Naturally Green: Costa Rica Coffee to Coast

From $1,650 pp

  • Duration

    8 Days
  • Bookable From

    Year-round
  • Trip Style

    Self-Guided
  • Country

    Costa Rica
  • Physical Rating

    Very Easy

Overview

Discover the naturally green country of Costa Rica on this self-drive trip through a famous coffee region, to the Arenal Volcano, and to the picturesque coast.

Embark on an unforgettable journey through Costa Rica’s vibrant culture, delicious cuisine, and breathtaking natural wonders with this Naturally Green itinerary. Dive deep into the heart of this eco-friendly paradise as you explore lush rainforests, savor authentic local flavors, and connect with rich traditions that make Costa Rica truly unique.

From immersive cultural experiences like a coffee tour and a cooking class, to adventures in pristine, protected environments, this itinerary promises a harmonious blend of sustainability and discovery, leaving you inspired by nature and the warmth of Costa Rican hospitality.

Highlights

  • Join an immersive coffee tour in Naranjo, one of Costa Rica’s finest coffee regions.
  • Savor Costa Rica’s culinary heritage with a hands-on cooking class.
  • Experience the authentic rural traditions and lifestyle of local organic farmers in the lush Arenal region.
  • Glide through Arenal’s waterways on a serene Safari Boat tour surrounded by stunning wildlife.
  • Explore the beauty of Nosara with an eco-friendly River E-Boat tour through pristine landscapes.
  • Observe Costa Rica’s stunning landscapes from above during a flight from Nosara to San José.

This itinerary allows you to have an incredible journey through Costa Rica, offering the perfect balance of culture, nature, and sustainability. You will enjoy excursions guided by expert locals who share their deep knowledge of the country's traditions and ecosystems. You will have your own rental car to drive to each main stop and explore areas on your own in the free time between planned excursions.

You'll rejuvenate with two-to-three night stays in carefully selected accommodations throughout Naranjo, Arenal, and Nosara. Our accommodation selections prioritize sustainable practices, ensuring a responsible and eco-friendly experience.

From discovering Costa Rica’s rich coffee heritage to savoring its culinary delights and observing its wildlife from two different relaxing boat tours, every aspect of the trip is designed to immerse you in the authentic beauty and culture of this vibrant destination.

This journey promises not only unforgettable adventures but also a meaningful connection with Costa Rica's natural and cultural treasures.

Seasonal Notes

Costa Rica is a year-round destination, with each season offering unique experiences depending on what you seek—whether it's sun-soaked beaches or lush rainforests in their full vibrant glory.

Dry Season (December to April):

This is considered the high season for tourism in Costa Rica, especially on the Pacific coast. Expect sunny, warm weather, perfect for beach activities and outdoor adventures. It’s the ideal time to explore national parks, visit volcanic regions, and enjoy the wildlife in its dry-season habitats. The Central Valley and most coastal areas experience pleasant temperatures, though some areas like the Caribbean may still see occasional rainfall.

Green Season (May to November):

During the rainy season, Costa Rica turns lush and green, which is why it’s often called the Green Season. Although rains are more frequent in the afternoon and evening, mornings are typically clear and perfect for outdoor activities. The green season is an excellent time for those looking to experience Costa Rica’s rich biodiversity, as this period marks the peak of plant growth and animal activity. The Caribbean coast tends to receive rain throughout the year but remains fairly pleasant. Additionally, fewer tourists mean more relaxed travel conditions.

Itinerary

Day 1 San Jose [Costa Rica] (arrival day)

Welcome to Costa Rica!

After arriving at Juan Santamaria Int’l Airport (SJO), our local representative will meet and greet you upon arrival and hand out some information, including travel tips, for your visit. 

Afterward, you will be provided with a 4x2 car rental in the area. From here on, you will be driving to the different areas set on the itinerary.

Today, you will head out on your own to the Central Mountain Range, a drive that will take approximately one hour. It will offer you a first look at the diversity that the country has to offer, including the beautiful Naranjo Coffee Plantations.

After checking in at the lodge, where you'll stay the first two nights, you may enjoy the rest of the day and evening at leisure. The intimate lodge sits amidst the growing coffee region of Llano Bonito de Naranjo. It prides itself on a unique experience combining nature, culture, and, of course, coffee. Guests will have the option to stay in one of the 12 suites that have been designed to resemble a classic Recibidores, or coffee receiving station. Each of the individual 500 square-foot bungalows includes a king bed, a private sitting area, large two-sink bathrooms, and a balcony with views of the Poas, Bar,va and Irazu volcanos.

