Blend romance and luxury, exploration and relaxation on your 9-day custom-tailored Costa Rica vacation. Relax near the opulent waters of the Pacific Ocean and drift through the secluded canals at Tortuguero. Witness the distinctive simmer of an active volcano and traverse the unique canopy around the Cloud Forest Reserve. From coral reefs to turtles’ nests, jaguars to scarlet macaws, indulge in the rich natural life of Costa Rica.
Customizable Itinerary
Day 1
San Jose – Between East and West
Welcome to San Jose, the capital of Costa Rica. The city resides in the Central Valley and contains the country’s heart and soul. The culture from around Costa Rica has settled in San Jose, creating a bustling melting pot of cuisine, atmosphere, and history. Colonial mansions line the streets of Barrio Aranjuez. Elegant hand-carved woodwork adorns the facades and porches wrap around the raised entryways. Your private transfer meets you at the airport and escorts you to a fabulous hotel that balances a central location with elegant seclusion.
The central market is an entire city block and houses over 200 shops, stalls, and restaurants. Narrow lanes divide the vendors by goods, from wood carvings to produce. Bananas hang down in decadent bunches. Large watermelons tempt you from their display. The sweet and citrusy aromas of star fruit linger in the air. In the evening, share a romantic meal over candlelight at a local restaurant where after the first crunchy and juicy bite, you can find indulgence and perfection in Costa Rica’s Central Valley.
What's Included:
Day 2
Tortuguero – Finding the East
Day 3
Tortuguero – Tortuguero Canals and Pacuare Biological Reserve
Day 4
Monteverde Cloud Forest – Top of the Western Ridge
Day 5
Monteverde Cloud Forest – Watching the Clouds from Above
Day 6
Tamarindo – Cloud Forest Turns to Beachfront Paradise
Day 7
Tamarindo – The Beauty of the Beach
Day 8
Tamarindo – The Calling Caves
Day 9
Liberia – East to West to Home
Trip Highlights
- Relax in the splendor and seclusion when staying in featured Zicasso properties
- Enjoy luxurious accommodation set in pristine and opulent landscapes, from rainforest to beachside
- Explore the canals of Tortuguero National Park on a private guided tour of the wilderness
- Visit turtle nesting grounds on the Caribbean shores to find signs of resurgence for endangered turtles
- Witness the steaming waters of a crater lake inside an active volcano accentuated by the surrounding panorama
- Embrace the treeline, wild sounds, and overall ambiance of the celebrated Cloud Forest Reserve as you search for birds and wildlife
- Indulge on the white sands around the Pacific Coast town of Tamarindo to the comforts of a beach paradise
Detailed Description
The wonders of Costa Rica touch both the Atlantic and the Pacific oceans. The mountains turn to prairies and the rainforest lines the beaches. The beauty of the countryside is filled with as much natural splendor as luxurious accommodation. Listen to the morning bird calls from your private deck and watch the waves lap at the opulent shores. Walk along the treetops overlooking a forest of clouds and enjoy the secluded charm of nourishing hotels. From warm, powdery sand to vibrant birds and their soothing songs, savor the moments that take you from East to West, and along the captivating landscape of the countryside.
Your journey of luxury and romance begins in San Jose, the capital city of Costa Rica. The streets are lively and energetic, filled with an underlying charm that quickly washes over you. Travel through the lush rainforest of Braulio Carrillo National Park en route to the secluded waters of Tortuguero, a region only reachable by air or river canals. Visit Tortuguero Village or wander along the Caribbean beach-side to see traditional dugout canoes. Venture along the meandering natural channels of Tortuguero National Park to witness the exceptional lowland tropical rainforest and its distinctive beauty.
Return to San Jose and visit the Poas Volcano National Park. The towering craters create a diverse ecosystem that houses both active and extinct craters. In Monteverde you will visit a charming local and historical dairy farm before settling into a lavish and comfortable hotel that borders the Cloud Forest Reserve. Traverse the trails and canopy walkways that take you through and over the marvelously varied ecosystem of the Cloud Forest, filled with ferns, orchids, and bromeliads. Your private transfer escorts you through Guanacaste Province to the celebrated shores of Tamarindo.
The beach-side community offers lavish private accommodations on the fringe of a cosmopolitan town. From November to March leather-back turtles nest on the shores of Playa Grande. Experience Tamarindo at your whim and pleasure, from enjoying an exuberant catamaran tour around the Pacific to visiting the tremendous Barra Honda caves. Luxuriate on the hot sand or traverse the trails around the local countryside. On your final day your private transfer will accompany you to Liberia where you will board your flight home.
Starting Price
$2,700 per person (excluding international flights)
What's Included
- Accommodations
- In-country transportation
- Some or all activities and tours
- Expert trip planning
- 24x7 support during your trip
Your final trip cost will vary based on your selected accommodations, activities, meals, and other trip elements that you opt to include.
Reviews of Zicasso's Referral Service
4.91 stars based on 719 reviews.
We had a near-perfect experience, I would highly recommend Zicasso's tour company.
Reviewed By Zach O.
We celebrated my daughter's high school graduation with a 12-day trip to Costa Rica. I interviewed several local travel agencies and fell in love with Zicasso's tour company from the very first phone conversation. The owner was fantastic to work with, helping me craft the perfect adventure-filled, action-packed vacation for my family. He was honest and took the time to listen to our preferences. He provided great feedback and suggestions.
Prior to our trip, I felt very confident that I was in good hands and knew that every detail was taken care of. During our trip, the company owner checked in with me several times to make sure everything was ok. Unfortunately, someone in my family had to go home early and he was so helpful in coordinating an extra trip to the airport to accommodate our family needs (it required an extra nine hours of driving and a hotel stay for the driver).
The company owner and our agent were generous enough to not charge me for this extra trip. They even canceled all the hotel and activity reservations for that family member, and I received a refund at the end of my trip! It truly was a trip of a lifetime. I found myself thinking, I wish there was a travel company like this for every country because I would use them again to plan my next vacation, wherever it may be!
I also want to give a special shoutout to my driver, who drove my family on several long road trips during our vacation. During our drives, he would spot many interesting animals and birds, and stop on the side of the road so we could get out and get great pictures. Some of my best close-up opportunities to look at animals occurred while in the car. He talked about the agriculture, the school system, and the different rainforests. He even bought plantain chips from the side of the road and shared them with my family. Even though his job was to drive us from point A to point B, I felt his knowledge and his ability to spot animals was better than many of the tour guides we had on the trip. He really cared about Costa Rica and was excited to show us all it had to offer.
I highly recommend this travel company. And ask for our driver to drive you around; you won't be disappointed.
Reviewed By caroline C.
We used a Zicasso travel expert to plan our trip. The trip was absolutely fabulous and the service was very easy to use. We would definitely use them again.
Reviewed By Allison A.
Zicasso's travel company was very attentive and followed up with us throughout the trip to make sure we were doing well. We had an awesome time and would recommend them to anyone planning a trip to Costa Rica
Reviewed By Tara I.
Everything was arranged thoughtfully, with time for "adventures" and downtime at terrific resorts to relax. All pick-ups, travel by limo, and drop-offs went as arranged. The drivers, guides, and hotel staff were all very pleasant and kind. Zicasso's tour operator did a great job planning our eight-day, family-of-10 trip to Costa Rica! We appreciated that most tours, hikes, and ocean experiences were small groups of just our group of 10. This made it a personal and annoyance-free experience all around. Thanks!
Reviewed By Lolli H.
The Zicasso tour company was very accommodating. They put together a great itinerary and when we wanted to add something, it was no problem.
Reviewed By David M.