Caribbean Costa Rica Adventure Itinerary
Day 1Arrive to Costa Rica’s capital city of San Jose
(Juan
Santamaria International Airport). Once you collect your luggage and pass
through customs inside the
airport, a member of Sol Encounter, S.A. will meet you at the outer doors.
From here you’ll be given a mini-city tour to help you orient and exchange
money before you’re dropped off at the hotel. The whole group will
have a chance to meet and chat with the head guides at a welcome dinner
planned for the first evening.Optional Activities- Depending on your arrival time, you can explore downtown San Jose, visiting the Gold Museum, take a stroll through the centrally-located Plaza de La Paz or experience the sights and smells of the Central Market downtown. A Sol Encounter guide will show you around or provide detailed maps and explanations if preferred.
Day 2
The
trip starts off strong with a two-day adventure on the headwaters of the
Pacuare River. On the first day, we leave early from San Jose and
stop in route to the river (2 hours) in the picturesque Orósi Valley
for your first Costa Rican breakfast of gallo pinto--rice and beans with
eggs. After breakfast, we head up and over the central mountain range
and through the rainforest with some of the best views in the country
to arrive at
our river put-in (2 hours). Upon arriving, you’ll receive a complete
safety overview by trained, professional river guides that have been running
the mighty Pacuare for years then hop in your boat to kick off your heart-pumping
journey. Forward paddle! In no time, a Class III rapid named “Bienvenidos” quickly introduces you to the river’s currents. With mostly Class III rapids, you’ll be spending your first day soaking up the rainforest scenery and warming up those paddling muscles on one of the top 10 rated commercial rivers in the world. After a couple hours of paddling, we pull over and finish the day on the river at the entrance to the Pacuare Canyon where an eco-lodge only accessible by river awaits you. Take a nap Costa Rican style in a nearby hammock, dine later on a delicious gourmet meal, then relax to the sounds of a primary rainforest in your private, comfortable, elevated tent in the heart of the jungle.
Optional Activities- Short guided hikes around the eco-lodge in the afternoon.
Day 3
After fueling up with a hardy breakfast, the second day of the Pacuare
River starts with a rush as you enter the spectacular canyon section and
plunge through Class IV rapids including well-known rapids such as Dos
Montanas (The Two Mountains), Cimmarones, and Huacas (indigenous name
meaning Cemetery).
The bottom section of the Pacuare is not only remarkable for its challenging
rapids, but also painted with waterfalls cascading overhead into the river,
canyon rock walls that shoot up to reach the rainforest above and river
wildlife such as the poison arrow Blue Jeans Frog. We finish our day on
the Pacuare
as we float out of the mountains into the lower plains to find our private
shuttle waiting for us. After changing into dry clothes we’re off to
the white and black sand Caribbean beaches of Puerto Viejo. This three-hour
drive takes you through the wet lowlands of Costa Rica where you will see
the banana and piña (pineapple) plantations along the way. We arrive
to Puerto Viejo with time to explore the small beach town’s myriad
of shopping locales and the many eclectic restaurants serving international
cuisine.Optional Activities- Puerto Viejo is known for its Rastafarian flair and Jamaican roots which offers an exciting nightlife including afro-Caribbean music and discotheques.
