Active Costa Rica
Costa Rica's landscape varies from cloudforest to tropical beaches, volcanoes to white water rivers. Our journey takes us from Pacific to Caribbean - on horseback, white-water raft, bike, and on foot to explore Central America's most highly regarded multi-active destination. Watch troops of Capuchin monkeys, catch sight of the distinctively inactive sloth or take to the sea and go dolphin spotting. This tour is a potent mix of activity, adventure, scenery and wildlife, with time to relax towards the end on the Caribbean coast. A tour for people of all abilities.
RAINFOREST WALKS & WHALES
We fly to the Osa Peninsula and travel by boat to our lodge to immerse ourselves in Costa Rica's finest wilderness, where primary rainforest tumbles into the ocean. Exploring on foot and by boat, we visit Cano Island and snorkel amongst the coral reefs. We return to the mainland to stay at Canto de Ballenas, taking boats into the marine caves where there's the chance to snorkel and also to hopefully spot dolphins.
FOREST WALKS & HORSE RIDING
Continuing up the coast we head to Manuel Antonio National Park where wildlife-spotting opportunities and the chance to swim off white sand beaches abound. From here we head across country to Rincon de la Vieja National Park - famous for its volcano and waterfalls. Here we stay on a working ranch where we join in driving cattle, ride to a nearby waterfall on horseback, bathe in volcanic mud pools and explore the trails in the National Park.
WHITE WATER, BIKING BENEATH VOLCANOES AND THE CARIBBEAN
Pausing at Arenal we cycle beneath what is one of the most active volcanoes in the world before continuing to Sarapiqui. Here we take in the sounds of the rainforest at our lodge, home to an array of bromeliads and heliconia and alive with birdlife - especially the beautiful hummingbird - and we take time to explore the jungle by canopy and zip-wire. We try our hand at white-water rafting and take to the Grade 3 rapids of the Rio Reventazon, whisking us down to the Caribbean lowlands where we end with a chance to relax - or for the energetic to kayak, surf and hike - an excellent finale to this active tour.
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Details |
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Price Includes |
(MT-6219-P) |
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Flights ( London - San Jose - London ) |
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Accomodation |
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9 Breakfasts |
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5 Lunches |
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3 Dinners |
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Price Excludes |
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Local Payment 340 USD |
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Suitability / Level |
Easy |
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Itinerary
& Highlights |
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SPECIAL HIGHLIGHTS - Among the many highlights featured on this tour, we particularly mention:
CORCOVADO N.P.
Stunning wildlife viewing and pristine rainforest.
BALLENA MARINE PARK
kayaking.
MANUEL ANTONIO N.P.
Forest Park famed for rich wildlife and sandy beaches.
WHITE WATER RAFTING
Grade 2/3.
RINCON DE LA VIEJA
Cattle round-up, horse riding and canyons; visit waterfalls and volcanic mudpools.
SARAPIQUI
Jungle and canopy walks.
PUERTO VIEJO
Get active or relax on the Caribbean coast.
ITINERARY
DAY 1. SUNDAY. JOIN TOUR SAN JOSE
Arrive San Jose and check-in to our hotel.
DAY 2. FLY TO PALMA SUR; BUS AND BOAT TO OSA PENINSULA
Early this morning we fly to Palmar Sur, an important service centre for the nearby banana plantations of the Valle de Diquis. From here we transfer by a combination of bus and boat to the Osa Peninsula in the southwest corner of the country. Much of this mountainous region makes up the Corcovado National Park and boasts some of the best wildlife viewing in Costa Rica, including ocelots, tapirs, sloths, some 400 species of birds (including the harpy eagle and the scarlet macaw) and the elusive jaguar.
The flora is so diverse that some species here have still to be identified. It is an ideal place to explore pristine rainforest. On arrival we will have time to relax and perhaps walk along the beautiful Pacific beaches of which this area seems to abound.
DAYS 3 & 4. IN CORCOVADO
Our first full day here we take the opportunity to explore a bit more of this amazing area. The National Park is a veritable wonderland of flora and fauna; its 400 bird species are supplemented by some 116 species of reptiles and 139 of mammals and the population of scarlet macaws (about 1,200 birds) is the largest in Central America. We include a boat trip to the national park Ranger station from where we can do a walk to local waterfalls.
We will first visit Cano Island, a biological reserve situated 17km off the western tip of the Osa Peninsula and home to turtles, boa constrictors and tree frogs. The waters around the island are teeming with tropical fish, which swim amongst the reefs that ring the island and, further offshore, the clear waters play host to bottle-nosed dolphins, sperm, pilot and humpback whales. Land based activities include horse riding and walking, to get a true feel for this paradise.
DAY 5. BOAT AND BUS TO CANTO DE BALLENAS; VISIT CAVES
Taking a boat back to the mainland, we then travel by chartered bus to Bahia de Ballenas, close to the Ballena Marine National Park, which protects the shoreline of Bahia de Coronado, as well as some 4,500 hectares of open water around Isla Ballena. The area is rich in important marine life, with green marine iguanas, hawksbill turtles and humpback whales sometimes see in season. It also has important mangrove areas and the largest coral reefs on the Pacific coast of Central America. We intend to take a trip by kayak, hopefully, see some dolphins as well as the colonies of sea-birds, including frigate birds, boobies and pelicans.
