We have created an exceptional package, offering a 12-day trip. This trip, which we like to call “Birds and Volcanoes Costa Rica-Ecuador,” visits beautiful places between Costa Rica and Ecuador. Both are renowned for their lush nature and beauty.
Overview
Discover the best of Central and South America with our 12-day private tour package!
Day 1-6: Costa Rica Adventure
Explore the beautiful nature of Costa Rica! Visit Puerto Viejo de Sarapiquí, known for its lush rainforests and rich wildlife. Enjoy the peaceful surroundings of Boca Tapada, perfect for spotting birds and nature’s treasures. All transportation is private, and breakfast is included every day.
Day 7-12: Ecuador Exploration
Discover Ecuador’s amazing landscapes and history! Visit Cochasquí to see fascinating ancient ruins. Relax at Cuicocha Lake with its stunning volcanic crater. Climb Cotopaxi, one of the highest active volcanoes in the world. All transportation is private, with breakfast each day.
Optional Service:
If you want more flexibility during your trip, you can choose to add mobile transportation. This means you will have a private vehicle available for tours and transfers in each country, giving you the freedom to explore at your own pace. This option is available for an extra charge.
Enjoy a unique journey to find nature’s treasures, discover historic places, see amazing biodiversity, and visit active volcanoes in both Costa Rica and Ecuador!
Highlights
- Visit Puerto Viejo de Sarapiquí in Costa Rica, famous for its rainforests and wildlife.
- Discover ancient ruins at Cochasquí in Ecuador, a site rich in history.
- Relax by the beautiful Cuicocha Lake, a volcanic crater lake in Ecuador.
- Enjoy all private ground transportation and daily breakfast for a comfortable trip.
- Optional mobile transportation for more freedom to explore local areas and do additional tours.
Itinerary
Upon arrival, private transfer from Juan Santamaria International Airport to your hotel in San Jose.
At the hotel, our representative will explain your itinerary in detail.
Enjoy free time to explore more of the lodge or relax in the facilities.
▪ Arrival at Hotel Bougainvillea: Located just 30 minutes from the Juan Santamaria International Airport, the hotel offers a tranquil atmosphere surrounded by nature.
▪ Afternoon free to explore the gardens: Take a walk through the hotel garden.
Overnight: Hotel Bougainvillea.
Hotel Bougainvillea is located in an award-winning botanical garden not far from downtown San Jose. Accommodation is available in comfortable guest rooms which feature modern amenities including Wi-Fi, work desk, and an LCD TV.
The hotel features the Vitrales Restaurant which serves traditional Costa Rican and international cuisine in a relaxed environment. Many facilities are available at the hotel and include a fully equipped gym, tennis court, swimming pool, conference room, and spa.
The trip from San Jose to Sarapiqui is a scenic drive that takes approximately 2 hours, depending on traffic and the chosen
route. It is a trip that crosses several regions of Costa Rica, starting in the Central Valley, with its urban and mountainous
areas, and descending towards the lowlands and humid region of Sarapiqui.
Along the way, noticeable changesin the landscape can be seen: from cultivated mountains and valleysto the lush tropical
vegetation that characterizes Sarapiquí. The road is mostly paved and in good condition, facilitating a comfortable and
safe trip. Sarapiquí is renowned for its great biodiversity, especially in birds and wildlife, and its proximity to rivers and
nature reserves makes this destination ideal for ecological and adventure activities.
Day Itinerary
▪ After enjoying the hotel in San Jose, the surroundings.
▪ A private transfer will arrive to pick you up and take you to Sarapiqui.
▪ Mobile on tour: Our driver will be at your disposal to take you to your next destination.
Overnight: Ara Ambigua Lodge
Located in Puerto Viejo, Costa Rica, Ara Ambigua Lodge is surrounded by the beauty of the Sarapiquí rainforest. The property’s guest rooms are surrounded by beautiful gardens, and equipped with balconies, private bathrooms, TVs, air conditioning, coffee makers and hairdryers.
General facilities and services available to guests include three swimming pools and a spa with a sauna.
Nigh Walk:
Duration of the activity is 2 hours.
