Americas
Costa Rica
Pura Vida Between Oceans and Volcanoes
A small country that fits in a single trip: active volcanoes, cloud forest, tropical rainforest, and beach, all in the same journey.
The trip enters through San José and unfolds across microclimates that change every few hours on the road: the dense humidity of the jungle in Tortuguero, reachable only by boat; the volcanic heat of Arenal, with its hot springs and hanging bridges over the rainforest; the cool mist of the Monteverde cloud forest, explored by day and, even better, by night; and the flat sun of the coast, in Guanacaste or the Central Pacific, to close with beach and nothing more to do. There are no grand monuments or cities anchoring the route: the landscape is always the protagonist, and nature sets the pace, not a checklist of sights. It suits anyone who wants to truly disconnect, without giving up adventure or comfort.
Datos del viaje
Experiences
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Monteverde cloud forest, by day and by night
The Monteverde cloud forest explored by day and then again on a second nighttime outing.
View experience: Monteverde cloud forest, by day and by night
A guided walk through the canopy of the Monteverde cloud forest by day, among orchids, giant ferns, and birdsong, followed by a second nighttime outing along the same trails, when the forest changes completely in sound and wildlife: glass frogs, active sloths, and arachnids that only reveal themselves after dark. Two visits to the same place, two completely different experiences.
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Floating canoe safari on the Peñas Blancas River
A canoe descent spotting sloths, monkeys, and crocodiles, with a final stop at Tita Yolanda's ranch to see and taste the process of coffee, chocolate, and sugar cane.
View experience: Floating canoe safari on the Peñas Blancas River
A gentle canoe descent along the waters of the Peñas Blancas River, guided by a bilingual naturalist, in search of sloths, monkeys, toucans, and crocodiles amid the rainforest lining the riverbank. The route ends at Rancho La Cocina de Tita Yolanda, where the artisanal process of coffee, chocolate, and sugar cane is explained — and tasted — alongside a typical snack.
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Canals and a jungle night in Tortuguero
Boat canals and a nighttime jungle walk in Tortuguero, with a chance to see sea turtles nesting.
View experience: Canals and a jungle night in Tortuguero
A boat trip along the canals of Tortuguero, Costa Rica's "little Amazon," followed by a guided nighttime walk through the jungle, when the forest fills with frogs, insects, and eyes glinting among the vegetation. Depending on the time of year, it may also be possible to witness the nesting of the sea turtles that give the park its name.
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A morning at the Bribri Indigenous reserve of Kekoldi
An endangered-iguana breeding farm, a medicinal plant garden, the fiber-dyeing process, and a chocolate demonstration tied to the ancestral use of cacao in Bribri culture, with a waterfall swim.
View experience: A morning at the Bribri Indigenous reserve of Kekoldi
At the Kekoldi Indigenous Reserve, guided by members of the Bribri community, visitors tour a farm dedicated to breeding the green iguana and a medicinal plant garden where the process of extracting and naturally dyeing fiber is explained. Cacao, central to Bribri culture, is tasted in a traditional chocolate-making demonstration, before finishing with a swim in a nearby waterfall and a lunch of local traditional food.
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Manuel Antonio: rainforest, beach, and wildlife in one park
Rainforest, monkeys, and sloths next to white-sand beaches, all within the same park.
View experience: Manuel Antonio: rainforest, beach, and wildlife in one park
Manuel Antonio National Park packs into a small space what elsewhere in the country appears separately: rainforest trails with capuchin monkeys and sloths in plain view, and white-sand beaches just steps away, with the Pacific as a backdrop. A guided walk with a naturalist to make sure you don't miss the wildlife, and the rest of the day free between the jungle and the sea.
Itinerary ideas
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13 days
Lush Costa Rica
San José, Tortuguero, Arenal, Monteverde, Guanacaste
View itinerary idea: Lush Costa Rica
San José as the gateway, a stretch in Tortuguero navigating its canals and with nighttime jungle walks, the hanging bridges and hot springs of Arenal at the foot of the volcano, the Monteverde cloud forest explored by day and night, and a closing beach stretch in Guanacaste.
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18 days
Costa Rica by Car: The Complete Route
San José, Tortuguero, South Caribbean, Arenal, Monteverde, Manuel Antonio, Osa Peninsula
View itinerary idea: Costa Rica by Car: The Complete Route
A rental-car route across the whole country, never repeating a base: the South Caribbean, with the Cahuita rainforest and the Bribri Indigenous Reserve, Arenal and Monteverde in the volcanic interior, Manuel Antonio National Park on the Central Pacific, and a remote close in the Osa Peninsula, one of the most biodiverse areas on the planet.
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11 days
Honeymoon in Costa Rica
San José, Tortuguero, Arenal, Guanacaste
View itinerary idea: Honeymoon in Costa Rica
A shorter, more romantic trip: Tortuguero with its canals and the chance to spot nesting sea turtles, Arenal with a walk to the 1992 lava flow and its hot springs, and several days all-inclusive by the sea in Guanacaste, with nothing left to do but relax.
Traveller testimonials
Just back from a wonderful trip through Costa Rica that Willy organized for us. Speechless — it was a very special trip, prepared with care just for us, without a single detail missing. Everything perfect. We felt like we were on a second honeymoon 😄
Frequently asked questions
When is the best time to travel to Costa Rica?
From December to April, in the dry season. Official Costa Rican tourism places it on the Pacific side from December to March, with April as a transition month, while the Caribbean has no well-defined dry season. That's why I choose the coast according to the month you travel. The rainy season doesn't rule out travel, it just changes the rhythm.
How long should a trip to Costa Rica last and how long does it take to get there?
Between 11 and 18 days, depending on how many areas you want to combine. From Spain the flight takes 11 to 12 hours with a connection. With fewer than 11 days the trip becomes mostly transfers; with more, there is room to stay in one place unhurried and really see the country.
Do I need a visa to travel to Costa Rica from Spain?
No, Spanish citizens don't need a visa for stays of under 180 days. You must carry a valid passport with space for the entry stamp, plus a return ticket; the national ID card is not valid. As of November 2026 that is what Spain's Ministry of Foreign Affairs states, but requirements can change, so confirm them on its official page.
Are any vaccinations compulsory to enter Costa Rica?
None if you travel directly from Spain. Costa Rica requires a yellow fever certificate only from travellers coming from certain areas, and the airline checks it at boarding. If your trip also includes other countries in the Americas or Africa, check the official list before departing. As of November 2026.