Field notebook

Costa Rica Forest and Manuel Antonio 11 nights

March 13, 2025 ✍️ Tristan Martin 10 min read

From the heart of the wilderness to golden shores.

A journey through Costa Rica's contrasting landscapes, from primary forests and volcanic hot springs to the secret beaches of Tambor.

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Costa Rica Forest & Manuel Antonio

From
$1 695

Costa Rica Forest & Manuel Antonio: a journey between vibrant canopy and seaside idleness.

From
$1 695
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summary

Costa Rica Forest & Manuel Antonio: a journey between vibrant canopy and seaside idleness.

In the heart of Costa Rica, nature reigns supreme, offering a grandiose spectacle where the jungle meets the ocean. The rainforest, a true sanctuary of biodiversity, shelters flora and fauna of unmatched richness. Among the green canopies, howler monkeys sound their wild call while sloths melt into the foliage. Exploration follows the rhythm of rustling vegetation, revealing new wonder at every moment. Here, nature is lived intensely, between winding trails, hidden waterfalls and unexpected encounters with the forest's inhabitants.

On the edge of this lush jungle, the Manuel Antonio National Park reveals an idyllic setting where the forest plunges straight into the turquoise waters of the Pacific. Ranked among Costa Rica's most beautiful parks, this jewel of nature seduces with its white-sand beaches, marked trails and omnipresent wildlife. Capuchin monkeys, iguanas and coatis accompany visitors along the paths leading to secret coves. Between exploration and relaxation, this unique place embodies the perfect harmony between adventure and tropical gentleness, making Manuel Antonio an essential destination for nature lovers.

Strengths

Strengths of the trip

Inclusions

What is included

Between lush jungle and idyllic beaches, a journey into the heart of Costa Rican nature

Let yourself be seduced by the magic of Costa Rica, where every trail leads to a discovery, every beach to a moment of escape. Adventure awaits — ready to go?

Wild nature

Meet exuberant wildlife in the heart of the tropical jungle.

Self-drive freedom

Explore Costa Rica at your own pace, in complete autonomy.

Paradise beaches

Relax on white-sand beaches, between turquoise waters and tropical vegetation.

Day 1

San José - The gateway to wild nature

A capital nestled between mountains and rainforests, San José is much more than a starting point. Here, Costa Rican culture reveals itself through lively markets, cafés with heady aromas and leafy parks. At the city's gates, the first rainforests hint at the country's natural wealth. Nearby Braulio Carrillo National Park immediately plunges travelers into dense jungle where clouds cling to the treetops. A foretaste of the escape that awaits you.
Reachable only by boat or small plane, Tortuguero is a world apart, where nature reigns supreme. Its canals wind through impenetrable jungle, offering a unique spectacle where caimans cross paths with otters and howler monkeys. The highlight comes after dark, on the national park's wild beaches: between July and October, majestic sea turtles come to lay their eggs, a thousand-year-old ritual to observe with absolute respect. Here, every moment is total immersion in the secret life of the rainforest.

Days 2-3

Tortuguero – The Amazon of Costa Rica

Day 4

Sarapiquí – Beating heart of the rainforest

A true sanctuary of biodiversity, Sarapiquí is an immersion as close to nature as it gets. Here, the humid rainforest vibrates with the songs of toucans and the murmur of rivers winding between century-old trees. Shaded trails reveal exuberant wildlife: capuchin monkeys, multicolored frogs and sloths sometimes let themselves be seen. For adventurers, a rafting run through this lush vegetation offers an unforgettable experience, between adrenaline and wonder.
Towering over the green plain, Arenal volcano is an emblem of Costa Rica. Around it, nature reigns supreme. The surrounding rainforest shelters an incredible diversity of species, visible on hanging bridge hikes where you literally walk between sky and earth. At dusk, the experience continues in natural hot springs nestled in lush vegetation, offering a moment of relaxation to the rustling sounds of the jungle.

Days 5 - 6

Arenal – Between volcanoes and lush canopy

Days 7 - 8

Monteverde - The magic of the cloud forest

In Monteverde, nature takes on another dimension. Here, the cloud forest wraps the treetops in a mystical veil, creating a unique ecosystem where humidity feeds impressively dense vegetation. Between giant ferns and moss-covered trees, every step is an encounter with elusive wildlife: the mythical resplendent quetzal, howler monkeys and a myriad of tropical insects and birds. Whether hiking or ziplining, exploring this misty forest is an unforgettable sensory adventure.
Manuel Antonio National Park is an open-air spectacle where the rainforest melts into the brilliant blue of the Pacific. Here, trails wind between lush vegetation and secret coves, revealing idyllic panoramas at every turn. In the branches, capuchin monkeys play acrobats while iguanas soak up the sun. After a hike through this living jungle, the white-sand beaches offer a haven of peace, lulled by the sound of the waves and the distant call of scarlet macaws.

Days 9-10

Manuel Antonio – Where the jungle meets theocean

Days 11-12

San José – A last look at the Costa Rica

Before heading home, San José reveals itself one last time. A chance to relive the adventure through the flavors of one last Costa Rican coffee or strolling the city's tropical gardens. This journey into the heart of the forest and wide-open spaces leaves an indelible mark, a reminder that here, nature is a true living work of art.

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About the author
Tristan Martin

Founder of Toucan Discovery — a receptive agency in Central America. 15 years in the field in Costa Rica, Panama, and Nicaragua.

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Costa Rica Rainforest and Manuel Antonio 11 Nights