Costa Rica's True Nature

Volcanic Explorations, Biodiversity, and Rio Celeste

Overview

Get off the usual tourist trail and discover Costa Rica’s true nature! Join our small group adventure for jungle hikes through rare tropical dry forests with spider monkeys rustling high in the canopy, birding for exotic species like toucans and resplendent quetzals, and retreating to locally-owned lodges surrounded by untamed nature.

On this transformative journey, you’ll witness the volcanic alchemy of the striking aqua blue Rio Celeste. Explore bubbling mud pots and steaming vents by day, then relax into volcanic natural hot springs by night. Stops at local, authentic restaurants will dazzle your tastebuds. Then, you’ll take to the water to see the wild coastline of the Gulf of Papagayo and cruise a lazy river through a wild, protected jungle.

Stay in fabulous, local Costa Rican lodges where electric orange orchids frame gorgeous views and warm hospitality delights every sense. This exploration is the perfect blend of adventure and serenity in Costa Rica’s idyllic northwest. With a local driver and expert guide at the helm, you’ll dive deep into the wonders of this lush jungle paradise. Pura Vida!

Price From

$7,595 USD
Trip Type

Small Group Adventure
Departure Dates

Sep 19 - 26, 2026
Feb 8 - 15, 2027
Mar 1 - 8, 2027
Sep 6 - 13, 2027
Mouse over or tap the departure dates to see trip prices.
Duration

8 days / 7 nights
Trip begins/ends
Guanacaste, Costa Rica / Guanacaste, Costa Rica

*Price per person based on double occupancy. Trip price includes all lodging, meals, ground transportation, guide services and activities as described in this itinerary.

Call Toll-Free 800-445-2995

Do you want to customize this trip?

We customize trips all the time! Email us today: [email protected].

Trip Details

Trip Highlights

What’s Included? Everything you need, plus everything you want.

Volcanic discovery: Explore active volcanoes with guided walks and hikes alongside boiling streams and fumaroles, and dive into magnificent volcanic hot springs.
Hanging rainforest walk: Walk high above the rainforest on a network of hanging bridges, and get eye level with toucans and exotic orchids.
Rio Celeste & wildlife: See the intense blue, volcanic waters of Rio Celeste, as you look Costa Rican wildlife like birds, monkeys, sloths, amphibians, and more!
Elusive tapirs: Tour a Costa Rican Baird’s tapir nature reserve. Learn about the elusive species and how they work to protect it. Plus, enjoy amazing bird watching.

The Essentials

Costa Rica's True Nature

Trip Type: Small Group Adventure

Territory: Central America

Region: Costa Rica

Trip Price: From $7,595

Single Supplement: $2,500

On-Trip Airfare: $0

Duration: 8 days/7 nights

Trip Begins/Ends: Guanacaste, Costa Rica / Guanacaste, Costa Rica

Minimum Travelers: 4 travelers

Maximum Travelers: 16 travelers

Select Terms & Conditions

Pricing detailed for this Small Group Adventure is based upon double occupancy. Additional charges for single travelers and any on-trip airfare required for the trip apply. A booking deposit is required to reserve your space. Small Group Adventure pricing includes all lodging, meals (unless otherwise noted), activities, baggage handling, transportation, and guide service. Not included are travel costs to/from gateway cities, guide gratuities, and personal incidentals including, but not limited to, trip cancellation/interruption insurance, alcoholic beverages, and laundry service. Travel with Off the Beaten Path requires agreement to our standard Terms & Conditions.

Energy Index

No Sweat - 1-2 miles of walking or hiking per day, plus easy activities

Nice & Active – 3-6 miles of hiking or walking per day, plus physically active exploration

High Five! – 5-10 miles of hiking per day, plus possible peak bagging or other action-oriented fun

Costa Rica's True Nature

The Energy Index for this trip is “No Sweat”, with “Nice & Active” elements, at elevations ranging from sea level to 6,200 feet. Activities include hiking 1 to 3 miles per day, with elevation gain/loss not typically more than 300 feet. Travelers who can hike the minimum end of this range are a good fit for this trip. Contact a Travel Advisor for more details.

