A luxury honeymoon with secluded lodges and beautiful beaches
Personalised journeys from start to finish
Every trip helps support Conservation
Every detail taken care of
Itinerary highlights
- Unwind and get in touch with nature during your three nights at Pacuare Lodge
- Zip-lining through the canopy of the rainforest
- Relaxing in the geothermal waters of Tabacon's hot springs
- Resting on the shores of Nicoya's tropical beaches
What's included
- Luxury accommodation throughout
- All tours mentioned
- All transfers and internal flights
- Full support from your Travel Designer and Concierge before, during and after your trip
At a glance
For those looking for a honeymoon with exclusive lodges, unique excursions, beautiful beaches and lots of charm, Costa Rica ticks all the boxes. From the incredible Pacuare Reserve to the stunning coastline of the Nicoya Peninsula, this 11-day trip is Central America at its best.
Your adventure starts at Pacuare Lodge, which is reached by rafting down the Pacuare River – a truly memorable start to your honeymoon. The lodge itself is an idyllic hideaway deep in the Costa Rican jungle and the seclusion is truly magical. Here, you’ll be able to enjoy many adrenelin-filled activities, from zip lining, hiking and birdwatching to canyoning and cultural experiences. The lodge itself is a beautiful place to simply unwind, enjoy some peace and quiet as a newly married couple – give or take a few bird calls from the rainforest. During your stay you’ll enjoy breakfast in the Nest, a unique dining spot high in the canopy, reached by whizzing along a 130m cable.
Your next stop is Arenal where you’ll enjoy a visit to the thermal hot springs of Tabacon, enjoy a sunset bird watching boat trip as well as a private dinner at an open‐air rainforest bungalow. Every honeymoon needs a bit of beach time and the Nicoya Peninsula is a beautiful stretch of coastline where you can horse ride along the sand and simply enjoy some quality time relaxing. It’s here, on the tranquil shores that you’ll end your dream Costa Rican honeymoon.
Example trip itinerary
San Jose
Transfer
Private transfer to your hotel in San Jose
Accommodation in San Jose
The Coffee Valley
Highlights
- Organic coffee plantation
- Suites and villas available
- Chemical-free swimming pool
- Farm-to-table food
- 100% local staff
Overview
Finca Rosa Blanca is the sort of place that’s difficult to leave once you’ve settled in. Mornings are spent sipping fresh Costa Rican coffee, grown right here on the plantation, overlooking the lush forest that surrounds the lodge, while by night you can gaze out to see the twinkling lights of San Jose in the distance, listening to the sounds of the Costa Rican wilderness around you.
The architecture of this lodge is immediately striking, with its round turrets and vaulted ceilings clad with solid wood, and inside the decor brings a little bit of the jungle indoors with hand-painted murals and leafy lounge areas. Activities abound here: soak in the indoor pool or the patio hot tub, take a tour of the plantation, go whitewater rafting or explore the enchanting cloud forests beyond the lodge’s doors.
When you return to the lodge after a day’s exploring, there’s excellent farm-to-table food on offer in the restaurant, and more of that fresh Costa Rican coffee to finish off a fine meal.
→ Find out moreThe impact of your stay:
- The carbon-neutral hotel sits on an 11-hectare permaculture and coffee farm, prioritising environmental protection in every detail. The main structure, renovated using traditional methods, preserves Costa Rican culture and history. The property uses natural, non-toxic paints, harvests rainwater, and implements a comprehensive waste management and composting system. Guests can explore the sustainability efforts through guided tours with staff members.
- Finca Rosa Blanca staunchly supports and safeguards local history, culture, and heritage. As a 100% locally staffed establishment, it offers intimate cultural tours, fostering economic benefits for local communities and encouraging cross-cultural understanding.
- A leader in sustainability in Costa Rica, Finca Rosa Blanca stands as a model hotel for best practices and sustainability according to the Costa Rican Tourism Institute. Their exceptional efforts have earned them the highest five-leaf accreditation and an unprecedented 100% score from the Certification for Sustainable Tourism, showcasing their commitment to responsible and sustainable tourism.
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 moreEnjoy your evening in this metropolitan capital city, relaxing at your hotel before or after your flight. You'll also have our list of recommendations as well as private guides on hand to enjoy the best of this lively city.
