NZ Test - Flavors of Costa Rica

Once you've touched down to San Jose, you'll be welcomed and taken to the Finca Rosa Blanca Coffee Plantation & Inn, your accommodation for the next 2 nights. Having settled in, you'll be able to spend some time with our local specialist who is always happy to chat about your travel plans in Costa Rica and beyond - now's the time to make the most of their many years of local know-how and ask questions to your heart's content! After arrival at this beautiful finca, located in the outskirts of San José - your Coffee Journey starts. At this organic sustainable coffee plantation, you will learn all there is to know about Costa Rican coffee culture and history. From how coffee was discovered, traded and consumed to organic cultivation techniques. Coffee production in Costa Rica played a key role in the country's history. Growers and traders transformed the economy, and contributed to the modernization of the country, providing funding for young aspiring academics to study in Europe. The revenue from coffee also funded the first railroads linking the country to the Atlantic Coast in 1890 and the construction of the Grand National Theater in San José's center. Finca Rosa Blanca is surrounded by picturesque tropical gardens and beautiful views over Costa Rica's capital city San José. The rest of the day is free for you to relax and enjoy the tranquility of the hacienda.

Aside from tasting good coffee, coffee has healing, stimulating and antioxidant properties. Depending on your time of arrival, you could opt to enjoy the benefits in style with a massage at the Pura Vida Detox Spa, where coffee is the main ingredient (optional should be booked prior to arrival).

Coffee plantation

Coffee plantation

Finca Rosa Blanca Coffee Plantation

Coffee beans

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Reserva Biológica Tirimbina

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This morning, after breakfast and a Costa Rican coffee, you'll take a private tour of Finca Rosa Blanca, a sustainable coffee farm. Learn about organic cultivation, harvesting (including picking your own beans during the October-January season), processing, roasting, and brewing coffee. The on-site guide, Leo, has over 20 years of experience and will share his coffee knowledge with you. You'll even roast your own beans and participate in a cupping (coffee tasting) session. In the afternoon, travel to Heredia for a local experience at the authentic covered market. Explore the market and discover the variety of fruits, vegetables, medicinal plants, herbs, meat, and seafood on offer. Here, you can try some of the typical Costa Rican fruits and enjoy a traditional casado lunch (rice, beans, meat/fish, plantain, and salad). Next, head to San Isidro de Heredia for a unique chocolate tour at Sibu Chocolate, a premier artisan chocolate company. Learn about the history of cacao, from its pre-Columbian roots as a sacred food and currency to its transformation into modern chocolate bars. Sample Sibu's gourmet truffles made with local ingredients, and discover their commitment to organic farming and sustainable practices. After the tour, return to your hotel and relax by the pool or explore the gardens.

The chocolate tasting is in a cool mountain setting. Make sure to bring a jacket, as it can get cold on rainy days due to the high elevation (approximately 4,500 ft. above sea level).

Finca Rosa Blanca Coffee Plantation

Finca Rosa Blanca Coffee Plantation

Coffee

Chocolate

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Reserva Biológica Tirimbina

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This morning's journey continues through Costa Rica. Travel along Route 32 towards the southern Caribbean coast, stopping at local vendors to try Pan Bon and Cocadas, Caribbean treats. Next, visit the Aviarios del Caribe and Sloth Sanctuary. Here, learn about sloth rehabilitation efforts and see these fascinating creatures in their natural habitat during a guided canoe tour on the Estrella River Delta. After meeting the sloths at the nursery, continue your journey to Puerto Viejo, a laid-back town with a unique blend of Afro-Caribbean, BriBri Indian, and European influences. Explore the local shops in the afternoon, grab some fresh fruit ice cream, or relax on the beach. In the evening, savor European fusion cuisine or experience the Caribbean vibe at local bars with Calypso and Reggae music.

Sloth

Sloth

Puerto Viejo

Puerto Viejo de Talamanca

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Umami Hotel Garden Spa

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Today, enjoy some time at the beautiful Caribbean beaches. Feel the warm, white-sand and crystal-clear Caribbean waters and enjoy the Caribbean bliss. The Caribbean side of Costa Rica is very much - although it is the same country-, a different world! Not only is Costa Rica's Caribbean side culturally different from the rest of the country, but also its tropical dishes are heavenly. In this part of Costa Rica ingredients such as coconut, plantain, hot pepper and chocolate are commonly used in cooking and today you will have a hands-on experience with these ingredients. Your cultural and culinary adventure will start in the house of a local Afro-Caribbean family. Accompanied by your guide, you will discover the secrets of the Caribbean cuisine (with vegetarian, vegan and raw cooking) and all its flavors. Make sure to bring a pen and paper to make notes of all your culinary creations that you will sit down and taste at the end of the class, so that you can recreate the flavors of Costa Rica's Caribbean once you're back home.

