Untamed Costa Rica

Pura vida – you’re in Costa Rica. A private transfer at San José airport will take you directly to your 4-star hotel, where you’ll have the chance to freshen up before meeting your guide and group on the hotel’s top floor, with expansive views over the city. Initial introductions over, you’ll be taken to your welcome dinner in Barrio Amon, in one of the oldest houses in the area. In this atmospheric set up, and over traditional Costa Rican dishes and drinks (think rich black bean soup, fresh ceviche and plantain) you’ll partake in a fun ice-breaker with your group. An early-ish night will be preferable this evening, as you’ll be up early for the first of many rainforest thrills.

This morning’s adventure is as unique and off-grid as it sounds: rafting down class 2, 3 and 4 river rapids in order to get to your otherwise unreachable rainforest lodge. A journey that will be equal parts thrilling and beautiful – when you’re not soaring over crashing waters there’ll be plenty of chances to sit back and appreciate the dense, untouched rainforest and the exotic wildlife all around you. En route you’ll stop for a riverside lunch amongst vibrant flora, no other people in sight and only the sound of nearby animals to serenade you, before hopping back into your raft and eventually pulling up alongside the Rios Tropicales Lodge. Prepare for total disconnection from the real world here. No signal, no wifi, fairly basic lodgings – the whole experience will take you back to the beauty of simplicity.

Today the immersion in secluded rainforest living continues. You’ll be embarking on a lengthy hike, deep into the wilderness, in order to reach the indigenous Cabécar group of the remote Talamanca region. Pass through dense undergrowth with a guide who’ll keep an eye out for any fascinating wildlife hiding in the trees. When you eventually come face to face with this welcoming tribe, it will be a truly humbling and magical moment. Communication will be difficult (even for Costa Ricans – they speak the ancient language of Cabécar) but your guide will be able to explain their way of life to you as you look on in wonder. Hiking back to your lodge, you’ll have the rest of the day at leisure to continue your relaxing disconnection from the modern world amongst your own untouched wilderness.

This morning you’ll make your way back to civilisation the only way available to you: by paddling back down the river you came in on. Back at your starting point, you’ll be picked up for a road trip towards the Arenal Volcano National Park and your beautiful hotel a few miles outside of La Fortuna town. Surrounded by lush vegetation and with its own series of volcanic hot springs, Hotel Arenal Springs is the ideal spot to bask in some creature comforts after your time in the middle of the rainforest. Take the rest of the day at leisure, enjoying the surrounding walks or simply working your way from the hottest to the coolest natural pools and making the most of the swim-up bar.

It’s back to adrenaline-seeking today as you head up the mountain via aerial tram to its highest point. From here, with views out to the lake and the nearby volcano, you’ll tackle an adventure course of truly epic proportions. Your journey back down will involve conquering zip lines, high ropes, waterfall abseiling, canyoning, a tarzan swing…the list goes on.  Of everything, be sure to give the superman zip line a go. Bundled into a secure suit that’s connected horizontally to a zip wire, you’ll have the chance to feel what it would be like to fly like superman through lush rainforest canopies. Later, you’ll be taken to meet a Costa Rican family on the land they’re using to regenerate indigenous wildlife and plant life. Here you’ll take a night hike to spot nocturnal wildlife and rainforest frogs, learning all about the weird and wonderful night creatures with an expert naturalist. Afterwards, you’ll enjoy a traditional meal cooked by the resident local family.

After the intense adrenaline of yesterday, you’ll be looking forward to a day of wellness and slow living in the Rincon De La Vieja National Park. Upon arrival, you’ll be checked into the vast Hotel Hacienda Guachipelin. Ideally located in the midst of natural beauty, the hotel offers easy access to virgin forests, jungle waterfalls and volcanic hot springs, so you’ll have plenty of options when it comes to gentle adventure. Perhaps a yoga session will tempt you, or another day of therapeutic hot springs. One thing you can’t miss? The Rio Negro mud baths, where you’ll find mineral-rich mud warmed by the nearby volcano that’s perfect for slathering all over your skin. When the mud has dried, hop into one of the nearby rivers to wash it off, before one more warming dip in a hot spring. Who needs a spa in Costa Rica?

Palo Verde National Park is calling today. A spectacular wild world of rivers, marshlands and mangroves; you’ll have the chance to go deep into its wonders on a private boat along the Tempisque River. Look out for an abundance of bird life, crocodiles, monkeys and more as you journey further into this wildlife refuge before hopping back onto dry land for an exclusive private tour of the Hacienda el Viejo. On this tour, you’ll be taken to a working sugar mill as you trace the steps of rum making. Taste the sugar cane before moving on to real rum tasting, a completely unique experience in what feels like the middle of nowhere. Before you leave for your first night on the coast in the sparkling Gulf of Papagayo, there’ll be a little surprise in store – but that’s all we’ll say for now…

Your last full day, and you’ll be going out in true, paradise island style. After a morning relaxing on the sand of Panama Beach or round the pool, you’ll be picked up by your own private catamaran. Your luxurious vessel will be taking you off for an afternoon of cruising to small islands, secret coves, snorkelling spots and hard-to-reach beaches. Everywhere you look will feel like the best photo opportunity of your life – crystal waters, white sands, vibrant coral and secluded pristine beaches where you’ll anchor up for some time in a hammock and a private beach BBQ. Enjoy drinks overlooking the Pacific and, as you sail back to your hotel, watch the sun fire up the horizon before you. Back on dry land, it’ll be time for one last meal as a group beneath a blanket of stars.

After breakfast, it’ll sadly be time for goodbyes – never easy when you’ve had such a memorable adventure amongst untouched natural beauty. Our tip: it’s best to fly out of nearby Liberia airport. Or…never leave?