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Accommodation: 3* Lodge

Day 2 Naranjo - Coffee Tour & Cooking Class

Coffee has been one of Costa Rica’s signature exports and a fundamental pillar of its society and economy for the past 200 years. Coffee beans have earned the name "golden bean." Your coffee tour allows you to visit the surroundings of Cañuela village, located at an altitude of 1,400 meters, where ideal temperatures and rich volcanic soils create perfect conditions for producing high-quality Arabic coffee.

Just 10 minutes from your lodge, you'll explore a 20-hectare private coffee farm owned by Don Carlos, a former University of Costa Rica professor who has dedicated his retirement to coffee cultivation. The farm features manicured gardens with hundreds of hydrangeas and other plants, offering a sense of authenticity. Upon arrival, a 500-meter accessible path takes you through lush green landscapes with stunning mountain views and coffee fields.

During the 2.5-hour walk, a professional guide will provide details about the farm's history, its owner, coffee production, plant varieties, geography, and traditional cultivation methods. The tour concludes with brewing and enjoying a cup of coffee at the farmer's home, accompanied by breathtaking views and a sense of harmony and peace!

After the coffee tour, enjoy a visit to a local home and learn how to prepare traditional Costa Rican food at Doña Elida's house, just 5 minutes from your lodge (you will drive yourself).

Costa Rican cuisine is known for its multicultural recipes and distinctive regional styles, such as the spicy Afro-Caribbean dishes and the corn-based Guanacaste recipes. Depending on your schedule, you can choose to make a traditional breakfast ("Gallo Pinto") with rice, beans, and Salsa Lizano, or a typical lunch or dinner ("Casado") featuring rice, beans, salad, picadillo, meat, fried plantains, and a natural juice drink called "fresco." The experience concludes with a meal where you enjoy the dishes you've prepared, offering a delicious way to understand Costa Rican culture.

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Accommodation: 3* Lodge
Meals: Breakfast & Lunch
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The Coffee Tour and the Cooking Class are both Shared Half-Day Experiences; learn more about this experience type in the FAQ.

Day 3 Naranjo - Arenal Volcano

Traveling from Naranjo to Arenal, you will drive yourself two to three hours through scenic landscapes, including lush valleys and rolling hills.

As you near Arenal, you'll see the impressive Arenal Volcano. Upon arrival, you'll be dropped off at your chosen hotel or destination, ready to explore Arenal's natural attractions. This transfer offers a comfortable and picturesque start to your Arenal adventure.

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Accommodation: 4* Resort
Meals: Breakfast

Day 4 Arenal Volcano – Arenal Vida Campesina Tour

Rural tourism activities in Costa Rica offer a deep dive into the country's cultural heritage.

You will be transported to Arenal Vida Campesina, a self-sustained organic farm near La Fortuna, for a hands-on experience of rural Costa Rican life. The tour starts with a demonstration of sugarcane juice extraction, followed by a walk-through of sugarcane, coffee, and banana plantations. You'll visit a sanctuary for endangered trees and learn about organic farming techniques. The tour includes making tortillas and enjoying a typical organic lunch at La Guaria Morada restaurant, emphasizing the farm-to-table concept.

This experience highlights the benefits of rural tourism in preserving Costa Rican heritage and supporting local communities.

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Accommodation: 4* Resort
Meals: Breakfast & Lunch

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This tour is a Shared Half-Day Experience; learn more about this experience type in the FAQ.

Day 5 Arenal Volcano – Peñas Blancas Safari Boat Tour

Born in the Tilaran Mountain Range, the Peñas Blancas River flows smoothly through the northern lowlands, offering a safe and enjoyable safari boat tour.

After a 30-minute drive from your hotel, you'll arrive at the river for a safety briefing and equipment fitting. The tour takes place on an inflatable raft (see the photo), with paddles mainly used for steering. This is a slow, relaxed river safari, and as you quietly navigate downstream, you'll experience the rainforest's serenity and observe its wildlife.

Guided by a professional bilingual guide, you'll learn about the various animals and plants along the riverbanks, with chances to see sloths, monkeys, toucans, crocodiles, iguanas, turtles, and tropical birds.

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Accommodation: 4* Resort
Meals: Breakfast

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This tour is a Shared Half-Day Experience; learn more about this experience type in the FAQ.

Day 6 Arenal Volcano – Nosara

Traveling from Arenal to Nosara takes you through a picturesque journey from lush volcanic landscapes to the serene beaches of the Nicoya Peninsula. This drive will take you approximately four hours.

Passing through charming rural towns and the rolling hills of Guanacaste, you’ll witness Costa Rica’s traditional countryside with its cattle ranches and sugarcane fields. As the scenery transitions to the drier tropics, winding roads lead you to Nosara’s tranquil beaches, renowned for their laid-back atmosphere, yoga retreats, and excellent surfing. This scenic route perfectly combines natural beauty and cultural charm, culminating in a destination ideal for relaxation and adventure.

