From CAD $1,854 Was CAD $2,649
Guarantee
Small Group
Demanding
Rating
(20 reviews)
Experience Overview
Think you know Costa Rica? Trade in the same old settings for the real deal. Trek into the heart of the jungle to live with three families in a remote village. Discover the emerald core of a diverse land amid the beauty of the jungle. Learn about the medicinal plants native to these parts and how to make sugarcane candy. This is a spectacular country with opportunities for hiking, surfing, and whitewater rafting. This is what adventure is all about.
Highlights
- Trek into a remote community to live with the locals
- Explore the Costa Rican jungle
- Make your own sugarcane candy
- Whitewater raft on the Savegre River
Trip Details
Product Code: 1834
Tour Type: Small Group
Accommodation: Basic
Transport: Local bus, pickup truck, private vehicle, raft, hiking.
Guide Language: English
Travel Styles:
Active
Supplier Code: CRAC
Starts: San José, Costa Rica
Finishes: San José, Costa Rica
Duration: 12 days
Departures: Guaranteed
Physical rating:
Demanding
Includes
Activities
- Your Welcome Moment: Welcome Moment - Meet Your CEO and Group Your Foodie Moment: Bread Making, Piedras Blancas Your Foodie Moment: Chocolate Making, Piedras Blancas
- Hiking excursion to Piedras Blancas (4 days)
- Whitewater rafting on the Savegre River
- Trapiche demonstration
- Ballena Marine National Park visit
- Manuel Antonio National Park Entrance
- Free time in Esquipulas and Uvita
- All transport between destinations and to/from included activities
Accommodation
- Hotels (5 nts), Jungle Homestay (3 nts), Camping (3 nts).
- 6 breakfasts, 4 lunches, 5 dinners
Transport
- Local bus, pickup truck, private vehicle, raft, hiking.
Group Leader
- CEO (Chief Experience Officer) throughout, local guides.
Price
Price per person: (Double Occupancy) CAD $1854 (CAD $154 /day)
Itinerary
Day 1: San José
Arrive at any time.
There are no planned activities during the day, so check into the hotel and explore the city. As it is located in the central highlands, San José enjoys a moderate climate.
Amid the hustle and bustle, San José has beautiful parks, museums and the ornate Costa Rica National Theatre downtown. Enjoy the view of the surrounding mountains from the downtown streets.
The central plaza is a good place to people-watch. A mime, juggler, marimba band, magician, or storyteller may be performing for whatever is collected when the hat is passed. Artisan booths are common, creating a regular arts and crafts fair atmosphere.
Exclusive inclusions: Activity - Your opportunity to meet your CEO and fellow travellers, and learn more about your tour. Opt to join the group for a local meal afterwards. Don't forget to see the notice in the lobby (or ask reception) for the official time and place to meet up with the group.Accommodation - Boutique Hotel Casa Las Orquideas
Day 2: San José/San Isidro
Travel by local bus over the highest mountain pass in the country. Arrive in the valley of San Isidro de El General and take a walk in the main plaza.
Spend the day visiting some shops and stock up before the next day's trek into the jungle. Located near three rivers and Costa Rica's highest mountain, Mt Chirripó, this region is well-known but few travelers stay to find out why.
Exclusive inclusions: Transport - Climb aboard, grab a seat, and enjoy the ride.Free_time - A free afternoon allows you the chance to explore the main square, located around three kilometres from the hotel, and get geared up for tomorrow’s hiking adventure.Accommodation - San Isidro Hotel
Day 3: San Isidro/Piedras Blancas
Embark on a three-day, three-night excursion with a locally owned and operated adventure company to the community of Piedras Blancas, found in the heart of the Zona de los Santos region.
The journey is always half the fun! Travel in the back of a pickup truck through lush green landscapes and end in the small town of Brujo. Enjoy a 4-hour hike to a jungle homestay while spotting tropical fauna and plenty of wildlife along the way.
Meals included: Lunch,Dinner
Exclusive inclusions: Transport - Hop into the back and ride along to the next destination.Activity - Ready for a challenge? Gear up and head off for a six-hour trek through the jungle. Local English-speaking guides will point out flora and fauna and spot birds and wildlife in the thick forest canopy. Trek up, down, and around rocks and roots. During rainy season (May-Nov), bring walking sticks to support you in the slippery mud.
Save your energy for 'la cuesta roja' (the red hill) -- 20-30 minutes of an uphill slog. The payoff? Howler monkeys and toucans as travel companions.
Accommodation - Lopez Homestay
Day 4: Piedras Blancas
Experience life in a remote community in and around a local family farm.
Wake up with the sun today and get ready for loads of activities. Enjoy a delicious traditional Costa Rican breakfast to start the day off right. In small groups, make 'dulce' (candy) at the family's traditional 'trapiche' (sugar cane mill). Cool off in the river that flows right by the house while the sugar simmers over the fire and lunch is being prepared.
Hike one hour to another household and stay the night. While there, local guides and members of the family will explain how to make fresh cheese and breads, play card games and enjoy tasty traditional Tico cooking. Once the evening winds down, head to bed for a well-deserved rest.
