From $1,642 Was $1,825
Guarantee
Small Group
Average
Rating
(20 reviews)
Experience Overview
If you’re looking for a Central American thrill, take on an eight-day active adventure through one of the world's greenest countries. Dive into Costa Rica’s wilderness and cascade down the rapids of Pacuare River in a raft, hike misty jungle trails in the Monteverde Cloud Forest and cycle along the coastline of Puerto Viejo. With plenty of free time to customise your adventure depending on your interests, you might opt to surf the Caribbean waves in palm-fringed beach towns or go stand up paddleboarding on Lake Arenal. Costa Rica is the perfect place for wildlife lovers (how many sloths can you spot?), active adventurers and those seeking a natural paradise.
Highlights
- Swap the concrete jungle for the real jungle on a guided hike into the Monteverde Cloud Forest Biological Reserve, home to some of Costa Rica’s exotic animals, like sloths, tropical butterflies and the elusive quetzal bird.
- Raft along the Pacuare River – this area was ranked in the top five rivers of the world for whitewater rafting! You’ll tackle Class 3 and Class 4 rapids through lush green landscapes abundant in wildlife.
- Cycle the quiet palm-fringed roads of Puerto Viejo and drop in at hidden beaches along the Caribbean coast.
- Opt to ride some waves with a surfing expedition at a local beach, go stand up paddleboarding on Lake Arenal or take on some more challenging hikes through forest and coastlines – this trip allows you plenty of free time to take on our favourite adventures!
- Make the most of your full free day in La Fortuna – there are lava-fuelled hot springs, water-based activities on Lake Arenal (like stand up paddleboarding with a volcano backdrop) or you can take a boat tour of Cano Negro Reserve and go wildlife spotting!
- By travelling on this trip, you’ll directly support our Intrepid Foundation partner, World Bicycle Relief. Donations provide school kids, health workers, and farmers in far-out areas with bicycles that provide access to education, healthcare, and income.
Trip Details
Product Code: 2518
Tour Type: Small Group
Accommodation: Moderate
Transport: Shared vehicle,Public bus,Raft,Bicycle
Guide Language: English
Supplier Code: QVXC
Starts: San Jose, Costa Rica
Finishes: San Jose, Costa Rica
Duration: 8 days
Departures: Guaranteed
Physical rating:
Average
Includes
Meals: Breakfasts (6), Lunch (2),Accommodation: Hotel (6 nights),Lodge (1 nights)
Price
Price per person: (Double Occupancy) $1,642 ($205 /day)
Itinerary
Hola! Welcome to Costa Rica. Your adventure begins in San Jose with a welcome meeting at 6 pm. With over half the country's population living within its parameters, San Jose is a city with colourful markets, many museums and a lively atmosphere. If you arrive early, maybe start exploring in the main plaza. Artisan booths are common here and you never know when there will be a spontaneous art fair. Check out the Gold Museum, home to an amazing collection of indigenous gold art. If these cultural gems get you in the mood for a bit of shopping, head to the San Jose Handcraft Market or the Central Market, where you can buy anything from handicrafts to fresh seafood.
Optional Activities:
- San Jose - Pre-Colombian Gold Museum (Entrance fee) (17 USD)
- San Jose - National Museum (entrance fee) (12 USD)
Accommodation:
- Hotel (Number of Nights: 1)
This morning you’ll travel by bus to the incredibly lush Monteverde. Settled by North American Quakers in 1951, this area was initially used as an environmentally conscious agricultural community and is now a biological preserve. Make the most of your free time in lush here and maybe organise a local guide to take you on an evening nature walk. There are also several local communities that operate cooperatives worth visiting. Get a different perspective of the forest by walking through the canopy on suspension bridges or watch butterflies in the Butterfly Garden. More than 2000 species of plants, 320 bird species and 100 different types of mammals call Monteverde home, making it the ideal spot for wildlife spotting. No matter what you choose to do today, be sure to keep an eye out for the resplendent quetzal, one of the most elusive birds in the world.