DAY 6. DRIVE TO MANUEL ANTONIO
This morning we drive ‘La Costena’ up the Pacific Coast to Manuel Antonio National Park. On arrival, we will visit the park on foot where we can do self-guided trails, or use a local guide (optional). The park is famous for its abundance in wildlife including white-faced capuchin and squirrel monkeys. Time may also be spent participating in optional activities, or relaxing on the park’s sandy white beaches.
DAY 7. DRIVE TO RINCON DELA VIEJA VOLCANO
Setting off early for a full days drive, we head north, leaving the Pacific behind. En route we will take the opportunity to stop at the Carara Biological Reserve famed for the scarlet macaws and abundance of birdlife. We then continue north aiming for the rugged peaks of the Cordillera de Guanacaste, the great central volcanic massif, made up of 5 active volcanoes and surrounded by fertile farmlands, rich in a diversity of tropical crops.
Our destination today is the largest of the five, Rincon de la Vieja (1,895m), now a national park set in 14,000 hectares. Located at the foot of the volcano itself, Hacienda Guachipelin is a cattle farm, founded at the end of the 19th century and today dedicated to raising beef cattle and workhorses. It is also heavily into eco-tourism, with projects committed to the conservation of the dry tropical forest and to commercial reforestation.
DAYS 8 & 9. AT RINCON DELA VIEJA
During our stay at the hacienda we will have plenty of time to explore our surrounds. Our first day will be spent in the Rincon de la Vieja national park walking the flanks of the volcano. On our second day we will have the chance to participate in some ‘farm activities’, before heading out to explore some more of the park. As well as its involvement in ecotourism, the hacienda goes about its daily business and this morning we will have the opportunity to involve ourselves in the daily routine of the farm and other work around the estate. We will also take a horseback ride to the Oropendola Waterfall, a 25 metre high waterfall with emerald-green water and surrounded by a forest-covered canyon. From the falls we continue on to the nearby volcanic mud pool and hot springs. There may also be the opportunity to partake in a canopy trip on the Rio Blanco Canyon.
DAY 10. DRIVE TO SARAPIQUI VIA ARENAL
Leaving this morning we head for Arenal, Costa Rica’s most active volcanic cone. This classic cone, which rises to 1,633m, is covered by a tangled mass of vegetation on one side while the other is starkly barren and lava flows are visible. One of the worlds most active volcanoes, Arenal’s last major eruption took place on 29 July 1968, with an explosion that wiped out the neighbouring villages of Tabacon and Pueblo Nuevo and was felt in Boulder, Colorado. Today’s eruptions are slightly more sedate, but certainly consistent, with daily outpourings of molten lava, rocks and gases.Here we will take the opportunity to cycle around the foot of the volcano before continuing on to Sarapiqui later this afternoon.
The Sarapiqui region is an area of thousands of acres of banana, pineapple, and palm plantations. Named for the river that drains this area, it lies at the foot of the Cordillera Central mountain range, sandwiched between the rainforest of Braulio Carrillo National Park and the Tortuguero National Park and Barra del Colorado National Wildlife Refuge. Our lodge is situated next to the Sarapiqui River, surrounded by beautiful gardens and a haven for birdlife. This evening there may be the opportunity to enjoy a walk around the gardens for those interested.
DAY 11. AT SARAPIQUI; RAINFOREST WALK
Today is a jungle day! This morning we will explore the reserve, walking the paths that wind their way through gigantic ferns and giant trees dripping with lichen and moss. The jungle floor is often littered with blossoms that fall from the high canopy providing a carpet of colour amidst the endless green. The rest of your time here maybe filled with optional activities such as the Canopy Tour, sliding down wires through the canopy (instructions and safety equipment will be provided and guides accompany you throughout). Alternatively you may spend more time exploring the forest or a river safari.
DAY 12. DRIVE TO CARIBBEAN COAST, WITH WHITE WATER RAFTING EN ROUTE
Another early departure this morning, as we make our way to the Reventazon River (the Exploding river!) to begin our rafting. With a drop of some 1,000 metres, from Lake Cachi on the eastern slopes of the Central Cordillera Mountains, to the Caribbean plains, the river offers up some classic white water fun, with grade III rapids and some great waterfalls and wildlife opportunites along the way, with toucans and kingfishers, as well as iguanas and bright green “Jesus Christ” lizards. Returning to dry land we continue onto Puerto Viejo on the Caribbean coast.
DAY 13. FREE DAY IN AND AROUND PUERTO VIEJO
Today is left free for your to enjoy some optional activities in the area. You might like to try diving or snorkelling among the coral reefs that spread along this coast, or perhaps, if you don’t fancy getting your feet wet, then exploring them by glass bottom boat. Surfing and kayaking are popular options, as is hiking through the nearby jungle.
There are also river boat trips up the Sixaola River, birdwatching, visits to the Kekokdi and Bri-Bri Indian Reserves, and a possible excursion to a banana plantation. Alternatively you may just like to spend the day relaxing and soaking up the atmosphere of this beautiful part of the world. Whatever your fancy your tour leader will be on hand to help you arrange your day.
DAY 14. DRIVE TO SAN JOSE
This morning we enjoy our last moments on the Caribbean shores before we head back to San Jose.
DAY 15. SUNDAY. TOUR ENDS SAN JOSE |
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Accommodation
& Centre Details |
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4 Nights Hotel
10 Nights Lodge |
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Holidays
Extras |
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Included
