Luxury Wildlife Adventure in Costa Rica

Itinerary Highlights

Embark on the adventure of a lifetime in three luxury properties throughout Costa Rica, each uniquely positioned to provide you with the ultimate wildlife experience and nature-filled journeys. This 9-day trip lets you explore Costa Rica’s outdoor playground, with guided excursions and sustainably-conscious luxury lodges throughout your stay. You will enjoy exquisite stays in two of National Geographic’s Unique Lodges of the World, Pacuare Lodge & Lapa Rios, as well as Nayara Tented Camp, one of the first luxury camps in Central America inspired by the luxury canvas lodges of Africa and Asia. Each property is unmatched in terms of their value proposition and their commitment to authentic experiences. With internal transportation, your domestic flight, unique excursions, and most meals included, this unique experience is not to be missed!

After a night at one of our favorite boutique hotels in San Jose, your adventure immediately begins by rafting down the Pacuare River to reach your home, which is a unique jungle getaway nestled deep inside the enchanting and captivating Pacuare River and tropical forest. All excursions and meals are included at this lodge, and the activities are endless, from learning about local tribes, zip lining through canopies, hiking and of course, river rafting. You will then river raft your way back and head to Arenal, where you will be mesmerized by the volcano, hike the 15 hanging bridges, trekk across dried lava fields and end your night at your private plunge pool, fed by the area’s natural hot springs, at your luxury tent. Feeling more daring? Ask us about the rappelling adventure where you get wet and wild over 5 waterfalls. Save the best for last as you spend your next three nights at Lapa Rios Lodge, an Osa experience that takes you farther from the beaten path. This is one of the most privileged locations in Costa Rica, where the rainforest meets the ocean and unlike other lodges, guests have access to a number of secluded beaches along the sprawling Golfo Dulce Coastline.

Hotels and lodges described in the itinerary are recommended by Craft Travel but there are numerous options in each destination and we will customize your itinerary based upon your preferences. With your feedback, we will similarly customize suggested activities, time spent in each location and trip extensions to additional destinations of interest nearby.

Detailed Itinerary

Arrive into San Jose's International airport and meet your driver who will accompany you to your hotel for check-in. Your driver will provide you with the travel vouchers for your services and review them with you in detail.

Enjoy the rest of your evening at leisure exploring San Jose.

Overnight at Hotel Grano de Oro (no meals included)

Bright and early, a Pacuare Lodge representative will meet you at your hotel at 6:00am for the 2½-hour drive through the countryside to Pacuare River put-in, where your river rafting adventure awaits you. After orientation and safety talk procedures, you will begin your exciting 1 hour river rafting trip (class II-III rapids) past vibrant rainforest scenery, a journey that presents a medley of natural wonders: crashing waterfalls, lush jungles, monkeys, brightly colored flora and the melodic sounds of various wildlife. You will be greeted at the lodge and arrive in time for a delicious lunch.

After lunch, you can hike through the lodge’s protected rain forest with your guide to an idyllic waterfall, take the Canopy Adventure or Canyoning Tour (included), or simply relax in your private bungalow or suite to enjoy the peacefulness and beauty that surrounds you. After savoring an exquisite dinner by candlelight, you may want to step upstairs to the lounge for a drink before retiring for a restful night’s sleep.

Every Pacuare Lodge Adventure includes the following 8 experiences during your stay: Canopy Tour, Tropical Canyoning Tour, Bird-Watching, Cabécar Indigenous Hike, Ancient Trail & Hidden Waterfall Hike, Sustainability Tour, Rural Experience, and The Loop. The Canopy Adventure Tour takes you gliding between treetop platforms on cables. The Tropical Canyonin combines hiking, rock climbing, and rappelling. Hikers have several options to choose from: the Cabécar Indian Hike, a more demanding hike to an isolated indigenous home deep in the forest; or the Ancient Trail and Hidden Waterfall Hike, which heads higher into the mountains to a secret waterfall and takes most of the day. If you’d prefer to relax, visit the Jawa Juu Spa (not included).

During your stay at Pacuare Lodge, you will be awaken to birdsong and the soothing sound of the river. Head over to the main lodge for a hearty breakfast of homemade bread, tortillas, gallo pinto, tropical fruits, yogurt, eggs, pancakes, cereal, juice, and coffee, complemented by a rainforest view. The lodge employs resident naturalist guides who can provide information about the plants and animals that inhabit the surrounding forest. You can take it easy, or begin enjoying some of the lodge’s seven outdoor experiences included in your Adventure Package which can take you deeper into the forest, or to the closest communities. Nature lovers may want to start before breakfast with a daybreak birdwatching tour. Other options are to visit the nearby Cabécar Indian palapa, for an introduction to the local indigenous culture, or hike to the closest farming community to experience a bit of rural Costa Rican life.

Outdoor adventure options include the Canopy Adventure Tour, which takes you gliding between treetop platforms on cables, or Tropical Canyoning, which combines hiking, rock climbing, and rappelling. Hikers have several options to choose from: the Cabécar Indian Hike, a more demanding hike to an isolated indigenous home deep in the forest; or the Ancient Trail and Hidden Waterfall Hike, which heads higher into the mountains to a secret waterfall and takes most of the day. If you’d prefer to relax, visit our Jawa Juu Spa (not included). We harness the rainforest’s natural energy to create a healing environment unlike any other.

