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.

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.
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 mineThe 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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
Day 2: White Water Tubing Adventure
Starting experienceWhite 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.
Editable trip sequence
Arrival and departure stay in place while you explore a different order for the destination stops.
- 1LIR Airport arrival
- 2Rio PerdidoDays 1–2
- 3Paquera to Isla ChiquitaDays 3–4
- 4NosaraDays 5–7
- 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
Day 1: Arrival and Rio Perdido
Arrive at Liberia International Airport and continue to Rio Perdido for your first stay at Rio Perdido Thermal Springs and Hotel. Settle in and enjoy the setting after your journey.
Day 2: White Water Tubing Adventure
Today includes 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 pickup, timing and the activity requirements.
Day 3: Continue to Isla Chiquita
Travel from Rio Perdido to Isla Chiquita and settle into Isla Chiquita Glamping Resort. The island stay requires a boat crossing; your planner coordinates it with the road journey.
Day 4: Open day in Isla Chiquita
Enjoy an open day in Isla Chiquita. Enjoy the island setting, water views and unhurried time at your stay. No guided activity is included on this open day; optional services are arranged and priced separately.
Day 5: Continue to Nosara
Travel from Isla Chiquita to Nosara and settle into Olas Verdes Hotel. The rest of the day is open to enjoy your new surroundings.
Day 6: Open day in Nosara
Enjoy an open day in Nosara. Spend time near the Guiones surf beach or discuss a separately arranged yoga session or surf lesson. No guided activity is included on this open day; optional services are arranged and priced separately.
Day 7: Open day in Nosara
Enjoy an open day in Nosara. Spend time near the Guiones surf beach or discuss a separately arranged yoga session or surf lesson. No guided activity is included on this open day; optional services are arranged and priced separately.
Day 8: Departure from Costa Rica
Return from Nosara to Liberia International Airport, arriving three hours before your flight. Your planner confirms the departure arrangements for your selected transportation.
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
A canyon, island and surf-coast vacation with a natural flow
This vacation gives each change of scenery a different purpose. Two nights at Rio Perdido start with forest, warm mineral water and the included White Water Tubing Adventure on day 2. Two nights at Isla Chiquita replace the canyon landscape with a small island and a boat crossing from the Paquera area, leaving a full day to enjoy the quieter setting.
Three nights at Olas Verdes in Nosara bring the vacation back to the Pacific surf coast, with two full days left open. Surf lessons and rentals are optional additions, while the starting tubing tour remains part of the inland portion. The contrast is what makes the trip work: active river time, island rest, then an independent beach finish. Pacific Trade Winds can adjust properties, activity intensity and nights while planning the necessary road-and-boat connections.
Rio Perdido: the active start of a varied week
Two Rio Perdido nights place the first chapter among river canyons, forest and warm mineral water. The included White Water Tubing Adventure on day 2 gives the inland stay its active focus before the route shifts to island rest. Additional adventures and wellness services can be discussed separately, without treating every activity at the property as included.
Isla Chiquita: pause between the canyon and surf coast
The boat crossing from the Paquera area brings two nights in Isla Chiquita's glamping setting. One open full day allows the island's water views and quieter pace to stand on their own between the more active river beginning and coastal finish. Optional boat outings and spa treatments need confirmation, while the essential island crossing remains part of the complete route.
Nosara: beach days after the included river outing
Three Olas Verdes nights finish the vacation near Nosara's Pacific surf beaches, with two full days left open. The inland tubing is the starting included guided adventure; surf lessons, rental equipment and yoga are additions rather than automatic parts of the beach stay. Your planner can adjust the nights and activity level while keeping the road-and-boat journey connected.
What are the highlights of Tropical Tranquility to Thrilling Waves?
These highlights describe the starting vacation; your planner can tailor the final route, stays and experiences.
- Rio Perdido begins the vacation with two canyon-country nights and the included White Water Tubing Adventure on day 2.
- Two nights at Isla Chiquita add island glamping and a full open day, connected to the mainland by boat.
- Three nights at Olas Verdes finish in Nosara, with two open days near the Pacific surf beaches.
- The trip balances one included river adventure with island rest and independent beach time; surf instruction and equipment are optional.
- Tailor the stays and activity level with a planner who coordinates the complete road-and-boat route rather than treating the stops as separate trips.
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