Signature Costa Rica Where the Wild Answers

Overview

Journey into nature’s wild heart, where wildlife reigns, spirits soar, and the soul comes alive

Life runs deep through Costa Rica. It’s heard in the chorus of forest birds, seen in the flow of artisans’ hands, and felt in the slow drift of cloud over forested peaks. To see it is one thing. This journey makes you a part of it. Led by your Signature Guide, cross landscapes alive with energy – mist-shrouded mountains, shimmering wetlands, and a Pacific Coast retreat − meeting guardians of nature, observing the wildlife, living the pura vida.

Venture to the very heart of each destination on our Signature Collection, where every journey is shaped by our unrivalled local connections and insider expertise. Step beyond the ordinary with private invitations, rare encounters, and experiences few will ever share. So when someone says, “I’ve been there,” you’ll simply smile, knowing you’ve experienced it differently.

Signature Day: Experience our distinctive Signature Day, choosing between optional activities such as walking along hanging bridges in the rainforest canopy, paddleboarding in the shadow of Arenal Volcano, drifting down a river on a wildlife safari, or awakening your tastebuds with a rainforest chocolate tour.

Signature Stay: Find a sanctuary of comfort, conservation and biodiversity at Tocu Tent Camp, set within the remote wetlands of Caño Negro

Signature Guide: Let your hand-picked Signature guide lead you to the country’s soul − sharing their home, heritage, and heart

Key Information

Travel Style Signature: Our most exceptional journeys, combining slow, ultra-immersive travel with distinctive stays and exclusive experiences: Signature
Activity: Culture
Activity Level: Easy & Moderate
See our Activity Level Guidelines to check if this holiday is right for you.
Trip Code: LCC
Ways to Travel: Guided Group, Signature
Countries: Costa Rica
Carbon Footprint: 40.6kg CO2e per person per day

Signature Exclusive Inclusions

Elegant, handpicked accommodation (6 Premium nights, 2 Superior Comfort nights)
All breakfasts, five lunches, and seven dinners, featuring restaurants that capture the authentic tastes of Costa Rica
Signature Guide with outstanding knowledge and guest satisfaction
Complimentary transfers on arrival and departure, ensuring a smooth journey, plus comfortable transport throughout (private vehicles)
Gratuities for local support staff so every detail of your journey feels effortless

Positive Impact

We donate to our Foundation and rewild 100 square metres for every Exodus traveller. Find out more about how our adventures support nature and people to thrive.

Don't Forget To

Request a single room if required, purchase travel insurance and arrange any visas and vaccinations.

Signature Experiences

Signature Costa Rica | Where the Wild Answers

Join coffee innovators at Café Sombra Verde, tracing the journey from bean to cup in an immersive sustainability-focused tasting

Glide through the wildlife-rich Caño Negro waterways on a private boat, sharing stories and food with local families

Join members of the Maleku community for a private cacao ceremony, learning how their traditions connect them to the natural world

Glide by private boat through Caño Negro’s waterways, meeting local families for home-cooked food, butterfly conservation and traditional baking

Join a marine naturalist on a private Guanacaste boat journey, contributing to citizen science while snorkelling and searching for marine wildlife

Signature Travel Expert

Glenda Araya

Signature Guide: Costa Rica

Destinations

Costa Rica

Going the extra mile every day is Glenda's number one rule.

Itinerary

First Destination: San José
Next Destination: Las Catalinas

Accommodation:Grano de Oro Hotel
Meals included:Dinner

Accommodation:Arenal Kioro Hotel
Meals included:Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Accommodation:Arenal Kioro Hotel
Meals included:Breakfast, Dinner

Accommodation:Arenal Kioro Hotel
Meals included:Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Accommodation:Tocu Tent Camp
Meals included:Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Accommodation:Tocu Tent Camp
Meals included:Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Accommodation:Santarena Hotel
Meals included:Breakfast

Accommodation:Santarena Hotel
Meals included:Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Meals included:Breakfast

First Destination: San José
Next Destination: Las Catalinas

Welcome to San José, where your journey begins in the vibrant heart of Costa Rica’s Central Valley. After your arrival transfer, settle into the elegant Hotel Grano de Oro, a beautifully restored tropical Victorian mansion tucked among lush gardens.

The remainder of the afternoon is yours to unwind and ease into your surroundings. Relax in the peaceful courtyards and hidden gardens, or venture out to discover the nearby museums, galleries and lively streets.

As evening falls, gather for a welcome reception in the hotel’s acclaimed restaurant, where locally sourced ingredients and refined culinary techniques unite for a memorable introduction to Costa Rican hospitality.

Accommodation:Grano de Oro Hotel
Meals included:Dinner

The journey continues to the northern plains of Arenal, a region celebrated for its extraordinary volcanic landscapes, lush rainforests, and natural hot springs.

