About the Journey

From $9,950 to $14,900 per Person

This small and extraordinarily beautiful country whose great variety of habitats – rain forest, mangrove swamps, beaches, cloud forest, rivers, and so on – are home to an incredible number of species of mammals, birds, and flora (including 3000 species of orchids). Surrounded by the sights and sounds of the rain forest you will experience a closeness to nature unlike any destination in the world. Charming accommodations, exciting adventures and excellent food compliment the ultimate tropical getaway.

Daily Itinerary

Your trip is 100% customizable. The following itinerary provides a starting point to craft your own journey.

Day 1

San Jose

Upon arrival you are met and transferred to your hotel.

San Jose

Costa Rica’s capital has several good museums and makes a good base for exploring the Central Valley. The Central Valley has Costa Rica’s highest volcanic peak and the beautiful turquoise lake of Poas volcano. An interesting traditional community to visit is San Antonio de Escazú famous for its annual ox cart festival.

Day 2

Golfo Dulce

Today you are transferred to the airport in time for your flight.

Road and boat transfer to Playa Cativo

Golfo Dulce

The Golfo Dulce, or Sweet Gulf, is bordered by the Osa Peninsula to the west and the towns of Golfito, Zancudo and Pavones to the east. Intense natural beauty, seclusion and an abundance of wildlife epitomize the area. Verdant rainforest, mangrove estuaries and golden beaches blanket the shores of the...

Day 3

Golfo Dulce

Piedras Blancas National Park Hike – Monos Trail

With the beauty and convenience of the surrounding National Park, Playa Cativo guests don’t have to go far to see nature at its best. Parts of the forest are rugged and steep due to the characteristic topography, so this hike is rated as challenging. The flora of Piedras Blancas is one of the most diverse in Central America; learn about the ecology of...

Day 4

Golfo Dulce

Los Mogos & Golfo Dulce Marine Life Quest

Golfo Dulce provides an important protected natural sanctuary for several species of fish, invertebrates, reptiles such as the pacific Green turtle, Hawksbill, the Olive Ridley and sharks including the scallop hammerhead sharks, as well as marine mammals, such as many species of dolphins and whales that live and/or visit the gulf and use it as a breeding ground and nursery for their calves....

Day 5

Whale & Dolphin Watching Quest Boat Tour

Whale & Dolphin Watching Quest Boat Tour

Golfo Dulce is one of four tropical fjords around the world and home to a variety of marine animals and mammals. With large mangrove areas and many rivers flowing into the gulf from the surrounding rainforests, the ocean is rich in minerals. It provides a healthy food source for dolphins (spinner, bottlenose, and spotted), humpback whales (from August to November), manta rays, whale sharks,...

Day 6

Arenal

Road and boat transfer to Golfito in time for your flight.

Private road transfer from San Jose to Arenal.
Transfer time and distance: 3 hours / 147 km approximately.

Arenal

Positioned within Costa Rica’s fertile northern lowlands, the Arenal Volcano is an unavoidable presence while traveling within this part of the country. It is tall and imposing and has a reputation that precedes itself. Arenal’s perfectly symmetrical shape makes it a...

Day 7

Arenal

Peñas Blancas Float Trip and Chocolate

Group tour.
Enjoy an adventure float trip on the lower section of the Peñas Blancas River. A two-hour float along the placid waters is ideal to look for wildlife such as iguanas, monkeys, river birds, basilisk lizards, and other creatures that call this tropical river habitat home. Later enjoy a chocolate tour, designed as a fun and educational activity – you’ll learn about the full...

Day 8

Arenal

Arenal Hanging Bridges

Pick up from your hotel.

Located within the corridor followed by birds migrating between North and South America, the trails and bridges will bring you as close as any person could ever imagine, to the birds, the flowers, and the lush vegetation of the primary rainforest. It is a 250-hectares primary-forest property, made of paths and bridges built to maintain the utmost harmony between man-made structures and nature....

Day 9

Bajos del Toro

Danaus Eco Center

This morning you visit the Danaus Eco Center.
This small biological reserve, 15 minutes east of the town of La Fortuna, is a model of conservation. Once open farmland, this reserve has been allowed to revert to forest and now teems with wildlife. A main 1.5-hour trail winds through the forest where visitors can see a number of the 154 bird species recorded here, including honey- creepers, euphonias,...

Day 10

Bajos del Toro

Exploring Bajos del Toro

Time spent exploring Bajo del Toro. Choose from complimentary and optional activities offered by your lodge.

MYSTIC HIKE (complimentary): An inspired walk through the Hummingbird Garden and cloud forest trails. A magical knot garden, hidden paths that embrace nature’s elements, and mesmerizing hummingbirds provide a relaxing hiking experience. A perfect chance to see El Silencio Lodge & Spa and the cloud forest from a different perspective.

PLANT...

Day 11

Depart

Road transfer from Bajos del Toro to San Jose

Plan Your Trip Today.

Contact us to begin crafting your unforgettable adventure.

Call today: 800-655-0222

Why Travelers Choose Maxim

We’re a boutique travel agency, curating around 50 journeys per year so every experience feels personal, intentional, and tailored to you. Rooted in South Africa, and proudly based in the United States.

Experience Matters

Decades of expertise crafting journeys with care, precision, and perspective.

Full 24/7 Support

A dedicated team guiding every step with care, and confidence.

Premier Guides

Expert guides bringing destinations to life with insight and warmth.

Responsible Tourism

Trusted partners protecting communities and wildlife responsibly.