After breakfast at your hotel, we drive east up to el Rio Pacuare for a 2-day rafting trip. We launch in the exclusive reserve at the Tres Equis ranch and head 8 miles downriver to our camp. The Rio Pacuare is river running at its finest, featuring exquisite tropical jungle canyons and virgin rainforest. The first day includes more than a dozen Class 3 and 4 rapids plus a beautiful side hike up to the Rio Frio waterfall. We overnight in our own Indian camp, in the heart of the rugged Huacas canyon. We’ll enjoy dinner in our thatched roof pavilion overlooking the river surrounded by the sounds of the jungle. The Silvia Chavez family of Cabecar Indians is our host. Two of Silvia’s sons, Octavio and Urbano, are full time RainForest World river guides and provide excellent assistance in viewing wildlife in their home river.

Stay at: Indian Camp. Included meals: B, L, D, plus happy hour!

Morning coffee and breakfast in camp accompanied by songs of the forest birds. For those willing to take a strenuous hike uphill, we can make the hour long trek up to the Chavez family homestead on the mountaintop with incredible panoramic views of the Turrialba Volcano, river canyons and the Caribbean down below. Back down at the camp you will have time to relax and take a cool dip in the river before lunch. Then we pack up to continue our journey downstream, challenging another dozen class III and IV rapids as we go. The exciting rapids and beautiful scenery continue all the way down to our take-out point in Siquirres. There we can shower and change and have a cold one before saying adios to our river guides.

From there we head out across the coastal plain to the marina at Cano Blanco. Our own “crocodile hunter” Rick Knowles, will meet us there with his boat and we then motor down to the island village of Parismina. Situated at the southern end of Tortuguero National Park, Parismina is one of Costa Rica’s best-kept secrets. This idyllic barrier island has no cars or street signs, only sandy paths and colorful houses and inhabitants. The village hosts a grassroots sea turtle hatching project, which is proving its importance to the survival of these beautiful marine reptiles. We stay in spacious, modern rooms at the Caribbean Lodge on the riverside. Dinner will be at the beachfront Cariblanco lodge. After dinner we will visit a private Paca (in Costa Rican: “tepezcuintles”) breeding project to have a look at and hand feed these adorable nocturnal creatures.

Stay at: Caribbean Lodge. Included meals: B, L, D

And, for those who don’t like to get any rest on their vacations whatsoever, we have dawn surfcasting for snook with Rick!

Coffee and Breakfast right there at Rick’s restaurant and then we’re off for a waterborne wildlife safari in Rick’s boat. We will motor north through the canals to the Jalova entrance of Tortuguero National Park. There is a nice visitor center there and we will hike the Toucan Trail through the Jungle. Then it’s back in the boat for an exclusive tour up the Rio California. Rick expertly navigates up through the currents in this pristine tropical paradise where no other Tortuguero outfitter goes. Rio California is the habitat for monkeys, sloths, caimans, crocs, and exotic tiger herons and anhingas. It is also where the tarpon go to breed and it is not unusual to see them boiling around next to the banks. All in all, a very special tour that mere words fall far short in describing. Lunch is at the “Tres” canal bar in an immense palenque, and then back to Parismina for an afternoon of relaxing on the beach or a walk through Rainforest World’s private reserve where we can knock down a couple coconuts and pick some key limes to make our traditional “lime-in-the-coconut” rum drinks.

After dinner at Rick’s, if you have the energy and the turtles are nesting, you can take an OPTIONAL private trip to the southern beach of Tortuguero National Park with a trained and certified National Park Turtle Guide to view marine turtles digging nests and laying eggs. Truly incredible! Our private tour is far better than the often-overcrowded public tours at the northern park entrance. (The Turtle Tour is OPTIONAL in season, only $30 per person extra, 2-person minimum. SEASON: Leatherback turtles in small numbers - February to July, peak mid-April to mid-May. Green turtles in large numbers – July to mid-October, peak late July to late August. Hawksbill turtles sporadically – March to October. You do not need to make a decision for this OPTION until the day of the tour.)

