PacificCoast CostaRica
5
Day Itinerary •
Costa Rica
Five days on the Costa Rica Pacific Coast gives you the full extraordinary range of the finest tropical beach and wildlife destination in Central America, from Manuel Antonio National Park and the Nauyaca Waterfalls to the extraordinary Osa Peninsula with Corcovado National Park, the most biodiverse park on earth, the remarkable Marino Ballena whale watching and the finest sport fishing on the Pacific. This extended route covers the Pacific Coast completely. Two full Manuel Antonio days includin
Best Time To Visit
December to April for finest beach and wildlife
Getting There
Fly SJO, charter to Drake Bay
Getting Around
Hired car to Manuel Antonio, small plane to Drake Bay
Budget Per Day
Approx 100 to 300 USD per person per day
Difficulity
Moderate to challenging, Corcovado jungle trek
DAY 1
MANUEL ANTONIO
MORNING
MANUEL ANTONIO NATIONAL PARK WILDLIFE AND BEACH
The most extraordinary small national park in Central America and one of the finest wildlife parks in the world per hectare. The remarkable wildlife on the beach trails includes extraordinary three-toed sloths in the cecropia trees, white-faced capuchin monkeys on the beach, the remarkable endangered squirrel monkey and the extraordinary Jesus Christ lizard. The fine white sand beaches are surrounded by outstanding primary rainforest. Entry approx 18 USD. Book online ahead. 20 min walk
MIDDAY
CATHEDRAL POINT TRAIL
The extraordinary Cathedral Point trail around the Manuel Antonio headland, the finest trail in the park, giving remarkable views of the Pacific and the extraordinary offshore islands. The fine Playa Biesanz behind the headland is the finest quiet beach near Manuel Antonio, accessible by a short walk through outstanding forest with remarkable wildlife. 15 min drive
AFTERNOON
QUEPOS MANGROVE BOAT TOUR
The extraordinary mangrove estuary tour from Quepos, navigating remarkable channels where extraordinary American crocodiles sun on banks, fine boat-billed herons nest in the mangroves and the remarkable Amazon kingfisher hunts the tannin-stained channels. The finest wildlife boat tour accessible from Manuel Antonio. Tours approx 35 USD.
💎 HIDDEN GEM
The extraordinary Playa Biesanz on the north side of the Manuel Antonio peninsula is the finest and most sheltered beach near Manuel Antonio, with calm water, fine shade and almost no crowds compared to the main park beaches. The remarkable snorkelling off the rocks is the finest near Manuel Antonio. Entry with park ticket.
🍽 WHERE TO EAT
Breakfast: El Avion Restaurant Outstanding breakfast at the famous converted US military plane restaurant. Extraordinary Pacific views. | Lunch: Soda inside Manuel Antonio Simple outstanding casado or ceviche at the park restaurant. Fresh fish caught daily. | Dinner: El Avion, Manuel Antonio The finest restaurant on the Pacific Coast. Extraordinary view from a converted C-123 transport plane.
DAY 2
QUEPOS
MORNING
NAUYACA WATERFALLS HORSEBACK RIDE
The extraordinary Nauyaca Waterfalls horseback journey through remarkable primary jungle and outstanding stream crossings to the extraordinary 45-metre upper cascade and the remarkable natural pool below. The finest outdoor experience near Manuel Antonio. Tours approx 60 USD from Dominical. 1 hour drive
MIDDAY
QUEPOS MANGROVE WILDLIFE TOUR
The extraordinary Quepos mangrove estuary tour where remarkable American crocodiles, outstanding roseate spoonbills and the fine Amazon kingfisher make this the best wildlife boat tour on the Central Pacific. Tours approx 35 USD. 20 min drive
AFTERNOON
MANUEL ANTONIO BEACH SUNSET
The extraordinary Playa Espadilla, the finest public beach on the Central Pacific, with outstanding Pacific surf and the remarkable evening sunset behind the Quepos headland.