Expert guides will explain safety precautions and provide you with the necessary rafting gear before the adventure begins. Once in the water, you’ll experience sheer exhilaration as you face the challenge of each wave, battling surging waters down miles of raging rapids.
The journey takes just over 1.5 hours as the river passes through scenic canyons where crystal clear waterfalls plummet down into the rapidly coursing river below. Tall trees and dense green vegetation come right down to the water's edge. The thick undergrowth of this protected area provides shelter for a variety of tropical animals and birds, including some endangered species
Pacuare Reserve
Accommodation in Pacuare Reserve
Pacuare Reserve
Highlights
- 20 bungalows and suites
- Restaurant and bar
- Wine cellar
- Massages
- Private plunge pools
- Fishing
- Nature trails and hiking
- Bird-watching
- White water rafting
- Waterfalls and canopy tours
- Horseback riding
- Visits to Cabercar Indian community
Overview
It could be Pacaure’s remote setting in 740 acres of primary rainforest or its luxury cabins emerging from the thick milieu of foliage that makes this a great place to stay: but the combination is what transforms it into a truly unique one.
There is no road access to the Lodge so guests have the chance to arrive in style by raft or helicopter.
The Pacuare Reserve is home to toucans, howler monkeys, and a large variety of birds meaning your stay here brings you intimately close to nature. Located on the banks of the Pacuare River the lodge has the advantage of offering a wealth of activities, such as expert wildlife and jungle expeditions all right from your canopy threshold.
Simply but sumptuously furnished with polished wood floors, Costa Rican art and open-plan living, the 20 bungalows and suites are constructed with local timber frames and palm thatch roofs that expertly embrace the tropical habitat and jungle lifestyle. The choice of rooms and suites range from luxury garden bungalows and riverside suites to tree-top honeymoon and Linda Vista suites that look out onto unparalleled views of the river and jungle. Some have their own private infinity plunge pools.
At night the lodge is lit by candlelight, creating a magical honeycomb-like effect, and delicious food is served at the main restaurant along with wines from its own cellar. There is also a beautiful swimming pool, heated by special radiating tiles.
→ Find out moreThe impact of your stay:
- Pacuare Lodge was created with a commitment to environmental preservation. Located on the Pacuare River, it harnesses hydropower for energy, avoiding tree cutting for construction. The buildings utilise lumber sourced from a reforestation project run by small farmers, brought in via raft.
- The lodge has acquired 340 hectares (840 acres) of primary rainforest along the Pacuare River for conservation, representing the first initiative of its kind in the country.
- 100% of Pacuare Lodge’s staff come from local communities such as Nairi Awari Indigenous Reserve, Bajos del Tigre, Linda Vista, Santa Marta, and nearby areas between Turrialba Town and Siquirres. The lodge offers direct or indirect employment, providing a formal income source in communities previously without such opportunities. This close collaboration offers guests a unique glimpse into indigenous culture while actively involving the local community in sustainable tourism and conservation.
Pacuare Lodge is a magical hideaway in the jungle and the perfect place to experience the beauty of the rainforest. All shared activities are included from canyoning and zip lining to birdwatching and hiking. The lodge itself is a wonderful place to simply unwind with great food and drink and a spa offering a range of relaxing treatments. Falling asleep to the sound of the forest is a magical feeling and a few days here is a real tonic after the hustle and bustle of everyday life.
Enjoy a wonderful breakfast high up in the treetops at the Nest, located on a platform 20m high. The culinary adventure begins as you glide down a 130m cable to the platform high in the branches of a Ceiba, a tree that was sacred to the ancient Mayans.
The action begins with a safety orientation and donning of specialized equipment. You then begin an unhurried trek through tropical rainforest up to the first platform - this twenty-minute hike into the Pacuare Lodge’s private reserve will transport you into an unspoiled realm of gorgeous views and magnificent scenery; a haven for bird watchers and nature seekers, and offers an unprecedented glimpse of Costa Rica’s biological diversity.
Once strapped in, feel the adrenaline of dramatic views, rappelling down towering trees and sliding along cables from tree to tree as you descend the jungle cloaked mountain toward the Pacuare Lodge for a final thrilling rappel that leaves you just steps away from our main lodge. You will experience this excitement secure in the knowledge that you are safely anchored with a safety harness, providing a unique experience that no other tour of this type offers. Two hours of unforgettable adventure in the tree tops!
