Costa Rica Week of Adventures

(1 customer review)

$1,850 – $2,050

The Week of Adventures encompasses everything that make Costa Rica such a special destination. We will mountain bike from the highest volcano in the country, raft a world class river, stay in jungle lodges, take surf lessons at the beach, zipline, hike, and learn to kayak. We will eat in local restaurants and experience a real slice of Costa Rican culture.

Trip Length: 8 Days
Destination: Turrialba, Pejibaye River, Turrialba Volcano, Pacuare River, Cahuita National Park, Costa Rica
Lodging: Simple jungle lodge and mid-range hotels
Activities: Kayaking, whitewater rafting, hiking, wildlife viewing, zip lining, rappelling, mountain biking, surfing, snorkeling

WHY THIS TRIP

Costa Rica is an action-packed country, but how can you get away from all the crowds? Costa Rica Week of Adventures is the most exciting vacation you will ever have, giving you the opportunity to explore the real Costa Rica. This trip encompasses everything that make Costa Rica such a special destination. We will mountain bike from the highest volcano in the country, raft a world class river, stay in jungle lodges, take surf lessons at the beach, zipline, hike, and learn to kayak. We will eat in local restaurants and experience a real slice of Costa Rican culture.

TRIP DESCRIPTION

On this trip you’ll have an adventure in Costa Rica by whitewater rafting, kayaking, mountain biking, canopy tours, canyoneering, surfing, and snorkeling through the country’s extreme natural landscapes. You’ll be up close and personal with tropical birds, sloths, and sea life, from the summit of an active volcano to the Caribbean coast.

Costa Rica Rios’ professional and highly skilled guides, who live and work to share Costa Rica’s nature and adventures with you, will accompany you throughout the trip. With your safety in mind, they will ensure you the best possible experience. This trip is perfect for active and exploratory travelers, families, single travelers, or groups. Packed with new experiences and exciting activities, this multi-sport itinerary is the most adventurous way to experience the beauty and nature of tropical Costa Rica.

LOCAL OPERATOR: COSTA RICA RIOS

Costa Rica Rios provides high-quality service and creates adventures that heighten a guest’s sense of adventure and awe of nature. In operation since 1995, Costa Rica Rios maintains the highest standards of safety, professional equipment, personalized customer service and trip activity quality. The nature-based company donates to the local orphanage, and supports local businesses whenever possible. Of great importance to the company is that its practices leave intact the beauty of Costa Rica while ensuring the biodiversity of Costa Rica remains for future generations.

Itinerary

Click the Abbreviated Itinerary to see the Detailed Itinerary

Itinerary


DAY 1: Arrive in San Jose 

Your Costa Rica Rios guide will greet you at the Juan Santamaria International airport in San Jose upon your arrival. After leaving the airport, we begin the journey to Villa Florencia and our headquarters in Turrialba, about a two-hour drive through orchards, small towns and beautiful coffee fields.

Upon arrival in Turrialba you will settle into your home away from home: comfortable accommodations with a tropical courtyard, volcano views, swimming pool and jacuzzi, and relaxing hammock area. This evening you will enjoy a delicious and authentic Costa Rican meal prepared by local chefs. This will be a great opportunity to practice your high school Spanish, as you enjoy your head guide’s company at dinner. The remainder of the evening is spent getting to know your fellow adventurers for the week, relaxing, and getting ready for the week ahead.

Overnight at Villa Florencia in Turrialba
Meals Included: Dinner

DAY 2: River Kayaking

After a filling breakfast and local Turrialba coffee, you are outfitted with river gear and prepare for your first day on the water. Using a unique practice site on a local river, you will become familiar with the kayak and raft equipment, basic strokes and maneuvers. After some paddling instruction you proceed down the Rio Pejibaye. The Pejibaye is a gentle class II/III river, perfect for learning. Most of the group is outfitted with inflatable kayaks, and smaller children can go with a guide in a double kayak. More proficient kayakers may choose to use hard-shell kayaks, while others may help paddle an inflatable raft. You will practice your maneuvering skills while keeping your eyes open for glimpses of Costa Rica’s many beautiful birds and butterflies.

Overnight at Villa Florencia in Turrialba
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

DAY 3: Pacuare River Rafting

After enjoying another great breakfast, you are outfitted for the best three day and two night rafting trip on the world – the famous Lower Pacuare River. Today, enjoy 8 miles of challenging whitewater, and river side stops to hike up to secluded pools and low tributary waterfalls. Throughout the river trip there will be many opportunities for swimming or relaxing next to the river.

After some great hikes and wonderful rapids, the group arrives at the remote eco-lodge. The Pacuare Eco Lodge is equipped with a full kitchen, showers, bathrooms, fully enclosed cabinas, and the best vantage point of the beautiful river and jungle. After settling in at the camp, you are free to practice in a kayak, swim, explore the jungle or just sit back in a hammock and relax. Tonight’s dinner is prepared by your river guides, and consists of Costa Rican rice & beans, tropical fruit, vegetables and jungle chicken.

