Self Guided Adventure Package

10 days & 9 nights

For the active traveler who is ready to experience the best of Costa Rica's natural treasures, the ten-day Adventure Package offers a variety of experiences, including hiking in the cloud and rainforest, ascending to the forest canopy, and river rafting some of the most impressive class III-IV white water in Latin America.

Day 1 - Arrival in San José

You'll be picked up at the airport and transferred to San José for an overnight stay at the Hotel Don Carlos or similar. The hotel Don Carlos, a refurbished and restored Victorian home, is located at the center of the capital city’s cultural district.
Included:  transfer airport-hotel, accommodations at Hotel Don Carlos or similar.

Day 2 - Monteverde Cloud Forest Tree Top Walkways

After an early morning breakfast you'll be picked up and taken via the Inter-American Highway to Monteverde, Costa Rica's premier cloud forest. Home of the exotic and resplendent quetzal, the cloud forest is also the habitat of many endangered species, such as the jaguar. The forest stretches from the lush ferns and mosses that cover the ground, up to the darkest canopy formed by the tallest trees. After arriving at your hotel, you will have a chance to change before being picked up and taken to the start of Selvatura´s Treetop Walkways. Enjoy  the 1.9 mile (approximately 3 kilometer ) guided  trail that crosses through the cloud forest offering the opportunity to ascend into the forest canopy and view jungle life from a perspective previously available only to a select group of researchers and photographers. On this tour you traverse from bridge to bridge  over the trails far below. Expert guides will assist you in this exciting journey through the different layers of the virgin rainforest. Overnight at Hotel Sapo Dorado  or  similar.
Duration of the trip : Between 1.5 and 2 hours.  (B)
Included: Breakfast  , San José- Monteverde transfer, Tree Top Walkway tour, accommodations at Sapo Dorado Hotel or similar
Selvatura's Treetop Walkways is a 1.9 mile (approximately 3 kilometer ) trail that crosses through the cloud forest, in which our visitorsbridge making them both the longest and strongest bridge system in Costa Rica. The treetop walkways are suitable for people of all ages and psical condition. Guided and self guided tours may be booked in advance, and the duration of the tour is usually between 1.5 and 2 hours.

Day 3 –  Arenal Lake Crossing / Arenal Volcano Hike and Ecotermales Hotsprings

After breakfast, your journey will continue to New Arenal. Here you'll encounter Arenal Lake and Costa Rica's quintessential volcano, Arenal. Its perfect cone emerges from Alajuela's gentle green hills, and from time to time loud explosions can be heard, accompanied by mushroom clouds of gray, brown and orange smoke. You'll end the day at Ecotermales del Bosque , soaking away tired muscles in the crystal clear thermal waters emanating from nearby Arenal Volcano. You'll spend the night at comfortable cabins near the base of Arenal where, with clear weather, you can view the nightly showers of glowing lava and red hot rocks spewing from the mouth of the crater. Overnight at Silencio del Campo  or similar. (B, D)
Included: breakfast,  Arenal Lake crossing , Arenal Hike , entrance to Ecotermales del Bosque or similar , dinner and accommodations at Arenal Springs   or similar.

Day 4 – Half Day bike tour at Arenal Volcano & transfer to Sarapiquí

Today’s adventure begins after breakfast with a pleasant bike trip over the south shore of the Arenal Lake that meander through lush tropical rain forests at the base of the volcano. This lane has very little traffic and offers the most relaxing ride through tropical forest full of monkeys, birds and the views of the lake as well as a chance to feel the unhurried rural
We’ll stop for a picnic on the shore of Lake Arenal.  The volcano is visible during most part  of the ride and we can usually hear its activity while we bike.

Distance:13 to 26 km / 8 to 16 miles
Altitude gain: 85 mts /280 ft
Terrain: Secondary road of gravel/sand with a few rocky spots. Flat with a few short hills
Difficulty:  Beginner – Intermediate
Departures: 8 a.m.   Returns: 12 noon
After lunch, you will start the approximately 1 ½-hour drive to Puerto Viejo, where you will spend the night at Selva Verde Lodge  or similar.

Includes: Breakfast ,pick up at your hotel in Arenal, lunch, a Cannondale or Kona Mountain Bike with front suspension(Custom fitted to your size) , equipment, water bottle ,bilingual guides / mechanics, choice of different kinds of saddles and pedals, transfer to Sarapiquí, dinner & overnight at Selva Verde Hotel or similar.   (B,L,D)

Day 5 - Rafting the Sarapiquí River

Today's white water rafting trip down the free-flowing, crystal clear waters of the Sarapiquí River will offer you possibilities for spotting parrots, jacamars, hummingbirds, motmots and other exotic lowland tropical birds.

During the colonial period, the broad Sarapiquí was used as an embarkation point for boats traveling north to the Rio San Juan, which forms part of Costa Rica's border with Nicaragua, and from there on to the Atlantic. Today’s exciting rafting trip down this scenic river offers you the opportunity to enjoy some of Costa Rica’s most beautiful tropical rainforests and wildlife from a unique front row perspective. Our self-bailing rafts our best in class, and for your added safety, you will be provided with an approved life vest and a safety helmet. Prior to beginning the river excursion, you will receive instructions from our experienced guides so even beginners can enjoy this marvelous adventure. Afternoon drive to  Sueño Azul resort or similar.  (B, L,D)
Included: breakfast, lunch, dinner, rafting  trip with bilingual Aventuras Naturales guide, and accommodations at Selva Verde Hotel or similar.