Signature Experience: En route, pause at Café Sombra Verde in the artisan town of Sarchí for a behind-the-scenes look at sustainability-focused coffee production, tasting fresh brews amid the gardens. A special lunch invites you to taste your way through the coffee heritage of Costa Rica.

Arrive in Arenal and set out on an unforgettable walk through the striking landscapes of the Arenal 1968 Trail, where rainforest paths and ancient lava fields reveal the dramatic history of the volcano. Along the way, enjoy sweeping views of Arenal Volcano, Lake Arenal and the countryside.

Later, settle into your lodge and unwind in natural thermal springs, surrounded by tropical forest. This evening, enjoy dinner at the hotel, bringing a relaxing close to your first day in Costa Rica’s volcanic heartland.

Accommodation:Arenal Kioro Hotel
Meals included:Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Venture into the rainforest this morning with an expert naturalist in search of one of Costa Rica’s most endearing residents: the sloth. As you explore the forest trails, keep watch for both two-toed and three-toed sloths resting among the canopy, alongside colourful birdlife, monkeys and other rainforest wildlife that thrive beneath the shadow of Arenal Volcano.

The afternoon is yours to enjoy at leisure. Perhaps indulge in a spa treatment, unwind in the thermal springs or simply relax in tropical surroundings, taking in the sights and sounds of the rainforest.

As evening falls, the silhouette of Arenal Volcano and the gentle sounds of the jungle provide a memorable backdrop to another unforgettable day in Costa Rica’s natural paradise.

Accommodation:Arenal Kioro Hotel
Meals included:Breakfast, Dinner

Today is your Signature Day, where you can select a curated experience to connect deeply with Costa Rica. You could:

Walk among the rainforest canopy on Mistico’s hanging bridges, crossing suspended walkways high above the forest floor while enjoying spectacular views and spotting wildlife hidden among the treetops (8am-10am)
Float gently along the Peñas Blancas River in search of sloths, monkeys, caimans and colourful birdlife, before joining a local family for a traditional lunch and hands-on tortilla-making experience that offers a genuine taste of Costa Rican culture (9am-1pm)
Discover the ancient story of cacao on a rainforest experience, learning how this sacred ‘gift of the gods’ journeyed from ceremonial drink and currency to the chocolate we enjoy today, with plenty of opportunities to taste its rich flavours along the way (1pm-3pm)
Glide across the tranquil waters of Lake Arenal on a paddleboard, taking in spectacular views of Arenal Volcano and the surrounding mountains while experiencing the region’s natural beauty from a unique perspective (1.30pm-3.30pm)

Signature Experience: Later this afternoon, we head out for a specially curated experience showcasing the unique essence, culture, and natural beauty of the Arenal region. We begin with a private welcome before meeting members of the Maleku community, who share their traditions through a meaningful cacao ceremony that offers insight into their deep connection with the forests, rivers and wildlife of northern Costa Rica.

As dusk falls, join a naturalist-led walk into the rainforest, where the forest comes alive with nocturnal wildlife and the sounds of the jungle after dark. The evening concludes with a private riverside dinner surrounded by the beauty and tranquillity of the rainforest.

Accommodation:Arenal Kioro Hotel
Meals included:Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Travel to Caño Negro, a mosaic of rivers, lagoons and life. Arrive at our Signature Stay, Tocu Tent Camp, a rare opportunity to combine comfort and conservation in the heart of one of the most diverse ecosystems in Costa Rica.

Celebrate with a four-course lunch that pays tribute to Caño Negro gastronomy, where each dish highlights the ancestral influence of the indigenous Maleku people.

Join an exclusive, expert-led talk about local jaguar conservation efforts and take part in a tree planting ceremony to help regenerate the hacienda’s biological corridor. As dusk deepens, a moonlit forest walk reveals frogs, night birds and secret stirrings of the wild, followed by a five-course tasting dinner showcasing the foundations of Costa Rican cuisine.

Accommodation:Tocu Tent Camp
Meals included:Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Signature Experience: Glide by private boat through shimmering waterways alive with migratory birds, caimans, and monkeys. Step ashore to share island life with welcoming families: lunching with Doña Rosi, visiting Doña Carmen’s butterfly house, and learning traditional corn biscuit-baking over clay ovens.

Return for a relaxed afternoon, then cook alongside local chefs in an intimate evening class celebrating Costa Rican cuisine.

Accommodation:Tocu Tent Camp
Meals included:Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Journey from the wildlife-rich wetlands of Caño Negro towards Costa Rica’s Pacific coast, watching the landscape transform from tropical forests and fertile farmland to rolling hills and ocean vistas.

En route, stop at the beautiful Llanos de Cortés Waterfall, where a curtain of white-water tumbles into a natural pool surrounded by lush vegetation, offering time to relax, swim, or simply enjoy the tranquil setting.