Day 4
Today
you’ll
have the chance to experience one of Costa Rica’s
signature adventures: the canopy tour. Zip across cables atop the trees
and experience the jungle from a different viewpoint; instead of staring
up at
the monstrous ceiba trees, you have the opportunity to peer down into
them. We’ll breakfast first, experience this Tarzan thrill and will
be back in time for lunch. The rest of the afternoon is free to spend
as you’d
like. Possible optional activities include sea kayaking, snorkeling, surfing,
relaxing at the beach, or a trip 15 miles north to Cahuita National Park
for hiking, wildlife and white beaches. Remember optional excursions are
not a part of the planned trip so you should budget accordingly based
on what you’d like to do, and Sol Encounter would be more than happy
to help suggest and arrange plans.Day 5
After breakfast, we’ll steer north to Tortuguero National Park,
about
a 3-hour ride along the Caribbean Coast. Tortuguero National Park is a secluded
lowland rainforest with hundreds of miles of hiking trails and remote beaches
only accessible by boat. You will board your lancha for an hour and a half
ride through quiet bird estuaries and mangrove canals to arrive to our eco-lodge
hotel. Upon arrival we enjoy lunch, followed by a quick boat trip to visit
to the Tortuguero Turtle Museum and short walk around this quaint town. October
is the tail end of the turtle egg-laying season on the Caribbean Coast. If
any leatherback or hawksbill turtles have been spotted recently, you’ll
be able to hike the beach at night to search for these giants coming in
from sea to lay eggs. Optional Activities- Various hikes surrounding the lodge through rainforest and on secluded beaches.
Day 6
4:30am may seem early, but not for the wildlife in Tortuguero. The dawning
sun brings the animals to life in this protected area teeming with monkeys,
iguanas, sloths, the electric Morpho butterfly and more. An early morning
boat tour through the swampy canals will make you feel like you’re
in a Discovery Channel show and can uniquely introduce you to the biodiversity
of Costa Rica. You’ll be back early for breakfast and will then have
the rest of your day to take advantage of Tortuguero’s remote serenity.
Read a book while relaxing in a hammock on the beach, kayak through the
canals for an intimate exchange with your surroundings or catch up on needed
sleep
by the pool. You will definitely be glad you brought bug repellant for
this part of the trip.Day 7
The next day after breakfast, another lancha cruise
and
3 hours later, we’ll find ourselves in La Fortuna, the nearest town
to the lava-spewing Arenal Volcano. Arenal is the most active volcano
in the country and fiery magma can be seen at night running down its flanks
when it’s not cloudy in the evenings.
Today, you’ll have the morning free to sleep in or take advantage of
one of the many day trips around La Fortuna. In the late afternoon we
will visit a tropical, volcano-fed hot springs resort to
soak in the soothing mineral pools and warm waterfalls. We’ll be situated
in one of the best (and closest) places to view the nighttime spilling
from the mouth of the volcano. It’s a truly unforgettable site!Optional Activities- While we're at the hot springs, be sure to pamper any bumps, bruises, or sore muscles from your rafting adventures at the spa.
Choose from mud wraps, tropical facials, deep tissue massages and more. Itis recommended to make reservations in advance and a Sol Encounter representative will help schedule your well-deserved treat.
Day 8
After
morning coffee and gallo pinto, we head to La Fortuna waterfall. You will
have the option to stay in the town of La Fortuna where you’ll
have the opportunity of souvenir shopping or venture on to the 130 feet
waterfall with its chilly, pristine waters. A Sol Encounter guide will
accompany the group going to the waterfall. The pool at the bottom of
the fall is ideal for a quick, refreshing dip after the steep hike down
so be sure to wear your suit. After lunch, we’ll drive back to the
Central Valley and San Jose to shower, pack up your souvenirs and explore
the nightlife of the city. Spend your last night in Costa Rica in style;
use this opportunity to dine in one of San Jose’s many international
restaurants downtown or catch a show at the renowned National Theater
in the heart of the city. If you are feeling the urge to dance, there
are always discos pumping with the latest Latin pop.Day 9
Sol Encounter will accompany you to the airport and assist with checking in. Don’t forget your $26 exit tax paid in cash-either dollars or colones.
Optional Activities- If you will be staying in Costa Rica longer, a Sol Encounter guide will be available for advice, trip planning and general information.
All dates and itineraries are subject to change based on safety conditions and local festivals/holidays to enhance your adventure and cultural experience.
All meals included in this itinerary are as mentioned. Please budget for 4 lunches and 3 dinners not included.
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