On arrival at Juan Santamaría International Airport, a representative from MARO Experiences will give you a warm welcome and accompany you on your private transfer to the hotel in San José. During the journey, you will be given general information about the trip and will have the opportunity to ask any questions before setting off on this unique adventure.
The first night will be the perfect time to rest and prepare to discover the true essence of Costa Rica.

Accommodation: Hotel Victoriano (standard room) or similar.

After breakfast, your driver will collect you from the hotel lobby to begin the journey to the Los Santos region, one of Costa Rica’s most unspoilt mountainous areas, situated on the route to the South Pacific. Renowned for its cool climate, stunning landscapes and fertile land, this area is famous for the production of high-altitude fruits such as Anna apples, Hass avocados, peaches and plums, as well as for its agricultural heritage and extraordinary natural beauty.

On arrival, you will stay at Sueños del Bosque, a cosy mountain hotel surrounded by nature, renowned for its family-friendly atmosphere and excellent traditional Costa Rican cuisine.

During the afternoon, you can enjoy the property’s private trails, which wind through the forest and lead to a picturesque suspension bridge. If you wish to continue exploring, you’ll have the opportunity to walk on your own to the community’s iconic waterfall, an ideal spot to enjoy the scenery and begin to connect with the tranquillity of the mountains.

Accommodation: Sueños del Bosque or similar.
Meals: Breakfast and dinner included.

At 8.30 am, you will meet your guide, who will accompany you on this hiking adventure, setting off from San Gerardo de Dota towards the rural community of Providencia de Dota. Before setting off on this adventure, your luggage will be sent by private transport to your accommodation in the rural community of Providencia de Dota.

You will be walking approximately 12 kilometres between two communities surrounded by nature and beautiful landscapes. The trail is easy to follow thanks to its excellent condition and the presence of a suspension bridge over the River Savegre. You will be able to observe secondary and primary forest at different altitudes, making this a route with ample opportunities to spot wildlife. There will be time for breaks and to chat with your guide. You will stop for lunch at Rivera Lodge or at your homestay, where you will spend the night and have dinner.

Hike difficulty: Considered moderate in intensity, descending from 2,200 metres above sea level to 1,700 metres, with a cool and pleasant climate.
Accommodation at Cabinas Colibrí or a homestay
Meals: Full board.

After breakfast, your local guide will arrive to take you on a beautiful walk to the Divina Providencia waterfall – a route through blackberry plantations, grasslands, and secondary and primary high-altitude forest, mostly oak groves, edible and medicinal fungi, and edible palm species that are the flagship species of Los Quetzales National Park. The river is teeming with life and the incredible waterfall fills visitors with a sense of peace. Lunch at your leisure.

In the afternoon, you’ll enjoy an artisanal coffee tour with the Calderón Agüero family, who possess a wealth of knowledge about the traditional coffee-making process. Here you’ll learn how our grandparents used to make their coffee in the courtyard of their home and how they passed this tradition down to their family. As well as being excellent hosts, Ana and Enrique will ensure you have a thoroughly enjoyable time, sharing stories from their lives and the soothing sound of their guitar whilst you savour a fine cup of coffee.

Accommodation with a local family
Meals: Full board

Breakfast at 5.30 am in Providencia de Dota, followed by departure at 6.30 am on community transport to Cerro Voltas, the starting point of the hike. The route covers approximately 14 kilometres through primary and secondary forests, mainly oak, offering a view of the Central Pacific like few others, and taking in the two cleanest river basins in Central America. In addition, the guides will recount the mysteries of the area’s natural environment and legends of the pioneers.

This hike takes approximately 7 to 8 hours.
Approximate altitude: 1,745 to 1,100 metres above sea level
Lunch en route, wrapped in a banana leaf.

Betania is situated at an altitude of 900 metres above sea level, with temperatures ranging between 18° and 25°. It is a two-storey mansion set in a meadow in the middle of the forest and surrounded by mountains. At dawn, the view of the forest is spectacular, accompanied by the sound of birds all around!

Accommodation at Betania Lodge: this accommodation consists of indoor tents with mattresses, a platform and shared bathrooms.

On this day, you will not have access to your suitcases due to the nature of the site, so you must bring a rucksack with your personal belongings, as your suitcases will not be available until the 5th in San Isidro de Dota.

Accommodation: Betania Lodge
Meals: Full board

Breakfast at 5.30 am, followed by the start of the walk at 7.30 am towards San Isidro de Dota.
This trek covers a distance of 7 kilometres and takes approximately 4 to 5 hours.

Arrival in San Isidro de Dota at approximately 11.30 am at the guesthouse called Rancho Tinamú, where you will spend part of the day and evening with the Parra family, who are very welcoming and friendly. Perhaps in the evening, Mr Santiago will play a little music for you on his guitar – he is very well known for his playing.

The accommodation has no electricity or hot water, but it does have private or shared bathrooms, bunk beds and blankets. You will have lunch, dinner and breakfast here.

Altitude: 1,008 to 600 and 830 metres above sea level.

Upon arrival at your accommodation, you will find your luggage waiting for you.

Accommodation: Rancho Tinamú
Meals: Full board

Breakfast at 5.30 am, followed by the start of the hike at 6.30 am towards Quebrada Arroyo, a rural community where you will stay at a guesthouse called Los Campesinos, a place renowned for its views of a stunning waterfall. The afternoon is free for you to enjoy the area.
This trek covers a distance of 18 kilometres and takes 7 to 8 hours.

Altitude: 830 to 250 metres above sea level

Accommodation at Los Campesinos.
Meals: Full board.

