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Voyzo
15 Highlights · 15 Days / 14 Nights · Fully Private & Customizable

Costa Rica: Nature & Culture Off the Beaten Track

Your own guide, your own vehicle, and an itinerary shaped entirely around you.

15 Days / 14 Nights Up to 25 Guests Free Itinerary Changes Local Expert Guide

About This Tour

A two-week deep dive into rural Costa Rica — the turquoise Rio Celeste waterfall, cacao and coffee farms, night walks in Boca Tapada, and the quetzal country of Savegre de Aguirre. Adapted from a self-drive itinerary — Voyzo runs this route with your own private driver and vehicle (the original included a Mitsubishi ASX 4WD rental) instead. The full 15-day route stays within Costa Rica.

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Day-by-Day Itinerary

A private guide, driver, and vehicle for the entire trip, with hotels pre-arranged at every overnight stop — the pace and any optional stops can still be shaped around your group.

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Arrival

Arrival pickup at Juan Santamaría International Airport, San José.

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Day 1 — San José

Airport transfer to the capital, with an optional exploration of its downtown museums and markets.

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Day 2 — Rio Celeste

Travel to the village of Bijagua de Upala, near Tenorio Volcano National Park, for relaxation and birdwatching.

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Day 3 — The Rio Celeste Waterfall

A guided rainforest hike to the turquoise waterfall, between the Tenorio and Miravalles volcanoes.

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Day 4 — Boca Tapada Night Walk

An evening naturalist-guided tour spotting nocturnal wildlife around the lodge grounds and surrounding forest.

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Day 5 — A Day on the River

A raft adventure on the Tres Amigos River, observing crocodiles, monkeys, and waterfowl.

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Day 6 — Sarapiquí Cooking Class

A traditional cooking session including harvesting ingredients in the field and preparing lunch.

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Day 7 — Cacao & Horseback Riding

A cacao plantation tour via hanging bridge, followed by horseback riding through jungle trails.

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Day 8 — Pierella Ecological Garden & Turrialba

A family-run garden tour featuring butterflies, sloths, and frogs, with lunch included.

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Day 9 — Turrialba

Exploring the rural town, including the pre-Columbian Guayabo archaeological site and volcanic scenery.

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Day 10 — Savegre de Aguirre

Travel to the Talamanca highlands via Los Santos, visiting coffee plantations and nature trails en route.

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Day 11 — Spot the Resplendent Quetzal

A naturalist-guided search for the resplendent quetzal around San Gerardo de Dota.

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Day 12 — On to Uvita

Arrival at the South Pacific coast town of Uvita, gateway to Ballena National Marine Park.

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Day 13 — Ballena National Marine Park

Sea kayaking and snorkeling to the Whale's Tail sandbar and a small mangrove forest.

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Day 14 — Return to San José

Travel back to the capital for a final evening at leisure.

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Day 15 — Departure

Transfer to Juan Santamaría International Airport for your onward flight.

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Departure

The trip ends in San José with a transfer to Juan Santamaría International Airport (SJO) for your departure flight.

What's Included

A private vehicle and driver, just for your group
A professional, knowledgeable local guide
Hotels and transport arranged for every day of the trip
Pacing and optional stops shaped around your group
All tolls, parking, and fuel

What's Not Included

Attraction admission tickets, unless noted as included
Meals and snacks
Gratuities for your guide or driver
Personal expenses

Why Book a Private Tour With Voyzo?

Your group only — never combined with strangers
Crowded 50+ seat group buses
Fully custom stops, built around you
A fixed script with no flexibility
Door-to-door pickup, wherever you're staying
Meeting at a fixed public meeting point
Direct, transparent pricing — no marketplace markup
Third-party booking fees

Important Information

Know Before You Book

  • Group size can range from 1 to 25 guests — we match the vehicle to your party.
  • Pricing depends on group size, vehicle, and tour length, and is confirmed after your quote request.
  • Tour duration is flexible — the times shown are a typical starting point.

Know Before You Go

  • We'll confirm your exact pickup time and vehicle details after booking.
  • Bring a camera, comfortable shoes, and weather-appropriate layers.
  • Your arrival flight details are required to confirm the itinerary.

Special Requests

  • Mobility needs, dietary notes, or accessibility requirements? Let us know when requesting your quote and we'll arrange accordingly.
  • Traveling with young children or larger groups — just tell us, and we'll recommend the right vehicle.

Frequently Asked Questions

The original itinerary is self-drive with a 4WD rental; Voyzo instead provides a private driver and vehicle so you follow the same route without driving yourself.
Yes — its striking turquoise water (created naturally by mineral deposits where two rivers meet) is one of the most photographed natural sights in Costa Rica, and Day 3 is built around it.
It's a genuine mix — cooking classes, a cacao tour, and the Guayabo archaeological site sit alongside rainforest hikes, river rafting, and wildlife-focused stops.
It's Voyzo's longest Costa Rica route; sections like Turrialba or the Sarapiquí cooking class can be trimmed if you'd prefer something closer to 10 days.
Once your quote is accepted, we'll confirm your exact pickup time, vehicle, and driver details by email ahead of your tour date.
Yes — reach out to our team any time before your tour and we'll do our best to accommodate itinerary or schedule changes.

Not quite what you're looking for?

Every Voyzo tour is a starting point — tell us what you have in mind and we'll build it.

Costa Rica: Nature & Culture Off the Beaten Track Request a Quote