The Cabécar Indians 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. 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.
After breakfast you will raft out from the lodge on a two-hour journey to meet your onward transfer.
Transfer
Private transfer to Arenal
Arenal
Accommodation in Arenal
Arenal
Highlights
- Each tent has its own platform complete with an outdoor living area and a plunge pool
- Indulge in Mediterranean cuisine at Ayla restaurant
- Wake up to incredible views of the Arenal Volcano
- Embark on either of the two in-property hiking trails
- Rejuvenate your soul with a daily yoga session
Overview
Set in Costa Rica’s Arenal Volcano National Park, Nayara Tented Camp is one of the only luxury tented camps in Central America and the sister property to the nearby Nayara Springs and Nayara Gardens. The immediate proximity to the surrounding rainforest and impressive views of the volcano make a stay here a one-of-a-kind experience.
There are a total of 29 luxuriously appointed tents within the camp, each blending harmoniously with nature. The camp is also designed with families in mind, featuring six family tents. These include an outdoor living space which is complemented by an oversized plunge pool. Dive into the cooling water, invigorated by the natural hot springs’ embrace, and let your worries melt away in its serene waves.
Nayara Tented Camp is also home to the signature Nayara tent, a tranquil oasis on stilts complete with a private pool, along with two residences. With panoramic views of the volcano, the residences have plenty of indoor and outdoor entertainment space.
Savour modern Mediterranean dishes with a Middle Eastern touch at Ayla restaurant, located in an elegant tent with incredible views of the infinity pool, the rainforest and the majestic Arenal Volcano. Afterwards, enjoy traditional cocktails and spirits at Henry’s Bar next door.
Admire the breathtaking forest view from the terrace or seek out the additional plunge pools, which are surrounded by dense forest and fed by the same mineral hot springs. There are a plethora of experiences to embark on during your stay, such as whitewater rafting, canyoning, ziplining, canopy tours, volcano hikes or just spot the sloths that call this area home.
→ Find out moreArenal
Highlights
- 103 rooms and suites
- Two restaurants
- Four bars
- Swimming pool
- Spa
- Communal thermal springs
- Gym
Overview
Tabacon is a beautiful and serene luxury hotel, located at the foot of the majestic Arenal Volcano. It is set within 900 acres of lush, tropical grounds through which Costa’s Rica’s largest network of hot springs flows.
This rainforest retreat is tucked away on a winding road that climbs up from the small village of La Fortuna. There are 103 rooms and suites that look out over the rainforest and gardens. Decor is contemporary and elegant and feature artwork and furnishings from Costa Rican artists.
The River Tabacon feeds into waterfalls and warm pools lined with soft, black sand and guests staying at Tabacon will enjoy full use of the thermal mineral springs. The water is heated by the volcano and the temperature in the pools ranges between 72 and 105 degrees Fahrenheit. Head upstream and you’ll find the Shangri-La Gardens, an adult-only hideaway with six pools, cocoon-shaped cabanas and bar. The open-air spa offers a range of rejuvenating treatments, made all the more relaxing by the idyllic surroundings and sounds of the rainforest.
There are two restaurants offering a mix of Costa Rican and international cuisine, as well as four bars.
→ Find out moreArenal
Highlights
- 50 spacious bungalows and villas with private terraces and Jacuzzis
- Take your stay one step further with the serene Rainforest Pool Villa
- Enjoy Latin American and Spanish drinks at the Nostalgia Wine Bar
- Embark on experiences such as white-water rafting on the Sarapiqui River
- Cleanse your soul with a treatment at the clifftop spa
Overview
Nayara Gardens, the original property in the hilltop trio that also consists of Nayara Springs and Nayara Tented Camp, is a fitting choice for those looking for a private getaway in Arenal. Situated in the green valleys at the foot of the spectacular Arenal Volcano are Nayara Gardens’ 50 spacious and private casitas (bungalows) and villas.
Large screened windows open up allowing for plenty of natural light. The decor is a call to the wildlife of Costa Rica with lashings of tropical orange and the greens of encroaching foliage, along with dark wood furniture. Boasting expansive garden decks, the casitas are further adorned with hammocks or Jacuzzis where you can unwind to the melodies of the rainforest, making this property an ideal hideaway for those after a romantic retreat.
