Two Oceans

The trip that proves the country's whole argument: two coastlines with entirely different food, music and light, close enough to hold in one week.

Day by day

1. 1

   1

   Arrival

   Highland estate above San José, an early night, and a good coffee in the morning.

2. 2

   2

   To the Caribbean

   East through Braulio Carrillo to Puerto Viejo de Talamanca. Afrocaribbean cooking, and a very different Costa Rica.

3. 3

   3

   Cahuita

   The coral reef and the coastal trail at Cahuita National Park, then the beaches south toward Manzanillo.

4. 4

   4

   Bribri

   Up the Yorkín river by dugout to a Bribri community — cacao, plantain, and an afternoon that is genuinely theirs rather than staged.

5. 5

   5

   Crossing

   Back through the Central Valley, with a stop in Orosi and its colonial church.

6. 6

   6

   Pacific

   To the Nicoya coast. Sunset, which on this side is the main event.

7. 7

   7

   Water

   Private catamaran along the coast — swimming, snorkelling, and lunch aboard. Nobody else on the boat.

8. 8

   8

   Slow

   Nothing scheduled. Horses, surf lesson, or a hammock, entirely your call.

9. 9

   9

   Return

   Coastal airstrip to San José and onward.

Why it works

• Both coastlines without a rushed transfer day
• Yorkín river Bribri visit, arranged directly with the community
• Private catamaran, not a shared charter