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Costa Rica Tours and Travel

Coast to Coast / Multisport / Costa Rica Verde / Tropical Adventure / Honeymoon / Jungle Escapade
South Costa Rica / Family Adventure / Adventure Self-Drive / Highlights Self-Drive / Up & Down Self-Drive
Costa Rica-Panama Cruise / Community-based Tours - Authentic Costa Rica , Cultural Costa Rica , Watercolors of Costa Rica

Costa Rica Multi-Sport Tours

11 Day Group Tour

Wilderness and Wildlife

Independent Tours

Few spots in the world offer the extraordinary natural and scenic diversity of Costa Rica. And few trips capture the essence of this coastal paradise as well as our variety-packed 9-day multi-sport tours. Explore wildlife-rich cloud forests in Monteverde. View smoldering volcanoes and soak in natural hot springs in Arenal National Park. Raft exciting whitewater and mountain bike through remote river valleys. These tours can start on any day as they incorporate rental cars or daily transfers and day trips that operate every day.
These are just sample itineraries. If you need to shorten the trip by a day or want to add something else, we can do that.

Option #1

Day 1 Arrival to San Jose, Costa Rica
Welcome to Costa Rica! Upon arrival clients will be welcomed at the gate inside the airport terminal with a sign with their names on it. They will receive a sticker to wear through immigration and customs to speed up the procedures inside the restricted areas and to make easier to their escort to find them outside the terminal, please inform your clients of this procedure. Your escort, one of Camino Travel's best guides will inform you about all the important facts of Costa Rica, will answer all your questions and will provide you with a welcome kit that includes among other things your vouchers, general information of Costa Rica, a map and brochures of properties and attractions. After checking in there will be free time to enjoy the hotel facilities or take a walk around the city, take a good night sleep to be ready for the next day adventure.
Overnight at Fleur de Lys Hotel.

Day 2 Poás Volcano & La Paz Waterfall Gardens
(B, L) The impressive, active Poás Volcano has one of the largest craters in the world - 1.5 Km / 0.94 miles wide. Besides walking to visit the crater's sightseeing point, you may also wish to wander through the cloud forest to the nearby Botos Lagoon, a former crater which today is a picturesque lagoon. The viewing terrace provides a bird's-eye view not only 320 m (1050 ft) down into the bowels of the volcano, with its greenish sulfuric pool, but also a magnificent view of the northern lowlands. Afterwards, continue to La Paz Waterfall Garden offering treks to some beautiful waterfalls, as well as an orchid garden, a humming bird gallery, a butterfly garden, a frog pond, a snake farm where visitors can observe these creatures in their natural habitat.
Overnight at Fleur de Lys Hotel

Day 3 Pacuare River Rafting
(B, BL, D) After a cup of the delicious Costa Rican coffee or tea you will begin your journey towards Pacuare River, you will be driven through Cartago and past scenic sugarcane and coffee plantations, enjoying great views of the Irazú and Turrialba Volcano. You will enjoy a typical breakfast along the way, then, once you arrive at the river the professional guides will explain you all the safety measures in order to enjoy the tour at its best, in the water you will experience the exhilaration of riding the waves on this wild and scenic river, which courses through a tropical wilderness of dense vegetation and steep gorges that rise majestically above its banks. The lunch will be served by your guides and is based on fresh fruits, sandwiches, crackers, natural juices, cold meats and cheese. When you arrive to the overnight destination, you will find a jungle oasis nestled in the middle of an enchanting and captivating rainforest, with no electricity, phone or the sound of cars passing by, just the calm and exotic sound of the jungle. Happy Hour truly becomes a happy time as you share your experiences of the day with other rafters. Later, our guides, who are trained by a French chef, serve a candlelight dinner with wine to you. When you feel tired, you'll retire to your very own rustic bungalow.
Overnight at Pacuare Jungle Lodge or Nido del Tigre Lodge

Day 4 Pacuare River - Arenal Volcano
(B, BL) Rafting becomes even more exciting today as you begin to use the skills and experience gained the day before. Your guides will stop the rafts along the journey and lead you up paths and side streams that open onto pristine waterfalls and natural water slides. Here you can swim, splash, and live it up! Lunch will be served along the river, and when we reach the take out, you can change into dry clothes in our private restroom facilities before boarding the comfortable minibus for the drive to the restaurant in Guapiles where you will pick up the car, at the Caribbean Dish Restaurant. After filling up the forms you will drive towards Arenal Volcano area; located in the northern part of the Alajuela province, close to the Nicaraguan border, the Arenal region possesses beautiful and varied scenery. Refreshed by gentle tropical rains, this land stays green and humid almost all year round. The lowlands host gushing rivers, hot springs, lagoons, remote national parks, and plentiful wildlife.
Overnight at Arenal Paraiso

