Overview
Pura Vida, the good life, is what you will experience in Costa Rica with Wilderness Inquiry. This is a place known for its natural wonders, and this trip will take you to them. Wilderness Inquiry has been doing trips in Costa Rica for many years and by gradually migrating to the southern, and some would say less-traveled, part of the country. We have developed a unique and exciting itinerary you won’t find anywhere else. On this adventure, you’ll travel to Corcovado National Park on the famed Osa Peninsula—a place the National Geographic Society calls “the most biologically intense place on Earth.” Observe monkeys, iguanas, sloths, dolphins, and a wide variety of birds at Hacienda Baru. Conclude your trip by hiking the amazing cloud forests of Mount Chirripo, the country’s tallest mountain. Stay in small, locally-owned hotels and cabanas.
Sample Itinerary
Expand All FieldsDay 1: Arrive in San Jose and transfer to the hotel in Alajuela.
Arrive in San Jose and make your way to the hotel in Alajuela. Enjoy dinner with the group and a program orientation by the pool.
Day 2: Enjoy lunch on the coast and then hike through mangroves.
Leave San Jose early in the morning, traveling by van to the pacific coast town of Quepos for a lunch stop at Manual Antonio National Park. After lunch, continue traveling to Baru where you'll stay on a pristine preserve a mile out of town. Hike through a lowland forest of mangroves watching for water birds before a relaxing dinner on the patio.
Day 3: Zip above the rainforest canopy and enjoy a relaxing afternoon with your trip mates.
Awaken to the sounds of the rainforest and take to the trees for a zip line tour of the dense canopy! Enjoy a relaxing afternoon visiting the butterfly enclosure, reading in a hammock under the trees, or swimming in the pool.
Day 4: Depart Baru and head to the Osa Peninsula.
Rise in the morning to enjoy a fresh breakfast, then depart Baru for the Osa Peninsula, our home for the next several days. Travel to the village of Sierpe, then by boat through a mangrove channel continuing out onto the Pacific Ocean for an incredibly scenic ride along palm-lined beaches. Settle into your lodge before relaxing on a beautiful beach adjacent to Corcovado National Park.
Day 5: Spend the morning snorkeling at Cano Island, then enjoy a relaxing afternoon on the beach
Wake up early and get ready for a full day of adventure. Spend the morning snorkeling in the coral reef off the warm waters of Cano Island. This area is one of the very best places to snorkel in clear water among abundant sea life. In the afternoon, relax on the beach taking a dip or watching the waves.
Day 6: Spot an abundance of wild creatures as you explore Corcovado National Park.
An early morning boat ride takes you to Corcovado National Park where you will spend the morning exploring one of the earth’s remaining rare wild places. Hike through the rainforest jungle and beaches looking for spectacular birds and wildlife of all kinds: monkeys, crested guams and other creatures live here in abundance. Return to the ranger station for a picnic lunch. Travel back to your resort for a quiet evening on the beach.
Day 7: Travel from spectacular beaches to stunning mountain valleys.
Start the day off with boat ride back to Sierpe, then travel by van through the mountains to San Isidro, a typical Costa Rican town nestled in the mountain valley. After lunch, travel on to San Gerardo, a small town on the flanks of Mt. Chirripo. Spend the remainder of the day taking short hikes and/or birdwatching.
Day 8: Trek into the clouds and admire stunning vistas of Mt. Chirripo.
Wake early for a trek into the cloud forest adjacent to Mt. Chirripo in Cloudbridge Preserve. A beautiful loop trail takes you through a fantasy world of hanging moss, huge old growth forest, and amazing vistas. It is a strange and wonderful feeling to look down at the clouds! At the end of the day, share dinner with your trip mates over a celebratory evening meal.
Day 9: Enjoy a morning hike as you search for native bird species.
After a hearty breakfast, take a tour around Talamanca and observe the many species of birds that call the mountains their home. Keep your eyes peeled for the gorgeous Violet Sabrewing Hummingbird, the largest hummingbird in Costa Rica. After a leisurely lunch, drive down the mountain and return to Alajuela.
Day 10: Enjoy a visit to the Doka Coffee Estate before saying farewell to your trip mates.
Tour the Doka Coffee Estate, a pioneer of coffee production for more than 70 years. This is the perfect opportunity to stock up on Costa Rican coffee before returning home. After the coffee tour, travel back to the San Jose airport.
Dates & Fees
2025 Dates | Fee | Registration |
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2026 Dates | Fee | Registration |
What to Expect
ACCOMMODATIONS: Throughout the trip we will be staying in small local hotels, eco-lodges, and tent cabins. Typically, there are 2 people per room. In most rooms, solo travelers have single beds and couples share beds. Our hotel accommodations will be simple yet comfortable. Your “night in the jungle” may have up to 6 people per room.
Read more »Frequently Asked Questions:
Where do we meet?
Standard Meeting Places and Times
Start: Hotel Bristol Aeropuerto at 4:00 PM (local time)
End: San Jose International Airport at 11:30 AM (local time)
Transportation
This trip officially begins at 4:00 PM at the Hotel Bristol Aeropuerto near the San Jose International Airport, where your group leader will meet you. The trip ends at 12:00 PM on the last day when your group leader takes you back to the San Jose International Airport. Participants should schedule flights that depart after 2:00 PM. Detailed meeting place instructions will be sent to you when you are confirmed for the trip.
Is this hiking trip wheelchair accessible?
Since hiking over rugged trails is a primary activity of our hiking trips, we do not recommend these trips for persons who use wheelchairs. Several of the hikes and activities are not very accessible for people who use wheelchairs.
Our canoe, kayak, and dogsled trips are generally more accessible for people who use wheelchairs. Water based travel is the great equalizer when it comes to outdoor activities. Fortunately, we have many trips to choose from.
All that said, if you use a wheelchair and are interested in going, please call to discuss the trip with us. We never want to say never!
Which immunizations do you recommend when traveling to an international destination?
Prior to departure, we recommend that you check with your doctor as early as possible to ensure you are up to date on your standard immunizations. Your doctor is in the best position to recommend specific vaccinations to specific destinations.
Do you have a single supplement for Costa Rica Hike and Explore?
You can elect to guarantee a single room for the duration of the trip for $525 during the registration process.