When you arrive at Nosara, you can enjoy free time on Guiones Beach, where you'll find nice restaurants, coffee shops, tourist information, and some nightlife.

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Accommodation: 4* Boutique Hotel
Meals: Breakfast

Day 7 Nosara – River E-Boat Tour

In the morning, you'll step aboard an electric boat and glide along Rio Nosara and Rio Montaña! The local guide will show you the fascinating mangrove forests and the animals native to the region. The soundless e-boat ensures that you will see the many native birds on the shores. If you’re lucky, you may even see a crocodile!

During the afternoon, you're free to enjoy the area on your own. We recommend discovering an excellent local restaurant, watching the sunset, or simply strolling around the area.

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Accommodation: 4* Boutique Hotel
Meals: Breakfast

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This tour is a Shared Half-Day Experience; learn more about this experience type in the FAQ.

Day 8 Nosara – San José (departure day)

On your final day in Costa Rica, enjoy a scenic transfer from your hotel to the Nosara Airstrip, where you’ll embark on a short domestic flight eastward to San José (it would take over 5 hours to drive this).

This aerial journey offers breathtaking views of coastal landscapes, verdant greenery, and quaint rural communities, providing a perfect farewell to the country’s natural beauty.

Upon landing in the capital, a private transfer will take you comfortably to the Juan Santamaría International Airport, ensuring you arrive with plenty of time for your departure.

Safe travels, and we hope Costa Rica’s charm stays with you!

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Meals: Breakfast

Route Map

Route map for the Naturally Green Costa Rica trip through Naranjo, Arenal, and Nosara.

Inclusions & Exclusions

  • Meet & Greet at SJO International Airport

  • 7 nights lodging (2 nights in a lodge; 3 nights in a resort; 2 nights in a boutique hotel)

  • D2 Coffee Tour (Shared Half-Day Experience) - Without Transportation

  • D2 Cooking Class (Shared Half-Day Experience) - Without Transportation

  • D4 Arenal Vida Campesina Tour (Shared Half-Day Experience)

  • D5 Peñas Blancas Safari Boat Tour (Shared Half-Day Experience)

  • D7 River E-Boat Tour (Shared Half-Day Experience)

  • Private Transfer: Nosara Hotel to Airstrip

  • Domestic Flight: Nosara to San Jose - Stop over Liberia

  • Private Transfer: San Jose Domestic Terminal to SJO Intl Airport

  • Meals mentioned in the itinerary

  • International flights

  • Meals not mentioned

  • Alcohol

  • Rental car (see Pricing info)

  • Rental car insurance (see Pricing info)

  • Ground transfers not mentioned

  • Personal expenses

  • Insurance

  • Visa

  • Taxes

  • Tips

Pricing

Prices exclude flights to/from the destination.

Prices are for double room occupancy unless indicated otherwise.

This trip requires a rental car and rental car insurance. Pricing for the car and insurance are upon request and will be added to the listed trip price. You're also welcome to book your rental car on your own.

Prices vary by season:

  • High Season: Nov. 1, 2024 - April 30, 2025
  • Mid Season: July 1 - Aug. 31, 2025; Nov. 1-30, 2025
  • Low Season: May 1 - June 30, 2025; Sep. 1 - Oct. 31, 2025
  • Deposit per person

    30% of the trip price

  • Shared Room - sleeps 2 - price per person

    High: $2,010 Mid: $1,750 Low: $1,650

  • Shared Room - sleeps 3 - price per person

    This room type will have two beds. High: $1,740 Mid: $1,550 Low: $1,475

  • Single Supplement

    High: $1,350 Mid: $1,080 Low: $1,000

Sustainability

Since 1972, we have been committed to positioning Costa Rica as a sustainable tourism destination. Through partnerships with government institutions and organizations, we've implemented initiatives that protect the environment, support local communities, and promote responsible travel practices.

Our approach includes collaborating with eco-certified accommodations, supporting conservation projects, and integrating carbon offset programs to reduce our environmental impact. We also work closely with local communities, reinvesting in their economies and fostering cultural preservation. Some of our company-wide initiatives include:

  • Actively collaborating with local projects that protect national parks, reserves, and biological corridors throughout Costa Rica.
  • Organizing a volunteer trash collection program.
  • Supporting food banks in San José and Guanacaste.
  • Educating employees, travelers, and business partners on sustainability and conservation to encourage responsible practices.
  • Adhering to Fair Trade practices for all collaborators and partners, from tour guides to small-scale farmers, to foster ethical economic development.
  • Promoting tourism dispersal and economic support in rural areas by focusing on less-visited regions, reducing the strain on popular destinations, and promoting inclusivity.

