ESSENTIAL COSTA RICA

Day 1 Arrive San José

Arrive in Costa Rica. You are met and transferred to the Hotel Grano de Oro. A traditional and homely hotel, converted from a grand mansion, no two rooms are the same but all have the charm and character of a bygone era.

Overnight: Grano de Oro

Day 2 Tortuguero

You'll be driven back to the airport for a 20 minute flight to Tortuguero on the Caribbean coast. The national park covers 51,870 acres and is the region's major Atlantic Green Turtle nesting site. During your stay, you will have the opportunity to learn about the measures being taken to protect this endangered species. Tortuga Lodge is by far the best in the reserve, with a wonderful riverside restaurant and pool, and light, spacious rooms. Boat trips will allow you to explore the waterways and provide excellent opportunities to view the incredible variety of birds, monkeys, sloths, river otters and reptiles.

Overnight: Tortuga Lodge

Day 3 Tortuguero

An early morning departure to see the rainforest at one of its most active times of day is recommended. The trip will last 3 hours, and you'll return to the lodge for lunch and an afternoon siesta.

Overnight: Tortuga Lodge

Day 4 Siquirres

After breakfast, a speed boat will whisk you off along channels and canals for approximately an hour to the vehicle rendezvous point at La Pavona. It is then a 2-3 hour drive through banana plantations, pastureland and dramatic rainforest clad mountains to the small settlement of Santa Marta where you will board a 4WD through dense rainforest to the Pacuare River. After a novel arrival you can settle into your cosy rainforest casita.

Overnight: Pacuare Lodge

Day 5 Pacuare

Pacuare Lodge has the most beautiful and peaceful setting one could imagine, providing a complete immersion with plenty of home comforts. The owners and managers, Roberto and Luz Fernandez, spend a considerable amount of time at the lodge ensuring its smooth operation and their attention to detail is evident everywhere. There's plenty to enjoy during your free day at the lodge, from gently strolling through the grounds, bird guide in hand, to an exhilarating zip wire ride through the canopy. There is no electricity in the casitas, so once night falls you'll be guided by lanterns.

Overnight: Pacuare Lodge

Day 6 Pacuare

Today there's the chance to enjoy a 4-5 hour white water raft journey on one of the world's most scenic and pristine rivers. Class III-IV rapids will carry you through tropical Atlantic rainforest and spectacular canyons rising sheer on either side. Safety is paramount and all equipment is provided, so you can sit back and enjoy the ride. Showers and changing facilities await you at the end of the river journey, and you'll then continue on to San Jose, arriving late afternoon.

Overnight: Grano de Oro

Day 7 Osa Peninsula

This morning, it's a flight south to Puerto Jimenez on the Osa Peninsula (approximately 40 minutes). On arrival you will be met and driven to Lapa Rios Lodge, which lies in a 1,000 acre rainforest reserve with direct access to three nearby beaches. The Osa Peninsular is home to the Corcovado National Park which is the last significant area of tropical wet forest on the entire Pacific side of the Central American isthmus.

Overnight: Lapa Rios

Day 8 Osa Peninsula

There's a choice of various rainforest activities, depending on your particular interests and fitness levels. Rise early to see vibrant bird families (over 319 different species) or take the medicine trail through the primary forest to learn the secrets of the indigenous tribe's medicinal uses of plants and seeds.

Overnight: Lapa Rios

Day 9 Osa Peninsula

If you would like to venture off the reserve to the ocean in search of marine wildlife, boat trips can be arranged to view dolphins or kayak through mangroves at a very gentle pace shoulder to shoulder with herons, egrets and turtles.

Overnight: Lapa Rios

Day 10 Depart

You will be transferred to the international airport at San Jose for the overnight flight back to the UK.