Costa Rica Multi Sport

Itinerary

Day 1 San José

Arrive in San José and transfer to your hotel. If you arrive early enough, you'll have time to head into the city to visit a museum, shop or people-watch in the main plaza. As it is located in the central highlands, San José enjoys a moderate climate. The heat and humidity of the coast and lowland areas may affect you, with a general sense of lethargy and/or loss of appetite. This is no cause for alarm, it is simply a reaction to the heat. Be sure to drink plenty of water (cold bottled water is available everywhere) and do not attempt too much in any given day. We prefer fan-cooled rather than air conditioned rooms to avoid having to acclimatize to the heat and humidity every time you go outside. Like most cities, San José has its good and bad sides. It is the centre of government, theatre, and art, as well as of air pollution and congestion. It has beautiful parks and museums, and a few beggars on the streets. It is big and often noisy, but even from its crowded downtown streets, you’ll often enjoy a view of the surrounding lush mountains. Probably the hardest thing you will do in San José, other than get safely across busy streets, is keep the street numbering systems straight. Street and avenue numbers are posted on buildings at the corners of some intersections. Keep looking as you walk, and you will eventually find one. The 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. A source of pride for the Ticos (Costa Ricans) is the National Theatre. Inaugurated in 1897, the building was paid for by coffee growers through a voluntary tax on every bag of coffee exported. The National Museum, housed in the Bellavista Fortress, offers exhibits on pre-Columbian art, colonial art and furniture and religious art within a 19th century building that was converted from a military fortress after the army was abolished. The Museum of Costa Rican Art, located in La Sabana Park used to be the international airport and is in the old terminal building. The Jade Museum is on the 11th floor of the Instituto Nacional de Seguros building. In addition to the marvellous collection of jade objects, there are pre-Columbian ceramic and stone works as well as displays with archaeological and ethnographic information. The Gold Museum is located underneath the Plaza de la Cultura. Its spectacular collection of indigenous gold art belongs to the Central Bank of Costa Rica. The best and least expensive places to buy souvenirs in San José are the markets. The two main ones are the Plaza de la Cultura, which is an outdoor open market, and the Central Market, where handicrafts are sold along with boots, fish, flour, herbal remedies, shirts and everything else you can imagine. Always watch your belongings and be ready for crowds. If you plan on spending a few days in San José prior to or after your tour, there are a number of activities within the city and area that you can participate in, many of them outdoors.

Day 2 Pacuare River

Deep in the heart of Costa Rica's Pacuare Protected Zone prepare to experience two action-packed days and one relaxing night in this jungle playground. Getting there is half the fun as we drive then white water raft along the indomitable Pacuare River with its thundering class III and IV rapids to our lodge.

Day 3 Turrialba

Depart for the second day of rafting. At the end of the your rafting you will be transfered to Turrialba.

Day 4 Turrialba

Full day biking tour to the Turrialba Volcano. The Turrialba volcano is located in the Central Mountain Range of Costa Rica and reaches an altitude of 10,955 feet. It is one of the most unique active volcanoes in Costa Rica in that trekkers are able to hike down inside the main crater and explore and observe the life and views from inside the volcano. While biking to the volcano you will be amazed at the views of the Turrialba valley and by the landscape as we get closer to the top of the volcano. You will be leaving the tropical jungle behind and climbing into the beautiful high-elevation cloud forest and beyond that to the paramo. As you climb into the clouds you will feel like you are leaving Costa Rica behind as the temperature gets colder and the vegetation changes dramatically.You may see a number of very interesting plants that only grow in this high altitude and unique climate. Once in the crater, you will be rewarded with a breathtaking view of the Caribbean coastline of Costa Rica. you can see the three distinct craters that make up the cone of the volcano. The oldest of the craters is thousands of years old and is no longer active and the youngest one is less than 200 years old. This youngest crater has been becoming increasingly active over the last five years and you will be able to see how this activity is affecting the fragile vegetation of the crater.

Day 5 Turrialba

Today learn about the country's most famous crops: coffee and sugar. Start with an early morning transfer to Attiro de Turialba to visit a coffee estate and join the Golden Bean Coffee Tour. Hear the fascinating life story of the humble coffee bean and learn how coffee is farmed and harvested prior to the milling and roasting process at the Golden Bean Coffee Mill. Inside the mill witness the transformation of the raw ingredient into a ready to roast bean. After a visit to the roasting facilities indulge in an interactive tasting session, known in the trade as "cupping". Pick up some tips from one of the resident coffee experts who can teach you how to prepare outstanding coffee at home. Afterwards we continue on to the Tropical Agricultural Research and Higher Education Centre (CATIE), one of the world's premier authorities on all things environmental. The centre is known for its academic excellence and ground breaking research, and is dedicated to improving the standard of living of rural families in the region. We will enjoy a gentle hike through areas of tropical plantations and botanical gardens guided by a specialist who will help us identify and appreciate the abundance of exotic flora and fauna.

Day 6 Sarapiqui

Transfer from Turrialba to Sarapiquí Rain Forest. Enjoy your afternoon at leisure. Surrounded by lush green forests and banana plantations, this main city was once just a small port town. Located at the junction of the Puerto Viejo River (Río Puerto Viejo) and Sarapiquí River (Río Sarapiquí), this growing area is quickly becoming a main destination for adventure-seeking tourists and nature enthusiasts. And for good reason as this area has so much to offer.