Discover the wonders of the rainforest when most species are active. During the 1.5 hour walk, a naturalist guide will tell you the natural history of the different nocturnal species of the rainforest. The guide will focus on nocturnal species such as: insects, frogs and nocturnal mammals among others, giving you a different perspective of the rainforest.
It is inside the Hotel property
Overnight: Ara Ambigua Lodge
Located in Puerto Viejo, Costa Rica, Ara Ambigua Lodge is surrounded by the beauty of the Sarapiquí rainforest. The property’s guest rooms are surrounded by beautiful gardens, and equipped with balconies, private bathrooms, TVs, air conditioning, coffee makers and hairdryers.
General facilities and services available to guests include three swimming pools and a spa with a sauna.
After breakfast:
▪ Mobile on tour: Our driver will be at your disposal to take you to your next destination.
The drive from Sarapiqui to Boca Tapada, located in the northern part of the country near the Nicaraguan border, takes approximately 2.5 to 3 hours, depending on weather and road conditions. During the drive, you will pass through picturesque rural landscapes, agricultural fields and tropical forests, with opportunities to observe birds, wildlife and the daily life of the local communities.
This route offers a unique experience for nature and adventure lovers, allowing you to enter one of the most biodiverse and least explored regions of Costa Rica. It is the ideal destination for those seeking an authentic connection with nature, tranquility, and excellent opportunities for bird watching, guided hikes, and boat tours.
Upon arrival at the lodge in Boca Tapada, you will be greetedwith a welcome and have time to settle in before continuing with the day’s scheduled activities.
Overnight: Maquenque Eco Lodge
Our hotel is the ideal place for nature lovers and wish to explore their senses. Strategically located inside the Maquenque National Wildlife Refuge, bordering the San Carlos River.
We have 15 Bungalows and 10 tree houses of approximately 45 m2, equipped with: hot water (through solar panels), private bathroom, ceiling fan, closet, balcony with a beautiful view to a natural lagoon or to the tropical forest for the tree houses, to have a real relaxing time.
The hotel have 68 acres of rainforest, within which we have trails for you to enjoy in a guided or yourself way. There is a great variety of flora and fauna, making thisthe perfect place for bird lovers. Currently, we have identifiedmore than 592 species of birds.
Boat Tour.
We leave at 9:00 am from the hotel ́s pier, where we board a boat and begin the trip downstream on the San Carlos River.
During the tour you can see crocodiles, tortoise, bats, herons, kingfishers, king vultures, and many more species. Very close to Nicaragua border, we will stop to visit the small town of Boca San Carlos, where we will have the opportunity to visit the village, and meet and share with some Costa Rican people.
▪ Departure: 9:00 am
▪ Return: 12:00 noon.
- Includes: Naturalist Guide, rubber boots, transportation, and water.
- What to bring?: Comfortable clothing, insect repellent, sunscreen, hat, camera and binoculars.
Overnight: Maquenque Eco Lodge
Our hotel is the ideal place for nature lovers and wish to explore their senses. Strategically located inside the Maquenque National Wildlife Refuge, bordering the San Carlos River.
We have 15 Bungalows and 10 tree houses of approximately 45 m2, equipped with: hot water (through solar panels), private bathroom, ceiling fan, closet, balcony with a beautiful view to a natural lagoon or to the tropical forest for the tree houses, to have a real relaxing time.
The hotel have 68 acres of rainforest, within which we have trails for you to enjoy in a guided or yourself way. There is a great variety of flora and fauna, making thisthe perfect place for bird lovers. Currently, we have identifiedmore than 592 species of birds.
Bird watching
This is the best place for bird lovers!
In our rainforest we have a lush gallery with more than 410 species of birds, including some migratory species. Some of the species that can be found in our forests are: Great Green Macaw (endangered), Scarlet Macaw, some toucans, Oropendolas, honeycreepers, Tanagers, Euphonias and Jacamares, just to mention!
We start the tour at 5:30 am, the time when most birds start their activity, our naturalist guide will take you through the gardens and lagoons until we have enough sunlight to enter the forest path, nesting place, for many species of birds.
