Head off the beaten track in Costa Rica on this unique tour of the country's cultural sites and hidden gems. Begin your tour in the coffee region surrounding the quaint Central Valley town of Naranjo, where you will immerse yourself in the area's coffee-growing tradition and visit the colourful town of Sarchí, known for its intricately decorated ox carts. Then, head north to the remote tropical rainforest of Maquenque Wildlife Refuge, where there are opportunities to see crocodiles, turtles, poison dart frogs and scarlet macaws, amongst other species. Your next stop is the lowland rainforest area of Sarapiquí, where you will explore the primary rainforest and discover the fascinating La Tirimbina Biological Reserve through a tour focusing on chocolate production and an evening bat tour. Visit the world-renowned Organization of Tropical Studies at La Selva Biological Station to learn about the extensive research taking place by scientists from across the globe. Travel east to the coastal Caribbean town of Puerto Viejo de Talamanca, which will be your base to explore Cahuita National Park, and visit the indigenous Bribri community to learn how they are keeping their traditional way of life alive. Participate in a cookery class to discover delicious Costa Rican cuisine, then travel to the region of Turrialba for three final nights in the idyllic countryside, with time to visit Costa Rica's largest archaeological site, the Guayabo National Monument, and reflect on your adventures.
Naranjo - Sarchí - Sarapiquí - La Tirimbina - La Selva Biological Station - Puerto Viejo de Talamanca - Turrialba - Guayabo National Monument
Arrival to the Juan Santamaria International Airport, San José, Costa Rica, where you will be met by a Travel The Unknown representative and transferred to your hotel located in the town of Naranjo – approximate driving distance is one hour. Upon arrival, enjoy a welcome orientation dinner with your group.
Overnight in Chayote Lodge, Naranjo
Meal plan: Dinner
After breakfast, depart with your guide on a full-day tour of Naranjo and the surrounding area.
Your first stop will be at the Espiritu Santo Coffee Tour where, over an hour and a half, you will learn all the secrets of why this famous drink has taken over the world. Learn about all phases of the coffee-making process, from the seed to the cup. The visit takes place on a farm owned by the local cooperative of coffee growers, where a landscape of rolling hills makes a unique scenery. After the coffee tour, continue to the Municipal Market, where fresh vegetables, fruits, meats and other produce is sold to local inhabitants.
Your guide will tell you about the different fruits and explain how they are used in local homes. Have lunch in one the eateries at the market. After lunch, visit the local church, the Basilica of the Lady of Piedades, rebuilt after several earthquakes in the 1940s.
Then, visit the town of Sarchí, known for its colourful and intricate handicrafts. You will have time to see the artists in their workshops while they make the famous oxcarts, declared a Masterpiece of the Oral and Intangible Heritage of Humanity by UNESCO. There will be time to visit the souvenir shop before you return to the lodge in the late afternoon to relax in the property, have a drink or get dinner in the local restaurant.
Overnight in Chayote Lodge, Naranjo
Meal plan: Breakfast & lunch
After breakfast, head north to Maquenque Wildlife Refuge, passing along scenic routes. On arrival, enjoy lunch (not included) then in the afternoon, hike through the forest accompanied by your guide.
Overnight in Maquenque Eco Lodge, Boca Tapada
Meal plan: Breakfast & dinner
After breakfast, take a boat tour with your guide. From the hotel's pier, board a boat and begin the trip downstream on the Rio San Carlos. During the tour, you may see crocodiles, turtles, bats, herons, kingfishers, king vultures, and many more species. Very close to the Nicaragua border, stop to visit the small town of Boca San Carlos, where you will have the opportunity to visit the village and meet with the local people.
The afternoon is free for you to relax and listen to the sounds of nature, or book an optional tour at an additional cost.
Overnight in Maquenque Eco Lodge, Boca Tapada
Meal plan: Breakfast, lunch & dinner
After breakfast, say good-bye to the Boca Tapada area and drive for approximately 90 minutes, passing along secondary roads until you reach Sarapiquí, widely recognised as a lowland tropical rainforest with lush vegetation and a wide variety of plants, animals and insect life. Check in at the hotel then the rest of the day is free with your guide so you can explore the hotel grounds.
