Costa Rica

Upon arrival in San José, you will be greeted with a private airport transfer to our hotel, where you can check in and settle after your journey. In the evening, we will enjoy our first dinner together and get ready for the adventure ahead.

After breakfast, we will set off on a scenic four‑hour drive to Puerto Viejo, our home for the next week. As we arrive, you will begin to settle into the slower pace of life and get your first taste of Pura Vida.

We will enjoy lunch before checking into the hotel and unpacking. Keep your eyes open–you never know who might show up! Sloths slowly making their way through the trees, curious monkeys swinging by, and colorful birds exploring the gardens. Our hosts for this week, Karilily and Joel, intentionally plant greenery and fruit trees to support these local visitors, so wildlife is always just around the corner.

In the afternoon, we will spend some time unwinding and relaxing, enjoying the beach across the street and soaking up some sun. In the evening, we will head to our first Caribbean dinner at a beachfront restaurant just a short walk away, a great way to set the pace for the days ahead.

Meals Included
Day 1: Dinner
Day 2: Breakfast, lunch and dinner

If you are an early riser, don’t miss the sunrise over the Caribbean—a moment you will want to experience at least once this week.

After breakfast on day 3, we will head to the city center of Puerto Viejo for a cultural tour with a local, woman-owned company. You will learn about the town’s history, its unique Caribbean heritage, and visit sites that reflect its rich cultural history.

We will stop for lunch at a local favorite, then continue to the Jaguar Rescue Center, a sanctuary dedicated to caring for injured, orphaned, and mistreated wildlife. Here you will hear the stories behind the center and its residents — from sloths and monkeys to birds and reptiles—and learn about the important work involved in rehabilitating and releasing animals back into protected forests (and why there are no Jaguars despite the name). After our visit, we will take a short walk back to the hotel, where we will enjoy dinner together and unwind after a full day of discovery.

After breakfast on day 4, we will set out to visit a medicine woman in the foothills of the Talamanca region, where the Bribri people have lived in harmony with the land for generations.

She will welcome us into her rustic home, where life moves slowly and simply, without running water or electricity. Here, you will learn about the powerful medicinal plants she grows and uses, exploring her garden and hearing how each plant supports health. She will prepare lunch for us, then show us how cacao is made from fresh beans.

In the afternoon, we will take a short hike to a nearby waterfall, where we can enjoy a refreshing swim in the cool, clear waters. After our visit, we will head back to the hotel to relax and unwind, looking forward to another delicious dinner. If the sky is clear, be sure to step outside and enjoy the stars above this peaceful corner of the Caribbean.

Meals Included
Day 3: Breakfast, lunch, and dinner
Day 4: Breakfast, lunch, and dinner

After breakfast, we’ll take a short bike ride or tuktuk to two of the world’s most beautiful beaches–Punta Uva and Arrecife, known for their white sand, calm turquoise water, and peaceful, unspoiled charm, consistently ranked among the top beaches on the planet. Here, you will have time to soak up the sun, swim, relax, and enjoy a slower Caribbean morning by the sea.

We will head back to the hotel for lunch, then prepare for our cooking class with a local woman, focusing on nourishing vegan foods. After a tour of her garden, we will learn how to make coconut milk from scratch, then work together to prepare a delicious traditional Caribbean dish, which we will then enjoy together.

After a full day of sun, cooking, and exploration, we will return to the hotel to relax and unwind, enjoying another evening listening to the sounds of the jungle.

The next day, we will head to an organic farm in Cahuita, a charming coastal town known for its Afro‑Caribbean culture and the nearby Cahuita National Park. We will be shown around the farm and discover the plants, vegetables, and trees they grow, and learn about the land and its wildlife. From there, we will kayak to a remote beach, enjoying fresh fruit and coconut water straight from the coconut. Take your time to soak up the sun, swim, or simply relax in this peaceful setting.

After our beach visit, we will kayak back to the farm for an exotic fruit tasting and  delicious lunch prepared with vegetables from the farm, accompanied by refreshing fruit juices. Then, we will return to our hotel in the afternoon to relax and unwind, and in the evening enjoy another great dinner while reflecting on the day–maybe even take a dip in the pool under the stars, a perfect end to a day full of sun, nature, and Caribbean flavors.

Meals Included
Day 5: Breakfast, lunch, and dinner
Day 6: Breakfast, lunch, and dinner

After breakfast, we will get ready for a late‑morning visit to Caribeans Chocolate and Coffee, a beloved café, chocolate shop, and cacao forest tour right near the beach in Puerto Viejo. Here, a guided walk through the cacao forest will introduce us to the history and cultivation of cacao, from how the trees are grown and harvested to how beans are transformed into chocolate right on site. Along the way, we will hear how this tradition has evolved on the Caribbean coast and how small producers are bringing artisanal, bean‑to‑bar chocolate to life while supporting the local community and landscape. Next, we will enjoy lunch at the farm’s café, tasting fresh local flavors and maybe a coffee or smoothie alongside rich chocolate treats. Afterward, the afternoon is yours to relax and unwind back at the hotel, giving you time to rest before one of the true highlights of the trip.

In the evening, we will gather for a cacao ceremony with a lovely local indigenous couple, who grow their own cacao and honor ancestral traditions. You will taste cacao made from beans they tend, listen to traditional songs, and may even be invited to join in dance and celebration. This deeply cultural and heart‑opening experience is sure to be one of the most memorable moments of our journey. We will finish the night with dinner at the hotel, taking a moment to reflect on the day’s experiences and connections.

After breakfast at the hotel, you will have a free day to explore on your own and soak up the laid-back Caribbean vibes. On your free day, you might choose to relax and enjoy the beach, revisit a favorite shoreline, or seek a new one along the coast. Just north is Cahuita National Park, a coastal preserve with a scenic rainforest trail that runs beside sea and reef, great for wildlife watching, birding, and snorkeling among shallow coral reefs. To the south, the Gandoca‑Manzanillo Wildlife Refuge offers wild beaches, mangroves, and tide pools, with great opportunities for nature walks, snorkeling, and spotting sea turtles, rays, and tropical fish.

Whether you spend the day resting by the water, swimming, or venturing out on your own adventure, the options are endless, and we are happy to help arrange any activity you choose. Later in the evening, we will meet for dinner at a beloved beachfront spot known for its delicious dishes made with locally sourced, seasonal ingredients and enjoy our last evening in the Caribbean with beautiful ocean views. Over the meal, we will share stories from our day, reflecting on our experiences and the sights, sounds, and flavors that make this corner of the world so special.

Meals Included
Day 7: Breakfast, lunch, and dinner
Day 8: Breakfast, lunch, and dinner

After breakfast and a relaxing morning on day 9, it is time to say goodbye to the Caribbean. We will check out of our hotel and stop for lunch at a peaceful hillside café that focuses on Ayurvedic, plant‑based cuisine crafted with seasonal, locally sourced ingredients to nourish the body. After lunch, we will head back to San José, enjoying the scenic drive through Costa Rica’s lush countryside and taking time to reflect on all the highlights of the past week. Once we arrive at our hotel, you will have a chance to settle in before we gather for our last dinner together, a relaxed evening to share stories and favorite moments, and celebrate our week of amazing adventures.

On Day 10, we will enjoy one last breakfast together before checking out and heading to the airport. As we leave Costa Rica, we can take in the final views of the lush greenery and mountains, carrying with us the kindness of the people we have met and the natural beauty we have explored. Saying goodbye to this magical place is bittersweet, but the memories, adventures, and experiences will stay with us long after we return home.

Meals Included
Day 9: Breakfast, lunch, and dinner
Day 10: Breakfast