Rafting, Highland Adventure & Rural Community

Welcome to Costa Rica, one of the most biodiverse countries on Earth! Once you arrive to the  San Jose airport, our local guide will welcome you at the airport for a private transfer to your hotel (approx. 30 minutes) . Our guide will give you all the tips and recommendations to get the most out of your stay in Costa Rica. Free afternoon and evening to rest after the flight.

Optional Activity: Take a city tour or cooking lessons with a local family.

Accommodation options: Grano de Oro (4 star hotel)  or Rosa del Paseo (2 star hotel)

In order to make the most out of your rafting adventure today will start early! You will be picked up in  San Jose and head  to the exploration center (approx. 2 hours) to have breakfast . From there  you will get an orientation lesson and start the adventure of rafting!

The journey will consist of two days of rafting with an overnight stay at one of the suggested lodges. The Pacuare Protected Zone and Pacuare River are located between the coastal lowlands and the country’s highest mountain range and constitute one of the isthmus’ most important protected areas. This area is still inhabited by the Cabecar Indians, whose hut dwellings are spaced far apart over large distances, rather than being clustered, as was true of most native tribes.

Located inside this protected wilderness is a very special jungle getaway. Either of the two suggested lodges are accessible to travelers only through the  multi day white-water rafting tours on the Pacuare River. Considered by many experienced rafters to be one of the most scenic rivers in the world, the Pacuare offers an adventurous ride filled with stunning natural beauty and exciting rapids.

Included activities: River rafting 

Optional Activities: During the afternoon you can choose from Canopy Adventure into the forest trees, take a guided hike into the rainforest mountains, or simply relax.

Accommodation options: Pacuare Lodge (5 star hotel)  or Ave sol River Sanctuary  (3 star hotel)

You’ll wake up to the songs of the birds  and the soothing sound of the river nearby. Then head over to the main lodge for a traditional Costa Rican  breakfast, that includes handmade tortillas and gallo pinto.

The lodge employs a resident naturalist guide who will provide you with unique insights into the plant and animal world. Choose from exciting tours that include guided hikes through an emerald rainforest, the Cabecar Indigenous  Tour - where visitors may participate in a cultural exchange with local school kids. 

Included activities: Any of the day tours the lodge offers.

Accommodation options: Pacuare Lodge (5 star hotel)  or Ave sol River Sanctuary  (3 star hotel)

After a hot breakfast, you will have some time on your own to explore the rainforest around the lodge. Then it will be time to launch the rafts again! . Rafting becomes even more exciting today as you begin to use the skills and experience gained the day before. Your guides will stop the rafts along the journey and lead you up paths and side streams that open onto pristine waterfalls and natural water slides. Lunch will be served along the river.

Once you reach the final rafting destination you will be picked and driven to the Providencia community (approx. 4 hours), where you will spend the next 3 days.

Providencia is an impressive forest of high altitude with abundant nature, waterfalls, coffee plantations and giant oaks. Adrián Fonseca has been the pioneer with the vision of creating a small oasis in the mountain, receiving visitors from all over the world and sharing the treasure of this region with the vision of being and living a self-sustaining and happy life.

Included activities: River rafting Overnight at: Tami Lodge (3 star hotel), Rivera Lodge (2 star hotel), or Homestay.

Today you will experience the Extreme Forest. This isn’t just another adventure park; it’s a place where you will experience adventure, mental relaxation, and have the chance to participate  in an organized community that enjoys tourism and conserving the environment.

There are 6 different activities to awaken your senses, developed in harmony with  the forest. 

This amazing experience begins by  climbing the inside of a strangler fig tree, giving you a chance to view the forest canopy from above . After you have taken in the incredible views, you will rappel 50 meters back to solid ground before moving on to the next experience via the 50 meters Monkey bridge, where you will have the chance to try out your balancing skills on a slackline.

You will continue on the guided trails until you reach a 70 meter long canopy cable, part of the amazing Tarzan Swing. In case your adrenalin is still pumping you will have another 25 meter rappel back down to the ground. The best is saved for last as your final activity sees you to take on the Jungle Fly where you will soar through the forest in a harness, reaching a height of 15 meters.

You’ll finish with an “Extreme Lunch” at the ecological restaurant Cascadas del Savegre. Enjoy the rest of the day in the stunning surroundings, which includes  beautiful waterfalls.

Included activities: The Extreme Forest adventure

Optional afternoon activities: Sugar mill tour (learn about the process of making sugar step by step, from the raw sugar cane freshly cut until the stage), dairy farm visit (milk the cows to make your own cheese, sour cream and feed the farm animals), artisan coffee experience (the Calderón -Agüero family, treasures a great knowledge in the artisanal coffee process), marmalade lessons (you will learn how they use local fruits such as blackberry, tomatoe or tomatillo, naranjilla and others, to demonstrate the process of pulping the fruit ), or handcraft lessons (using waste materials, they show their participants how to make jewelry, earrings, portraits, bracelets, they will make you use your creativity to create your own piece.).

