Tour Overview
Idyllic beaches, majestic volcanoes, verdant rainforests, and amazing wildlife- Costa Rica is Central America's Eco-tourist hot spot.Approximately 25% of the country's land has been set aside in protected areas, earning Costa Rica a reputation as an environmentally sensitive country and leader in ecological conservation. Challenge yourself on Class III-IV rapids down the Pacuare River, past gushing waterfalls, serene pools and pounding rapids. Kayak, beach-comb, horseback ride, snorkel and traverse virgin tropical rainforests on this exciting itinerary!
Day by Day Itinerary
Day 01: San Jose, Costa RicaUpon arrival in San Jose, Costa Rica, you will transfer to the Hotel Grano de Oro for overnight. Situated on a shady street just off Paseo Colón, San José's main thoroughfare, Hotel Grano de Oro is a true oasis, a sanctuary in the heart of the city. Converted from a Tropical Victorian mansion, the hotel maintains the warmth and comfort of a private home. There are gardens at Grano de Oro both inside and out. A rooftop terrace offers relaxing Jacuzzis and a spot for secluded sunbathing and stargazing. The restaurant is one of the most renowned in Costa Rica.
Grano De Oro Hotel Day 2: San Jose- Pacuare River
Early this morning you will be picked up at your hotel for a Pacure River rafting adventure. You will be transported in a comfortable minibus through the old capital city of Cartago and the lush green farmlands blanketing the slopes of the Irazu and Turrialba volcanoes. Before arriving at the banks of the Pacure River, you’ll stop to enjoy an authentic Costa Rican breakfast. When you arrive at the river, the expert guides will provide you with the rafting gear and explain safety precautions before the rafting adventure begins! The first day on the river is an exciting journey that takes just over an hour and a half. Lunch will be served when you arrive at the lodge. Afterwards the time will be at your leisure to join optional activities (at additional cost) such as the Canopy Adventure, take a guided hike to a waterfall in the forest, play dominoes or cards, or just relax.
Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Rios Tropicales Lodge Day 3: Pacuare
Enjoy the rainforest surrounding the lodge on a horseback riding tour. In the afternoon, feel the adrenaline in the canopy/zip-line excursion and a guided nature walk at the lodge.
Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Rios Tropicales Lodge Day 4: Pacuare- Turrialba
In the morning, after a delicious buffet breakfast, we’ll launch the rafts again for a second day of our river expedition. Rafting becomes even more thrilling as you begin to use the skills and experience gained the day before. You may stop to explore side streams that lead to striking waterfalls and pools with a natural waterslide! Later on, a tasty midday meal of sandwiches, fruit and dessert will be served on an overturned raft along the water’s edge. The day ends with the triumph of having conquered one of the wildest and most scenic rivers in the world. At the river take out you can change into dry clothes at our private facilities. After this, you’ll board the minivan for the transfer to Turrialba town. Overnight at the Casa Turire Hotel. Casa Turire possesses twelve rooms and four suites, all of grand prestige. These spacious rooms—with strong, beautiful wood floors, high ceilings, and private balconies—offer spectacular views of the surrounding hills. Each one is uniquely designed with elaborate furniture of locally cultivated wood. The headboards in the rooms are of fine timber, and they compliment perfectly the florally patterned, stucco walls. Each room welcomes you with direct dial telephones, satellite TV, hair dryers, and toiletries in the bathrooms.
Breakfast, Lunch
Casa Turire Hotel Day 5: Turrialba
Today you will be picked up at the hotel for a canyoneering tour and in the afternoon you’ll enjoy a bike tour at the CATIE Gardens. Canyoneering: Canyoneering has become very popular with extreme sports fans all over the world. This activity involves rappelling and descending cliffs and waterfalls within the canyon. The equipment for this activity- ropes, harnesses and carabineers- are the same tools that are used in rock-climbing. The canyon you will explore on this excursion is located in the Puente Vigas Canyon. The course guarantees you a memorable, safe and thrilling day as you rappel down waterfalls, zip-line through the treetops, and enjoy the unique, natural beauty of this country. The canyon site is located in Calle Chirraca, a small. Modest, yet lush place near the town of Turrialba, which is an hour and a half east of San Jose. You’ll begin the canyoning tour with an introduction to the guides and the equipment to help familiarize you with the different uses of the equipment. The tour starts at the first waterfall where your guide will give a talk on safety. The guide will explain the course and the equipment making sure you know the necessary mechanisms and procedures, ensuring you a safe and fun experience. After this you are off… rappelling down four waterfalls, zip-lining down four canopy cables, descending down two tall trees and walking across a 132 foot hanging bridge- all giving you an unforgettable adrenaline rush! This tour takes approximately 3-4 hours. It is important to bring extra clothes and shoes to change into at the end of the trip. What to Bring?
