Rafting, Volcanoes and Beach Relaxation - Explore Costa Rica

Welcome to San Jose!

After arriving in San Jose, a local representative will meet you at the airport and transfer you to your accommodation. The rest of the day at leisure.

Recommended activities

• Take a stroll through Mercado Central (Central Market), featuring over 200 shops, food stalls, and sodas (traditional restaurants).
• Visit the Catedral Metropolitana (Metropolitan Cathedral), whose interior combines Greek Orthodox, Neoclassical, and Baroque styles, and features wood carvings and stained-glass windows.
• Learn about the pre-Columbian culture, in one of the two museums in the city that display artifacts of the time: Museo del Oro Precolumbino (Pre-Columbian Gold Museum), and Museo del Jade the world's largest collection of pre-Columbian jade artifacts.
• Delve into Barrio Amon, a historic neighbourhood where coffee moguls built their mansions in the 19th and 20th centuries. Many of these historic buildings have been converted into hotels, restaurants, and galleries, making Amon a popular bohemian district.
• When it is time for dinner, look for a restaurant in the hills of Escazú. This elevated region on the western edge of the city offers panoramic views of the valley below. That said, San Jose is filled with great restaurants serving everything from traditional to forward-thinking fusion cuisine.

Pacuare River

This morning we will leave early and begin a 2.5-hour drive east from the city of San José. Stop along the way to enjoy a classic Costa Rican breakfast of gallo pinto (rice, black beans, and eggs) before reaching the Rio Pacuare (Rio Pacuare).

Rio Pacuare’s deep gorge is considered one of the best river-rafting sites in the world. The Rio Pacuare runs 67 miles from the Talamanca mountains, in the southwest of the country, to the Caribbean. Along the way, it passes through some of the most diverse topography in Costa Rica. Here it is not uncommon for rafters to spot several species of tropical birds, as well as monkeys, ocelots, and (much less frequently) jaguars.

Now is the time for you to start your whitewater rafting adventure. After a guided orientation, you will embark on today's adrenaline-pumping ride on class II-III rapids. You will paddle through a breath-taking tropical landscape through rapids until you reach the destination: an eco-lodge by the river.

After checking in, you will have the rest of the day to explore the surroundings with your guide. In the afternoon, you can walk through the lodge's protected forest to an idyllic waterfall, or enjoy a couples massage, or simply relax in your private bungalow or suite and enjoy the nature and tranquillity of this remote tropical dream country.

Pacuare River

Get ready for an even more exciting river trip this time over class III-IV rapids. As you travel down the Pacuare River again, you will pass even more canyons, waterfalls, and virgin jungle. During the quieter stretches, keep an eye out for several species of birds and other wildlife endemic to the region, such as toucans and capuchin monkeys.

After reaching the end of the trip, you will take a road transfer to the town of Fortuna, the perfect base for exploring the Arenal Volcano National Park. Located north of the Tilarán Mountains, the cone shaped Arenal juts out over the San Carlos plains. Check in at your accommodation and spend the rest of the day at leisure.

Arenal Volcano National Park

Today, you will discover the best of the Arenal Volcano region. Early in the morning, set off for a network of hiking trails that involve crossing hanging bridges several hundred feet long before reaching the lookouts that offer panoramic views of the Arenal volcano. You will also get an up-close look at the incredible biodiversity of this region. Only here you can find more than 350 species of birds.

Next, we will head to the La Fortuna waterfall at the base of the dormant Chato volcano, a short 15-minute drive outside the city. The falls plunge about 210 feet, and a 500-step hike to the base provides a chance to see it from the bottom up. You can swim and relax in the La Fortuna River, located just below the falls.

In the evening enjoy an exquisite dinner. Or you may prefer to relax your muscles with a dip in the mineral-rich waters of the famous Arenal geothermal hot springs. A time-tested remedy, these hot springs have been used as therapeutic baths by locals for more than 200 years.

Manuel Antonio National Park

Early in the morning, you will take a transfer to Manuel Antonio National Park on the Pacific coast. After checking into your hotel, you can choose and relax on one of the park's four beautiful beaches, some of the best in Costa Rica. If you are hungry for more adventure, you can also hike one of the park's many trails. Get up close to capuchin monkeys, sloths, and more than 200 species of birds. Snorkelling is also accessible from multiple points along the beaches.

In the evening, head to the city of Quepos for dinner at Gabriella's to enjoy the beautiful sunset views with a meal of fresh fish or steak.

Enjoy the beach

Today is yours to enjoy free of schedule. Beyond the incredible wildlife hikes, there are several activities to choose from.

Consider taking a surf lesson or just go for a section of white sand and relax with a good book. One of the most ideal beaches in the park is Playa Espadilla, which stretches for almost a mile and is ideal for families, as it is a quiet public beach with lifeguards available during the day.

Return to San José

Today is your last full day in Costa Rica. Take the morning to rest or hurry up to enjoy your last swim on the beach. At noon you will be transferred by road to San José.

Upon arrival in the capital and after checking into your accommodation, take the opportunity to stroll through the streets of the city and discover sites that you may have missed the first time.

Goodbye Costa Rica

Say goodbye to Costa Rica after breakfast and fly out of the San José airport. Transportation to the airport is included.