Optional Activities:
- Monteverde - Coffee & Chocolate tour (47 USD)
- Monteverde - Canopy Zip Lining (Entrance, Equipment & Transport) (65 USD)
- Monteverde - Butterfly Garden and Insects Farm (entrance fee) (22 USD)
- Monteverde - Suspension bridges tour (58 USD)
Accommodation:
- Lodge (Number of Nights: 1)
Monteverde Cloud Forest has near-constant cloud cover, providing consistent rainfall, giving the area an enchanted feeling. Spend the morning in the forest on a leader-led nature hike, looking out for hummingbirds, quetzals and maybe even a lazy sloths hanging among the mist. After your hike, drive to Lake Arenal in La Fortuna – a small but vibrant town with an abundance of hot springs and natural pools to soak in. When you arrive, you have the rest of the day free to explore, swim or get active. Tonight, why not grab a classic local dinner with a few of your fellow travellers? Chifrijo (fried pork, salsa, beans and tortilla chips) always goes down a treat!
Included Activities:
- Monteverde - Cloud Forest Entrance
Accommodation:
- Hotel (Number of Nights: 1)
Enjoy a free day to explore La Fortuna as you wish. This region offers lush forest, rare plants and lots of wildlife watching opportunities. There are also plenty of exciting water-based activities available on Lake Arenal. The volcano’s inner workings also mean there are plenty of thermal springs where hot, lava-heated water gushes to the surface. These springs are often surrounded by foliage, making them the ideal place to kick back and relax. Maybe try stand-up paddleboarding on the lake with a backdrop of the volcano and rolling green hills behind you. Animal lovers might want to take a boat tour of Cano Negro Reserve to count sloths, monkeys, crocodiles and the basilisk lizards that skip across the water.
Optional Activities:
- La Fortuna- Caño Negro boat tour (84 USD)
- La Fortuna - La Fortuna Waterfall (Entrance only) (21 USD)
- La Fortuna - Stand up paddle board (79 USD)
- La Fortuna - Arenal hanging bridges (79 USD)
- La Fortuna - Arenal 1968 Volcano View and Lava Trails (Entrance fee) (26 USD)
- La Fortuna - Ecotermales Hot Springs (entrance fee) (49 USD)
Accommodation:
- Hotel (Number of Nights: 1)
This morning, leave the towering volcano behind and drive east to Pacuare River – renowned for its natural beauty. What better way to experience the river in all its glory than an adrenaline-filled white water rafting adventure? While not an overly challenging or technical river, the 29 km (18 mi) one day run includes 52 rapids, guaranteeing you a day of fun on the water. Flanked by green gorge walls, tumbling waterfalls and tropical rainforest, this is Costa Rican nature at its best! Keep an eye out for the abundant wildlife, including the sloth, parrots, toucans, butterflies and frogs. After, continue to Puerto Viejo de Talamanca for a taste of the Caribbean seaside – think reggae bars and palm-fringed beaches.
Afterwards continue by vehicle (approximately 4 hours) to Puerto Viejo de Talamanca for a taste of Caribbean seaside – think reggae bars and palm-fringed beaches.
Included Activities:
- Pacuare - 4hrs. Pacuare River white water rafting - Class 3 & 4
Accommodation:
- Hotel (Number of Nights: 1)
After breakfast, get to know the area better with a relaxed bike ride along the palm-fringed coastal road of Puerto Viejo, stopping at various beaches and inlets along the way. Stop at a local restaurant for lunch and be introduced to the local cuisine in the best way – by watching it being made during at a Caribbean cooking demonstration! Experience a mix of African, indigenous and Spanish flavours with a mix of coconut milk, spices, fruits, seafood and curry flavours. Return to Puerto Viejo for the evening, where you can hit the bars or chill out at the beach to end the night.
Included Activities:
- Puerto Viejo de Talamanca - Coastal Bicycle ride
- Caribbean cooking demonstration
Accommodation:
- Hotel (Number of Nights: 1)
This morning is free for you to explore Puerto Viejo further at your own pace. Maybe rise early and take the public bus to Manzanillo National Wildlife Refuge – this area is made up of several rare habitats, including a lowland rainforest, a wetland, a coral reef and a mangrove swamp. Spend around 2 hours exploring and keep your eyes peeled for monkeys, reptiles, toucans and macaws. Otherwise, you can kick back and relax on the Caribbean shores or take to the waves for a beginner’s surf lesson. Around midday you’ll take the bus back to San Jose. With time to explore the bustling food and artisan markets, you’ll see a more urban Costa Rica, quite different to the past few days of natural habitats and wildlife opportunities.