💎 HIDDEN GEM
The extraordinary Catarata Diamante near Uvita, a remarkable waterfall dropping directly onto a black sand beach where jungle, falls and Pacific Ocean meet simultaneously, is one of the most extraordinary hidden features on the Pacific Coast. Accessible by a short hike from Diamante Eco-Adventure Park or by kayak at high water. Almost entirely overlooked.
🍽 WHERE TO EAT
Breakfast: Hotel breakfast Early breakfast before Nauyaca horseback departure. | Lunch: Trail lunch or Dominical soda Packed food or a brief stop on the return from the extraordinary falls. | Dinner: El Avion, Manuel Antonio Outstanding dinner at the remarkable converted plane restaurant with extraordinary Pacific views.
DAY 3
DRAKE BAY
MORNING
CHARTER FLIGHT TO DRAKE BAY, OSA PENINSULA
flight The extraordinary 30-minute charter flight to Drake Bay on the remarkable Osa Peninsula, the most biodiverse place on earth. The extraordinary aerial view of the Osa primary rainforest covering the entire peninsula is remarkable. Drake Bay is accessible only by plane or boat, giving the finest sense of remoteness in Costa Rica. Boat transfer
MIDDAY
DRAKE BAY AFTERNOON WILDLIFE WALK
The extraordinary afternoon wildlife walk in the primary rainforest immediately behind Drake Bay, where the remarkable density of Osa wildlife including scarlet macaws, outstanding white-faced capuchins, fine spider monkeys and the extraordinary baird's tapir is unlike any other in Costa Rica. The resident naturalist guides are the finest wildlife guides in the country.
AFTERNOON
NIGHT WALK IN THE OSA RAINFOREST
The extraordinary night walk in Osa primary rainforest, the finest wildlife experience in Costa Rica, where remarkable nocturnal species emerge after dark including the extraordinary eyelash palm pit viper, fine red-eyed tree frogs, the remarkable Osa spider crab and the outstanding rhinoceros beetles. Guide required. Tours approx 30 USD.
💎 HIDDEN GEM
The extraordinary Playa Cocalito near Drake Bay is one of the finest isolated beaches in Costa Rica, accessible only through primary Osa rainforest, with extraordinary Pacific surf and the remarkable possibility of encountering baird's tapir on the beach at dusk. The finest hidden beach on the Costa Rica Pacific. Access from Drake Bay lodges only.
🍽 WHERE TO EAT
Breakfast: Hotel breakfast Good breakfast before the charter flight to Drake Bay. | Lunch: Drake Bay lodge lunch Outstanding fresh Pacific fish at the extraordinary Drake Bay eco-lodge restaurant. | Dinner: Lodge dinner, Drake Bay Outstanding fresh seafood dinner with the extraordinary Osa Peninsula jungle sounds.
DAY 4
CORCOVADO
MORNING
CORCOVADO NATIONAL PARK PRIMARY RAINFOREST TREK
The most extraordinary national park in Central America and among the most biodiverse places on earth. The remarkable primary rainforest contains extraordinary 2.5 percent of world biodiversity in 540 square kilometres. The outstanding trails give remarkable encounters with the extraordinary jaguar, puma, baird's tapir, giant anteater and harpy eagle in their natural habitat. Entry approx 15 USD. Certified guide required. 1 hour boat
MIDDAY
ISLA DEL CANO SNORKELLING
The extraordinary Isla del Cano Biological Reserve 20km offshore, with remarkable underwater visibility of up to 20 metres and the finest coral reef from the Osa Peninsula. The extraordinary reef fish, remarkable white-tipped reef sharks, fine sea turtles and outstanding schooling hammerhead sharks make Cano the finest snorkelling in Costa Rica. Entry approx 15 USD, boat tour approx 75 USD. 30 min boat
AFTERNOON
DRAKE BAY EVENING AND BIOLUMINESCENCE
The extraordinary Drake Bay sunset and the remarkable bioluminescent plankton visible in the bay on moonless nights, one of the finest hidden natural phenomena in Costa Rica. The remarkable sounds of the Osa rainforest at night with extraordinary howler monkeys are unlike any soundscape in the world.