Accommodation options: Tami Lodge (3 star hotel) , Rivera Lodge  (2 star hotel)   or Homestay.

Today you will have the option to relax  for the day, or choose one of two exciting activities below.

Option #1: Quetzal Hike

The Quetzal it is a bird with beautiful colors, in its flight it shows all the splendor of nature and fills its environment with magic. The observation is very active during the year and the nesting season goes from September to March with two seasons.

Included Activities:   2 hour guided hike

Option #2: Salitre Waterfall

A hike into secondary forest with many rivers, waterfalls from 5 meters to 82 meters of altitude, is known for the concentration of water found in the stone walls and the frequent visit of animals to suck the mineral because these lands were created by subduction from the bottom of the ocean. Strategically located in the basin of the Savegre River the cleanest in Central America, where the bird species of the upper and lower parts of the Cerro de la Muerte converge, the second highest mountain in Costa Rica.Included Activities: 4 hour guided hike.

Optional afternoon activities: Sugar mill tour (learn about the process of making sugar step by step, from the raw sugar cane freshly cut until the stage), dairy farm visit (milk the cows to make your own cheese, sour cream and feed the farm animals), artisan coffee experience (the Calderón -Agüero family, treasures a great knowledge in the artisanal coffee process), marmalade lessons (you will learn how they use local fruits such as blackberry, tomatoe or tomatillo, naranjilla and others, to demonstrate the process of pulping the fruit ), or handcraft lessons (Using waste materials, they show their participants how to make jewelry, earrings, portraits, bracelets, they will make you use your creativity to create your own piece).

Accommodation options: Tami Lodge (3 star hotel) , Rivera Lodge  (2 star hotel)  or Homestay.

Today you will have the option to relax  for the day, or choose one of two exciting activities below.

Option #1: Quetzal Hike

The Quetzal it is a bird with beautiful colors, in its flight it shows all the splendor of nature and fills its environment with magic. The observation is very active during the year and the nesting season goes from September to March with two seasons. Included Activities:  2 hour guided hike

Option #2: Salitre Waterfall

A hike into secondary forest with many rivers, waterfalls from 5 meters to 82 meters of altitude, is known for the concentration of water found in the stone walls and the frequent visit of animals to suck the mineral because these lands were created by subduction from the bottom of the ocean. Strategically located in the basin of the Savegre River the cleanest in Central America, where the bird species of the upper and lower parts of the Cerro de la Muerte converge, the second highest mountain in Costa Rica.

Included Activities: 4 hour guided hike

Optional afternoon activities: Sugar mill tour (learn about the process of making sugar step by step, from the raw sugar cane freshly cut until the stage), dairy farm visit (milk the cows to make your own cheese, sour cream and feed the farm animals), artisan coffee experience (the Calderón -Agüero family, treasures a great knowledge in the artisanal coffee process), marmalade lessons (you will learn how they use local fruits such as blackberry, tomatoe or tomatillo, naranjilla and others, to demonstrate the process of pulping the fruit ), or handcraft lessons (Using waste materials, they show their participants how to make jewelry, earrings, portraits, bracelets, they will make you use your creativity to create your own piece).

Accommodation options: Tami Lodge (3 star hotel) , Rivera Lodge  (2 star hotel)  or Homestay.

Your amazing trip is coming to an end! Your driver will take you to the airport in San Jose (approx. 2.5 hours) with plenty of time to catch your flight home. We hope you enjoyed your trip and will come visit again soon!

• Accommodations

Lodging each night is included in your choice of boutique hotels, homestay or ecolodges. Recommendations are included in the day-by-day itinerary.

• Tours & Activities

Unique experiences available daily. See the day-by-day itinerary for recommended tours and additional options available.

• Local Guides

English speaking local & specialized guides during activities.

• Ground Transportation

Private/Shared Shuttles to get you between destinations (Renting a car is also an option but not as recommended)

• Entrance Fees

To National Parks

• Food

Included meals are noted in the itinerary: B= Breakfast, L= Lunch, BL= Boxed Lunch, D= Dinner

• 24/7 assistance

In country assistance in English during the whole trip

• Airport transfers

Transportation arranged to get you to/from the airport

• International Flights

• Optional Activities

• Non specified meals

• Alcoholic drinks

• Tips

• Travel Insurance

If trip is cancelled: 

• 45+ days in advance - 100% will be refunded

• 15 - 44 days in advance - 50% will be refunded

• 8-14 days in advance - 30% will be refunded

• 0-7 days in advance - 0% will be refunded

If your trip falls during peak season (April 5-12 2020 or December 20 2020 - January 10 2021) the following cancellation policies apply:

If trip is cancelled: 

• 90+ days in advance - 100% will be refunded

• 45-89 days in advance - 50% will be refunded

• 14-44 days in advance - 30% will be refunded

• 0-13 days in advance - 0% will be refunded