This is an adventure-packed Costa Rica tour with whitewater rafting, horseback riding, jungle hikes, and optional tree climbs into the rainforest canopy. After spending a few days at a unique rainforest lodge, it's off to a Caribbean beach retreat surrounded by thick tropical forest. This is a great way to see what the best of Costa Rica travel has to offer.
Highlights
Climb a giant kapok tree to explore the rain forest canopy
Relax on the white sand beaches of the Caribbean coast
Snorkel and kayak in the turquoise waters of the Cahuita National Park
Raft the thrilling whitewater of the Pacuare River
Moderately active but not overly strenuous. This level includes activities like casual cycling, yoga, or excursions/activities that typically last 3-5 hours total each day.
The morning of day two, head east towards the Caribbean to Selva Bananito Reserve for a few days of jungle discovery and adventure. Included in your stay is an introductory tree-climbing adventure, observation platform tour with rappel, or a horseback ride through the farm. While exploring one of Costa Rica’s most pristine rainforests, 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 adventurous you can spend a day hiking deep into the jungle to a 70 foot waterfall and then take a dip in its cool waters. For those who prefer a more relaxed day, Selva Bananito offers plenty of smaller excursions too. At the end of each day, locally grown food is served by candlelight before you retire to the tranquil retreat of your jungle cabana.
Surrounded by thick jungle, you might be lucky to wake in the morning to the loud roar of howler monkeys. Look carefully into the canopy surrounding the lodge and you might be treated to the sight of these loud tropical creatures. One of your free days you are off to Cahuita National Park for a snorkel tour or sea kayaking tour. With the largest coral reef system in Costa Rica, you have the chance to see a large array of colorful tropical fish, sting rays and possibly a reef shark or two. Conclude the tour with an hour long hike through the rainforest that borders the beach. Keep your eyes peeled for monkeys, sloths, iguanas and the famed poisonous dart frog. The rest of the time is free for you to arrange activities locally.
For the rest of the free days go snorkeling, sea kayaking, take a rainforest walk, or just hang around 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.
This morning you are picked up and head to the Class III-IV whitewater of the Pacuare River. One of Costa Rica’s most exciting whitewater trips, the Pacuare plunges through spectacular mountain gorges and passes through virgin rainforest filled with howler monkeys, toucans, sloths, ocelots and more. For younger travelers or those looking for a slower pace, you can opt to raft a tamer river. After lunch make your way back to San Jose to complete your Costa Rica travels. Spend the evening enjoying one of San Jose's finer restaurants or just relax in your colonial style hotel.
Day 9: Return Home
1 Breakfast
Transfer to the airport for your international flight home.
Apologies for the inconvenience. Prices for not yet published. Below per person rate based on previous season. Contact us to confirm upcoming season pricing.
Prices for are estimated based on inflation. Contact us to confirm pricing and availability for your desired departure date.
Initial deposit is $400, and most travelers will call our office and pay the deposit with a credit card.
Final payment is due 70 days (10 weeks) prior to departure by bank transfer, check or credit card. All final payments by credit card may be subject to a surcharge and maximum of $20,000 charge
The trip might have been the absolute best of our lifetime (thus far). We particularly want to commend our guide Peter in the Guilin area-he was so incredibly attentive, energetic, enthusiastic-and absolutely dedicated to ensuring that our meals were 100% vegetarian.
We keep coming back to Adventure-Life for custom tailored, out of the ordinary, non-touristy trips and they deliver the best every time. The trip planners know how to put together just what we are looking for.
Judith P. NYC
1 month ago
We have been working with Adventure Life for 5 years now and it is very easy to plan out our trips. Our holidays include customization of activities and side trips along with the standard packages available on the Adventure Life website. Kevin, Jess, Mary Rose and their teams have many recommendations that have enhanced our travel.
Joe
1 month ago
We had a great experience- they were very helpful in trip planning and making sure we got to do all the activities and see the places we wanted. There were some things we couldn't do/see due to the time of year being the rainy/low season and they steered us away from those. We had never been to Costa Rica before and it gave us a good overview of this lovely country.
Jody Dice
3 months ago
Jess was terrific and patiently guided us to make what we feel will be a wonderful family adventure.
David Herr
3 months ago
Jessica was extremely helpful and generous with her time. She was very responsive to our questions and comments and in a very timely fashion. She worked with us in partnership to plan a trip specifically for us and our wants and needs.