Stay at: Caribbean Lodge. Included meals: B, L, D

After breakfast we pack up and combine the Pacuare canal crocodile tour with our return trip to Cano Blanco. Rick just might get out of the boat and catch a crocodile for you if you ask real nice.

From here we head west to the famous Tabacon Hot Springs Resort nestled near the base of the magnificent Arenal Volcano. The constant energy of an active volcano, the warmth of flowing thermomineral rivers and the surrounding lush tropical rain forest provide a wonderful experience. The resort ads to this extraordinary setting with exceptional service and outstanding facilities. You can retire to your room with a private balcony or terrace overlooking the impressive volcano and the resort´s landscaped tropical gardens. Or you can enjoy the beauty and soothing feeling of Tabacon's mineral hot springs, waterfalls, 12 mineral pools and indoor Jacuzzi, all available late into the evening and night. For more information about Tabacon Resort go to www.tabacon.com/home_i.html

Stay at: Tabacon Hot Springs Resort. Included meals: B, L, D

After breakfast, spend the day swinging through the trees with the birds and monkeys from the highest heights of the rainforest. This combination horseback and canopy tour is pure thrill and provides a great new perspective. To access the tour, we take a horseback trip through the rainforest. Professional guides will rig you up to glide across 6 different zip lines passing between huge trees. Very exciting and different! After zipping through the canopy we will mount our steeds for the return trip. To maximize your experience in these exotic environments a local professional naturalist guide will accompany us all day.

After lunch, we’ll tour Volcan Arenal National Park to witness the stark contrast between rainforest and the raw volcanic forces in the lava and boulder fields. If the weather is clear, we’ll be able to see the red-hot lava flowing down the slopes and being ejected from the crater. Then it’s back to Tabacon with time to relax and soak, where, weather permitting, we can watch the glowing lava flow from Volcan Arenal. Ahhhh . . . perfection!

Stay at: Tabacon Hot Springs Resort. Included meals: B, L, D

If you like, spend the day riding horses to Monteverde. This tour starts with a van ride to Lake Arenal and a boat ride across the lake. Once on horseback, the tour takes about four hours. These horses are well cared for and healthy. Your luggage will safely be transported by car. Alternatively you can ride around the mountains to Monteverde in the comfort of our air-conditioned van. Ironically, this trip takes about four hours by car, as well. Monteverde is one of the more interesting and popular eco destinations in Costa Rica. The small community is adjacent to the famous Monteverde Cloud Forest Reserve, both founded by Quakers in 1951. The area is home to many local and international artists, organic farmers, quaint restaurants and art galleries. (Monteverde can be chilly with high temperatures around 65 degrees Fahrenheit. Dress appropriately.) Here we will check into Hotel Fonda Vela. The closest top-end hotel to the reserve, the Fonda Vela boasts large rooms with huge windows overlooking the grounds set on 14 hectares with trails that offer excellent birding opportunities. For more information on Hotel Fonda Vela, go to www.fondavela.com

In the late afternoon we will take the Twilight Walk Tour at the Ecological Farm. The Ecological Farm is a private family owned wildlife refuge that boasts over 150 species of birds, and it is common to see many animals like coatimundis, agoutis, porcupines and sloths. The Twilight Walk begins just before sunset and finishes at night giving us an opportunity to compare diurnal and nocturnal wildlife. Enjoy dinner at one of the many restaurants in the community.

Stay at: Fonda Vela. Included meals: B, L, D

Today we take an early morning tour with another naturalist guide into the famous cloud forest reserve. We will get an early start and eventually hike up into the part of the reserve known as the triangle featuring an absolutely spectacular viewpoint called Las Ventanas where one can truly appreciate the vastness of the reserve. Quetzals and troops of monkeys and even lemurs can be spotted from the trails. This is “cloud forest” at its best.

Then we head to the Butterfly Garden. A guided tour by a naturalist begins with an informative presentation of the butterfly life cycle and importance. Then you are led into the greenhouses and screened garden where hundreds of butterflies can be seen. Excellent photo opportunities!

