ADay 1: Arrive at Juan Santamaría International Airport and travel to Rincón de la Vieja

BDays 2-4: Rincón de la Vieja National Park, Guanacaste

Rincon de la Vieja National Park is part of the Guanacaste Conservation Area and comprises about 34,000 acres. You can go hiking, horseback riding, swimming in the hot springs, picnicking, and camping in the park. It has two ranger stations, one in the Santa María sector and the other in Las Pailas. The latter has ideal camping facilities. In addition to observing volcanic activity, you can visit a dry broadleaf forest, a moist broadleaf forest, a tropical rainforest and a cloud forest. Among its aquatic attractions are a freshwater lagoon, waterfalls, hot springs and boiling volcanic mud pits.

CDay 5-6: Monteverde Cloud Forest (ziplining, hiking, suspension bridges)

The Monteverde Cloud Forest Reserve is made up of a tropical jungle with a great variety of flora and fauna and an ever-present mist, hence its name. It is located between the provinces of Alajuela and Puntarenas and has an elevation of 1,600 meters above sea level. One of the most exciting ways to see the forest is through the ziplining tours that take place in the area. Here, you can find one of the longest ziplines in the country, which spans over 770 m. Enjoy incredible views through the hanging suspension bridges, which extend through canyons and connect to the hiking trails, giving you the same canopy experience. It also offers 13 km of trails that will make for a great day of hiking.

DDays 7-8: Gandoca Manzanillo National Wildlife Refuge

This wildlife refuge is located 73 km from Limón, passing through the Cahuita National Park and the towns of Puerto Viejo and Manzanillo along the way. It is of great ecological importance because it contains the only intact mangrove swamp in the Atlantic, and the small old growth rainforest here is the only one of its kind in the region. It has a 10 km beach strip, 740 acres of forest, a coral reef, and two swamps. At the refuge you can take guided tours to observe the leatherback sea turtle nesting site, see dolphins, dive through the reefs, take forest walks or boat trips, watch birds, and enjoy beautiful sunsets.

EDays 9-10: Ballena National Marine Park (hiking, beaches, whale and dolphin watching)

This was the first marine park in Costa Rica and in Central America and has one of the greatest spectacles sought by tourists: humpback whale sightings. From July to October, the park is filled with people coming to spot this miracle of nature. During those months, the whales migrate towards our Pacific coast seeking warm waters to mate and to give birth to their young. Furthermore, the Festival of Whales and Dolphins takes place in September in the Uvita area, where different activities and tours are carried out for whale and dolphin watching. We recommend that you find accommodations and stay for several days to take snorkeling tours and whale watch. Visit the famous "cola de la ballena" (a rock and sand formation on the beach in the shape of whale’s tail), and since it’s in the area, don’t forget to visit the Isla del Caño Biological Reserve.

FDays 11-14: Drake Bay, Isla del Caño, Corcovado National Park

Located on the north side of the Osa Peninsula in Puntarenas, you can access Corcovado National Park and partake in numerous nature activities, such as diving, kayaking, swimming, horseback riding, fishing, bird watching, and hiking. Because of its tropical climate throughout the year, Drake Bay is an excellent option for active tourists who like listening to the sounds of nature. Another beautiful spot to visit is Isla del Caño, a biological reserve located in the Pacific, about 16 km northwest of the Osa Peninsula in Puntarenas. It has one of the most extensive coral formations in the best condition in the Pacific coast. It is a prime breeding ground for humpback whales, from both the northern and southern hemispheres, as well as local species of dolphins. Between July and October you can take whale watching tours from this sector. You can also snorkel, hike, and enjoy scenic lookouts. You can’t leave without visiting the Corcovado National Park - it's really like being in an adventure movie. Here you can do advanced trekking and see species such as tapirs, monkeys, a variety of bird species, peccaries, jaguars, pumas, ocelots, jaguarundis, margays, lowland pacas, agoutis, bull sharks, and more. Its main attractions are: San Pedrillo (trails and waterfall), Sirena (a shelter where you can stay, trails, pools), La Leona (turtle nesting), El Tigre (viewpoints and hiking) and Los Patos (waterfall and Guaymí Indigenous Reserve).

GDay 15: Departure from Juan Santamaría International Airport.

ADay 1: Arrive at Liberia International Airport, (Daniel Oduber).

BDays 2-3: Rincón de la Vieja National Park, Guanacaste

Rincon de la Vieja National Park is part of the Guanacaste Conservation Area and comprises about 34,000 acres. You can go hiking, horseback riding, swimming in the hot springs, picnicking, and camping in the park. It has two ranger stations, one in the Santa María sector and the other in Las Pailas. The latter has ideal camping facilities. In addition to observing volcanic activity, you can visit a dry broadleaf forest, a moist broadleaf forest, a tropical rainforest and a cloud forest. Among its aquatic attractions are a freshwater lagoon, waterfalls, hot springs, and boiling volcanic mud pits.

CDay 4: Miravalles Volcano (explore geysers, mud baths)

This volcano is located 15 km north of the city of Bagaces, in the Miravalles Protected Zone. It has an altitude of 2,028 meters above sea level, and is the highest peak in Guanacaste’s volcanic mountain range. It is the energetic engine of Guanacaste, since they use geothermal energy to produce electricity. In the area, you can find places with thermal pools and volcanic mud springs to bask in a natural and relaxing facial.