Around midday take the bus back to San Jose (approximately 5-6 hours). With time to explore the historic buildings and bustling food and artisan markets, you’ll see a more urban Costa Rica, quite different to the past few days of travel. After so much activity in Costa Rica, you may instead be up for a quiet night, so perhaps head out for a group dinner and become acquainted with the city's night scene – your group leader will know a good place to go.
Optional Activities:
- Manzanillo - Beginner surf lesson or Independent surfboard rental (65 USD)
- Gandoca Manzanillo National Wildlife Refuge (donation for entry) - Free
Accommodation:
- Hotel (Number of Nights: 1)
There are no activities planned after breakfast today and your adventure comes to an end. You're free to leave at any time after check out. If you'd like to extend your stay, just get in touch with your booking agent ahead of time to organise additional accommodation. If you are exploring San Jose in more depth, why not book in an Urban Adventures tour like the San Jose Bites & Sights.
Optional Activities:
- San Jose - San Jose Bites and Sights Tour - Urban Adventures (40 USD)
Tour Operator
Intrepid Travel
Intrepid Travel is a global adventure travel company, dedicated to providing sustainable, experience-rich travel opportunities. They’ve been the leader in ethical, small-group travel since 1989 - taking people around the world for more than 30 years. They’re the world’s largest travel B Corporation - dedicated to being the best travel company for the world. In 2002, they established The Intrepid Foundation so their travellers could make a lasting impact on the communities they had visited. Although Intrepid Travel absorbs all administrative costs of The Intrepid Foundation, they are separate legal entities, allowing The Intrepid Foundation to grow independently. Intrepid Travel is made up of a collection of tour operator brands and 28 destination management companies all united by one vision: To change the way we all see the world.
In Business Since 1989
Reviews
Araceli - Traveled, April 2024
Great trip! I loved that I didn’t have to think about a thing. Lodging was beautiful. Our guide Jonathon was excellent. Very knowledgeable about the areas, had connections throughout the trip & had a good read on the group so we were all happy with his restaurant choices. Cant wait for my next trip with Intrepid.
Source: Tour operator Submitted: 04/24/2024
Michael - Traveled, January 2024
This trip gave us the opportunity to see many parts of this beautiful country via hiking, rafting and cycling.
Source: Tour operator Submitted: 01/24/2024
Maria - Traveled, March 2024
I usually travel solo and decided to do a small group adventurous trip since I booked last minute and had no time to plan all the details. Im not sure I’ll ever go back to doing a solo trip again. This was an amazing experience being able to explore with like-minded people. I was at ease and didnt have to think or plan anything. The tour guide, Paula, made the trip fun and easy! I highly recommend!
Source: Tour operator Submitted: 04/20/2024
Lauren - Traveled, March 2024
I had an excellent trip with Intrepid, our tour guide was knowledgeable, processional, communicative with her thorough planning of our trip, and she helped us to experience unique aspects of the local cultures we visited. I was able to relax and enjoy the wonderful places we visited knowing all of the details and planning were well take care of by Intrepid and our amazing guide.
Source: Tour operator Submitted: 04/19/2024
Jeff - Traveled, March 2024
As a result of my first experience abroad,alone it has increased my enthusiasm to travel more.
Source: Tour operator Submitted: 04/26/2024
Louise - Traveled, February 2024
This trip was incredibly enjoyable. If you want to be active, enjoy meeting people, exploring and love scenery and wildlife with a knowledgeable guide who is also a local, then this is for you
Source: Tour operator Submitted: 02/20/2024
Lis - Traveled, February 2024
Awesome. My third trip with intrepid. Because Costa Rica’s biodiversity of landscape and animals is so rich, I wanted to do an outdoor and active trip. This trip gave me all the ways to experience it including all the add on experiences. It’s active and I slept good each night. The free day in La Fortuna I used as a bit of a slower day since we had been go go for the first few days. Leaving San Jose and returning to San Jose were long travel days but that’s par for the course. I used it as my relaxing down time. And if you get Choko as your guide definitely trust his recommendations about additional excursions or don’t be afraid to ask for something. I had an idea and asked is it possible and he made something happen that was so local and authentic for the whole group. I stayed an extra day in San Jose to check it out. I think it’s all you need if you do the city, just not a lot going on the same way other capital cities might be. Most of my travel mates stayed extra but did more day trips out of San Jose. Great trip, highly recommend.