We head down the mountain to the Pacific coast toward Manuel Antonio National Seashore Park. Along the way, we’ll pick out one of the breezy open-air diners for lunch. If we have enough light we’ll stop to view crocodiles at “Crocodile Bridge.” You’ll be staying midway between Quepos and the park at the famously cool Si Como No Hotel. Si Como No was built into the forest with as little disturbance as possible. Solar panels are used and water is recycled into the landscape. There are two exotic pools, one with a rock waterfall slide and both with swim up bars, and there is a poolside restaurant overlooking a breathtaking view of the Pacific. Spacious air-conditioned rooms offer nice views as well. For more information about Si Como No visit www.sicomono.com

Stay at: Si Como No. Included meals: B, L, D

This day will find you with a naturalist guide exploring 682 hectares of trails in one of Costa Rica’s most treasured National Parks. Here you will enjoy beautiful forest-backed tropical beaches and rocky headlands with amazing ocean views and an abundance of wildlife such as monkeys, coatimundis and iguanas. Be sure to bring your bathing suit because the secluded beaches are super special for swimming and tanning.

The rest of your day is about relaxation. No paddling down rapids, no swinging across zip lines, no strenuous hikes, just time to eat good food, shop, sight see, and relax on the beach in a beautiful setting and reflect on the adventures of your vacation. Of course you can be as adventurous as you like. OPTIONS include snorkeling, sea kayaking, a sunset sail, surfing, dolphin watching, shopping and more.

Stay at: Si Como No. Included meals: B, L, D

We will enjoy breakfast and savor a last look at the Costa Rican Pacific shore from the poolside restaurant at the famous Si Como No Hotel. Then we will take you back to San Jose. Depending on the time of your departure we’ll escort you to the market where you can do some sightseeing and pick up those last minute souvenirs.

Then it’s off to the airport where we’ll say our goodbyes, but we think you will be back.

This itinerary can be somewhat customized based on your desires and needs. If you want a longer or shorter stay or don’t want to participate in all the activities or want a different activity, or whatever you want, just let us know, and we will try to arrange something for your special needs as long as it does not interrupt the overall enjoyment and flow of the group.

Also, if you want a PRIVATE GROUP trip, this itinerary can depart on any date and can be customized based on your private group’s desires. We can also build you a custom itinerary from scratch. Do you want a longer or shorter stay, a more relaxed pace, less or more expensive accommodations, do you have special interests not already included? Whatever you want; just let us know.
CUSTOMIZE THIS TRIP

Trip includes: All ground transportation, meals as indicated (B=Breakfast, L=Lunch, D=Dinner), lodging, equipment, expert guides, entrance fees, tours and activities.

Trip does not include: Alcohol, personal items (such as souvenirs, toothpaste, etc.), international airfare, exit tax, activities listed as OPTIONS, extra nights due to flight changes, optional gratuities for guides and drivers.

We will make every effort to reserve the hotels listed in your itinerary. Based on lack of vacancy, lodging accommodations may be substituted for like accommodation. Reserving your trip early increases chances of receiving accommodations of your choice.

This itinerary assumes that your departing flight will be late afternoon at the earliest. However we can accommodate any flight time.

RainForest World reserves the right to cancel or reschedule any activity based on unsafe or extreme climactic conditions.

CHILDREN: The minimum age for this trip is 12 years old. If you have younger children we can plan a private trip for your group. At RainForest World, children of all ages are welcome. However certain activities are not appropriate for all ages. In these circumstances substitute activities can be planned, or we can develop a completely new itinerary for your family’s particular needs. Together we can determine what is appropriate for your children.

FITNESS & SKILL: No prior experience is needed for any of the activities on this trip. The activities in this itinerary require a moderate fitness level. Travel alone can be fatiguing. For maximum enjoyment of this trip we recommend that you engage in an appropriate fitness program. Consult with your doctor before beginning a new exercise program.

HEALTH: It is recommended that you consult with your doctor about health issues associated with traveling to Costa Rica.

Please let us know what you think of this itinerary. Contact us

PRICING*:
Adult price:
$2231 per person (4-12 people)

*Price is based on double occupancy.
Single supplement: $609.

Price is subject to change without notice until reservations have been made.