Prices per person, in US dollars, including accommodation, breakfasts and the services listed in the program. The package details are listed below.
This 16 day Costa Rica itinerary follows the thread of the country's forests, rivers and frogs, from the misty heights of Poás and Monteverde to the turquoise Río Celeste, the wetlands of the north and the Caribbean coast around Cahuita. Over 16 days and 15 nights, a private driver-guide travels with you, so you can watch the landscapes change rather than the road.
The route pairs well-known sites, such as Arenal Volcano and its hanging bridges, with quieter corners: the river channels of Caño Negro, the forests of Boca Tapada near the Río San Juan, small family farms around Sarapiquí and a coffee farm in Turrialba. Three outings after dark reveal the forest at night, including a search for the red-eyed tree frog, and two visits to wildlife rescue projects show how Costa Ricans care for injured and orphaned animals.
We are Vacances au Costa Rica, a local agency based in San Francisco de Heredia since 2014. Our team prepares every stage of this private driver-guide tour of Costa Rica, books the activities and national park entrances listed in the program, and stays reachable throughout your trip. We answer you in English, from your first question to your last morning.
Your itinerary
San José · 1 night
Monteverde · 2 nights
Volcán Tenorio (Río Celeste) · 1 night
Volcán Arenal · 2 nights
Caño Negro · 2 nights
Boca Tapada · 2 nights
Sarapiquí · 1 night
Cahuita · 3 nights
San José · 1 night
Day-by-day itinerary
Day 1
San José: a gentle arrival in Costa Rica
When you land at Juan Santamaría International Airport, in the province of Alajuela, your private driver-guide is waiting in the arrivals hall with a sign bearing your name. A welcome note from Vincent, founder of the agency, sets the tone: Costa Rica has been his adopted home for more than 40 years, and from now on the details are taken care of, so you can leave your watch, your phone and everyday stress behind. A private transfer then takes you to your hotel in San José. This first drive is a soft introduction to the warm air, the green hills and the easygoing rhythm of the country. Settle in, rest and let the trip begin.
Day 1 of a 16 day Costa Rica itinerary begins with a night in San José after arriving at SJO airport.
Day 2
Poás Volcano and a night walk in the Monteverde cloud forest
After breakfast, you head into the Central Volcanic Range to Poás Volcano National Park, at more than 2,700 meters (about 8,850 feet). A maintained path leads through montane vegetation to the viewpoint over the main crater. On a clear day, you look down into its vast bowl and acidic lake, whose colors shift with the light; clouds often drift in and wrap the site in mist. Bring a warm, waterproof layer, as viewing depends on the weather and volcanic activity. You then continue to Monteverde. As night falls, a local naturalist guide leads you along the reserve's trails by flashlight, looking for camouflaged tree frogs, insects, spiders, reptiles and small nocturnal mammals while the forest hums around you.
The welcome sign at the entrance to Poás Volcano National Park, a stop on day 2 of this 16 day Costa Rica itinerary.
Day 3
Monteverde: the cloud forest at your own pace
Today belongs to you and the cloud forest. Without a guide, you follow the marked trails and let this high-altitude ecosystem reveal itself slowly: mist caught in the foliage, cool air, branches thick with moss, lichens, bromeliads, ferns and orchids. Walk quietly, scan the canopy and the understory, and you may spot hummingbirds and other birds, insects, amphibians or small mammals. Nothing is guaranteed, and that is part of the pleasure. Stop whenever you like to photograph a hidden orchid, watch the light filter through the mist or simply listen. After last night's guided outing, this unhurried walk lets you take in the details. Please stay on the trails, leave plants and animals undisturbed and carry out any trash.
A red wooden visitor building with a green roof sits at the edge of the Monteverde cloud forest, a day 3 stop on this 16 day Costa Rica itinerary.
Day 4
Cañas and the Río Corobicí: wild cats and crocodiles
Leaving around 7:30 a.m., you drive through the plains and pastures of northwestern Costa Rica toward Cañas, in Guanacaste. Your first stop is a rescue center created through the work of Lilly and Werner Hagnauer, which shelters wild animals that can no longer return to the wild: pumas, jaguars, ocelots, several monkey species and more. Since 2003, a foundation has sustained its mission through visits, donations and sponsors. At 11:30 a.m., you board a calm float of about an hour and a half on the Río Corobicí, watching for American crocodiles and the many birds along the banks, in a tropical dry forest very different from the cloud forest. Lunch is included, then the road leads to the Río Celeste area, near Volcán Tenorio.
A close-up portrait of a puma, a wild cat you can learn about at a rescue center near Cañas on day 4 of this 16 day Costa Rica itinerary.
