Colours of Costa Rica

Fly to San José, Costa Rica’s capital, you will be met at the airport and transferred to your hotel. Depending on your time of arrival the rest of the day is yours to start soaking up the local culture.

Explore Poás Volcano National Park today on a day trip from San José. Hike to the edge of the crater to see gas and water vapour spitting and hissing from the surface. After, continue to La Paz Waterfall Gardens, a 70-acre natural paradise. Walk the trails whilst keeping your eye out for a multitude of fascinating wildlife.

Rise early this morning and transfer by road then boat to Tortuguero. Located on Costa Rica’s Caribbean coast, Tortuguero is a town and a national park. Wonderfully laidback, the culture here has strong Afro-Caribbean vibes, differentiating it from the rest of the country. Spend the afternoon in the village, with the jungle and waterways on one side and on the other, blissful Caribbean beach.

This morning you will enjoy a leisurely jungle walk along the trails around your hotel before an afternoon boat trip through the area's waterways to spot the local wildlife. Perhaps take a pair of binoculars to get a close up of the sloths and monkeys in the trees. Your day will finish with a stop at a local café to learn about Costa Rica’s Caribbean gastronomy.

Depart Tortuguero by boat and transfer to a local restaurant in Guapiles for lunch, before journeying approximately 2 hours to Sarapiqui at the heart of Costa Rica’s northern lowlands, nestled amongst lush rainforest. Check in to your rainforest lodge and settle in.

Cross the suspension bridge at La Tirimbina this morning for a visit to a former cacao plantation. Here you will learn about the history of the fruit and the manufacturing process behind chocolate before having a taste of the delicious final product, made by local environmentalists whose passion is to rescue the native cacao tree. After your tour, travel westwards to Arenal.

In the shadow of Arenal volcano, the Mistico Park gives a whole new perspective of the rainforest with a series of suspension bridges at canopy level. Keep an eye out for sloths, monkeys and toucans (among other species) as you walk through the trees. Spend the day walking the easy trails and taking in the beautiful natural surroundings.

Cross Arenal Lake, Costa Rica's largest body of water, arriving in the little town of Rio Chiquito. Keep an eye on the horizon, as you catch a glimpse of the stunning Arenal Volcano from your boat. Following your journey across the lake, you will embark on an afternoon's coffee tour of the Don Juan estate. Here you will learn the various stages and intricacies behind the coffee-making process.

Discover Monteverde Cloud Forest Reserve this morning, an area covering 26,000 acres and home to the vivid-green Resplendent Quetzal, arguably the forest's most famous resident. Walk the trails and experience the sights and sounds of this magical area of Costa Rica.

Head out of the Cloud Forest as you travel south towards Carara National Park. Walk the trails of this beautiful area, whilst keeping an eye out for the magnificent Scarlet Macaw, white-faced capuchin monkeys, agoutis and a variety of other wildlife. After your tour you will continue your journey to the Central Pacific Coast, where you will arrive in Manuel Antonio.

Enjoy a morning tour of Manuel Antonio National Park. There is a huge variety of flora and fauna here, so keep your eyes peeled as your guide will be pointing out wildlife all around you. After your tour you will have an opportunity to cool off in the warm Pacific waters.

Depart Manuel Antonio this afternoon and begin the journey back to San José. You will spend your final night in the capital, with a farewell dinner this evening before your flight tomorrow.

Transfer to the airport and fly to Australia. Arrive home in 2 days due to crossing the International Date Line once again.