
See them in the wild









After you go through immigration and customs, our representative will meet you at the Juan Santamaría International Airport (SJO) exit to load the luggage into the vehicle and transfer you to the hotel. The hotel for tonight is close to San José City, located 15–25 minutes away from the airport. During the short drive, you will receive a brief introduction to Costa Rica and some recommendations for your trip. The guide will explain your itinerary in detail once you arrive at the hotel. Overnight at Park Inn by Radisson San José.
You will be picked up from your hotel in San José and taken to the operations centre in Siquirres, where you will enjoy a traditional Costa Rican breakfast. After breakfast and changing into rafting gear, you will head to the private rafting put-in on the banks of the Pacuare River. Here, professional rafting guides will outfit you with all the necessary equipment, give you a comprehensive rafting safety talk, and instruct you on paddling basics. You and your group will then launch your raft and begin paddling deep into the heart of one of Costa Rica’s most impressive primary rainforests. It is an adrenaline-packed day running the Pacuare River’s renowned rapids. You will raft 19 miles of Class III–IV whitewater through the incredible rainforest. Cascading waterfalls, lush forest, exotic plants, birds, other wildlife, and exciting rapids make this a tropical adventure packed with unforgettable experiences. At the end of your rafting trip, you will return to the operations centre for a delicious lunch and time to shower and change clothes. Afterwards, transportation will take you to your next destination: La Fortuna.
After breakfast, you will rappel down towering waterfalls, jump into natural pools, zip down guided rappels, downclimb canyon walls and river boulders, and hike through the rainforest on the Lost Canyon Adventure. Lunch will be served at the end of the activity. In the afternoon, you will walk along old lava beds and learn about the volcano, the surrounding tropical forest, and the abundant wildlife from an informative guide. Following the volcano tour, you will visit a beautiful hot springs resort, where you can recover your energy and relax. A delicious dinner is included. Stay at Arenal Montechiari Hotel or similar (Standard Hotel, 3 stars).
You will be picked up from your hotel in the Arenal area and driven to the Lake Arenal Dam, where you will board a covered boat. Enjoy a scenic 45-minute cruise across the lake with beautiful views of the majestic volcano and the forested Tilarán Mountain Range. You may also spot a variety of wetland birds, such as kingfishers, flycatchers, and waders, along the lakeshore. Next, you will begin an impressive 1.5-hour journey up the mountainside on a steep road offering stunning views of the lush green valley. You will be driven directly to your hotel in the Monteverde area. In the afternoon, enjoy a gentle horseback ride through the magical cloud forest, admiring the most astonishing landscapes in the region. Stay at Cala Lodge or similar (Standard Hotel, 3 stars).
The Canopy Tour takes place in a private reserve created in 1994. It begins with a short guided walk through the private 70-acre cloud forest reserve, passing through both primary (old-growth) and secondary (new-growth) forest. You will fly through the treetops while listening to the vast variety of birds that inhabit the reserve. Just when you think you have become one with the canopy, the tour ends with an exhilarating rappel down from the Scary Tree. The tour includes ten cables, one rappel, one Tarzan swing, and one hollow tree climb.
Today, you will take shared transportation from Monteverde to the beautiful beach town of Sámara. Enjoy a free afternoon to explore at your own pace.
Choco’s Surf School is located in Sámara on a gorgeous white-sand beach, surrounded by nature and offering breathtaking views of Chora Island. Since the bay of Sámara is largely protected by an outer reef, the waves are gentle and ideal for beginners. Lessons include surfboards and all necessary equipment, so all you need to bring is your enthusiasm and sense of adventure. All surf lessons follow step-by-step instructions based on ISA surf instruction protocols. If you have always wanted to learn to surf in the tropics, Sámara Beach is the perfect choice. The 7-kilometre-long white-sand beach is framed by mountains, with striking Chora Island just offshore. As an alternative to surfing, you may also choose an ocean kayaking and snorkelling tour to Chora Island.
Today, you will take a shared shuttle from Sámara Beach to San José. Take the opportunity to buy some last-minute souvenirs to take home.
Our driver will pick you up at the hotel and take you straight to the Juan Santamaría International Airport (SJO). In Costa Rica, you must arrive at the airport at least 3 hours before your departure time.
Meet up/Pick up location: Juan Santamaria International Airport (SJO), Costa Rica