Costa Rica: Rain Forests & Relaxation

Costa Rica: Rain Forests & Relaxation

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. Luxury accommodations, exciting adventures and excellent food compliment the ulimate tropical getaway.

Quick Summary

Itinerary Detail

Day 1: San Jose

San Jose
San Jose
San Jose
Daily Summary

After clearing immigration and customs, exit the airport terminal where you will find our representative who will take you by private vehicle to your hotel. (This service is on a private basis.)

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: Piedras Blancas National Park

Piedras Blancas National Park
Piedras Blancas National Park
Piedras Blancas National Park
Daily Summary
  • Transfer: San Jose to Playa Cativo
  • Domestic Flights: Flight San Jose to Puerto Jimenez
  • Accommodation: Playa Cativo
  • Meals: B, L, D
Flight San Jose to Puerto Jimenez
Scheduled flight San Jose to Puerto Jimenez

This morning you will be picked up at your hotel by one of our professional bilingual drivers for a transfer to the local airport in San Jose, where you will board a shared scheduled flight to Puerto Jimenez.

The domestic flight from Costa Rica’s capital city of San José to Puerto Jiménez, provides spectacular views of Costa Rica’s diverse landscape, including the mountains, farms, rivers, Pacific Ocean, Drake Bay, The Osa Peninsula, and finally Golfo Dulce. Upon arrival to the airstrip, Playa Cativo staff will escort guests on a picturesque 30-minute boat ride to the lodge taking in the magnificent coastline with tropical vegetation – with occasional sightings of schools of dolphins, turtles, and/or humpback whales.

Piedras Blancas National Park

Forming part of the Osa Conservation Area, Piedras Blancas National Park is situated in the Puntarenas Province near the Golfo Dulce on the Southern Pacific Coast of Costa Rica. Renowned for its untouched beaches, glistening bays and lush rainforests, Piedras Blancas is popular with nature lovers. Visitors can look forward to a wide selection of activities including exploring the rugged mountains, discovering rare tropical trees, and spotting an array of wildlife such as a diverse variety of bird, mammal and reptile species. Most notably, the park is among the last remaining habitats for the Jaguar in the whole of Costa Rica. Don't miss the opportunity to meander along the vast network of jungle trails while soaking up spectacular views of the 14 000 hectares of unspoilt natural beauty.


Days 3 - 5: Piedras Blancas National Park

Exploring Playa Cativo
Daily Summary

Exploring Playa Cativo

Full days exploring the area around Piedras Blancas National Park. Activities include:
-Piedras Blancas National Park Nature Guided Hike.
-Dolphin & Whale Watching Guided Tour.
-Rio Esquinas Mangrove-ocean Kayaking Guided Adventure.
-Off-Grid Alternative Energy Tour.
-Self-guided trails to enjoy nature at your own pace.
-Use of kayaks, stand up paddle boards and snorkeling gear along Cativo Bay.

Day 6: Bajos del Toro

Bajos del Toro
Bajos del Toro
Bajos del Toro
Daily Summary
  • Transfer: Playa Cativo to Bajos del Toro
  • Domestic Flights: Flight Puerto Jimenez to San Jose
  • Accommodation: El Silencio Lodge & Spa
  • Meals: B
Flight Puerto Jimenez to San Jose
Scheduled flight Puerto Jimenez to San Jose

This morning you will be transferred by boat to the town of Puerto Jimenez to board your local flight back to San Jose, upon arrival in San Jose one of our professional bilingual drivers will meet you and transfer you to Bajos del Toro (approx. 1.5 hours drive).