Day 5
Río Celeste waterfall and an evening in Arenal's hot springs
Around 8:30 a.m., you set off for Tenorio Volcano National Park, arriving between 9:00 and 9:30 for a hike of about three hours through dense rainforest of ferns, vines and tall trees, where birds and amphibians may appear along the way. To reach the Río Celeste waterfall, you walk down, then back up, 253 steps, and find a cascade pouring into a turquoise pool. The color comes from mineral particles in the water that scatter light, most visibly at El Teñidero, where the river takes on its blue tint. In the afternoon, you continue to Arenal and a hot springs complex whose pools are warmed by the volcano's geothermal activity. Soak at your own pace among cascades and gardens before the included buffet dinner at 7:00 p.m.
The Río Celeste waterfall drops into its turquoise pool, reached by a stairway through the rainforest, on day 5 of this 16 day Costa Rica itinerary.
Day 6
Arenal: old lava flows and hanging bridges
After breakfast, around 8:30 a.m., you set out on a walk of 1.5 to 2 hours in Arenal Volcano National Park. Most of the trail is easy and nearly flat, crossing rainforest that has reclaimed the land, past the lava flows of 1992 and a ceiba tree more than 400 years old. A rougher stretch of 200 to 300 meters over old lava rock calls for careful footing and leads to a view of the volcano and its lava fields, when the clouds allow. In the afternoon, the Arenal hanging bridges walk takes about two hours along nearly 3 kilometers of trails, across 8 fixed bridges and 6 suspension bridges, some 48 to 98 meters long, for a canopy-level look at the forest and its birds.
The cone of Arenal Volcano rises behind the national park entrance sign, a highlight of day 6 on this 16 day Costa Rica itinerary.
Day 7
Caño Negro: slowing down in the northern wetlands
Today your driver-guide takes you north to Caño Negro, a quiet rural area bordered by wetlands and known for the richness of its birdlife. Far from the busier sites, this is a day to slow down. Once you have settled into your hotel, the afternoon drifts by between tropical gardens and the pool, to the soft sounds of the countryside. As the light fades, take in the calm of the place before dinner, which is included at the hotel tonight.
An agami heron wades through still water among tangled branches in Caño Negro, a highlight of day 7 on this 16 day Costa Rica itinerary.
Day 8
Caño Negro Wildlife Refuge by boat
After breakfast, you head out on the water with a local guide to explore the Río Frío and the lagoons of the Caño Negro Wildlife Refuge, one of the most remarkable wetlands in the country. Channels lined with lush vegetation open onto wide stretches of water where you may see herons, kingfishers, caimans, iguanas, turtles or monkeys. The animals move freely in their habitat, so sightings vary from one outing to the next, and the route may change with the weather and water levels. Back at the hotel, the afternoon is free: by the pool, in the gardens or simply resting. Dinner at the hotel, included, closes the day.
Day 8 of a 16 day Costa Rica itinerary: a boat cruise along the forested riverbanks of Caño Negro.
Day 9
Boca Tapada: the forest after dark
Today you travel deeper into the northern lowlands to Boca Tapada, a quiet area where rivers wind through largely preserved rainforest. After settling into your bungalow, you wait for nightfall. As darkness wraps the trees, a local guide leads you along the property's trails by flashlight. Sounds grow sharper and nocturnal species leave their hiding places: frogs, insects, reptiles, spiders and other small forest dwellers, sometimes species that are hard to find by day. Your guide helps you identify what you see and explains how each creature lives and the role it plays in the balance of the tropical ecosystem. A rustle in the leaves or a glint in the dark may be the start of your next discovery.
A kinkajou rests on a mossy branch during a night outing in Boca Tapada, a highlight of day 9 on this 16 day Costa Rica itinerary.
Day 10
Boca Tapada: by boat to the Río San Juan, then into the rainforest
After breakfast, you board a boat right from your lodge and head to the mouth of the Río San Carlos, where it meets the Río San Juan, here the natural border between Costa Rica and Nicaragua. Along the way, watch the banks for herons, ibises, egrets and kingfishers and, with luck, caimans, iguanas, turtles and frogs; snakes sometimes hide in the vegetation. Your guide helps you spot them and explains how water, forest and wildlife are bound together. Later, a guided hike takes you into the rainforest reserve, where howler monkeys, spider monkeys and capuchins may move through the canopy. Your guide reads the clues, a call or a shaking branch, and shares how these primates live.
A covered boat waits on the riverbank, ready for a river excursion on day 10 of a 16 day Costa Rica itinerary.
Day 11
Sarapiquí: rafting, leaf-cutter ants and the red-eyed tree frog
After breakfast, you drive to an adventure center on the Sarapiquí River, where you must arrive by 9:15 a.m. at the latest. A half-day rafting run on Class II and III rapids follows, led by a professional guide who gives a safety briefing first; calmer stretches let you admire the forested banks. If you prefer something gentler, you can replace the rafting with a safari float of about 2.5 hours, in a non-motorized raft or a motorboat, well suited to spotting birds, monkeys and reptiles. A typical Costa Rican lunch, included, awaits back at the center. You then discover the organized world of leaf-cutter ants before checking in. From 6:00 p.m., a guided walk goes in search of the red-eyed tree frog.
