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Surfer walking along a dark-sand Pacific beach in Costa Rica

CANYONS · HOT SPRINGS · SURF

Costa Rica Hidden Gems: Dry Forest & Beach

Canyon adventures and thermal rivers in Bagaces, then the surf and sand of Nosara

Costa RicaTailor-Made7 days / 6 nightsFlights IncludedPrice on enquiry

A seven-day escape into the quieter side of Guanacaste, pairing the tropical dry forest around Bagaces — canyon cable adventures, river tubing and natural thermal springs — with the laid-back surf town of Nosara on the Nicoya Peninsula, one of the world's "Blue Zones" and a haven of empty beaches and warm Pacific water.

We arrange it as a private, tailor-made holiday with return UK flights, a thermal-river hotel and a boutique surf hotel, all transfers and guided activities — relaxed, active and ATOL protected from the moment you book.

Guided kayak through the mangrove estuary near Nosara, Costa Rica

WHAT YOU'LL DO

Holiday Highlights

Rio Blanco canyon adventure — a cable circuit of platforms, a Tarzan swing and a challenge bridge through the dry-forest canyon
Thermal river & mud baths — soak in a natural thermo-mineral river beneath the Miravalles Volcano
River tubing — drift the Rio Blanco spotting birds and monkeys
Learn to surf at Nosara — a beginner lesson on one of Costa Rica's most consistent, friendly beach breaks
Sea stand-up paddle & mangrove kayak — calm-water SUP and a guided estuary kayak in the Ostional refuge
Blue Zone beaches — free time on Playa Guiones, Pelada and Garza
ATOL protected & flight-inclusive — return UK flights and full financial protection (licence 10898)

Your Itinerary

Day 1: Fly from the UK · Arrive Liberia · Bagaces

Fly from the UK to Liberia (via a US or San José gateway). Your private driver transfers you to a thermal-river hotel set in the dry forest near Bagaces; the evening is free to enjoy the hot springs.

Day 2: Canyon adventure & thermal river

Tackle the Rio Blanco canyon cable adventure — 15 platforms, a Tarzan swing and a challenge bridge — then a traditional Costa Rican lunch and an afternoon easing tired muscles in the thermo-mineral river.

Day 3: River tubing in the dry forest

Float the Rio Blanco by tube through the canyon, watching for birds and monkeys, with a leisurely afternoon by the hotel pool.

Day 4: To the coast — Nosara & first surf lesson

A private transfer to Nosara on the Pacific coast, settling into your boutique surf hotel before a 90-minute beginner surf lesson on the beach.

Day 5: Sea stand-up paddle

A two-hour stand-up paddle session on calm water, then a free afternoon to swim, read or wander the village.

Day 6: Mangrove kayak & beach time

A guided kayak on the Nosara river estuary within the Ostional Wildlife Refuge — herons, iguanas and crabs along the banks — with the afternoon free for the area's quiet beaches.

Day 7: Fly home

Transfer to Liberia International Airport for your flight back to the UK, arriving home the following day.

Stand-up paddleboarding on a calm estuary near Nosara, Costa Rica

Where You'll Stay

Two contrasting stays — a dry-forest thermal-river hotel and a boutique surf hotel at Nosara (or similar), both on a bed & breakfast basis.

Bagaces (3 nights)

A design-led hotel built around a natural thermal river, with canyon trails and hot springs on the doorstep.

Nosara (3 nights)

A relaxed boutique surf hotel a short stroll from Playa Guiones — the heart of Nosara's Blue Zone beach life.

What's Included

  • Return international flights from the UK to Liberia
  • 6 nights' accommodation in a thermal-river hotel and a boutique surf hotel (B&B)
  • All private transfers and guided activities listed in the itinerary
  • Canyon cable adventure, thermal river, river tubing, surf lesson, stand-up paddle and mangrove kayak
  • 24/7 in-destination support and ATOL financial protection (licence 10898)

What's Not Included

  • Travel insurance (required — we can recommend specialist providers)
  • Meals and drinks not specified, and optional excursions
  • Gratuities, personal expenses and single-room supplements

Frequently Asked Questions

The dry season (December–April) brings reliable sunshine and clean surf. The green season (May–November) is lusher and quieter, with warm water year-round. We tailor dates to your preference.

Planning the timing? Read when to visit Costa Rica for a month-by-month weather and wildlife rundown.

Plan your Costa Rica Hidden Gems holiday

Speak to one of our Latin America specialists for a tailored quote and your preferred dates. Flights, hotels, transfers and activities all arranged — ATOL protected from the moment you book.

We typically respond within 24 hours
Tailor-Made Holiday
Price on enquiry
tailored to your tripATOL protected (10898)
Flights Included
Private holiday
Flexible dates
7 days / 6 nights (suggested)
Fully customisable

No commitment — we respond within 24 hours

Real reviews

What our customers say

From travellers who visited Costa Rica with us

We've wanted to visit Costa Rica for years and Travelfab put together a brilliant two-week trip. Arenal Volcano with the hot springs was the perfect start. Tortuguero's canals were teeming with wildlife — monkeys, sloths, caimans, an incredible variety of birds. The Caribbean coast around Puerto Viejo had a completely different vibe — reggae, jerk chicken, and lovely reef snorkelling. Pura vida indeed.

Graham & Pat D.

Costa Rica was pure magic. Monteverde cloud forest was eerie and beautiful — we saw a resplendent quetzal on our first morning which our guide said was rare. The hanging bridges walk was thrilling. We finished at Manuel Antonio where the white-faced monkeys came right up to our sun loungers. The biodiversity is staggering. Travelfab arranged everything including an excellent local driver-guide.

Victoria & Mark P.

Costa Rica is paradise for nature lovers. We saw toucans, sloths, monkeys and hummingbirds — all within the first two days. The Arenal Volcano area and Monteverde cloud forest were highlights.

Oliver & Gemma P.

Tailor-made · ATOL 10898

Want to customise this trip?

Every Travelfab holiday is tailor-made — extend a leg, swap a hotel, combine with another country. Tell us the shape you want and a specialist will redesign it around you.

Customise this trip with a specialist
Price on enquiry
ATOL 10898