Departure: 5:30 am
Return: 7:30 am
- What to bring? Comfortable clothes (pants, jeans, t-shirts), raincoat, insect repellent, camera and binoculars.
Overnight: Maquenque Eco Lodge
Our hotel is the ideal place for nature lovers and wish to explore their senses. Strategically located inside the Maquenque National Wildlife Refuge, bordering the San Carlos River.
We have 15 Bungalows and 10 tree houses of approximately 45 m2, equipped with: hot water (through solar panels), private bathroom, ceiling fan, closet, balcony with a beautiful view to a natural lagoon or to the tropical forest for the tree houses, to have a real relaxing time.
The hotel have 68 acres of rainforest, within which we have trails for you to enjoy in a guided or yourself way. There is a great variety of flora and fauna, making thisthe perfect place for bird lovers. Currently, we have identifiedmore than 592 species of birds.
▪ Private transportation will arrive at your hotel in Boca Tapada to take you to the airport for your international
flight.
▪ Mobile on tour: Our driver will be at your disposal to take you to your next destination.
▪ Please note that you must be at the ATO 3 hours prior to your flight departure.
Quito, Ecuador
Welcome to Ecuador!
Upon arrival, private transfer from Mariscal Sucre International Airport to your hotel in outskirts of Quito.
At the hotel, our representative will explain your itinerary in detail.
Enjoy free time to explore more of the hotel or relax in the facilities.
▪ Arrival at Hotel San Jose de Puembo: Located just 30 minutes from Airport, the hotel offers a tranquil atmosphere surrounded by nature.
▪ Afternoon free to explore the gardens: Take a walk through the hotel gardens,
Overnight: Hotel San Jose de Puembo or similar
San José de Puembo belongs to the category Ascend Collection because it is a historic hotel, colonial style, which offers guests a unique experience. Ascend Collection you’re guaranteed.
Choice Hotels International, The world’s third largest hotel chain. Comfort in rooms and public spaces, is another area well cared for by the chain, which does not leave out any detail.
After breakfast at your hotel, we will head north towards Otavalo, and we will make a stop at Cochasqui Pyramids. These pyramids were constructed between 950 CE. Their construction is attributed by archaeologists to the Quitu-Cara culture of the Cara people and/or the Caranqui people. The Cara and the Caranqui may have been the same people. Prior to the Inca conquest in the late 15th century. Here you do a small trek, with chances to feed lamas, and learn about the people used to live in the area.
Let’s head to Cotacachi. An entire town dedicated to leather goods. We will continue to Cuicocha Lagoon or Lagoon of the Gods that is part of Cotacachi – Cayapas ecological reserve. Cuicocha has an altitude of 3.068 meters above sea level. Here time and weather permitting we will trek around the lagoon on a demanding trail or we could take a boat and do a 30 min. boat tour. Before sunset let’s head back to your hotel.
- A private transfer will arrive to pick you up and take you to Cochasqui and Cuicocha.
- Mobile on tour: Our driver will be at your disposal to take you to your next destination
Overnight: Hacienda Cusin or similar
With its dancing chimneys, sumptuous tapestries, saints and antiques, the restored house dates from the nineteenth century, home to a renowned landowner, and is itself a collection of culture, art and people of the Andes.
The history of the hacienda is faithfully admired and recreated with mischievous touches.
After late breakfast, we will take a drive of south along the Pan-American Highway also named the Avenue of the Volcanoes by Alexander Von Humbold. The highlight of todays is the magnificent, Cotopaxi volcano (5.897m -19.460ft above sea level), considered the highest active volcano in the world! Here you will be able to do a hike around Limpio Pungo Lagoon, full of flora and fauna. There are high chances to see Condors flying, foxes, deers, among other birds.
And if time permits, we will visit a rose plantation. Ecuador is the world’s third largest cut flower exporter in the world, and nearly three-fourths of the blooms shipped are roses. Amazing when you consider the country encompasses only about 1% of the earth’s surface and is roughly the size of Colorado.
Despite the relatively small size of the country, Ecuadorian roses are gaining popularity. With bright colors and fragrant scents, the rose industry provides jobs for thousands of local Ecuadorians and spreads beauty and love throughout the world.
