Your journey to Costa Rica begins today. Upon arrival in San José, you will be met by your tour guide and transferred to your hotel. Use the rest of the day to settle in after your flight and prepare for the next two weeks. Overnight in San José. (Distance: approx. 20 km; travel time: approx. 45 min.)

In the morning, you'll get to know the capital city of San José on a short walk. In the city center, you'll pass squares, shopping streets, and historical buildings, and visit the National Theater, which was built at the end of the 19th century during the coffee boom and remains one of the country's most famous buildings. Next, you leave the Central Valley and head towards the Pacific Ocean. The vegetation becomes denser, the temperatures rise, and you reach Carara National Park along the way. On an easy hike (approx. 2 km, approx. 2 hours), you'll explore diverse habitats between dry forest and rainforest. With a bit of luck, you might spot sloths, iguanas, or the scarlet macaw, for whose conservation the region plays a vital role. After lunch, you'll continue your journey along the coast. Your destination for the day is near Manuel Antonio National Park, where rainforest and the Pacific Ocean meet in close proximity. After checking in, you'll have time to explore your new surroundings or enjoy the view of the rolling green hills from the hotel terrace. A relaxed dinner with your fellow travelers will bring your first day of travel outside the capital to a pleasant close. 2 nights near Manuel Antonio. (B/D) (Distance: approx. 175 km; Travel time: approx. 3.5 hours)

After breakfast, you and your tour guide will visit the famous Manuel Antonio National Park, one of Costa Rica's most renowned nature reserves. Here, tropical rainforest, lush vegetation, and some of the country's most beautiful beaches converge. A stroll along the well-maintained trails will allow you to explore the park's diverse habitats. Keep your eyes peeled for sloths in the treetops, various monkey species, iguanas, or colorful birds. At certain points, you'll be treated to stunning views of the Pacific Ocean and the rainforest-fringed coastline. Your guide will provide fascinating insights into the flora and fauna of this extraordinary ecosystem. Afterwards, there's time to enjoy the relaxed atmosphere of the national park. If you wish, you can linger on one of the idyllic beaches, swim in the warm Pacific Ocean, or simply soak up the tropical scenery. After visiting the national park, a typical Costa Rican treat awaits you: Enjoy a refreshing Coco Loco – a fresh coconut, traditionally served with a shot of rum. Of course, the drink can also be prepared alcohol-free upon request. With a view of the Pacific Ocean, you can let the day's experiences come to a relaxing close. The rest of the afternoon is yours to enjoy at your leisure. Use the time to relax at your accommodation, visit the beach, or explore Manuel Antonio on your own. (F) (Distance traveled: approx. 10 km; travel time: approx. 30 min.)

Today you leave the Pacific coast and travel towards the mountains. En route, you'll stop at the Río Tárcoles. During an exclusive boat tour for your small group, you'll glide through the river's mangrove landscape. Crocodiles often bask in the sun on the banks, while water birds forage for food. With a bit of luck, you might also spot macaws or other bird species that inhabit this transitional zone between the coast and the interior. A drink and fresh fruit, provided by your guide, will complete your riverside break. Then you continue your journey. As you gain altitude, the vegetation and climate change noticeably. The warm coastal air gives way to cooler temperatures, wisps of fog drift through the forests, and the hills around Monteverde become more densely vegetated. The region has been one of Costa Rica's most important protected areas for decades and is known for its cloud forests. After arriving in Monteverde, you'll have time to settle into your accommodation or explore the surroundings. The small mountain town of Santa Elena is just a few minutes away and forms the heart of the region. Cafés, small shops, and restaurants characterize the town. In the evening, you can relax with your fellow travelers and prepare for the upcoming explorations in the cloud forest. 2 nights in Monteverde. (B) (Distance: approx. 215 km; Travel time: approx. 4.5 hours)

Those who want to start the day early can participate in an optional birdwatching excursion (optional, bookable on site, from approximately USD 140 per person). Many bird species are particularly active in the morning hours, and with a bit of luck, you might spot hummingbirds, tanagers, or even the resplendent quetzal. Later, you'll travel together to the Curi Cancha Reserve, a private protected area on the outskirts of Monteverde. On an easy hike through the cloud forest (approx. 2-3 hours), you'll spend several hours among densely vegetated slopes, moss-covered branches, and tall trees whose crowns often disappear into the mist. Bromeliads, ferns, and lichens are common sights. Small clearings open up regularly, offering glimpses of the surrounding forest. The reserve is considered an important habitat for numerous bird species. With a little patience, hummingbirds, motmots, or tanagers can be observed along the trails. Your guide will accompany the hike, providing information about the formation of the cloud forests and the history of the region, which has been closely linked to nature and species conservation for decades. In the afternoon, you can spend your time according to your own interests. The nearby mountain village of Santa Elena is also a great place for a stroll today. Alternatively, you can take an optional hike across the Monteverde suspension bridges (optional, bookable locally, from approximately USD 60 per person). The elevated walkways offer a different perspective on the forest and its canopy. Back at your accommodation, the day concludes in the region's cooler mountain air. (F) (Distance: approx. 5 km; Travel time: approx. 30 min.)

