Wild Costa Rica 13 Days
13 Days: San Jose, Pacuare River, Puerto Viejo De Limon, Tortuguero, Arenal Volcano & Pacific Beach
Tour overview:
Experience an incredible journey on the Pacuare River. Relax in Puerto Viejo de Limon on the South Caribbean coast. Visit Cahuita National Park with its large coral reef and great hiking trails. In Tortuguero National Park, learn about the protection of the sea turtles. While in the Arenal Volcano area, you will visit the famous Tabacon Hot Springs, hike to the Rio Celeste’s waterfall, and take the Sky Tram and Sky Trek, an aerial tram ride up the mountain and Zip lining through the rainforest canopy. Your Costa Rica adventure ends with relaxing days on the Pacific Ocean beaches.
Day 1 - Arrive San Jose
Arrive in San Jose, Costa Rica. You are welcomed and transferred to the hotel where you will be staying the first night in Costa Rica.
Day 2 - San Jose – Pacuare River
Early in the morning, you will be driven to the Pacuare River for a day of adventure and adrenaline. A professional guide and the right equipment will be waiting upon your arrival to the river; after some safety instructions, you will start on this incredible rafting journey. In the water, you will experience the exhilaration of riding the waves on this wild and scenic river, which passes through scenic canyons where crystal-clear waterfalls plummet down into the rapidly coursing river below. Tall trees and dense green vegetation come right down to the water’s edge. The thick undergrowth of this protected area provides shelter for a variety tropical animals and birds, including some endangered species. When you arrive at the selected Lodge, you will find a unique jungle oasis nestled in a most remarkable setting. After a hearty lunch, you will have the rest of the afternoon at leisure. (BLD)
Day 3 - Pacuare River – Puerto Viejo De Limon
In the morning, you will awaken to a harmonious melody created by the sound of the river rushing by and the sweet songs of the tropical birds from the thick of the forest. After a delicious buffet breakfast, you will launch the rafts again for the second day of the 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 that tempts you to jump. Lunch will be served along the river, and when reaching the take out, you can change into dry clothes and head to Puerto Viejo de Limon and stay two nights at the selected hotel. The South Caribbean coast is a truly wonderful place and very particular, of the rest of the country. It has become a place of leisure for those looking to relax on your vacation and enjoy the sun, the beach and the sea breeze. But also offers to each visitor a cultural mix that is noticed in their small and rustic hotels and its varied and exquisite traditional Afro-Caribbean food. (BL)
Day 4 - Puerto Viejo De Limon
Today you will visit the Cahuita National Park that features the largest coral reefs in Southern Central America as well as great hiking trails with lots of wildlife. The excursion combines a boat ride, snorkeling and hiking. Once arrive to Punta Cahuita you can put on snorkel gear to explore first-hand the “under water tropical forest” with many varieties of corals and colorful fishes. You will then land for a guided rainforest hike, with comprehensive information on this particular area. Monkeys, sloth, several reptiles, frogs and beautiful insects are common sights. (BL)
Day 5 - Puerto Viejo De Limon – Tortuguero
Today you will continue to the northern Costa Rican Caribbean, passing across the town of Guapiles to continue to the local pier, where we will take a relaxing trip of more than an hour by boat through access channels to Tortuguero, surrounded by lush rainforest that will enable you to enjoy a rich diversity of flora and fauna. During the trip, you will observe various types of birds, reptiles, monkeys, among other animals. Upon arriving at the selected Lodge, you will receive a brief of the activities to follow and recommendations to be taken into consideration when staying in the area. In the afternoon, we will visit the picturesque village of Tortuguero where you will learn about the lifestyle of local residents who use bicycles as a means of transport within the small town and who have made tourism its main source of income. (BLD)
Day 6 - Tortuguero
Today, we will visit Tortuguero National Park that will dazzle you with its enormous biodiversity. From the boat, you can feel a pure contact with nature in a paradise that offers visitors 2000 species of plants and 400 species of trees, just as you can observe some of the 405 bird species. Among mammals is white-faced monkeys and howler monkeys, three-toed sloths, plus some endangered species such as the jaguar, ocelot and the tapir, which is the largest in the rain forests of Latin America. There is also presence of crocodiles, different species of turtles and freshwater fish. Tortuguero will definitely offer a unique and unforgettable experience. (BLD)
Day 7 - Tortuguero – Arenal Volcano
By midmorning, we will board again from the selected lodge through the local pier, enjoying again the biodiversity present along the canals. Then, we will continue by road to the town of Guapiles where you can enjoy a delicious lunch and then continue to the northern plains of Costa Rica. This route offers beautiful scenery accompanied by picturesque rural towns until reach La Fortuna de San Carlos. At this point, if weather conditions are favorable you will admire the mighty Arenal Volcano will welcome you with its impressive perfect conic shape. This volcano has been active since 1969 and it has become one of the world’s most active volcanoes and one of Costa Rica’s main highlights. Check In at the Arenal volcano selected hotel, where you will find a unique blend between the hospitality of the local culture and the warm tropical climate, making your escape an unparalleled experience for the next three nights. (BLD)
Day 8 - Arenal Volcano
During the morning you will Visit to the Sky Adventures Park, where you will find the Sky Tram & Sky Trek. This tour combines the ascent to the top of the mountain by an aerial tram, enjoying the beautiful landscapes of the Arenal Lake, while the descent is through the famous canopy tour (Zip Lines), which goes from one mountain to another, making you feel the adventure and fun.
During the evening, you will visit the world famous Tabacón Hot Springs. These natural hot springs features a hot river that flows through a series of pools. From cascading falls to tropical gardens, the hot springs are the result of rainwater heated by magma in the Earth’s interior. Once heated, the waters rise to surface, taking with them minerals found in the earth’s rocky crust; this way, waters become very benefic to your body because of its temperature that helps to relax muscles, clean pores and rejuvenate the skin. Tabacón has a unique location full of natural jewels that definitely you cannot miss staying at Arenal Volcano area.(B)
Day 9 - Arenal Volcano.
Today, you will take a hike to the Rio Celeste’s waterfall. Undoubtedly, as the name says, Celeste River is a natural wonder and unique in Costa Rica. Located at the Tenorio Volcano National Park, Rio Celeste gets its color from different volcanic minerals. Local legend says that when God finished painting the heaven, he washed the brush in the Rio Celeste saving the privilege of watching the enchanting river just for a few adventurers. Surely, this will be one of the most unforgettable highlights of your trip to of Costa Rica. (BL)
Day 10 - Arenal Volcano – Pacific Beach
Today you will continue your journey to the beautiful and paradisiacal beaches of the Costa Rican Pacific, which are known throughout the world especially for their impressive combination of tropical forests and multicolored beaches. You will have the option to stay either in the Guanacaste area or in the Manuel Antonio area. (B)
Day 11 - Pacific Beach
These days are at leisure to rest, enjoy the sun and the beach and also eventually explore on your own some of the optional excursions (extra cost) offered in the area. Some of these activities are: Hiking in National Parks, Canopy, boat tours and many other activities. (B)
Day 12 - Pacific Beach
These days are at leisure to rest, enjoy the sun and the beach and also eventually explore on your own some of the optional excursions (extra cost) offered in the area. Some of these activities are: Hiking in National Parks, Canopy, boat tours and many other activities. (B)
Day 13 - Pacific Beach – International Airport
After enjoying some unforgettable days in Costa Rica, for this day is scheduled to return to the International Airport. (B)