Costa Rica Wildlife Explorer
Trip highlights
- Spot jaguars and pumas in the Osa Peninsula
- Go bird watching in the ethereal Cloud Forests
- See swinging monkeys, sloths and toucans in Manuel Antonio National Park
- Go waterfall chasing on a hike around El Silencio
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
- Days 1-2 San Jose
- Days 2-5 Osa Peninsula
- Days 5-8 The Central Cloud Forests
- Days 8-11 Manuel Antonio
- Days 1-2 San Jose
- Days 2-5 Osa Peninsula
- Days 5-8 The Central Cloud Forests
- Days 8-11 Manuel Antonio
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.
An introduction to Costa Rica's capital city
In the heart of the Central Valley, San Jose, the vibrant capital city of Costa Rica, is a captivating blend of culture, history and modernity. Visitors can explore the city’s rich history through its landmarks, including the majestic National Theater, a masterpiece of neoclassical architecture and the historic Barrio Amón, known for its beautifully preserved colonial buildings. Art enthusiasts will delight in the city’s numerous galleries and museums, such as the Pre-Columbian Gold Museum, which showcases an impressive collection of indigenous artifacts. Beyond its cultural treasures, San Jose offers a thriving culinary scene, with an abundance of restaurants serving up traditional Costa Rican dishes as well as international cuisine.
Where you could stay
San Jose
Overview
This traditional and elaborate mansion in the city’s downtown district is surprisingly cosy, but naturally classy and luxurious.
Grano de Oro is a grand and tropical Victorian casona, very familial in feel with its heavily embellished interiors strewn with antiques, faded family photos, original art pieces, dark woods, deep carpets and stone tiles.
Lit by the warm glow of wall lanterns, its forty rooms are well equipped with TVs and internet. Choose a standard room for comfort and a more modern style. Both the views and decor improve with the category rank. The Vista de Oro suite is wonderfully decorated in period ceramic floor tiles, wood panelling, with rich rugs and throws. The Garden Suite is similarly adorned but also has its own private garden and patio.
On the ground floor is the restaurant with half its tables set in the hotel’s charming atrium circling a Spanish-tiled fountain surrounded by stained glass windows and the shuttered corridor balconies spilling over with vivid green plant life. The chef is French, the menu extensive, and its tables are often frequented by locals as well as guests. At night the rooftop terrace is a great place to relax, have a drink or try out the Jacuzzi.
Set in the heart of San Jose in the Barrio don Bosco neighbourhood, this is a delightful hotel; a great place for exploring the city or stopping over on your way further into Costa Rica or flying out.
→ Find out moreThe Coffee Valley
Overview
Its innovative design and fun tropical decoration is what makes Xandari quite a one-off hotel in Costa Rica’s Central Valley.
Set in 40 acres of plantation gardens and only twenty minutes from San Jose international airport, this is an ideal hilltop hideaway if you’re just beginning or ending your trip. Surrounded by lush vegetation, the terraces offer spectacular views of the majestic Central Valley.
With an architect and artist for owners, Xandari has definitely felt the force of their creativity and the hotel is adorned with extraordinary sculptures, tropical colours that imitate the fiercely vivid flora, tapestries, mosaics, paintings and stained glass. Its 24 spacious terraced villas offer stylish seclusion, vibrant comfort, beautiful valley views, and come with kitchenettes and a small garden.
The atmosphere is relaxed and the staff immensely friendly. Xandari’s grounds have four kilometres of trails filled with native birds to watch, and there’s also an orchid house, greenhouse, orchards, and organic gardens supplying the hotel’s restaurant. The farm-to-table menu includes a variety of healthy choices from Costa Rician specialities to Mediterranean and Californian dishes.
Massages, facials and mud wraps are just some of the treatments on hand at the hotel’s well-appointed Spa village.
Guests are invited to plant native trees during their stay at Xandari. Trees, bushes and flowers which especially attract, feed and provide shelter to the various types of birds and butterflies are chosen to be added to the gardens.
