Costa Rica Adventure Tour

Selvatura Park, Costa Rica

8 Days/7 Nights

From $1,989 per person

(Dbl. Occupancy, Not Incl. Airfare)

Daily Departures Throughout the Year

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Overview

Costa Rica is one of the best destinations in the world for adventure sports. This tour is loaded with adrenaline rushes, including whitewater rafting on the Class III-IV rapids of Rio Pacuare, canyoneering (waterfall rapelling) near Arenal Volcano, zip-lining through the cloud forest in Monteverde, and kayaking and snorkeling off the Pacific coast near Manuel Antonio National Park. You will also enjoy amazing natural attractions and visit some of the country’s most popular national parks.

Lodging and Meals: This tour includes accommodations for 7 nights (1 night in San Jose, 2 nights in Arenal, 2 nights in Monteverde, and 2 nights in Manuel Antonio) and 12 meals (7 breakfasts, 4 lunches, and 1 dinner).

Best Time to Go: December-April.

Destinations: Central America and Costa Rica.

Interests: Adventure, Sea Kayaking, Snorkeling, Whitewater Rafting, Wildlife Viewing, and Zip-Lining.

Places Visited: San José & the Central Valley, Arenal Volcano, Monteverde, and Manuel Antonio.

Day-by-Day Itinerary

Day 1: San Jose.

Depart to San Jose. Upon arrival, you will be met by our representative and transferred to your hotel. You will have the rest of the day free to relax and enjoy San Jose. Overnight in San Jose.

Day 2: San Jose-Siquirres-Rio Pacuare Whitewater Rafting-Arenal.

Early morning, you will be transferred to Siquirres for breakfast, and then the Rio Pacuare put-in for an amazing Class III-IV whitewater rafting adventure. You will travel a distance of 18 miles, over 52 rapids in four hours. Pacuare is world famous for its sheer beauty. A true river gorge, it is flanked by steep green walls. You will see waterfalls cascade into the river from both sides as colorful tropical birds fly overhead. Sloths, toucans, parrots, coatis, morpho butterflies, and colorful frogs are common sights. Safety instructions and lunch will be provided. After the rafting, you can shower and change clothes before continuing on to Arenal. Overnight in Arenal. (B,L)

Day 3: Arenal-Canyoneering-Volcano Hike and Hot Springs.

In the morning, you will experience canyoneering (waterfall rappelling), one of Costa Rica’s newest adventure sports. The rugged, mountainous terrain near the Arenal Volcano is ideal for canyoneering. You will go rapelling, down-climbing, river tracing, and descend huge, breathtaking waterfalls. After changing into your dry clothes, lunch will be served. Mid-afternoon, you will have a guided hiking tour of El Silencio Trail in close proximity to the volcano. Your naturalist guide will point out indigenous rain forest plants and inform you of their medicinal properties. Frequent wildlife sightings include monkeys, toucans, White-Nosed Coatis, Oro Pendulas, Golden Eyelash Vipers, Boa Constrictors, White-Tailed Deer, and Great Curassows. Before dark, you will stop at the observation point, which offers the closest, most direct view of the Volcano’s lava flow. The day finishes at the Tabacon Hot Springs Resort for a relaxing mineral bath followed by dinner at the restaurant. Overnight in Arenal. (B,L,D)

Day 4: Arenal-Monteverde-Cloud Forest Biological Reserve Tour.

You will be taken to the Arenal Lake Dam dock for a scenic 30 minute boat ride across the lake. Disembark at the Rio Chiquito dock on the other side of the lake, where a 4 x 4 vehicle will be waiting to take you by gravel road to Monteverde (+/- two hours). Monteverde was founded about 40 years ago by a small group of conservation-minded Quakers who were looking for a peaceful place to live. Its Cloud Forest Reserve is one of the most outstanding wild life sanctuaries in the New World. After checking in at your hotel, and lunch, you will visit the Monteverde Cloudforest Biological Reserve, a 10,500 hectare privately owned reserve that straddles the continental divide. The reserve has several well-marked hiking trails, and is popular with bird watchers, who come to see the Reserve’s more than 400 bird species, including the resplendent Quetzal (the Mayan bird of paradise). The reserve also contains over 3,000 plant species (including 500 orchid species), and a wide variety of mammals, amphibians, and reptiles. Overnight in Monteverde. (B)

Day 5: Monteverde-Selvatura and Canopy Tour.