Source: Tour operator Submitted: 02/14/2024
Amelia - Traveled, February 2024
A wonderful and action-packed trip with a great trip leader. Well worth the money for incredible experiences and endless wildlife. Choko was a highly knowledgeable trip leader who promoted education on history and sustainable and responsible tourism and a willingness to make things work for everyone. Really looking forward to future ventures with Intrepid!
Source: Tour operator Submitted: 02/14/2024
Christine - Traveled, January 2024
Fun trip overall with many beautiful sights and great excursions. My guide was very knowledgeable about Costa Rica. One hotel was below average (think 1 star motel: ripped sheets, bugs on arrival, walls and door dilapidated) and needs improvement. I booked a different hotel. Disappointed with Intrepid.
Source: Tour operator Submitted: 01/24/2024
Rachel - Traveled, December 2023
My daughter and I joined this tour during Christmas 2023. We had an absolute blast! We were lucky to have Allan was our trip leader. He was amazing at organizing everyone's daily adventures. The included activities, especially the rafting trip, were phenomenal! For add on excursions, my daughter zip-lined and we both rode ATV's through the tropical forrest. We also made friends with the people on the tour with us. They were awesome!! I highly recommend booking this trip!
Source: Tour operator Submitted: 01/04/2024
John-James - Traveled, December 2023
I decided to stop just going on holiday, and start having adventures. Intrepid knows their way around Costa Rica and has all the local contacts needed to help you create life long memories.
Source: Tour operator Submitted: 12/30/2023
James - Traveled, July 2023
What an amazing trip! Imalay was the perfect tour guide, she clearly loves her country and made the trip feel really fun and authentic. She’s also an expert sloth spotter - we saw 15 sloths!! We also saw quetzals, snakes, toucan, armadillo, monkeys and loads more. The activities were fun and we got to see a great variety of what this beautiful country has to offer. Recommended!!
Source: Tour operator Submitted: 07/22/2023
Jessie - Traveled, July 2023
A trip of a lifetime! I’ve travelled to many places in the world but this is the best one yet (apart from San Jose which is pretty uninspiring). Nature, abundance of wildlife, clear beaches, vibrant culture and history. Friendly people. I hope to learn Spanish and move here one day.
Source: Tour operator Submitted: 07/22/2023
zdenek - Traveled, April 2023
Very educational, packed with adventure activities and excursions
Source: Tour operator Submitted: 05/09/2023
David - Traveled, November 2023
Anyone thinking of visiting Costa Rica must do this trip. It’s a full packed busy itinerary but you will not be disappointed. Leo was an epic tour leader who made the trip!
Source: Tour operator Submitted: 11/27/2023
Lesleyanne - Traveled, November 2023
This is a very active and fun tour and Leo was an exceptional guide. Ziplining, hiking, biking and spotting wildlife everywhere. The Pacuare River rafting - a 26 kilometre string of rapids that was absolutely thrilling. I highly recommend this tour.
Source: Tour operator Submitted: 11/26/2023
Padraig - Traveled, October 2023
A great experience with so much to do and see. Great group of people and excellent tour guide “Allan Morales” who went above and beyond for all the tour participants.
Source: Tour operator Submitted: 11/15/2023
Anastasia - Traveled, October 2023
This trio is a dream for an active person who wants to explore as much of Costa Rica as possible in a short time. The guides went above and beyond to ensure we had the time of our lives. I highly recommend this tour.
Source: Tour operator Submitted: 11/04/2023
Carol - Traveled, August 2023
This was an active trip with a chance to bike, hike and white water raft. We were able to zip line, tour the volcano and relax in the hot springs. Our tour guide, Jenny, made us all feel educated about Costa Rica
Source: Tour operator Submitted: 08/21/2023
Erin - Traveled, July 2023
Imalay is a born tour-leader!! The accommodations and activities were perfect and well-planned. Imalay is organized, smart, caring, thoughtful, and funny! Do not miss the opportunity for her to share her beautiful country with you .
Source: Tour operator Submitted: 07/22/2023
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