As we move forward, we remain dedicated to creating meaningful travel experiences while ensuring the preservation of Costa Rica's natural and cultural heritage for future generations.

We are proud to hold certifications such as the Certification for Sustainable Tourism (CST), awarded by the Costa Rican Tourism Board, which reflects our dedication to environmental conservation and response tourism.

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Environmental Initiatives

  • This itinerary has been carefully designed to minimize its environmental impact by prioritizing eco-friendly accommodations and activities.
  • Each hotel selected is committed to sustainable practices, such as reducing waste, conserving energy, and supporting local conservation projects.
  • Activities are chosen with respect for Costa Rica's natural ecosystems, ensuring wildlife and habitats are preserved for future generations.

Community Support

  • Guests will have the opportunity to connect with local communities through authentic experiences, such as learning about traditional farming techniques and Costa Rican culinary traditions.
  • The trip supports small, family-owned businesses and local artisans, ensuring that tourism directly benefits the communities visited.
  • Travelers can actively engage in cultural exchanges, deepening their understanding of Costa Rica's heritage while fostering meaningful connections.

Economic Initiatives

  • This trip emphasizes responsible travel by partnering with locally owned accommodations and tours, directly supporting the local economy.
  • Sustainable tourism initiatives included in the itinerary create jobs and provide income for rural communities, helping to promote equitable economic growth.
  • By participating in this journey, guests contribute to a tourism model that reinvests in the regions they visit, ensuring long-term benefits for both residents and the environment.

Health & Safety

Be sure you have traveler's insurance.

We are dedicated to ensuring that tourists visit a healthy and safe country. Costa Rica, with its exemplary national health system and status as one of the safest countries in the region, provides a secure environment for our visitors. Our Sustainability Handbook seeks to ensure the safety of the services customers receive. These guidelines include the selection of responsible suppliers and support for strategies that promote a safe destination, different policies that cover visitors, and participation in initiatives such as the Tourism Safety Committee of the National Chamber of Tourism.

We also provide advice for travelers upon arrival in the form of a Welcome Letter that includes Responsible Tips to Become a Sustainable Traveler.

FAQs

What does the Physical Rating of "Very Easy" mean?

This itinerary is designed for travelers of all ages and fitness levels. It’s perfect for mature travelers, families, couples, solo travelers, or small groups looking for a relaxing and enjoyable experience.

You don’t need any special training or preparation to embark on this journey - it has an easygoing pace and offers comfortable activities making it accessible to everyone. Whether you're a seasoned traveler or new to exploring, this itinerary ensures a seamless and stress-free adventure in Costa Rica.

What are the accommodations like?

The accommodations included in this itinerary are thoughtfully selected to cater to all types of travelers. Each property offers a unique blend of comfort and charm, featuring boutique-style designs that highlight the essence of Costa Rica. Guests can enjoy breathtaking views of the country’s natural beauty, from lush rainforests to serene beaches and majestic mountains. These accommodations provide excellent amenities, such as cozy rooms, local and international dining options, and relaxing common areas, ensuring a memorable and rejuvenating stay for everyone. Whether you're traveling solo, as a couple, with friends, or as a family, these properties guarantee an exceptional experience.

Does the cooking class include transportation?

No, transportation is not included. However, since you will have a rental car, the experience can be easily done using your own vehicle. All the rest of the excursions offer transportation, this is the only one that requires a rental car.

What does it mean to have a "Shared Experience"?

A Shared Experience means that you will be with other travelers during this excursion; it will not be a private experience for only your group. The Shared Experiences will respect a small group size and are a good option for travelers seeking high-quality excursions at more accessible price points.

How much sitting time can be expected in the rental car?

It is varied. From Juan Santamaria International Airport to Chayote it takes about 1 hour; from Chayote to Arenal it takes around 3 hours; and from Arenal to Nosara it takes around 4 hours. Then, the local flight from Nosara to San Jose takes about an hour to arrive at the Domestic Terminal in SJO.

Do you need to pay tips for our services?

We would like to inform you that tipping is not necessary for our services. Our team members are fully compensated for their work, ensuring they receive fair wages. Of course, if you feel someone has gone above and beyond, any additional gesture of appreciation is entirely up to you.

What kind of experience can I expect from this trip?

This itinerary is crafted for those seeking to relax, reconnect with nature, and recharge their minds and spirits. From breathtaking landscapes to meaningful experiences, every moment invites you to immerse yourself in the beauty of Costa Rica and return home feeling refreshed, inspired, and renewed.

Inquire Now

Group Size

  • Min: 2
  • Max: 10

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