Description
Arrive in San Jose and spend a couple of nights at the nearby Xandari Plantation, a characterful boutique hotel overlooking the Central Valley and surrounded by miles of nature trails. Relax by the pool or in the excellent spa before the real adventure begins.
Fly to Puerto Jimenez airstrip and head to Lapa Rios, a luxury wilderness eco lodge in a private reserve on the wildlife rich Osa Peninsula. With over 300 species of birds and many mammals and invertebrates it is an excellent area for wildlife with miles of private trails in prime rainforest.
There are fabulous excursions to choose from such as rainforest treks, night walks, horse-riding, kayaking, fishing, waterfall rappelling, canopy zip line, surfing and bird-watching trips. Or why not join the fascinating medicinal plant tour with a local shaman.
From the Osa Peninsula fly to San Jose and transfer to the put-in point of the wild Pacuare River and white water raft through spectacular jungle scenery down to the lodge. This remote luxury lodge is a magical place for discovering the rainforest, and contains Costa Rica’s highest canopy walkway, as well as offering activities such as canyoning and visits to some of the local indigenous Cabecar Indian communities. The lodge is purely lit by candles in the evening so is incredibly atmospheric and a fabulous destination for guests looking for a totally unique and memorable experience.
Return by an exhilarating raft to the river’s put-out point where you will then transfer to the Central Valley for the evening before taking a short flight up to the Guanacaste coast for a relaxing 4 night stay at the beautiful and exclusive Flor Blanca, an elegant and luxuriously appointed boutique hotel with fabulous service. It also offers yoga and indulgent spa treatments. For guests keen to explore you can also visit Tortuga Island for snorkelling, arrange a fishing charter, learn to surf, go zip-wiring, horse ride, go hiking and cycling or visit some of the nearby waterfalls.
Itinerary
When to travel
Year round destination, although November to April are the best months for sunshine. The ‘Green’ season, from May to October, is a good time to visit: it’s sunny in the mornings with rain in the afternoons. The quietest period is April to early June. The rain can be particularly strong in September and October.
Rafting is possible all year round, though the river might be slightly colder during the green season.
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Best time to visit
Good time to visit
Average time to visit
Not applicable
Location and directions
Costa Rica
Xandari Plantation has a stunning location overlooking the central valley of Costa Rica on a secluded coffee plantation outside of San Jose. Lapa Rios is 18km south of Puerto Jiménez at Playa Carbonera, on the south-eastern tip of the Osa Peninsula, on the south end of Costa Rica's Pacific coast. Then to the Turriala district, 25-minutes from Siquierres. Pacuare Lodge is set deep in the rainforest jungle alongside the Pacuare River in eastern Costa Rica. In the province of Heredia, Finca Rosa Blanca Country Inn is 1.6 km from the town of Santa Barbara, a suburb of San Jose. Flor Blanca is in Santa Teresa, on the Nicoya Peninsula, on Costa Rica’s northwestern Pacific coast, only 10-minues from Mal Pais.
How to get there
15-hour flight (via Miami) to San Jose Juan Santamaria International. Xandari Plantation is a 20-minute car transfer from the airport.