Bajos del Toro

Resting in the remote volcanic mountains to the north of Costa Rica’s Central Valley, the tiny town of Bajos del Toro makes an ideal getaway for nature lovers, hikers and bird enthusiasts. The town sits at the foot of the towering Poas Volcano and is surrounded by a number of protected wilderness areas including the Poas Volcano National Park, Juan Castro Blanco National Park, and the Bosque de Paz Rain/Cloud Forest Biological Reserve. The climate in this area is typically wet which allows for wonderfully lush vegetation as well as beautiful waterfalls, streams and pools. This spectacular natural environment provides ample opportunity for outdoor adventure including: trout fishing, horse riding, river rafting, mountain biking, hiking rugged mountain trails, or whizzing through the forest canopy on a zipline tour. Don’t miss the impressive Cataratas del Toro Waterfall, which drops 300-feet into an extinct volcanic crater.


Days 7 - 8: Bajos del Toro

Exploring Bajos del Toro
Daily Summary

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 YOUR TREE (complimentary): “Trees are poems that the earth writes upon the sky.”– Kahlil Gibran. Plant a living legacy in Costa Rica’s carbon-offsetting forests and help bring back beautiful Quetzal birds to the region. This complimentary ceremony is one of the highlights of the El Silencio Experience.

The hotel offers activities with an extra cost that can be booked directly with the hotel concierge: Waterfall Magic – Day Break Bird Watching – Horseback Adventure – Adventure Park – Coffee Journey – Wine Tasting – Cook like a Costa Rican – Oxcart Design Session

Day 9: Arenal

Arenal
Arenal
Arenal
Daily Summary

Today your private bilingual driver will pick you up at your hotel for a land transfer to Arenal area (approx. 2 hours drive), this is your last destination of your Costa Rica itinerary.

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 sightseer’s dream, while its abundance of outdoor activities makes it an easy place to check things off your “must-do in Costa Rica” list.


Day 10: Arenal

Arenal Sky Trek
Daily Summary

Arenal Sky Trek

Sky Adventures Arenal Park Sky Trek is a thrilling zip line circuit that’s located in Arenal-La Fortuna Costa Rica. The tour starts with guests riding an open-air gondola to an observation area, where they will take in awe-inspiring views. Guests will then begin zip lining on a track stretching across canyons and in between treetops, ultimately returning to the starting point at the main building. The trek consists of 7 zip lines which take approximately 2.5 hours to complete. The longest cable is 760 metres and the highest cable is 200 metres.

Day 11: Arenal

Cano Negro Tour
Daily Summary

Cano Negro Tour

The wildlife reserve Caño Negro is one of the most important reserves for incredible bird watching and observation of wildlife in Costa Rica. Caño Negro is also home for many sloths, monkeys, caimans, bats as well as numerous tropical plants. You slowly and silently cruise to this exceptional national refuge in our comfortable boat where you can enjoy the beautiful flora and fauna. Upon return you will be served a typical, delicious lunch in the restaurant "El Caiman" which is nicely placed on the riverbank of "Rio Frío". (This service is on a private basis.)

Day 12: Depart

Depart
Daily Summary
  • Transfer: Arenal to San Jose
  • Meals: B

You will be picked up in Arenal by one of our transport representatives for transfer to San Jose Intl. Airport. Transport service will be in a minivan with AC, approximately 3 hours transfer plus any stops on the way. (This service is on a private basis.)

Accommodation

Hotel Grano de Oro
Hotel Grano de Oro
Hotel Grano de Oro
Hotel Grano de Oro

Hotel Grano de Oro

Situated in a shady street just off Paseo Colon, San Jose's main thoroughfare, Hotel Gran de Oro is a true oasis, a sanctuary in the heart of the city. Converted from a Tropical Victorian mansion, the 35-room hotel maintains the warmth and comfort of a private home. Hallways lined with period photographs and original art meander through the building and present lush tropical flower arrangements and luxuriant plants at every turn. Italian tile fountains grace intimate atriums, ensuring that one is never far from the soothing melody of falling water. All rooms are equipped with free Internet, fully equiped minibars, safety deposit boxes, cable tv, ceiling fans, telephones with direct access to international calling.

