Costa Rica Relocation Tour Itinerary
Follow the Pacific coast, relocation seminar and Central Valley experience with Christopher Howard. Each day shows which tours participate and where it falls within your own trip.
Follow Your Tour Name, Not Just the Day Number.
The tours share the same operating schedule but begin and end on different days. Arrival and departure count as tour days.
Combination Tour
Start with the Pacific coast, attend the seminar, then explore the Central Valley.
Go to Your Arrival DayPacific Beach Tour
Start with the Pacific coast, attend the seminar, then depart on Saturday.
Go to Your Arrival DayCentral Valley Tour
Arrive on Wednesday, attend the seminar, then explore the Central Valley.
Go to Your Arrival DayPacific Coast & Arrival Days
The coastal stage begins on Saturday. Central Valley guests join on Wednesday, when the coastal group returns to San José.
Saturday · Arrival in San José
Arrive at Juan Santamaría International Airport (SJO), where the team meets you for your transfer to the hotel in the San José area. Settle in ahead of the coastal journey.
This is Day 1 for both Combination and Pacific Beach guests. Your hotel and airport pickup arrangements will be confirmed for your selected departure.
Sunday · Travel to the South Pacific
After breakfast, depart toward the South Pacific. During the drive, Christopher introduces the experience, provides orientation materials and shares observations about the areas along the route.
- Travel via Highway 27 and the coastal highway, passing areas such as Jacó, Playa Hermosa, Esterillos, Parrita and Quepos.
- Continue toward Dominical and Uvita for lunch and an introduction to the southern coastal setting.
- Visit coastal areas along the way, then check in at the hotel.
- Finish the day with dinner and time to reflect on your first impressions of the coast.
Monday · Quepos & Manuel Antonio
After breakfast and checkout, head north toward Quepos and the neighboring Manuel Antonio area. Christopher continues the discussion of coastal communities as you travel.
- Pass through the Matapalo area on the way to Quepos.
- Check in at the next hotel and have lunch.
- Explore the Manuel Antonio beach area and nearby surroundings.
- Weather permitting, enjoy an ocean-view sunset stop before dinner.
Tuesday · Herradura & Jacó
Have breakfast, check out and continue along the Central Pacific toward Jacó. The day combines an introduction to the area with time to enjoy the coastal surroundings.
- Stop for lunch overlooking Los Sueños Marina at Herradura Bay.
- Take a driving tour of Jacó to become familiar with the town.
- Check in at the hotel, with some free time to walk, enjoy the beach or relax by the pool.
- Have dinner in the Jacó or nearby Playa Hermosa area.
Wednesday · Return to San José / Central Valley Arrivals
Combination and Pacific Beach guests: After breakfast, complete the final coastal visits and return to the San José area. This is Day 5 of your tour.
- Continue exploring Jacó and visit selected condominiums, subject to access and availability.
- Visit a supermarket to see the range of groceries and imported products.
- Stop at the Tárcoles River bridge to observe the crocodiles from the bridge.
- On the return to San José, visit a warehouse-style shopping option such as PriceSmart and stop for lunch.
- Check in at the hotel in the San José area. The evening is free for dining independently.
Central Valley guests arrive today. Fly into SJO and transfer to your hotel. You are joining the experience at this point; the preceding Pacific coast days are not part of your tour.
All three groups are now in the San José area ahead of the seminar.
Two Days of Relocation Education
The seminar is shared by Combination, Pacific Beach and Central Valley guests.
Thursday · Relocation Seminar — First Day
After breakfast and a pre-seminar orientation, join the first day of the relocation seminar. All three tour groups participate, bringing together coastal observations and the questions of guests just arriving for the Central Valley experience.
- Hear from contributing professionals about practical topics such as residency, banking, moving, healthcare, insurance, housing and adapting to life in Costa Rica.
- Learn from the experiences of people who have already relocated and begin building your own network of contacts.
- Ask questions and connect the information with your personal plans. Christopher remains part of the learning experience.
- Lunch is included during the seminar day; the evening is free for independent dining.
The seminar page provides the topic overview. The final program and speaker sequence are confirmed for each departure.