💎 HIDDEN GEM
The extraordinary pre-Columbian stone spheres on the Osa Peninsula and Isla del Cano, remarkable balls up to 2 metres in diameter carved by the Diquis culture between 300 and 800 CE, are a UNESCO World Heritage site and the finest archaeological mystery in Costa Rica. Several are visible near Drake Bay lodges.
🍽 WHERE TO EAT
Breakfast: Lodge breakfast before Corcovado Early breakfast before the boat to the Corcovado trailhead. | Lunch: On the Corcovado trail Packed lunch in extraordinary primary rainforest. The finest jungle picnic in Central America. | Dinner: Aguila de Osa Lodge Outstanding Pacific seafood dinner at the finest eco-lodge in Drake Bay.
DAY 5
MARINO BALLENA
MORNING
MARINO BALLENA NATIONAL PARK WHALE WATCH
The extraordinary Marino Ballena marine park boat tour from Uvita, the finest whale-watching in Costa Rica. Remarkable humpback whales calve here between July and October and fine whale sharks visit December to April. The extraordinary Whale Tail beach formation visible from the boat is remarkable. Entry approx 6 USD, tour approx 55 USD. 30 min drive
MIDDAY
DOMINICAL SURF LESSON
The extraordinary Dominical surf break, the finest beach break on the Central Pacific with remarkable consistent waves. The fine surf schools offer outstanding lessons for all levels. The remarkable jungle-backed black sand beach and the extraordinary Pacific surfer village atmosphere make Dominical the finest surf destination on the coast. Surf lessons approx 50 USD. 1.5 hours drive
AFTERNOON
QUEPOS SUNSET AND DEPARTURE
A final extraordinary evening at the remarkable Quepos marina waterfront, where the finest deep-sea fishing boats return with extraordinary tuna catches and the Pacific sunset behind the headland is the finest farewell to the Costa Rica coast.
💎 HIDDEN GEM
The extraordinary Playa Ventanas near Platanillo south of Dominical, a remarkable beach with extraordinary sea caves and rock arches accessible at low tide, is one of the finest hidden beaches on the Central Pacific. The remarkable blowhole shoots extraordinary jets of water through the cave roof at high tide. Almost no tourists visit. Access from the highway and a short walk.
🍽 WHERE TO EAT
Breakfast: Hotel breakfast or lodge Good breakfast before the Marino Ballena boat. | Lunch: Uvita soda after whale watch Outstanding fresh tuna ceviche at a Uvita soda after the extraordinary boat tour. | Dinner: San Jose or airport Fine farewell dinner before departure.
Where To Stay
Manuel Antonio, Nights 1 to 2 Hotel La Mariposa or Arenas del Mar. Approx 150 to 400 USD. Drake Bay, Nights 3 to 4 Aguila de Osa Lodge or La Paloma Lodge. Approx 200 to 400 USD all-inclusive. Budget Corcovado Adventures Tent Camp or Drake Bay Wilderness Camp. Approx 80 to 150 USD with meals.
Top Tips
1. Book Corcovado National Park entry at SINAC months ahead. Entry is strictly limited. 2. A certified guide is mandatory in Corcovado. Book through a reputable Drake Bay lodge. 3. The charter flight to Drake Bay is extraordinary. The aerial Osa Peninsula view is remarkable. 4. Book Manuel Antonio park entry online. It sells out completely in December, January and March. 5. Marino Ballena whale watching peaks July to October. Whale sharks are finest December to April. 6. Drake Bay lodges are remote. Bring insect repellent, dry bags and hiking footwear.
Total Budget
175 to 640 USD/day