Costa Rica Adventures

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Tour Overview

A full-on Central American journey for the traveller who wants to see and do it all. Visit the world famous Manuel Antonio National Park, zip line in the cloud forest of Monteverde, soak in the hot springs near Arenal Volcano, walk the longest hanging rope bridge in Costa Rica, hike in the Talamanca Mountain Range and enjoy coastal Samara and Bocas del Toro. This vibrant region welcomes visitors with active options in stunning scenery and no stone is left unturned in this comprehensive exploration of Costa Rica and Panama.

This tour is operated by our sister company, Grand American Adventures, who offer a wide range of open aged adventures in North & South America. For more information please see the Grand American Adventures website.

• > 'Survivor' jungle adventure course
• > Monteverde Biological Cloud Forest Reserve with scenic hikes
• > Exotic bird and wildlife viewing
• > National Parks: Arenal Volcano & Carara scenic walks & hikes
• > Soak in volcanic hot springs
• > Guided hike in Rincon de la Vieja National Park
• > Two nights at Samara beach
• > Scenic walks and hikes near Turrialba National Park
• > Gandoca Manzanillo Wildlife Reserve
• > Scenic cruise to Bocas del Toro archipelago, Panama
• > Two nights at Bocas del Toro archipelago
• > White sandy beaches of Cahuita and Puerto Viejo
• > Two nights at Manuel Antonio National Park
• > 7 hotel breakfasts and all meals whilst camping
• > Relax on idyllic beaches
• > Walk the longest rope bridge in Costa Rica
• > Hike the Talamanca Mountain Range
• > Scenic walk at La Tirimbina Private Reserve, Sarapiqui
• > Services of a professional bilingual tour leader
• > All transportation by private vehicle
• > 10 nights hotels and 9 nights camping and equipment (except sleeping bag)

• > Mountain biking US$25-$35
• > Horseback riding US$15-$75
• > Surfing lessons US$45
• > Pacuare River rafting (seasonal) US$55-$100
• > Snorkelling US$35-$60
• > Boca del Drago tour US$40-$80
• > Sea kayaking US$40-$60
• > Canopy zipline tour US$60
• > Hanging bridges US$65
• > Bastimentos Marine Park boat trip US$50
• > Canyoning/Rappelling US$25-$65

Our Costa Rica tours are open aged departures jointly operated by TrekAmerica and Grand American Adventures.

Want even more adventure? Book our 3 day jungle lodge package after your tour, from US$769. Contact us for more information or click here to view more >

Stay in Sámara for a few more dayts to soak up this amazing tropical paradise before returning to San Jose. Prices from US$309. Contact us for more information or click here to view more >

With active volcanoes, beautiful beaches and pristine rain forests, you're sure to take away a wealth of incredible experiences from any of our Costa Rican adventures, but you now have opportunity to give something back by adding one of the following volunteering experiences to the end of your tour.

> Volunteer Building Homes for Families
> Volunteer Conservation & Surf
> Volunteer Turtle Conservation

Why not arrange your own TrekAmerica departure? For groups of 8 or more, we can offer private departures on any of our published itineraries enabling friends, families or organizations to enjoy our classic "Trek" style of travel at special rates. Although tours will run as per our standard itinerary shown here, slight modifications may be considered and dates can be chosen to suit your needs. (Subject to seasonal/operational restrictions). So contact us today and start planning your own adventure.

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Flexible Itinerary

Our routes have been carefully chosen to include the best night stops and highlights. However, as local conditions and passenger requests vary, no two trips will ever be the same. With the guidance of your Trek Leader you may modify certain night stops and highlights to give a truly unique experience!

As this tour departs at 0730 we recommend that you book pre-tour accommodation. Please request hotel details at the time of booking.

Local Payments - None

Important: You will need adequate travel insurance to join this trip. Download our insurance tips pdf for more information.