Make It Private

Make this trip all yours!

Most all of our Small Group Adventures can be made private to just your traveling troupe. Just give us a call at (800) 445-2995 and tell us that you would like to “make it private”!

Generally, there are two ways to make a small group adventure private. First, you could capture one of our published departure dates for just your group. In order to achieve this, we have to have sufficient space available to create a separate private trip. Second, we could take the details of this itinerary and fashion it for just your group on dates of your choosing. For this, too, we just need to review your interest, group size, and preferred timing in order to create the trip.

In all cases, the process begins with a phone call so give us a ring at (800) 445-2995 and after just a few minutes gathering information, we can set to the task of making your trip a reality!

Trip Highlights
The Essentials
Energy Index
Make It Private

What’s Included? Everything you need, plus everything you want.

Volcanic discovery: Explore active volcanoes with guided walks and hikes alongside boiling streams and fumaroles, and dive into magnificent volcanic hot springs.
Hanging rainforest walk: Walk high above the rainforest on a network of hanging bridges, and get eye level with toucans and exotic orchids.
Rio Celeste & wildlife: See the intense blue, volcanic waters of Rio Celeste, as you look Costa Rican wildlife like birds, monkeys, sloths, amphibians, and more!
Elusive tapirs: Tour a Costa Rican Baird’s tapir nature reserve. Learn about the elusive species and how they work to protect it. Plus, enjoy amazing bird watching.

Costa Rica's True Nature

Trip Type: Small Group Adventure

Territory: Central America

Region: Costa Rica

Trip Price: From $7,595

Single Supplement: $2,500

On-Trip Airfare: $0

Duration: 8 days/7 nights

Trip Begins/Ends: Guanacaste, Costa Rica / Guanacaste, Costa Rica

Minimum Travelers: 4 travelers

Maximum Travelers: 16 travelers

Select Terms & Conditions

Pricing detailed for this Small Group Adventure is based upon double occupancy. Additional charges for single travelers and any on-trip airfare required for the trip apply. A booking deposit is required to reserve your space. Small Group Adventure pricing includes all lodging, meals (unless otherwise noted), activities, baggage handling, transportation, and guide service. Not included are travel costs to/from gateway cities, guide gratuities, and personal incidentals including, but not limited to, trip cancellation/interruption insurance, alcoholic beverages, and laundry service. Travel with Off the Beaten Path requires agreement to our standard Terms & Conditions.

Energy Index

No Sweat - 1-2 miles of walking or hiking per day, plus easy activities

Nice & Active – 3-6 miles of hiking or walking per day, plus physically active exploration

High Five! – 5-10 miles of hiking per day, plus possible peak bagging or other action-oriented fun

Costa Rica's True Nature

The Energy Index for this trip is “No Sweat”, with “Nice & Active” elements, at elevations ranging from sea level to 6,200 feet. Activities include hiking 1 to 3 miles per day, with elevation gain/loss not typically more than 300 feet. Travelers who can hike the minimum end of this range are a good fit for this trip. Contact a Travel Advisor for more details.

Make this trip all yours!

Most all of our Small Group Adventures can be made private to just your traveling troupe. Just give us a call at (800) 445-2995 and tell us that you would like to “make it private”!

Generally, there are two ways to make a small group adventure private. First, you could capture one of our published departure dates for just your group. In order to achieve this, we have to have sufficient space available to create a separate private trip. Second, we could take the details of this itinerary and fashion it for just your group on dates of your choosing. For this, too, we just need to review your interest, group size, and preferred timing in order to create the trip.

In all cases, the process begins with a phone call so give us a ring at (800) 445-2995 and after just a few minutes gathering information, we can set to the task of making your trip a reality!

Itinerary

Day 1: Arrive in Guanacaste

After your arrival at the Guanacaste International Airport, meet your group of intrepid travelers over a wood-fired Costa Rican welcome dinner.

