Explore San José, San Gerardo de Dota, Uvita and Drake Bay
The perfect adventure is one that invites to you experience the hidden jewels and best kept secrets of a destination. On the 9-Day Costa Rica Off the Beaten Track tour, you’ll the opportunity to do just that!
From San José, to the sleepy mountain village of San Gerardo de Dota, and Uvita to the Drake Bay, this dynamic adventure is jam-packed with immersive experiences that will have you experiencing the less-trodden path in this remarkable country. The natural areas covered during this tour are a nature-lovers dream come true, with ample opportunities to spot unique wildlife and to revel in the beaches, ocean, waterfalls, and tropical rainforests that make this part of the world so special.
Enjoy this partially guided tour with planned activities such as hiking in Corcovado National Park, snorkelling at Drake Bay, and birdwatching near San Gerardo De Dota. Stay overnight in comfortable hotels and a coastal eco-lodge.
Costa Rica is your oyster on this unique adventure tour highlighting the natural beauty of this remarkable country in Central America.
Highlights of the Costa Rica Off the Beaten Track
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Costa Rica Off the Beaten Track Tour Itinerary
Day 1 Arrive in San José
Touch down in San José and transfer to the Bougainvillea Hotel located 20 minutes outside of the city and surrounded by tropical gardens.
Overnight Location: Hotel in San Tomas
Distance: None
Meals: None
Day 2 Head for the Mountains
Enjoy breakfast at your hotel this morning, then check out of your hotel and transfer to the Trogon Lodge, located south of the capital in the remote mountains. Set deep in a picturesque valley, the village of San Gerardo De Dota is flanked by the Talamanca mountains, making this the perfect base for outdoor adventures in the coming days.
Overnight Location: Lodge in San Gerardo de Dota
Distance: None
Meals: Breakfast
Day 3 Quetzal Spotting
Rise and breath in the fresh mountain air this morning before setting out to spot some of the most beautiful birds in the world. Today you’ll team up with a local guide and small group to spot a variety of endemic bird species, including the Resplendent Quetzal.
Return to your lodge for an evening at your leisure following a fun day outdoors.
Overnight Location: Lodge in San Gerardo de Dota
Distance: Flexible
Meals: Breakfast
Day 4 Rainforests, Whales, and Waterfalls
This morning you’ll leave the mountains behind as you head south along the expansive Pacific Coast, bound for the balmy beach town of Costa Ballena. This area is renowned for its natural beauty, home to endless beaches, rich vegetation, tropical rainforests and cascading waterfalls.
Check into your eco-lodge here and then set out to explore your stunning surroundings.
Overnight Location: Lodge in Uvita
Distance: None
Meals: Breakfast
Day 5 Hike & Swim at Nauyaca Waterfalls
Adventures amongst tropical rainforest awaits today as you set out on an 8 km walk to reach the Nauyaca Waterfall. Once here you can swim and revel in this natural oasis for a while before enjoying a traditional lunch and delicious coffee grown in the Pérez Zeledón region.
Overnight Location: Lodge in Uvita
Distance: 8 km
Meals: Breakfast, lunch
Day 6 Bahía Drake
Tucked away on the north side of the Osa Peninsula is a small, picture-perfect bay known as Bahía Drake. This bay is believed to be a port used by Sir Francis Drake during his raids on the Spanish Main in the 16th century and the location of one of the British pirate's fabled hidden treasures.
Today you’ll transfer from Uvita to Sierpe which will be your base for the night 3 nights.
Overnight Location: Lodge in Bahia Drake
Distance: None
Meals: Breakfast, lunch, dinner
Day 7 Hike Coastal and Inland Trails in Corcovado National Park
Today you’ll discover the biodiverse region of Corcovado National Park. Home to jaguars, squirrel monkeys, tapirs and more, hiking here is a wildlife lovers’ dream come true. Set out with a local guide and hike the trails that weave there way through this incredibly beautiful natural area.
