Costa Rica - Active Adventure itinerary
Day 1: Arrive into San Jose. Welcome meeting with your trip leader.
Arrive at any time. Meet your trip leader and the rest of the group at the welcome meeting to receive a briefing for the adventure ahead.
(No meals )
Day 2: Travel to Monteverde. Explore Santa Elena.
Today we set off on an incredibly scenic drive as we leave San Jose and travel towards to Pacific Coast before winding our way up through the foothills into Monteverde (approximately 4 hrs). Settled by American Quaker pacifists during the Korean war, their stewardship and conservation of the area led to it being described as “the jewel in the crown of cloud forest reserves” by National Geographic. The roads here are often bumpy and unpaved but the views are astonishing. We settle into our rustic mountain lodge accommodation in Santa Elena and can relax in the beautiful surroundings.
(No meals )
Day 3: A free day in Monteverde to choose from a wide choice of optional activities.
Today is a free day for you to choose from an amazing array of optional activities. Explore treetop canopy on a spectacular hanging bridges tour or ride horseback along mountain trails. For those seeking an adrenaline fix, strap on a harness and take to the skies by flying high over the forest canopy and across valleys on a zip-line tour.
(No meals )
Day 4: Travel from Monteverde to Lago Arenal. Take boat across lake to La Fortuna.
We board a shared shuttle van and head through rolling hillside to Lago Arenal (approximately 3-4 hrs). Dominated by perfect conical Volcan Arenal, we board a passenger boat and cross the water to the opposite shore. We take another shared van to arrive into La Fortuna (approximately 1 hr). Located on the lower slopes of Arenal, La Fortuna has built itself quite the reputation as the adventure capital of Costa Rica. The rest of the day is free to explore the beautiful location, but there is also the option of a hike to a waterfall at the dormant Cerro Chato. There we can cool off in the spray of the 65m cascading waterfall, before cooling off in the water below with a swim as iridescent blue morpho butterflies float overhead.
(No meals)
Day 5: A free day in La Fortuna to choose from a wide choice of optional activities.
We enjoy a free day to explore La Fortuna or simply relax. There are options to go white-water rafting, canyoning or paddle-boarding among other activities. There is wild-life to observe and nature trails to discover or perhaps you may want to do nothing other than relax and take in the beautiful views and atmosphere. There simply aren’t enough hours in the day to take advantage of the incredible and unique adventures accessible from La Fortuna.
(No meals)
Day 6: Take a cycle tour in the countryside surrounding La Fortuna. Opt for a hot springs experience.
Today, we take a guided half-day cycle tour of the beautiful countryside surrounding La Fortuna. Tackling a mixture of rocky dirt-tracks and paved roads, we will get to explore the surrounding farms and small villages with distant mountains looming. In the evening, you may opt to visit the Los Lagos Hotel and treat yourself to a long, hot soak in their naturally heated thermal pools.
(No meals)
Day 7: Transfer to the Rio Pacuare for three-day rafting expedition. Stat at remote jungle lodge.
Setting off from La Fortuna, we transfer to the put-in point on the Rio Pacuare. As we raft down the river, we will stop for a short hike to explore nature trails and observe wildlife. After paddling through canyons and past waterfalls, we will soon arrive to our remote jungle lodge idyllically located on the banks of the river. The primary rainforest that lines the bank here is home to jaguars, ocelots, monkeys, sloth, iguanas and a bewildering number of birds.
(Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner)
Day 8: Spend the day exploring the rainforest on a guided trek.
Today we have a rest from rafting as we follow local guides along nature trails near the jungle lodge. These guides will interpret the incredible biodiversity for us and will lead us to streams and waterfalls that we may wish to swim in to cool off. We will learn how the indigenous Cabecar tribe live and how they live sustainably in the rainforest. There will be time to find a hammock and lazily swing next to the river and listen to tropical birds singing above the noise of the water rushing past.
(Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner)
Day 9: Raft out of the jungle. Transfer to the Caribbean town of Puerto Viejo and relax.
We continue to raft our way down the Rio Pacuare, perhaps stopping for a swim if the opportunity arises. We reach the take-out point and transfer by private vehicle along the Caribbean cost to the surf village of Puerto Viejo de Talamanca. Once a well-kept secret amongst surfers, the word is now out and Puerto Viejo enjoys a reputation for its easy charm, variety of beaches and its distinct Caribbean vibe. We will have some to wander the streets and beaches and find the perfect bar to kick back and enjoy a sundowner.
(Breakfast, Lunch)
Day 10: Explore the coastline by bicycle and enjoy a surf-lesson.
The Caribbean is famous for its beaches, and Puerto Viejo does not disappoint with its black and white-coloured sands. We will grab a bicycle and head to a nearby beach and we will also get to take a surf lesson, with the aim of being able to stand up and ride a wave! The waters are warm here and perfect for learning. The rest of the day is free to explore further with one of our optional activities or even just soak up the atmosphere.
(No meals)
Day 11: A free day in Puerto Viejo to choose from a wide choice of optional activities.
Puerto Viejo has a unique charm all of its own and today has been left free for you to experience the best that it has to offer. We have complied a menu of optional activities available. Choose from a kayaking trip at Punta Uva along a river to observe monkeys, sloth, iguanas and tropical birdlife. Or perhaps a guided snorkelling tour to swim amongst turtles, octopus and nurse sharks. For those who want to stay on dry land, maybe we could opt to visit a botanical garden or a visit a wildlife refuge on the border with Panama.
(No meals)
Day 12: Transfer from Puerto Viejo to San Jose.
Today we hit the road and leave our Caribbean paradise and head back on a scenic drive across Costa Rica back to San Jose (approximately 5 hrs). On arrival in to San Jose, we will have some time to do some last-minute souvenir shopping and perhaps a final celebratory meal together.
(No meals)
Day 13: Depart at any time from San Jose.
Tour services end leaving you to depart at your convenience.
(No meals)