Costa Rica Hidden Gems Road Trip

Arrive in Costa Rica and settle into the misty tranquillity of the cloud forest canopy.
Wander hanging bridges and listen for hummingbirds amid lush, emerald-green foliage.
Journey to the canyon reserve, where forested cliffs and winding rivers shape the wild landscape.
Continue to the Pacific coast for sun-drenched days beside golden sands and gentle surf.
Depart with memories of cloud forests, canyons, and coastlines alive with Costa Rican beauty.

Days

55 Years of Expertise in Tailor-Made Travel

ExcellentBased on 5,278 Reviews

55 Years of Expertise in Tailor-Made Travel

ExcellentBased on 5,278 Reviews

Trip Features

Epic Scenery

Showcases landscapes that elevate parts of the journey.

Near the Beach

Situated conveniently close to coastlines for sun and relaxation.

Off the Beaten Path

Includes lesser-known stops revealing authentic local life and surprises.

Wildlife Encounters

Offers chances to observe animals responsibly in their natural habitats.

Active & Adventure

Trips that keep you active while exploring the great outdoors.

Epic Scenery

Showcases landscapes that elevate parts of the journey.

Near the Beach

Situated conveniently close to coastlines for sun and relaxation.

Off the Beaten Path

Includes lesser-known stops revealing authentic local life and surprises.

Wildlife Encounters

Offers chances to observe animals responsibly in their natural habitats.

Active & Adventure

Trips that keep you active while exploring the great outdoors.

Trip Itinerary

At a Glance

DAY

Arrival in Costa Rica

DAY

Full Day at Leisure in the Cloud Forest

DAY

The Cloud Forest to Canyon Reserve

DAY

Full Day at Leisure in the Canyon

DAY

Canyon Reserve to the Pacific Shores

DAY

Full Day at Leisure along the Pacific

DAY

Full Day at Leisure along the Pacific

DAY

Depart from Costa Rica

Travel Itinerary

Trip Starts

Trip Stop

Trip Ends

Detailed Itinerary

DAY

Arrival in Costa Rica

Multi Day Tour

Arrival to Costa Rica

Welcome to Costa Rica! Upon arrival to San Jose, pass through Customs and collect your baggage, then proceed to the Arrivals Hall. Here you will find a local representative holding a sign with your name on it. After meeting, you will be escorted to the nearby car rental office to sign off on your vehicle. Once completed, you will have a brief chat with the local representative to answer any questions you may have before boarding a shuttle bus which will transfer you to the nearby vehicle parking lot, where you will pick up your rental. Setting out on the road soon after, today you will drive from San Jose Airport to a lovely section of Alajuela province in Costa Rica. Your hotel is found in a quiet, remote area of one of Costa Rica's few cloud forests. With beautiful views, abundant wildlife - particularly impressive for the range of birds - and trails to explore, it is the perfect introduction to the natural wonders of Costa Rica. Along the road to your lodge, the city suburbs of San Jose will give way to a verdant farmland, dotted with coffee farms, ranches and parks. You'll pass through the sleepy towns of San Miguel and San Roque as you approach the cloud forest, reaching your hotel after a 90-minute drive. Approximate driving distance is 40 miles (65 kilometers).

Meal

Breakfast

Your Accommodation

Hotel Villa Blanca Cloud Forest & Nature Reserve

Situated in the heart of the country, Villa Blanca is a Costa Rican Cloud Forest Hotel + Retreat located just 90 minutes from Juan Santamaría International Airport. With breathtaking vistas, a vibrant cultural heritage, and lush surroundings, Villa Blanca provides unforgettable experiences for nature lovers, birdwatchers, wellness seekers, and cultural travelers. The hotel also specializes in hosting corporate groups and weddings, ensuring every event is memorable and tailored to your needs. Whether you desire peaceful solitude or exhilarating adventures, Villa Blanca offers an exceptional escape into nature’s embrace.

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DAY

Full Day at Leisure in the Cloud Forest

Multi Day Tour

At Leisure in the Cloud Forest

Settle in for a nutritious and tasty breakfast at the hotel, then begin a day of adventure. Perhaps you will choose to explore the nearby hiking trails in search of some of the hundreds of species seen in these parts of the country; the property is host to two light hiking trails that you will likely wish to walk. As well, the hotel offers scheduled cooking classes, tarot sessions, art classes and yoga lessons which you may wish to participate in (at no additional cost). Heading further afield, the nearby Poas Volcano is a top attraction in the region, and if you would like to explore the area independently, please speak to your Destination Specialist so that the park entrance fee can be purchased and issued prior to your arrival. Alternatively, you are welcome to relax on the property grounds and may want to consider a treatment at the on-site Spa (Spa treatments are available at additional cost locally).