A group paddles a blue raft through churning rapids on day 11 of a 16 day Costa Rica itinerary in Sarapiquí.
Day 12
From palm hearts to pineapples, on the way to Cahuita
Around 8:30 a.m., you leave for Horquetas de Sarapiquí, a green farming area known for family agriculture. At about 11:30 a.m., the owner of a small family farm welcomes you and explains how heart of palm, or palmito, is grown, and how mature palms produce pejibaye, a fruit much loved in Costa Rican cooking. After tasting fresh palm heart, you sit down at the family's small soda for lunch, included, where dishes may include palmito ceviche, lasagna, bread, chorreada and picadillo. You also visit an organic pineapple and sugarcane farm, follow each stage of pineapple growing and plant a young pineapple yourself. Then the road leads to Cahuita, on the Caribbean coast.
A local farmer shows a freshly picked pineapple during a farm visit, a stop on this 16 day Costa Rica itinerary.
Day 13
Wildlife rescue and conservation near Punta Cocles and Manzanillo
Around 8:45 a.m., you leave for a private rescue center set in the forest about 20 kilometers from Cahuita, toward Punta Cocles and Manzanillo, for a visit at 9:30 a.m. Here a team cares for injured, sick and orphaned wild animals and, whenever their condition allows, prepares them to return to the wild. You learn about their daily work and may see mammals, reptiles, butterflies and birds, including sloths and frogs, depending on the day. In the afternoon, you visit a wildlife conservation project devoted to breeding, reintroduction and habitat protection. A presentation is followed by a guided walk in the surrounding forest, where birds, monkeys, sloths, frogs and reptiles may show themselves.
A guide explains the work of a wildlife center to visitors during day 13 of a 16 day Costa Rica itinerary on the Caribbean coast.
Day 14
Cahuita: an organic farm and a kayak on a jungle river
At 9:00 a.m., after breakfast, you meet your local guide for a day of nature and genuine encounters. It begins at an organic farm, where you learn about tropical crops and farming practices rooted in respect for the land. Then you settle into a kayak for a calm paddle downriver between green banks. The river acts as a natural corridor: howler monkeys, toucans, iguanas and many birds may appear, while your guide points out shyer animals and the plants along the water. The murmur of the river, birdsong and forest sounds replace the noise of the road. Lunch is included. In the late afternoon, you return to your hotel for free time by the pool and a quiet Caribbean evening.
Paddling a quiet forest-lined river near Cahuita on day 14 of a 16 day Costa Rica itinerary.
Day 15
Turrialba: coffee country on the way back to San José
After breakfast, around 9:00 a.m., you drive toward the green region of Turrialba, through mountains, plantations and tropical valleys. At about 11:30 a.m., you reach a farm devoted to organic coffee, grown under international standards that cover each step of cultivation and processing, with close attention to quality and the environment. You visit the beneficio, the mill where freshly harvested coffee is processed, and follow the transformation of the coffee cherry into beans ready for roasting. The visit ends with a cup of Costa Rican coffee, a chance to appreciate the aromas of a local harvest. You then continue to San José for your final night.
Freshly harvested coffee cherries spread out to dry under a plastic tunnel, a stop on day 15 of this 16 day Costa Rica itinerary.
Day 16
San José city walk and departure
After breakfast, a walking tour introduces you to the historic center of the capital. You start at the Central Market, with its stalls of tropical fruit, spices, crafts and local specialties, and the scent of coffee in the aisles. You continue to the Metropolitan Cathedral, then the National Theater, inaugurated in the late 19th century, with its elegant façade and richly decorated interior. Depending on time and your interests, you may also visit the Pre-Columbian Gold Museum or the Jade Museum; entrance fees to monuments and museums are not included. Your private driver then picks you up at your hotel and takes you to the airport, timing the drive so you arrive at least three hours before your flight. ¡Pura vida!
The National Theater in San José, a final city stop on day 16 of this 16 day Costa Rica itinerary before heading to SJO airport.
Where you will stay
San José · 1 night
A comfortable city hotel in San José with an executive king room, for a restful first night after your flight. Breakfast is included the next morning.
Monteverde · 2 nights
A hotel in the Monteverde highlands with standard rooms, a practical base for the night walk in the cloud forest and your self-guided trail day. Breakfast included.
Volcán Tenorio (Río Celeste) · 1 night
Bungalows in the green countryside around Volcán Tenorio, a quiet stop after the Guanacaste lowlands and before the morning hike to the Río Celeste. Breakfast included.
