Start your morning with a hearty breakfast at your accommodation. Then, pick up your 4×4 rental car and check out; today, you’ll be heading to the peaceful mountain region of Copey de Dota.

Your scenic journey will take you approximately 90 km from Alajuela to Copey de Dota. Depending on the weather and traffic, this drive usually takes between 2.5 and 3.5 hours. Although the road is fully paved, it becomes winding as you ascend into the misty highlands, so take your time and enjoy the views.

Weather conditions in this area can change rapidly. Fog and light rain are common, especially at higher elevations. It’s advisable to leave early in the morning when visibility is better and the roads are quieter.

Aim to arrive by midday to fully enjoy the fresh mountain air, rolling green hills, and tranquil atmosphere of Copey. Once you arrive, check in to your charming accommodation and spend the rest of the day unwinding and exploring your surroundings.

Nestled in the Talamanca Mountains, Copey de Dota is a tranquil highland village, ideal for travellers seeking nature, peace, fresh air, and an authentic rural lifestyle. It is also one of the top destinations in Costa Rica for spotting the Resplendent Quetzal and exploring the art of mountain-grown coffee.

Start your day with breakfast before embarking on an adventure to find hummingbirds and trogons through the misty mountains of Copey.

Tips for Quetzal spotting (especially during the breeding season from January to May):

• Start early, ideally before sunrise.
• Bring binoculars, warm clothing, and perhaps a thermos of coffee.
• You can walk independently or hire a local birding guide who knows the nesting trees.

Places to Visit:

• San Gerardo de Dota: About 20 minutes from Copey.
• Los Quetzales National Park: About 25 minutes from Copey.

Enjoy lunch in the village or at your accommodation. Be sure to try local dishes such as sopa negra (black bean soup) or casado, which consists of rice and grilled vegetables.

– In the afternoon:

• Visit a local coffee farm. Copey is located in one of Costa Rica’s finest speciality coffee regions.
• Take a tour of the farm to learn about the process from bean to cup.
• Enjoy coffee tastings and roasting demonstrations, and if in season, you can even pick your beans! Recommended options include Finca Copey or one of the small organic farms.

Dinner with a View:

Savour a nourishing home-cooked dinner at your lodge or with a local family in Copey. Many meals are prepared using organically grown vegetables, mountain herbs, and seasonal produce straight from the garden. Typical dishes may include roasted root vegetables, organic rice and beans, a fresh salad, homemade tortillas, and sometimes trout or cheese from the surrounding valley. It’s a true farm-to-table experience, served with heart and surrounded by the quiet beauty of the mountains.

Where to Find This?
Ask at Finca Copey, Casa Campo Verde, or other eco-lodges that grow their produce or collaborate with local farmers.

Route info:
Copey → Reserva Durika (by car).
Total Distance: ~90–100 km.
Estimated Driving Time: ~3 hours.

Vehicle Required: 4×4 strongly recommended (especially for the final stretch).

Please note that the itinerary only includes details for the first three days of your trip. However, we are happy to provide our clients with full information about the remaining days via email. This will include travel route, activities and accommodation details.

Situated in the Talamanca Mountains near Buenos Aires in Costa Rica, Reserva Dúrika is an off-grid biological reserve and intentional ecovillage centred on sustainability, conservation and holistic living. Surrounded by a cloud forest teeming with biodiversity, the reserve offers nature lovers, spiritual retreat seekers and eco-conscious travellers a peaceful, remote setting.

Route info:
Durika → Guayabí.
Total distance: Approx. 100 km.
Estimated drive time: 4 hours.

Guayabí is a small rural town in the Corredores canton, Puntarenas province, situated close to the Costa Rica–Panama border. It’s largely an agricultural and indigenous region, part of the broader Ngäbe/Buglé territory.

Near Guayabí, you’ll explore the Corredores Caverns, a hidden gem full of pristine nature. There is an impressive hike along the canyons of the Río Corredores.

Route info:
Guayabí → Punta Banco (by Car).
Approximate distance: 65 km.
Estimated drive time: 3 hours.

Punta Banco – Where Jungle Meets Ocean

Tucked away on Costa Rica’s southern Pacific coast, Punta Banco is a peaceful coastal village surrounded by lush rainforest and the wild beauty of the sea. It’s a haven for slow, mindful living, perfect for yoga travelers, nature lovers, and anyone seeking deep rest and connection.

Route info:
Punta Banco ➝ Drake Bay (via Rincón).
Distance: Approx. 150–180 km depending on route.
Estimated drive time: 4–6 hours.

You spend the night in an eco-accommodation in the middle of the rainforest, where you can enjoy the natural surroundings.

Discover Drake Bay, the gateway to the wild Osa Peninsula!

Tucked away on the southwest coast of Costa Rica, Drake Bay (Bahía Drake) is a secluded paradise surrounded by lush rainforest and teeming with marine life. It’s the perfect place for nature lovers, adventure travellers and those seeking peace and connection.

Spend your days exploring the wilderness:

• Hike through Corcovado National Park, one of the most biodiverse places on Earth!
• Go snorkelling or diving at Caño Island, home to sea turtles, rays and vibrant coral reefs.
• Keep an eye out for whales and dolphins along the coast (seasonal).
• Go kayaking, swimming, or relax on quiet, jungle-backed beaches.
• Join a guided night walk to discover frogs, insects and other nocturnal creatures.

With its raw beauty and tranquil pace, Drake Bay is the ideal destination for eco-tourism, mindfulness and adventure off the beaten track.

Route info:
Drake Bay → Las Tumbas de Barú.
Approximate distance: ~190 km.
Estimated travel time: 4–5 hours (depending on road type).

Las Tumbas de Barú is a small, rural village nestled in the foothills of the Talamanca Mountains in southern Costa Rica’s Pérez Zeledón canton. This quiet, off-the-beaten-track community is surrounded by lush forest, rivers, waterfalls and mountain views. It is an ideal destination for mindful travellers, nature lovers and those seeking authentic, regenerative experiences in the mountains of southern Costa Rica.

🏕 What makes it unique?
The Diamante Waterfall property features ten waterfalls and the secluded “Casa de Piedra” cave, where you can spend the night or enjoy an extended visit.

Also, you can hike to the Nauyaca waterfall, or visit
permaculture and organic farms.

Route info:
Las Tumbas → Dos Bocas de Aguirre.
Distance: Approx. 50 km.
Estimated drive time: ~45 minutes.

Lodging: Rural family farm.

Authentic rural experience: This place is far less touristy than the coastal areas and offers a traditional lifestyle and peaceful surroundings. Enjoy true tranquillity and silence, you might even discover a hidden hot spring if you know where to look!
You can also join an impressive night-time frog tour through unspoilt nature, when the rainforest truly comes alive after dark.

Roue info:
Hatillo de Aguirre → Alajuela (by car).
Distance: ~190–210 km.
Estimated drive time: 5 hours.

Final day: farewell to Costa Rica!

Enjoy a peaceful final breakfast and take in the last of Costa Rica’s natural beauty. Then, return your rental car and check out of your accommodation, taking with you unforgettable memories of mountains, wildlife, warm people and quiet moments in nature, as well as your luggage.

In the afternoon, a comfortable transfer will take you to the airport, where your journey home begins.

Departure time: 18:35.