40 years of local experience curating custom journeys and living the Pura Vida

1984: A prologue on time

Over the last four decades, we’ve watched the world fall in love with our home. Most recently making the New York times ranking The Osa Peninsula the top 4 destinations in the world to visit 2026. We’ve watched “Eco-Tourism” go from a radical conservation philosophy to a hollow buzzword used to sell plastic water bottles. We’ve seen the trending Instagram posts depicting a “pose perfect” version of Costa Rica but the truth is no picture can capture the sound of the rainforest, the thrill of a wave or the magic of a sunset in person. You have to be here to feel it!

But while the brochures changed, our mission didn’t. At Horizontes Nature Experiences, we believe that 40 years of local experience beats a 40-minute internet search every single time.This is “not just a blog post”, is a manifesto for the traveler who knows that the best moments aren’t the ones you can pose for. We aren’t here to show you the version of Costa Rica that fits into a 1:1 square on a screen. We are here to show you the version we’ve spent 40 years living and experiencing it. “Pura Vida” is more than just a phrase to us, it’s a lifestyle and philosophy – living life fully, simply, and with a positive, grateful attitude embracing happiness in the little things.

The Costa Rica Instagram Won’t Show You 2

Celebrating 40 years at Horizontes

Sustainable travel with purpose

We are a company who believes in giving back. Since 1984, we have worked hand in hand with local communities to protect nature and improve lives across Costa Rica. In 2009 we started our own non-profit organization called the Horizontes Foundation. Through our non-profit foundation, we support social and environmental projects that make a real difference. Every trip booked with Horizontes helps fund these efforts. When you travel with us, you support local families, preserve ecosystems, and create new opportunities in the regions you visit.

The geography of time: Why “hours, not miles” is the golden rule

“Google Maps said it was 2 hours, but it took 5, I missed my tour, and I spent my whole vacation in a car.” This is a common pain point we hear from new travelers across Costa Rica. After 40 years on these roads, we know that distance can’t always be measured by time. A journey can take you through three microclimates, two mountain passes, and a dozen wonders you want to stop and see.

Let me give you an example: You see a road on a map connecting La Fortuna to Monteverde. But what they don’t see is the 4-hour “C-shaped” route around Lake Arenal, or the reality of mountain mist that can turn a 2-hour drive into a 5-hour expedition. Our destination specialists, like Jose Huertas, design itineraries around the Geography of time, here’s an example:

1. We utilize domestic flights to places like the Osa Peninsula. Why? Because a 45-minute flight saves you 8 hours in a car, effectively giving you two extra days of vacation.
2. We build “Slow Mornings” into your journey. We’ve learned over 40 years that the most magical wildlife sightings happen when you aren’t rushing to a 2:00 PM check-in.
3. We know the backroads that avoid the San José bottleneck, ensuring your transition from the airport to the rainforest is seamless.
We utilize domestic flights to places like the Osa Peninsula. Why? Because a 45-minute flight saves you 8 hours in a car, effectively giving you two extra days of vacation.

The “secret season” Guide

When is the “best” time to visit Costa Rica? A search engine will tell you January. A specialist will tell you it depends on which side of the continental divide you stand on. The truth is any time is the perfect time to visit Costa Rica.
In the Central Valley, where the main centers of population are located, the average temperature is 22°C (72°F) and the region enjoys a spring-like climate year-round. In the coastal areas, the temperature is much hotter and humid, while the Pacific Northwest can be extremely hot and dry.

The “rainy season” starts in May and finishes in November, although there are distinct regional variations. June and July are the rainiest months, particularly on the Caribbean side, but the season can run from May until December. This is when the rainforest is at its most “Biological Intense.” The dust of the dry season disappears. The trees turn a shade of emerald so bright it looks artificial. The crowds at Manuel Antonio vanish. The Wildlife Secret: Turtles are nesting in Tortuguero, and the Humpback whales are calving in the Golfo Dulce.

The ‘warm’ dry season is December to May, though temperature differences between summer and winter are slight. March is the height of the dry season, and the humidity is lower at this time, making this a popular time to come
visit.

How to spend 2 weeks in Costa Rica

We don’t do “one-size-fits-all.” We design itineraries around your specific “Travel Style.” Here are three sample routes extracted from our sample Itineraries:

1. “Nature from Coast to Coast”

This sample itinerary is designed to take you to the paradise of the Caribbean beaches. Continue to explore the rainforest on a fascinating nature walk at the Arenal Volcano National Park. Finally, visit Hermosa Beach, home of a beautiful coastal dry forest and white sand beaches.

