Costa Rica Spring Trip Itinerary

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Day 1
Arrive 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 and lunch on the riverbank, we finish the day 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 quaint town of La Fortuna, the nearest town to the lava-spewing Arenal Volcano.

Day 4
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 he 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. It is recommended to make reservations in advance and a Sol Encounter representative will help schedule your well-deserved treat.

Day 5
Wake up with the sun today, and after breakfast and last look at Volcano Arenal, a five-hour ride over the Tilarán mountain range will take you to the beautiful beaches of Manuel Antonio. Manuel Antonio is site to a lush rainforest, beach and national park with all the amenities of home. You will arrive in the afternoon with time to head down to the beach for a little relaxation.

Optional Activities- A Sol Encounter guide will lead anyone interested on a short hike to a ridge overlooking the Pacific. Always a sure bet for a memorable sunset. Manuel Antonio Antonio offers many restaurants serving international cuisine, cafes for drinks and appetizers and other little nooks depending what you’re in the mood for. Nearby Quepos Town, a five-minute taxi ride away, offers a variety of nightlife including many bars, restaurants and discothèques.

Day 6
Awake to the sounds of tropical birds and monkeys in the trees above your hotel. Sol Encounter offers a hike through Manuel Antonio National Park during the morning. This park is known for its ease of seeing white-faced monkeys, short hikes and incredible beaches. That afternoon, partake in a number of optional activities. The north end of the beach is a great place to learn how to surf, rent sea kayaks, shop around in the nearby street market for local gems or simply enjoy the gold sand beaches while sipping a piña colada.

Optional Activities- Most of the afternoon is unstructured allowing for a multitude of optional activities or just relaxing on the beach. Once again, the restaurants and nightlife of Manuel Antonio and Quepos Town are all located nearby.

Day 7
Today is a day with no particular plan. Use it to explore the Manuel Antonio, the Quepos area and the myriad of art galleries, corner cafes and local lunch spots. Or relax on the beach and go home with a great tan in December. Or traverse your way through the jungle on horseback stopping along the way to visit with a typical Costa Rican family that will prepare you lunch with organic ingredients from their own garden.

In the evening, you will rejoin with the group for a sunset sail in the harbor of Manuel Antonio and Quepos to view the spectacular nighttime show as the sun sets. Dinner will be served on board to complete your night ocean voyage.

Day 8
Enjoy your last morning in Manuel Antonio before we head back to San Jose in the afternoon to prepare for departures the next day. 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. Or, if you have time to spare before your flight, San Jose is a great place to shop for last minute gifts.



All dates and itineraries are subject to changed based on safety conditions and local festivals/holidays to enhance your adventure and cultural experience.

All meals included in this itinerary are as mentioned. Breakfast is always included, but lunch and dinner varies.

All deposits and payments made for this trip are final and are non-refundable due to peak-season travel and cancellation policies by local hotels and operating tours.