A Caribbean Adventure in Costa Rica
Discover the vibrant heart of Costa Rica's Caribbean coast, a region brimming with culture, wildlife and natural beauty. Your journey takes you from the nesting turtles of Tortuguero and the breathtaking canyons of the Talamanca Mountain Range to the lively seaside town of Puerto Viejo and the Magnificent Pacuare Reserve.
Trip highlights
- Head out after dark to explore the wildlife around Tortuga Lodge
- Learn about chocolate through the ages at Tortuguero village
- Explore the lush canopies and canyons of the Pacuare region
- Sink your toes into the warm sands of an idyllic Caribbean beach
- Join expert naturalist guides on birdwatching adventures
- Spend some time with the Cabécar community
Bespoke trips with Jacada
We design one-of-a-kind journeys incorporating luxury in all its forms. Our bespoke trips include:
- Luxury accommodation throughout
- Privately guided tours
- Private transfers
- Meticulously selected experiences
- Expertise and support from your Jacada Concierge
Itinerary in detail
Every Jacada trip is tailored to your personal preferences and interests. Below you’ll find a sample itinerary to inspire your own custom-designed journey.
Days 1–2
Overnight in the Coffee Valley
Costa Rica’s fertile Central Valley, ringed by volcanoes and stretching in a verdant arc from San Ramon lying to the west of San Jose right round to Paraiso in the east, possesses perfect conditions for growing and producing some of the world’s best coffee. Whilst plantations line much of the valley’s floors, just to the north of San Jose the lush and gentle inclines of the Poas Volcano characterises a particularly prolific area known as the Coffee Valley. Here, you’ll be within easy reach of the capital and many varied and exciting activities from hiking to volcano crater rims and rafting the river rapids to wildlife and plantation excursions.
Where you could stay
Days 2–5
Exploring Tortuguero
A dense and intricate network of rivers, lagoons, and canals crisscross 11 different habitats of rainforest, swamp and beach, to be explored by either boat or foot. If Costa Rica is one of Latin America’s prime wildlife-watching destinations, this would make Tortuguero one of the finest national parks between Mexico’s borders and Chile’s most southern tip.
Not only an important nesting site for green sea turtles, leatherbacks, hawkbills and loggerheads, Tortuguero is also a vital wetland for spoonbills, herons, parrots, toucans and cormorants to name but a few. Spider monkeys, poison dart frogs, crocodiles, sloths, butterflies and tapirs are just some of Tortuguero National Park’s incredible wildlife to look out for.
Make it mine
After dark
Into the village
On the water
Twilight wildlife spotting walk
The trail behind Tortuga Lodge is 1.4 miles or 2.2km long. Depending on what you are seeing along the way it can take anywhere from 1 to 2.5 hours. Common sighting are the several species of frogs that might occur at night like the smokey jungle frog and the red eyed tree frog, as well as snakes and other reptiles. It is also possible to observe some mammals like insectivorous bats and marsupials like the common opossum and mouse opossum. Additionally, the night-time hours offer a myriad of insects including the peanut headed bug, the tailless whip tailed scorpion and a host of katydids. On your return to the lodge your guide will take you to the dock where you may be able to see fishing bats hunting.
Tortuguero village visit
Spend some time with your Tortuga Lodge guide and learn about the history of the village of Tortuguero, first known as Turtle Bogue. Turtle Bogue was one of the biggest hunting grounds for Atlantic green sea turtle in the world. You’ll get to taste cocoa fruit beans, the main ingredient in the chocolates we eat today. You’ll be shown how to roast, peel and grind the beans the way the Aztecs and Mayas did. If you’re up for the challenge, taste bits of pure bitter chocolate or try a chocolate infusion with chilli powder and cinnamon, or sugar and vanilla.
Tortuguero canals boat tour
Explore the creeks of Tortuguero National Park together with a naturalist guide. The morning hours are especially active in the rainforest, when wildlife is hungry and in search of their energy source for the day. It is common to find troops of howler monkeys in search of the tender young leaves of the monkey plum tree. The northern jacana is often perched on an island of water hyacinth, looking for insects and miniature shrimp. Caimans are often observed quietly waiting for its next meal to swim by.
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Backwater adventure
On foot
Kayaking in Tortuguero
Together with your guide, you will paddle through the park’s backwater creeks and lagoons in safety and comfort. Kayaking gives you a whole new perspective of the rainforest, and from your unique position you’ll experience the sights and sounds of this incredible environment in a totally different way.
