Arrival at the airport. You will be received at the airport and transferred to your city hotel in San José.

At the hotel, you receive the rental car and drive through the former capital Cartago to the Orosi Valley. You may spend the night in Orosi or in Turrialba, ubicated further east. On the way, it’s worthwhile to visit the church of pilgrimage Nuestra Señora de Los Ángeles in the centre of Cartago. Your way will lead you through Paraíso, close to the Lankester Botanical Gardens which are a highlight for plant lovers.

To visit Costa Rica’s highest volcano, the volcano Irazú with 3432, you should start in the morning. At this time of the day, chances are best to see the crater lake cloudlessly.

Both the small village of Orosi and the small town of Turrialba are authentic centres of life outside the Greater San José area. Here we recommend exploring the centre on foot and to get to know the daily lives of the locals. In addition, the following excursions are possible:

Orosi: Hike in the Tapantí National Park, tour around the Cachí Reservoir, ruins of Ujarrás, visit the local Thermal Springs.

Turrialba: Rafting in various categories on the rivers Pejibaye (rather leisurely) or Pacuare (rather strong), hike in the private reserve La Martha, hike and/or Canopytour in the park "Paraíso entre volcanoes". Close to this you may find a frequented Paraglider launching site, the possibility to visit a cheese dairy or to visit of the Agricultural University CATIE with its botanical garden.

Then you continue on the Pan-American Highway until kilometre 80, where you turn right into the high valley San Gerardo de Dota. Here you have different possibilities of accommodation.

Here in the cloud forest, it is worth getting up early to experience the awakening of nature and the singing of the birds. Not only the Quetzal but many other colourful birds can be spotted here. Furthermore, the region is ideal for hiking and many of the lodges offer their own trails on the hotel grounds. There’s nothing better than to try fresh river trout, the speciality of the place, after a walk.

Your journey continues to the southern Pacific Ocean, which offers a lot of adventures in addition to beautiful wild beaches.

Swim in the pool of stunningly refreshing waterfalls, watch whales and dolphins on a boat tour through the Marino Ballena National Park, or swim in one or more of the beautiful rugged beaches protected by this National Marine Park, discover the native Costarrican tribe Borucas or take photos The "whale fin" that the beach in Uvita (at low tide and from above).

If you want to visit the peninsula Osa, you can park the car in Sierpe and continue to Drake Bay by boat (the pick up of the various providers usually takes place at about 10:30 clock). Alternatively you can drive over Chaquarita around the Golfo Dulce to Puerto Jiménez (ubicated west of the Corcovado National Park).

On the coastal road La Costanera you can reach the Central Pacific at Quepos / Manuel Antonio or Jacó / Tárcoles, located a little further north, fastly.

The beaches of the Central Pacific are more easily accessible than those of the South Pacific, but also more frequently visited. The region’s highlight is undoubtedly the Manuel Antonio National Park, which you should visit early, as access is limited and demand is relatively high, especially at weekends and during national school holidays. The park is closed on Tuesdays. There are also surf spots in the region! The red macaw Macao parrot can be spotted here, and a boat or kayak tour through the mangrove forests is highly recommended.

You drive back to the Central Valley, passing through highway 27. Especially on Sundays, there can be more traffic, so we recommend planning enough time for the return journey.