Costa Rica: set your playlist to calypso!
Arriving in San José you'll be staying in a high valley between green volcanic mountains. With some beautiful 19th century architecture to admire, independently owned coffee shops brewing local beans, several parks and museums to explore, there's no chance you'll miss an opportunity to enjoy authentic Costa Rican culture.
Make sure to stop for a casado (traditional plate of rice and beans, beef or fish, plantain and salad) or a freshly brewed coffee and soak up the atmosphere of the Central Market.
Salsa music is something Ticos (Costa Ricans) are serious about! In the evening go out to a local salsa bar and learn in the field! It's a great way to meet the locals and is an important part of Costa Rican culture. Otherwise visit a local bar for beers & bocas' (traditional platters of smaller portion sized local meals to accompany a drink).
River journey to the Northern Caribbean
Tortuguero is 'Central America's Amazon' and can only be reached by boat. By lunchtime you'll arrive at your lodge where the staff will welcome you with a refreshing cocktail.
Visit the colourful village of Tortuguero where you'll learn about the lifestyle of the residents, shop for local Afro-Caribbean handicrafts, and take in the Caribbean atmosphere. Don't miss the delicious banana cake and spicy pastries, as well as the beautiful souvenirs on sale in Tortuguero village. Everything you buy in the village will help sustain both the local community and the turtle protection project.
Jungle boating
As you glide through the creeks and lagoons, you'll be able to see all sorts of birdlife, as well as monkeys, caiman and river turtles.
Tortuguero is the primary nesting site for the Green Turtle and during the turtle season (roughly July - October) embark on the night tour to see them. Arriving early on in the season you may be lucky enough to see the larger Leatherback Turtle also come ashore to lay their eggs. Don't worry if you're not in Tortuguero during the turtle nesting season as there is plenty of wildlife to keep you occupied. If you visit later in the season (November – January) you might have the pleasure of witnessing the baby turtles make their first dash into the waves.
Calypso in the Caribbean
Travel by boat back through the verdant waterways of Tortuguero to the port and hit the road as you make your way to the Caribbean town of Puerto Viejo and set your playlist to Calypso! This little Creole town is a fascinating melting pot of Afro-Caribbean, BriBri Indian, Tico and Creole cultures as well as a significant European population made up of travellers who came to Puerto Viejo, fell in love with the town and never left.
If you can't wait to feel the warm, white-sand and crystal clear Caribbean waters why no grab a tuk-tuk or rent a bike and head out to nearby Punta Uva or Cocles, where you'll find the best beaches. In the evening you’ll enjoy an eclectic mix of cultures as well as some tasty European fusion cuisine, before the pace picks up with some lively bars that will introduce you to the Caribbean vibe! Puerto Viejo is an ideal location for exploring and relaxation and gives you the opportunity to get to know a more off the beaten path destination and the beautiful yet less developed Caribbean coast of Costa Rica.
While there take the 40 minute journey to the pristine Cahuita National Marine & Nature Park, which is home to an incredible array of wildlife such as monkeys, sloths, raccoons, snakes and even wild cats.
Onwards to the Arenal Volcano
As you approach the town of La Fortuna, one of the first things you'll see is the Arenal Volcano. Although it is no longer spewing out hot lava your first sighting of the sleeping giant will always be the most memorable as it rises up high above the surrounding landscape. Embark on the unforgettable Sky Hike high up in the verdant forest surrounding the Arenal Volcano. Accompanied by a nature guide you'll gain a unique insight into the native flora and fauna and get incredible views down into the rainforest below. Today is your chance to spot birds and howler monkeys which will be at your own eye level!
Once you’ve completed your Sky Hike soak in the warm waters of the area's hot springs situated just at the foot of the Arenal Volcano while listening to the calls of the rainforest around you. This is truly a heavenly experience!
Venture to the Cloud Forest
Leaving Arenal and La Fortuna behind, you will continue your journey across the lovely Lake Arenal before heading up into the lush, green cloud forest high of Monteverde. The small town of Santa Elena sits as the gateway to the beautiful Monteverde and Santa Elena Cloud Forest Reserve (it’s a cloud forest rather because of its altitude: the forest juts up through the clouds).
The area is known as one of the most outstanding wildlife refuges in the New World Tropics and Santa Elena itself is reminiscent of a tropical Switzerland, with its charming wooden houses and alpine climate.
As the sun begins to go down and the light mystically disappears from the sky, you'll be picked up from your accommodation to start your Coffee Tour with a Twilight Nature Walk. With around 90% of its 26,000 acres completely untouched by man, more than 100 species of mammals live in the Monteverde Reserve but, you better watch your step as 1,200 species of amphibians and reptiles can also be found here, both venomous and non-venomous! Experiencing the peaceful darkness of the Cloud Forest is both an eerie yet thrilling experience as more than 60% of the Cloud Forest life awakens at this time. You'll also see the change of guard as the daytime wildlife rushes through the forest to find a final snack before going off to bed.
Journey to the Golden Beaches, then home!
Today you will head out to Guanacaste's Golden beaches. As you drive you´ll see the dry lowlands of Guanacaste gradually opening up to the Pacific Coast. The countryside around is dotted with small authentic villages where people still live a traditional Costa Rican way of life. Potrero and Sugar Beach are laid back beaches with super-soft sand and a relaxed Tico character.
Enjoy your last hours of heaven, homeward-bound tomorrow!