Meal

Breakfast

Your Accommodation

Hotel Villa Blanca Cloud Forest & Nature Reserve

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DAY

The Cloud Forest to Canyon Reserve

Multi Day Tour

From Cloud Forest to Canyon Reserve

Today you will pack up your luggage following breakfast at your hotel, then set out on the open road to travel to your onward accommodations near the town of Bagaces in the eastern stretches of Guanacaste province. Nestled in the canyon of a dwarf forest, Rio Perdido Hotel & Thermal River is an outstanding example of Costa Rica's uniquely paradisical environments. Cutting through the hotel grounds is a thermal gorge that invites guests to relax in the warmth of a volcano-heated river between explorations of the properties 20 miles (32 kilometers) of hiking trails. With countless activities, fast-paced or relaxing in nature, you're sure to find Rio Perdido Hotel & Thermal River to be a jungle delight. The roads to Rio Perdido vary in quality, and you may wish to break up the day by visiting either Puntarenas in the Gulf of Nicoya, or to visit Monteverde, another unique cloud forest in Costa Rica's interior. Approximate driving distance is 110 miles (180 kilometers).

Meal

Breakfast

Your Accommodation

Hotel Rio Perdido

Cooled by an ever-present breeze and framed by a unique dwarf forest, Rio Perdido Hotel & Thermal River is a sanctuary of well-being, and the true embodiment of Costa Rica's legendary pura vida mentality. You'll find Rio Perdido in the Guanacaste province, on the western side of the country. Even though the reserve is just an hour's drive from Liberia, this rediscovered gem was once a sacred spot for the Cabecar tribes; people who recognized and harnessed the magic of the thermal gorge, hundreds of years ago. Rio Perdido was designed to be in perfect harmony with its surroundings. Great care has been taken to preserve this one-of-a-kind setting and its precious resources, while simultaneously providing a very comfortable experience for conscious-minded guests. Spend your days swimming in the abundant, completely natural hot springs, along a kilometer of thermal gorge that cuts right through the spectacular, 1,500-acre reserve with 30 bungalows. Witness a seemingly endless variety of exotic flora and fauna throughout extensive hiking trails. Enjoy zip-lining, mountain biking and white-water tubing, or if you prefer to relax, lounge by the pool, savour true Costa Rican cuisine prepared by local culinary artists, do some yoga on the cliff-side pods or visit the spa for the region's best treatments.

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DAY

Full Day at Leisure in the Canyon

Multi Day Tour

At Leisure in the Canyon

Today is yours to explore the area surrounding Rio Perdido Hotel & Thermal River, or to simply enjoy the outstanding activities available on-site. Though you may wish to set out on the many trails weaving through the property, a highly recommended activity is the Canyoning Adventure at Rio Perdido. Spanning across 15 platforms, featuring a 165-foot (50-meter) "Tarzan Swing", four via ferrata's and five zip-lines, this cable-based adventure is sure to dazzle by way of spectacular views and heart-pounding excitement. Please speak to your Destination Specialist to have the canyoning adventure at Rio Perdido included in your itinerary. Please also be aware that the property offers a complementary, one-hour guided walk in the morning; it is highly recommended that you participate. As well, you will also be invited to join in on a shared yoga session, which can be scheduled upon check-in.

Meal

Breakfast

Your Accommodation

Hotel Rio Perdido

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DAY

Canyon Reserve to the Pacific Shores

Multi Day Tour

From Canyon Reserve to Pacific Shores

After breakfast at the hotel, it will be time again to pack your belongings and set out on the road. Today you will be travelling from Rio Perdido Hotel & Thermal River to Lagarta Lodge, found just off the Pacific Ocean and along a peaceful tributary that hosts incredible beaches and surreal views. It is the perfect place to unwind and soak in the serene landscapes. After checking-in, consider enjoying a cocktail on the bluffs. On the route to Lagarta Lodge, there are many places for you to stop and explore. Among the various options, a visit to Barra Honda National Park will be popular with guests interested in cave formations; the park is host to a series of limestone caves that feature stalagmites and stalactites. Approximate driving distance is 115 miles (185 kilometers).