Friday · Relocation Seminar — Second Day
Following breakfast, continue with the second seminar day. Additional specialists and Christopher help you explore the practical issues behind living and retiring in Costa Rica.
- Continue the discussion of relocation topics and hear from the remaining contributors.
- Use the sessions to clarify questions raised by your research and the previous day.
- Share perspectives with other participants and develop useful professional contacts.
- Lunch is included. Use the free evening to dine independently and organize your notes.
Pacific Beach guests depart the next morning. Combination and Central Valley guests continue with the inland community visits.
Central Valley & Final Departures
On the second Saturday, Pacific Beach guests leave while Combination and Central Valley guests continue inland.
Saturday · Pacific Departures / Central Valley Visits Begin
Combination and Central Valley guests: After breakfast, begin a full day exploring communities around San José and the surrounding Valley. Look at the places and services that shape an everyday routine.
- Explore San José neighborhoods such as Los Yoses, Barrio Escalante, Sabana Norte and Rohrmoser.
- See local landmarks, shopping areas, hospitals and university surroundings along the route.
- Visit an outdoor farmers market and discover local produce, including fruits and vegetables you may not know.
- Explore communities such as Escazú, Santa Ana, Belén, Ciudad Cariari and Heredia, including the higher areas above Heredia.
- Where arrangements permit, visit selected homes to see examples of local housing.
- The published route also includes an introduction to practical Spanish at a language institute and a lunch stop in San Antonio de Belén.
The order of visits depends on the day’s arrangements. Use the time with Chris to compare what you see with your own needs.
Pacific Beach guests depart today. This is Day 8 and the final day of your tour. The Central Valley visits are included only for Combination and Central Valley guests.
Your airport transfer follows your confirmed departure arrangements.
Sunday · Atenas, Grecia & Alajuela
After breakfast, explore additional Central Valley communities with a more rural or small-town setting. This is the final full touring day for Combination and Central Valley guests.
- Visit Atenas and consider its surroundings as a possible place to live.
- Continue to Grecia and explore the town and nearby scenery.
- Meet people who have relocated, where arranged, and hear about their experiences.
- Visit Alajuela and compare it with the other communities on the route.
- Enjoy lunch at a local Costa Rican restaurant, with a stop for locally made gifts or souvenirs as arranged.
- Use the return journey for a final question-and-answer discussion with Christopher.
Monday · Departure
Following your five-night Central Valley stay or nine-night Combination experience, transfer to Juan Santamaría International Airport (SJO) for departure.
This is Day 10 for Combination guests and Day 6 for Central Valley guests. Your transfer follows the confirmed flight and pickup arrangements. International airfare is not included.
A Few Details That Keep Your Plans Clear.
Which Saturday is my arrival or departure?
The first Saturday is the arrival day for Combination and Pacific Beach guests. The following Saturday is the Pacific Beach departure day and a community-visiting day for Combination and Central Valley guests.
Does Central Valley include the coastal days?
No. Central Valley guests arrive on Wednesday and join the seminar on Thursday. Their six-day experience finishes on Monday.
Why does Wednesday have two different day numbers?
Combination and Pacific Beach began on Saturday, making Wednesday their Day 5. Central Valley begins on Wednesday, so it is Day 1 for those guests. The groups share seminar days while retaining their own trip lengths.
Are these calendar dates?
This page shows the recurring weekday sequence. Use the Tour Dates page for the actual dates of your selected departure, and confirm your arrival and departure arrangements before buying flights.
Are hotels, stops and timings fixed?
This page describes the planned daily activities. Specific hotels, restaurants, property access, speakers, timing and the order of stops may vary with availability and local conditions. The team will confirm the arrangements for your departure. A weather-dependent stop or a visit requiring access may be adjusted.
Does this itinerary apply to private tours?
No. Private tours have their own agreed itinerary, duration and inclusions. This shared schedule applies to the three regular group-tour formats.
Choose the Experience That Fits Your Questions.
Compare both regions on the Combination Tour, or focus on the Pacific coast or Central Valley. Each regular tour includes the shared seminar.