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Rio PerdidoIsla ChiquitaNosara

8-day Costa Rica vacation

Tropical Tranquility to Thrilling Waves

Go from Rio Perdido's river canyons and an included tubing adventure to Isla Chiquita's island retreat, then finish near Nosara's surf beaches. This eight-day journey combines one guided thrill with space to unwind.

8 days / 7 nights3 destinationsPrivate planning

Plan Tropical Tranquility to Thrilling Waves around your dates and interests.

Explore the starting route, stays, and experiences, then share the ideas that fit your vacation with a Pacific Trade Winds specialist.

Price
from $1,271 pp*
Route
Rio Perdido → Paquera to Isla Chiquita → Nosara
Duration
8 days / 7 nights
Planning
Customizable sample itinerary

*Starting price varies with travel dates, party size, availability, and the choices you make.

Make this trip mine
Plan with Pacific Trade WindsYour Costa Rica vacation specialist will shape the details of the trip with you.

The sample route

Why Rio Perdido, Isla Chiquita, and Nosara work together

Go from Rio Perdido's river canyons and an included tubing adventure to Isla Chiquita's island retreat, then finish near Nosara's surf beaches. This eight-day journey combines one guided thrill with space to unwind.

Rio Perdido
Days 1–2 · 2 nights

Rio Perdido

Rio Perdido lies near Bagaces in inland Guanacaste, where river canyons, forest and warm mineral water create a retreat far removed from a beach-resort setting. Time here can be as quiet as resting beside the thermal river or as active as a separately arranged guided adventure.

Your selected stayRio Perdido: Rio Perdido Thermal Springs and Hotel
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Isla Chiquita
Days 3–4 · 2 nights

Isla Chiquita

Isla Chiquita is reached by boat from the Paquera area, making the arrival part of the change in pace. The small island's glamping setting trades roads and town life for water views, tent-style accommodation and time close to the Gulf of Nicoya.

Your selected stayPaquera to Isla Chiquita: Isla Chiquita Glamping Resort
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Nosara
Days 5–7 · 3 nights

Nosara

Nosara's Guiones area combines a long Pacific beach with a strong surf and yoga culture. It is a place to return to the beach throughout the stay, rather than expecting one sightseeing outing to sum it up.

Your selected stayNosara: Olas Verdes Hotel
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Stays along the route

Starting stays for Tropical Tranquility to Thrilling Waves

Keep the starting stays or compare the available alternatives. Your planner will confirm the final room basis, availability, inclusions, and price.

Rio Perdido Thermal Springs and HotelRio Perdido

Included

Rio Perdido Thermal Springs and Hotel

Rio Perdido Thermal Springs and Hotel, located near the town of Bagaces, offers private elevated bungalows on 1500 acres of a protected preserve in the province of Guanacaste approximately one hour from the International Airport in Liberia (LIR). Your planner confirms the room and meal plan.

Isla Chiquita Glamping ResortPaquera to Isla Chiquita

Included

Isla Chiquita Glamping Resort

Indulge in the exquisite world of glamping, or glamorous camping, as you uncover the secluded paradise of Isla Chiquita on an uninhabited tropical island near the Nicoya Peninsula's northern Guanacaste Province. Your planner confirms the room and meal plan.

Olas Verdes HotelNosara

Included

Olas Verdes Hotel

Olas Verdes Hotel in Nosara, Costa Rica, is a hidden gem nestled within the natural beauty of the region. Your planner confirms the room and meal plan.

Experiences along the way

Included tour in the Tropical Tranquility to Thrilling Waves itinerary

This is the starting experience included in the sample itinerary. Compare available ideas for this tour in Customize.

White Water Tubing AdventureAvailable from Rio Perdido

Day 2: White Water Tubing Adventure

Starting experience

White Water Tubing Adventure

Experience the thrill of White Water Tubing at Rio Perdido, a popular activity that takes you through a mile of stunning canyon landscape, featuring narrow rock walls and rolling whitewater. Your planner confirms the requirements and timing.

Starting package

What is included in this itinerary?

These are the stays, experiences and transportation included in the starting package.

  • Travel assistance throughout your Costa Rican adventure.
  • VIP Airport Greeting upon arrival.
  • All domestic transportation as described in your itinerary.
  • 2 nights at Rio Perdido Thermal Springs and Hotel.
  • White Water Tubing Adventure.
  • 2 nights at Isla Chiquita Glamping Resort.
  • 3 nights at Olas Verdes Hotel.
  • Free days at Playa Nosara.
  • Inquire for details about included meals and drinks.
  • Current sales and turismo taxes.
  • Optimized logistics and detailed itinerary planned with you by an expert Costa Rica Travel Planner
  • Professional support before, during, and after your trip
  • 24/7 Travel assistance while in Costa Rica (forget your passport or favorite shirt at a hotel? flight plan change? lose a contact lens while swimming? – WE’RE LOCATED IN COSTA RICA AND ARE HERE FOR YOU!)
  • The best guides for day tours and professional drivers on transfers
  • Easy booking with only a $100 deposit and flexible payment plans

Route at a glance

How Tropical Tranquility to Thrilling Waves moves through Costa Rica

See how the sample route connects each destination. Reorder the destination stops to explore another sequence; your planner will confirm the transportation and timing it requires.

Interactive route map loading…

Editable trip sequence

Arrival and departure stay in place while you explore a different order for the destination stops.

  1. 1LIR Airport arrival
  2. 2Rio PerdidoDays 1–2
  3. 3Paquera to Isla ChiquitaDays 3–4
  4. 4NosaraDays 5–7
  5. 5LIR Airport departure

8-day Costa Rica itinerary

What happens each day on Tropical Tranquility to Thrilling Waves?

Follow the starting itinerary day by day, then use Customize to explore stays, experiences, transportation, and pace.

Current route: Rio Perdido → Paquera to Isla Chiquita → Nosara

MAKE THIS COSTA RICA VACATION YOURS

Plan your Tropical Tranquility to Thrilling Waves vacation

Share your dates and the changes you would like with a Pacific Trade Winds specialist.

Optional trip explorer

Make this vacation yours

Explore suitable stays, optional alternatives for included tours, and the complete transportation plan. Your planner confirms suitability, availability, logistics and the revised quote. Your choices are sent as planning requests before booking.

Explore 1 of 3

Compare hotel ideas

Nosara

Compare these stays and choose the one that feels best for your trip.

Olas Verdes Hotel
Bodhi Tree Yoga Resort
Hotel Lagarta Lodge
Explore all Nosara hotels (opens in a new tab)

A canyon, island and surf-coast vacation with a natural flow

Rio Perdido: the active start of a varied week

Isla Chiquita: pause between the canyon and surf coast

Nosara: beach days after the included river outing

What are the highlights of Tropical Tranquility to Thrilling Waves?

Explore more Costa Rica off the beaten path vacation packages (opens in a new tab)

Tripadvisor Hall of Fame

Pacific Trade Winds earned Tripadvisor Hall of Fame recognition through five consecutive Travelers' Choice awards and has now received the award for 17 consecutive years and counting.

Pacific Trade Winds expertise

A vacation specialist reviews the requested route, stays, activities, and transportation.

A real planning handoff

Your request goes to a real vacation specialist who can shape the right trip with you.

Tropical Tranquility to Thrilling Wavesfrom $1,271 pp*
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