For the utmost luxury, enjoy a stay in the uniquely designed Rainforest Pool Villa. Here light drips in from almost every angle due to the villa’s octagonal layout, and the lush rainforest seems within touching distance from the wraparound balcony. Relax in the cooling waters of your own private plunge pool as you gaze out across to the Arenal Volcano.
When you aren’t indulging yourself in the luxuries of your casita, head down to any of the four restaurants in order to savour rich Costa Rican flavours. Nayara Gardens also hosts a plethora of experiences which you can embark on with a private guide. Whip across the top of the rainforest canopy on a zipline or rappel down the side of one of Arenal’s waterfalls.
Alternatively, make your way to the property’s spa for a massage, coffee scrub or a volcanic mud bath. Perched atop a cliff and overlooking the forest, it’s the ideal place to unwind and rejuvenate.
→ Find out moreArenal
Overview
This boutique hotel encompasses all things luxurious, with views overlooking the grand Arenal Volcano, beautiful villas and a state-of-the-art spa and yoga pavilion. Privacy is as well taken care of as luxury, sitting outside the Costa Rican town of La Fortuna, Nayara Springs provides the perfect amount of seclusion at around three hours from the capital, San Jose.
Each of the 35 villas is nestled among the floral gardens of the tropical rainforest and boasts its own personal pool, a spacious private garden with outdoor shower, a sumptuous four-poster bed, alongside both indoor and outdoor seating areas.
A rich array of natural wildlife awaits, and guests can enjoy it from their private terrace, or by taking a tour through the Arenal Volcano National Park. Guests can then unwind by indulging in a treatment at the spa, heading to the yoga pavilion or swimming pool, or enjoying a drink at the stylish piano bar.
Cuisine at Nayara Springs is served at the lovely poolside restaurant, Amor-Loco, where fresh fish, Latin American inspired sushi and organic home-grown vegetables all grace the menu.
→ Find out moreDuring your time in Arenal, there are a huge number of activities that we can arrange for you. There are adventure activities for the adrenalin junkies as well as options for those who want to enjoy the area at a more leisurely pace. Your travel designer will be able to guide you through the different options, so that you choose the excursions best suited to your interests.
Unwind completely with a visit to the natural, mineral-rich geothermal waters of Tabacon's hot springs. These pools are part of the largest network of mineral springs in Costa Rica. Find a secluded spot near one of the cascading waterfalls and soak yourself in the warm, mineral-rich waters to your heart's content.
Tonight you'll enjoy an an intimate dining experience and sit down to a customised menu prepared by a dedicated chef in a romantic, candlelit open‐air rainforest bungalow.
Arenal Lake is the largest and the most important lake in Costa Rica. It was man made in 1974 to provide hydroelectric energy for the country, and it is also a place where you can find different kinds of resident and migratory birds. Your tour starts at the dam and from there you will ride near the lake shores all the way to the volcano front areas where it is possible to see great panoramas when the colossus is clear and the lake is painted with the beautiful sunset colors.
This tour will take you where the birds are active during the afternoon as the day cools into evening. Together with your guide you will spot toucans, parrots, oropendolas, colourful tanagers and parakeets. Your expert guide will also look for royal flycatchers, white-fronted nun birds, cinnamon woodpeckers, and different species of heron.
Transfer
Private transfer to the Nicoya Peninsula
Nicoya Peninsula
Accommodation in Nicoya Peninsula
Nicoya Peninsula
Highlights
- Located in one of the world’s five Blue Zones
- Ninta bungalows with floor-to-ceiling glass doors that open to mesmerising ocean views
- Beachfront villas offering a private retreat for larger groups
- Restaurant serving traditional Tico cuisine
- Rejuvenating spa treatments that use local ingredients to create a serene wellness experience
Overview
Set in one of the world’s five Blue Zones, Nantipa, meaning ‘Blue’ in the native Chorotegan language, is a beachfront boutique hotel in the heart of Santa Teresa on the Nicoya Peninsula.
At Nantipa, every detail is designed to enhance your connection with nature and the ocean. The ‘Ninta’ bungalows, inspired by the Chorotegan word for ‘beach,’ include a spacious terrace, a private plunge pool and floor-to-ceiling glass doors that open to stunning ocean views.
