Alajuela provides a green inland setting near San Jose International Airport, making it useful for settling in after arrival or easing into the final night before departure. A stay here can feel like part of the vacation instead of merely an airport stop, with time to enjoy the selected property's gardens and facilities.

10-day Costa Rica vacation
South Pacific Surf
Follow Costa Rica's South Pacific from Uvita and Dominical to Cabo Matapalo, with Alajuela stays at the beginning and end. This ten-day vacation gives independent surfers time to explore two very different coastal settings.
Plan South Pacific Surf 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 $2,299 pp*
- Route
- Alajuela suburbs → Uvita → Cabo Matapalo → Alajuela suburbs
- Duration
- 10 days / 9 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 Alajuela, Uvita, and Cabo Matapalo work together
Follow Costa Rica's South Pacific from Uvita and Dominical to Cabo Matapalo, with Alajuela stays at the beginning and end. This ten-day vacation gives independent surfers time to explore two very different coastal settings.
Uvita's South Pacific setting brings forested hills close to the coast and Marino Ballena National Park. The long coastline, surrounding rainforest and quieter pace give travelers room to alternate exploration with time at their stay.
Cabo Matapalo occupies a wilder corner of the Osa Peninsula, where rainforest and the Pacific coast are closely connected. A lodge stay allows time to notice birds and other wildlife between outings, while the beaches have a different character from developed surf towns farther north.
Stays along the route
Starting stays for South Pacific Surf
Keep the starting stays or compare the available alternatives. Your planner will confirm the final room basis, availability, inclusions, and price.
Included
Xandari Resort and Spa
Xandari Resort and Spa in Alajuela, Costa Rica, is a luxurious and tranquil retreat nestled in a lush natural setting. Your planner confirms the room and meal plan.
Included
Selva Armonia Immersive Jungle Resort
Welcome to Selva Armonia Immersive Jungle Resort, a Costa Rican paradise nestled in the heart of Uvita's lush rainforest. Your planner confirms the room and meal plan.
Included
Bosque del Cabo
Nestled within Costa Rica's pristine Osa Peninsula, Bosque del Cabo Lodge is a premier ecolodge, encompassing 750 acres of private rainforest reserve and offering a remarkable blend of sustainable luxury and immersion in nature. Your planner confirms the room and meal plan.
Starting package
What is included in this itinerary?
These are the stays, experiences and transportation included in the starting package.
- Travel assistance while in Costa Rica
- VIP Airport Greeting
- All Domestic Transportation as described
- 1 nights at Xandari Resort and Spa
- 3 nights at Selva Armonia Immersive Jungle Resort
- 4 nights at Bosque del Cabo
- Inquire for details about Included Meals/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 South Pacific Surf moves through Costa Rica
See how the sample route connects each destination, including separate return visits.
Trip sequence
Follow the trip from arrival to the destination and back to the departure point.
- 1SJO Airport arrival
- 2Alajuela suburbsDay 1
- 3UvitaDays 2–4
- 4Cabo MatapaloDays 5–8
- 5Alajuela suburbsDay 9
- 6SJO Airport departure
10-day Costa Rica itinerary
What happens each day on South Pacific Surf?
Follow the starting itinerary day by day, then use Customize to explore stays, experiences, transportation, and pace.
Current route: Alajuela suburbs → Uvita → Cabo Matapalo → Alajuela suburbs
Day 1: Arrival and Alajuela
Arrive at San Jose International Airport and continue to Alajuela for your first stay at Xandari Resort and Spa. Settle in and enjoy the setting after your journey.
Day 2: Continue to Uvita
Travel from Alajuela to Uvita and settle into Selva Armonia Immersive Jungle Resort. The rest of the day is open to enjoy your new surroundings.
Day 3: Open day in Uvita
Enjoy an open day in Uvita. Relax at your stay, enjoy the coast or discuss an optional guided nature outing. No guided activity is included on this open day; optional services are arranged and priced separately.
