Inclusions
All accommodation
All internal flights
All tours as specified in the itinerary
All meals as specified in the itinerary
All transfers and transportation
All national park entrance fees
All other entrance fees
24 hour emergency assistance
100% financial protection with our ATOL license & ABTA membership
Our exclusive 100+ page trip guidebook, personalised to your trip
Full support from your dedicated specialist
CAN include these for you, just ask us for a quote.
International flights – weDiscretionary gratuities to drivers and guides
Travel insurance to cover any medical treatment.
About this tour
This tour is perfect for anyone who enjoys taking part in a variety of activities whilst staying in an excellent standard of accommodation. Start in San Jose before rafting down the Pacuare River to Pacuare Lodge. Take a canopy tour and go canyoning before continuing to The Central Valley for waterfall hikes and horse riding. Then transfer across the country to Guanacaste for white water tubing, hot springs and zip lines at the unique Rio Perdido lodge. Finish up on the beach on the Nicoya Peninsula for surfing and relaxation.

Speak to an expert who has been to Costa Rica on 44 020 8191 7772 or toll free from the USA on 0018448806752 Alternatively get in touch via email at [email protected]
Itinerary
Day 1 - Meet and greet at airport, transfer to hotel
On arrival in San Jose you will be met by your friendly English speaking driver guide who will help you with your luggage and provide you with bottled water. You will be taken by private transfer straight to your hotel (about 30 minutes depending on traffic). Evening at leisure.
Our recommendation: For your evening meal we recommend the restaurant at your hotel, the Grano de Oro. Set around an open air courtyard, it is one of the best in the city and well worth a visit.
Meals Included: None today
Suggested Accommodation: Grano de Oro
Day 2 - Rafting to your luxury eco lodge
Early this morning you will be met at your hotel by representatives of Pacuare to start your journey to the lodge. It is about a 2 hour drive in an air conditioned mini bus to the Pacuare River with a stop along the way at a local restaurant for breakfast. Once you arrive to the river you will be given a safety briefing by the team before starting the rafting part of the journey.
The raft in to the lodge takes about 1.5 hours in total arriving at approximately noon in time for lunch. These rapids are class II and III which are considered perfect for beginners. There is no previous experience required for the rafting part of the journey although there is a minimum age of 12 years old and it is not recommended for pregnant women. Your luggage will be taken by land to the lodge and will be waiting for you on arrival. The rest of the afternoon and evening is at your leisure.
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Suggested Accommodation: Pacuare Lodge
Day 3 - Canyoning and zip lining tours
Canyoning is an activity that combines abseiling, rappelling, climbing, hiking and other activities. The day will start with a short 20 minute walk through the rainforest to El Tesorito Creek in the mountains behind the lodge. There will be a safety demonstration by your guide before you begin the course. The first few rappels are between 2 and 20 metres before you get the chance to take on the 30 meter cliff. There is also some light rock climbing, a waterfall descent and a Tarzan swing. After this you will return to the lodge for lunch.
Guided Pacuare Canopy Tour
After lunch you will be met again by your guide for your afternoon tour of the rainforest canopy. You will start with a leisurely hike of about 20 minutes through the jungle until you reach the first platform. This is a great opportunity to spot wildlife including a variety of birds. On reaching the platforms there will be a short safety briefing before you start your adventure through the rainforest. There are several zip lines including some abseiling on a network that takes you through the trees and slowly back towards the main lodge.
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Suggested Accommodation: Pacuare Lodge
Day 4 - Rafting excursion & transfer to cloud forest
After breakfast this morning you will begin your departure from the lodge by river raft. Start with a safety briefing before beginning the adventure along the most beautiful part of the Pacuare River. Rafting out of the lodge takes between 2.5 and 4 hours depending on the water level and there will be a stop along the way for lunch on the river bank. These rapids are class III and IV and are slightly faster and more challenging than the way in to the lodge. Your luggage will be taken by land to the river out point.
Important note: The rapids on the way out of Pacuare lodge are a bit faster and more challenging than the way in, but are still considered suitable for most people with a moderate level of fitness and willingness to take part in soft adventure activities such as horse riding and hiking. The minimum age is 12 years old and it is not recommended for pregnant women or people who have recently had surgery.
Private transfer to the cloud forest
After arriving to the river out point you will be met by your private driver guide and taken by private transfer to El Silencio (about a 3 hour drive). Upon arrival to El Silencio you will be welcomed by your eco concierge and shown to your private bungalow. The rest of the afternoon and evening is at your leisure.