Day 6 - Tortuguero National Park

This morning you will be picked up at approximately 6:30 am for a scenic drive to the Caribbean coast, passing through a rich mixture of tropical forest, countless rivers and lowland banana plantations on the way to the embarkation point. There, you'll board a boat for a three-hour ride to your jungle adventure. Imagine a natural environment, with fresh air, exotic birds, sloths, monkeys, iguanas, turtles and incredibly colored butterflies in one of the most unspoiled jungles existing. Tortuguero National Park is located on Costa Rica's northern Caribbean coast, with the larger Tortuguero region a navigable network of lakes and channels crossing the national park. The region is the most important western Caribbean nesting site for the green turtle (Chelonia mydas), and in addition you'll be able to observe a wide diversity of flora and fauna along the canals. We'll arrive at our destination mid-afternoon, leaving the afternoon and early evening for you to experience the local culture and habitat at your leisure. Optional tours: fishing, night tours and turtle watching (seasonal, July-September). (B,L,D)

 Included: breakfast, lunch, dinner, ground and river transfers, guide, and hotel. Overnight at the Pachira Lodge or similar.

Day 7 - Tortuguero Canals – Pacuare Lodge

After a hearty breakfast, you will take a guided boat trip through the smaller canals in Tortuguero in order to explore plant and wildlife more difficult to find on the main waterways. You will start your journey to Siqurres where our driver will pick you up for your transfer to Pacuare Lodge an  award winning eco-lodge that offers the perfect combination of river rafting, rainforest hiking and exquisite  gourmet cuisine in a area of unsurpassed natural beauty and unequaled views of the river and the jungle.

Advancing down the road, you plunge for about 7 kilometers even deeper into the beauty of the zone until you arrive at the Pacuare River, the Cábecar culture’s symbol of life. The adventure continues as you cross the river on a hanging gondola that carries you above the river via a 100 meter cable running from riverbank to riverbank. Upon arrival at the other side, another experience begins—no more vehicles, electricity, or roads. The last 300 meters to the Pacuare Lodge are hiked over a trail that parallels the river. Equipment is transported by our staff.

In the afternoon participate on a  waterfall hike, or simply relax in your private bungalow. Dine on gourmet delicacies by candlelight and then visit our upstairs lounge for a cocktail or refreshment before retiring to a restful night’s sleep.  (B, L, D)

Included: breakfast, lunch, guide, morning tour and afternoon waterfall hike, ground transfers, gourmet dinner and accommodations at the Pacuare Lodge on Garden View Bungalow.

Day 8 – Pacuare Lodge Canopy Adventure Tour or Cabecar Indian Hike

You’ll wake up to bird song and the soothing sound of the river nearby. Then head over to the main lodge for a delicious breakfast of home-made bread, tropical fruits, yogurt, eggs, pancakes, cereal and juice and coffee.
The lodge employs a resident naturalist guide who will provide you with unique insights into the plant and animal world. Choose from exciting optional tours that include the Cabecar Indian tour - where visitors may participate in a cultural exchange with a shaman or our  Adventure Canopy Tour – where visitors glide amid a tropical rainforest canopy.
Included: Breakfast, lunch, dinner, guided optional tour, accommodations in Garden View Bungalow . (B, L, D).

Day 9  Pacuare River Rafting Trip ( Class III /IV)

Regarded as some of the finest white water in Latin America, this wild, untamed river may be the ultimate wilderness experience in the tropics. The Pacuare is a swiftly running and rapidly changing river, making it one of Aventuras Naturales' most invigorating rafting trips. Today's rafting journey will take you down the second section of the Pacuare River , where you will work as a team, skillfully running your small raft past steep canyons where cascading waterfalls plummet hundreds of feet into the river below. A stately jungle rises thousands of feet above the river banks, and rare birds and animals hide in the forest cover.
Lunch will be served along the river.
Upon arrival at the take out point, you will be transported to your hotel in San José  for your last night in Costa Rica. (B, L )

Included: breakfast, lunch, guide for river rafting, river equipment , transfer to hotel, accommodations at Hotel Don Carlos or similar.

Day 10 - Departure from San José

After breakfast, a taxi or microbus transfer to the airport for your flight back home. Included: breakfast at the Hotel Don Carlos, airport transfer.

Self-guide Itinerary
Open dates of departure, depending on availability of hotel space.

Prices per person:

Price valid Septermber 1- December 15, 2007

Valid from January 01 – April 30, 2008

Price valid from May 01- December 15, 2008
( For July please request rates with our travel consultant)

Package includes: Breakfasts and some meals where specified, lodging, ground transportation, bilingual guide at attractions , entrance fees to parks visited, and use of biking and rafting equipment.

We would like to share some of the comments we have received from our clients.

We can assist you in planning your Costa Rica vacation! Please contact Costa Rica Nature Adventure´s travel division for help customizing a vacation that meets your budget and exceeds your expectations.

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