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 to the northern lowlands, specifically to La Fortuna at the Arenal Volcano. In the morning you still have the chance to discover the capital San José, take a coffee tour on the slopes of the Poás volcano or visit the La Paz Waterfall Gardens in Vara Blanca.

For those seeking the highlights as well as the hidden treasures of the country, we recommend a detour to Caño Negro, a wetland north of La Fortuna. There are optimal conditions for spectacular birdwatching and boat trips through narrow canals. It is possible to sleep here far from tourist crowds or to book a day trip from/to La Fortuna.

In the area around the volcano, which is currently in a resting phase, there are plenty of activities you can enjoy today: hiking, cycling, horse riding, kayaking, ziplining and much more. Have fun!

Your journey continues to the Central Pacific coast. From La Fortuna we recommend the route via San Ramón. Coming from Caño Negro we recommend the route via the Pan-American Highway, which you reach in Cañas. Accommodation options are available between the village of Tárcoles and Quepos / Manuel Antonio.

The highlight of the region is undoubtedly the Manuel Antonio National Park. If you want to hike here and visit the beautiful beaches, we recommend starting early, as access is limited and demand is relatively high, especially at weekends and during national school holidays. The park is closed on Tuesdays. In this region, there are even surf spots! The red macaw Macao parrot can be spotted here, and a boat or kayak tour through the mangroves is highly recommended.

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 beautifully 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).

Today you take the Panamerican highway until kilometre 80, where you turn left into the high valley of San Gerardo de Dota. Here you have different options for 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.

Driving on the Panamerican highway, you’re journey leads you to the Central Valley today. Passing through Cartago you could for example visit the volcano Irazú. To visit Costa Rica’s highest volcano, with 3´432m, you should start in the morning. At this time of the day, chances are best to see the crater lake cloudlessly.

Afterwards, you drive to the picturesque Orosi Valley or to Turrialba.

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 of 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 volcanes". 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.

Passing by Siquirres, you continue to the port of Limón and then further to the Southern Caribbean Coast. Discover the wonderful Caribbean Sea in the afternoon.

Beach day, e.g. in the Cahuita National Park or at one of the other numerous dream beaches.