Overnight at Pacuare Eco Lodge
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

DAY 4: Pacuare River: Zip Line Canopy Tour & Tarzan Swing

This morning we rise from our jungle lodging and enjoy a wonderful start to the day along the Pacuare River, observing and listening to the many species of birds. After breakfast, your guides prepare you to experience an adrenaline packed day in a rain forest canopy tour. The group will harness up to experience the excitement of crossing the jungle canopy on ziplines and for the brave, the incredible Tarzan Swing. The afternoon is available to rest and relax in hammocks, spot birds and wildlife, swim in waterfalls or hike in the rainforest near the Pacuare Eco Lodge.

Overnight at Pacuare Eco Lodge
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

DAY 5: Pacuare River: Challenging Rapids & the Beach

Those who enjoy the early morning will especially like a morning hike through the dense rain forest surrounding the lodge. After a hearty breakfast surrounded by tropical birds it’s time to get serious about whitewater fun. Our rafting trip continues down the most challenging section of the Pacuare as class IV drops seem to be around every corner. The spectacular river canyon and virgin rainforest create vertical walls of green, broken by waterfalls and hanging vines. This stretch of the Lower Pacuare River has been voted one of the top 5 commercially rafted rivers in the world by National Geographic and will have you floating past primary rainforest, stunning waterfalls, steep canyons and fun class III and IV rapids. You will enjoy a sumptuous river picnic along the way before reaching the “take out” point in the Caribbean lowlands.

Our afternoon takeout allows time for a quick shower and change into dry clothes before we continue our journey to the Caribbean Coast. You will enjoy a relaxing evening stroll along the beach, a spot of souvenir shopping, a delicious dinner and perhaps a beachside Caribbean dance club before calling it a night.

Overnight at Cariblue in Puerto Viejo
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

DAY 6: Surf, Sun, Beach, & Snorkeling

The white sand beach and clear blue ocean give us many choices today. Take an early morning walk along the beach and through the tropical jungle to spot howler monkeys, sloths and birds. After breakfast, you will head to a beautiful Caribbean beach where we will take boogie boards and other fun beach toys. We take a break and enjoy a delicious lunch in a small local restaurant before going to the Cahuita National Park. After lunch we head out on a boat for a snorkeling tour. Tropical fish and coastal reefs await any snorkelers in the group or you can hike along the beach spotting wildlife in the jungle setting. Later we pack up and begin our journey through the flat Caribbean terrain, and up through the eastern slops of the central mountains to Turrialba where we will spend the night back at our base hotel.

Overnight at Villa Florencia in Turrialba
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

DAY 7: Mountain Biking or Canyoneering

Today, your options are either mountain biking or canyoneering.

Mountain Biking: For today’s mountain biking adventure you select your bike in our bodega (the warehouse) and your guides will adjust the bikes to provide optimum comfort and performance for your journey down Volcan Irazú and through the cloud forest. The summit of Irazú is at 11,259 feet and offers spectacular views of the region and the volcano crater. Prepare for an unforgettable mountain bike experience as you descend 9,200 feet to the town of Turrialba. Your route takes you through the National Park’s lush cloud forest to the shoulder of the Turrialba Volcano and passes through small villages and hillsides laden with ferns and bromeliads. We take lunch in a valley between the Irazú and Turrialba Volcanoes with a grand view of surrounding volcanos. After a nice rest, we continue down into the valley and cruise back to the hotel in time for a shower and filling dinner.

Canyoneering: This is a full-day canyoneering tour in a private reserve right in the heart of the rainforest. You will have a local naturalist guide lead you along the trails before getting to the canyons. From there it is a fun rock-scrambling, waterfall-rappelling day in a “leave no trace” environment. At each waterfall the guides will prepare the ropes as there are no permanent fixtures. You will enjoy a delicious typical lunch, cooked up over a wood stove, with spectacular views down to the Turrialba Valley. You will also have the chance to see all sorts of wildlife. It’s a short scenic drive to the reserve past sugar and coffee plantations. You will get wet so make sure you have a plenty of quick-dry clothing with you.

Overnight at Villa Florencia in Turrialba
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

DAY 8: Depart Costa Rica 

You enjoy a great breakfast before heading to the airport where you say your farewells and start making plans for your return to Costa Rica!

Meals Included: Breakfast

* Costa Rica Rios does its very best to adhere to the specific itinerary listed above, but activities and locations may be subject to change due to a number of reasons beyond our control (i.e. weather, water levels and safety conditions).

travel logistics

Getting To and From the Trip: 

You will need to arrive in San Jose on Day 1 of this trip. You will be picked up by your guide and transferred to your hotel in Turrialba to start your trip.

Your flight will need to depart San Jose on Day 8 of this trip. You will be dropped off at the airport by your guide in time for your flight.

International flights can be booked on your own, or you can arrange them through our travel partner Exito Travel. For a quote, please let us know your home airport.

It is possible to extend your stay in Costa Rica, and we can help you arrange this. You may consider going to Arenal, Monteverde, Tortuguero National Park, the Osa Peninsula, or just spending more time at the beach relaxing.

