...Trip idea

Unusual Combination - Costa Rica & Galapagos

A surprising combination for wildlife and nature lovers, this adventurous trip starts in Costa Rica and ends aboard an eight-day Galapagos cruise. Spot an abundance of wildlife in the rainforest, volcanic islands, pristine coast or underwater, and enjoy stylish stays from jungle eco-lodges, colonial hotels to spacious boats.

Highlights

  • Have your journey meticulously curated every step of the way by Bailey Robinson experts
  • Close encounters with rare wildlife in a variety of locations from rainforest, coast, underwater and volcanic islands
  • Be immersed in a remote riverside lodge in Costa Rica, accessible only by river
  • Experience Costa Rica’s pristine Osa Peninsula and stay in a rainforest eco-hotel
  • Soak up cultural pleasure in colonial Quito
  • Finish with a seven-night luxury yacht trip spotting the Galapagos’ endemic wildlife

When to Go:

Being close to the equator means that the Galapagos are a year-round destination; Costa Rica is at its driest from December to April on the Pacific Coast although there are merits to travelling in green season over the UK summer.

Best For:

This trip suits active couples, nature-loving families and would work well for a three-generational family travelling together. All our itineraries are individually crafted to your needs.

Getting There and Around:

You can fly directly into the gateway of San José, Costa Rica from the UK. From there, it’s an easy hop to Ecuador, then on to the Galapagos.

Finca Rosa Blanca3
Finca Rosa Blanca
Pacuare Lodge
Pacuare Lodge
fincarosablanca-rafting-tour-1760×1760-closeup-group-rafting-01

DAY 1 - 4 San Jose & Pacuare Lodge

Welcome to Costa Rica and one of Central America’s busiest capital cities – San José. Relax in style and recuperate from the journey at Finca Rosa Blanca, an organic coffee farm just 30 minutes from the airport. Encased by verdant, jungle-clad mountains, it’s a fantastic introduction to the greenery of Costa Rica. Shake off jet lag with a swim in the pool or learn all about the journey of coffee on a farm tour starting with picking the ‘cherries’ to the roasted brew.

The next destination is an authentic wilderness stay at Pacuare Lodge, set in verdant jungle alongside a rugged canyon. Your experience starts before you even arrive as you white-water raft the Rio Pacuare directly to the lodge. Riding the swirling rapids while flanked by tall banks of tangled greenery is an exhilarating start and sets the tone for your secluded immersion into the rainforest.

 

Pacuare Lodge
Pacuare Lodge
Pacuare Lodge
Pacuare Lodge
Pacuare Lodge
Pacuare Lodge
Pacuare Lodge
Pacuare Lodge

EXPERIENCE PACUARE

Once settled at Pacuare Lodge, start to appreciate your pristine surroundings: the squawk of nature, the gush of the river and all around a jungle of green. Spend your days exploring primordial rainforests with hikes to wild waterfalls, dawn walks with a nature guide to spot colourful toucans and other exotic birds or learning the secrets of the local Cabecar people with a visit to the medicine man.

Thrill-seekers might like to zip line through the canopy, canyon down narrow gorges and raft more rapids. Come home to swim in the infinity forest pool, have a spa treatment or relax in your wood-crafted villa overlooking the jungle.

Lapa Rios
Lapa Rios
Lapa Rios
Lapa Rios
Lapa Rios
Lapa Rios
Lapa Rios
The mantled howler (Alouatta palliata), or golden-mantled howlin
Keel-billed toucan perched on a moss covered branch in the jungl
scarlet macaws of costa rica flying in the rainforest
Nine-banded armadillo- (Dasypus novemcinctus)
Lapa Rios
Funny sloth hanging on tree branch, cute face look, perfect port

Day 5 - 10 Lapa Rios & Quito

Your next stop in Costa Rica sees you whisked to the tip of the Osa Peninsula, on the west coast, to stay in an eco-lodge set in one of Central America’s last remaining tropical lowland jungles. Lapa Rios is not only enviable in its Jurassic location, but it also has incredible ocean views over the azure Golfo Dulce.

