Day Trips & Tailored Experiences

Manuel Antonio National Park + Quepos Evening

Make a classic Pacific day of it: rainforest trails, wildlife spotting, and beach time inside Manuel Antonio, then a slow evening in Quepos for the marina, sunset views, and dinner by the water.

• MorningLeave Hacienda after breakfast and head for Manuel Antonio before the trails get busy.
• MiddayExplore the national park with time for monkeys, sloths, and a swim at one of its signature beaches.
• EveningShift north into Quepos for a marina stroll, ceviche, sunset cocktails, and a relaxed return to the mountains.

Photos: Manuel Antonio Beach by Keagiles (CC BY-SA 3.0) and Sunset in Quepos by kansasphoto (CC BY 2.0), resized for site performance.

Hatillo Hot Springs + Playa Linda Coast Day

Slow the pace down with a warm-soak-and-sea day: start with rustic hot springs near Hatillo, then head west for a flexible beach loop that can include Playa Linda, Dominicalito, or Dominical depending on surf, weather, and how long you want to stay by the ocean.

• Late MorningHead out for a relaxed hot springs stop and an easy lunch before the coast opens up in front of you.
• AfternoonChoose a beach stretch like Playa Linda for a quieter walk, or keep going toward Dominical and Dominicalito for more cafes and surf energy.
• SunsetStay on the sand for golden hour, then return to Hacienda feeling like you fit both a spa day and a beach day into one trip.

Photos: Aguas Termales Pérez Zeledón via Wikimedia Commons (CC BY-SA 3.0) and Playa Dominical by Fky (CC BY 3.0), resized for site performance.

Nauyaca Waterfalls + Downtown San Isidro

Mix one of the Southern Zone's signature waterfall outings with an easy urban stop afterward: hike or ride into Nauyaca, then come back through downtown San Isidro for the cathedral plaza, coffee, pastries, and a slower city-center stroll before returning to Hacienda.

• MorningLeave early for Nauyaca to beat the heat, with time for the trail, the falls, and a swim in the natural pools.
• AfternoonReturn through San Isidro for lunch, a walk past the cathedral, and a little downtown browsing around the plaza and nearby shops.
• EveningPick up coffee or pastries in town, then head back to Hacienda before dark with the feeling of having seen both the wild and everyday side of the region.

Photos: Nauyaca Waterfalls-Cataratas Nauyaca by Matthias Bethke (CC BY-SA 4.0) and San José Province, San Isidro de El General, Costa Rica by Mark Cowell (CC BY 3.0), resized for site performance.

Pérez Zeledón Adventure Day: Zip Line + River Rafting

Build a higher-adrenaline day around the adventure operators in and around the Pérez Zeledón corridor: canopy lines through the hills in the morning, then river rafting in the afternoon on one of the nearby runs depending on water level, season, and guide availability.

• MorningStart with a canopy tour and zip lines through forested hills while the air is still cool and visibility is best.
• AfternoonSwitch gears to river rafting with local guides, with the final river choice depending on conditions and how technical you want the run to be.
• EveningFinish with a late lunch or early dinner back around San Isidro before returning to Hacienda tired in the best way.

Photos: Ziplining through rainforest at Canopy San Lorenzo in San Ramon, Costa Rica by Bigmacthealmanac (CC BY-SA 4.0) and Arenal rafting by Jfverdin (CC BY-SA 4.0), resized for site performance.

Jacó Beach Hopping + Night Out

For a higher-energy coast day, head north and string together a few easy beach stops around Jacó, then stay through sunset for cocktails, live music, and a livelier nightlife scene before coming back to Hacienda.

• DaytimeChoose two or three beach stops based on surf and mood, from central Jacó to nearby Herradura, Mantas, or Playa Blanca.
• SunsetReset on the sand with a final swim or beachfront coffee as the sky turns gold over the Pacific.
• NightMove into town for bar hopping, casual bites, and live music before the drive back to the cooler mountain air.

Photos: Beach, Jaco by Milei.vencel (CC BY-SA 3.0) and Jaco beach sunset Costa Rica IMG 0207 by Passengerpigeon (CC BY-SA 4.0), resized for site performance.

Hacienda La Cascada

Hike or ride horseback to our sister property for more waterfalls and swimming holes. On the way, visit a traditional sugar cane mill where dulce is made the old-fashioned way — a rare cultural experience that only runs a few days each month, so check with us for availability.