The Jewel of Central America

After taking your included VIP door-to-door travel service to the airport, fly to San José and stay two nights at the 5-star Hotel Barceló San José (3Q).

The hotel is located in a quiet residential area, and has three restaurants, a bar with live music, outdoor swimming pool, gardens, free Wi-Fi, and a fitness studio. All 254 rooms have a television, hairdryer, telephone, air conditioning, bottled water, iron and a coffee machine. The free bar is open from 10am to 10pm. D

Perhaps join an optional visit to Irazu Volcano and Orosi Valley, or spend the day at leisure. B, L, D

An included morning tour of the capital visits the National Museum and the National Theatre. Travel to Tárcoles (50 miles, 90 minutes).

Spend four nights at the 3-star Hotel Villa Lapas (3Q). The jungle village is set in 500 acres of a private rainforest preserve on the River Tarcolitos offering great wildlife spotting opportunities. Facilities include a dining area, outdoor pool, gardens and lounge. All 76 basic, yet comfortable, bungalow-style lodges have a television, air conditioning, safe and free Wi-Fi. The free bar is open from 10am to 10pm daily. B, L, D

An optional excursion visits one of Costa Rica's most beautiful reserves where turquoise waters lap white beaches fringed by lush rainforest. You may see sloths, iguanas, howler and white-faced monkeys. B, L, D

Look out for scarlet macaws and flycatchers on an included excursion to one of the finest birdwatching sites in Costa Rica. There's also an optional aerial tram ride in the afternoon. B, L, D

At leisure. B, L, D

You can join an optional boat ride this morning, venturing onto the river in search of crocodiles. Travel to Muelle de San Carlos (76 miles, three hours).

Stay seven nights at the 4-star Tilajari Resort Hotel (3Q+). The hotel is set in 35 acres of gardens with orchids and a butterfly garden dome. Facilities include a gift shop, gym, outdoor pool, and Jacuzzi. All rooms have a television, air conditioning, coffee maker, telephone and free Wi-Fi. The free bar is open from 10am to 10pm daily. B, L, D

Spend today at leisure, either relaxing at your hotel or exploring your surroundings. B, L, D

Explore the foliage, flora and wildlife of the rainforest on a half-day included guided jungle walk, with a further optional guided walk of the lava trails. B, L, D

Enjoy the next four days at leisure to take advantage of the hotel's facilities, with a choice of excursions you might like to join. Today's optional excursion is a boat ride down the Peñas Blancas River, with unrivalled opportunities to spot hummingbirds, monkeys, sloths, anteaters and rare butterflies. B, L, D

Today you can join a thrilling optional excursion to the rainforest and cross bridges and walkways suspended high above the ground in the canopy. Alternatively, indulge your sweet tooth with a visit to a chocolate plantation. B, L, D

Visit the Caño Negro Wildlife Refuge and enjoy a two-and-a-half-hour floating safari on an optional excursion. At dusk there's an optional excursion to a hot springs complex in the middle of the rainforest. Take a dip in the pools, naturally heated by the Arenal Volcano, stand under a cascading waterfall and enjoy a drink at the bar. B, L, D

See how a Costa Rican family grows pineapples, papayas and medicinal plants on this optional excursion. Enjoy a farewell dinner and live marimba music this evening. B, L, D

Return to San José (82 miles, two hours and 40 minutes) and the Barceló San José (3Q) where you stay overnight.

The hotel is located in a quiet residential area, and has three restaurants, a bar with live music, outdoor swimming pool, gardens, free Wi-Fi, and a fitness studio. All 254 rooms have a television, hairdryer, telephone, air conditioning, bottled water, iron and a coffee machine. En route there will be an included tour of La Paz waterfall gardens. B, L, D

Travel to the airport for your return overnight flight to the UK. B, L

Arrive in the UK this morning and take your included UK door-to-door travel service home.