Overnight in Sarapiquis Rainforest Lodge , Puerto Viejo de Sarapiquí
Meal plan: Breakfast, lunch & dinner
This morning is free for your to explore the area at your own pace then have lunch. In the afternoon, depart with your guide for a visit to La Tirimbina Biological Reserve. Journey along the trails and experience the beauty of the Costa Rican rainforest. Enjoy the different characteristics of the unique vegetation in the rainforest, as well as sightings of different wildlife species.
Dinner will be served in a local restaurant, and then you will participate in a bat tour. This activity consists on a presentation of the natural history of bats, then you have the chance to closely observe some of the bats trapped humanely during the night for research projects in the reserve.
Overnight in Sarapiquis Rainforest Lodge , Puerto Viejo de Sarapiquí
Meal plan: Breakfast & dinner
Another full day in the area of Sarapiquí – today you will visit the Organization of Tropical Studies at La Selva Biological Station. Walk with your guide through the property where you will be able to see plenty of wildlife including interesting insects, birds and some mammals as well. Lunch is included in the local restaurant. Return to your hotel in the mid-afternoon.
Overnight in Sarapiquis Rainforest Lodge , Puerto Viejo de Sarapiquí
Meal plan: Breakfast, lunch & dinner
Today after breakfast, depart for Puerto Viejo de Talamanca in Limón province. Arrive at your hotel and check in. The rest of the afternoon is free with your guide to explore the area or visit the beach.
Overnight in Namuwoki Lodge, Puerto Viejo de Talamanca
Meal plan: Breakfast
After breakfast, visit the Cahuita National Park with your guide, hiking along the trails and looking out for exotic flora and fauna. Some of the mammals which can be spotted are pacas, northern tamanduas, sloths and mantled howlers. Some of the brightest and most colorful birds in the world can be seen in the national park, for example, green ibises, keel-billed toucans and herons, and the flora is unsurpassed. From orchids to mushrooms, there are thousands of species of plants.
The rest of the day is free for you to explore or relax at your own pace.
Overnight in Namuwoki Lodge, Puerto Viejo de Talamanca
Meal plan: Breakfast & lunch
Enjoy a full day visit to the Bribri community of Watsi village in Talamanca. Learn about the community's rich indigenous culture, get to know the secrets of making chocolate and cool off in the beautiful waterfalls close by.
The tour begins with a visit to the Awa, the Bribri's shaman, who will receive us at his ranch. There, he will demonstrate some customs and explain the history of the Bribri people, as well as performing a purification ceremony for all participants.
The tour will continue with a visit to an indigenous family where five generations live together under the same roof. You will learn about their houses, cookery, uses of medicinal plants, chocolate production and many other aspects of their lives.
You will have the opportunity to grind your own chocolate and get to know the secrets behind this traditional process. After the chocolate demonstration, you will join the family for a delicious home-cooked meal that will include typical indigenous ingredients.
After lunch, head to one of the most impressive waterfalls in the area: the Rio Catarata waterfall. After freshening up in its pools, begin the journey back to your hotel.
Overnight in Namuwoki Lodge, Puerto Viejo de Talamanca
Meal plan: Breakfast & lunch
A full day at leisure to explore and relax. You may choose to visit the beach, head to Gandoca-Manzanillo National Wildlife Refuge or participate in another tour at an additional cost.
Overnight in Namuwoki Lodge, Puerto Viejo de Talamanca
Meal plan: Breakfast
Today you will travel to the region of Turrialba, in the province of Cartago, where you will spend the last three nights of this fascinating trip.
