Once you’ve touched down to San Jose, you’ll be warmly welcomed by your driver and taken to your accommodation. After arrival to the romantic and intimate Xandari Resort & Spa situated high above the Central Valley forests in Alajuela on the outskirts of San José relaxation starts. The Xandari Resort & Spa ensures that your stay is no less than spectacular. With its spacious individually designed tropical villas surrounded by picturesque, manicured gardens, and amazing views over Costa Rica’s capital city San José, it is a favorite among honeymooners as well as families.

In the evening we recommend you treat yourself to a candlelit dinner while enjoying the amazing views over the illuminated city in the distance.
Included: Private transfer from San Jose airport to the hotel around Alajuela, Accommodation around Alajuela (Meals – None).
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Today you will get to explore an active volcano and discover hidden waterfalls. After breakfast and an aromatic fresh cup of Costa Rican coffee, your private transfer and driver will pick you up from the Xandari Resort for your journey to the Poas Volcano. While ascending, you’ll notice a change in both the temperature and flora as you enter the diverse cloud forest that surrounds the Poas Volcano.

The Poas Volcano is considered one of the largest active craters in the world, about 1 mile (1.6 km) wide and 1,050 ft. (320 m.) deep, with frequent geyser-like eruptions. You can go right up to the edge and when the mist and clouds part, you’ll be able to see the bubbling, green rain fed lake at the bottom, surrounded by billowing smoke, listening to the hiss of sulfur and steam rising from fumaroles. This is a once in a lifetime experience!
After visiting the volcano, your trip will continue to the lush and more colorful Caribbean side of the volcano, where you will stop at the famous La Paz Waterfall Gardens. Here you will walk along the numerous nature trails through this nature park and all of which lead you to hidden waterfalls. Our favorite is the White Magic Waterfall which is without a doubt the most spectacular in this area and like something out of a fairytale. Inside the park, you will also visit the largest butterfly observatory in the country that is known as the House of Collections of Tropical Jewels. The park provides you with a great introduction to Costa Rica’s wildlife as you’ll visit the impressive hummingbird gallery, serpentarium, tropical birdhouse and, the Costa Rican wild cat and frog exhibits. Once you’ve finished walking through this stunning nature park, you’ll have a delicious buffet-style lunch before beginning the journey back to san Jose.
Included: Full Day Poas Volcano & La Paz Waterfall Gardens tour with private transfer and Entrance fee, Accommodation around Alajuela (Meals – Breakfast, Lunch).
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View Travel Guide for Manuel Antonio
Leaving the Central Valley behind, you will continue your journey to Manuel Antonio, the drive is approximately 4 hours long. Situated high above the diverse National Park and pristine beaches, Manuel Antonio is famed for its endless ocean views and lush tropical forests with numerous wildlife. Between the main town of Quepos and the Manuel Antonio National Park are a number of hotels and entertainment venues. Just down the road, you can find world-class beaches where you can enjoy swimming, hiking trails, places to go surfing, kayaking, whitewater rafting, zip-lining,
and of course miles of beaches to relax on and watch the sunset. Before kicking off your sandals and running along the beach, all we ask is that you get settled into your accommodation first! The rest of the day is free to spend at leisure and tonight you can go out to a few of the lively local bars where you can enjoy an Imperial or two (the best local beer in our opinion!).
Included: Private Transfer from around Alajuela to Manuel Antonio, Accommodation in Manuel Antonio (Meals – Breakfast).
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After breakfast, you will be picked up from your accommodation and taken to the local Quepos dock in town where you’ll climb into your ocean kayak. Accompanied by a local guide who will explain the history of the region and point out marine life and places of interest, you’ll paddle your way along the beautiful Pacific Coast with its uninhabited islands and deserted beaches. Stopping for a break at the secluded beach of Bisanz situated in a paradisiacal bay, you will begin an underwater adventure
as you swap your paddles for your snorkeling gear. This is a great spot to snorkel as there are dozens of types of tropical fish to see. In the tropical waters, you are most likely to spot parrotfish, starfish, angelfish, and if you are lucky a sea turtle or two!
You’ll begin your journey back to Quepos dock in Manuel Antonio where upon arrival you’ll enjoy a typical, local Costa Rican lunch. This is a challenging yet rewarding and unforgettable experience as it introduces you to the best of the region’s nature both above and below the ocean’s surface; from pelicans to flying fish, you can see it all! Your transfer will take you back to your hotel where you will have the rest of the day to enjoy the beach on your own.
Note: the minimum age for the Sea Kayaking is 10 years old and the maximum age is 65 years old and requires good physical condition.
Included: Half Day Sea Kayaking Manuel Antonio Coast and snorkeling in Group service with Transfer, Accommodation in Manuel Antonio (Meals – Breakfast, Lunch).
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Today is left free for you to choose your activity, either exploring on your own or booking an optional excursion. The Manuel Antonio National Park is known for its pristine white-sand beaches, hidden coves and forest trails and visiting this park cannot be missed. Here you can encounter toucans, two-and three-toed sloths, raccoons, coatis, snakes and various species of monkeys. This is almost the only place where the rare squirrel monkeys still exist in the wild!
At the entrance to the park you can book a walking tour with a nature guide who will help you spot wildlife and take photos at long range with a special telescope.
Tip: you can explore the Manuel Antonio National Park very easily on your own; there are guides at the entrance in case you would like to go with a guide. The park fee is about USD 16. Please note the park is closed on Mondays.
Included: Accommodation in Manuel Antonio (Meals – Breakfast).
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Today you will travel to one of the most beautiful places on the planet; the Osa Peninsula. Located on the Pacific side of Costa Rica, the Osa Peninsula is home to 2.5% of the world’s biodiversity and is one of the last remaining tropical-humid rainforests on the planet.

