Active Costa Rica

Typical Itinerary

1. Day 1: Fly to San Jose

   Daytime flight from the UK to San Jose, arriving later the same day.

2. Day 2: Travel to Tortuguero via Braulio Carrillo Cloud Forest

   This morning, travel through the Braulio Carrillo Cloud Forest National Park to Tortuguero National Park, admiring the great diversity of flora and fauna as you travel through the small canals and waterways.

3. Day 3: Kayaking & boat tours in Tortuguero National Park

   Explore Tortuguero, firstly with a guided walk around your accommodations' rainforest trails, before enjoying a river boat tour through the canals of Tortuguero National Park. Observe impressive flora and fauna, including more than 309 bird species, sloths, monkeys, crocodiles and turtles.

   After lunch, join a kayaking excursion on the smaller channels and waterways to discover more of the wildlife here.

   Seasonal turtle nesting tours also available (July & August)
    

4. Day 4: Travel to Sarapiqui & night walk in Tirimbina

   Enjoy another morning boat ride through the waterways of the rainforest before continuing by road to Sarapiqui via Guapiles.

   Having settled into our accommodation and relaxed for the afternoon, we join an expert guided nightwalk into the Tirimbina biological reserve to discover the incredible nocturnal species of the rainforest.

5. Day 5: Chocolate Tour & White Water River Rafting

   Our morning will be spent at a local cocoa farm where you will learn about the history of cocoa in Costa Rica, and the production processes of chocolate – and (of course!) enjoying a tasting session! 

   In the afternoon, go rafting on the Sarapiqui river, a 14 kilometre white water experience on a section of Grade II and II rapids.

6. Day 6: Pineapple Farm and Arenal Volcano hike

   No visit to Costa Rica is complete without learning about the production of its pineapples, and we will make a brief stop at a local pineapple farm where we will be taken on a guided tractor tour around the farm and tasting their delicious fruits!

   After an early lunch, we will head to Arenal Volcano and take a short hike onto the lower hills to admire the Volcano and the views of the countryside below.

7. Day 7: Hanging Bridges and Ziplining tour

   This morning we head to the famous Arenal Hanging Bridges that will take us high into the canopy of the rainforest where we hope to see an incredible array of birdlife, reptiles and amazing insects.

   After lunch, we can enjoy another thrilling canopy adventure located within the Arenal Conservation Area – this time on a series of zip-wires. There are a selection of towers and cables, and from the top of the tree canopy you will be able to see a variety of wildlife in its natural habitat as you whizz through the air.

8. Day 8: Arenal cycling adventure

   Cycle a trail that leads to the point where the forest, lake and volcano meet. Along the way, you will have the opportunity to see many different birds like squirrel cuckoos, keel-billed toucans, crested guans and laughing falcons, as well as mammals such as howler monkeys and raccoons.

   Afterwards, enjoy an optional afternoon and evening dinner at a natural thermal spa!

9. Day 9: La Fortuna Waterfall & tubing on the Rio Tenorio

   Today we'll make a brief stop at the La Fortuna waterfall, where more than 500 steps lead to the base of a lush ravine, where you can bathe in the streams and the plunge pool of this beautiful waterfall.

   Lunch will be at Tenorio National Park, before a thrilling tubing adventure on the river that winds its way through the park. At the end of the afternoon, we transfer to Canas in the Guanacaste region.

10. Day 10: Boat tour in Palo Verde and visit to Las Pumas Rescue centre

    Today we take a short journey to Palo Verde National Park, where we embark a boat tour to discover some of the incredible birdlife and aquatic life of this wildlife-rich haven.

    A cultural pottery presentation is included, and after lunch we will make a visit to the small rescue centre of Las Pumas, which is dedicated to the rehabilitation of some of the Costa Rica’s more elusive and endangered wildlife.

11. Day 11: Return to San Jose & fly back to the UK

    Transfer from Rio Celeste back to San Jose airport for your overnight flight back to the UK.

12. Day 12: Arrive UK

13. Days 11-13 : OPTIONAL EXTENSION: Pacific Coast Beaches

    If you're not quite ready to go home, why not spend a few extra nights on the beach on the Pacific Coast? Playa Hermosa and Tamarindo are within a 2-hour drive and have a selection of beach-side hotels to choose from. Contact us to find out more.