Continue to the elegant seaside community of Las Catalinas, a charming car-free town of colourful plazas, boutique cafés and coastal pathways. The remainder of the afternoon is yours to explore at leisure before settling in to enjoy the laid-back rhythm of life by the Pacific.

Accommodation:Santarena Hotel
Meals included:Breakfast

Signature Experience: Head to the coast for a private boat journey exploring the rich marine ecosystems of Guanacaste. Joined by a marine naturalist from ConnectOcean, learn about local conservation projects while searching for marine wildlife, taking part in simple citizen science activities, and snorkelling in crystal-clear waters. Relax on board with fresh tropical fruit, local treats and cold drinks as the sun begins to set over the Pacific, before returning to Las Catalinas.

Back on shore, enjoy time at leisure to stroll the town’s car-free streets, unwind by the ocean, or soak up the relaxed coastal atmosphere.

This evening, gather for a special farewell dinner hosted locally, sharing memories of the journey, celebrating new friendships, and raising a glass to the adventures still to come.

Accommodation:Santarena Hotel
Meals included:Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Before taking your complimentary departure transfer to Daniel Oduber Quirós International Airport in Liberia, take a quiet moment to look back on the journey: the forests, the people, the wildlife. This chapter may have closed, yet Costa Rica’s spirit travels with you, ready to be revisited.

Alternatively, extend your stay and continue your journey of discovery. Speak with your Signature Collection travel expert to explore the possibilities.

Meals included:Breakfast

Dates & Prices

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Accommodation

Experience the best of Costa Rican hospitality

Every aspect of the Signature Collection is meticulously planned to take you deeper into the destination. That means your accommodation is a refined showcase of local hospitality, whether you’re staying in a pioneering luxury hotel or enjoying privileged access to an experiential stay.

Below are the accommodations we use on this adventure:

San José: Hotel Grano de Oro (night 1)

Grano de Oro Hotel

Begin your journey in this lovingly restored tropical Victorian mansion. Refined hospitality awaits, with warm service and polished rooms. When it’s time to relax and toast to the adventure, head to the rooftop sundeck or recharge on the jacuzzi terrace − a serene start to your Costa Rican story.

Arenal: Arenal Kioro Hotel (nights 2-4)

Arenal Kioro Hotel

Set within lush rainforest at the foot of Arenal Volcano, Arenal Kioro offers an immersive stay surrounded by one of Costa Rica’s most spectacular natural landscapes. Spacious suites enjoy sweeping volcano views, while natural thermal springs, tropical gardens and forest trails create a deep sense of connection to the environment. Wildlife is never far away, and after days spent exploring Arenal’s rainforests and volcanic landscapes, this peaceful retreat provides the perfect place to unwind amidst the sights and sounds of the jungle.

Caño Negro: Tocu Tent Camp (nights 5-6)

Signature Costa Rica | Where the Wild Answers

Your Signature Stay is the meeting point of conservation and comfort. Stylish canvas suites built by local artisans sit amid wetlands alive with birdlife. Each features an outdoor tub, rainforest shower, and nest hammock. Celebrate Costa Rican cuisine at Kura restaurant and enjoy sunset with a cocktail at Kapi Forest Lounge.

Las Catalinas: Santarena Hotel (nights 7-8)

Santarena Hotel

Perched within the picturesque coastal enclave of Las Catalinas, Santarena offers a distinctive blend of understated luxury and barefoot sophistication. Here, colourful streets lead to secluded beaches, ocean views unfold around every corner, and life centres around the natural beauty of the Pacific coast. Whether enjoying a morning stroll along the waterfront, exploring rugged coastal trails, or simply watching the sun sink into the ocean, a stay at Santarena provides an intimate connection to one of Guanacaste’s most exclusive and enchanting destinations.

Enhance your stay: Personalise your experience with curated room upgrades and additional nights tailored to your travel plans.

Post-trip Extensions

Exclusive Add-ons

Papagayo Bay, Manuel Antonio & Puerto Viejo Hotels

Extend your time in Costa Rica and let the rhythm of the country unfold a little further. From quiet Pacific coves to rainforest-fringed shores and the Caribbean coast, a few extra nights reveal new landscapes and perspectives. Here are a few of our favourite hotels to inspire your stay:

Secrets Papagayo: Set along the calm waters of Papagayo Bay on Costa Rica’s northern Pacific coast, this adults-only retreat (picture above) invites a slower pace. Rooms look across tropical gardens or the sheltered bay, while attentive service and thoughtful dining shape an easy sense of comfort. Days drift between the pool, the sea and quiet hillside paths, creating a peaceful coastal escape.

Parador Resort & Spa: High above the Pacific near Manuel Antonio National Park, this hilltop resort looks out over rainforest and ocean. Wildlife often appears in the surrounding forest, adding a sense of connection to the landscape. Pools are set among tropical foliage, and the restaurants celebrate Costa Rica’s coastal ingredients. It’s a restful base for time in one of the country’s most biodiverse regions.