Meal

Breakfast

Your Accommodation

Hotel Boutique Lagarta Lodge

The boutique hotel Lagarta Lodge in Nosara, on the Nicoya peninsula, is beautifully situated, with two rivers, expansive sandy beaches, and woods along the Pacific shores of Costa Rica. The Eco-Lodge is situated next to an important nature reserve. You will have the perfect vacation experience in the naturally elegant ambiance of the hotel. Since its reopening in 2017, Lagarta Lodge has gained worldwide recognition as one of the best luxury hotels in Costa Rica. It was voted one of the best resorts in Central America by travellers from around the world in the Condé Nast Traveller's Readers' Choice Awards 2023. It was even voted the third best resort in Central and South America by travellers from the UK in the 2024 Reader's Choice Awards.

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DAY

Full Day at Leisure along the Pacific

Multi Day Tour

At Leisure along the Pacific

During your stay at Lagarta Lodge, you will have access to Reserva Biologica, which is found neighboring the property. The reserves series of trails and unique ecosystem make it an excellent place to explore, and you'll find that the variety of flora and fauna varies greatly from what you discovered in the cloud forests and canyons. And while Lagarta Lodge is host to one of the finest beaches in the region, Guanacaste is renowned for the mile-long stretches of beaches, so perhaps you will choose to hop in your vehicle and drive to nearby San Juanilla or Playa Garza, two incredibly popular and scenic stretches of golden sand.

Meal

Breakfast

Your Accommodation

Hotel Boutique Lagarta Lodge

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DAY

Full Day at Leisure along the Pacific

Multi Day Tour

At Leisure along the Pacific

Today is your final full day in Costa Rica. Having spent the days prior exploring cloud forests, canyons and the shores of the Pacific, perhaps today is the ideal time to kick your feet up and reflect on all that you have seen and done. Alternatively, consider arranging surfing lessons; there are few places in the world that offer better opportunities to learn the sport. Please speak to your Destination Specialist to have private surfing lessons included in your itinerary.

Meal

Breakfast

Your Accommodation

Hotel Boutique Lagarta Lodge

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DAY

Depart from Costa Rica

Multi Day Tour

Departure from Costa Rica

After a final breakfast at your hotel, it is time to pack your suitcases and begin the drive to Daniel Oduber Quiros International Airport in Liberia, Costa Rica. Upon arrival to the airport, return your rental vehicle to the Adobe Rent-a-Car parking lot and office, then board a brief 5-minute shuttle to the airport and check-in for your onward flight. Approximate driving distance is 72 miles (115 kilometers).

What to Expect

Explore what moves you.

Poas Volcano

Costa Rica's Pacific Coast

Costa Rica birdlife

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Michael at Goway Travel was great to work with. We were planning a pre-trip with him prior to a group tour. He worked with us to hit the special places we wanted to visit and things we wanted to do. The accommodations arranged exceeded our expectations. Local guides were all amazing. This was the third trip we booked through Goway, and we will definitely book with them again in the future David Picka

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Goway Travel has South Pacific travel Consultant and they are all very experienced. ALICE was the agent who took care of my travel to Australia and she suggested best hotel accommodations excursions and worked within my budget. I had wonderful trip without any problems. Alice was very helpful and we are planning another trip will contact her.Saral

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Michael Keon from Goway Travel made our family trip to Greece memorable. Michael was a call or email away when planning our Greece trip and worked with us on our tight budget. Every detail was worked out for us before we got on the plane. Shout out to Nico, one of our drivers in Mykonos and all the great expeditions we went on. I highly recommend Goway Travel to plan your next vacation adventures. Jacqueline G. Jacqueline Garrett

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I just returned from a wonderful trip to Sweden and Norway. I had the good fortune of working with Michael Keon who helped me plan and customize an interesting and balanced itinerary. All of the logistics went well, flights, transfers, hotels in great locations, travel between destinations, fjord safaris, cruises and guided tours with knowledgeable guides to inform and make the experience even more memorable. Michael was responsive to all of my questions and made it so easy to both prepare for and ultimately enjoy the trip. Looking forward to planning the next one!Gail

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What do the experts say?

Virginia Dameno

Destination Specialist

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Costa Rica is not just all about the beaches. There is so much more to discover, including volcanoes, lush rainforests, and abundant wildlife.

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Virginia Dameno

Destination Specialist

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Costa Rica is also globally admired for its environmental values. The country’s commitment to sustainability and eco-friendly practices is deeply ingrained in its DNA.

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Kajal Gadhia

Destination Specialist

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If your main interest is beach time, December to April offers the best weather. However do not discount visiting during the Green Season in September, which reveals a different side of the country, full of wildlife and vibrant scenery.

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