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Costa Rica: From Sea to Mountains

Destination: San Jose, Costa Rica

| Activities: Hiking, Kayaking, Horseback Riding

Costa Rica, a pioneer in the field of ecotourism, is known both for the diversity of its ecosystems and for the government's efforts to protect those ecosystems in National Parks. In fact, Costa Rica has managed to protect a larger proportion of its land than any other country in the world, with 25% receiving some form of protection. This is a country of many unique ecosystems: rainforests, beaches, jungles, and even snow capped mountains. Costa Rica's flora and fauna, particularly birds and flowers, are amazingly rich. In this land of jewels, we have picked out the three best places that you have to visit to appreciate just how diverse this country is. After arriving in San Jose we travel to Tortuguero National Park with its system of jungle canals on one side and the Atlantic Coast on the other. We then visit the Arenal area, best known for its volcano and hot springs. Finally we end in the lush cloud forest of Monteverde. We haven't seen it all, but in 10 days we've seen a ton! Maximum group size: 12

Highlights

Kayaking through the jungle canals and lagoons of Tortuguero National Park
Rafting through the rainforest on the Sarapiqui River
Soaking in the hot springs in Arenal
Learning about the unique Cloud Forest Ecosystem
Soaring through the air on a zipline or enjoying the scenery from horseback
Enjoying Costa Rican cuisine and hospitality

Departures and Prices

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Inclusions

A naturalist Costa Rican guide and an AGC guide (If there are fewer than 8 on the trip there will not be an AGC guide)
Nine nights double occupancy lodging
All activities specified on the itinerary
Private transportation within Costa Rica
All meals from dinner the first night through breakfast the last
Airport transfer to and from San Jose (on day of arrival and departure at scheduled times)
Gratuities for drivers and incidental guides

Not included:airfare to San Jose, guide gratuities, departure taxes ($29), alcoholic beverages, insurance

Trip Documents

Trip Summary

Packing List

Trip Intro

These trips are suitable for women who are new to adventure travel, who do not have a regular exercise routine, who want more “down time” during a trip, and/or are coming with someone who wants a different level of activity. These trips are designed so you can opt out of some activities on the itinerary. If you choose to do everything, they would be rated 2 or 3.

This trip is rated 1 and is designed for active women who want to immerse themselves in the natural history of this fascinating country. While the trip is active, none of the activities are strenuous and all are designed to give you different perspectives on the flora and fauna. Rating: [1] 2 3 4 5

This trip includes hiking, walking, kayaking, whitewater rafting, and ziplining (optional) Lead by a local naturalist guide, we will immerse ourselves in the natural history of this country that is small in size and amazingly diverse.

We are staying at a variety of accommodations, from a well-situated and modern hotel in downtown San Jose to smaller family owned lodges in other places. Every place we stay is clean and comfortable, with double-occupancy rooms and ensuite bathrooms. Four single rooms are available for an additional cost.

Below is the proposed itinerary for the trip. As is true on any adventure travel trip, plans for any specific day may be modified due to weather considerations, unforeseen circumstances, new opportunities, and group interests.

DAY 1

Pura vida! It’s time to shake off those winter blues and revel in the wonders of the tropics. Plan to arrive in San Jose, Costa Rica and be through customs by 4pm local time. Upon arrival you will be welcomed by our team of friendly leaders; our AGC guide and local partner. From the airport, we’ll drive 30 minutes to our hotel in the bustling Capital. During our group orientation, we’ll learn more about this incredible country that hosts more than 5% of the world’s biodiversity and then we’ll learn about the delicious cuisine over a shared group dinner. Overnight at the Radisson. (D)

DAY 2

Costa Rica boasts more than 801 miles of coastline and we will travel to the Carribean side to check out Tortuguero National Park - our home away from home for the next few days. On the way, we’ll drive through Braulio Carrillo National Park and then on to Caño Blanco to board a scenic boat ride to our hotel. Once we get settled in, we’ll learn some kayaking basics and then explore the serene waterways to spot wildlife. Bask in the quiet river tributaries while on the lookout for monkeys, sloths and an abundance of birds (red-lored parrots, hummingbirds, herons, yellow-billed caciques and more!) Overnight at Pachira Lodge. (B, L, D)

DAY 3

This morning, we will board a small private boat with a local naturalist and venture deep into the canals of the park to explore the extensive network of freshwater creeks and lagoons. These lush areas are home to seven species of river turtles, Spectacled Caiman, Southern River Otters, a number of crustaceans, and over 50 species of freshwater fish. If we are lucky, we might spot an endangered West Indian Manatee! In the afternoon we’ll stretch our legs with an easy walk on a nature trail to look for more wildlife. The rest of the day is free; you can relax at the swimming pool or hang out at the beach. Overnight at Pachira Lodge (B, L, D)

DAY 4

Get one last stroll on the beach if you desire before we continue back inland by boat and private bus, stopping for lunch along the way. Our landing spot today is the Sarapiqui Rainforest, which has been described as “an adventure seeker’s dream destination.” Sarapiqui is one of the few remaining areas in Costa Rica where the endangered Green Macaw lives. This region is also a major agricultural producer because the land is very fertile due to the consistent flows of the Rio Sarapiqui and the mild year-round climate. On the drive we’ll see fields of coffee, cardamom, cacao, corn and banana. Overnight at Hotel El Bambu (B, L, D)

