Arrive in Costa Rica’s capital and transfer to your centrally located hotel.

Travel to the Selva Bananito Lodge on the eastern coast of Costa Rica. This is the only lodge in the country that has been almost entirely constructed using recycled wood from the logging industry, helping to preserve the 2,000 acres of primary forest in which it sits. The family-run lodge also provides more than 100,000 people with their drinking water supply and your hosts will be delighted to share their efforts and dedication to social and environmental protection. The surrounding forest is a haven for an unfathomable amount of bird species and this afternoon take a gentle walk through the forests with an expert naturalist.

As part of a growing reforestation project, the Selva Bananito Lodge has planted thousands of tropical trees in land that has been greatly diminished by logging. This morning you will aid this important work by planting your own tree, contributing to the conservation of the endemic and endangered species that inhabit the area. Your guide will show you how to give your tree the best chance of survival and, with a 91% success rate, your tree will hopefully become part of the tropical rainforest. The afternoon is at leisure although the lodge does provide several optional activities including forest hikes and natural history walks to immerse yourself in the vegetation.

Travel to Arenal for a three-night stay at the Arenal Observatory Lodge, located in the northern plains close to Arenal Volcano. The eco-lodge maintains an esteemed ethos for ecology and preservation and the sustainably built structure is complemented by its organic farm and commendable conservation projects. The rest of the day is free but we recommend engaging with the many on-site eco-specialists to learn about the important work of the lodge.

Spend the next day at the Proyecto ASIS Wildlife Rescue Centre. The centre helps animals that have been injured or mistreated with the aim of reviving them back to full health to be released back into the wild. This is not just an educational experience though and visitors are encouraged to help with the daily duties which may include anything from preparing carefully planned diets for the wildlife to constructing enclosures.

Your last day in Arenal is at leisure although there are several immersive experiences provided by the ecolodge that you can participate in. One recommended option is a farm experience at the nearby small town of Agua Azul. Learn how to milk cows, taste homemade chocolate, and observe the distillation process of liquor, all of which combine natural processes with Costa Rican traditional methods.

Alternatively, embark on a raft cruise to observe the wildlife along the Peñas Blancas River. Spot basking crocodiles, swinging primates and colourful bird species before disembarking and participating in a tortilla-making demonstration.

Travel south to stay two nights in the Santa Juana Rural Mountain Lodge, home to elevated canopy walkways. The labyrinth of bridges and observation platforms will unveil a myriad of wildlife and natural wonders.

The mountain lodge is located approximately an hour’s journey from Manuel Antonio National Park in an isolated and idyllic spot in a pristine nature reserve. The day is at leisure to revel in your remote surroundings and to bathe in the flow of the natural spring waterfalls created from the cloud forest. 

Your next three nights are spent at the Playa Nicuesa Rainforest Lodge reached by a road and boat journey. Serenely located within the lush rainforest of the Piedras Blancas National Park, the lodge exemplifies Costa Rica’s pioneering efforts for sustainability and preservation of the natural environment. Sustainable tours of the lodge and surrounding national parks are included, as is the use of kayaking and snorkelling equipment to enjoy the crystal-clear waters.

There is no shortage of immersive excursions in the area and the next two days are free to explore at a pace that suits you. More than half the species native to Costa Rica can be found here and wildlife spotting opportunities are plentiful. Many visitors head to the Piedras Blancas and Corcovado National Parks for hiking, birdwatching and canopy tours or some head to the ocean for boat trips and fishing experiences.

You will take a short domestic flight back to San Jose to connect with your onward international flight.

Meals: B