Costa Rica with nature
An authentic journey through rural communities, lush nature, and Costa Rican traditions
- San José
- Sarapiquí
- Santa Rosa de Pocosol
- Zapotal de Miramar
- San José
Introduction:
Discover the most authentic essence of Costa Rica on a journey designed to connect you with nature, traditions, and the people who make this country unique. Throughout this experience, you will travel through rural communities far from the conventional tourist routes, where you will be welcomed by local families who will share their culture, customs, and way of life.
From lush tropical forests and sustainable farms to mountains covered with cloud forest, this itinerary combines breathtaking landscapes, enriching cultural experiences, and a deep commitment to responsible tourism. You will have the opportunity to participate in traditional activities such as cow milking, dairy product making, the artisanal production of tapa dulce, sustainable handicraft workshops using recycled materials, and Costa Rican traditional cooking classes.
More than just a journey, this is an invitation to experience Costa Rica from an authentic and personal perspective, supporting local communities that have found in sustainable tourism a way to preserve their natural and cultural heritage. Every encounter, every landscape, and every experience will allow you to discover the true meaning of Costa Rica’s famous philosophy: Pura Vida.
Prepare yourself for an unforgettable adventure where hospitality, nature, and culture come together to create memories that will last a lifetime.
Accommodation:
- 1 night in San José – Hotel Victoriano or similar. Breakfast included (Standard Room)
- 1 night in Sarapiquí – Finca Sura. Breakfast and dinner included (Private cabin with private bathroom)
- 2 nights in Santa Rosa Pocosol – Juanilama. Half board (Family home or private cabin)
- 2 nights in Zapotal de Miramar – Las Orquídeas. Three meals included (Private cabin)
- 1 night in San José – Hotel Victoriano or similar. Breakfast included (Standard Room)
Tours:
- Farm Tour at Finca Sura.
- Sustainable handicraft workshop, Juanilama.
- Cooking class, Juanilama.
- Cow milking tour, Juanilama.
- Dance lessons, Juanilama.
- Cloud forest hike and traditional sugar mill tour.
- Hike to Jabonal Waterfall.
Transfers:
- Airport to hotel transfer on arrival day.
- Hotel to airport transfer on departure day.











Itinerary
- Day 1 | Welcome to Costa Rica’s Natural Paradise!
- Day 2 | From San José to Sarapiquí: A Journey into Rural Life
- Day 3 | Sustainable Experience and the Juanilama Community
- Day 4 | Rural Traditions and Local Culture in Juanilama
- Day 5 | From Juanilama to Zapotal de Miramar
- Day 6 | Cloud Forest and Traditional Sugar Mill Experience
- Day 7 | Jabonal Waterfall and Return to San José
- Day 8 | Until Next Time, Costa Rica
Upon your arrival at Juan Santamaría International Airport, a MARO Experiences representative will warmly welcome you and accompany you on your private transfer to your hotel in San José. During the journey, you will receive general information about the trip and have the opportunity to ask any questions before beginning this unique adventure.
Your first night will be the perfect opportunity to rest and prepare to discover the authentic essence of Costa Rica.
- Accommodation: Hotel Victoriano (Standard Room) or similar.
After breakfast, you will receive your rental vehicle and begin your journey to the lush region of Sarapiquí, one of the most biodiverse areas in the country.
Surrounded by tropical forests, rivers, and plantations, this region offers a genuine connection with nature and Costa Rican rural life.
Upon arrival, you will be welcomed by the Gómez family at their sustainable farm, where you will enjoy an authentic cultural exchange experience. During dinner, you will learn about the local traditions, the family’s history, and experience the warm hospitality that characterizes Costa Rica’s rural communities.
- Accommodation: Finca Sura – Private cabin with private bathroom.
- Meals included: Breakfast and dinner
The morning begins with a guided visit to a 100% sustainable family farm, where you will walk along trails surrounded by tropical forest and organic crops.
During the experience, you will harvest sugarcane and taste its freshly extracted juice, sample seasonal tropical fruits directly from the trees, and observe birds, butterflies, and frogs in their natural habitat.
You will also visit the pineapple plantation, where you will learn about sustainable farming methods and have the opportunity to plant a pineapple plant or a tree as a contribution to environmental conservation.
Afterward, you will continue to the rural community of Juanilama, located in the mountains near Arenal Volcano. There, you will be welcomed by members of the community, who will share their way of life and traditions with you.