Le Cameleon Boutique Hotel: On the Caribbean coast at Puerto Viejo, this stylish retreat blends contemporary design with its rainforest setting. Rooms are bright and minimalist, contrasting with the deep greens of the surrounding jungle. A short walk leads to the beach, while the pool and open-air restaurant provide a relaxed place to pause after days exploring Costa Rica’s vibrant Caribbean side.

This is just a glimpse of what’s possible. Speak to your Signature Collection travel expert, who can guide you through the options and arrange everything for you.

Essential Information

This trip is graded Activity Level 2 (Easy & Moderate). For more information on our trip gradings, visit the Activity Level Guidelines page.

Driving times: The longest travel time takes place on Day 2 (three hours) and Day 7 (four hours). All other journeys are under 2hr 30min.

Signature Day: Select from a curated menu of optional experiences to create a day that is personal to you or choose to slow the pace and enjoy the facilities of your accommodation. Simply prebook your chosen experience at least 60 days before departure through your Signature Collection travel expert.

Please note, some optional activities may have minimum group size requirements to operate. If minimum numbers are not reached by 60 days prior to travel, you will be contacted and offered an alternative optional activity.

As with all adventures in the Signature Collection, we take care of your arrival and departure transfers, allowing you to fully relax and immerse yourself in the local culture.

Arrival airport: Juan Santamaría International Airport (SJO)
- Your adventure begins with a welcome reception at 6pm on Day 1 at our first accommodation.
Departure airport: Daniel Oduber Quirós International Airport (LIR)
- Your adventure concludes after breakfast on the final day.

Complimentary arrival and departure transfers are included between the airport and the tour’s designated start and end hotels on the first and last day of your tour. If you book additional pre-tour or post-tour nights at the designated start or end hotel through Exodus, your complimentary transfer will also be valid for those arrival and departure dates.

Additional charges may apply for transfers on different dates or to and from alternative hotels within the same city. To ensure arrangements can be made, complimentary transfers must be requested through your Signature Collection Travel Expert at least two weeks before your tour departure date.

Costa Rica

Travellers from the UK, US and EU normally do not need a visa to enter Costa Rica; however, proof of onward travel may be required – we suggest you take a physical copy of your flight details in case officials ask to see them.

Please note, visa requirements often change and it is your responsibility to obtain any required visas for this trip. Therefore, we recommend that you check with the nearest embassy or consulate of your chosen destination(s), including any countries you may be transiting or transferring through.

Some local governments provide guidance on what visas their citizens need. To help, we’ve gathered a selection of useful links below.

• Australia: www.smartraveller.gov.au/destinations/americas/costa-rica
• Canada: www.travel.gc.ca/destinations/costa-rica
• United Kingdom: www.gov.uk/foreign-travel-advice/costa-rica/entry-requirements
• USA:  www.travel.state.gov/content/travel/en/international-travel/International-Travel-Country-Information-Pages/Costa-Rica.html

This journey is designed to deepen your connection to the country through food and drink. Expect a bucolic lunch with Doña Olga, Maleku indigenous cuisine at Caño Negro, and a celebration of Costa Rican cuisine throughout. Where meals are not included, your Signature Guide will be on hand with considered recommendations, whether you choose to dine together or enjoy the evening at your own pace.

Costa Rica is tropical year-round. December to April is generally drier, especially in Guanacaste’s dry forest. May to November brings greener landscapes and short, often afternoon, showers. Cloud-forest locations feel cooler and misty at elevation; the lowlands and wetlands are warmer and humid.

As a certified B Corp, we’re on a mission to improve our social and environmental impact across all our adventures.

We do this through our innovative Thriving Nature, Thriving People plan.

This ‘nature positive’ approach is designed to help nature and communities thrive in harmony through practical solutions, such as reducing carbon and waste on our trips, supporting conservation projects through the Exodus Adventure Travels Foundation, and rewilding 100 square metres for every Exodus traveller.

We also weave Signature Legacy moments into your itinerary, so the positive impact of your trip lasts long after your stay. These are moments to remember which help people and nature thrive, ensuring you build a harmonious, positive connection with the places you visit.

On this journey, you can:

Join a private talk with a local ecologist or biologist on the importance of biological corridors for jaguar conservation. Take part in a tree-planting ceremony to help restore the Hacienda’s rewilding corridor, and receive a personalised adoption certificate.
Visit Bucolic Farm in Bajos del Toro and Blue Flag Farm in Caño Negro to meet farmers championing sustainability and community-driven agriculture that supports both local livelihoods and biodiversity.
Join a marine naturalist from ConnectOcean, learn about local conservation projects while searching for marine wildlife, taking part in simple citizen science activities.