Day 5 Arenal Volcano
(B) In the morning, after breakfast drive to the Arenal Hanging Bridges; there you will take a 2 hours self guided hike through this beautiful scenario. There will be time for lunch (not included) then drive to the hotel where after midday the transportation will take you to the start point for a biking tour in the surroundings of the marvellous "mountain of fire" the Arenal Volcano, be attentive while you are riding for the firing rocks down the hill. Both tours require good physical condition and water & snacks will be provided during the afternoon tour.
Overnight at Arenal Paraiso

Day 6 Arenal Volcano - Montezuma
(B) After breakfast transfer to Montezuma, to get to Montezuma you have to get on a ferryboat, crossing over to the Peninsula de Nicoya were Montezuma beach is located. The ferry departs every hour and last 1 hour and 20 minutes and it arrives to Paquera
port. The village of Montezuma is surrounded by hills covered with dense forest sliced through by the needle-thin cascades of waterfalls. Views of the Pacific are uninterrupted, and are especially impressive at night. Montezuma and the surroundings area are laced with a number of waterfalls, the closest of which is about a one-kilometre walk down the road towards Cabo Blanco.
Overnight at El Jardin

Day 7 Montezuma
Day at leisure, if you like to hike we recommend you to visit to Cabo Blanco Natural Reserve, entrance fee is $8 US per person Please notice that Cabo Blanco is a self guided tour, there is a map available to buy map but the trails can be walk easily.
Overnight at El Jardin

Day 8 Montezuma - San Jose
At your convenience drive to back to San Jose, around 6:00 PM at the hotel in San Jose a representative from the car rental company will pick up the car.
Overnight at Country Inn & Suites Hotel

Day 9 Montezuma - San Jose
(B) We will arrange the transfer to the Airport according to your schedule

Price per person in US$ with PacuareLodge:

Price per person in US$ with Nido del Tigre Lodge:

INCLUDED IN THE PACKAGE

Accommodation
" 2 nights at Fleur de Lys Hotel, San Jose, standard room
" 1 night at Pacuare Jungle Lodge or Nido del Tigre Lodge
" 2 nights at Arenal Paraiso Resort, Arenal, standard room
" 2 nights at El Jardin hotel, Montezuma, standard room
" " 1 night at Country Inn & Suites hotel

Meals
" As described in the program (B - Breakfast, BL - Box Lunch, D - Dinner)

Transportation
" Transfer to and from the International Airport
" Rented car Daihatsu Terios with basic insurance included from day 4 until day 8

Tours & Tours packages
" Poás Volcano and La Paz waterfall gardens with roundtrip transportation, entrance fees, lunch and guide service
" 1 night & 2 days white water rafting at Pacuare river with transportation San Jose - Pacuare - Guapiles, all meals, dinner with wine, guide service & equipment
" Arenal Hanging bridges including only entrance fee
" Arenal Volcano biking with equipment, guide service, water and snacks

Other costs
" Information Package & Map
" Meet & Greet service
" Airport VIP service

extra night at the lodges includes accommodation and 3 meals

Option #2

Day 1 Arrival to San Jose, Costa Rica
Welcome to Costa Rica! Upon arrival clients will be welcomed at the gate inside the airport terminal with a sign with their names on it. They will receive a sticker to wear through immigration and customs to speed up the procedures inside the restricted areas and to make easier to their escort to find them outside the terminal. Your escort, one of our best guides, will inform you about all the important facts of Costa Rica, will answer all your questions and will provide you with a welcome kit that includes among other things your vouchers, general information of Costa Rica, a map and brochures of properties and attractions. After checking in there will be free time to enjoy the hotel facilities or take a walk around the city, take a good night sleep to be ready for the next day adventure.
Overnight at Fleur de Lys Hotel