Meals included: Breakfast,Lunch,Dinner
Exclusive inclusions: Activity - Roll up your sleeves and get ready for a nice arm workout! Using the traditional 'trapiche', a mill made of wooden rollers that helps draw out juices from the sugarcane, work those muscles to feed through the homegrown sugarcane and extract the sweet sugar. Let the sugar simmer over the fire and take a much-deserved break to cool down in the river and explore a 100-foot waterfall nearby. Towel off and get ready for lunch and try some of the sweet candy your hard work went into for a tasty treat afterwards.Activity - Enter a traditional community kitchen and get to know the techniques and practises involved in making local style bread as well as getting to sample the results of the the hard work at the stove.Accommodation - Granados Homestay
Day 5: Piedras Blancas
Travel across the Savegre River to the next homestay with an included medicinal plant walk.
Start the day with a delicious home-cooked breakfast and fortify for the two-hour hike through the rainforest to tonight's home stay retreat. Enjoy the sights and sounds of the rushing waterfall directly in front of the dining area. Watch wildlife and hummingbirds up close. Reward yourself homemade chocolate made from cocoa beans collected right from the garden.
Meals included: Breakfast,Lunch,Dinner
Exclusive inclusions: Activity - Hike through the rainforest for two hours to reach the home of tonight's host family. Stop along the watch to bird-watch, learn about unique plants and breathe in the pure jungle air.Activity - There are few things more delicious in the world than chocolate. See this coveted treat produced from bean to bar. From the nearby cacao plant to your mouth, enjoy the tasty benefits of 'eating local'.
Accommodation - Fonseca Homestay
Day 6: Piedras Blancas/Esquipulas
Walk through the jungle from the homestay and raft the Savegre River. Then, relax at the end of the day at camp and enjoy an included dinner.
Today is a full, action-packed day. Set your alarm for an early morning start and a two-hour hike back to Brujo where we jump into rafts and head off on the Savegre River.
Paddle toward the Pacific coast, then take a van to Esquipulas. Spend the rest of the day relaxing at camp before an included dinner.
Meals included: Breakfast,Lunch,Dinner
Exclusive inclusions: Activity - Wave 'adios' to your home stay host family and trek for two hours back through the jungle to the town of Brujo.Activity - What better way to get from A to B then taking the natural route along a scenic and exciting river? Buckle up your life jacket, grab a paddle and head off to raft the Class II - IV rapids of the Savegre River. Its water is considered some of cleanest in all of the Americas. Enjoy a natural high!Transport - Settle in and scan the scenery from the convenience of a private vehicle.Accommodation - Esquipulas Rainforest Camping
Day 7: Manuel Antonio
Enjoy a day trip to explore beautiful Manuel Antonio Park. In the afternoon the group will transfer back to Esquipulas for a relaxing evening and included dinner.
Meals included: Breakfast,Dinner
Exclusive inclusions: Transport - Settle in and scan the scenery from the convenience of a private vehicle.Activity - Pack your sunscreen, snack, beach shoes, and prepare for a great day in Costa Rica’s smallest yet no less stunning national park. Manual Antonio offers four white-sand beaches, separated by jagged rock outcrops and tidal pools. Swim, snorkel, surf, and sunbathe. When you’re all beached out, head to the shade of the nearby hiking trails to search for sloths, monkeys, and armadillos. Climb to the lookout to capture views of the pristine Pacific Ocean and the area’s off-shore islands.Free_time - There's plenty to see and do in the area, and we wanted to make sure that you had some time to take it all in. Feel free to relax or try optional activities like a guided visit to Manuel Antonio National Park, mangrove kayaking, and surfing. Your CEO has more ideas if you need them. Just ask!Transport - Settle in and scan the scenery from the convenience of a private vehicle.Accommodation - Esquipulas Rainforest Camping
Day 8: Quepos
Enjoy a free day in the area for optional activities. Be as active or relaxed as you'd like.
A free day for exploring the area, there are a number of activities to choose from depending on the group's interest and energy levels.
Meals included: Breakfast
Exclusive inclusions: Free_time - Enjoy a full day to explore the area at your own pace.Accommodation - Esquipulas Rainforest Camping
Day 9: Esquipulas/Uvita
Enjoy a morning at your leisure before travelling to beautiful seaside Uvita. Opt to surf, whale-watch, horseback-ride or kick back and relax.
After a slow morning, hop in a private van and enjoy the ride to Uvita, a small beach town on the southwestern Pacific coast.
Take some much deserved time to rest and relax.
Meals included: Breakfast
Exclusive inclusions: Transport - Settle in and scan the scenery from the convenience of a private vehicle.Free_time - Get out and explore the atmosphere of Uvita on your own.Accommodation - Hotel Luz De Luna
Day 10: Uvita
Spend the morning swimming, relaxing, and watching humpback whales off the coast of Ballena Marine National Park, before enjoying free time in Uvita.
This is a perfect day for some quality hammock time. Still need to move? There's lots to do. Take a surf lesson, horseback ride, snorkel, SCUBA dive or take a trip to nearby Caño Island.