In the afternoon, you will participate in a sustainable handicraft workshop, learning how to transform recycled materials into useful and decorative objects. As evening falls, you will enjoy a fun traditional Costa Rican cooking class, where you will prepare your own dinner using local recipes.
- Accommodation: Family home or private cabin in Juanilama.
- Meals included: Breakfast and dinner
After breakfast, you will enjoy an authentic rural experience alongside a local dairy farmer. The activity begins with an introduction to the history of the region, its cattle-raising traditions, and the processes used to produce high-quality milk.
During the tour, you will visit the cattle pens and learn how the livestock is fed. You will then actively participate in the farm’s daily activities, guiding the animals from the pastures and learning traditional hand-milking techniques. You will also have the opportunity to feed the calves and gain a close insight into the daily life of local farming families.
The experience continues with a practical demonstration of how milk is transformed into a variety of artisanal products, including traditional cheeses, natilla (Costa Rican sour cream), and yogurt.
In the afternoon, you will have free time to explore the area on your own. Optionally, you may visit La Fortuna and the majestic Arenal Volcano, one of Costa Rica’s most impressive natural icons.
Upon returning to the community, you will enjoy a delicious dinner and end the day with a fun dance class led by a local instructor, where you will learn the basic steps of Latin American rhythms such as salsa and cumbia.
- Accommodation: Family home or private cabin in Juanilama.
- Meals included: Breakfast and dinner
After breakfast, you will begin your journey to the rural community of Zapotal de Miramar, located in the mountains of Costa Rica’s Central Pacific region.
With a population of approximately one hundred inhabitants, Zapotal is an ideal destination for those seeking to disconnect from conventional tourism and immerse themselves in the tranquility of rural life. Surrounded by lush vegetation and enjoying a cool climate similar to that of Monteverde, this small community keeps the region’s agricultural and cattle-ranching traditions alive.
Upon arrival, you will be welcomed by your local hosts, who will receive you at Posada Rural Las Orquídeas. After settling in, you may enjoy a walk along the property’s trails, exploring the natural landscapes that characterize this beautiful mountainous area.
- Accommodation: Posada Rural Las Orquídeas.
- Meals included: Breakfast and dinner
The day begins with a guided hike to a private cloud forest reserve, one of Costa Rica’s most fascinating and biodiverse ecosystems.
During the hike, you will enjoy breathtaking panoramic views, observe a variety of bird species, and walk along trails beside the crystal-clear Jabonal River. Along the way, you will come across a small natural lagoon where, with a bit of luck, you may spot tapir tracks, one of the most emblematic mammals of the tropical forest.
After this nature experience, you will visit a traditional sugar mill with more than one hundred years of history, where you will discover one of the most representative artisanal traditions of Costa Rican culture.
The experience begins in the sugarcane fields, where you will learn about the selection and harvesting of sugarcane. You will then participate in transporting the harvest by ox-drawn cart to the sugar mill.
There, you will discover, step by step, the process of producing fresh sugarcane juice and the traditional tapa dulce. You will also visit an organic garden to harvest fresh ingredients that will be used to prepare the lunch served during the activity.
An authentic experience that combines culture, gastronomy, and rural tradition.
- Accommodation: Posada Rural Las Orquídeas.
- Meals included: Breakfast, lunch, and dinner
After breakfast, you will enjoy a moderate-level hike to the beautiful Jabonal Waterfall.
The trail passes through areas of primary and secondary forest, following the course of the Jabonal River and offering an excellent opportunity to observe the region’s rich natural environment. During the hike, you will also visit the oldest bridge in the community, a historic structure over one hundred years old that once served as a connection between the towns of San Ramón and Miramar.
The reward at the end of the trail is the impressive Jabonal Waterfall, a cascade approximately 20 meters high surrounded by lush vegetation. There, you will enjoy a light snack before returning to the community.
Afterward, you will begin your journey back to San José to enjoy your final night in Costa Rica.
- Accommodation: Hotel Victoriano (Standard Room) or similar.
- Meals included: Breakfast
After breakfast, and according to the schedule of your international flight, you will return your rental vehicle at the rental company’s offices located near Juan Santamaría International Airport. From there, you will be provided with a transfer to the airport to board your return flight.
This unforgettable experience comes to an end, having allowed you to discover the authentic Costa Rica through its landscapes, traditions, and rural communities.
End of our services.
Meals included: Breakfast