Day 2 Pacuare River Rafting
(B, BL, D) After a cup of the delicious Costa Rican coffee or tea you will begin your journey towards Pacuare River, you will be driven through Cartago and past scenic sugarcane and coffee plantations, enjoying great views of the Irazú and Turrialba Volcano. You will enjoy a typical breakfast along the way, then, once you arrive at the river the professional guides will explain you all the safety measures in order to enjoy the tour at its best, in the water you will experience the exhilaration of riding the waves on this wild and scenic river, which courses through a tropical wilderness of dense vegetation and steep gorges that rise majestically above its banks. The lunch will be served by your guides and is based on fresh fruits, sandwiches, crackers, natural juices, cold meats and cheese. When you arrive to the overnight destination, you will find a jungle oasis nestled in the middle of an enchanting and captivating rainforest, with no electricity, phone or the sound of cars passing by, just the calm and exotic sound of the jungle. Happy Hour truly becomes a happy time as you share your experiences of the day with other rafters. Later, our guides, who are trained by a French chef, serve a candlelight dinner with wine to you. When you feel tired, you'll retire to your very own rustic bungalow.
Overnight at Pacuare Jungle Lodge or Nido del Tigre Lodge

Day 3 Pacuare River - Arenal Volcano
(B, BL) Rafting becomes even more exciting today as you begin to use the skills and experience gained the day before. Your guides will stop the rafts along the journey and lead you up paths and side streams that open onto pristine waterfalls and natural water slides. Here you can swim, splash, and live it up! Lunch will be served along the river, and when we reach the take out, you can change into dry clothes in our private restroom facilities before boarding the comfortable minibus for the drive to the restaurant in Guapiles where you will be picked up by one of our drivers, your next destination is the Arenal Volcano area; located in the northern part of the Alajuela province, close to the Nicaraguan border, the Arenal region possesses beautiful and varied scenery. Refreshed by gentle tropical rains, this land stays green and humid almost all year round. The lowlands host gushing rivers, hot springs, lagoons, remote national parks, and plentiful wildlife.
Overnight at Arenal Paraiso or similar

Day 4 Arenal Volcano
(B) In the morning, after breakfast one of our drivers will take you to the Arenal Rain Forest Reserve, in it you will find the Sky tram and the Sky trek.
Sky Tram is an ideal tour for people of all ages; you can enjoy views of the forest, the lake and Arenal Volcano. Knowledgeable guides accompany you. There is an exhibition area housing photographs and video of the forest. There are pictures of the Arenal Volcano in 1968 and the town that was flouted for the creation of Lake Arenal in order to generate electrical power. The descent from the platform can be done either by the sky tram or the sky trek; both of them depart and arrive at the front desk of the main building. You can also take the long walk to the waterfall of the Arenal Reserve by footpaths and bridges of the Sky Walk, which also ends at the main building.
In order to descend from the observation platform there are two ways. The first one is by the tram after a walk in the mountain; the second is by the Sky Trek. The Sky Trek is a system of zip lines or canopy that give you the possibility to observe the forest and their views from other angles in a safety approach. The route tour has 2.8 Km of transversal cables with different sizes between 30 and 750 meters long, with different heights of 20 to 200 meters high. The cables are over the trees giving a panoramic view of the volcano, lake and forest.
Overnight at Arenal Paraiso or similar

Day 5 Arenal Volcano - Monteverde
(B) After breakfast we will drive you to the dam where you will get on board for a lake crossing adventure, the horse will be waiting on the other side for a 3 hours ride to Monteverde. Breathtaking views of the Gulf of Nicoya and the islands below will accompany you as you ascend the hill to Monteverde and Santa Elena. An upward road leads to this forest-covered site whose name, which means "Green Mountain", is most appropriate to introduce visitors to the wildlife sanctuary it preserves. The community, secluded on a 1400 meter-high (4594 ft) plateau, was founded in 1951 by a group of North American Quakers. Although some of the original virgin forest was cleared for dairy farming, the founders environmental consciousness, together with help from private organisations, led to the creation of a biological preserve that hosts one of the richest ecological systems in the country.
Overnight at Monteverde Cloud Forest lodge or similar

Day 6 Monteverde - Manuel Antonio
(B) Late in the morning we will transfer you to Manuel Antonio Located on the Central Pacific coast and covering an area of just 683 hectares (1688 acres), the Manuel Antonio National Park preserves not only beautiful beaches and the unique formation of Punta Cathedral, but also mangroves, a setting of islands offshore, and a humid tropical forest. The park has four beaches, each with its special characteristics; it also offers visitors the opportunity to hike in the forest trails and observe wildlife such as squirrel monkeys, racoons, coatis, agoutis, and two-toed sloths among others.
Overnight at Playa Esapdilla Hotel or similar

