Costa Rica: San José to Puerto Viejo

Are you ready for 11 amazing days exploring the best of Costa Rica? We're starting in San Jose, today is for settling in, beating the jet lag and meeting the rest of the group! In the evening, when everyone has arrived, we'll head out for our first group meal and meet the amazing Tru Leader, who will be showing us their home. Of course, we'll then find the perfect spot in San Jose for ice-breakers and getting to know your new besties better!

We're up early this morning to move out of the city towards Monteverde. This journey is stunning; we'll travel through the greenest landscapes you have ever seen. We'll arrive just in time for some lunch, and then we have the afternoon to explore however you'd like. On our Essentials tours, you have more freedom to do as you please, so get some recommendations from your tour leader and live your best pura vida life. This evening we are heading out for a tour around the nature of Monteverde, this is the time of day when the nature here comes to life, so grab your torches and get your cameras ready!

There is so much more to do in Monteverde, so we have left a whole day free for you to explore at your own pace and to do your own thing. Your tour guide will have SO many recommendations for you. If you want to disconnect, head into the cloud forests or head to the hanging bridges in Selvatura Park. If you want to get up and close to nature, you can visit the Monteverde Orchid Garden or the Butterfly Garden.

We're heading to another adventure hotspot! La Fortuna is the home of the famous Arenal Volcano, and there is SO much to see and do here. We'll travel from Monteverde to La Fortuna in the morning and arrive at lunchtime. We'll spend the afternoon exploring and soaking in the amazing views. In the evening, we'll meet for another group dinner and plan our action-packed day tomorrow!

We have got another free day, and this time we have a whole day to explore La Fortuna! This is the best place for ziplining through the rainforests, hiking through some of the most stunning landscapes in the world, visiting HUGE waterfalls and more. This is the place for stepping out of your comfort zone and immersing yourself in the Costa Rican way of life! There's even a chance you'll see a sloth or two here!

You know we LOVE a homestay. Getting to live with local families and learn more about them is so special. We have been visiting Coope San Juan for YEARS, and it is a traveller favourite! We'll arrive at lunch time to some of the best food you'll eat in your life. Fill up because this afternoon is busy, the families will take us out on a tractor farm around their farms, and they'll also take us to a swim spot! In the evening, as the sun goes down, it's time to get competitive with games of football and volleyball before a community dinner!

We've ticked off rainforests, we've ticked off volcanoes, now it's time to hit the beach! We're heading towards the coastal town of Puerto Viejo. We'll drop off our luggage and head straight to the beach. Whether you just want to sit back and soak in the vitamin D or you want to grab a surfboard and catch some waves, you can do whatever you'd like! We'll meet in the evening for a beach dinner, and we'll watch the sun set all together - pure magic!

Today we are off to explore Cahuita National Park! Here we can take it easy or explore the hiking paths along the coastal path. There are also endless top-tier snorkelling spots for us to enjoy, and the best bit is that there are so many secluded spots, it'll feel like we have the place to ourselves. In the evening, we'll get refreshed and head out to enjoy some of the area's beach bars and sunset-watching spots. This is the ultimate pura vida experience!

It's our final day in this dreamy spot! There's so much to explore, so we're jumping on bikes today and heading out to some of the spots we've not yet visited. Explore at your own pace and spend your last day in this paradise however you'd like.

It's our last day on tours, and we are heading back to where it all began. We'll give ourselves a morning to soak in the final bits of vitamin D, and then we'll travel back to San Jose. Before we travel, we'll load up on snacks for the journey, don't you worry! Spend the journey going through your camera roll, reminiscing on the trip and trading numbers with everyone in the group, ready for planning a reunion. We'll have our farewell dinner tonight. Warning: tears might be shed...

Today's the day we say goodbye...we're not crying, you are. San Jose is the perfect place to end this adventure. It's close to the airport, so whether you are headed home or off on another adventure, you're in the perfect place! What an incredible 11 days - we've explored National Parks, rainforest and beaches, hopped the days away. Costa Rica will always be in our hearts after this trip. Same again next year?