Undiscovered Caribbean

  • Trip Type
  • Discovery
  • Length
  • 9 Days / 8 Nights
  • When to Go
  • May-November

    • Captivating color, culture & Caribbean soul

    Divided from the rest of the country by an imaginary line – the continental divide – Costa Rica’s Caribbean feels like a country unto itself, characterized by vast expanses of lowland tropical forest, postcard-worthy beaches and a vibrant Afro-Caribbean influence. Begin your trip in Tortuguero’s verdant jungles amongst monkeys, toucans and sloths, then head south to Puerto Viejo for blissful beaches and a cultural experience distinct from anywhere else in the country. Imagine walking palm-fringed beaches while sensual Calypso wafts by on a coconut-scented breeze. This is paradise.

    Trip Highlights

    • Exotic wildlife & lush jungles in Tortuguero
    • Private kayaking along rainforest-lined canals
    • Untouched beaches on the Southern Caribbean coast
    • Salsa dancing & dinner beneath the stars in Puerto Viejo
    • Whitewater rafting led by specialist guides

    similar trips per person from:

    $2,850.00 low season (May - Oct)
    $3,225.00 high season (Nov - Apr)
    prices vary based on departure season.

    At a Glance

    Click each day for more details.

    • Day 1: San José - Arrival

      Welcome to Costa Rica! Check into Grano de Oro, an oasis in the heart of bustling San José. Enjoy a relaxing evening with dinner at the hotel restaurant - one of the best in the city - and a soak in the rooftop hot tub before an early morning tomorrow.

    • Day 2: San José to Tortuguero - Jungle-fringed canals by kayak

      Today you're off to Tortuguero, accessible only by air and water. Get an early morning start with a ride east through cloud forested mountains and flat, wide expanses of banana and pineapple plantations. Board a lancha to zip down the river to Tortuga Lodge where you'll check in just in time for lunch. Spend the afternoon spotting wildlife from a kayak as you paddle narrow jungle canals with a private guide.

    • Day 3: Tortuguero - A wildlife safari from monkeys to sea turtles

      Do some early-morning birdwatching as the forest begins to stir around you. After breakfast, cruise the river in search of the vast array of wildlife that lives in Tortuguero - monkeys, toucans, sloths, parrots and more. After dark, a twilight walk through the gardens in search of the diminutive red-eyed tree frog, and then head to the beach for an up-close-and-personal turtle nesting experience.

    • Day 4: Tortuguero to Puerto Viejo - The beaches are calling

      Trade rainforest for pristine Caribbean coast. Check into your luxe hideaway at Aguas Claras and head to the beach for the afternoon.

    • Day 5: Puerto Viejo - Navigate hidden beaches by bicycle

      Ride south along the coast at your own pace to some of the areas most breathtaking beaches - Playa Chiquita, Playa Cocles and Punta Uva. Find a stretch of sand to call your own and tuck into a gourmet picnic. After a few hours of sun, sand and sea, ride back to Puerto Viejo and swing by Choco, an artisanal chocolate concept store to sample sweet cacao treats paired with local rum.

    • Day 6 & 7: Puerto Viejo - Beach relaxation; salsa dancing & dinner beneath the stars

      Spend the last of your days in Puerto Viejo at your leisure. On your final night, toast to the perfect holiday with a gourmet spread served at a private beachfront table for two, then get your groove on with a private salsa class with a local pro.

    • Day 8: Puerto Viejo to San José - Whitewater rafting

      Spend the day chasing thrills as you paddle through rapids in one of Costa Rica's wildest and scenic rainforests - the river gorge surrounding the Pacuare River.

    • Day 9: San José - Departure

      After breakfast at Grano de Oro, a private driver will take you to the San José airport for your onward travels. So long!

    Accommodations

    What's Included?

    Your trip includes everything you want & need, plus a few surprises along the way. Unique, unforgettable destinations; tours with local experts; authentic local cuisine; lessons, demonstrations & new cultural insights; more adventure than you can handle; blissful relaxation; romantic touches; and a feeling of total freedom. ROAM takes care of everything so that you can enjoy a hassle-free journey without worrying about a thing.

    • Airport pickup
    • All hotel accommodation
    • 8 breakfasts, 1 lunch, 1 dinner
    • Detailed maps and trip preparation guide
    • All special events and tours
    • All vehicle and regional air transportation from rendezvous to drop-off
    • All baggage transportation
    • All gratuities for baggage, porters and hotel service

    Know Before You Go

    • Itinerary prices are dependent on season of departure. Christmas, New Years and Easter (Semana Santa) are peak season, and prices during these periods are significantlky higher than other times of year. High season runs from November through April, and green season from May through September.
    • Arrival: hotel check-in times are at 3:00pm, but you may arrive at any time during the day. If you arrive prior to the scheduled check-in time, we will arrange for early check-in wherever possible.
    • Departure: hotel check-out times are at 9:00am. International flights on your departure day should be arranged to depart after 1:30pm.
    • All prices in USD.
    • For vaccination recommendations, please visit the CDC website.
    • For American, Canadian, and British citizens, a valid passport with 6+ months remaining is required for entry to Costa Rica.
    • Debit cards may not work in Central America, but most establishments accept major credit cards.
    • Please ensure you have immediate access to a minimum of USD $250 as an emergency fund to be used if circumstances outside our control (e.g. a natural disaster) require changes to your planned route.
    • If departing Costa Rica by air, most major airlines include exit taxes in the price of your airfare; if departing via ground or boat, departure tax is USD $29.
    • It is customary to tip service providers (waiters) around 10% depending on service. Tipping taxi drivers is not required.
    • Gratuities for guides and drivers are deeply appreciated, and provide an important supplement to their income. If you are pleased with the tour services you've received, a guideline for tipping in Central America is USD $8-10 per person per day for multiple-day tours, or USD $5-10 per person for day tours.

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    Getting There

    From North America: several airlines offer direct and connecting flights to Costa Rica’s two international airports: Juan Santamaría International Airport in San José (airport code: SJO) and Daniel Oduber Quirós International Airport in Liberia (airport code: LIR). Including connection time, flights from the USA typically range from 2.5-9 hours in duration, while most flights from Canada range from 9-15 hours in duration.

    From the UK: there are currently no direct flights to Costa Rica from the UK, but there are several flight options connecting in the United States and/or Canada. Including connection time, flights from the UK typically range from 12-18 hours in duration.

    When you arrive in SJO or LIR, there will be an airport transfer waiting to take you to your hotel downtown, or in some cases, your next destination. If you have questions about flights, or require assistance booking, please contact us here. We're here to help!

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