After breakfast, you will enjoy a walk along a trail through the vanilla plantation, lasting approximately 2 hours. You will be given an explanation of how the crop is planted, maintained and pollinated, as well as the harvesting and drying processes.
You will then be taken by private transport to Manuel Antonio, to your hotel.

Accommodation at the Tabulia Hotel or similar
Meals: Breakfast

After breakfast, you’ll have a free day to relax and explore at your own pace.

You can make the most of the hotel’s facilities, relax on the beautiful beaches of Manuel Antonio or, if you wish, visit Manuel Antonio National Park, one of Costa Rica’s most iconic destinations, renowned for its lush tropical forest, abundant wildlife and white sandy beaches lapped by the Pacific Ocean.

This day will allow you to enjoy the perfect balance of nature, relaxation and unforgettable scenery.

Accommodation: Hotel Tabulia or similar.
Meals: Breakfast.

After breakfast, you will continue your adventure with a private transfer to the Tenorio region, a destination renowned for its stunning natural beauty and the famous Río Celeste, considered one of Costa Rica’s most spectacular landscapes.

Set in a rural setting surrounded by forests, mountains and small farming communities, this region offers a peaceful and authentic atmosphere, ideal for those wishing to connect with nature and discover a more authentic side of Costa Rica. On arrival, you’ll have time to settle in and enjoy the surroundings that will be your backdrop for the next few days.

Accommodation: Casitas Tenorio or similar
Meals: Breakfast

After breakfast, your guide will meet you in the hotel lobby to take you by private transport to Tenorio Volcano National Park, home to the famous Río Celeste, one of Costa Rica’s most stunning natural landscapes.

During the walk, you’ll follow trails surrounded by lush tropical forest whilst discovering the park’s main attractions, including the spectacular Río Celeste Waterfall, the Blue Lagoon, the bubbling hot springs and the spot known as Los Teñideros, where two rivers converge to create the distinctive turquoise colour for which this destination is famous.

This moderately difficult hike will allow you to enjoy the region’s natural riches and observe the flora and fauna typical of the rainforest.

At the end of the experience, you’ll share a lunch at a typical local restaurant, where you’ll also have the opportunity to chat with your hosts and learn a little more about the life and traditions of this rural community. Afterwards, you’ll return to the hotel to enjoy a relaxing afternoon.

Accommodation: Casitas Tenorio or similar
Meals: Breakfast and lunch.

After breakfast, you will continue your journey by private transport to La Fortuna, home to the imposing Arenal Volcano, one of Costa Rica’s most famous natural landmarks. Weather permitting, during the journey you will be able to enjoy spectacular views of this majestic colossus that dominates the landscape.
You will be staying at Miradas Arenal, a charming family-run hotel where you can experience authentic Costa Rican hospitality. The estate maintains a dairy-farming tradition that has been passed down through the generations, so many of the products you will enjoy during your stay, such as milk and cheese, are handmade on the farm.

In addition to its comfortable facilities, the hotel features natural hot-spring pools, ideal for relaxing after your journey whilst taking in the beauty of the surroundings.
For those wishing to go on an additional walk, the hotel offers, free of charge, a trail leading to a natural viewpoint with spectacular views of the Arenal Volcano and the surrounding landscapes.

The walk ends at the farm’s dairy, where you can learn about this traditional activity first-hand. This experience must be arranged in advance at reception for the following day.

Accommodation: Miradas Arenal or similar
Meals: Breakfast.

After breakfast, at around 9.30 am, you will set off for the community of Juanilama, a community-based rural tourism project where you will enjoy an authentic experience alongside local families.

The day will begin with a guided walk through the Juanilama Reserve, a forest teeming with biodiversity where you’ll discover the region’s flora and fauna whilst exploring nature trails leading to a beautiful waterfall. Those who wish can enjoy a refreshing dip in its crystal-clear waters before sharing a delicious snack made with fresh, seasonal fruit.

Later, you’ll be welcomed by Doña Guiselle, who’ll open the doors of her home to share one of the most representative traditions of Costa Rican culture. During a hands-on cookery class, you’ll learn to prepare a traditional lunch using local ingredients and a wood-fired stove, enjoying a culinary experience full of flavour, history and hospitality.

In the afternoon, you can choose between two cultural experiences:
• Handmade soap-making workshop, where you’ll learn traditional techniques using natural ingredients.
• Farmer’s tour, a visit to the farm to learn about the community’s crops and sample fresh produce such as pineapple, cassava and seasonal fruit, whilst getting a first-hand insight into the Costa Rican rural way of life.

At the end of the day, you’ll return to La Fortuna to enjoy a relaxing afternoon at the hotel.

Accommodation: Miradas Arenal or similar
Meals: Breakfast and lunch

After breakfast, you will begin your return journey to San José, travelling through the varied landscapes of Costa Rica’s Central Valley. During the journey, you’ll be able to appreciate the changing scenery, from the mountains and forests of the La Fortuna region to the agricultural and urban areas surrounding the capital.

This will be your last night in Costa Rica, the perfect time to relax and enjoy your final moments in the country before returning home.

Accommodation: Hotel Victorian or similar
Meals: Breakfast

After breakfast, your private transport will take you to Juan Santamaría International Airport for your flight home.

And so ends an experience brimming with nature, culture, adventure and authentic encounters that has allowed you to discover the true essence of Costa Rica.

Meals: Breakfast included.

“Thank you for exploring Costa Rica with us.
We take with us the joy of having shared its landscapes, its flavours and the stories of its people. We look forward to welcoming you back to discover new corners of the land of Pura Vida together.”