Day 7 Sarapiqui

In the isolated paradise of the Sarapiqui rainforest we embark on a picturesque canopy tour followed by horseback riding. Canopy Tour at Pozo Azul with a total of 12 cables and 17 platforms, 7 of which are built on trees between 60 and 90 feet high. Your unique experience will take you through a canyon where you start from the edge at the ground and after several tree and ground platforms you end at a landing. After this amazing tour you will have lunch and during the afternoon you will embark on a 2 hour horseback ride trough the hacienda. All our horse tours start at the stalls, were you will be given your equipment which includes: Helmet, leggings if you are wearing shorts to protect your legs, and rain ponchos.

Day 8 Arenal

Spend the morning at leisure and in the afternoon transfer to Arenal and La Fprtuna. La Fortuna is one of the centres of adventure travel in Costa Rica. Here you can try numerous optional activities: river rafting, mountain bike, caving, horseback riding or take a walk on the active volcano. And don’t forget about the Hot Springs, fed directly by the active volcano. Once you’re seated at the swim-up bar, you won’t want to get out.Set on the northern plains of Costa Rica, Arenal Volcano is on the shores of Lake Arenal, (77 square kilometres, or 48 square miles), created by a hydroelectric project. Winds sweeping off the Caribbean Sea reach speeds of 48 to 72 km/hr (30 to 45 mph), making Arenal one of the best sail boarding locations in the world. The lake actually separates the mountain ranges of Guanacaste and Tilarán. The volcano is set on the lake’s southeast end. It is active and occasional eruptions make it a natural wonder to be respected. Arenal is especially impressive at night, when the glowing molten lava is blasted into the ink-black sky. Even during the day, its reflection on Lake Arenal is truly enchanting. There are several attractions in the area aside from the lake and volcano. It is a birders’ paradise, with over 600 species as permanent residents, and is inhabited by numerous species of frogs. You can also enjoy hiking the area’s nature trails, or if you’re more daring, you can opt to climb a ladder to participate in one of the canopy tours and catch a fresh glimpse of the forest greenery. After a long day of exploring, the local Hot Springs might just be the answer to your tired muscles. Soak in one of the natural thermal baths under the shade of the surrounding canopy.

Day 9 Arenal

The day begins at 7.30am with a visit to the Hanging Bridges of Arenal, a hiking trip through the tropical humid forest of 3 kilometers passing 15 bridges from 5 to 100 meters long and up to 60 meters high; a great chance to see birds, reptils, mamals and insects. Our next stop is La Fortuna Waterfall. This waterfall has a huge swimming hole with large rocks nearby, perfect for a rest after an invirogating swim. Then we drive back to town for lunch.About 3pm we embark on a tour to the Arenal Volcano National Park. Hike through the tropical humid forest for about 45 minutes to get to the lava flow from 1992. You will see a great variety of plants, wildlife, the magnificent Arenal Volcano and Arenal Lake. Watch the sunset as we await darkness to see and hear the glowing rocks of lava tumbling down the side of the mountain. is a sight not to be missed. Now, put on your bathing suit again to end the day with a relaxing dip in the thermal hot springs Tabacón Resort for a few hours.Note: If space is unavailable at the Tabacón Hot Springs, you will visit the equally lovely and relaxing Baldi Hot Springs for dinner and leisure time in the hot pools.

Day 10 Manuel Antonio/Quepos Area

Transfer from Arenal to Manuel Antonio in the morning. The white sand beaches and warm Pacific waters near the tiny town of Quepos is the ideal atmosphere to relax at the end of your adventure. Enjoy swimming, fishing, kayaking, horseback riding, boogie boarding, sailing or surfing. Not far away, Manuel Antonio offers excellent hiking and wildlife viewing. Like monkeys? This is the spot for you. Finally, you can snorkel, swim and try to spot dolphins as we finish our stay with an included sunset sail.Manuel Antonio sits on the outskirts of the Manuel Antonio National Park and is a great introduction to the laid back “Tico” lifestyle. This town is very popular with the younger set of international travellers and has a good beach for those who want to get a little sun and swim. If you have the jungle in mind, then we recommend that you head into the national park. Although this is Costa Rica’s smallest national park, it is also one of the most popular and it won’t take you long to see why. This park has fabulous beaches, abundant wildlife, and a great trail system for those who want to spend the day hiking. Look for monkeys, armadillos, coatimundis, sloths and some 350 species of birds that are present in the park.

Day 11 Manuel Antonio/Quepos Area

Departure to the Manuel Antonio National Park for a half day tour. Take a leisurely stroll or an intense hike (it’s your choice, since it’s your tour) with a highly trained, well-educated Costa Rican naturalist guide through our exotic, bio-diverse tropical rain forest preserved in our 32 year old national treasure, Manuel Antonio National Park. Watch sloths and numerous species of monkeys travel through the tree canopy, hunt for nocturnal silky anteaters and several types of non-poisonous snakes resting in the tropical rain forest, and listen to the songs of the various birds as they glide above your group, curiously looking for adventure. See how many different kinds of flora and fauna you can spot just in the span of a 2 ½ hour nature walk or hike. And whenever you are ready, stop and enjoy some local fresh fruits and refreshments as you pause to savour your adventure thus far. If you so desire, hike further through the trails and enjoy unspoiled, un-crowded, pristine beaches after your guided educational adventure ends.

Day 12 Manuel Antonio

Today enjoy Manuel Antonio at your own pace.

Day 13 San José

Enjoy a free morning before transferring back to San José.

Day 14 San José

Check out of your hotel and transfer to the International Airport.

Trip Details

Accommodation	Comfortable hotel (13 nts)
Departure	Daily
Group Size	Minimum 2 passengers
Meals Included	13 B, 5 L, 2 D
StartFinish	ex San José
Transport	Tourist Shuttle, Van or Bus, Rafting, Biking, Hiking

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