Itinerary
Southern Odyssey
10 nights/11 days
Day 1 – Arrival San José
On arrival at Juan Santamaría International Airport you will be met by your Avventura representative and taken by private transfer to your hotel in Bajos del Toro, a journey time of approximately 90 minutes.
Accommodation: El Silencio Lodge & Spa in a Deluxe Suite.
Day 2 – Bajos Del Toro
After breakfast, you will join your guide to spend the morning exploring the waterfalls along the private trails of El Silencio. You will hike the natural landscapes that trace a pristine creek to find soothing volcanic mineral waterfalls. Surrounded by breath-taking views, your guide will share the fascinating secrets of the cloud forest’s eco-systems.
The remainder of the day is at leisure to enjoy the peaceful tranquillity and beautiful surroundings of the lodge.
Accommodation: El Silencio Lodge & Spa in a Deluxe Suite.
Meal Plan – Breakfast.
Day 3 – Bajos Del Toro to San Gerado de Rivas
Following breakfast at the lodge, you will be met by your guide and driver for a private transfer to San José Airport for your domestic charter flight to Perez Zeledón.
Upon arrival, you will be transferred to Casitas Monte Azul & Artisanal Cheese Factory.
Accommodation: Casitas Monte Azul & Artisanal Cheese Factory in a Casitas.
Meal Plan – Breakfast & Dinner.
Day 4 – San Gerado de Rivas
After breakfast, you will be escorted to a local family dairy farm to take part in milking a cow, making cheese and learning about the family’s self-sufficient and sustainable lifestyle. Lunch will be served just steps away at the locally owned Batsú Gastropub.
In the afternoon, you will have a cheese tasting with a local expert at Monte Azul, exploring the flavours of its cheeses accompanied by a glass of wine.
Accommodation: Casitas Monte Azul & Artisanal Cheese Factory in a Casitas.
Meal Plan – Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner.
Day 5 – San Gerado de Rivas to Golfo Dulce
Following breakfast, you will be privately transferred to Golfito in Golfo Dulce area, a journey of approximately three hours. On arrival, a Playa Cativo Lodge representative will be waiting for you to take you on a 30 minute boat transfer to the Lodge on the blue waters of the Pacific Ocean.
As you exit the gorgeous waters of Golfo Dulce and arrive at the luxury eco-lodge on the beautiful rainforest coast, you may even be welcomed by the occasional dolphin.
Accommodation: Playa Cativo Lodge in a Deluxe Room.
Meal Plan – Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner.
Day 6 – Golfo Dulce
After breakfast, you will meet your guide for an introduction ahead of a tropical rainforest trek.
This trek will take you to a nearby valley where you will have an opportunity to seek out the vast array of flora and fauna living in the rainforest. Your guide will be on hand to explain the ways in which the lodge supports and sustains the fragile eco-system. You will visit Cativo’s organic farm, where the hotel’s proud farmers will show the different medicinal plants, vegetables and fruits. They will explain the entire process from seed germination to harvest and perhaps give you the chance to collect some organic eggs from the “happy hens”.
After a delicious lunch, you have an afternoon at leisure to use the lodge’s paddleboards and kayaks to explore the beautiful coastline. You may be greeted by fish, manta rays, turtles or dolphins in the crystal-clear waters of the bay. Alternatively, enjoy a leisurely snorkel seeking the wide range of tropical reef fish.
In the evening relax in the bar to watch the sunset before a sumptuous dinner.
Accommodation: Playa Cativo Lodge in a Deluxe Room.
Meal Plan – Breakfast, Lunch & Lunch.
Day 7 – Golfo Dulce
After breakfast, you will join your guide, equipped with a kayak for an unforgettable experience at Río Esquinas Mangrove.
The lodge’s boat will tow your kayak to the mouth of the river where you will embark on a peaceful excursion and experience the magic of nature while making your way down river through the amazing mangrove and rainforest scenery.
The river mouth mangroves give way to picturesque views of the forest and remote farms. The diverse terrain allows for some of the best birdwatching in the area especially at sunrise and at low tide, when the mudflats are exposed and become a busy feeding area.
After lunch, your afternoon and evening are at leisure to enjoy the lodge’s facilities. You could perhaps take a trek along one of the many trails or just relax on the beach.
Accommodation: Playa Cativo Lodge in a Deluxe Room.
Meal Plan – Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner.
Day 8 – Golfo Dulce to Manuel Antonio
After breakfast, you will be met by hotel staff for your boat transfer to Golfito. A vehicle will be waiting for you at the pier for a private transfer to the Manuel Antonio area, a journey of approximately three hours.
The rest of your day is at leisure.
Accommodation: Arenas del Mar Beachfront Resort in a Garden Superior Room. Hotel option available – Kura.
Meal Plan – Breakfast.
Day 9 – Manuel Antonio
After breakfast, you will enjoy an experience of your choice from;
1) Private Savegre River Rafting (Class II-III – Moderate to Moderately Difficult)
You will be picked up at your hotel for a private transfer to the Savegre River, a journey of one hour and 20 minutes. The journey offers picturesque views of African palm plantations, little towns, small rivers and jungle. Upon arriving, you will receive a safety briefing and have an opportunity to practice before getting into the river. Guides will travel in kayaks alongside you to ensure your safety. Your rafting experience will take approximately 2 ½ hours taming the rapids, taking occasional stops to rest and admire some of the region’s beautiful flora and fauna.
2) Private Manuel Antonio National Park Tour
Manuel Antonio National Park is an unforgettable experience. You will take a leisurely private hike with a highly trained personal naturalist through the exotic, bio-diverse tropical rainforest. Hopefully you will see sloths, numerous species of monkeys as they travel through the tree canopy and several types of non-poisonous snakes resting in the tropical rain forest. If you wish, you can hike additional trails to reach unspoiled, pristine beaches. Your hike will end with some local fresh fruits and refreshments.
3) Private Surf Lessons at Manuel Antonio Beach
Your lesson will begin with a private transfer to the beach. The instructors will start with a warm-up including stretching. You will be given a detailed safety briefing with your instructor explaining basic surf safety and then demonstrating the main surf positions and correct posture. There will be breaks throughout the lesson for your instructor to provide further coaching and an opportunity to have some fresh fruit and drinks.
Your afternoon and evening will be at leisure for you to enjoy the resort’s facilities.
Accommodation: Arenas del Mar Beachfront Resort in a Garden Superior Room. Hotel option available – Kura.
Meal Plan – Breakfast.
Day 10 – Manuel Antonio
After breakfast, your morning is at leisure to enjoy the resort’s facilities.
In the afternoon, you will board your private catamaran, Spanish Dancer, for a sunset voyage along the shoreline of Manuel Antonio National Park. If you are lucky, you will have the chance to see dolphins, whales, sea turtles, and various seabirds. You will have the opportunity to snorkel in the clear waters of Biesanz Bay, take a leisurely swim at one of the white sand beaches or just soak up the Pacific sun on the spacious decks. Your voyage will conclude with watching the stunning Pacific sunset – the perfect ending to your Costa Rican experience.
Day 11 – Departure
After breakfast, you will be met by your driver for your private transfer to Juan Santamaría International Airport for your international flight home.