Selvatura is a cloud forest conservation project located in the Monteverde area. You will have a guided Treetop Walkways tour through the cloud forest on eight different bridges of various lengths from 150-510 feet up. Each of the bridges are five feet wide, and are suitable for people of all ages. The tour also includes a Butterfly Farm, Hummingbird Garden, and a zip-line Canopy Tour. Lunch at Selvatura. Overnight in Monteverde. (B,L)

Day 6: Monteverde-Manuel Antonio-Coastal Kayaking-Snorkeling.

Morning transfer to Manuel Antonio. In the afternoon, you will experience one of Costa Rica’s most striking coastlines and National Parks – by open-seat ocean kayak. This challenging yet gratifying ocean kayaking adventure begins near the developing Pez Vela (Sail Fish) Marina in Quepos, and winds along the Manuel Antonio coastline. Indulge yourself at a rare jewel of a beach – a hidden Manuel Antonio treasure at Biezans Bay – for a refreshing swim and delicious local snacks. And feel free to have your bilingual naturalist guide direct you to the best snorkeling spots as you experience three small but growing, active, and astounding coral reef systems nestled very close to the shore of Biezans Bay. After the tour, you will have lunch, and then be returned to your hotel. Overnight in Manuel Antonio. (B,L)

Day 7: Manuel Antonio-National Park Guided Tour.

In the morning, you will have a half-day guided tour of Manuel Antonio National Park. This 1,685 acre park is one of the last remaining tropical lowland wet forests in Costa Rica. It is very popular with the native Costa Ricans due to its unspoiled beaches, and also features several hiking trails, spectacular natural scenery, and the possibility of seeing over 350 species of birds, and a wide variety of animals, including sloths, monkeys, white-nosed coatis, agoutis, iguanas, and jesus christ lizards. After the tour, you will be returned to your hotel, and have the afternoon free to enjoy the area. Overnight in Manuel Antonio. (B) Note: Manuel Antonio National Park is closed on Mondays.

Day 8: Manuel Antonio-San Jose.

Transfer to San Jose International Airport for your return flight to your final destination. (B)

B = Breakfast, L = Lunch, D = Dinner

What's Included

Price Includes

  • South American Vacations’ expert pre-departure planning services and documentation.
  • Airport/hotel and other transfers including baggage handling.
  • Hotel accommodations including taxes and service charges.
  • Excursions as indicated on the itinerary including all applicable entrance fees.
  • Meals as indicated on the itinerary.
  • English-speaking tour and naturalist guides.

Price Does Not Include

  • International airfare.
  • International airport departure tax ($29).
  • Meals not indicated on the itinerary.
  • Gratuities to tour guides, drivers, and hotel staff.
  • Gifts and personal items.
  • Travel insurance.

We will be happy to quote the cost of international airfare and travel insurance and to make these arrangements for you.

Accommodations

San Jose

Arenal

Monteverde

Manuel Antonio

Additional Details

Group Private: All transfers except the transfer to Arenal (after whitewater rafting) are private, and all excursions are provided on a group basis.

Elevations: San Jose is 3,700 feet above sea level, Arenal is 1,600 feet, and Monteverde is 4,600 feet.

Passport/Visa: U.S., Australian, Canadian, and EU citizens require a passport valid for at least six months from date of entry and return ticket for stays of up to 90 days. Citizens of other countries are advised to contact the Costa Rican embassy in their country before traveling.

Travel Insurance: In order to protect your travel investment from unforeseen circumstances that may arise before or during your trip, we strongly recommend that you purchase travel insurance. We offer Allianz Global Assistance’s Classic Comprehensive and other plans. The Benefits and Coverage Limits are summarized on our Travel Insurance page. Call your travel counselor if you have any questions or to purchase a plan.

To Book This Trip: We require a non-refundable deposit of $500 per person plus the cost of the international airfare (if we make the arrangements for you). The balance of the trip cost is due 60 days prior to departure.

Have Questions? Call 1-888-268-9753 to Speak to An Expert.