The Ultimate Adventure

Eleven days of deluxe travel that covers all of the best of Costa Rica. Highland mountains, wetlands, rain forests, volcanoes and the beautiful Pacific beaches are all included in this, our best introductions to diversity of this beautiful country.


 Day 1
We arrive in San Jose and board an air-conditioned bus for our three hour drive to Turrialba. The drive will give us the first glimpse of Costa Rican life as we wind through rolling farmland and vast fields of sugar cane. Along the way we will stop by the Bascilica de Los Angeles, which is considered to be the most important church in the country. We will descend into Turrialba, a small cozy town that will be our home for a couple of nights. At the hotel, our rooms open out to interior gardens and wide tiled courtyard. We will spend a leisurely evening getting to know each other over a Costa Rican dinner.

 Day 2
After a leisurely ’tico breakfast’ at the hotel, it is time to start our adventure! We’ll be on or way to the Irazu Volcano, the third highest peak in the Country at 11,365 feet. On a clear day you can see both the Caribbean Sea and Pacific Ocean. From the top of Irazu we will mount our bikes for an all downhill ride. Yippee!  We’ll spend time exploring the town of Turrialba this evening with a scrumptious Costa Rican meal to end the day.

 Day 3-4
It’s time to get in touch with nature on the Pacuare River with a 2 day whitewater rafting trip. Winding through the rainforest, we’ll be able to spot monkeys, iguana, sloth and various types of birds.  Small creeks and waterfalls tumble from the canyon walls and we will have time to walk and swim in the natural pools. The rapids along the way are an exciting class III and IV to guarantee an eventful time with lunch by the river on one of the many black sand beaches.  Later in the afternoon we will arrive to the Pacuare Lodge, a wonderful place surrounded by the rainforest of the Talamanca Mountains. The next day the lower section of the Pacuare River awaits with the big open class III – IV rapids. The Pacuare River will become particularly magical once you reach the incredible section of Dos Montanas.  What a way to end our 2 day adventure on the Pacuare River!  At the end of the river trip we will head north to the most active Volcano in Costa Rica, Arenal Volcano. During the drive you will see the most important agriculture products in Costa Rica: bananas, Pineapple, hard of palm and ornamental plants. Once at the hotel, we will enjoy the hot springs and relax overlooking the Arenal Volcano.

 Day 5
One of the best ways to get into the wild areas of Costa Rica is by water and today the destination will be the Caño Negro Wildlife Refuge near the border of Nicaragua.  A boat ride on the Río Frio will take us through the refuge.  The reserve includes a great variety of resident and migratory birds (including the broadest display of waterfowl in the country) along with three species of monkeys, iguanas, turtles, sloth’s, caimans and many other possibilities On our way back to the hotel we will stop in the town of La Fortuna walk in the stores and practice your “Spanish” and visit with the locals!

 Day 6
In the morning we will enjoy horseback riding and canopy tours. The canopy tour is a series of zip line cables extending from tree top to tree top. It is a beautiful way to view the layers of the rainforest and all the inhabitants within. Guests often see toucans, monkeys and orchids along the way. Later in the afternoon, hike to a wonderful waterfall and swim in the crystal clear pool at the bottom. Back in the hotel we’ll relax in the spectacular Hot Springs. Each pool varies in temperature, depth, and mineral count, but all are surrounded by incredible gardens. What a way to end a high adventure day!
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 Day 7
Ahhh, another day in paradise! After our breakfast overlooking the Arenal volcano, we’ll be on our way to Monteverde. We’ll be traveling by boat through Arenal Lake and on 4 wheel drive vehicles to the top of the largest mountain! The Monteverde Cloud Forest is truly an incredible place, with exotic wild life inhabiting hundreds of acres of virgin forest. It contains an extremely high biological diversity, including over 2,500 plant species (among them 420 different kinds of orchids), 100 species of mammals, 400 types of birds, 120 reptilian and amphibian species, and thousands of insects. From our hotel on a clear day we can see the Gulf of Nicoya.

 Day 8
OK is time to go west and get to the Pacific Ocean we have seen from Monteverde.  Along the way we will have the opportunity to see how the forest changes from cloud forest to dry-forest. The trees in the dry-forest are much smaller and the birds are very different. We will stop in many small towns to enjoy the culture of Guanacaste residents. The people from this side of Costa Rica are equivalent to American Cowboys! They work herding and working agriculturally, and spend much of their free time working toward rodeo competitions! We will have a fun afternoon on the beach, soaking up the sun on the Pacific Coast, enjoying the clear blue sea and white sand.

 Day 9-10
We have a few days to explore or relax on the beach. With crystal clear water and sandy white beaches there are plenty of activities, such as snorkeling, sea kayaking, horse back riding, fishing, surfing and even a night turtle nesting tour - mid November to mid March only. There is also plenty of shopping opportunities in the area with an active nightlife and wonderful authentic seafood restaurants.

 Day 11
Depending on location and times of flight departures we may be able to do a little more shopping or relaxing on the beach for your trip home.

All costs are based on double occupancy. Single supplements are available for an additional $295.00.  Includes: All transportation in country, guides, meals, lodging and equipment for all activities included in the above itinerary.  Not included: airfare to San José*, extra activities outside the planned itinerary, guide and bus driver tips, your bar bills and any personal shopping.