• Day 1-2: San Jose, Sarapiqu and Cahuita

  Leaving the capital of San José, you go hiking in the Tirimbina Rainforest Centre in the area of Sarapiqui which protects 346ha (865 acres) of pristine forest and contains great biodiversity. The reserve's habitats include river banks, islands, forest edges, gardens plus many more. You walk through the longest hanging bridge in Costa Rica to admire many of the 420 species of birds, such as parrots, herons, toucans and others. Departing the lush forest you head for Cahuita National Park on the Caribbean coast, best known for its coral reefs close to shore and stunning sandy beaches.
  Accommodation: Camping with meals included

• Day 3-4: Bocas del Toro, Panama

  Panama here we come! Reach the stunning archipelago of Bocas del Toro by boat and take an excursion to Bastimentos Marine Park. Snorkel amongst the colourful coral reefs by day and feel Panama's unique rhythms come to life in the evening... perfect for perfecting your salsa moves!
  
  Located 32km from the Costa Rican border, Bocas del Toro consists of six densely forested islands, and a number of uninhabited islets and Parque Nacional Marino Isla Bastimentos, Panama's oldest marine park. Bocas' laid-back Caribbean vibe is enhanced by its natural setting and the islands are covered in dense jungles and forest palms which open up to pristine beaches fringed by reeds and mangroves. Beneath the water, an extensive coral reef ecosystem supports countless species of tropical fish and hiking through the rainforest to arrive at an empty stretch of wave-pounded shore is pretty much the norm.
  Accommodation: Lodge/cabins included. Meals paid locally

• Day 5: Puerto Viejo & Gandoca Manzanillo Wildlife Reserve

  Back across the border, enjoy Puerto Viejo's palm fringed beaches and the tropical rainforest of the Gandoca Manzanillo Reserve, famous for its pristine coral reef and year-round warm weather. Swim or snorkel in the refreshing Caribbean sea, bask in the sun or watch for 'congos' (howler monkeys) in the nearby trees. This is the perfect region a paradise for nature lovers and underwater enthusiasts.
  Accommodation: Hotel included. Meals paid locally

• Day 6-7: Turrialba Volcano Area

  Heading west, check out the breathtaking views of the mountains surrounding the Turrialba Valley. Onto Turrialba, nestled amongst towering volcanoes, this quaint town is situated near some of Costa Rica's oldest pre-Columbian ruins, dating from 1000BC. Run the Class IV whitewater rapids of Pacuare River, said to be the best in the country, or hike in the lush jungle along the Reventazon River.
  Accommodation: Camping with meals included

• Day 8-10: Manuel Antonio National Park

  Departing Turrialba you go hiking in one of the highest mountains in the Talamanca Mountain Range. One of the richest biological zones in Costa Rica, it is home to more than 400 species of birds, including the most prominent Resplendent Quetzal, phoenix of the forest. The Mirador de Quetzales is famous for the great number of quetzals that nest amid this cloud forest. Travelling across the Pacific Coast, Manuel Antonio offers beautiful beaches backed by evergreen forest growing right up the tide line. With delicious seafood, salsa clubs and beach bars, there's no better way to end your Costa Rican escapade! Body-surf the perfectly curled waves surrounded by the spectacular scenery of Manuel Antonio National Park, and sign off with some salsa and seafood down on the beach. Enjoy the cosmopolitan buzz of the capital, before heading north for more adventure. After Manuel Antonio, you will overnight in San Jose.
  Accommodation: Hotel included. Meals paid locally

• Day 11: Carara National Park & Tajo Alto de Miramar

  Start today's adventure with a walk at Carara National Park; then continue to Tajo Alto de Miramar for a truly unique experience, the Survivor Adventure workshop through the jungle. There will also be time for optional activities. You finish the night in Tajo Alto de Miramar, a beautiful setting surrounded by green on every side.
  Accommodation: Camping with meals included

• Day 12-13: Monteverde Cloud Forest

  Next up is Monteverde with its incredible biodiversity and fun nightlife. Try an exciting zipline tour through the cloud forest; it literally hums with life! The Monteverde Cloud Forest Reserve was established in 1972 and initially only covered 810 acres of forested land, this has now extended to over 35,089 acres of protected land and encompasses eight life zones atop the Continental Divide. Often taking the form of fog, these clouds hover around the upper canopy of the forest before condensing onto the leaves of trees and dripping onto the plants below. Understandably, the sun has a hard time breaking through this thick veil of clouds. This causes a slower rate of evaporation and thus provides the plants with endless life-giving moisture helping to promote huge amounts of growth.
  