→ Find out moreThree nights along the Osa Peninsula
The pristine rainforests and the rugged natural beauty of the Osa Peninsula make this region among the most beautiful areas in Costa Rica. Declared ‘one of the most biologically intense places on earth’ by the National Geographic Magazine, the Osa Peninsula along with Drake Bay is home to an incredible array of wildlife, including mammals such as white-face capuchins, margays, ocelots, tapirs, jaguars and pumas. Scarlet macaws, pelicans and woodpeckers are just some of the birdlife to enjoy and you can watch humpback whales and dolphins cavort in the gulf inlet.
Where you could stay
Corcovado and Osa Peninsula
Highlights
- 17 spacious thatch bungalows
- Two lapa villas with plunge pools
- Four premier villas featuring balconies
- Admire the sweeping views of the Pacific
- Enjoy a quiet beach only a short walk away
- Indulge on locally-sourced food at Brisa Azul Restaurant
- Sip on organic South American wines at the bar
- Take part in night walks
- Explore the Corcovado National Park
- Try your hand at sea and mangrove kayaking
Overview
Located in one of the most diverse primary rainforests in the world, the Corcovado National Park, this ethically-responsible hotel does all it can to blend inconspicuously into its delicate surroundings and to create as little disturbance to the environment as possible. Guests enjoy exceptional intimacy with nature in authentic comfort.
Its lodgings are 17 simple, spacious and stylish open-sided thatch bungalows decorated with bamboo furniture, warm wood flooring, and private bathrooms with two showers. There are two spacious new lapa villas with plunge pools, and four new premier villas with balconies. As such Lapa Rios’ assimilation into its rainforest habitat means that you often get toucans visiting your bungalow balcony, and the adventure and wildlife activities have never been so close to hand. It’s the perfect place to escape and unwind. There is WiFi available throughout the lodge.
The hotel and each bungalow have sweeping views of the Pacific and rainforest canopies, and it’s a short downhill walk to a quiet and beautiful beach for a dip in the ocean.
The main lodge has a high roof and open sides, magically lit by candlelight in the evenings. Tuck into hearty meals made using responsibly-caught local seafood, ethically-sourced meat and fresh vegetables at Brisa Azul Restaurant and Bar. And sip on organic South American wines with your fellow guests as the sunsets.
→ Find out moreThe impact of your stay:
- Lapa Rios is part of the Böëna group, a leading Costa Rican hospitality company known for its impactful presence in sustainable travel. The group prioritises conservation and community support, ensuring their lodges uphold industry-leading sustainability standards.
- All staff members are native to the Osa region, offering guests a unique glimpse into local culture while maximising economic benefits for the community. The lodge organises tours to visit a conservationist family and runs an onsite organic farm, serving as an interactive learning space for both locals and guests to explore Costa Rican agriculture and taste fresh local produce.
- Lapa Rios is actively conserving 1,000 acres as a private nature reserve, serving as a crucial wildlife corridor and protective buffer for the neighbouring Corcovado National Park. Emphasising education as a vital component of sustainability, they support local schools, such as Carbonera and Piro, by contributing funds and equipment for environmental education and social programs. Additionally, the lodge’s ‘back of the house’ facilities function as a classroom for local students to learn about clean energy alternatives, waste management, and responsible consumption.
Corcovado and Osa Peninsula
Highlights
- Seven rooms
- Three à la carte, multi-course meals a day
- Fresh water pool
- Library
- Kayaking, standup paddling and snorkelling
- Self-guided hiking trails
- Off-grid alternative energy tours
- Organic farm-to-table programme experience
- Hand-line pier fishing
Overview
The luxury Playa Cativo Eco Lodge is unique in the beauty of its secluded surroundings: accessible only by boat, it’s set on 1,000 acres of private rainforest with both the Piedras Blancas National Park – a former extension of the Corcovado National Park – and its own pristine, sandy beach on its doorstep.
The lodge is well aware of the value of its environs and practices high sustainability policies. It was built using precious indigenous wood salvaged from an older lodge and a fallen-tree program and fittingly, each of its comfortable rooms have been decorated using reclaimed hardwood and colourful tile works crafted by local artisans. The bathrooms feature hot-water rain showers and biodegradable bathroom amenities, and each suite is just a few steps away from the beach with majestic ocean views.