From the terrace of your bungalow, watch monkeys crash through the trees, spot macaws or luminescent morpho butterfly flit in the forest. Guided tours take you deeper into this extraordinary natural environment including hikes to spot sloths, poison-dart frogs or maybe even a puma.

ballena2
DCIM100MEDIADJI_0220.JPG
Lapa Rios
20141123_laparios_363 (1)
Horseback on the beach
casa-gangotena-hotel-view
plaza_view
casa-gangotena-rooms-luxury-plus
Plaza Grande in old town Quito, Ecuador

Coastal delights to elegant Quito

Coastal treks reveal marine life from tiny starfish to mammoth whales and you can get active on the water with paddleboarding, kayaking and surfing on offer.

Leaving the rainforest behind, retrace your steps to San José before a few nights in colonial Quito in Ecuador at the elegant Casa Gangotena where you’ll enjoy a guided walking tour around the UNESCO protected cobbled streets, historic churches and impressive plazas.

Origin & Theory boats Galapagos
m/y Theory, Galapagos Islands
Origin boat main lounge Galapagos
Twin cabin, Origin & Theory, Galapagos, Ecuador
1. Theory

DAY 11 - 18 Galapagos

Galapagos – The holy grail for any nature-lover, adventurer or evolutionist, a cruise around one of the most biologically diverse places on the planet makes a big impact.

Bringing families, couples and groups together to explore the place which inspired Darwin’s Theory of Evolution, the Galapagos’ endemic wildlife remains spectacular. Step aboard your vessel for the week to explore on and around the islands of San Cristobal, Isabela and Santa Cruz on either Origin, Theory or Evolve – known for their small boat sizes with just ten spacious cabins, high levels of comfort and expert guides.

4. Snorkeling
4.2 Snorkel Gear
Iguana Galapagos
Galapagos wildlife
Red Sally Lightfoot crabs on a lava rock. The scientific name of these crabs is Grapsus Grapsus and the common name is Sally Lightfoot Crabs or also known as Red Rock Crabs.
sea lion underwater looking at you
The Galapagos Islands. Panorama of the Galapagos Islands from the height of the island of Bartolome, Galapagos. Ecuador.
Marine-iguana-big-15

Out and About

Over eight days cruising the volcanic islands, enjoy a range of outstanding excursions – take a dinghy to hike volcanic lava ridges, observe marine life in a glass-bottom boat, snorkel, swim or paddle board the striking seascapes. With a lack of natural predators on the island and many species found only here, the Galapagos are a biodiversity hotspot. Prepare for close encounters with the large and small: snoozing iguanas, frolicking sea lions, giant tortoises, blue-footed boobies, breeching whales, red-throated frigate birds, penguins and flamingos to name just a few.

With this unique roll call of the natural world colouring your thoughts, start your return journey home.

Have questions? Our knowledgeable team of experts are on-hand to take your call or if you prefer by Zoom. Talk to us about your holiday dreams or challenge us with your travel conundrums.

Get in touch

Keep Browsing

Enjoy reading our colourful collection of travel blogs, insider journeys and first-person insights. Our articles are designed to fuel your wanderlust. Feeling inspired? Give us a call and our experts can start planning your next travel experience.

The collection
Best of the Luxury Galapagos Cruises

Let us help you choose the right vessel for your cruise to the wildlife-rich Galapagos Islands so you can get the most out of this bucket list-worthy destination.

M/Y Grace, Galapagos
Galapagos
Booking with Bailey Robinson means access to the finest travel experiences. When planning your holiday we do all the hard work – in-depth research and meticulous organisation. You can be confident in the individual care for your holiday from your dedicated and experienced Personal Travel Designer and Concierge.
Just back from
Just Back From – The Galapagos
Galapagos
Insight
A Guide to the Galapagos
Galapagos
Travel Ideas