Whose it for? Nature lovers, adventure seekers, and travelers wanting a balanced mix of guided exploration and leisure in Costa Rica’s most beloved regions.

The Route: San José → Tortuguero → La Fortuna/Arenal → Monteverde → Manuel Antonio. → Departure from San José

Instead of the mass-tourist boats, we use private water transfers in Tortuguero. You wake up at Tortuga Lodge & Gardens, where the only sounds are howler monkeys and the lap of the river. Learn more about the Nature and Coast Itinerary

2. “Birdwatching Journey through Costa Rica”

This sample itinerary is designed for passionate birders and nature lovers looking to explore Costa Rica’s most iconic birdwatching regions. From wetlands and rainforests to cloud forests and lowland jungles, this immersive journey offers expert-guided encounters with rare species and stunning biodiversity across the country.

Who’s it for? Birding enthusiasts, nature photographers, and travelers seeking in-depth exploration of Costa Rica’s diverse ecosystems with a private naturalist guide.

Guided by legends like Adrián or Gustavo “The Professor,” you aren’t just looking at birds; you’re understanding the symbiosis of the cloud forest.

The Route: San José → Guanacaste → Rio Celeste → Sarapiquí → San Gerardo de Dota → Golfito → Departure from San José

Guided by legends like Adrián or Gustavo “The Professor,” you aren’t just looking at birds; you’re understanding the symbiosis of the cloud forest. View our birdwatching itinerary.

3. “Secluded Luxury Adventure”

This exclusive 12-day journey combines Costa Rica’s most luxurious lodges and unforgettable nature experiences—from the pristine mangroves and rainforests of the South Pacific to the rolling hills of the Talamanca Mountains and the serene beaches of Guanacaste. Along the way, immerse yourself in guided adventures, wellness escapes, and curated culinary moments, all while enjoying world-class accommodation.

Whose it for? Discerning travelers seeking a seamless blend of nature, luxury, and curated experiences—perfect for those who want the very best of Costa Rica’s landscapes, flavors, and wellness in one itinerary.

The Route: San José → Golfito → Perez Zeledón → Papagayo → Departure from Liberia

Stay at eco-conscious Playa Cativo Lodge, which runs entirely on renewable energy and supports conservation projects in Piedras Blancas National Park. Enjoy low-impact, locally guided excursions that directly support community-based tourism initiatives. Take a look at the Secluded luxury itinerary.

Accommodations: Nature-First vs. Resort-First

This year, “Luxury” isn’t about the number of gold faucets in your bathroom; it’s about immersion into natures.

Our handpicked accommodation are vetted through a 40-year lens. We prioritize:

Boutique: We prefer the 12-room eco-lodge over the 500-room resort.
Cultural Connection: Properties that employ local staff and serve food grown within 20 miles.
Barefoot Luxury: Places like Pacuare Lodge, where you can dine by candlelight over a rushing river, reachable only by raft.

The Costa Rica Instagram Won’t Show You 6

The Regenerative Heart: Your Journey is a Legacy

“Sustainability” has been at the heart of Horizontes since our founding in 1984. But in 2026, we have moved beyond “leaving no trace” to Regeneration.

Through our NPO / Foundation, 30% of our operations are reinvested back into the land. When you travel with us, you are directly funding:

1. Jaguar Corridor Protection: Protecting the apex predators of the Osa and Tortuguero.

2. The Women’s Leadership Initiative: Empowering local women to lead in the tourism and conservation sectors.

3. CST Elite Standards: We are proud holders of the Elite Certification, the highest sustainability honor awarded by the Costa Rican Tourism Board.

Locals who live and breath Costa Rica

When you book a generic “package” online, you are a confirmation number, when you plan with Horizontes, you are a guest of the family. Meet our guides who make journeys unforgettable.

Jose Huertas (Destination Specialist): Jose doesn’t just book hotels; he designs memories. He knows which room at the lodge has the best view of the volcano at sunrise.
The Naturalist Guides: Travelers rave about our guides because they are the “interpreters” of the jungle. They see what the untrained eye misses—the eyelash pit viper camouflaged in a leaf, the tapir tracks on the riverbank.

The final verdict: Why Horizontes?

With a 5.0 rating on TripAdvisor and the 2024 Travelers’ Choice Award Winner 🇨🇷, we are the architects of the “Real” Costa Rica. We invite you to step away from the screen, put down the guidebook, and trust the people who have been walking these trails since 1984.