Wildlife, adventure and incredible scenery await on this action-packed 14-night Costa Rican escape. Not for the faint-hearted, this trip will take you all the way from east to west, from lush rainforest to sun-drenched beach, via plane, helicopter, white-water raft and zip-line. Prepare to get your heart racing and your camera snapping…
Coast to coast Costa Rica
Wildlife, adventure and incredible scenery await on this action-packed 14-night Costa Rican escape. Not for the faint-hearted, this trip will take you all the way from east to west, from lush rainforest to sun-drenched beach, via plane, helicopter, white-water raft and zip-line. Prepare to get your heart racing and your camera snapping…
Package inclusions:
Private flights and transfers in Costa Rica
- 1 night at Costa Rica Marriott Hotel San José in a Deluxe Room with buffet breakfast included
- 2 nights at Tortuga Lodge in a Penthouse Suite with all meals included
- 3 nights at Pacuare Lodge in a Linda Vista Villa with all meals included
- 3 nights at Nayara Hotel Spa & Gardens in a Springs Villa with breakfast included
- 4 nights at Four Seasons Resort Costa Rica at Peninsula Papagayo in a One-Bedroom Canopy Suite with a plunge pool
- A private excursion to Tortuguero town
- A private boat tour through Tortuguero National Park
- A choice of group activities at Pacuare Lodge: Pacuare canopy adventure, canyoning in El Tesorito Creek, Cabécar indigenous hike, ancient trail and hidden waterfall hike, early morning birdwatching, rural experience, sustainability tour
- A group white-water rafting trip from Pacuare Lodge
- Private Sky Tram, Sky Walk and Sky Trek tours in Arenal
- A private Ad Astra Rocket Company guided tour
Day 1: touch down in San José
On arrival at San José’s Santamaría International Airport, you’ll be met by a local guide and taken to your accommodation for the first night – a Deluxe Room at Costa Rica Marriott Hotel San José. You’ll be given a welcome briefing and be brought up to speed on all the exciting plans for the two weeks ahead before settling in to get some rest.
Day 2: take off for Tortuguero
After a buffet breakfast at your hotel, you’ll be taken to the airport for your private charter flight to Tortuguero, where the landing strip hugs the Caribbean coast, offering incredible views as you come in to land. Covering an area of 200,000 acres, the beaches, lagoons, swamps, forests and marshes of Tortuguero National Park are home to an incredible array of wildlife, including endangered species such as great green macaws, manatees, tapirs, jaguars, and sea turtles. In fact, it’s the turtles which give this stunning natural sanctuary both its name and its fame.
Tortuguero’s 35 km-long beach is the most important nesting site in the Western Atlantic Ocean for the green sea turtle. Plan your trip between the beginning of July and the end of September for a chance to join a guided nocturnal tour to catch a glimpse of these wonderful creatures as they come ashore to lay their eggs. On arrival, you’ll be taken to Tortuga Lodge, where you’ll have the afternoon to unwind in your Penthouse Suite, relax by the pool, snooze in a hammock or explore the grounds.
Day 3: time to get exploring
For early birds, the daily dawn chorus walk leaves reception at 6am, with a specialist guide leading the way through the Lodge’s pretty garden.
Private tour of Tortuguero Village – 2 hours
For those preferring a (relative) lie-in, the private tour of Tortuguero Village and the Sea Turtle Conservancy Visitor Center might be more appealing, with its 9am start. Perched on an island between the Caribbean Sea and the Tortuguero River, the charming, laidback village of Tortuguero has a population of just 1,500 people.
Thanks to the area’s network of streams, rivers and canals, the best way to get around is by boat, which is why that’s the only engine noise you’ll hear as you stroll around the village. In fact there’s not a single car to be seen. As well as a visit to the Park’s headquarters, there’ll be time to admire the colourful houses, learn about the area’s Caribbean culture and maybe even meet a local or two.
Next stop is the museum founded by the Sea Turtle Conservation, formerly known as the Caribbean Conservation Corporation (CCC). Since 1959, the organisation has been dedicated to monitoring and protecting green sea turtles in Costa Rica and has now expanded its research and conservation efforts throughout Central America and the wider Caribbean.
After an enlightening morning, you’ll hop back in your boat to be taken to the Lodge for lunch.
Private boat safari – 3 hours
There’ll then be time for a quick siesta before it’s back on the boat to explore Tortuguero’s canals with a local wildlife guide. With the heat of the day beginning to abate, the afternoon is the ideal time to take to the water and go in search of shade-loving species. Keep your eyes trained on the trees for a glimpse of spider monkeys, white-faced and howler monkeys.