Overnight Location: Lodge in Bahia Drake
Distance: Flexible
Meals: Breakfast, lunch, dinner
Day 8 Snorkelling at Caño Island Biological Reserve
Grab your flippers and mask this morning following breakfast, as you set out to explore the area known as ‘Coral Garden’. This colourful underwater paradise is home to humpback whales, dolphins and an array of friendly fish. You’ll snorkel today within a marine reserve accompanied by a local guide. Keep your eyes peeled for manta rays, turtles, and small, white-tipped sharks!
Overnight Location: Lodge in Bahia Drake
Distance: None
Meals: Breakfast, lunch, dinner
Day 9 Goodbye to the Pura Vida!
Say goodbye this morning and check out of your hotel bound for the Drake Bay Airport. On arrival at the Costa Rica Regional Airport you’ll transfer to the San Jose International Airport for your onward travels.
Overnight Location: None
Distance: None
Meals: Breakfast
Costa Rica Off the Beaten Track Tour and Dates
This guided tour is always run as a private tour for your group only.
- Group of 2+: from $3,895 USD*
*-Pricing for this tour depends on the dates of your trip and all the prices are per person. Please click the booking button below to get the exact pricing for your trip dates.
Book NowAccommodation on Costa Rica Off the Beaten Track Tour
This tour is based in charming hotels and a tropical lodge. Accommodations on this trip are a mix of 3 and 4 star and offer modern conveniences that can make this trip more pleasant.
In some cases, the accommodation listed below may need to be substituted for other comparable accommodations.
Single Rooms and Solo Travellers
Rooms are double occupancy. You can pay a supplement to have a private room in a hotel where possible. Solo travellers may be required to pay a supplement.
Hotels on Standard Tour
Bougainvillea Hotel in Santo Tomas ★★★★
Escape the busy streets of San Jose, as you head to this comfortable 4-star hotel located just 20 minutes outside of the city in a quiet, scenic suburb. Set on 4 hectares of tropical gardens, you’ll discover the perfect home-away-from-home.
Trogon Lodge in Sam Gerardo de Dota ★★★
Set in the picturesque valley of Sam Gerardo de Dota, this beautiful lodge is enveloped in a kaleidoscope of colours, from flower gardens to ancient oak forests, a weaving river and towering mountains.
La Cusinga Eco Lodge in Uvita ★★★
Tucked away on a rainforest reserve, this laid-back eco lodge will introduce you to the rainforest and all of the adventures it has to offer.
Aguila De Osa in Drake Bay ★★★
Tucked away on a rainforest reserve, this laid-back eco lodge will introduce you to the rainforest and all of the adventures it has to offer.
What’s Included in the Costa Rica Off the Beaten Path Tour
Meals
8 breakfasts, 4 lunches, and 3 dinners are included.
Accommodations
Accommodations for 8 nights are included. Accommodations before and after the tour are not included by can be added as a supplement.
Transportation during the Tour
Transportation for you and your luggage are included throughout the tour, including several private transfers and some shared transfers. The Local flight from Drake Bay to San José is also included.
Also included
- English-speaking guides for activities
- Airport transfers
- Shared Quetzal Quest Tour
- Shared Nauyaca Waterfalls Tour
- Corcovado National Park Tour (San Pedrillo Ranger Station)
- Shared Caño Island Biological Reserve Tour (with Snorkeling)
- Local flight Drake Bay to San José
Not included
- Flights to and from San José
- Insurance
- Visas if required
- Any meals not noted as included
- Gratuities for tour guides or other staff if desired
- Anything not noted under ‘included’
Optional Extras
- Additional nights before or after the tour
- Single occupancy upgrades
Frequently Asked Questions about Costa Rica Off the Beaten Track
Since 1984 Horizontes Nature Tours has delivered top-quality service in Costa Rica. They dedicate time to exploring off-the-beaten-track destinations and authentic activities that allow them to offer unique barefoot-luxury experiences. Sustainability, quality, health, safety, and innovation are key ingredients in Horizontes Nature Tours immersive journeys.
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