Day 7 Manuel Antonio National Park
(B) On this day have an experienced nature guide take you on an informative hike through the park. The guide knows where you are most likely to encounter sloths, monkeys. They will also provide a great deal of information on the history, flora and fauna during this easy 2 1/2 hour walk. Mid tour snacks and refreshments are offered and guests may remain in the park after the tour.
Overnight at Playa Esapdilla Hotel or similar

Day 8 Manuel Antonio - San Jose
(B) Late in the morning after breakfast one of our drivers will take you back to San Jose.
Overnight at Hotel Fleur de Lys

Day 9 San Jose
(B) We will arrange the transfer to the Airport according to your schedule

Price per person in US$ with PacuareLodge:

Price per person in US$ with Nido del Tigre Lodge:

INCLUDES :

Accommodation
2 nights at Fleur de Lys Hotel, San Jose
1 night at Pacuare Jungle Lodge or Nido del Tigre Lodge
2 nights at Arenal Paraiso Resort, Arenal, standard rooms
1 night at Monteverde Cloud Forest lodge , Monteverde, standard rooms
2 nights at Playa Espadilla Hotel, Manuel Antonio, standard rooms

Meals
As described in the program (B - Breakfast, BL - Box Lunch, D - Dinner)

Transportation
Private transfer to and from the International Airport
Private transfer from Guapiles to Arenal
Private transfer from Monteverde to Manuel Antonio
Private transfer from Manuel Antonio to San Jose

Tours & Tours packages
* 1 night & 2 days white water rafting at Pacuare river with transportation San Jose - Pacuare - Guapiles, all meals, dinner with wine, guide service & equipment
* Arenal Rainforest Reserve including the sky tram, sky trek with guide service and round trip transportation from the hotel
* Boat ride and horseback ride from Arenal to Monteverde
* Manuel Antonio National Park with round trip transportation, guide service and entrance fee.

extra night at the lodges includes accommodation and 3 meals

As an option, why not add another night at Pacuare Lodge to either of these packages?

Optional Activities from Pacuare Lodge (We operate our tours with a minimum of 2 persons)

Cabecar Indians Tour (Jungle Trek)
The Talamanca Mountains are host to the Cabecar Indians, the largest indigenous group in Costa Rica, and one that retains many of its traditional customs and beliefs. In contrast to many other indigenous groups, the Cabecar do not live in villages, but prefer small family units scattered throughout this isolated region that includes the Pacuare zone.

The Zutkia, or shaman, plays a multifaceted role in Cabecar culture as priest, magician, metaphysician or healer. From the Pacuare Lodge it is possible to visit a shaman and isolated family groups to learn something of their folklore and way of life, as well as enjoying the alluring tropical rainforest. The tour lasts the whole day and is quite physically demanding.

After a delicious breakfast we'll depart the lodge for an uphill climb through lush rainforest, crystal clear streams and stunning wildlife. As you slowly make your way up steep inclines and through verdant jungle foliage, you will quickly become aware that you are not alone in this mysterious land. Strange piercing calls punctuate the stillness, followed by the flutter of wings and a burst of color. Overhead a pair of tucans has taken flight, curious of the strange intruders who clumsily make their way below. During the course of your journey, our naturalist guide will point out to you the many hidden secrets of this exotic natural habitat.

After approximately two hours the foliage thins and you are greeted by the laughter of children and rhythmic clucking of hens. A banana tree fringed clearing opens before you, providing a stunning panoramic vista of the shimmering rainforest canopy below. Latte colored palm-frond huts and curious stares signal your arrival. Once at the Shaman's hut your guide will introduce you to the Zutkia, a man of small stature yet wizened beyond his years. Depending on his mood, you will have the unique opportunity to listen to him share his intimate knowledge of nature, and of the traditions and customs that have survived for centuries and which provide the foundation for the Cabecar's relationship with nature. The Zutkia speaks Spanish and Cabecar, his native tongue; therefore, our expert guide will translate during the exchange. After briefly visiting with a nearby Cabecar family, we will begin our trek back down to the lodge.

We urge our guests to request permission from our guide before taking photographs of any Cabecar people. The Cabecar are very zealous of their customs and way of life and do not like to be photographed, and we strongly respect this wish.

