Included in every stay
Three signature tours
Every stay of four nights or more includes the same three hand-picked days out: a crater lagoon on our doorstep, a day of dinosaurs and hot springs, and the cloud-forest waterfalls of Vara Blanca. Transportation and park entry are included, and we schedule each one around the weather.
Included in your nightly rate
Three-night stays include your choice of two signature tours. Most tours are shared with other travelers; private tours are available on request. Signature tours are suitable for ages 4 and up.
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Area photo: Laguna Hule · Apega71, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons Signature tour ILaguna del Hule Crater Kayak & Discovery Hike
Hike down into the forested crater of the extinct Congo Volcano, inside the Bosque Alegre Wildlife Refuge, watching the canopy for toucans and howler monkeys. At the water, a local guide leads you by kayak across the lagoon.
Afterwards, sit down to a typical Costa Rican lunch at the viewpoint on the crater rim.
- Transportation
- Local guide
- Kayak gear
- Park entry
- Lunch
The crater trail is steep and can be muddy, so bring hiking shoes.
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Toro Valley cloud forest, Bajos del Toro area · Dick Culbert, CC BY 2.0 
Platanar Volcano, Ciudad Quesada area · Green Mostaza, CC BY 4.0 Signature tour IIDinosaurs & Hot Springs Day
Spend the morning at Dino Land in Bajos del Toro, with more than 25 life-size moving dinosaurs set in the forest. The trails lead to the 50 m Río Agrio waterfall (for viewing only; no swimming) and to the turquoise Pozas Celestes pools, where you can swim.
After lunch, continue to Termales del Bosque hot springs in Ciudad Quesada for an afternoon soak and dinner.
- Transportation
- Park entry
- Lunch
- Hot springs & dinner
Bring swimwear, a towel and a change of clothes. The Río Agrio waterfall is for viewing only; swim in the Pozas Celestes pools.
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Encantada & Escondida falls, La Paz Waterfall Gardens · Carlos Valenzuela, CC BY-SA 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons Signature tour IIILa Paz Waterfall Gardens
Walk 3.5 km of trails past five cloud-forest waterfalls, then visit the wildlife refuge, home to rescued jaguars and sloths, along with the aviary, the butterfly observatory and the hummingbird garden.
- Transportation
- Park entry
Add-on experiences
Extra cost · not included in the rateWant more? Add any of these on request, subject to availability. We arrange transportation and timing around your signature tours.
Prices per adult in USD, including private transport where needed; 13% IVA added at checkout.
Sarapiquí River Rafting
Sarapiquí · Class II–III or III–IV
Rapids alternate with clear pools on the Sarapiquí River. Class II–III suits first-timers and families (ages about 8–9 and up); Class III–IV is for thrill-seekers (ages 12 and up).
$95 Class II–III · about 4.5–5 h
$125 Class III–IV · about 6 h, with lunchChocolate Tour
Sarapiquí lowlands
Visit a cacao farm to see how chocolate is made from bean to bar, then taste it.
$65 (kids $45) · about 3.5 h
Catarata del Toro & Blue Falls
Bajos del Toro
A tall waterfall plunging into an old extinct crater, paired with the Blue Falls: blue-water cascades and swimming pools in cloud forest. More than 350 steps to the base.
$120 with entry & lunch · about 6 h
Boca Tapada Birding
Northern lowlands · San Carlos
A full day birding the lowland rainforest near Boca Tapada, close to the Nicaraguan border, home of the great green macaw. With 4x4 transport, a birding guide and lunch.
$185 full day · min. 2 guests · about 10–11 h
Horseback Ride at the House
Right at the house · our own horses
We keep a few horses at the house, so you can saddle up without leaving: a guided, easy-paced ride through the countryside nearby.
$55 per person · 1 h
$95 per person · 2 h
A sample stay
Four nights, perfectly paced
One way to spend four nights, with all three signature tours, a day to slow down and room for an add-on if you want one. We adjust the order around the weather and your flights.
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Day 1 · Arrive
Into the green
- Pickup at Juan Santamaría International Airport (SJO)
- Scenic drive north over the mountains via Vara Blanca
- Settle in at Casa Bosque Alegre
- Dinner at the house
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Day 2 · Signature tour I
The crater lagoon
- Breakfast, then about 10 minutes to the Bosque Alegre Wildlife Refuge
- Laguna del Hule Crater Kayak & Discovery Hike, about 3–4 hours with a local guide
- Lunch at the crater-rim viewpoint
- Afternoon free: relax by the pool or play a match on the soccer court
- Dinner at the house
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Day 3 · Signature tour II
Dinosaurs & hot springs
- Breakfast, then the drive to Bajos del Toro
- Dino Land: life-size moving dinosaurs, the Río Agrio waterfall (viewing only) and a swim in the Pozas Celestes pools
- Lunch
- Afternoon soak and dinner at Termales del Bosque hot springs, Ciudad Quesada
- Return to the house
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Day 4 · At your own pace
A slow day
- Breakfast and a slow morning at the house
- Optional add-on, extra cost: Sarapiquí rafting, a chocolate tour, Catarata del Toro & Blue Falls, Boca Tapada birding or a horseback ride right at the house
- Dinner at the house
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Day 5 · Signature tour III & depart
Waterfalls on the way
- Breakfast and checkout
- La Paz Waterfall Gardens in Vara Blanca, about 35 minutes from the house and on the way back toward the airport
- Transfer to SJO for flights after about 4:30 PM. For an earlier flight, we move La Paz to your arrival day or the free day.
Sample only. Four nights is our minimum stay, and signature tours are for ages 4 and up. Three-night stays are also available and include your choice of two signature tours. The order of tours can change with weather, availability and your flight times; add-ons are extra and booked on request.