Costa Rica Walking & Nature Tour

Itinerary at a glance

After meeting in San José, our Costa Rica travel adventure begins with an easy warm-up walk that leads us to five spectacular waterfalls. At Arenal Volcano we venture onto the lower slopes to see the results of recent eruptions. Flowing, bubbling red lava is the spectacular backdrop to dinner at our hotel (3 nights) across the lake.

Cool greens take over as we explore a private cloud forest owned by the former president of Costa Rica. With remarkable birds like emerald toucanets and the resplendent quetzal plus thousands of plants, our naturalist-guided walks at this private wildlife sanctuary are unforgettable. We’ll pay visits to the Butterfly Garden in the morning—when the dazzling varieties are most active—and to a local village school.

Just two hours away is Carara National Park, one of the last major breeding sites of the scarlet macaw and home to white-faced monkeys and sloths. For three mornings, a chorus of squirrel and capuchin monkeys is our wake-up call at Manuel Antonio Park. On horseshoe-shaped Pacific beaches, in mangrove swamps and in primary jungle, the game and bird viewing here is unrivaled. In addition to guided walks and an easy day that offers your choice of kayaking in mangroves or river rafting, there are opportunities to wander on the beach, snorkel or boogie board, or take a siesta by the pool.

Returning to San José, we visit a working coffee plantation for a tasting of the local brews before parting company.