For those of you who just can't get enough out of your active vacation, we invite you to join us in Costa Rica for nine days of multi-sport adventure. Cycling down lush, tropical river valleys, and past active volcanoes is just the beginning - you'll also white water raft down the world famous Pacuare River (water levels occasionally require that we switch to the Reventazon River), canoe and snorkel in protected estuaries and in the crystal-blue Pacific ocean, and enjoy delicious tropical meals and the warm hospitality of our native Costa Rican guides.
***If this sounds great but you'd like a shorter tour, check out our Bike, Hike and Paddle tour, which includes the first 7 days of this itinerary.***
Day 1: Arrive in San José, Costa Rica
Highlights: Welcome dinner, beautiful Orosi Valley
Welcome to Costa Rica! We'll meet at 2:00 pm to shuttle from San José to the Orosi Valley. We'll visit the colonial church before checking in to our hotel. Here we'll fit bikes, have a safety talk, and enjoy a traditional Costa Rican "casado" dinner together.
Lodging: Hotel Rio Perlas Spa & Resort
Day 2: Bicycling the Reventazón Valley
Highlights: Cycling Orosi & Reventazón river valleys, Angostura Lake
Our bike ride this morning starts right outside the hotel, and follows the scenic Orosi and Reventazón River valleys as they wind through coffee, sugar, and palm plantations to Turrialba and on to our hotel for the evening on Angostura Lake. We'll enjoy dinner together tonight in this lush tropical retreat. Biking distance: 54 km (36 miles). Please note that 15 km or 9 miles will be on a gravel road.
Lodging: Hotel Turrialtico
Day 3: Rafting the Pacuare River
Highlights: Guided whitewater rafting trip on a National Wild and Scenic River
After a short shuttle to the Pacuare River, we will enjoy a day of white water rafting. The Pacuare features some of the best rafting in Latin America Throughout the day we see stunning scenery as the river winds its way through deep canyons and primordial rainforest. Professional guides with years of experience on the river pilot each raft. We stop to enjoy a picnic lunch in these beautiful surroundings. Following our trip, we'll shuttle on to Sarapiquí where our hotel is located near La Tirimbina Rainforest Reserve. Dinner together. Rafting distance: 27 km (17 miles).
Lodging: Hotel La Quinta
Day 4: Guided Rainforest Hike
Highlights: Hike in La Tirimbina Rainforest Reserve with local naturalist, hot springs
The rainforest reserves in this area feature some of the last remaining mid-elevation tropical forests in Central America. Today at La Tirimbina Reserve, you can choose a short hike or a longer hike guided by a local naturalist. At sunset we shuttle to the hot springs at the base of the volcano where we'll enjoy a traditional homemade dinner together. The dining room is a replica of the buildings made by pioneers who colonized this area in the first half of the 20th century. Walking time: 2 - 4 hours, your choice.
Lodging: Hotel Monte Real
Day 5: La Fortuna and East Arenal Foothills Loop Ride
Highlights: Scenic ride
Our loop ride out of La Fortuna takes us into the countryside on the Santa Clara plains, past many small rural villages, all with a church and the soccer field in front. We return to Fortuna on the road at the base of the Tilaran Mountains, crossing beautiful rivers. Dinner is on your own tonight and we'll recommend our favorite restaurant in town. Biking distance: 28 or 52km (17 or 33 miles), your choice.
Lodging: Hotel Monte Real
Day 6: Bicycling near Arenal
Highlights: Arenal Volcano and Lake Arenal
Arenal Volcano dominates our last bike ride this morning - and what a sight! As you ride along Lake Arenal, keep your eyes and ears open for the playful sounds of howler monkeys and the comic antics of coatimundi, as well as other wildlife that call the lake home. We'll finish the trip with a traditional Parrillada dinner tonight. Distance: 38 or 55km (24 - 34 miles) your choice.
Lodging: Hotel Hacienda La Pacifica
Day 7: Outrigger Canoeing on the Pacific
Highlights: Paddling our canoes on the Pacific Ocean
We spend the next two nights on the beach. As our first activity in the Pacific Ocean we'll take outrigger canoes for an outing of paddling and snorkeling. Each canoe holds 6-7 people plus a guide, so you don't have to do all of the work. We'll paddle 30 minutes and then take time to snorkel before paddling to another small beach where we'll stop to eat a fruit picnic. In the afternoon we'll continue to Esterillos Beach, where you can relax by the pool or take a walk on the almost endless beach. Dinner together at our hotel in Esterillos this evening.
Lodging: Hotel Monterey del Mar
Day 8: Hiking in Manuel Antonio National Park
Highlights: Manuel Antonio Beaches and Wildlife
The last full day of our Costa Rica adventure takes us to Manuel Antonio National Park for a day of hiking and wildlife viewing on the trails and beaches of the park. We'll celebrate the end of our journey with a final dinner together at a seaside restaurant.
Lodging: Hotel Monterey del Mar
Day 9: Shuttle back to San José
Highlights: Morning shuttle back to San José, arriving late afternoon
After breakfast together, we'll offer a shuttle back to San José for those needing to get home. We'll arrive in San José between 11:00AM and noon, so make sure your departing flight leaves no sooner than 1:30PM. There are daily flights from a local airport to San José as well, if you would like to spend some extra time on the beach. Pura Vida!-
HighlightsHiking in the rainforest, White water rafting on the Pacuare River, Arenal Volcano, Wildlife, Hot Springs
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Includes9 days, 8 nights accommodation; 7 dinners with beer or fruit drinks 1 picnic lunch, 6 breakfasts; group shuttle to and from San José; and all activities included in itinerary.
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CountriesCosta Rica
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Begin/EndSan José
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Arrive/DepartJuan Santamaria Int'l Airport, San José (SJO)
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Total DistanceBicycling: 120 - 161 km (74 - 99 miles) - Rafting: 27 km (16.6 miles) - Hiking: 2 to 4 hours - Paddling Outrigger Canoes: 2 hours
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Daily DistanceBicycling average 33 miles
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What to ExpectA great adventure filled with a myriad of activities!
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Rating
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Notes
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Here on ExperiencePlus.com
- Book Review: Guides to Birds of Costa Rica
ExperiencePlus! co-founder Rick Price reviews two guide books - Costa Rica 2009 Update
Mario Cordero, who coordinates our bicycle tours in Costa Rica, tells us about the roads, a new bicycle tour, and the political situation - Interview with Mario Cordero
Mario has been leading tours and coordinating our trips in Costa Rica since 1993. We recently took a few moments to catch up on his life in Costa Rica. - The birds of Costa Rica
Mario Cordero, ExperiencePlus! Costa Rica country coordinator, describes birds and biodiversity of his country.
Elsewhere on the Web
- Maps of Costa Rica
The MapCR.com site is a resource for travel information in Costa Rica. This site also sells waterproof, high quality Costa Rica maps that you may find helpful planning your vacation before and after your ExperiencePlus! tour.
Click on the "pins" for details about each day's highlights.
Map Key
Start
City (on route)
End
City (not part of route, provided for reference)
