Costa Rica's Rainforests, Volcanoes and Beaches in 15 days

Today you’ll fly from Gatwick to San Jose in Costa Rica, where on arrival your driver will meet you at the airport and take you to your hotel.San Jose is Costa Rica’s capital and the largest city in the country. It has many main attractions like the National Theatre, the Gold and Jade Museums, shopping malls, fabulous restaurants, art exhibits and the opera.

This morning you will be picked up by your driver and taken to Sarapiqui, which is still a relatively unknown destination. Boasting an amazing amount of biodiversity, it should be on every nature lover’s list!It’s the perfect place if you enjoy spending time outdoors, hiking, horseback riding, birdwatching, white-water rafting, or kayaking.

What makes Sarapiqui so unique is that it sits at a relatively low elevation, and several large rivers converge in Puerto Viejo de Sarapiqui. Around these rivers, you can find a mixture of farmland and protected tropical forest. We recommend visiting Tirimbina, a biological reserve and research centre.You will also have an easily-accessed network of trails, as well as an impressive huge hanging bridge that stretches around 200 meters (650 feet) over the raging Sarapiqui River and has a spiral staircase halfway across that leads down to a small jungle-covered island.

Your next stop is La Fortuna, home to Costa Rica’s most iconic volcano with its perfect conical shaped top.Covered by dense forests on its lower slopes and foothills, the area is rugged and rich with wildlife and offers plenty of interesting outdoor activities.

There is so much to do in the Arenal area, here’s a selection of the activities we recommend:-Indulge yourself and soak in a volcano-heated hot spring at the Grand Spa at the Tabacon Resort, where treatments like the chocolate body wrap and the couples’ two-hour massage use locally-made products and end with champagne and fresh fruit. For a full day of pampering, request the spa package, which includes access to the thermal baths, lunch or dinner.– Hike down to Catarata de la Fortuna, a magnificent waterfall, plummeting nearly 250 feet into a freshwater pool.– Spot wildlife such as hummingbirds, macaws, toucans, howler monkeys, sea turtles, caiman and sloths in the 25,000-acre Cano Negro National Wildlife Refuge.– Visit the Mistico Arenal Hanging Bridges, where a series of trails and bridges form a loop through the primary rain forest of a 250-acre private reserve. Great for birdwatching and volcano viewing.– Have an action-packed day with adventures such zip wires, nature walks, tubing and white-water rafting.– Drink freshly brewed Costa Rican coffee whilst visiting a local coffee plantation.-See how chocolate is made on a visit to a local cocoa plantation.

Today it is on to Monteverde, a startling haven for all that is living and natural.The village of Monteverde is also a dairy farming community that makes some of the best cheeses in Costa Rica so, if this is your thing, do remember to try out these delicious local delights too.A visit to the Monteverde Cloud Forest Reserve is a must and will make you feel at one with nature. Located in the Cordillera de Tilaran, it is one of Costa Rica’s top ecotourism destinations with some of the most spectacular wildlife sanctuaries and nature reserves in the world.With an elevation varying from 600 meters to 1800 meters above sea level, it is home to some of the most endangered species on the planet. It currently supports around 2,000 species of plants and trees, 400 birds, 100 mammals and around 1,200 amphibians and reptiles as well as hundreds of unique species of ferns and orchids.If you’re a birder you’re in for a treat as birds are one of the main attractions in the Monteverde Cloud Forest Reserve. Some of the famed birds found in the cloud forest include the Bare-Necked Umbrella bird, the endangered Three-Wattled Bellbird, Quetzals and over 30 species of hummingbird.For a completely unique experience – and to discover and hear different species – you shouldn’t miss out on a night walk. Monteverde is one of the best places to do this.

Why not go on a nature tour today? These optional tours are available for seasoned nature lovers and first-time nature explorers alike.There is even a special private birding tour if you’re interested in learning more about these famous flying species.However you choose to explore, the hanging bridges and trails are brilliant for hiking, spotting flora and fauna, and just admiring the views.As the village sits quite high up in the Tilaran Mountain Range the weather here is quite chilly and misty, so do bring warm layers and a light jacket. Any mist only adds to the atmosphere – this is a lovely, peaceful place perfect for those who enjoy nature.

Continue to Rincon de la Vieja National Park which sits in the northeast of the country in an area of the Guanacaste province where the flat plains meet the jungle-covered mountains. During the drier times of the year the area remains green and vibrant and, because there is more vegetation, there are better chances to spot wildlife and flora.The national flower of Costa Rica – the Guaria Morada orchid – is found in abundance here, and the impressive array of animals and birds that call this park home include the Spider Monkey, Blue-Crowned Motmot, Emerald Toucanet, Jaguar, Cougar and Tapir.You can also see many different volcanic elements along the edges of the trails, such as active steam vents and bubbling mud pots. There’s so much to see here!**Note that the Rincon de la Vieja National Park is closed on Mondays.

Another day to immerse yourself in the fantastic scenery – beautiful waterfalls, soothing hot springs, boiling mud pits, and a freshwater volcanic lagoon. With all this plus picnic areas and long, winding trails, Rincon de la Vieja National Park is a paradise for hikers.There’s plenty of other activities to do here too, varying from tubing to horse-riding.

Your last stop before you head home is Tamarindo with its glorious beaches and outstanding surfing opportunities for beginners, intermediate and experienced surfers.

Over the next two days you could chill out at the beach, do a bit of surfing, or perhaps even go on a sportfishing tour where you’ll get the chance to catch Sailfish, Yellow Fin Tuna and Dorado.Night owl? In the evenings, stay up late and watch the majestic leatherback turtles nest at Playa Grande. Early bird? Get up early and enjoy a birdwatching tour as the birds begin to go about their days too. Other activities you can do here include kayaking, snorkelling, and horseback riding along beautiful beaches.

Today your driver will take you back to San Jose where you’ll spend one last night in Costa Rica.

With a suitcase full of memories you will be picked up by your driver and taken to the airport for your flight home.