Playa Cativo

Playa Cativo

Discover an extraordinary destination where rich, tropical rainforest surrenders to the serene shoreline. Emerging out of the lush jungle and overlooking the tranquil turquoise and emerald waters of the Golfo Dulce is Playa Cativo Lodge – an intimate haven harmonious with its spectacular surroundings. Elegant accommodations, world-class amenities and a variety of activities offer a blissful balance between relaxation and adventure. Enjoy a one-of-a-kind opportunity to escape the everyday, encounter incredible wildlife and indulge in an exotic eco-luxury experience like no other.

El Silencio Lodge & Spa
El Silencio Lodge & Spa
El Silencio Lodge & Spa
El Silencio Lodge & Spa
El Silencio Lodge & Spa
El Silencio Lodge & Spa

El Silencio Lodge & Spa

El Silencio Lodge & Spa is an eco-luxury hotel that showcases the best of Costa Rica’s tropical cloud forest and mountain landscapes. This upscale Costa Rican hotel is located just 90 minutes away from the San José International Airport (SJO), embedded in the cool highlands of the central volcanic range. It features Suites and Private Villas, a 500 acre forest reserve, waterfalls, a spa, an adventure park, yoga, hiking, horseback riding, authentic culture, and farm-to-table cuisine. Perfect for honeymoons, weddings, family vacations, and wellness holidays.

Arenal Nayara Hotel & Gardens
Arenal Nayara Hotel & Gardens
Arenal Nayara Hotel & Gardens
Arenal Nayara Hotel & Gardens
Arenal Nayara Hotel & Gardens
Arenal Nayara Hotel & Gardens

Arenal Nayara Hotel & Gardens

Nayara is Arenal’s jewel. A place of nature where romance emanates and life moves at a slower pace to allow time to rekindle old relationships and to start new ones in an enchanting way. Nayara is an authentic Costa Rican journey, a property that reflects its location and respects the ecological balance of one of the most beautiful places on earth. The property offer casitas, suites, and villas which all have large screened windows that open up to bring nature inside. Light flows through the interiors, from the bedroom to the private gardens with rain showers, to the private terraces with secluded Jacuzzis. Modern amenities complement the rooms to make them the most desired and exceptional accommodations in the area. Enjoy our state-of-the-art facilities, including remarkable restaurants offering international and local cuisine, a pool bar, and a wine and tapas bar. The Spa at Nayara is incomparable. Perched on a cliff overlooking the forest, the Spa is a spiritual enclave in an emerald jungle, a place of rejuvenation, harmony, and beauty. The resort is committed to sustainable tourism and they strive to be environmentally responsible in everything that they do. Their first-class facilities and amenities seamlessly blend in with the tropical surroundings so that you may experience a profound and organic immersion with nature without sacrificing the quality and comfort you deserve.

Why Maxim Tours?

Why Maxim Tours?

Uncommon Safaris for Discerning Adventurers

Experience Matters

Since 1993 Maxim Tours’ passion for exotic destinations has made us a highly sought after Boutique Tour Operator for discerning travelers. After three decades we continue to exceed our clients' expectations. Our approach over these many years is simple; offer the very best service and travel experience at the most competitive prices while balancing the importance of sustainable tourism with a high quality travel product.

Premier Guides 

Maxim Tours' guides have a reputation for being the best in the business. Experts in their fields, friendly and interesting,  a good guide will bring the most out of every excursion while creating lifelong memories.  

24/7 Support

At no time during your adventure will you be alone. Our local partners are available 24/7 in the event you need any assistance while traveling. We will monitor your progress and take care of any unexpected developments so that your trip continues unhindered.

Responsible Tourism

Responsible and sustainable tourism should be more than just a phrase - it has to be an ongoing and tangible commitment to balancing tourism with the upliftment of local communities and preservation of the natural environment. Maxim Tours actively supports camps and lodges whose business models reflect this commitment.