Surrounded by some of the most unspoilt rainforest in the world, Playa Cativo Eco offers an unrivalled opportunity to immerse yourself in nature. Speak to your travel designer about adding excursions such as kayaking in the Rio Esquinas Mangrove-Ocean, hiking in the Piedras Blancas Nature, guided expeditions to the Nocturnal Rainforest, beach, rainforest and wetland birdwatching tours, Golfo Dulce half-day snorkelling trips, standup paddle boarding adventures, and dolphin and whale sightseeing to your stay.
→ Find out moreThe impact of your stay:
- The hotel protects 100 acres of primary rainforest, relies entirely on renewable energy, and emphasises the importance of organic farming in Costa Rica’s biodiverse rainforest, especially in the ecologically vital Osa region. The commitment extends to avoiding chemicals, utilising local citronella mosquito repellents, and banning chlorine or ammonia within Playa Cativo. The pool is cleaned with eco-friendly peroxide, and all cleaning products are eco-certified, reflecting a dedicated effort to use suppliers with eco-friendly packaging.
- In Cativo, there’s a commitment to training and creating opportunities in the hospitality industry. Through a partnership with Golfito Professional High School, interns in F&B and customer service receive lodging and food, with some interns becoming permanent employees.
- The hotel supports Coral Raising, a non-profit dedicated to studying and preserving coral formations in the Golfo Dulce region. Recognising the vital role of corals in this area, their commitment underscores the importance of protecting these ecosystems for the overall health and sustainability of the marine environment.
Corcovado and Osa Peninsula
Overview
Set in its own 185-acre nature reserve buffering the Corcovado National Park, El Remanso eco-lodge is the perfect place for nature lovers, adventurers or those simply looking for a peaceful getaway.
Its six cabins range in size and speciality, but are impeccably and simply decorated in tropical hardwoods, bamboo furniture, natural stone and wood screens. The private terraces are hung with hammocks and set with elegant chairs. There is a magnificent group cabin that can sleep eight people, making it perfect for families or groups. Similarly designed in rustic fashion and in harmony with its jungle habitat are two deluxe rooms and four standard rooms, although if you’re after an ocean-view it is worth mentioning this.
The spectacular setting of El Remanso is matched by its knowledgeable and helpful staff who make every attempt to make your stay a personal one. The international cuisine fused with a few ‘Tico’ touches served at the hotel’s restaurant is very good.
Being completely immersed in the pristine and richly biodiverse rainforest, surrounded by the sounds of macaws and howler monkeys, El Remanso has the advantage of also offering a range of private and bespoke activities. The hotel can also provide you with two in-house naturalists should you want a true, local expert to show you around.
El Remanso now has eight bungalows and six rooms in Casa Poniente.
→ Find out more
Exploring the Cloud Forests
Time to enjoy the natural evergreen environment of the misty Cloud Forests. This unique environment is almost always shrouded in mist giving it an ethereal feel, as if nothing else beyond the cloud exists. The forests are home to colourful birds, butterflies, ocelots and an incredible array of lichen, moss and orchids.
A birdwatching adventure
Venture into the forest accompanied by an expert guide to witness the area’s incredible birdlife. Marvel at the tiny hummingbirds, catch sight of rare black guans, and seek out the elusive quetzals.
Where you could stay
The Central Cloud Forests
Overview
Discover Costa Rica’s delicate cloud forest at the rustic Villa Blanca.
The 34 cosy traditional casitas arranged over the 75-acre private Los Angeles Biological Sanctuary and Reserve are each wonderfully secluded and command immediate vistas and access to the forest. Typically Costa Rican in style, they are decorated with natural stone, dark woods, bamboo and dotted with native art pieces, corner fireplaces and the odd rocking chair or two. The deluxe casitas are definitely worth paying that little bit extra for and the honeymoon suite has it’s own private Jacuzzi.
Owned by an ex-president of Costa Rica, Villa Blanca is also highly renowned for its communal ethos and village-like layout, including its own organic food garden, dairy, and greenhouses; the produce of which is served in the hotel’s restaurant and café. Staff are particularly proud of this and eager to look after guests as well as inform you about the hotel’s conservation projects.