▪ A private transfer will arrive to pick you up and take you to Cotopaxi
▪ Mobile on tour: Our driver will be at your disposal to take you to your next destination
Overnight: Tambopaxi lodge or similar
Tambopaxi, or lodging place of the moon in Quichua, is an ecological hotel and mountain refuge that nestles at the foot of the famed Cotopaxi volcano.
At 3,720 meters above sea level, hotel Tambopaxi Lodge is the only hotel inside the Cotopaxi National Park.
Situated on the edge of the volcano’s boulder field, guests enjoy unparalleled views of the snow-capped peak, which rises to 5,897 meters.
▪ A private transfer will arrive to pick you up and take you to Baños de Agua Santa.
▪ Mobile on tour: Our driver will be at your disposal to take you to your next destination.
Today we will explore Baños breathtaking waterfalls. One of the most popular waterfalls is called El Pailon del Diablo (The Devil’s Cauldron) and is located only 17 kilometers from Baños in a small settlement Rio Verde.
This 80-meter waterfall isawe-inspiring, and the location on Rio Pastaza guarantees a constant water supply. Simply put, Pailon del Diablo is one of the most powerful waterfalls you can find near Baños, a must-see destination.
Overnight: Hacienda La Andaluza or similar
On the southeastern slopes of the Chimborazo volcano, 3320 meters closer to the stars and with the colossus volcano of faithful guardian, is located Hostería La Andaluza- Hacienda Chuquipogio, which transports those who visit it to a literal journey through memory and history.
Today you hike through the Chimborazo volcano. You pass little lakes, moorlands and observe many wild vicuñas. These cute animals are the smallest kind of the Camelids family and a relative of the llama.
Only in the Chimborazo area do you find them in Ecuador. The higher you go, the drier the ambience. This day you often hike cross-country through sandy and stony terrain. You’re wondering how the vicuñas survived in this desert-like environment. Surprisingly, they find enough food and need little water.
A private transfer will arrive to pick you up and take you to Chimborazo volcano
▪ Mobile on tour: Our driver will be at your disposal to take you to your next destination
Overnight: Hacienda La Andaluza
On the southeastern slopes of the Chimborazo volcano, 3320 meters closer to the stars and with the colossus volcano of faithful guardian, is located Hostería La Andaluza- Hacienda Chuquipogio, which transports those who visit it to a literal journey through memory and history.
The day has come to say: See you soon!
Thank you very much for your visit!
▪ Private transportation will arrive at your hotel in Riobamba to take you to the airport for your international flight.
▪ Mobile on tour: Our driver will be at your disposal to take you to your next destination.
▪ Please note that you must be at the ATO 3 hours prior to your flight departure.
Includes/excludes
Cost includes
- Accompaniment service inside the airport.
- Donation to sustainable projects.
- Meet&Greet at Hotel in CR. and Ecuador.
- Shared excursions mentioned in the itinerary with bilingual guide.
- Bed and Breakfast.
- Private transportation between hotels (OPTIONAL with extra charge: Mobile at disposition for aditional activities in the area).
Cost excludes
- International flights.
- Personal expenses.
- Meals not mentioned in the program.
FAQs
The package includes 12 days of private transportation, breakfast every day, and visits to key attractions in Costa Rica and Ecuador.
Yes, you can customize certain parts of the trip, especially if you choose the optional mobile transportation service.
It is an extra service that provides you with a private vehicle all the time during your stay, so you can do additional tours or explore areas more freely.
Contact us through our website or email, and we will assist you with the booking process.
Yes, the program has unique, scheduled travel dates. We will inform you as soon as new dates become available.
Not at the moment, but we encourage you to stay in touch for upcoming scheduled departures.
Map
Terms & Conditions
Net rates per person in USD according to occupancy.
Any changes of accomodation requires personal assistance.
Rates are not valid for the Christmas / New Year’s holiday season December 20, 2025 – January 02, 2026 and Easter week April 13, 2026 to April 20, 2026. For those holidays please ask the sales team for a quote.
Availability subject to change without prior notice.
Lodging in the hotels mentioned or similar category.
