Costa Rica's Southern Wilderness: Osa, Quetzals and the Caribbean Coast

Day 1 - San Jose

Fly from the UK to San José, where you'll be met at the airport and taken privately to your hotel in the city centre. A personal welcome briefing runs through the journey ahead and answers any practical questions.

Overnight San José.

Day 2 - San José to Manuel Antonio

Travel privately from the Central Valley down towards the Pacific, then south along the coast to Manuel Antonio, around three hours away. Here, hills covered in rainforest run right down to the beaches.

Overnight Manuel Antonio.

Day 3 - Manuel Antonio National Park

Today's guided tour of Manuel Antonio National Park includes return transport, park entrance and a full meal afterwards. A certified naturalist guide leads you along forest trails at an easy pace, stopping often to look for monkeys, sloths, tropical birds and other wildlife. Having a guide's trained eye makes a real difference here, as much of the wildlife is easy to miss. Time on one of the park's beaches rounds off the visit.

Overnight Manuel Antonio.

Day 4 - Manuel Antonio to Drake Bay

Continue south along the Pacific coast to the small riverside town of Sierpe, around two hours by road. From here, a scheduled boat carries you through mangrove waterways and out along the coast to remote Drake Bay on the Osa Peninsula, a journey of an hour or so that sets the tone for the next three nights. All meals are included while you're here.

Overnight Drake Bay.

Day 5 - Corcovado National Park & Sirena Station

An early boat takes you to Sirena Station, deep within Corcovado National Park and one of Costa Rica's wildest protected areas. This guided excursion takes the whole day, following trails through exceptionally rich rainforest with chances to see monkeys, scarlet macaws, coatis and many other species. Boat transfers, park entrance and lunch are included.

Overnight Drake Bay.

Day 6 - Caño Island Snorkelling

After a day in the rainforest, today turns to the sea. A boat trip takes you offshore to the Caño Island Biological Reserve, a protected marine area off Costa Rica's South Pacific coast. Snorkelling equipment, reserve entrance and lunch are included. In the clear tropical water you may see colourful reef fish and other marine life, with the coastline of the Osa Peninsula as a backdrop.

Overnight Drake Bay.

Day 7 - Drake Bay to San Gerardo de Dota

Return by boat to Sierpe and continue privately inland. The road climbs from the warm Pacific lowlands into the cool highlands of San Gerardo de Dota, a peaceful valley surrounded by cloud forest and famous for the Resplendent Quetzal. Overnight San Gerardo de Dota.

Day 8 - Quetzal Quest

We've included San Gerardo de Dota for one reason above all: the Savegre Valley is one of the most reliable places in Costa Rica to see the Resplendent Quetzal, thanks to cloud forest habitat all year and plenty of wild avocado trees. Your outing with a local guide begins around dawn, when bird activity is at its best, though sightings can never be guaranteed. The rest of the day is free to enjoy the valley.

Overnight San Gerardo de Dota.

Day 9 - San Gerardo de Dota to Turrialba

Leaving the cloud forest, you'll cross the Central Highlands to Turrialba, around two and a half hours away. The landscape changes again as you arrive in one of Costa Rica's historic coffee regions, with views of farms, rainforest and the slopes of Turrialba Volcano.

Overnight Turrialba.

Day 10 - A Taste of Aquiares

Staying on Costa Rica's largest coffee estate, it makes sense to see how it all works. This guided experience of around two hours follows coffee from seed to cup, covering how it is grown, processed and roasted, along with the history of the local community and its church. It finishes with a guided tasting, and entrance to the farm and mill is included.

Overnight Turrialba.

Day 11 - Turrialba to Puerto Viejo

Head east into the Caribbean lowlands, then follow the coast south to Puerto Viejo de Talamanca, around three hours in all. Your lodge is set in tropical forest close to Playa Chiquita, with easy access to the beach.

Overnight Puerto Viejo.

Day 12 - Puerto Viejo & the Southern Caribbean

A free day on Costa Rica's relaxed southern Caribbean coast. Spend time at Playa Chiquita or explore Puerto Viejo, or choose an optional excursion to Cahuita National Park, a visit to an indigenous community, a cacao experience or a walk in the surrounding rainforest.

Overnight Puerto Viejo.

Day 13 - Puerto Viejo to San José

After breakfast, the road takes you back through the lowlands and the Braulio Carrillo corridor to San José, around four hours away. Enjoy a final evening in the capital.

Overnight San José.

Day 14 - Depart San José

Transfer to Juan Santamaría International Airport for your overnight flight home.