Only over an hour’s drive from San Jose airport, Villa Blanca has a peaceful and familial feel. Forest trails start from the hotel’s gardens as well as there being many private expedition programmes to choose from. There is a well-appointed spa where you could treat yourself to a massage or maybe take a yoga class.
→ Find out moreThe Central Cloud Forests
Overview
Nestled in the mountains next to the Monteverde Cloud Forest Reserve, this handsome Austrian chalet-style hotel is a well-established property with a traditional feel. Views here are stunning, and the hotel strongly promotes sustainability and history.
The hotel is family run and has been in operation since 1985. Yet recent refurbishments have meant that the accommodation at Belmar has all the modern amenities you would expect from a 21st-century hotel. The rooms are tastefully decorated with hardwood fittings, and have floor-to-ceiling windows and private balconies to maximise the magnificent views of the Nicoya Peninsula.
The newest suites are located in a separate building 100 metres from the lobby – great for those looking for some extra privacy.
Service here is excellent and the restaurant serves a great breakfast buffet and delicious evening meals. Enjoy cocktails and traditional Tico appetisers during the ever-popular Happy Hour.
Just south-west of the Arenal Volcano area along the Tilaran mountain range and just under a three hour (145 kilometres) from San Jose lies the Monteverde Cloud Forest Reserve. Home to over 100 species of mammals, 120 reptilian and amphibian species, 400 species of bird, and over 420 different types of orchid, this is life at its most concentrated, delicate and prolific.
The Monteverde joins onto another cloud forest in the area, named the Santa Elena Reserve. With six ecological zones Monteverde is one of the few remaining habitats that support all six species of the cat family – jaguars, ocelots, pumas, oncillas, margays, and jaguarundis – as well as the endangered three-wattled bellbird and resplendent quetzal. There are over eight miles (13 km) of trails to explore this reserve. The Santa Elena, which is the first community administered reserve in the country, has also been a very supportive habitat to the Spider Monkey which you can spot, plus on a clear day you can see the Arenal Volcano from its observation tower.
→ Find out moreA grand finale in Manuel Antonio
Manuel Antonio stands out as the nation’s premier coastal getaway, and it’s not hard to see why. With its thoughtful development, protected marine areas, expansive national parks and pristine white-sand beaches, it offers an unparalleled experience. Here, you can bask in the tranquility of secluded spots or dive into an array of exhilarating water activities, including scuba diving, snorkeling, sailing, kayaking, and even dolphin watching.
A trekking adventure through Manuel Antonio National Park
Visit Manuel Antonio National Park and delve into one of Costa Rica’s most breathtaking natural reserves. Accompanied by a seasoned guide, you’ll traverse through this vibrant ecosystem teeming with diverse wildlife. Keep your eyes peeled for various monkey species, sloths, coatimundis and an array of other fascinating creatures.
Established in 1972 to safeguard the lush forests and pristine beaches, Manuel Antonio boasts a rich biodiversity, serving as a sanctuary for many of Costa Rica’s endangered species.
Despite its modest size, this park is renowned as one of the country’s finest, offering visitors an unforgettable immersion into its unparalleled natural beauty.
Where you could stay
Manuel Antonio
Overview
Sitting in 11 acres of its own private nature reserve and bookended by the stunning Playa Espadilla and Playitas beach, Arenas del Mar is a superb hotel for enjoying the delights of Manuel Antonio National Park which is within walking distance.
The rooms, of which there are 38, are all well equipped with private balconies looking out onto the Pacific Ocean and surrounding coastal islands. As a leader in the trend of sustainable hotels in this country, Arenas del Mar prides itself on its eco-conscious practices and ethos and the service is both friendly and efficient.
The two restaurants at the hotel place a strong emphasis on fresh, wholesome and local food. The menus showcase gourmet Costa Rican cuisine and responsibly-caught seafood. There are also delicious vegetarian and vegan options available.
There are a number of tours and activities to choose from so you can really take advantage of all that the area has to offer (and it offers a lot) or simply relax on the hotel’s private beach, at the poolside or indulge in a spa treatment or two.
