Costa Rica: Naturally!

On arrival at San Jose’s international airport, you will be met by a local representative for Borton Overseas and transferred to your hotel. Welcome to Costa Rica!

Overnight at Hotel Bougainvilla in Central Valley
The Hotel Bougainvillea is located 10 minutes away from downtown San Jose and is surrounded by 10 acres of tropical gardens, with the ambiance of the Costa Rican lifestyle and hospitality. A favorite of nature, garden and birdwatching lovers.

After breakfast, we depart San Jose with a drive up the mountains to the Cerro de la Muerte (Summit of Death), so named because, in the past, travelers needed several days to cross it on foot or horseback, and many of them perished due to harsh weather conditions.    Nowadays, the Interamerican Highway lets you cross it in a couple of hours, while allowing you to enjoy the amazing views and the Paramus vegetation, the plants and trees that have adapted to tropical high latitude areas.

Overnight at Savegre Hotel Natural Reserve and Spa
The Savegre Hotel Natural Reserve & Spa is located in the central valley, about 90 minutes away form San Jose. The hotel lies in San Gerardo de Dota, a small community in the Cerro de la Muerte. The beautiful village of San Gerardo de Dota offers fresh mountain air, outstanding cloud forests, some of the best bird watching in the country and peach, plum and apple orchards.

Today you will drive down the mountains and on to your lodge on the South Pacific coast.  

On the way, we’ll stop to visit the Nauyaca waterfall, a magical place where you can swim in a beautiful pond, under a waterfall, surrounded by forest. Reaching this beautiful waterfall involves either a 12 km hike, horseback-ride, or 4×4 shuttle, so it is a half-day tour. Make sure you pack plenty of snacks and refill your bottles! Lunch will be provided.

Overnight at La Cusinga Eco Lodge
La Cusinga Eco Lodge is tucked away in a private reserve of over 600 acres. This rainforest lodge provides guests with sweeping Pacific ocean views, sandy beaches, natural pools, and the chance to experience the burgeoning forests and astonishing wildlife of the country’s most famous ecosystem, Osa. The eco-lodge borders the Ballena Marine National Park, one of only two nationally protected marine zones in the whole country, the beautiful location offers the tranquility of fresh ocean breezes and breathtaking sunsets that make for the perfect tropical escape. The hotel offers beautiful ocean and rainforest view cabins designed with sustainably-harvested wood and local materials to maximize comfort while minimizing impact on the environment. The Gecko Restaurant at La Cusinga Lodge offers breakfast, lunch and dinner. The fruit comes from the trees on the hotel property and all produce is locally grown and sourced for organic and sustainable practices. The delicious fish served at the restaurant is locally caught and in most cases bought directly from the fisherman themselves.

Today is at your leisure to explore the area.

Walk down to the beach and explore La Cusinga´s surroundings.  

There are optional tours available at an additional cost.  We recommend a visit to Marino Ballena National Park or a full-day tour to Corcovado National Park.

Overnight at La Cusinga Eco Lodge

Today we’ll drive mostly along the coast to the Central Pacific area.  Before heading up the mountains to reach your next lodge, you will enjoy a boat tour on the Tarcoles River, a great place to meet –from a safe distance!– Costa Rica’s apex predator, the American crocodile. The cruise is also ideal for birdwatchers, as there are 60 bird species commonly sighted along the river.

Arrive at your lodge in time for lunch. 

The afternoon is free to relax and enjoy the lodge’s surroundings. Macaw Lodge is situated among the hills and lush forests of Cerros de Turrubares and is a haven for birds, butterflies, and plants!

Dinner is included in your stay.

Overnight at Macaw Lodge
Located close to Carara National Park, Macaw Lodge is a paradise where guests can indulge their passions while discovering the genuine natural wonders of Costa Rica. It has eight guest rooms, each featuring two full beds with therapeutic mattresses and bedspreads. There are no restaurants or shops in the area. Fortunately, the cuisine, prepared onsite by a local chef and her team, is plentiful, delicious and nutritious. Guests can enjoy a range of activities, from birding to yoga. Guided nature walks are also available which makes for an excellent photo opportunity.

Free day to learn about Macaw Lodge sustainability projects, take any of the tours offered (at additional cost), or simply relax with a good book and a nice cup of Costa Rican coffee.

Overnight at Macaw Lodge

Breakfast and hotel check out.

A private transfer takes you to the Juan Santamaria International Airport in San Jose for your return flight to the US or extend your stay in Costa Rica.

Buen viaje!