Price: US$45 per person
Duration: 4 to 5 hours
Schedule: Departs at between 9:00am & 9:30am
Difficulty: Moderate to difficult .
Minimum Age: 12 years

Pacuare Lodge Adventure Canopy Tour
Welcome to Costa Rica's highest Canopy Tour, an exclusive outing offering characteristics no other tour of this kind can match! The action begins with a safety orientation and donning of specialized equipment. You then begin an unhurried trek through tropical rainforest up to the first platform - this twenty-minute hike into the Pacuare Lodge's private reserve will transport you into an unspoiled realm of gorgeous views and magnificent scenery. The area surrounding our eco lodge is a haven for bird watchers and nature seekers, and offers an unprecedented glimpse of Costa Rica's biological diversity. Before exploring the canopy's delicate environment you will receive a thorough review and demonstration of all safety guidelines.
This is an experience as no other! You will face the exotic beauty of the rainforest head on, feeling the adrenaline of dramatic views, rappelling down towering trees and sliding along cables from tree to tree as you descend the jungle cloaked mountain toward the Pacuare Lodge for a final thrilling rappel that leaves you just steps away from our main lodge! You will experience this excitement secure in the knowledge that you are safely anchored with a safety harness, providing a unique experience that no other tour of this type offers. Two hours of unforgettable adventure in the tree tops!
This canopy tour may only be booked as part of a Pacuare Lodge package.

Price: US$45 per person
Duration: Aproximately 1 ½ - 2 hours
Departure : 3 pm depending on weather conditions
Difficulty: Easy to intermediate
Minimum Age: 8 years old accompanied by a tour guide

Day Break Activity Tour
After a cup of steaming coffee we begin a short session of stretching and relaxation exercises designed to aid us in our exploration of the grounds surrounding the lodge. Enjoy the rich green canopy of branches and leaves, casting their shadow over lush verdant foliage and misty dew-filled nature trails. Watch as a brilliant Blue Morpho Butterfly delicately flutters over its favorite flower, or listen to the sounds of the trees whispering in the morning breeze. Our naturalist guide will lead you from the Pacuare Lodge along a series of sites from which you can observe buzzing hummingbirds, dancing butterflies and exquisite tropical flowers. The guide will point out delicate bromeliads, like the lovely "sexy lady", and answer questions about the wide variety of native ferns, lichens and orchids. See Mother Nature at her best as you spot the many birds and other wildlife that are indigenous to the area. Look and listen carefully for the Montezuma Oropendula, which nests far above in the towering trees. The area around the lodge is home to an extraordinary number of exotic bird species that include the Sun Bittern, Red-throated Ant-Tanager, Black-cheeked Woodpecker and a variety of colorful toucans. Our guide carries a telescope and will gladly identify the different species that come our way. Binoculars are also available.

Duration: The tour lasts about an hour and a half, after which we will return to the lodge for a hot delicious breakfast
Departure: 6:00am
Difficulty: Easy
Minimum Age: 8 years

What to Bring:
Insect repellent
Camera
Binoculars
Hiking shoes or sneakers

Price: $20 per person
Included: Naturalist Guide

Bajo del Tigre Horseback Riding
To begin this tour, you will hike approximately 300 meters from the lodge back to the gondola pass over the Pacuare River-an experience in itself! When you reach the other side of the river, the horses will be waiting, along with a horseman from the region. Accompanied by one of our guides, the group will travel along a dirt path from which you can appreciate beautiful views of the Pacuare River, as well as protected forest.
The first part of the ride is a climb up to an intermediate point from which you can view the tiny community of Bajo del Tigre. You'll continue through secondary forest and fields before arriving at this small community. There you can visit the school (during weekdays) and learn about some of the programs the institution is implementing. The children's mothers will prepare you a coffee break, after which you will return to the river via a different route. There is a stop on the way at a refreshing waterfall, where you can swim or take photographs. From there, it is a twenty minute ride to the river, where you'll say "adios" to your horse and cross the river again in gondola before arriving back at the Pacuare Lodge.

Price: US$55 per person
Duration: The tour is approximately three hours and must be reserved in advance. It is only available in the morning since horses are brought from Bajo del Tigre.
Difficulty: Beginners to Intermediate
Minimum Age: 12 years old

What to bring:
1 pair of light cotton hiking trousers or jeans
Insect repellent