Day 2: Rincón de la Vieja National Park

This morning, get ready for your first visit into Rincón de la Vieja National Park. Take a stroll to the 80+ foot La Oropendola Waterfall where it plunges into a bubbling turquoise pool set in the lush forest. Then, it’s time for explorations of the exotic wildlife and forested volcanic landscapes including bubbling mud pits and steam vents. We’ll gather tonight for a delicious dinner.

Day 3: Tenorio Volcano National Park

Today, we will explore one of the most biodiverse areas in the world, Tenorio Volcano National Park. As you explore this park, your guide will explain the volcanic formations, unique geological features, and exotic plant and animal life that make this area so special. We'll hike to the aqua-hued Rio Celeste Waterfall and marvel at El Teñidero, where two rivers in the park come together and, as if by magic, change to a brilliant blue color. Settle in for three nights in your private casita.

Day 4: Arenal Volcano

This morning, we’ll travel to the Arenal area – with its abundant wildlife and iconic, colossal volcano dominating the view. On our hike, your guide will fill you in on the 1968 eruption and the geological significance of the area. Then we'll visit a local, family-run natural hot springs for a soak in the thermal pools surrounded by the sounds of the rainforest.

Day 5: Heliconias Rainforest and Tapir Reserve

This morning’s one-of-a-kind exploration of Heliconias Rainforest and its famous hanging bridges will take you past vibrant tropical blooms, through stunning rainforest, and over crystal-clear streams. After a traditional Costa Rican lunch, we'll explore a rural ecological reserve. Learn how they help to protect one of Costa Rica’s largest mammals, the elusive Baird’s tapir, plus bring your binoculars for some birdwatching.

Day 6: Tenorio Volcano to Playa Hermosa / Papagayo

We leave the mountains and head west to the peace and tranquility of the Gulf of Papagayo today. As we make our way to the coast, we’ll stop for a serene wetlands and wildlife cruise of the Tempisque River. Our hotel for the next two nights is steps from the beautiful Playa Hermosa.

Day 7: Playa Hermosa / Papagayo

We’ll set sail on a private ½ day boat tour on the Gulf of Papagayo for a unique perspective of Costa Rica’s stunning coastline and for a chance to snorkel to see the vibrant marine life beneath the surface. The afternoon includes leisure time for some last moments on Playa Hermosa. Tonight, you’ll celebrate the trip with a farewell dinner.

Day 8: Departures home

Capture a morning of oceanside relaxation and your last moments in this beautiful country before your transfer to Guanacaste International Airport for flights home.

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Lodging

Borinquen Thermal Resort

The Borinquen Thermal Resort is your exclusive location spot located in Guanacaste in the North Pacific Region of Costa Rica. The hotel offers 39 beautiful and private villas, bungalows and junior suites with a rustic flare yet modern amenities.

Rio Celeste Hideaway Hotel

Rio Celeste Hideaway is a boutique, gourmet and ecologically orientated hotel. It provides a world of comfort and style surrounded by an untouched natural paradise. This hidden hotel is located in the middle of the Rainforest adjacent to the Tenorio Volcano National Park where the amazing Rio Celeste lies. Considered the jewel of Northern Costa Rica, Rio Celeste is a stunning river with unique color and an electric blue lagoon with a 30 foot waterfall. Explore the river, the lagoon, and the surrounding pristine rain forest ecosystem all from this fantastic base lodge!

Hotel Bosque del Mar

Hotel Bosque del Mar is a high-end boutique hotel nestled in the tropical jungle along the shores of Hermosa Beach. This luxurious, eco-friendly property offers 32 well-appointed suites, just steps away from the beach. Relax in a hammock under towering palm trees, steps from the clear ocean waters and beautiful soft sand beaches of Playa Hermosa. Comfort, space and elegance define this boutique hotel property. Enjoy modern conveniences blended with warm Costa Rican hospitality.