Costa Rica Rivers & Rainforests Tour Vacation Package - 9 Days

Welcome to Costa Rica. After clearing immigrations and customs follow to the exit and take the transfer to the hotel, less than 30 minutes away.
Check in to the Barcelo San Jose.

Class III Rafting to the Rios Tropicales Lodge

You’ll depart San Jose early in the morning, traveling east towards the Caribbean and crossing the amazing Braulio Carrillo National Park. You will arrive at the Rios Tropicales Operations Center for a hearty Tico traditional Costa Rican breakfast, and with time to change into clothing for rafting, and shop for any last minute needs in the handy outfitters store. You’ll then depart for the private rafting put-in point on the Pacuare River in San Martin.  Here, your professional river guides will load your gear into dry bags, prepare all the rafting equipment, give you complete safety and paddle instruction. The first day’s Class III rapids welcome you to the Pacuare gorge’s charm as you raft deep in the heart of primary rainforest. While your guides prepare a hearty picnic lunch on the riverbank, you’ll enjoy a walk through the jungle to an enchanting waterfall and pool to swim. Before you know it, you’ll arrive at the unique Rios Tropicales Lodge where you can spend the afternoon relaxing, hiking or soaking in the waterfalls and pools.

Nestled in the jungle on a 2,000-acre Private Reserve, the Lodge offers you all the comforts you need in “Cabecar Indian” style bungalows. Private single and double rooms are spacious and completely equipped with fresh linens, comfortable pillows and beds and modern, clean bathrooms and hot water showers, thanks to the self-sufficient mini-hydro-plant that generates all the lodges’s electricity. You’ll have the chance to settle into your room and enjoy the surroundings at sunset before your freshly prepared dinner with candlelight and wine is served. MEALS BLD

Rainforest canopy tours, hikes, relaxing and more! Don’t worry about wake-up time. The beauty of the light through the forest, the sound of toucans and the smell of delicious Costa Rican coffee will get you going. This day is designed to enjoy the Lodge and its natural surroundings.  Experience the wonders of the rainforest canopy on the zip line with four distinctive platforms blending seamlessly with the natural surroundings. In addition to the canopy tour, you can choose a variety of hikes – a 4-5 hour hike high into the Pacuare Reserve; a 2-3 hour hike to nearby waterfalls and pools, or short walks near the Lodge. The spacious property offers limitless places to get away from it all and just relax and enjoy nature. Just a short walk from the dining area, you’ll find the relaxing hammock hut, a perfect spot to catch up on your reading or simply relax and take in the stunning beauty of this amazing retreat. Experience a side of the Pacuare few people know! MEAL BLD

Class IV Rafting on Lower Pacuare After yet another serving of Costa Rica’s tastiest coffee and a hearty breakfast, we will pack up and load the rafts in preparation for paddling down the Pacuare gorge past gushing waterfalls, serene pools and pounding rapids. A snack stop by the riverside lets you explore more waterfalls and natural waterslides. An adrenaline-packed afternoon running rapids like Upper and Lower Huacas, Cimarron, Dos Montanas and many more, will have you cheering ecstatically.Your transportation will be waiting to take you to the Arenal Volcano area after having lunch at  the Operations Center just a few miles up the road. We will have a hearty hot lunch waiting on us upon arrival. Showers, changing rooms, cold and hot drinks, snacks, a bar, and souvenirs are all available. Late afternoon arrival in La Fortuna and check in at the Montana de Fuego Hotel & Spa MEALS  BL

A morning to relax or perhaps treat yourself to the lava rocks massage at the hotel’s spa.
Later this afternoon you’ll be picked up from your hotel for the most populat “must -do” tour of Costa Rica,  Arenal Volcano Hike at Dusk & Tabacon Hot Springs Tour with deluxe buffet dinner. This is a tour you’ll never forget! Make your way to the active side of the Arenal Volcano to observe the tumbling lava rocks and spewing gases. As the evening approaches and your sense of hearing heighten, the hike takes on a surreal quality due to the amazing sounds the volcano makes in the distance. As you experience this tour, your well-trained bilingual guide will teach you a great deal about the activity and history of the volcano. Next, head for a bit of rest and relaxation at the beautiful Tabacon Resort! The indescribable hot springs and exotic tropical gardens will soothe your body and soul. When the sun sets, the show begins with the grace of clear skies permitting, and the sight of redhot lava boulders rolling down the volcano as you soak in the springs, will stun you.  Revel in the cleansing and rejuvenating effects of the thermal waters. Tabacon is nestled at the base of mighty Arenal with a view of the Volcano towering in the background. Here, thermo-mineral springs flowing from Arenal run at a soothing 102 F through a maze of pools, waterfalls and exotic tropical gardens. You’ll love exploring the springs many nooks pulsating with these magic hot waters! Latter, a truly fabulous buffet is offered in the open air restaurant. Transfer back to your hotel for a good night’s sleep. Meals BD

After breakfast, depart with your shared scheduled shuttle transfer to the gorgeous Central Pacific Coast and to the treasure of white sand beaches housed in Manuel Antonio National Park (park closed Mondays). Check in to the Hotel California or El Karahe. Meals:  B

Early this morning after breakfast get ready for our visit to Manuel Antonio National Park (Park close Mondays)

Manuel Antonio National Park, it’s absolutely unforgettable. Take a leisurely hike with a highly trained, well-educated Costa Rican naturalist guide through exotic, bio-diverse tropical rain forest preserved in this 34 year old national treasure, Manuel Antonio National Park.

Watch sloths and numerous species of monkeys travel through the tree canopy, track nocturnal silky anteaters and several types of monkeys or iguanas resting in the tropical rain forest, and listen to the songs of the various birds as they chirp above your group, curiously. And if we are lucky, we might spot one of the only 1,000 remaining endangered Mono Titi or squirrel monkey, which live in only one location in the world, here in Manuel Antonio National Park’s biological corridor.

So much can be seen here in a span of just 2 w1/2 hours! Hike through the trails and enjoy unspoiled, un-crowded, pristine beaches after your guided trip. Then there is time free for independent activities. You can explore on your own, go to a seaside restaurant for (lunch not included) or return to your hotel for relaxation. Meals: B

Morning transfer to the San Jose International Airport for your return flight to the U.S. Meals: B