Signature Costa Rica | Where the Wild Answers

Welcome to Alajuela, where our journey begins in the soft green folds of the Central Valley. Settle into our tranquil resort hideaway, surrounded by mist-kissed forest and sweeping views over the valley below. Complimentary arrival transfers are provided today. Those arriving early can take a moment to unwind, perhaps follow a shaded trail to a secluded waterfall or relax in the open-air spa, lulled by birdsong. As evening falls, gather for our welcome reception: a private farm-to-table dinner under the canopy, where your gourmet dinner is accompanied by sunset light and the sounds of the forest.

The journey continues towards one of Costa Rica’s best-kept secrets: Bajos del Toro, a cloud forest of cascading waterfalls and lush mountain scenery. Signature Experience: En route, pause at Café Sombra Verde in the artisan town of Sarchí for a behind-the-scenes look at sustainability-focused coffee production, tasting fresh brews amid the gardens. A special lunch invites you to taste your way through the coffee heritage of Costa Rica. Continue to our lodge, a haven between misty peaks where floor-to-ceiling windows invite relaxation and immersion into the forest. Enjoy the afternoon at leisure, perhaps a forest-view massage or a gentle walk before a dinner of seasonal dishes at a local restaurant.

Rise early to join an ornithologist on trails alive with birdlife. After breakfast, join master painter Ronald Jiménez − one of the last traditional oxcart artists from Sarchí − for an oxcart-art masterclass, creating your own piece of folk art to take home. Signature Experience: Visit Doña Olga’s family farm for a special insight into rural life. Hand-feed gentle dairy cows, witness the age-old tradition of a working sugar mill, and share a lovingly prepared homestyle lunch, made with fresh local ingredients and served straight from the heart. Return through cooling forest air to dinner at a local restaurant, stories still fresh from the day.

Travel to Caño Negro, a mosaic of rivers, lagoons and life. Arrive at our Signature Stay, Tocu Tent Camp, a rare opportunity to combine comfort and conservation in the heart of one of the most diverse ecosystems in Costa Rica. Celebrate with a four-course lunch that pays tribute to Caño Negro gastronomy, where each dish highlights the ancestral influence of the indigenous Maleku people. Join an exclusive, expert-led talk about local jaguar conservation efforts and take part in a tree planting ceremony to help regenerate the hacienda’s biological corridor. As dusk deepens, a moonlit forest walk reveals frogs, night birds and secret stirrings of the wild, followed by a five-course tasting dinner showcasing the foundations of Costa Rican cuisine.

Signature Experience: Glide by private boat through shimmering waterways alive with migratory birds, caimans, and monkeys. Step ashore to share island life with welcoming families: lunching with Doña Rosi, visiting Doña Carmen’s butterfly house, and learning traditional corn biscuit-baking over clay ovens. Return for a relaxed afternoon, then cook alongside local chefs in an intimate evening class celebrating Costa Rican cuisine.

Drive west through a changing scenery of rolling hills, golden plains, and volcanic canyons to the secluded Río Perdido Hotel & Thermal River. Enjoy lunch with a vantage point overlooking the forest, canyon and river before an afternoon exploring tropical dry forest trails. Our nature hike takes us to the natural Carbonatadas spring, where locals once sought healing from the mineral waters. As evening falls, sink into one of the natural thermal pools and dine on produce sourced locally and inspired by tradition.

Today is your Signature Day, where you can select an authentic, curated experience to connect deeply with Costa Rica. You could: Soar across the white canyon on zip lines, swing like Tarzan over the river, and cross suspension bridges while taking in spectacular views of the surrounding landscape. Float and splash along a crystalline river on a specially designed flotation device. The river tubing adventure combines calm waters with playful rapids for both relaxation and excitement. Undertake a challenging hike over rocky terrain, steep climbs, and eroded volcanic formations, enjoying dramatic vistas as you go. Other options include a birdwatching excursion and a mountain bike ride through volcanic landscapes. As dusk paints the canyon gold, gather for dinner at Río Perdido’s open-air restaurant, the sounds of the forest your evening soundtrack.

Leave the dry forest for the fertile valleys of San José. Pause at Llanos de Cortés Waterfall, a curtain of white mist and emerald light, then stop in Orotina to sample tropical fruits and share a family lunch rich with tradition. Arrive at Hotel Grano de Oro, your elegant retreat in the capital, and celebrate your final night with a joyful farewell dinner, a celebration of Costa Rican cuisine and the journey.

Before taking your complimentary departure transfer to the airport take a quiet moment to look back on the journey: the forests, the people, the wildlife. This chapter may have closed, yet Costa Rica’s spirit travels with you, ready to be revisited. Alternatively, extend your stay and continue your journey of discovery. Speak with your Signature Collection travel expert to explore the possibilities.