Day 4: Open day in Uvita
Enjoy an open day in Uvita. Relax at your stay, enjoy the coast or discuss an optional guided nature outing. No guided activity is included on this open day; optional services are arranged and priced separately.
Day 5: Continue to Cabo Matapalo
Travel from Uvita to Cabo Matapalo and settle into Bosque del Cabo. The rest of the day is open to enjoy your new surroundings.
Day 6: Open day in Cabo Matapalo
Enjoy an open day in Cabo Matapalo. Enjoy the rainforest setting and coast, with local advice on trails, surf access and ocean conditions. No guided activity is included on this open day; optional services are arranged and priced separately.
Day 7: Open day in Cabo Matapalo
Enjoy an open day in Cabo Matapalo. Enjoy the rainforest setting and coast, with local advice on trails, surf access and ocean conditions. No guided activity is included on this open day; optional services are arranged and priced separately.
Day 8: Open day in Cabo Matapalo
Enjoy an open day in Cabo Matapalo. Enjoy the rainforest setting and coast, with local advice on trails, surf access and ocean conditions. No guided activity is included on this open day; optional services are arranged and priced separately.
Day 9: Continue to Alajuela
Travel from Cabo Matapalo to Alajuela and settle into Xandari Resort and Spa. The rest of the day is open to enjoy your new surroundings.
Day 10: Departure from Costa Rica
Return from Alajuela to San Jose 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 South Pacific Surf 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 2
Compare hotel ideas
A South Pacific surf journey with room for wilderness
South Pacific Surf uses Xandari in Alajuela as an arrival stay before moving to Selva Armonia near Uvita. Three nights in this coastal region leave two full days to discuss surf sessions around Uvita and Dominical, with conditions and ability guiding the choice of break. The rainforest setting also gives nonsurfing travelers reasons to enjoy the coast.
Four nights at Bosque del Cabo in Cabo Matapalo take the trip into the Osa Peninsula's wilder landscape. Here the forest is as much a part of the experience as the ocean, and wildlife watching can fill the hours between surf sessions. The starting trip has open days rather than included lessons or guided excursions. The return night at Xandari gives the journey a practical finish before international departure. Ask Pacific Trade Winds to discuss appropriate surf access, transport and optional nature experiences throughout the route.
Alajuela: arrival and return nights around the remote coast
Xandari frames the journey with an Alajuela stay at the beginning and another before international departure. These nights give the longer coastal portion a practical connection to San Jose International Airport, rather than implying the trip ends at Cabo Matapalo. Time at the property depends on the confirmed transfers; extra spa services, meals and sightseeing require separate arrangements.
Uvita and Dominical: introduce the South Pacific surf region
Three Selva Armonia nights begin the coastal portion near Uvita, with two open full days to discuss suitable surfing around Uvita and Dominical. Conditions and ability determine the choice of session, while the forest-and-coast setting also suits travelers taking time away from the water. The starting trip includes no lessons or guided excursions; additional instruction and outings are separate requests.
Cabo Matapalo: four nights where forest meets the coast
Bosque del Cabo gives the Osa chapter four nights, letting rainforest observation share the vacation with surfing interests. This wilder setting differs from the more developed surf towns, and local advice matters for ocean access and conditions. Guided nature experiences need their own confirmation. After this coastal stay, the route returns to Xandari in Alajuela before the international flight.
What are the highlights of South Pacific Surf?
These highlights describe the starting vacation; your planner can tailor the final route, stays and experiences.
- Uvita and Dominical introduce the South Pacific surf region during three nights at Selva Armonia, with two open full days.
- Four nights at Bosque del Cabo bring the Osa Peninsula's rainforest and Cabo Matapalo coast into the surf journey.
- Alajuela nights at Xandari frame the remote coastal portion, making arrival and international departure part of the planned route.
- The starting trip has open days rather than included lessons or guided tours; local advice should guide surf access and ocean safety.
- This ten-day route suits independent surfers and nature travelers comfortable with longer journeys; tailor the stays, optional outings and transportation.
Explore more Costa Rica surfing 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.