→ Find out moreManuel Antonio
Highlights
- Two pools
- Two restaurants and a bar
- Spa
- Butterfly garden
- Guided night walks in wildlife refuge
- Canopy zip line
- Horseback riding & mountain biking
- Birdwatching & Mangrove tours
- Surfing school, sailing, kayaking and diving
Overview
Make yourself at home and relax on one of the hotel’s lush jungle terraces, enjoy the views out over the beautiful gardens towards the sea and Manuel Antonio National Park.
Design meets comfort in the 58 rooms which have been purposefully set against the contours of the jungle hillside, giving the impression that they are seamlessly connected to the surrounding tropical forests. Truly Costa Rican in style, fun and family-friendly, Si Como No’s extensive facilities and reliable service makes it one of the best equipped and relaxed barefoot luxury hotels in Manuel Antonio. The rooms are spacious and comfortable, and it’s worth getting a room in the newer part of the hotel or perhaps even a deluxe one which have great views of the Pacific Ocean.
Colourful, tropical interiors, stained glass windows and lots of natural wood illustrate the very Tico character of the hotel. There is also a well-appointed spa offering massages and beauty treatments, two restaurants, a butterfly garden, wildlife centre and even a 45-seater cinema.
The hotel’s location near the smallest yet second most popular national park in the country with 4000 hectares of rainforest and 136,000 acres of marine reserve means a plentiful choice of local activities and adventure expeditions.
→ Find out moreManuel Antonio
Overview
Nonchalantly set in its own private nature reserve, Gaia stands out in the Manuel Antonio resort area as a very stylish and modern hotel with that intimate boutique twist.
The hotel’s immersion commands wonderful seclusion, tranquillity and uninterrupted rooftop views, making Gaia a perfect hideaway for honeymooners or for those looking for style, privacy and pampering. Its minimal design and luxury are in stark contrast to the tangled jungle packed around it. The 20 rooms fall into four categories of which the suites (Deluxe and Gaia) or the two-bedroom villas are highly recommended, in particular, the deluxe suite has a rooftop terrace with fantastic vistas and its own pool.
At La Luna, you can indulge in local and international flavours for breakfast, lunch dinner, and every evening they host a Tapas Time. Enjoy the panoramic views of the tropical rainforest and the Pacific Ocean while you savour the fresh, healthy dishes.
The size of the hotel means it manages a high level of bespoke service, with your own personalised concierge, room service at any time, and a free shuttle minibus into town or to the airport.
Head out in Manuel Antonio National Park on guided tours, go hiking and horse riding, and spend time in the water snorkelling and scuba diving.
→ Find out more
Manuel Antonio
Overview
Describing itself as “a jungle getaway for discerning adults”, Makanda certainly delivers on luxury, uninterrupted seclusion and romance. Recent renovations have extended its accommodation offering and incorporated more natural materials like marble and wood into the design, and added bespoke artworks as features.
The 27 rooms and suites are fully immersed in a haven of southern Pacific rainforest between the fishing port of Quepos and the Manuel Antonio National Park. The décor is stylish, modern and typically tropical with the odd indigenous piece of art so as not to completely displace you from your rich flora surroundings and native appreciation.
All the accommodation is spaciously designed with lots of amenities, sea views, and terraces so that all you’ll need is right there in your room. Communal spaces are cosier, giving this hideaway a tranquil character. The villas are all individually decorated and are an even more secluded option with their own kitchens and mini Japanese gardens, perfect for honeymooners or couples.
Enjoy uncomplicated dishes featuring fresh local ingredients at Arbol Restaurant. Old recipes and familiar tastes are celebrated and reimagined. With amazing ocean views, the restaurant has been designed to make the most of its jungle setting.
→ Find out more
Planning my daughter and my adventure with Berni and Jen was easy and fun. We outlined the key things we wanted to do and they put it all together. Throughout our holiday, we enjoyed ziplining, nature walks and sloth searches, traversed the hanging bridges, hiked to waterfalls, rafted into and out of our amazing lodge in the rainforest and were…