Lizzy heads off the beaten track in Costa Rica

A 5am start on day one was not overly welcomed but it meant we escaped San José early and stopped off for the most amazing breakfast before continuing our journey to Goshen dock on the canals of Tortuguero. I had been to the main canal section previously, many years ago, but this was a different experience altogether and by entering the canals further east than other groups we really did have these waterways all to ourselves. We visited a turtle project and took a hike through the forest. The boat journey itself was certainly the highlight: we saw wildlife including howler monkeys, herons, bats, kingfishers, turtles, and crocodiles. On our hike we saw frogs, white-faced capuchin monkeys, a fer-de-lance and a group of nesting agami - a rare bird that is a relatively new arrival to the area. Our home for the night was the lovely Lirio Lodge - a simple affair on the canals but with wonderful traditional Caribbean cuisine and friendly staff (and lots of crabs and toads around the gardens).

I had been very lucky to have rafted down the Pacuare river before and was very much looking forward to doing so again. I had previously stayed at the beautiful Pacuare Lodge, which I wouldn’t hesitate to recommend. This time I was staying at a neighbour upstream: the Pacuare Outdoor Center. Despite its simplicity I loved it just as much and the bonus for me is that although it's a ten minute hike up to the lodge from the riverbank, the views are the ultimate reward: I could have sat for hours birdwatching and admiring the view from my bungalow. Being a more budget option, the meals are simpler and prepared by the rafting team, but there is a real camaraderie to the place and everyone is made to feel welcome. To stay here you must be a group of at least 4 people, so this could be perfect for families or groups of friends travelling together. Note that the rafting is generally from age 12 and above, though in the height of the dry season it is sometime possible for younger children (8+) to raft. Staying a couple of nights means guests can make the most of the on-site activities - there is a zipline, Tarzan swing and a waterfall nearby.

The Aquiares Coffee Estate was founded in 1890 and its name means 'land between rivers' in the native Huetar language. It is possible to visit just for the day but the real experience is to stay at the farmhouse, Casa Esperanza, which sits on a hill and is surrounded by the town and community of Aquiares which has grown as the estate has thrived. It is the largest coffee farm in Costa Rica and is co-owned by three families. 80% of the land is dedicated to growing coffee and the other 20% to conservation. Casa Esperanza only has a handful of rooms, some of which share a bathroom, so is ideally suited to a family or small groups of friends. We had a tour of the estate and also did some coffee tasting. In the area there are so many day activities to do too - riding, rafting, mountain biking, hiking, or a visit to the archaeological site at Guayabo, so it's a perfect base a few nights.

Santa Juana Lodge was set up by Jim Damalas, an ex-Hollywood producer who decided to make Costa Rica his second home. Roll forward quite a few years and Jim now owns four lodges in Costa Rica, all of which are committed to the communities in which they are found. Santa Juana is where Jim had his own home to which he would escape from Manuel Antonio on the Pacific coast. As Manuel Antonio became increasingly popular, he decided to build a remote lodge here where guests could either come for a day or combine a few nights with a beach stay. The food is hearty, delicious and plentiful, and the views are spectacular. We went for a hike through the nearby forest and saw a poison dart frog and a 'moonwalking bird' (actually the red-capped Manakin) before reaching a beautiful waterfall and swimming hole which we had all to ourselves. This is a perfect option for those wanting to get away from Manuel Antonio or to break up a journey to or from the Pacific coast.