It’s also another excellent chance to spot the region’s incredible birdlife. Look out for herons and egrets, along with mixed flocks of tanagers, honey creepers and hummingbirds. Or just close your eyes and soak up all the sounds of the forest. With the sun going down, you’ll be taken back to the Lodge in time for bocas (think Costa Rican canapés) and a pre-dinner drink.
Day four: by helicopter to Pacuare Lodge
After breakfast at Tortuga Lodge, you’ll board a boat for the short trip back to Tortuguero airstrip for your private helicopter flight to the beautiful Pacuare Lodge. Named as one of National Geographic’s Unique Lodges of the World, it occupies a stunning spot, right in the heart of the rainforest.
On arrival, you’ll have time to relax and plan your activities for the next few days. Choose from a Pacuare canopy adventure, canyoning in El Tesorito Creek, a Cabécar indigenous hike, an ancient trail and hidden waterfall hike, early morning birdwatching, a rural experience and a sustainability tour. Your day will be topped off with one of the highlights of the entire trip: a candlelit dinner, followed by a night cap accompanied by the natural soundtrack of the rainforest.
Days 5 and 6: unwind or explore
You’ll have two full days at Pacuare Lodge, so there’s time to pack in plenty of activities. If that all sounds a bit taxing, the on-site Jawa Juü Spa is the perfect antidote to all the adrenaline.
Day 7: raft out of the rainforest
After breakfast, you’ll set off on an unforgettable white-water rafting trip, through class III–IV rapids, narrow canyons and lush, forested valleys, paddling past waterfalls and spotting herons, toucans and kingfishers. A picnic lunch on the riverbank will offer a chance to catch your breath and take a closer look at the rainforest’s rich array of plant life.
The final stretch will take you to Siquirres, where a driver will meet you with a change of clothes and a cold drink. You’ll then be taken by coach to the local airstrip where you’ll board a helicopter to the town of La Fortuna. On arrival, you’ll be met and taken directly to Nayara Hotel Spa & Gardens, where you can settle into your home for the next three nights, a luxurious Springs Villa.
Day 8: Sky Tram, Sky Trek and Sky Walk
After breakfast, you’ll set off for a full day of fun at Costa Rica Sky Adventures Park. After an exhilarating start, zip-lining through the rainforest canopy, you’ll hop on a Sky Tram gondola to drift over the treetops as your guide gets you up to speed on the natural history of the area.
Once you reach the upper level of the forest, you’ll enjoy a three-hour Sky Walk tour, braving the famous hanging bridges, crossing plunging canyons and enjoying some truly extraordinary views. After a day’s adventuring, you’ll head back to your hotel to slow your heart rate and catch your breath.
Day 9: take some time out
You’ve more than earned a day off, so take today to relax and unwind in the beautiful surroundings of your hotel, or pop to the spa for a soothing massage.
Day 10: make a break for the beach
It’s time to say farewell to the rainforest and head west for the Pacific. After breakfast, you’ll be taken to the local airstrip for your private flight to the north west coast, where you’ll spend four nights in a One-Bedroom Canopy Suite, complete with your own private plunge pool, at the Four Seasons Resort Costa Rica at Peninsula Papagayo. Enjoy the afternoon exploring your new surroundings and settling in.
Day 11: beach or pool day
Enjoy a day of complete freedom, swimming or snorkelling in the Pacific, or simply sitting back, cocktail in hand, watching the world go by.
Day 12: join the space race
Today you’ll get a sneak peek at Costa Rica’s up-and-coming space program with a visit to the Ad Astra Rocket Company. Led by Costa Rican physicist and astronaut Franklin Chang, you’ll learn about the country’s growing aerospace industry, including insights into the development of the VASIMR® propulsion system.
As well as the latest designs, you’ll get the chance to see some experiments in action, meet one of the scientists involved in the project and find out more about the team’s work in the field of renewable energy.
Day 13: catch a few final rays
For the last full day of your trip, you’ll be free to relax and set your own pace, at the beach or by the pool.
Day 14: make tracks for home
Check out time is at noon, but it’s up to you when you’d like to set off on the home straight with your private transfer to Liberia International Airport and your flight home.
Getting there
International flights aren’t included in this package, but our team are happy to organise airline tickets or a private charter to Costa Rica at extra cost. Get in touch to find out more.
Feeling inspired?
To book this package or create your own tailor-made trip, get in touch with one of our travel experts now on 020 8335 1070 or email: travel@aircharter.co.uk.
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