· T-shirt, shorts or pants (no jeans), swimsuit, tennis or hiking shoes and insect repellent.
· Extra clothes and a towel will be needed at the end of the tour. This tour is available for adults and children over 8 years old. No previous experience is necessary. CATIE Mountain Biking Adventure: The Tropical Agricultural Research and Higher Education Center (CATIE) is one of the world’s premier centers dedicated to research and graduate education in agriculture and the management, conservation and sustainable use of natural resources. On July 1, 1973, CATIE was created through an agreement between the Inter-American Institute for Agricultural Sciences (IICA) and the Costa Rican Government. The information CATIE generates is fundamental in understanding the genetic structure of plant populations, organizing the collections, defining strategies to collect new samples, and in providing pertinent information for genetic improvement programs. This tour will take riders through the tropical plantations and botanical gardens of CATIE. The topography of the trails is not difficult. Bikers of all levels and children older than eight years of age can enjoy this trip. During the bike ride, a guide will explain the great diversity of the forest and fruit plantations such as: caf, cacao, sugar cane, citrus, plantains, bananas, macadamia, pineapple, mangostan, mango, avocados and many other exotic species from tropical countries. Thanks to the diversity in flowers and fruits, the plantation is also the ideal site for the observation of birds, mammals and some reptiles. Finish the tour with a visit to the Tropical Botanical Garden, which has a collection of some of the most important tropical plants in the world. In the garden you have the opportunity to enjoy the colors, smells, textures and forms of the plants and their products. Riders will be provided with top-quality mountain bikes in excellent condition and safety helmets, which you are required to wear. What to bring?
· Shorts (no jeans), tennis shoes, shirt, a hat or visor, sunglasses, a bottle of water, insect repellent and sun block.
· Extra clothes may be needed at the end of the tour. This tour is available for adults and children older than eight years of age.
Breakfast
Casa Turire Hotel Day 6: Turrialba- Osa Peninsula
Early morning pick up at your hotel for a transfer to the local airstrip to board the flight to Palmar Sur. Upon arrival a representative of the lodge will transfer you by land to Sierpe Dock, where you will board a boat to the hotel. The remainder of the day is at leisure. Aguila de Osa Inn is located in Costa Rica's Osa Peninsula, situated on a high bluff overlooking the Agujas River with panoramic views of Drake Bay. Reaching out into the Pacific Ocean along the southwest coast, the Osa was once described by National Geographic as one of the most biologically intense places on earth. Encompassing Corcovado National Park and Caño Island, two of Costa Rica's most prized protected areas, the Osa Peninsula is a priceless natural treasure with an abundance of tropical plants, mammals, insects and over 350 species of birds.
Breakfast, Lunch
Aguila de Osa Lodge Day 7: Corcovado National Park
Enjoy a full day excursion in Corcovado National Park with your lodge guide. This morning you will travel by boat to Corcovado National Park and take a guided rain forest & beach hike and wildlife viewing. Covering one-third of the Osa Peninsula on the Pacific coast near the Panamanian border, Corcovado is one of the country's wildest and most remote parks. Its thick forests, deserted beaches and swamps are home to most of the country's endangered species, including jaguars, tapirs, scarlet macaws, four kinds of monkeys, poison dart frogs and crocodiles.
Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Aguila de Osa Lodge Day 8: Cano Island Biological Reserve
Today, enjoy a full day boat excursion to Cano Island. Snorkel and have lunch on this pristine uninhabited island (scuba diving option available.) Here the sun-kissed pacific surf splashes across your toes, mysteries of an ancient civilization romance your imagination, and fish of every form and color dazzle your soul. This is Caño Island. Located just 12 miles west of Drake Bay, Caño Island Biological Reserve is a rainforest, archeological, and marine sanctuary. Believed to be the burial ground of the Diquis Indian's ruling elite, the island features pre- Columbian stone spheres whose purpose is still shrouded in mystery. The island inexplicably receives more lightning strikes than nearly any other place on earth.
Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Aguila de Osa Lodge Day 9: Osa Peninsula- San Jose
Today you will be transferred to Palmar Sur airstrip to board the flight back to San Jose. Upon arrival you will be met and driven to the Grano de Oro Hotel. The rest of the day is at your leisure.
Breakfast
Grano de Oro Hotel Day 10: Depart San Jose
Transfer to the international airport for you home bound flight.
Breakfast