Meals Included: Breakfast & Lunch
Suggested Accommodation: El Silencio Lodge & Spa
Day 5 - Horse riding tour
Today after breakfast you will be greeted by your eco concierge and given a safety briefing before setting out on a leisurely horse ride around the extensive private reserve. Your guide will teach you about the cloud forest eco system and point out different flora and fauna as you go. You will continue onto the green slopes of the Poas Volcano and also pass through the small rural community of Bajos del Toro. This is a fantastic and relaxed way to explore this bucolic area.
These activities are just suggestions and can be changed to suit your particular interests. Speak to one of our specialists about designing your perfect trip.
Meals Included: Breakfast
Suggested Accommodation: El Silencio Lodge & Spa
Day 6 - Waterfall hike
Today after breakfast you will be met by your private guide who will take you on a guided hike around the El Silencio private reserve leading to three impressive waterfalls of different sizes. Along the way your guide will teach you about the cloud forest and the different types of plants and animals that can be found there. The trail leads on to a pristine hidden creek which is a great photo opportunity.
Top Tip: We recommend wearing good shoes for this excursion (no flip-flops!) and also taking your swimming costume and towel in case you want to cool off under one of the waterfalls! A dry bag to keep your camera is also a good idea.
Meals Included: Breakfast
Suggested Accommodation: El Silencio Lodge & Spa
Day 7 - Journey to Rio Perdido
After breakfast this morning you will be met at the hotel by your private driver guide and taken by private transfer to your hotel in Guanacaste. The transfer takes about four hours and you can ask your driver to stop at any point along the way for a break or refreshments.
On arrival to Rio Perdido you will be welcomed by the staff and shown to your bungalow. The rest of the afternoon and evening is at leisure.
Our private vehicles are all air conditioned, include complimentary bottled water and some even have wi-fi on board!
Meals Included: Breakfast
Suggested Accommodation: Rio Perdido
Day 8 - White water tubing & canyon adventure
Today you will take one of the highlight excursions at Rio Perdido, the white water tubing. Start with a safety demonstration by your professional instructors before embarking on a thrilling trip down the river in an inflatable tube. Winding through the canyon the scenery is breathtaking with high walls on either side and strange rock formations. At points the river forms into pools and at other points it turns into faster rapids. The forest above you is full of tropical birds and monkeys can also be seen along the way. This is a unique way to experience a magical and untouched area of Costa Rica. After the tubing experience you return to the lodge for lunch.
Note: Whilst most of the white water tubing course is slow and gentle floating, there are some areas of faster rapids and more exposed rock. Therefore this is only recommended for people who have intermediate swimming skills and children under the age of 12 are not allowed to participate in this excursion. This excursion is also dependent on weather conditions and may be cancelled if the water level is too low.
The epic Rio Blanco canyon adventure
The Rio Perdido canopy canyon adventure is one of the most exciting in Costa Rica with an innovative course spread across the Rio Blanco canyon. It includes a total of 15 platforms, some built into the rock and others hanging from the canyon walls. After a safety demonstration you will start the course, guided by professional instructors. The course includes 5 zip lines the longest of which is 800ft, a 90ft challenge bridge, a Tarzan swing for the more daring, a pendulum cable and other surprises including elements of rock climbing and abseiling.
Meals Included: Breakfast & Lunch
Suggested Accommodation: Rio Perdido
Day 9 - Day at leisure at Rio Perdido
Today is a free day to take advantage of the natural thermal springs in your hotel, go on some of the self guided hiking trails, go to the 10 mile mountain bike park, or unwind with a spa treatment.
Meals Included: Breakfast
Suggested Accommodation: Rio Perdido
Day 10 - Journey to the Nicoya coast
This morning after breakfast you will be met at the hotel by your private driver guide who will take you by private transfer to your hotel on the Nicoya Peninsular (about 3.5 hours).
On arrival you will be greeted and shown to your room.
The rest of the afternoon and evening is at leisure.
Meals Included: Breakfast
Suggested Accommodation: Lagarta Lodge
Days 11 & 12 - At leisure on the beach
Your final two days are at leisure to relax before returning home. Your hotel offers complimentary shuttles to four different beaches throughout the day. You can go surfing, explore mangroves, visit the spa, take a guided walk through the nature reserve and more.
Meals Included: Breakfast
Suggested Accommodation: Lagarta Lodge
Day 13 - Transfer to the airport for departure
Check-out and private transfer from your hotel to the airport (about 4 hours) for your return international flight.
Meals Included: Breakfast
Accommodation
Below is our suggested accommodation for this tour. Our Costa Rica experts have intimate knowledge of all the accommodation options in Costa Rica having personally visited or stayed in many themselves. Speak to one of our specialists about the type of accommodation you would like to include.
Destinations Visited On This Tour
Click the links below to find out more about the destinations visited in this tour.