Caribbean Cooking Class

Afro Caribbean Cooking Class

Afro-Caribbean Cooking Class

Afro Caribbean Cooking Class

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Umami Hotel Garden Spa

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Following breakfast, you will be picked up from your lodge in Puerto Viejo and begin your 40-minute journey to the pristine Cahuita National Marine & Nature Park. The park is home to an incredible array of wildlife such as monkeys, sloths, raccoons, snakes and even wild cats. You'll begin today's excursion with a relaxing boat trip along the scenic Caribbean Coast of the Cahuita National Park to the colorful coral reef off the coast of Punta Cahuita. Depending on the weather, you will be kitted out in snorkeling gear to explore the transparent waters along with the pristine reef where you'll see hundreds of dazzling, multi-colored fish. Snorkeling is so great here that you'll want to stay out for a while, so please make sure to pack the sunscreen! After your snorkeling adventure you'll have a fresh fruit snack back on the beach from where you'll start your easy-going nature trail in the National Park. Passing beautiful coral sand beaches, bays with deep blue water and a tropical rainforest with swaying palms, during the hike you'll encounter a magnificent range of flora and fauna and can always stop for a refreshing swim in the azure Caribbean waters. Throughout the hike your local, expert nature guide will point out the different flora and fauna of the area as well as provide an interesting insight to the area's Afro-Caribbean traditions. To bring this fantastic morning to an end you will sit down to enjoy a typical Afro-Caribbean lunch with of course rice and beans, in the colorful village of Cahuita, before heading back to Puerto Viejo.

In case of bad weather or bad visibility, this tour may be modified to a visit to the Bribri indigenous reserve, where you'll learn about the local culture, use of medicinal plants as well as the importance of cacao to them.

Capuchin monkey

Howler monkey

Snorkelling

Cahuita by eugene_o

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Umami Hotel Garden Spa

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This morning you will leave Costa Rica's Caribbean and continue your journey to the Central Highlands where the Arenal Volcano is located. Along the way, enjoy the views of the agricultural landscapes and pineapple plantations. You will make a stop at a local organic pineapple farm where you will learn about the history and cultivation of pineapple. You will of course also have a taste of this delicious fresh fruit. As you approach the town of La Fortuna, one of the first things you'll see is the Arenal Volcano. Although it is no longer spewing out hot lava your first sighting of the sleeping giant will always be the most memorable as it rises up high above the surrounding landscape. Upon your arrival to the town of La Fortuna, situated at the foot of the Arenal Volcano and having settled in to your accommodation, the rest of the day is free to relax.

Pineapple farm

Fresh pineapple

La Fortuna

Arenal volcano

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Nayara Gardens

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This morning, visit Danaus Ecological Sanctuary, a private reserve protecting Costa Rican biodiversity. Explore its botanical gardens, boasting hundreds of plant species like orchids and bromeliads. Learn about indigenous cultures through a model dwelling and observe wetland birds attracted by the sanctuary's designated national importance wetland area. In the afternoon, travel to the Arenal Reserve for a guided hike. Trek through the rainforest teeming with wildlife like monkeys and sloths. See the Arenal Volcano, once one of the world's most active, on your hike. After the hike, relax in the mineral-rich hot springs of The Springs Resort and Spa, overlooking the rainforest and volcano. These natural thermal waters are heated by the volcano itself, reaching temperatures up to 150°F. Enjoy the stunning views and soak in the healing properties before returning to your hotel

Lake Arenal

Arenal volcano

Stilts

Bromeliad

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Nayara Gardens

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This morning you will visit a local family owned Agro-ecological Farm in the small town of Agua Azul. Upon arrival you will be welcomed by the family and receive an explanation of the Farm's main objectives, including promoting the sustainable use of natural resources and preserving Costa Rican traditions. Learn how to milk the cows, taste homemade liquor, chocolate, and fresh milk while you observe the alambique (the artisanal liquor distillation process). Participate in sugar cane extraction to obtain a delicious juice and then test it out. Visit a small archaeological ranch where you can observe some ancient indigenous pieces and watch the artisanal process of making chocolate. Walk through and admire the orchid and medicinal plant gardens. After the tour, enjoy farm-fresh favorites like coffee, cheese, tortillas, hash, and others. Without a doubt, this is an experience filled with true Costa Rican culture, customs, delicacies and traditions that you will never forget. The afternoon is free to enjoy at your hotel, in its beautiful gardens, small onsite hot spring pools and swimming pool, or just lazing in a hammock at your cabin. In the late afternoon you will join up with the local mixologist at the hotel bar for a mixology class, where you will learn to create Costa Rican cocktails using Cacique and Ron, creating a tasty and colorful mix with local fresh ingredients. And after enjoying three delicious cocktails, finish off with freshly baked pizzas prepared in the wood oven stove.

Sugarcane

Milking a cow

Tortillas

Mixology class

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Nayara Gardens

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This morning, depart Arenal and travel towards Guanacaste province. Stopping en route at a macadamia farm with scenic views of Lake Arenal, you can learn about macadamia nut production and enjoy samples at the on-site coffee shop. Continue to Rancho Humo, an eco-boutique hotel bordering Palo Verde National Park and the vast Tempisque River delta wetlands. This 2,700-acre private reserve, originally a cattle ranch, transformed into a model for wetland conservation thanks to a local family's efforts. Rancho Humo protects endangered ecosystems and offers diverse habitats like mangroves and dry forest to explore. Learn about the local cowboy tradition, "sabanero," and enjoy birdwatching opportunities with over 80 bird species including storks, egrets, herons, and the seasonal Jabiru. In the afternoon, take a jeep safari through the ranch grounds in a vintage Land Rover. Explore the restored wetlands, teeming with wildlife like American crocodiles, caimans, and howler monkeys. After the safari, return to the hotel for a delicious three-course Guanacastean meal.

