Landing at Juan Santamaría International Airport, the family was greeted by the warmth of Costa Rica and the EXP Guides. Heading for the first stop of the trip, the private transfer took them on a scenic route past coffee and sugarcane plantations, charming villages, and green valleys — a snapshot into what was to come for the next two nights at their first stop, Turrialba.
A Stay Among the Sugarcanes
A fiery, rainforest welcome to Turrialba
This central, mountainous region of Turrialba was the perfect starting point for this adventure and for a taste of Costa Rica’s wilderness. Dominated by the Turrialba Volcano, one of the country’s active volcanoes, this off-the-beaten-path region is known for its rich agriculture, particularly sugarcane and coffee, and is surrounded by rainforest and cloud forests.
Perched atop a hill with panoramic views of the volcano and peaks of Chirripó, the family arrived at Hacienda Sitio de Mata, a cherished family home for generations. Its century-old walls, antique furnishings, and shaded wooden gazebos told stories of the past, surrounded by fields of sugarcane and coffee.
Settling into the cozy atmosphere within this rustic elegance, the family enjoyed a tour of the property and dinner before retiring for a well-deserved night’s sleep in anticipation of the adventures ahead.
Waterfall Wonders
Days that began with an adrenaline rush
After the first breakfast of fresh Costa Rican fruit and eggs, served with a side of local coffee, the family was ready for the first adventure of the day. Our EXP Guides took them to El Silencio Canyon to gear up for a canyoning experience straight into the rainforest. They rock climbed, descended waterfalls, slid along cables, swung through the jungle, and rappelled down rock faces.
White Water Thrills
Costa Rica’s roaring rivers
From the cultural background to more thrill-seeking today, the family got excitedly ready to depart for one of the best rivers in the world to go white-water rafting. Class II and Class III rapids fill the Pacuare River, and the family loved winding through the narrow canyon in this pulse-quickening activity for the morning. As the river roared and surged, the family’s shared laughter and teamwork set the tone for the adventure.
Holding on tight
Splash, laugh, repeat
Back on dry land, the afternoon called for enjoying the Hacienda’s tranquillity. Some of them simply chilled out in the garden, watching the jungle’s activity unfold; others explored the grounds further. For a final night at the Hacienda, the family savored a last hearty local meal before retiring for the evening as the next stage of their adventure beckoned.
Canopy Adventures to Coastline
After breakfast, the family had one more adventure in the Turrialba region before heading onward to Guanacaste. And what better experience than a ziplining excursion? After a short hike to the first platform, they spent the morning rappelling down the trees and sliding between them, moving through the mountains like the monkeys they spotted.
Back on dry land, the afternoon called for enjoying the Hacienda’s tranquillity. Some of them simply chilled out in the garden, watching the jungle’s activity unfold; others explored the grounds further. For a final night at the Hacienda, the family savored a last hearty local meal before retiring for the evening as the next stage of their adventure beckoned.
Navigating between the treetops
After a final lunch and check-out at the Hacienda, the family headed to a private landing strip to board their flight to Guanacaste Airport. Arriving at the North Pacific coast of Costa Rica, they were met with warm ocean air and golden beaches.
The family transferred to their next base, an ultra-luxury beachfront private 10-bedroom villa. This stunning beachfront villa offered the perfect setting for afternoon relaxation — lounging in their own infinity pool, enjoying direct access to Prieta Bay, and settling into an expansive private villa experience complete with lavish indoor-outdoor living spaces and a highly attentive, dedicated staff catering to every need.
A calm moment where the jungle meets the sea
Adventure waits at the water’s edge
Their first coastline sunset overlooking the Gulf of Papagayo was truly special, and they enjoyed it among the treetops at the villa’s outdoor spaces, where they sipped cocktails before making their way back down to dinner prepared by the villa’s private chef team. The family savored creative, locally inspired cuisine in their private setting, making this fine-dining experience uniquely theirs.
A Day on the Pacific
Having enjoyed a breakfast buffet with plenty of pastries, fruit, and omelets, the family was ready for their first day here. After lots of rainforest adventure during the previous days, today called for an ocean-bound one. The family were huge ocean lovers, so they couldn’t wait to head down to Marina Papagayo to board their own luxury 42-foot yacht for a day on the Pacific.
Anchored in a Papagayo paradise
As they cruised the Gulf, they spotted dolphins playing in the wake, and when they dove in for some snorkelling, they saw manta rays gliding and sea turtles drifting as they swam alongside. Throughout the day, more watersports were enjoyed, from fishing to paddling canoes.
Gliding along the crystal-clear waters
Pausing to soak it all in
The yacht was then anchored in a secluded bay — the perfect location to enjoy a ride on the Seabobs and for a lounging beach setup with hammocks and a delicious picnic so they could truly soak up the peacefulness of Costa Rica’s beaches. Back at the hotel, they freshened up and enjoyed a final night here before the final part of their trip onwards to the land of fire.
Journeying to Treetop Luxury
Always look up in Costa Rica
A hanging bridges experience broke up the two-hour journey to the family’s next destination. From sea level back up high into the rainforest, they took off with an EXP Guide to explore through a series of three suspension bridges. Traversing the canopies via bridges, they spotted birds, monkeys, and sloths along the way and learned stories about the wildlife here.
Caught in the canopy
Onwards, they continued to their final accommodation for the next two nights: Origins by Mantis. On arrival, they indulged in a gourmet lunch followed by relaxing spa treatments. The hotel provided breathtaking views of Lake Nicaragua and active volcanoes.
Getting comfy in their accommodation of the Vertigo Lodge, nestled in the treetops, and before dinner, some of the family members headed out for a forest trail walk, while others soaked up the views in the wood-fire Jacuzzi. The family had a chef come to the lodge for the evening, where they enjoyed a delicious meal under the stars.
Floating Fun and Nocturnal Adventures
Adventure continued to flow
Kayaking through lush landscapes
As the week came to an end, there was one more — and perhaps the most fun — Costa Rican adventure the family hadn’t yet tried, and that was river kayaking. They arrived at the Celeste River and experienced the fun, flowy rapids as they floated past the incredible volcanic landscape.
Refuelling at the lodge for lunch, they then set out in an adventure vehicle in search of spotting more wildlife, and in particular, the iconic three-toed sloth. After a quick relaxation, the final evening had a special activity in store for the family: a night hike.
In search of the jungle’s residents
They set off on a guided nocturnal trek in search of the elusive and extremely shy tapir. Listening to rustling deep in the jungle where they live, and with only 4,500 of the Baird’s Tapir species left in the wild, it was a rare chance, but thrilling all the same. Regardless of the sightings, the family was left in awe after spotting plenty of other wildlife and had endless stories and fun facts to share after spending a night with the local guide.
Goodbye to Pura Vida
After a final morning soaking up the last of the Costa Rican scenery with an alfresco breakfast on the lodge’s terrace, the family packed up and was transferred back to Guanacaste Airport full of memories.
The volcanoes, beaches, rainforest, wildlife, and people they met along the way would stay with them long after they landed back home. It had been a week of plenty of adventure with enough relaxation thrown in and time together that they relished before going back to their busy schedules, but hopefully carrying some of that Pura Vida joy back with them.
Pura Vida at its finest