Trip Start: Juan Santamaria International airport in San Jose, Costa Rica (SJO)

Trip End: Juan Santamaria International airport in San Jose, Costa Rica (SJO)

Complete Your Trip

This trip is a complete package for an 8 day adventure in Costa Rica. If you would like to extend your stay and visit other parts of Costa Rica, we can help you arrange this. You may consider going to Arenal, Monteverde, Tortuguero National Park, the Osa Peninsula, or just spending more time at the beach relaxing.

 

Prices & Dates

2021 PRICES:

Prices are per person, and based on double occupancy.

Group Departures: $1,850.00
Single Supplement: $400.00

Peak Season Departures (Christmas, New Years & Easter): $2,050.00

Notes on Single Supplement: Because this trip usually fills up, single rooms are limited and subject to availability. If you are a solo traveler and don’t want to pay the single supplement, you will share accommodations with another traveler of the same gender. 

2022 PRICES: 
Trip Dates: 

2021 Group Departures
January 2 – 9
January 9 – 16
January 16 – 23
January 23 – 30
January 30 – February 6
February 6 – 13
February 13 – 20
February 20 – 27
February 27 – March 6
March 13 – 20
March 20 – 27
March 27 – April 3
April 10 – 17
May 8 – 15
June 12 – 19
June 26 – July 3
July 3 – 10
July 24 – 31
July 31 – August 7
August 7 – 14
September 11 – 18
October 2 – 9
December 11 – 18
December 19 – 26
December 26 – January 2

2022 Group Departures
January 1 – 8
January 8 – 15
January 15 – 22
January 22 – 29
January 29 – February 5
February 5 – 12
February 12 – 19
February 26 – March 5
March 5 – 12
March 12 – 19
March 19 – 26
March 26 – April 2
April 2 – 9
April 9 – 16
April 16 – 23
May 7 – 14
June 11 – 18
June 25 – July 2
July 2 – 9
July 23 – 30
July 30 – August 6
August 6 – 13
September 10 – 17
October 1 – 8
December 10 – 17
December 17 – 24
December 24 – 31
December 31 – January 7

New group departures will be added with a minimum of 4 travelers

Private Departures
Private trips will be operated with a minimum of 4 travelers

Family Trip Dates: 

None, but families are welcome to join any departure! The minimum age is 12 years old. If you’re traveling with a child that is 10 or 11 years old, we can modify the trip with a horseback ride through the jungle rather than the second day of rafting on the Pacuare River.

 

 

 

What's Included / Not Included

INCLUDED: 
  • All accommodations
  • All meals from dinner on the first day to breakfast on the last day
  • All activities with a bilingual adventure & naturalist guide
  • All activity equipment
  • Expertise and services of professional guides, available 24 hours per day
  • San Jose Airport pick-up and drop-off
  • All transportation during the trip (except flights)
  • All park entrance fees, taxes and permits (except Costa Rica departure tax)
NOT INCLUDED: 
  • International flights to and from San Jose (can be booked on your own or with your travel partner Exito – for a quote please let us know your home airport)
  • Alcoholic beverages
  • Guide and staff tips
  • Personal travel or medical insurance coverage (highly recommended)
  • Personal or medical expenses
  • Costa Rica departure tax (about US$29.00 per person, subject to change)

Accommodations

Turrialba: Villa Florencia

Pacuare River: Pacuare Eco Lodge

Puerto Viejo: Hotel Cariblue

Rooming Options

ROOMING OPTIONS: Double, Willing to Share, Single Supplement

 

1 review for Costa Rica Week of Adventures

  1. Kim Hammer –

    This trip delivered on everything it promised and more. We couldn’t have been more pleased with the activities/adventures. This is a hands-on, get wet trip. The guides and support staff were unbelievably competent. Whether it was Carola and Jorge on the waterfall rappels or Walter and Alejandro leading, they were all awesome!!! It was day after day of fun, thrills and uniqueness. I felt like our safety was always paramount to the guides but they still enabled us to have fun. The equipment was all in good condition.
    The Pacuare River raft was gorgeous and exhilarating. The variety of adventures meant you couldn’t get bored. The taste of cultural activities like the organic coffee finca and local markets made for a well-rounded trip. The lodging was adequate for the short time you spend in the rooms. There were pleasant surprises every day, which I won’t give away. The food on the raft trips was fresh and well prepared. (Just keep an open mind on hotel food.) We got spoiled with fresh pineapple bursting with flavor. If you are looking for adventure and a week to take your mind off the mundane or routine, this is a great trip. Detour Destinations was so easy to work with. They assessed what we wanted and then set our expectations accurately. Cahuita Natl Park wasn’t awesome but we wanted to see monkeys and sloths and we did so it fit the time frame. The reef has been over-loved but we saw a nurse shark and stingray and plenty of fish. Coral damage seems to be rampant every where we go.
    Without hesitation I would recommend this trip for reasonably fit or active adventure seekers. I would also recommend working with Detour Destinations. They excel at communicating! I would do this trip again.

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