Beaches & Rainforest

Arrive to San Jose and overnight.

On the morning of your second day, you will head east toward the Caribbean coast to the Selva Bananito Reserve for a few days of jungle exploration and adventure. While exploring one of Costa Rica's most pristine rainforests, you'll have the chance to climb a giant kapok tree and enter the fascinating world of the rainforest canopy. There's also a horseback ride through the adjacent family farm to learn about organic tropical farming techniques. For the more adventurous, you can spend a day hiking deep into the jungle to a 70-foot waterfall, then take a dip in its cool waters. For those who prefer a more relaxed day, Selva Bananito offers many smaller excursions. At the end of each day, locally grown food is served by candlelight before you retire to the tranquility of your jungle cabana.

After a morning of rainforest adventures, it's off to the white sand beach of Playa Cocles for some fun in the sun!

Surrounded by dense jungle, you may be lucky to wake up to the loud roar of howler monkeys. Look carefully into the canopy surrounding the lodge and you may be treated to the sight of these noisy tropical creatures. Today you will head to Cahuita National Park for a snorkeling or sea kayaking tour. With the largest coral reef system in Costa Rica, you will have the chance to see a variety of colorful tropical fish, sting rays, and possibly a reef shark or two. Finish the tour with a one hour hike through the rainforest that borders the beach. Keep an eye out for monkeys, sloths, iguanas and the famous poison dart frog. The rest of the time is free for you to arrange local activities.
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For the rest of your free days, you can go snorkeling, sea kayaking, walk in the rainforest, or just relax at the beach and swim in the surf. Your hotel can arrange everything from a trip to a nearby indigenous village to boogie board rentals. You might also choose to just walk along the miles of near deserted beach.

Day Excursions at the beach

Today's adventure begins with an early traditional Costa Rica breakfast, followed by a short drive to the river where you'll be briefed on safety measures. Then we jump right into our incredible rafting trip. The Pacuare River is as famous for its wild waters as it is for its beauty, and it won't disappoint as we plunge through mountain gorges, run long stretches of powerful rapids, and weave our way through a rainforest alive with the sounds of howler monkeys, toucans, sloths, and ocelots. Today's rafting trip lasts a few hours and ends at your riverside lodge. Choose from a variety of activities to fill your afternoon. Take a guided hike to a waterfall in the forest, play dominoes or cards, or just relax. Happy hour and dinner begin as twilight falls and guests gather to relax and share their experiences. Get a good night's rest - tomorrow morning we hit the river again!

On day 8, we continue our rafting adventure - using yesterday's skills and experience. After a breakfast buffet, we'll launch the rafts again for the second day of our river expedition. You may stop to explore side streams that lead to impressive waterfalls and pools with a natural water slide that invites you to jump right in. A delicious lunch of sandwiches, fruit, and juice is served on the riverbank. While the guides prepare the food, rafters have plenty of time to relax and enjoy the spectacular surroundings. After lunch, you'll be picked up and transferred to San Jose to complete your Costa Rica travels. Spend the evening enjoying one of San Jose's finer restaurants or simply relaxing at your colonial-style hotel.

Transfer to the airport for your international flight home.