Overnight at Pacuare Lodge (Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner)

Enjoy some early morning wildlife watching before a delicious final breakfast at the lodge. Your guide will be ready to depart between 9:00-10:00AM by raft for an exhilarating day of whitewater rafting past gorgeous tropical scenery (approximately 3.5 hours over class III-IV rapids). After your adventure, a separate driver will meet you by the river to continue your journey west through the lush Costa Rican terrain towards one of the country's true wonders - Arenal Volcano National Park. The park is home to the majority of Costa Rica’s 850 bird species and an array of exotic creatures such as capuchin monkeys, parrot snakes, jaguars and deer, as well as its diverse landscapes.

Your lodging for the next two nights is at the exquisite Nayara Tented Camp, private tents set high on the hill with spectacular views of the Arenal Volcano. These luxury air-conditioned tents each feature their own plunge pool fed with natural hot springs and an outdoor shower. Luxurious yet eco friendly, the tents merge with the surrounding nature affirming the majesty of the rainforest.

Enjoy the rest of your evening at leisure in your own private plunge pool or take some free time to swim in one of the two infinity pools.

Overnight at Nayara Tented Camp (Breakfast)

The Arenal Volcanic region offers many experiences while simultaneously enjoying wildlife and pristine nature. Enjoy the thrill of whitewater rafting or canyoning, or hike the volcano or explore the rainforest by strolling through hanging bridges. One of Craft’s favorite experience is the Mistico Arenal Hanging Bridges. After breakfast, your driver and guide will meet you at the hotel to reach this complex of 15 suspension bridges and trails throughout the rainforest. The terrain undulates and the trail crosses ravines with small waterfalls and travels over bridges with panoramic vistas over the treetops including views of Arenal Volcano. As you walk you may encounter wildlife including toucans, poison dart frogs, howling monkeys, spider monkeys and white-faced capuchin monkeys. The 1.5 mile trail is an easy walk for people in good condition and loops back to the starting point.

In the afternoon, you will hike La Fortuna Waterfall. This tour begins by descending the 500-meter (0.31 miles) trail to the magnificent La Fortuna Waterfall, renowned for its 70 meters (230 feet)high falls and its crystal clear waters. Along the trail, you will observe plants, trees, and animals, which inhabit the area like sloths, toucans, orioles, butterflies, and more. You can choose to swim in its refreshing waters, take amazing photographs, or simply relax and take in all of the beauty of the La Fortuna Waterfall. At the end of the trail, we will enjoy a delicious fruit break to recharge our batteries.

Overnight at Nayara Tented Camp (Breakfast)

Early this morning, your driver will transfer you to San Jose Airport to board your 50 minute long flight to Puerto Jimenez. After your flight, you will be met by your driver and head to Costa Rica's Southern Pacific Coast, where you will encounter an intricate mix of fascinating ecosystems, wildlife, and plant life, all of which call the stunning Osa Peninsula home. Here you will find one of the most diverse tropical regions on earth, the Corcovado National Park, home to macaws and monkeys, jaguars and pumas.

Settle into the luxurious Lapa Rios Lodge, a private reserve of 17 spacious stand-alone bungalows positioned along the ridge and offer views of the blue golf and rainforest canopy. This ecolodge is truly an adventure seeker's paradise, with access to underdeveloped beaches, naturalist-guided hikes, waterfalls, and more than 250 species of birds. Don't miss the fan favorite Twigs & Pigs tour, showing both kids and grownups a fascinating look at what it takes to operate a sustainable lodge in the rainforest. Lapa Rios will provide you with the most authentic and ultimate Costa Rican experience. Admire views of rare tropical fjords from your private deck, surf the cerulean waves, explore the marine life and search for whales further out. The lodge staff will make you feel at home, as they thoughtfully deliver coffee, hot chocolate or tea to your room in the morning so you can relax and experience the morning sounds of birdcalls and howler monkeys. This is what Costa Rica is all about.

Overnight at Lapa Rios Lodge (Breakfast & Dinner)

Today you will have the pleasure of selecting one of the excursions included in your stay: Early & Sunset bird tour, Wild Waterfall, Medicine Hike, Rainforest Ridge-Walk, Osa Trail, Matapalo Tour, Night Walk, “Twigs, Pigs & Garbage”. Our highly experienced Naturalist Guides offer an authentic local interpretation of the extraordinary natural beauty of our rainforest reserve. With them, discover 360° of our biodiversity — from the roots of the trees up beyond the canopy, and out to the sea.

All guided tours in the Lapa Rios Reserve directly support the ongoing maintenance and land preservation of the rich Osa Peninsula biodiversity.

Overnight at Lapa Rios Lodge (Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner)

This morning after breakfast, your driver will transfer you to the Puerto Jimenez Airport (PJM) for your departing flight to San Jose (SJO), followed by your international flight home. 

(Breakfast)

• 9 nights accommodation (based on double/twin occupancy)

• Daily breakfast

• All meals, snacks and soft drinks at Pacuare Lodge and Lapa Rios Lodge

• All lodge-based activities at Pacuare Lodge and Lapa Rios

• Private guided excursions at Arenal Volcano National Park

• All ground transfers between airports and accommodations

• Internal flight from San Jose to Puerto Jimenez

• *Not included: gratuities, visas (if applicable), international flights, meals and drinks not described above, items of a personal nature