In the morning, you bid farewell to the cloud forests of Monteverde and first visit the Don Juan Coffee Farm. There, you'll learn about the role coffee, cacao, and sugarcane still play in Costa Rica today. During the tour, you'll follow each step of the processing, from plant to finished product, and sample various products on site. Then you continue towards La Fortuna. The route leads over the hills around Tilarán and along Lake Arenal, the largest inland lake in the country. Along the way, views of the lake, pastureland, and wooded hills alternate. On a clear day, the almost perfectly symmetrical silhouette of the Arenal volcano, which dominates the region, is already visible. You'll arrive in La Fortuna in the afternoon. Located at the foot of the volcano, the town serves as a base for many travelers exploring the surrounding national parks and nature reserves. After checking in, you'll have time to familiarize yourself with your accommodation or explore the town on your own. Perhaps you'll stroll through the streets around the central square or enjoy a relaxing afternoon admiring the region's verdant landscape. Those wishing to experience the rainforest after dark can participate in an optional night hike in the Arenal Oasis Wildlife Refuge (optional, bookable on-site, from approx. USD 50 per person). Using flashlights, participants will explore the trails of the reserve, where frogs, insects, and other nocturnal animals only become active after sunset. Back at your accommodation, the sounds of the rainforest will accompany the end of the day. 2 nights in La Fortuna. (B) (Distance: approx. 110 km; Travel time: approx. 3 hours)

After visiting the associated farm yesterday, today begins at Finca Educativa Don Juan, a small agricultural operation in the Arenal region. During the tour, you'll learn about various fruits, vegetables, and herbs that thrive in Costa Rica's tropical climate. Together with your hosts, you'll harvest some of the ingredients that will later be used for lunch. The experience will not only focus on cultivation but also on daily life on a farm and the challenges of farming in this region. Afterwards, you'll prepare lunch together using regional products. During the meal, there will be time for conversation and interaction with the people who work on the finca. This way, you'll not only spend the morning surrounded by nature, but also gain insights into a sector of the country that is behind many of the products found in Costa Rican markets and kitchens. In the afternoon, you'll shift your perspective again and explore the volcanic landscape surrounding the Arenal Volcano. To reach Mirador 1968, follow a circular trail (moderate, approximately 2 to 3 hours) through secondary forest and across solidified lava fields, remnants of past eruptions. The paths lead through sections with varying vegetation, offering frequent views of the volcano and Lake Arenal. With a bit of luck, you might spot toucans, oropendolas, or monkeys in the treetops along the way. After the hike, you return to La Fortuna. Perhaps you'll spend the evening strolling through the town or reminiscing about the experiences of the past few days over a drink on the terrace of your accommodation. Above the rooftops of La Fortuna, the silhouette of the Arenal volcano slowly disappears into the evening light. (F/M)

Today you'll leave the Arenal Volcano region and travel to Tenorio National Park. A hike through the rainforest (easy, about 5 km) will take you along the trail to the Río Celeste, known for its vibrant blue waters. Along the way, you'll be accompanied by birdsong, densely vegetated slopes, and occasional small clearings in the forest. After about five kilometers, you'll reach a waterfall that plunges into a deep blue pool. Swimming is not permitted here, but there are excellent views of the river from the viewpoints along the trail. The hike continues to the so-called Teñideros. Here, two rivers with different mineral compositions meet. The refraction of light by the fine mineral particles gives the Río Celeste its characteristic color. A small bridge and several viewpoints offer different perspectives on this natural phenomenon. In the afternoon, you continue your journey to the Rincón de la Vieja region. The landscape changes once again: volcanoes, dry forests, pastureland, and geothermal activity characterize this part of the country. After arriving at your accommodation, you'll have time to explore the extensive grounds or enjoy a quiet moment on the terrace. To end the day, you enjoy a Cacique toast at a scenic viewpoint. As the sky slowly changes color, you'll be introduced to one of Costa Rica's most famous spirits: the traditional sugarcane rum. Afterwards, enjoy a group dinner at your accommodation. 2 nights in Rincón de la Vieja. (B/D) (Distance: approx. 185 km; Travel time: approx. 4 hours)

