Off the Beaten Track in Costa Rica: from the Pacific to the Caribbean

Pick up your hire car and drive to Puerto Humo, opposite the Palo Verde National Park, with its unique landscapes and wildlife. Stay for two nights in an estancia on 2,400 acres of land, where the owners breed cows. There are also numerous waterways and swamps where you can observe thousands of birds, especially during the nesting period from November to March. The hotel has ten decorated simply rooms, but with all the modern comforts, plus guests can enjoy the stunning views of the surrounding nature. The service is impeccable, the guides are passionate, the pool is pleasant and the food is fresh and vibrant. We love this place.

Incuded in your itinerary - View wildlife by 4x4 in the swamps and then take a boat trip to the three neighbouring islands.

Things to see and do - Milking cows, riding and hiking in the Palo Verde National Park.

Head for the Pacific coast and Palo Seco beach. Although close to Manuel Antonio National Park, this palm-fringed beach is often deserted. It's a long stretch of sand, perfect for long romantic walks. The estuary is the ideal place to discover the flora and fauna of the mangrove. The grey sand, contrasting with the blue Pacific Ocean, is a nesting ground for sea turtles from August to November. Spend the night in a small guesthouse, very close to the ocean and a stone's throw from Palo Seco beach, The building, which has been restored and beautifully furnished, is set on an island between ocean and mangrove. the perfect hideaway for travellers looking for tranquillity and nature - the hosts are always on hand to offer good advice. A special mention for the beautiful swimming pool and excellent French cuisine served in the evening.

Already included in the itinerary - Entry tickets to Manuel Antonio National Park, one of the most beautiful national parks in the country. Walking along the forest trails, you'll find capuchins and squirrel monkeys, sloths and raccoons, who come to the beach to steal a mango or a piece of chocolate from swimmers. The forest is surrounded by beautiful beaches, where you can bathe in warm water before setting off into the forest to look for stick insects and chameleons.

After a walk and a swim, head for Uvita. Two-night stay in a hotel with colonial-style rooms and beautifully manicured gardens that open out onto the jungle-covered mountain and the sea. It's just a stone's throw from the beautiful wild beaches of Marino Ballena National Park.

Included in the itinerary - Snorkelling at Ile del Cano. In Sierpe, you'll board a motorboat for a sailing trip to Isla del Caño. Swim with tropical turtles, rays and shoals of tropical fish. Dolphins glide on the waves and with a bit of luck, migrating humpback whales can be seen from July to September.

After the sea, the mountains. Leave the Osa Peninsula to reach the Perez Zeledon region. Spend two nights in a house in the heart of an ancient 1,970-acre coffee plantation overlooking the valley, set on top of lush mountains. You'll stay in a self-contained suite, elegantly decorated in wood and warm tones, with wide bay windows looking out over the surrounding hills.

Option - Riding on the plantation trails and a visit to the stables.

Head to the Turrialba Valley via Cartago, the former colonial capital of the country, which is popular with rafting enthusiasts who come to tame the white waters of Rio Pacuare. Spend the night on the shores of Lake Angostura, not far from La Marta nature reserve, in an ancient colonial mansion converted into a charming hotel, amidst beautiful gardens populated by parrots and toucans.

Then it's on to the Caribbean coast and Puerto Viejo de Talamanca. The beaches are immense, bordered by black or white sand and the ever-present jungle. With a surfer and reggae feel to it, this is where the legendary Salsa Brava wave comes rolling in. A must for surfers. This is the perfect place to learn about this sport which has become a Costa Rican institution - surfing - or stroll along the dusty earth of the streets full of colourful houses, shops and relaxed eateries. Spend three nights in a charming, intimate hotel (six bungalows and six suites), in the heart of the garden with its lush vegetation. It boasts Victorian architecture, antique furniture and works by artist friends of the owners. The recent renovation has provided the site with minimal environmental impact, without altering the original atmosphere. The pool is surrounded by large ferns. It's an establishment that redefines the concept of barefoot luxury.

Included in your itinerary - A day's hiking in Cahuita National Park, known for its heavenly coves and its jungle full of howler monkeys, sloths, and green ibis monkeys.

Option - Visit the Jaguar Rescue Center.