You will be picked up at your hotel in Manuel Antonio and continue your journey to Puerto Jimenez the drive is approximately 5 hours long. As you get closer to the Southern Pacific Coast,
you’ll wind your way along the Peninsula and arrive in the sleepy port town of Puerto Jimenez situated on the intersection of the Golfo Dulce and the vast Pacific Ocean. Puerto Jimenez is the gateway into the wild and beautiful Osa Peninsula as well as the Corcovado National Park, which was recognized by the National Geographic Society as “one of the most biologically intense places on Earth!” From Puerto Jimenez you’ll travel by 4×4 crossing some rivers until you arrive at the El Remanso Eco-Lodge in the heart of this incredible natural haven. The comfortable eco-lodge of El Remanso is a destination in itself and sits on the southern side of the Osa Peninsula, surrounded by 75 acres (30 hectares) of private primary tropical rainforest with fantastic views of the Pacific Ocean.
Bordering the famous Corcovado National Park, the Lodge has the highest rating for sustainable tourism in the country. Its ethics are impeccable, which is one of the reasons why we love it so much. The other is that you cannot help but leave completely recharged and relaxed. The lodge offers great, in-depth excursions, so you’ll be kept entertained during the day with several great outdoor excursions and in the evenings, you’ll be able to enjoy fantastic food and the peace and tranquility of the lodge’s location.
After settling in or taking a hike to the nearby beach, you’ll enjoy a guided nocturnal nature walk where you’ll be taken to the best places near the lodge to spot the different types of nocturnal mammals, insects, amphibians and reptiles. As you’ll be in relative darkness your senses will become attuned to the sounds and scents of your surroundings, giving you an unforgettable introduction to the Osa Peninsula. Returning to the Lodge you’ll be served an excellent three course meal after which the rest of the evening is free to spend relaxing before you fall asleep to the sounds of the rainforest around you.
Included: Private Transfer from Manuel Antonio to Puerto Jimenez, Guided night hike in group service, Accommodation in a stunning lodge (Meals – Breakfast, Dinner).
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After a good night’s rest, you’ll be greeted by a new day through the sounds of howler monkeys and exotic birds in this tropical paradise. Over in the main lodge coffee and a delicious breakfast are served. You’ll be sure to fall in love with the morning views from the rainforest canopy restaurant and you’ll often see monkeys and Scarlet Macaws before you’re even able to take your first sip of coffee. After breakfast you’ll go on one of the lodge’s most popular adventure tours; waterfall rappelling through the jungle.
Enjoying panoramic views with the sound of the rushing river in the background you’ll rappel down waterfalls on a thrilling adventure.
After lunch, you can relax at the lodge, on the beach, or take an optional excursion, such as the dolphin tour or kayaking. Following dinner head to the lounge bar where visiting biologists will often go for a drink after a day of research. They are great to talk to and will often share interesting stories about local conservation projects and wildlife. For those people not interested in rappelling, there are other activities such as hiking and bird or mammal spotting.
Included: Half Day Waterfall Rappelling in group service (or alternative on-site excursion in regular service), Accommodation a stunning lodge (Meals – Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner).
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Today you’ll take a 2-hour nature hike with an expert naturalist guide to get to know the fascinating wildlife of the region. This is one of the best places in the country to see wildlife, and as you walk through ancient forests you can expect to see colorful, tropical birds and all manner of mammals, such as peccaries, coatis, agoutis, tayras, kinkajous, sloths, armadillos, anteaters, and of course monkeys. Though notoriously elusive, there are even quite regular sightings of pumas and ocelots! Some of our favorites are the colorful dart frogs and butterflies.
After lunch the rest of the day is free for whatever mood takes you. After hiking all morning, we opted for relaxing at the spring-water pool, a massage and a fresh fruit smoothie followed by a tropical sunset cocktail or two.
Included Tours: 2hr Guided Hike in the rainforest in group service with English speaking guide. Accommodation in a stunning lodge (Meals – Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner).

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After breakfast, you’ll be picked up from the lodge to the nearby town of Puerto Jimenez. From there, you will board your domestic flight back to the Central Valley (flight is not included). Once you’ve touched down to San Jose (SJO), you’ll be warmly welcomed by your driver and taken to your accommodation. Having settled in, you will be able to relax and enjoy the facilities of your hotel.

In the evening we recommend you treat yourself to a candlelit dinner while enjoying the amazing views over the illuminated city in the distance.
Included: Transfer from Puerto Jimenez lodge to the local airport, Private Transfer from San Jose Airport to Outskirts San Jose hotel, Accommodation in San Jose. (Meals – Breakfast).
Not included: Domestic Flight.
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After breakfast, you have the morning to enjoy and relax. Upon departure, your private transfer will pick you up from your hotel and take you to San Jose’s International Airport, where you will board your flight back home. We wish you a pleasant flight and great memories of Costa Rica.
Included: Private transfer from outskirt San Jose hotel to San Jose Airport (Meals – Breakfast (depending on your flight).