Welcome to Costa Rica! Upon arrival at the airport, you will be met by your awaiting car and driver to transfer you to your hotel in San Jose. Enjoy the remainder of the day at your leisure.

San Jose

Historic neighborhoods in Costa Rica are laced with delicious international restaurants and bustling shopping streets. The city's art scene is popping and huge colorful murals blend harmoniously beside small unique art galleries. Like many Latin American capitals, it's the colonial architecture that truly gives the streets of San Jose their charm, and is a welcome break from the ever-modernizing city attributes. As a city that primarily hosts travelers arriving and departing from Costa Rica specifically, San Jose fills its role perfectly. An introduction, a gateway and a welcoming!

At 6:30am this morning, you will be picked up at your hotel and transferred to the airport in good time to board your domestic flight. Upon arrival in Puerto Jimenez, you will be picked up at the airport by a representative of Playa Cativo Lodge and driven to the marina. From here, Playa Cativo staff will escort you on a picturesque 30-minute boat ride to the lodge taking in the magnificent coastline with tropical vegetation – with occasional sightings of schools of dolphins, turtles, and/or humpback whales enroute.

Surrounded by some of the most unspoiled and diverse rainforest in the world, Playa Cativo is a Costa Rica Eco Lodge located on the calm waters of the Golfo Dulce, the inner side of the Osa Peninsula in southern Costa Rica. (Golfo Dulce is the only tropical fjord in the Americas.) Unique in its native beauty, seclusion and natural treasures where everything is pitch perfect, Playa Cativo (Cativo Beach) offers an unparalleled experience for those eager to be immersed in nature and away from it all.

Golfo Dulce

The Golfo Dulce, or Sweet Gulf, sits between the Osa Peninsula and Costa Rica's southern Pacific coastline. The large bay hugs pristine beaches, rivers and tall evergreen forest, which is protected as the Golfo Dulce Forest Reserve. As one of the wettest places on Earth with over 200 inches of rainfall a year, the Golfo Dulce Forest Reserve boasts some of the tallest ancient trees that tower between 100 and 140 feet into the air. Known for its biodiversity, this region is ideal for nature lovers and adventurers.

Playa Cativo Lodge Activities

Enjoy your stay at Playa Cativo Lodge as you'd like! Included in your stay are use of kayaks, stand-up paddle boards and snorkeling gear inside Cativo Bay; a 2 hour guided nature walk in the rainforest; and access to self-guided hiking trails around the tropical rainforest reserve. If you're feeling more active, there are a number of tours and activities that can be booked directly at the lodge at an additional cost including (but not limited to): deep sea fishing, stand-up paddle board guided adventures, Piedras Blancas National Park guided hikes, mangrove-ocean guided kayaking, dolphin and whale watching tours, off-grid alternative energy tour, and more! (This service is on a group basis.)

Alas, it's time to say goodbye to this little slice of paradise and continue your journey North. You'll take the Lodge's boat back to the Marina Golfito where your driver will be waiting for you to transfer you to Manuel Antonio at approximately 11am. The drive will take approximately 3.5 hours, so sit back, relax and enjoy the views!

Manuel Antonio National Park

If there is a heaven for beach lovers, it is surely taking notes from Manuel Antonio! There is a reason that this rugged coast of small bays and secluded beaches is one of Central America's most popular destinations. Dense jungle sits directly adjacent to pristine sandy beaches in this national park, forming unique, funky coves that each offer picture perfect photo opportunities in their own right. If these scenic landscapes aren't enough to keep you captivated, then you might make the most of the wildlife viewing activities. Iguanas, howler monkeys, sloths and several birds parade through here daily.

National Park Guided Tour & Exploration

At 8am, you will be picked up at your hotel to embark on a private tour of the beautiful Manuel Antonio National Park. This outing includes a 2.5 hour guided nature walk, so you can discover all of the highlights and hidden gems of the area.

Named as one of the 12 most beautiful national parks in the world by Forbes Magazine, Manuel Antonio is known for its gorgeous cream colored beach, lush forest growing to the beach edge, abundant wildlife, warm pacific waters, and easy forest trails with scenic ocean overlooks. You will likely see a variety of exotic wildlife, as the animals are accustomed to visitors. These creatures include squirrel monkeys, capuchin monkeys, and sloths. After hiking, you can enjoy some free time to explore the park on your own. (This service is on a private basis.)

Coastal Kayaking & Snorkeling Tour

At 8:10am you will be picked up at your hotel. Today's sea kayaking adventure begins near the developing Pez Vela (Sail Fish) Marina in Quepos, and continues winding along the beautiful Manuel Antonio coastline. Your bilingual naturalist guide will tell you about the area, point out wildlife and will also direct you to the best snorkeling spots; a great volcanic rock hosting wide variety of fish, crabs and other marine life, very close to the shore of Biezans Bay. After snorkeling you will make a stop at a beautiful secluded beach, where you can rest your arms, enjoy the water and your guide will provide you with a snack – fruits and cookies. With the new energy in your body, you are now ready to head back and enjoy the magical surroundings you are in.(This service is on a group basis.)

Sadly, your journey through the exotic beauty and natural wildlife of Costa Rica must come to an end today. At 8am, you will be met at your hotel and transferred to the San Jose airport (approximately 3 hours) in good time to board your departure flight home. We hope you had an unforgettable experience here and we wish you a safe journey home! (This service is on a private basis.)