Macadamia nuts

Jeep safari

Storks

Jabiru

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Rancho Humo Estancia

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This morning, early risers can experience the traditional farm activities of Guanacaste at Rancho Humo. Participate in cow milking, collect eggs, and learn how the ranch produces cheese, natilla, and tortillas. You'll also see how they care for farm animals and participate in a white-tailed deer and wild pig reintroduction project. Enjoy a breakfast featuring fresh eggs and cheese from the farm. Relax by the pool with stunning infinity views, or take a guided nature walk through the property. Alternatively, visit nearby Puerto Humo Town to learn its history, traditions, and experience life in a blue zone. In the afternoon, join a 2-hour boat tour on the protected Tempisque River. Explore this natural paradise and bird sanctuary, spotting migratory and resident birds like herons, storks, spoonbills, and the American crocodile. Observe the surrounding black mangroves, home to various bird species. After the boat tour, return to the hotel and enjoy the rest of the evening at your leisure, perhaps with a tropical cocktail as you watch the sunset.

Fresh cheese

Tempisque River

Blue Heron

Caiman - Wildlife Rescue

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Rancho Humo Estancia

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Today you will travel from Rancho Humo to Nosara, located on Costa Rica's Nicoya Peninsula. The journey takes about an hour on dirt roads and includes crossing rivers. Nosara offers various beaches, including Playa Guiones known for surfing and Playa Pelada with a rocky reef and tidal blowhole. The area is known for surfing, yoga, and healthy food. It has a relaxed atmosphere with a mix of locals and foreigners. There are plenty of restaurants to choose from. The beach of Ostional is a protected sea turtle nesting area. Between September and November, guided night tours allow you to see sea turtles laying eggs. These mass arrivals, called arribadas, often occur before the new moon.

Nosara

Nicoya coast

Nicoya low tide

Nicoya sunset

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The Harmony Hotel

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This morning you will be collected from the hotel for a half-day tour of kayak and beach. Beginning at the protected reserve at the mouth of the Nosara River, you will take a kayak (single or double) to paddle through the Montaña River which runs parallel to the ocean. Paddling through the mangroves without the disturbance of a motor, means you have more chance of seeing the variety of animals, and get a little closer for photos. The wildlife includes brown pelicans, magnificent frigate birds, ibis and ospreys, as well as two types of monkeys, iguanas and American crocodiles! After approximately an hour of paddling, you reach a quiet beach only accessible by water. Take the chance to rehydrate with some fresh fruit and coconut water, while chilling in this private cove's peace. Once this tour is over, you head back to the hotel where the rest of the day is at your leisure.

Costa Rica kayaking

Brown Pelican

Frigate Bird

Nicoya peninsula

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The Harmony Hotel

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This morning is at your leisure to relax on the beach, stroll through the town or explore more of the natural beauty around Nosara. We highly recommend taking a gentle horseback ride through the dry-tropical forest of the Guanacaste lowlands where you'll get to see at a number of beautiful viewpoints and secluded beaches. In the afternoon, your guide will meet you at the hotel to go and watch the local fishermen bring in the catch of the day. They are happy to have a chat with visitors and answer any questions you may have. Later you continue on to a local restaurant for some traditional seafood ceviche (fresh fish seasoned and soaked in lemon juice) and a tropical cocktail while you chill and watch the sunset over the sea.

Horseback in Costa Rica

Fisherman Tamarindo

Beach day

Cocktail

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The Harmony Hotel

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Today you will leave the beaches and travel back to the Central Valley to the Xandari Resort & Spa. Having settled in, you will be able to relax and enjoy the facilities of your hotel with gardens and on-site waterfalls. After arrival at the romantic and intimate Xandari Resort & Spa situated high above the Central Valley forests in Alajuela on the outskirts of San José, relaxation starts. The Xandari Resort & Spa ensures that your stay is no less than spectacular. With its spacious individually designed tropical villas surrounded by picturesque, manicured gardens and amazing views over Costa Rica's capital city San José, it is a favorite among honeymooners as well as families. In the evening we recommend you treat yourself to a candlelit dinner while enjoying the amazing views over the illuminated city in the distance.

Alajuela

Alajuela

Hummingbird

Quetzal

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Xandari Resort & Spa

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Your guide will advise you of pick up time from your hotel for your private transfer to the San Jose airport and onward flight home, or to continue your vacation with one of the Finest Journeys add-on extensions. We trust you have enjoyed this authentic local experience and wish you a safe flight.

Costa Rica flag

Toucan

Costa Rica tree frog

Happy Travels!

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Xandari Resort & Spa

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