination certificate if arriving from a country with risk of yellow fever transmission, Tanzania and Zambia.

Dengue and zika, both viral diseases spread by mosquitoes, are known risks in Costa Rica. There is currently no vaccine or prophylaxis available, so we strongly recommend you take the usual precautions to avoid mosquito bites.

Please check all requirements and travel vaccination recommendations with your doctor or travel clinic.

Local Time

Costa Rica's time zone: America/Costa_Rica (UTC -06:00)

Electricity

Costa Rica's electricity: Plug types A (two flat pins, US standard) and B (three pins, US standard) – 120V, 60Hz

Signature Costa Rica | Where the Wild Answers

Money

Costa Rica's currency: Costa Rican colon (CRC); however, US dollars are widely accepted

Tipping

On this adventure, tipping for any local support staff is included and will be taken care of locally by your Signature Guide (this includes porters, local guides, drivers, waiting staff and any guest speakers). Tips for your Signature Guide are not included. We recommend around US$100 to US$120 per group member, to be given at the end. This is discretionary and you may wish to tip a different amount, depending on the service you have received.

Sustainability and Impact

As a certified B Corp, we’re on a mission to improve our social and environmental impact across all our adventures.

We do this through our innovative Thriving Nature, Thriving People plan.

This ‘nature positive’ approach is designed to help nature and communities thrive in harmony through practical solutions, such as reducing carbon and waste on our trips, supporting conservation projects through the Exodus Adventure Travels Foundation, and rewilding 100 square metres for every Exodus traveller.

We also weave Signature Legacy moments into your itinerary, so the positive impact of your trip lasts long after your stay. These are moments to remember which help people and nature thrive, ensuring you build a harmonious, positive connection with the places you visit.

On this journey, you can:

  • Join a private talk with a local ecologist or biologist on the importance of biological corridors for jaguar conservation. Take part in a tree-planting ceremony to help restore the Hacienda’s rewilding corridor, and receive a personalised adoption certificate.
  • Visit Bucolic Farm in Bajos del Toro and Blue Flag Farm in Caño Negro to meet farmers championing sustainability and community-driven agriculture that supports both local livelihoods and biodiversity.

Signature Costa Rica | Where the Wild Answers