The ‘Manti’ bungalows, inspired by the word for ‘tree,’ provide a tranquil retreat enveloped by a private garden and forest. Listen to the sounds of the forest as you lounge in a hammock or cool off in your private plunge pool. The indoor/outdoor shower lets you bathe in nature.
The ‘Nanku’ suites, named after the word for ‘home’, are designed to be your home away from home. Ideal for small families or groups, these suites feature a sleeping area with king or queen beds, a large living room with daybeds and a terrace or balcony that are perfect for unwinding after a day of adventures.
Nantipa also offers luxurious beachfront villas. These expansive villas are also deal for families or friends travelling together. With direct beach access and stunning views, they offer the ultimate in privacy and comfort, complete with access to all of Nantipa’s unmatched services.
The beachfront restaurant Manzú echoes the ancient Chorotegan palm thatched huts and offers a relaxed ambiance where the salty sea breeze mingles with the aromas of fresh, local ingredients. The international menu, infused with traditional Tico recipes and modern twists, invites you to savour the rich flavours of Costa Rica. Spa treatments, offered in open-air settings surrounded by lush palms or in the privacy of your bungalow, utilise local ingredients to rejuvenate your body and soul.
→ Find out moreNicoya Peninsula
Overview
A bona fide beachfront stay, you are but moments from the sand and surf of Santa Teresa at the Florblanca hotel.
Folded away into the jungle shoreline of Santa Teresa beach are Florblanca’s ten striking ‘open’ villas. Large and well decorated in a simple, clean and luxurious style with open-air sitting rooms at the front and bathrooms to the side, the hotel’s villas manage not to compromise your privacy and the feeling is intimate and romantic. The decor features natural stone and food, accentuating the feeling of being surrounded by lush vegetation.
Savour fresh, healthy, and locally grown food at Florblanca’s restaurant Nectar. The laid-back yet elegant restaurant specialises in farm-to-table and hook-to-fork philosophies, creating fusion cuisine with Latin, Mediterranean and Asian influences. Peruse the wine selection and discover a variety of exciting South American varietals as well as international vintages.
What’s more, Florblanca strives to offer guests an experience focused on overall ‘wellbeing’ – there are daily yoga and pilates classes, surf lessons and a great spa. There are many other activities in and around the area and the staff are helpful and friendly.
→ Find out moreNicoya Peninsula
Overview
Casa Chameleon is a luxurious retreat hotel in the town of Mal Pais, making it a suitable choice for honeymooners and those seeking a romantic retreat to the tropical, natural surroundings of the Nicoya Peninsula.
Each of the six, spacious villa rooms have an idyllic spot set against the mountainside and with floor to ceiling windows, guests can experience panoramic views of the verdant jungle and the shimmering Pacific Ocean. The villas are made from dark, Tamarind wood and feature private plunge pools, large bathrooms equipped with rain showers and spacious balconies where guests can sit and admire the breathtaking views. The decor has been inspired by the rich tastes of the modern explorer while also incorporating elements of the surrounding ecosystem.
Enjoy your breakfast either in the dining area or on your private balcony. Lunch is available all day in the lounge area poolside. Dinner is by request and requires reservations, as meals are prepared from scratch and the menus are created according to guests’ preferences. The chef’s team work’s closely with local farmers and fishermen to get the finest local produce.
Emerging from your villa, the Mal Pais experience awaits. Culture and adventure are steps away, and the hotel team are always keen to give their guests local tips tailored to the experience they’re after.
→ Find out moreTake some time to relax on some of Costa Rica's solitary, tropical beaches, take to the water on a surf board or enjoy a cultural tour. You may wish to go on a beach hike, which we can arrange with a private guide. Your travel designer will be able to recommend and arrange excursions to ensure that you make the most of your time here.
Explore the Nicoya Peninsula's mountains, jungle and beaches on this wonderfully scenic private horse riding tour. This will be one of your last chances to see Costa Rica's eco-diverse habitats, you enjoy the romantic journey through varied landscapes, lead by an expert guide.
Transfer
Private transfer to Tambor airport
Flight
Light aircraft flight to San Jose
We design private journeys for people who wish to go beyond the typical and experiencing something truly special. Our amazing team of travel designers, concierges and local guides work together to create unique journeys that get deep under the skin of where you’re visiting.