Trekking, Nature and Local Life in Rural Costa Rica

Welcome to Costa Rica! One of the most diverse countries on Earth!

At your arrival your driver will be waiting for you at the entrance of the airport to drive you to Providencia. Welcome to the community of Providencia de Dota! We meet at the Flor de Campo restaurant, located in the center of the community, where your guide warmly welcomes you. Then off to the family home where you will overnight.

Overnight at Rivera Lodge or Homestay (your choice!) Included: transfer from San Jose Airport to Providencia, lunch, dinner & lodging.

Today you will share time with 2 local families and learn their artisan processes. First, the Calderón -Agüero family, treasures a great knowledge in the artisanal coffee process, here you will learn how their grandparents made their coffee in the patio of their house and how they inherited it to their family, besides being excellent hosts, Ana and Enrique, they will make you spend the most entertaining moments between life stories and the cozy sound of the guitar while you taste one of the best coffees in the world.

After lunch you will continue to the Agüero -Cordero family house, exemplary in the use and handling of plastic, paper, wood, cardboard, among others, to turn them into great works of art, giving a respite to a planet saturated with bad practices. 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.

Overnight at Rivera Lodge or Homestay (your choice!)

Included: breakfast, coffee experience, lunch, handcraft lessons, dinner & lodging.

Armonía Ambiental is an ecological farm where everything is produced organically. They will share about the organic farming and the proper management of solid waste, the self-sustainable management of the farm. In their lectures they teach the use of natural products to make fertilizers, insecticides or pesticides. The processes of the products that are harvested throughout the year are explained and demonstrations of various food processes such as flour, coffee, vinegar and many more are carried out, explaining all the steps in detail. All these demonstrations are done through traditional and artisan methods.

Overnight at Rivera Lodge or Homestay (your choice!) Included: breakfast, organic farm, lunch, dinner & lodging.

After an early breakfast we start your hiking at Cerro Las Vueltas. An approximate route of14 km between primary and secondary forests lies ahead of us with mostly oak trees and awesome vies of the Central Pacific. One of the two cleanest river basins in Central America are part of this exciting nature scene. In addition, your guide will narrate the mysteries of of the area and legends of the pioneers.

Today's hike lasts between 7 to 8 hours. Altitude: 2745-1100 MASL

Overnight & dinner at Betannia Lodge.

Included: breakfast, lunch, dinner, guide & lodging.

Breakfast starts early at 5:30 am with a hike to San Isidro de Dota a little village in the mountains. This crossing has a distance of 7 kilometers, with duration of approximately 4 to 5 hours.

Your arrival at San Isidro de Dota is scheduled for 11:30 am, a little shelter called Rancho Tinamú where all will share part of the day and night with the Parra family. They are very welcoming and friendly people, with luck Mr. Santiago Parra will treat you to an evening of typical shows and songs that have already have become very popular… Altitude of 1010m to 600m and back up to 830m

Overnight & dinner at Rancho Tinamu.

Included: breakfast, lunch, dinner, guide & lodging.

Breakfast is ready by 5:30 am. With renewed energy and enthusiasm, we start hiking by 6.30am towards Quebrada Arroyo.

Today ‘s route has a distance of 18 kilometers, with a duration of 7 to 8 hours. Expected altitude today: from 830 to 250 meters above sea level

Before dinner you will hear stories of the tropical vanilla farmers who live in this region and enjoy a typical meal prepared in a wood oven.

Overnight at Los Campesinos

Included: breakfast, lunch, guided hike, dinner & lodging.

Before breakfast you will walk to the Mirador del Sendero del Pacífico (2.5 hours). You can swim in the beautiful natural pools, after crossing the suspension bridge 40 m high and 127 m long, which offers magnificent views of the Los Chorros waterfall.

During the afternoon you will visit the Quebrada Arroyo Community, check the sites of interest, history and visit the Mirador where you can appreciate the Pacific Ocean and the Savegre River.

Overnight at Los Campesinos Included: breakfast, hike to the Mirador, walk into Quebrada Arroyo town, lunch, dinner, & lodging.

After breakfast you will be taken to Manuel Antonio. The magic of the beach and the greenery of the forest come together in one place, and the result is a natural paradise. In addition to beaches, the Park offers a very humid tropical forest where species of flora and fauna in danger of extinction coexist, a mangrove, marine environments, islands and a lagoon of 14 hectares.

Overnight at Karahe or similar

Included: breakfast, transfer from Los Campesinos to Quepos, Manuel Antonio guided tour, Park entrance & lodging.

Kayak and snorkel exploring marine wildlife during this exciting excursion. Paddle your kayak for a little over an hour navigating past tiny islands and observing marine birds and their nesting grounds. Biesanz Bay, a hidden beautiful inlet where you can rest, enjoy a snack and snorkel.

The 30-minute stop will allow you to explore the coastline. Water’s visibility will vary depending on the season, and there will be opportunities to spot parrotfish, starfish, angelfish and maybe even a sea turtle.

Get ready to paddle back to the pier on your kayak, and during the journey look for pelicans, flying fish or other marine life. Upon returning to the pier, you’ll head back to base camp to enjoy a little conversation over a delicious homemade meal.

Overnight at Karahe or similar

Included: breakfast, Ocean Kayaking & snorkeling, lunch & lodging.

During the morning you will have the chance to enjoy the beach and the area. In the afternoon you will be transfer into Alajuela, for your last night.

Overnight at Rosa de America or similar

Included: breakfast, transfer Manuel Antonio- Alajuela & lodging.

After breakfast you will be transfer to the international airport. We hope you leave the country with a new perspective on how ecological & cultural tourism help to protect the environment and the culture of local communities.

Included: Breakfast & transfer out.

Included

• 3 nights at Homestay or Rivera Lodge, Providencia
• 4d/3n Hiking Package
• 2 nights at Los Campesinos, standard
• 2 nights at Karahe, villas or standard room
• 1 night at Rosa de America, standard room
• Meals as Specified in itinerary
• Bilingual Guide Mountain Hiking specialist
• All transportation (private and share)
• Coffee Experience
• Handcraft lessons
• Organic Farm visit
• Hiking to the Mirador
• Quebrada Arroyo town visit
• Manuel Antonio National Park guided tour
• Ocean Kayaking & Snorkeling

Not Included

• Tips
• Personal and / or medical expenses
• International flights
• Optional Activities or tours
• Meals not specified in the program

Accommodations can be adjusted to match your style! Here's more info on the specific lodges included in this example itinerary:

Riviera Lodge**, Little rustic lodge, has wifi and can accommodate up to 28 people (20 people accommodated in cabins and 4 private rooms), shared bathrooms, hot water, kitchen and dining area, is located in the center of the community of Providencia de Dota.

Los Campesinos, standard rooms- all rooms have private bathroom and shower, different bedding, ceiling fan.

Karahe, villas- have two full size beds, mini fridge, bathroom, air conditioning and a terrace in front. They are located 70 steps from our front desk and have a unique and panoramic view of the beach and mountains. Because of their location, these villas are not recommended for small children or older people.

Rosa de America, standard rooms, private bathroom and hot shower, some with walk-in closet, ceiling fan, cable TV, clock/radio, very comfortable beds, gorgeous hardwood furniture, room safe (in most rooms), covered patios, WIFI, and access to all the hotel’s amenities.

**Homestay (optional) - for lodges marked with asterisks above, you can also choose the option to stay in the home of a local family where you will be treated as a member of the family. You will have a private room and share the bathroom with your host family.