Volcán Arenal · 2 nights
A junior suite in a hotel in the Arenal Volcano area, your home for two nights between the hot springs, the lava trails and the hanging bridges. Breakfast included.
Caño Negro · 2 nights
A peaceful rural hotel with tropical gardens and a pool, near the wetlands of Caño Negro. Half board: breakfast and dinner are included.
Boca Tapada · 2 nights
Bungalows at a lodge surrounded by rainforest, with its own trails for the night walk and a dock from which the boat trip to the Río San Juan departs. Breakfast included.
Sarapiquí · 1 night
Family cabins in the rainforest region of Sarapiquí, a simple and welcoming stop after a day on the river. Breakfast included.
Cahuita · 3 nights
A superior room in a hotel with a pool on the Caribbean coast near Cahuita, a relaxed base for three nights of wildlife visits and river outings. Breakfast included.
San José · 1 night
An executive king room in a San José hotel for your last night, before the morning city walk and your transfer to the airport. Breakfast included.
What the package includes
Included
Private transfer from the airport to your hotel
Nights in the hotels listed, or similar if unavailable before final booking
Breakfast every day of the tour
Lunches mentioned in the program *
Dinners mentioned in the program *
The tour with a private driver-guide **
The vehicle with all relevant insurance
National park entrance fees listed as included in the program
Activities and visits listed as included in the program
Private transfer to the airport on departure day
The 13% hotel tax
The 13% tax on tourist activities
Our assistance in English throughout your stay
* Meals include a main course and one non-alcoholic drink
** Included: road costs (the driver’s meals and lodging), the guide’s entrance fees to national parks and to all activities booked in advance (with some exceptions such as horseback rides, boat trips, flights and rafting, depending on the operator), insurance, fuel, parking, ferry (vehicle fee) and tolls
Not included
International flights to Costa Rica
Drinks outside meals and alcoholic drinks
National park entrance fees listed as optional in the program
Activities and visits listed as optional in the program
Extensions, variations and suggestions
Personal expenses and tips
Travel or repatriation insurance
Any other service
Who this trip is for
This trip is designed for travelers who want to spend 16 days in Costa Rica close to nature, with time to look, listen and understand rather than tick off sights. It suits curious couples, friends and families who enjoy wildlife, frogs and birds, photographers drawn to cloud forest and wetlands, and anyone interested in how rescue centers, small farms and conservation projects work. A moderate level of fitness helps: the Río Celeste hike lasts about three hours with 253 steps down and back up, and the Arenal lava trail includes a short rocky stretch. The rafting run on the Sarapiquí River is Class II and III, with a gentler float available instead. Having a private driver-guide means no driving on unfamiliar roads, and a rhythm that leaves room for free afternoons.
Frequently asked questions
What is included in this 16 day Costa Rica itinerary?
The package includes private airport transfers on arrival and departure, 15 nights in the planned hotels or similar, breakfast every day, the lunches and dinners listed in the program, a private driver-guide throughout, the vehicle with insurance, fuel, parking and tolls, the national park entrances and activities shown as included, and the 13% hotel and tourism taxes. Not included: international flights, drinks outside meals or alcoholic drinks, personal expenses and tips, travel or repatriation insurance, and museum or monument fees in San José.
Which meals are included?
Breakfast is included every day. Lunch is included on days 4 (Río Corobicí), 11 (Sarapiquí), 12 (palm heart farm) and 14 (Cahuita kayak day). Dinner is included on day 5 at the Arenal hot springs and on days 7 and 8 at your hotel in Caño Negro. Included meals consist of a main course and one non-alcoholic drink.
Does the driver-guide stay with us for the whole trip?
Yes. This is a Costa Rica itinerary with a driver-guide who meets you at the airport and accompanies you from stage to stage. His road expenses, meals and lodging are covered, as are his entrances to national parks and most pre-booked activities; for some activities, such as boat trips or rafting, local guides take over depending on the operator.
How physically demanding is the trip?
Most days involve easy to moderate walking. The most demanding moments are the Río Celeste hike, about three hours with 253 steps down and back up to the waterfall, a 200 to 300 meter rocky section on the Arenal lava trail, and Class II and III rafting on the Sarapiquí River, which you can replace with a calmer safari float of about 2.5 hours.
Can wildlife sightings be guaranteed?
No. All the animals you may encounter live freely in their natural habitat, so sightings depend on the weather, the season and a bit of luck. Your guides know where to look, and the night walks, boat trips and forest hikes give you many chances to observe frogs, birds, monkeys, caimans and more.
From the crater of Poás to the kayaks of Cahuita, this 16 day Costa Rica itinerary lets you discover the country one ecosystem at a time, with a private driver-guide handling the road and our local team handling the details. Each stage can be fine-tuned to your pace, your interests and your travel dates. If this journey speaks to you, simply send us your request: we will be glad to prepare a personalized quote and answer your questions in English.
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