San Jose

San Jose is where the trip begins. One night at Hotel Grano de Oro, a well-regarded boutique hotel in the city, gives you a chance to settle in before heading out. A panoramic VIP city tour the following morning takes in the capital's main landmarks before you point the car north towards the volcano.

Arenal

Arenal is one of Costa Rica's most active volcanic regions, a landscape of lush jungle, hot springs and open views up to the cone of Arenal Volcano. Three nights at Los Lagos Spa and Resort, a mountain view property with breakfast included, gives you a proper base to explore from.

A guided tour takes in the volcano and the Ecotermales Hot Springs, and a boat safari along the Penas Blancas River is included too, a slow, wildlife-rich journey where sloths, crocodiles and tropical birds are a regular sight.

Monteverde

From Arenal the drive takes you into the cloud forest of Monteverde, a mountain region where the forest sits in near-permanent mist and wildlife is everywhere you look. Two nights at Cloud Forest Lodge in Manakin Suites with breakfast gives you a comfortable base. A full day Tortuga Island tour is included, a boat trip out to a Pacific island with swimming, snorkelling and tropical scenery.

Nosara

The final stretch of the trip brings you down to the Pacific coast and four nights at Hotel Boutique Lagarta Lodge in Nosara. The Panorama Suite comes with a king bed and breakfast each morning. Nosara is a small coastal town known for its beaches and wildlife, and Lagarta Lodge sits above the treetops with views stretching out over the estuary and ocean. It is a very good place to finish a trip like this.