Today you'll spend your time in Rincón de la Vieja National Park. A moderate hike (approx. 2-3 hours) through the protected area will take you through a variety of landscapes. Sections of forest alternate with open areas where volcanic activity is evident. Steam vents, mud pots, and fumaroles demonstrate that the forces beneath the Earth's surface are still present today. As you follow the trails through the park, it's worth looking up into the treetops. With a bit of luck, you might spot monkeys, sloths, or various bird species. After the group explorations, a more relaxed part of the program is planned for the early afternoon. Several naturally heated pools at the Río Negro Hot Pools invite you to bathe. Nestled in the region's landscape, the thermal springs offer a welcome contrast to the morning's hike. Those who wish can also try a mud treatment or simply enjoy the time in the warm water. In the afternoon, you'll embark on a moderate hike (approx. 2 hours, approx. 2 km) to the Las Chorreras waterfalls. The trail winds through the typical vegetation of Guanacaste, offering fascinating insights into the region's flora and fauna. Two adjacent waterfalls cascade into a natural pool, creating a particularly captivating landscape. Here, a special moment of pure enjoyment awaits you amidst nature. Surrounded by the volcanic landscape of Rincón de las Viejas, you'll savor regional delicacies and the tranquility of this extraordinary setting. As the temperatures slowly drop and the light softens, you return to your accommodation along the same path. (F/S)

After days spent exploring rainforests, volcanic landscapes, and national parks, your journey today takes you to the Pacific coast of the Nicoya Peninsula. The route leads through northwestern Costa Rica and finally down to the sea. During the drive, the landscape and pace change once again. Villages, pastures, and patches of dry forest characterize large parts of this region before the Pacific Ocean comes into view. Before checking into your accommodation, you'll stop at Playa Carrillo. This palm-fringed sandy beach is one of the most beautiful stretches of coastline on the Nicoya Peninsula. Right by the sea, a typical Costa Rican treat awaits you: you'll enjoy a locally made hot dog and local drinks together. As the waves crash and the relaxed atmosphere of the region washes over you, the final leg of your journey begins, embodying the spirit of "Pura Vida." Afterwards, your tour guide will say goodbye to the group and you will travel to your beach hotel. The next few days are dedicated to relaxation. The tranquil Playa Carrillo is lined with palm trees and offers a pleasant setting to bring your trip to a close. Perhaps after checking in, you'll head straight to the beach or the pool at your accommodation. The afternoon offers ample time to arrive and familiarize yourself with your surroundings. On the beach, the sound of the waves and the tides now primarily dictate the rhythm of the day. 4 nights at Playa Carrillo. (B/L) (Distance: approx. 180 km; Travel time: approx. 4 hours)

Now you've truly arrived at the coast, and the more relaxed days of your trip are beginning. Today is yours to enjoy as you wish. Soak up the laid-back atmosphere of the coastal town of Puerto Carrillo on Playa Carrillo, spend some relaxing hours on the beach, or explore the surrounding area at your own pace. The sheltered bay with its long sandy beach is perfect for swimming, strolling, and simply unwinding. Those who want to actively explore the region can choose from various optional excursions. A boat tour (optional, bookable locally) along the coast offers the opportunity to explore the waters around Playa Carillo. With a bit of luck, you might spot dolphins. At certain times of the year, there's also a chance to see migrating humpback whales. Afterwards, you can get a closer look at the underwater world while snorkeling. Alternatively, you can enjoy an active excursion into the nature surrounding Playa Carillo (optional, bookable on site). A hike through a private nature reserve offers insights into the local flora and fauna. Afterwards, you can explore the coastal landscape and the offshore island of Chora by kayak. However you choose to spend your day, the relaxed atmosphere of the Pacific coast will accompany you every step of the way. In the evening, you'll have the opportunity to sample the regional cuisine in one of the local restaurants and unwind at your own pace. (F)

Today you can plan your day entirely according to your own interests. Perhaps you've already found a favorite spot on Playa Carrillo and will start your morning with a stroll along the bay before the temperatures rise. The curved coastline and the palm trees lining the shore characterize this stretch of coast, which is noticeably quieter than many other beach resorts in the country. After the many changes of location and nature experiences of the past few days, this stay offers the opportunity to let your travel impressions sink in. Without fixed schedules or group activities, your interests alone will determine the course of your day. (F)

Your last full day in Costa Rica is dedicated to your own time. Over the past few days, you've explored rainforests, cloud forests, volcanic landscapes, and the Pacific coast. Today, you have time to wind down your journey at your own pace. Perhaps you'll head back to the beach, enjoy the comforts of your accommodation, or find a quiet spot overlooking the bay. As the sun slowly dips lower and the light over the bay changes, your final full day ends where your tour found its peaceful conclusion: by the sea. (F)

Now it's time to say goodbye to Costa Rica and the famous "Pura Vida". You will be transferred to the airport in San José in good time for your flight back to Europe. (F) (Distance: approx. 230 km; Travel time: approx. 5 hours)

With numerous memories in tow, you're landing back in Germany today.