Exclusive inclusions: Activity - Ballena Marine National Park is set along a 15km stretch of coastline on the Pacific, with incredible water for snorkelling and swimming. With the largest coral reef on the Pacific Coast in Central America, this is the perfect spot to grab some fins or enjoy time to relax on the beach. This park also has prime humpback whale viewing as they migrate through the region between Dec and April.Free_time - Unwind on the beach or try one of the many activities available in Uvita.Accommodation - Hotel Luz De Luna
Day 11: Uvita/San José
Transfer back to the capital for a final evening with the group.
Exclusive inclusions: Transport - Climb aboard, grab a seat, and enjoy the ride.Accommodation - Boutique Hotel Casa Las Orquideas
Day 12: San José
Depart at any time.
Depart from San José at any time.
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Tour Operator
G Adventures
G Adventures, founded in 1990 by Bruce Poon Tip, is a global adventure travel company specializing in small-group tours that emphasize authentic, sustainable, and culturally immersive experiences. Originally launched as GAP Adventures (“Great Adventure People”), the company pioneered the concept of community-driven travel by offering affordable trips that connect travelers with local communities while minimizing environmental impact. Today, G Adventures operates in more than 100 countries, offering a wide range of itineraries across themes such as active adventures, wildlife, wellness, family, and National Geographic–partnered tours, while maintaining a strong commitment to responsible tourism and social enterprise through its Planeterra Foundation.
In Business Since 1990
Reviews
Katarzyna E - Traveled, June 2023
I enjoyed the jungle trek and all the activities.
Source: Tour operator Submitted: 07/26/2023
Jonathan E. - Traveled, June 2023
Overall a very good trip and a variety of things to do. Possibly would have enjoyed more ',difficult', trekking. To qualify this statement, I'm very fit and would describe as having very moderate fitness/difficulty.
Source: Tour operator Submitted: 07/26/2023
Stefanie C - Traveled, June 2023
Fun activities and our tour guide Natalie Vega ensured everything went smoothly.
Source: Tour operator Submitted: 07/26/2023
Angela E. - Traveled, June 2023
Great CEOs. Unique experiences. Planned but also some flexibility.
Source: Tour operator Submitted: 07/26/2023
Gregor J. - Traveled, May 2023
G Adventures is well organised. You can focus on the beauty of the nature and your travelmates insted of planning all the time.
Source: Tour operator Submitted: 06/28/2023
Robert E. - Traveled, June 2023
It was an amazing way to travel. Just show up and let someone else do all the work of planning. Having a local to spend the trip with you is very comforting, especially for certain areas.
Source: Tour operator Submitted: 06/28/2023
Ingeborg Z. - Traveled, June 2023
I like the way that G Adventures travels to slightly different places than the most common ones. If it wasn't for taking this tour, I wouldn't have seen so many great places in nature, the cave, the warterfalls and the homestays.
Source: Tour operator Submitted: 07/26/2023
Meriel A. - Traveled, May 2023
A great way to see and learn lots about a country in a short amount of time
Source: Tour operator Submitted: 06/28/2023
Franziska H. - Traveled, May 2023
I love the memories i Made and the one in a Lifetime experience. It was Hard but in the end it was amazing!
Source: Tour operator Submitted: 06/28/2023
Sue T. - Traveled, April 2024
Had a great time and the CEO made the trip easy. Everything was setup and questions answered.
Source: Tour operator Submitted: 05/24/2024
Christopher W. - Traveled, April 2024
The trip was great, the guide went out of her way to make sure uor experience the best.
Source: Tour operator Submitted: 05/24/2024
Aravind S. - Traveled, April 2024
Company and staff promote responsible tourism
Source: Tour operator Submitted: 05/24/2024
Stephanie K. - Traveled, April 2024
I think it was great!
Source: Tour operator Submitted: 05/10/2024
Sarah B. - Traveled, April 2024
The tour itself was well organised, however the website when booking was very slow and difficult to use.
Source: Tour operator Submitted: 05/10/2024
Cassandra M. - Traveled, April 2024
The guide - Adrian - was great! He made the trip! He was super informative about Costa Rica and was just a fun/nice guy. It was a pleasure spending the few weeks with him and the group!
Source: Tour operator Submitted: 05/10/2024
Adri‡n S. - Traveled, April 2024
Was a really nice experience to be able to have some adventures surrounded by nature.
Source: Tour operator Submitted: 05/10/2024
Madeleine S. - Traveled, March 2024
G Adventures provided a great opportunity to travel in such a unique way that I haven't heard of with other tour groups.
Source: Tour operator Submitted: 04/12/2024
Oleksandr O. - Traveled, March 2024
Everything has been professionally organized from Airport pickup to last stay in hotel.
Source: Tour operator Submitted: 04/12/2024
Timothy H. - Traveled, March 2024
I have been on 2 treks and the leader, tour and groups have been great!
Source: Tour operator Submitted: 04/12/2024
Cristina M. - Traveled, March 2024
The service for returning calls and emails before my trip was not good. I called a few times with nobody responding. I emailed with a question for my trip and I got the email many days later and too late, I was already on the plane to Costa Rica when I got the reply.
Source: Tour operator Submitted: 04/12/2024
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