Costa Rica Active Escape

Experience Overview

The many natural wonders of Costa Rica make the perfect setting for your next big-thrills getaway. Over the course of a week, we go white-water rafting on the Balsa River, swim next to a thundering waterfall, meet the nocturnal wildlife of Monteverde on a night walk, and take to the ocean for a dolphin-watching excursion. After all that excitement, the expedition ends peacefully with a few days on the Pacific coastline, where a sandy bay is shaded by coconut palms and the water is perfect for swimming. This action-packed week will leave you refreshed and with a full understanding of Costa Rica's most famous phrase: 'pura vida' or 'pure life'.
Profile
— Accommodation: 2 Superior nights (hotel), 5 Classic nights (hotels) — Travel by minibus, boat and on foot — Group normally 4 to 16, plus local leader
At a Glance
— Accommodation: 2 Superior nights (hotel), 5 Classic nights (hotels) — Travel by minibus, boat and on foot — Group normally 4 to 16, plus local leader
Trip For You
This trip has been graded Activity 3 (Moderate). For more information on our trip gradings please visit the Activity Level Guidelines page. If you have any queries about the difficulty of the trip please do not hesitate to contact us. Driving distances are relatively short and most roads we use are good quality. There are some nature walks, which occasionally involve walking on rough paths. After heavy rain, trails can be muddy and slippery and extra care should be taken. Many of the areas visited on the trip are hot and humid and there is the chance of heavy rain year-round.
Eating Drinking
All breakfasts and one lunch are included. Hotel breakfasts are normally buffets. Vegetarian and vegan options are limited but food is plentiful and tasty – please inform us before departure of any special dietary requests. Costa Rican specialities include gallo pinto, a black bean and rice dish and staple part of the local diet. Soups and stews are also common, and fresh fruit is abundant and will no doubt be one of the highlights of your time here.
Transportation
Depending on the group size, we either use a 16-seat Coaster minibus or a larger 20-seat vehicle, but we also use small motorboats for some activities such as the Lake Arenal crossing and the boat excursion to see dolphins. Due to the type of vehicles we use, it's common for luggage to be transported on the roof, covered by a tarpaulin.
Joining Instructions
Key information Start hotel: Autentico Hotel: Ave 5 and 7 40 St., East Sabana, San José 10108, Costa Rica. Phone: +506 22225266 Recommended arrival time: You can arrive at any time today. There will be a welcome briefing in the evening, but if you miss it the leader will update you separately. Airport: Juan Santamaría International Airport (SJO) Getting to the start hotel The start hotel is approximately 25 minutes’ drive from the airport. Exodus provides free arrival transfers to the start hotel from the airport for all customers who arrive on the trip start date, or those who book pre-tour nights via Exodus.. If you would like further information on joining this trip, please speak to your sales representative. Please note, unless specified otherwise, the transfer will be to the start (or pre-tour) hotel and will be on the date on which the tour starts; transfers to other hotels in the same city and/or on different dates may attract an extra charge. Transfers should be booked with your sales representative at least two weeks before the tour starts. Catching your return flight There’s a group departure transfer to the Daniel Oduber Quirós International Airport (LIR) for customers who Exodus booked onto a chosen flight to London, UK. Please speak to your sales representative if you wish to join. If the group departure transfer does not suit your flight time, speak to your sales representative to arrange an alternative transfer.
Weather Information
Costa Rica is 10 degrees north of the equator and has a tropical climate. The average annual temperature is around 26C (79F) in the lowlands and 10C (50F) in the highest mountain regions. However, it’s essential you prepare for the time of year in which your departure takes place. Dry season (December to April): This is the driest period of the year and can get incredibly hot; on the Pacific side, temperatures may exceed 37C (98F). If passing through areas of dry tropical forest it can be hot, dusty and dry. Prepare for some rain even during this time of year. Rainy season (May to November):  Expect daily downpours, although these are usually quite short and there is still plenty of sunshine. Typically, there are sunny conditions until approximately 1pm-2pm and then a build-up of cloud from around 3pm, resulting in late afternoon rain (most likely showers between 3pm-5pm). Usually, the sky clears by 6pm.
Spending Money
US dollars are widely accepted as payment in Costa Rica; however, change will likely be given in local currency and the exchange rate will fluctuate. We suggest taking some US dollars with you but then using ATMs to withdraw the rest of your money in local currency while you’re there. You should allow extra to cover the cost of meals not included in the price of the trip. Approximate costs are given for guidance only and may vary widely according to location and type of establishment. — Coffee/tea/soft drink: 1,080-2,700 Costa Rica colones (US$2-US$5) — Medium beer: 1,620-3,780 colones (US$3-US$7) — Local snack lunch: 5,400 colones (US$10) — Three-course dinner in a mid-range tourist-class restaurant: 22,500 - 24,900 colones (US$45-US$50) — Bottle of wine: 24,900 colones (US$50-US$60) — Bottle of water: 1,080 colones (US$2) Optional activities (price usually given locally in US dollars): Monteverde: — Don Juan coffee tour: from US$46 — El Trapiche tour (sugarcane mill): from US$68 — Frog pond tour: from US$50 — Monteverde Orchid Garden: from US$50 Samara/Carrillo: — Stand-up paddleboarding mangrove tour: from US$53 — Wildlife and mangrove kayak: from US$59 — Turtle-nesting tour (night): from US$53 visits Camaronal, Corozalito or Ostional beach depending on season Optional excursions can be paid for by cash (preferably), credit or debit card and can only be booked locally.
Tipping
Our local staff are paid fairly for their work with Exodus. However, it is usual for groups to tip tour leaders and drivers, and it would be reasonable for each group member to contribute US$45 for the tour leader and US$30 for the driver. You may wish to tip more if travelling in a small group. The tour leader may organise a tipping kitty to facilitate tips for other staff members including porters, local guides and restaurant waiting staff, which will be collected at the start of the trip. The amount may vary per departure, but we recommend a starting point of US$80 per group member.

Highlights