The ultimate 10-day honeymoon in Costa Rica

On arrival in Costa Rica, you will be met at the airport and driven to Xandari Resort & Spa, a slice of paradise that lies on a secluded hilltop, amid tropical gardens and with breathtaking views over San José. This arty and colourful hotel is the ideal place to recover from your flight. After check-in, we suggest you settle in and sip a glass of your favourite drink while you watch the sun sink into the majestic Central Valley.

After a delicious breakfast, you will be collected from the hotel and taken to Pacuare Lodge in eastern Costa Rica. You will first travel by road and then whitewater raft to this jungle retreat, your home for the next two nights. Your luggage will be transported by car and you can travel the whole way by road if you prefer.

Considered one of the world’s best ecolodges by National Geographic, Pacuare is nestled among remote, protected rainforest. It is an adventurer’s paradise and you can choose between a multitude of experiences, from canyoning, hiking and visiting local villages to birdwatching and whitewater rafting. This laid-back jungle retreat is all about disconnecting from the modern world – when you’re not white-water rafting, trekking ancient jungle trails or discovering hidden waterfalls, there’s plenty of time to enjoy shaman-inspired spa treatments or laze by your private plunge pool or the inviting infinity pool overlooking the river. On your two evenings here, you will enjoy a candlelit dinner beside the river, serenaded by the soothing sounds of the jungle.

On your fourth day, you will travel by whitewater raft (or road) away from Pacuare and then continue by car to Arenal Nayara Tented Camp, your home for two nights. Hidden amid lush tropical gardens and overlooking the stunning, cone-shaped Arenal Volcano, this idyllic bolthole is the perfect base for adventures and relaxation.

We can arrange myriad exciting experiences for your stay here, depending on your interest – from hiking in the foothills of the volcano, horseback rides to waterfalls, visiting a local coffee farm, soaking in the volcanic thermal hot springs or taking to the skies on some of the world’s longest ziplines. In between adventures, spend your time relaxing at this romantic retreat, lazing by the pool or sipping exotic cocktails at the swim-up bar and enjoying a couples’ massage as well as other mud treatments and coffee scrubs at the spa, which looks over the verdant rainforest.

Your next stop will be Kura, one of the most romantic hideaways high in the Uvita rainforest. An exclusive and intimate sanctuary with mind-blowing panoramic views over the jungle to the Pacific Ocean that steal show – although they face fierce competition from the open-air spa. Part of Kura’s charm is it’s secluded location,  miles from civilisation. We will arrange for you to stay in one of the beautiful junior suites, for the ultimate in luxury jungle living as if you are floating in the canopy – affording you front row tickets for a show of toucans and exotic birds against a blue ocean backdrop.

Your three nights and two full days at this blissful retreat can be spent exploring the shores in search of breaching humpback whales, basking on secluded beaches, enjoying nature-inspired spa treatments or taking part in adventures such as wildlife spotting, snorkelling, stand-up paddleboarding, surfing, kayaking and hiking. We can also arrange a very special private sky-high safari over the jewel of Central America and reaching remote parts of the rainforest to explore on foot.

Today, you will be driven to San José International Airport, about 3.5 hours drive away, for your direct flight home.

We recommend travelling to Costa Rica between December and April, although it is a year-round destination. The green season is considered May to November, when visitors may experience some tropical downpours; however, at this time of year, the country is exquisitely green and bursting with life.