  Monteverde Cloud Forest is home to over 100 species of mammals, 400 species of birds, and 1,200 species of amphibians and reptiles living within its boundaries. Cloud forests also tend to host a large number of endemic species, as their unique climates and specialized ecosystems create habitats that are not found anywhere else on Earth.
  Accommodation: Hotel included. Meals paid locally.

• Day 14-15: Arenal Volcano National Park

  Hike or horse ride to hidden waterfalls and relax in the natural hot springs. Watch the night skies for a chance to see Arenal Volcano's almost perfect cone. Positioned within Costa Rica's fertile northern lowlands, the Arenal Volcano is tall and imposing and has a reputation that precedes itself. Arenal's perfectly symmetrical shape makes it a photographers dream and until recently was Costa Rica's most active volcano and it spewed enormous amounts of lava, gas and ash on a regular basis. Although this has now ceased, visitors can still enjoy its bountiful sights, sounds and activities.
  Accommodation: Camping with meals included

• Day 16-17: Rincon de la Vieja National Park

  Travel northwest to the undiscovered Parque Nacional Rincon de la Vieja, a barren lunar landscape marking the rim of a smoking cauldron and surrounded by lowland forest. This 34,800 acre national park is home to an incredible combination of volcanic geological wonders and pristine tropical forests which span six life zones. The main attraction is the smooth cinder cone volcano, Rincon de la Vieja (1895 m), comprises of nine contiguous craters that dot the volcanic national park. This collection of volcanic peaks are the most active in the Guanacaste Mountains (Cordillera de Guanacaste), where major volcanic activity occurred during the latter half of the 1960's. The Von Seebach crater is still currently active, continually venting steam and the occasional volcanic hiccup.
  Tropical forests, including sections of montane and dwarf cloud forest, span the park's base, providing safe haven for a host of flora and fauna. Mammals include pumas, jaguar, monkeys-howler, spider, and white-faced-kinkajous, sloths, and tapirs.
  
  With two days to explore this beautiful park on foot, admiring the boiling and bubbling volcanic activity and searching for wildlife you are sure to fall in love with this National Park.
  Accommodation: Camping with meals included

• Day 18-19: Samara

  Head south to the beautiful town of Samara where the Pacific Ocean lays on some fantastic sea kayaking and surfing. Situated around a half-moon cove, the small village of Samara can be walked from one end to the other in under 15 minutes, with delicious fresh seafood restaurants and palm fringed beaches. Playa Samara is an ideal place for swimming, due to the large coral reef protecting its bay. Isla Chora, a tiny island a mile offshore, is a must see for adventurers eager to make the two-hour kayak journey. Those who complete the often strenuous excursion are rewarded with a private pink sand beach, interesting caves, and some of the best snorkelling and scuba diving in the region. When the waters are calm, a variety of fish, rays, and sea turtles can be spotted among live coral reefs close to shore.
  Accommodation: Hotel included. Meals paid locally.

• Day 20: San Jose

  Last stop San José, the capital city and cultural hotspot of Costa Rica!
  
  This tour ends at our gateway hotel in San José at approximately 17:00 on day 20. We can book you post-tour accommodation at our gateway hotel if required.
  
  If you are planning to fly tonight, please do not book a flight that departs before 21:00. This tour is operated in private vehicles and does not use local transport.

Book Your Trip Online

You can easily book your trek online using our secure booking engine. You only need to pay a 10% deposit or (whichever is greatest) with full payment due 8 weeks before departure. We are members of ABTA (Association of British Travel Agents) and are fully financially bonded so your money is 100% safe and protected at all times whether you pay by debit, bank or credit card. If you prefer to book by telephone, please contact our sales office and speak to one our friendly travel consultants.

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