Cerro Tortuguero hike
Start your adventure with a boat transfer to the Caribbean village of San Francisco and gateway to Barra del Colorado National Wildlife Refuge. Hiking Cerro Tortuguero offers a rare glimpse of the wildlife ecosystems unique to the Caribbean side of Costa Rica. Be sure to keep a look out for howler, capuchin and spider monkeys, as well as poison dart frogs, sloths, and several types of wild cats (although these are tricky to spot). At the peak, enjoy breathtaking 360-degree view of the Caribbean lowlands, vast rainforests, and the complex network of rivers that stretch eastward to the Atlantic Ocean.
Days 5–8
Around Puerto Viejo
The easy-going and stylish southern Caribbean stretch of coast that forms Puerto Viejo in Costa Rica is no exception to the country’s widespread biodiversity and prime choice of nature reserves. Cahuita National Park and Gandoca-Manzanillo Wildlife Refuge are both waiting to be explored, but there are also plenty of other things to do here. A day trip to Panama’s Bocas del Toro coral reefs is spellbinding, as are the many cultural tours, cycling routes and boat charters on offer.
Caribbean vibes
Spend your days here immersing yourself in easy-going Caribbean living. Your ocean-side hotel offers you easy access to Playa Chiquita, for long days of lounging on the beach with your toes in the land and the waters lapping at your ankles. Strolls through lush gardens are rewarded with discoveries of artworks created by local and international artists in residence, creating a magical world to explore.
Days 8–10
Remote Pacuare
The exhilarating Pacuare region invites you to discover steep gorges of churning rapids and cascading waterfalls, lined with the clamouring wilderness of its thick undergrowth. It’s a landscape regularly interchanging with quieter sections of serene banks with banana trees, coconut palms and perforated by the sounds of howler monkeys and home to the likes of river otters and blue herons. Despite its remoteness Pacuare still remains very accessible and is the perfect rainforest retreat for nature-lovers, thrill-seekers, or those just looking for a bit of wild seclusion with the natural world.
Make it mine
In the canopy
In the canyon
Bird spotting
Canopy tour
The canopy tour starts with a relaxed twenty minute trek through the tropical rainforest to the first platform. Rappel down towering trees and slide along cables through the jungle for a true adrenaline rush. A thorough safety briefing is given alongside secure equipment, ensuring a safe and thrilling adventure.
Canyoning tour
The canyoning tour combines hiking, climbing and rappelling. Explore El Tesorito Creek Canyon for a great introduction to rappelling, as it includes six short rappels of between 2 and 20 meters (6-65 feet) which will prepare you for a final rappel of more than 30 meters (90 feet). Then continue hiking through the creek and the forest back to the lodge.
Birdwatching excursions
An expert naturalist guide will lead you from the Pacuare Lodge along a series of sites from which you can observe buzzing hummingbirds, dancing butterflies and exquisite tropical flowers. The area around the lodge is home to an extraordinary number of exotic bird species that include the Sun Bittern, Red-throated Ant-Tanager, Black-cheeked Woodpecker and a variety of colourful toucans.
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Culture and customs
Rural life
Time with the Cabécar people
The Cabécar community are Costa Rica’s largest tribe. They traditionally live in small family groups scattered across the jungle, which has helped them to maintain their way of life. You’ll get to take a short hike through the forest to a meet the son of a local shaman who will introduce to his culture and customs and show you around a traditional settlement.
Bajos del Tigre – Rural experience
Spend a morning discovering the ins and outs of rural life around Pacuare. You’ll be accompanied by a knowledgeable guide and enjoy a typical Costa Rican lunch along the way. You’ll need to come prepared with hiking clothes and rubber boots or hiking shoes.
I could not recommend Jacada more after my trip to Costa Rica. Dan and Flavia were absolutely fantastic from the initial planning to the little details while I was traveling. Traveling solo can be intimidating but all my drivers were on time and great to talk to about the country. I definitely will be using Jacada in the future!
Why book with Jacada
Personalised design
We’ll plan your trip around your personal interests, tastes and preferences, providing honest advice based on first-hand knowledge.
Authentic experiences
Our expert guides and brilliant Concierges are hand-picked for their ability to bring your destination to life with care and passion.
Positive Impact
We seek out unforgettable experiences that benefit both local communities and the environment.