On the way to Turrialba, stop at Hacienda Tayutic for a sugarcane tour with lunch. This tour will take you to a unique, family-owned, century-old hacienda belonging to the Ortuño family, who have devoted generations to agricultural activities like the production of sugarcane and coffee. The hacienda is nestled in the mountains of Turrialba. You can’t miss the wonderful views of the valley, the magnificent Reventazón River, the impressive dam and the endless, regal fields that unfurl across the landscape; a region blessed with lush tropical forests that inhabit this area along with sugarcane and coffee plantations, and tropical flowers. Upon arrival at the hacienda, you will have the opportunity to learn about the ancient methods of growing and processing sugarcane. An introduction to the coffee cultivation will allow you to observe the process of roasting it and you can also participate in a coffee tasting session. After lunch, you will visit a picturesque colonial metal-and-wood chapel constructed by German pilgrims in 1880. A shop with the hacienda’s products, such as coffee in different forms and flavours, organic sugarcane products, cooking recipes and other local keepsakes are available at factory prices.
On arrival at your accommodation in Turrialba, check in and the rest of the day is at leisure for you to relax or explore at your own pace.
Overnight in Casa Turire, Turrialba
Meal plan: Breakfast & lunch
Today, after breakfast, visit the Guayabo National Monument and learn about the largest archaeological site found in Costa Rica to this day. Return to your hotel and the rest of the day is at leisure.
Overnight in Casa Turire, Turrialba
Meal plan: Breakfast & lunch
Your final day in Costa Rica is at leisure for you to relax and reflect on your experiences. There are optional activities you can book with your guide - options include a visit the town of Turrialba, white-water rafting or horse riding.
Overnight in Casa Turire, Turrialba
Meal plan: Breakfast & dinner
At a suitable time, you will be transferred to Juan Santamaria International Airport for your departure flight.
Meal plan: Breakfast
All accommodation subject to availability. Final accommodation choices will be confirmed after booking.
Designed to reflect the rich coffee-growing tradition of Costa Rica, the unique Chayote Lodge is a beautiful property located in the mountainous region an hour north-west of San José. Every detail of the hotel has been carefully considered to tell part of the coffee story, with chairs in the restaurant upholstered with canvas bags used to store beans and each of the 12 spacious guest rooms resembling coffee receiving stations. All the rooms offer spectacular views of the Central Valley and WiFi is available throughout the property. Chayote Lodge is the perfect base from which to explore the Central Valley with its coffee plantations, traditional towns and national parks.
With a fantastic location within Maquenque National Wildlife Refuge, Maquenque Eco Lodge is a haven for wildlife enthusiasts, and particularly bird lovers (over 590 bird species have been identified in the grounds, including the great green macaw and scarlet macaw). The lodge has 68 acres of tropical rainforest with extensive trails that can be enjoyed independently or with a guide. There are 15 spacious bungalows at the lodge, all equipped with hot water (via solar panels), private bathroom, ceiling fan and a balcony with beautiful views of a natural lagoon.
Built in the style of a 15th century pre-Columbian village, Sarapiquis Rainforest Lodge has been designed as a model for ecotourism and cultural indigenous conservation. Each of the 40 rooms has a private terrace and forms part of a round structure known as a Palenque, which reflects the traditional construction style. The hotel's on-site restaurant and terrace offer sweeping views of the Rio Sarapiquí and surrounding rainforest. There is also a beautiful pool area set within lush gardens, an archaeological park containing centuries-old tombs and a Museum of Indigenous Cultures.
Namuwoki Lodge is a simple yet charming hotel that provides a great base from which to explore Puerto Viejo de Talamanca and the surrounding area. The hotel offers 13 individual Caribbean-style casitas spread out in lush tropical gardens. There is an on-site restaurant serving local and international dishes; drinks and cocktails are also served in the swimming pool area. Spa treatments are available in the covered but open-air treatment room, allowing guests to truly feel at one with nature.
Located in the heart of the verdant Turrialba Valley, the beautiful Casa Turire is a colonial-style property surrounded by sugarcane, coffee and macadamia nut plantations. The hotel offers 16 traditionally decorated rooms, all with ceiling fans, balconies and views towards Turrialba Volcano and Angostura Lake. The hotel's on-site restaurant is renowned for its gourmet cuisine and use of locally produced, organic ingredients. Casa Turire offers a wide selection of activities, including walking trails, kayaking, horse riding and spa treatments.
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