DAY 5

Buckle up your lifejacket and grab your paddle, we are going white water rafting on the Sarapiqui River! The Sarapiqui River is perfect for first time paddlers looking for a safe adventure with Class II and III rapids (depending on water levels and recent rainfall). We’ll float past dense trees and abundant wildlife, alternating paddling through calm waters and paddling through fun liquid “mini roller-coasters.” After lunch we will continue traveling northwest to Arenal Volcano, which is one of the most notable land features of Costa Rica. This impressive volcano is located within the nearly 30,000 acre National Park that serves to protect it. Though the volcano is estimated to be 3,000 years old, it is considered “young” geologically (60 doesn’t feel so old now to me…!). Arenal began its last and current period of activity in 1968 but has been “sleeping” since 2010 with decreased lava flow and seismic activity. Our hotel for the following 2 nights is located right in front of the volcano, with an unparalleled view of the mountain. Rejuvenate your paddling muscles with a nice long soak in the healing waters of our hotel’s natural hot springs. Overnight at Los Lagos hotel. (B, L, D)

DAY 6

Another beautiful day in the rainforest! Today we dive deeper into the flora and fauna of our surroundings on a guided nature walk. Did you know that Costa Rica is considered a “hummingbird capital” because there are 52 unique species of hummingbirds here? We’ll walk across the iconic Arenal Hanging Bridges to get closer to monkeys, bats and other mammals. With 10% of the world’s butterflies calling Costa Rica home, we are sure to see many exotic varieties during our trip too. At lunch we’ll learn how to make a traditional tortilla. Finally, homework you can eat! This afternoon we’ll rest and relax in the hot springs. Overnight at Los Lagos hotel. (B, L, D)

DAY 7

We start the day by boating across Lake Arenal, the largest lake in Costa Rica. It was enlarged to its present size in 1979 as part of a hydroelectric project to bring electricity to rural areas. There are two primary species of fish in Lake Arenal, machaca and bass. The ecosystem that encompasses the lake includes over 120 mammals, including jaguar, tapir and quetzal. Get your cameras ready for absolutely picturesque views of the volcano as we cruise across the lake in our private boat!

The Cloud Forests of Monteverde Costa Rica are often described as Mother Nature’s playground where you can see a stunning diversity of plantlife. The tropical science center of Monteverde’s Cloud Forest Biological Reserve was the first private area for the conservation of wildlife in Costa Rica and hosts half of all the wildlife in the country and where we will continue to learn about the natural ecosystems. After dinner we’ll venture out again for a nocturnal tour to meet the other half of Costa Rican’s diverse animal populations. Overnight at Aguti Hotel. (B, L, D)

DAY 8

This morning we hone our wildlife spotting skills with another wonderful guided tour of the cloud forest. Get ready for adrenaline in the afternoon as we fly between trees in harnesses! Unleash your inner Tarzan as we soar through the canopy, eye level with the birds we have been admiring all week. Not a fan of ziplining? No problem! You can trade ziplining for a horseback riding tour in advance. Overnight at Aguiti Hotel (B, L, D)

DAY 9

Last day in the tropics! We head to a nearby farm to see how a real “Trapiche” or traditional sugar cane press works. Our tour begins with a short walk through the farm where we can glimpse different crops like sugar cane, coffee, bananas, plantains, tubers, and oranges. After a ride on an authentic Costa Rican oxcart we will learn how to make liquor from the sugar cane, producing the traditional drink “guaro”. In the afternoon, we head back to the Santa Elena village for a delicious lunch before finally driving back to San Jose. Our farewell dinner tonight is at one of the finest restaurants of the city, a chance to celebrate new friends made and an incredible trip. Overnight at Radisson San Jose (B, L, D)

DAY 10

Adios! Today we bid farewell to the tropics and head home. We will be transferred as a group to the international airport at 9 AM and you can plan to leave any time after 11 AM. If you need to leave either earlier or later, we're happy to help you arrange transportation. (B)

*These are the unfiltered reviews of women who have been on this trip in answer to the question "Did this trip meet your expectations?". We take reviews very seriously and often tweak itineraries based on feedback. Please feel free to contact us about any questions you have.

The first half of the trip was fabulous, the second a huge disappointment. Joann showed up, knowing she was sick with very bad flu, coughed with an uncovered mouth on the bus for hours and infected five of us with the terrible cough and in my case, three days of fever which severely limited my activity and enjoyment. She disingenuously insisted that it was her asthma and the humidity that affected us. Is there a policy that you can send someone home when they arrive sick? It spoiled the trip for several of us who had invested much money and hopes in the trip.

Costa Rica: From Sea to Mountains 3/2/2019-3/11/2019

All of the activities such as kayaking and ziplining, the opportunity to learn about Costa Rica, the wonderful group of women, and the great guides.

Costa Rica: From Sea to Mountains 3/2/2019-3/11/2019

Great itinerary. Well taken care of by our guides.

Costa Rica: From Sea to Mountains 3/2/2019-3/11/2019

Zip lining in jungle canopy. Kayak in river

Costa Rica: From Sea to Mountains 3/2/2019-3/11/2019

The guides were fabulous, the trip was organized . My highlights are numerous. The rafting, kayaking and of course zip lining were a few. Seeing as much of Costa Rica by boat was a great highlight.

Costa Rica: From Sea to Mountains 3/2/2019-3/11/2019

More cat time than expected.