DDay 5: Tenorio Volcano National Park and Río Celeste

Another one of the most visited destinations in the country - it’s famous for the photographs of its trails, a waterfall, a sky-blue river, and abundant natural surroundings. This park belongs to both Alajuela and Guanacaste provinces - in fact, the Tenorio Volcano is on the dividing line between the two provinces. Take a tour to explore the tropical forest, take in the flora and fauna, admire Río Celeste waterfall, walk near the fumaroles (volcanic cracks where sulfurous gases escape), the “teñidero” (the point where the river takes on its light blue color), and its thermal springs. We recommend you wear comfortable clothes, shoes for mountain hiking and plenty of water for your travels through this wonderful park.

EDays 6-7: Monteverde Cloud Forest (ziplining, hiking, suspension bridges)

The Monteverde Cloud Forest Reserve is made up of a tropical jungle with a great variety of flora and fauna and an ever-present mist, hence its name. It is located between the provinces of Alajuela and Puntarenas and has an elevation of 1,600 meters above sea level. One of the most exciting ways to see the forest is through the ziplining tours that take place in the area. Here, you can find one of the longest ziplines in the country, which spans over 770 m. Enjoy incredible views through the hanging suspension bridges, which extend through canyons and connect to the hiking trails, giving you the same canopy experience. It also offers 13 km of trails that will make for a great day of hiking.

FDay 8: Braulio Carrillo National Park (hiking)

Braulio Carrillo National Park is located to the north of the Central Valley, on the central volcanic mountain range between the Poás and Irazú volcanoes. It is one of the largest protected areas in Costa Rica at 50,000 ha. This national park has two sectors for public use. 1) Quebrada González, located on route 32, has three trails with viewpoints through the rainforest. 2) Volcán Barva has four trails: Cacho Venado, Laguna Barva, Copey and Mirador Vara Blanca. In the latter sector, you can go hiking, see different types of forest, and enjoy a nice picnic in a natural setting. You can access it from the city of Heredia.

GDays 9-10: Barú Wildlife Refuge and Ballena National Marine Park

This national wildlife research and refuge center is located on 330 hectares of old growth and second growth tropical rainforest. Within the refuge, you can see tunnels and bridges that are used as wildlife passages to protect monkeys, sloths and other species. The route is 2 km in total, and you can watch birds and take in the canopy along the trail. Don’t forget to visit the first marine park in Costa Rica and Central America, frequented for having one of the greatest spectacles sought by tourists: humpback whale sightings. From July to October, the park is filled with people coming to appreciate this miracle of nature. During those months, the whales migrate towards our Pacific coast seeking warm waters to mate or to give birth to their young. Furthermore, the Festival of Whales and Dolphins takes place in September in the Uvita area where different activities and tours are carried out for whale and dolphin watching. We recommend that you find accommodations and stay for several days to take snorkeling tours and whale watch. Visit the famous "cola de la ballena" (a rock and sand formation on the beach in the shape of whale’s tail).

HDay 11: Térraba-Sierpe River (see birds, mammals, and reptiles)

The river is located 270 km from San José on the South Pacific coast, in Osa, Puntarenas. The area contains the most important mangrove forests in the country and a great variety of fauna, such as mollusks, fish, waterfowl, and mammals. There are also archaeological sites that were inhabited by indigenous people around 300 BC. You’ll find carved stone spheres, decorated ceramics, and even gold objects. Tour operators in the area have options for visitors such as a two-hour boat tour to see the Río Grande de Tárcoles, where you will learn more about crocodile and waterfowl species.

IDays 12-14: Drake Bay, Isla del Caño, Corcovado National Park

Located on the north side of the Osa Peninsula in Puntarenas, you can access the Corcovado National Park and partake in numerous nature activities, such as diving, kayaking, swimming, horseback riding, fishing, bird watching, and hiking. Because of its tropical climate throughout the year, Drake Bay is an excellent option for active tourists who like listening to the sounds of nature. Another beautiful spot to visit is Isla del Caño, a biological reserve located in the Pacific, about 16 km northwest of the Osa Peninsula in Puntarenas. It has one of the most extensive coral formations in the best condition in the Pacific coast. It is a prime breeding ground for humpback whales from both the northern and southern hemispheres, as well as local species of dolphins. Between July and October you can take whale watching tours from this sector. You can also snorkel, hike, and enjoy scenic lookouts. You can’t leave without visiting the Corcovado National Park - it's really like being in an adventure movie. Here you can do advanced trekking and see species such as tapirs, monkeys, a variety of bird species, peccaries, jaguars, pumas, ocelots, jaguarundis, margays, lowland pacas, agoutis, bull sharks, and more. Its main attractions are: San Pedrillo (trails and waterfall), Sirena (a shelter where you can stay, trails, pools), La Leona (turtle nesting), El Tigre (viewpoints and hiking) and Los Patos (waterfall and Guaymí Indigenous Reserve).

JDay 15: Depart from the Juan Santamaría International Airport.