Overview
Raft Costa Rica's most iconic rivers as you navigate up to class IV rapids surrounded by rain forest as far as the eye can see. Immerse yourself in the Costa Rican culture by being a part of the family at each homestay. Disconnect and travel to places without a phone signal or Internet. Drink the natural spring water from the side of the mountain as you hike a single trail path with only the sounds of rushing water, howler monkeys, and exotic birds. This is an adventure. Are you ready for it?
Basic Info
| Start: | Duration: | Physical Demand: |
|---|---|---|
| San Jose | 14 Days | 4.5/5 |
| End: | Distance: | Age Requirement: |
| San Jose | 35 km | 14+ |
| Physical Demand: | Age Requirement: | |
| 4.5 | 14+ | |
| Accommodations: | Group Requirement: | |
| Transportation, lodging, meals, rafting, surfing |
2 - 40 People | |
| Accommodations: | Group Requirement: | |
| Transportation, lodging, meals, rafting, surfing |
2 - 40 People | |
Itinerary
| Day 1 |
Arrive at the Juan Santamaria Airport (SJO). Travel to San Jose Centro and stay at our first homestay outside of Turrialba. Meet your guides, pack, orientation, and get ready for an adventure of a lifetime! |
| Day 2 |
Early morning wake up to head off to our first adventure rafting the famous Pacuare River. Consistently rate among the top ten rivers in the world for whitewater rafting. Camp overnight in the rain forest alongside the Pacuare River. |
| Day 3 |
Second and final day of rafting the Pacuare River. Great rapids and beautiful valleys await us. Travel to Santa Maria de Dota for a great night of sleep. |
| Day 4 |
Early morning departure from Santa Maria de Dota to Las Rejas. Eat breakfast on the way and arrive at trailhead. Begin hike in rain forest to arrive at La Flecha for the first night camping in the rain forest. This hike will be approximately 5 hours long. |
| Day 5 |
Hike 3.5 hours to La Casa de Magda to enjoy some great homemade Costa Rican food and beautiful views of the valley of Piedras Blancas. Here, we will go on a fruit tour of the area, where we will learn about local fruits and get to give them a taste. |
| Day 6 |
We wake up at La Casa de Magda and eat breakfast to make our 1 hour hike to Piedras Blancas. Upon arrival we´ll be greeted with open arms from the Lopez family. Most likely on this day, we will rappel down the 120 foot waterfall! At night, we make tortillas and eat dinner for a great night of sleep with the sounds of the Rio Savegre. |
| Day 7 |
Jump in the river of Piedras Blancas and check out surrounding area of the village of Piedras Blancas. Make sugar out of sugarcane using traditional system of the 'Trapiche'. |
| Day 8 |
Second day enjoying the village of Piedras Blancas. Explore a 900 feet deep cave in the rain forest where you'll see stalactites and stalagmites. |
| Day 9 |
Eat breakfast and say our goodbyes to our friends in Piedras Blancas. Hike 1 hour to La Casa de Hernan. We will be greeted with lunch prepared by Marta (muy rico!). Hernan teaches us how to make homemade bread and cheese, then we learn about the history of Piedras Blancas and how Hernan and Marta came to live in PB. |
| Day 10 |
After eating Gallo Pinto for breakfast, we hike to the Fonsecas Family Eco-Lodge alongside the Savegre River. Activities here include: canopy over the Rio Savegre, tree climb, medicinal plant tour, make homemade chocolate! |
| Day 11 |
2 hour hike to Brujo to arrive at the Rio Savegre to begin our 16 mile rafting trip! Eat lunch alongside the river and enjoy the beautiful waterfalls and great rapids. After rafting we travel to Playa Uvita to watch the sunset and prepare for surf the next day. |
| Day 12 |
Travel to Uvita national park for surf instruction – enjoy the waves and the beautiful wildlife that frequent this area(macaws, monkeys)! Travel to San Jose for our last night of the trip. Stop for souvenirs on the way back to San Jose. |
| Day 13 |
Perfect your surfing skills and continue to enjoy the beautiful sites and sounds of the rain forest that comes all the way to the beach in this marine reserve. |
| Day 14 |
Fly out day at SJO. Transportation included from Uvita to airport for departure. Pura vida! |
Route
Typical Meals
Varies day to day but this provides a good overview. We can change items based on diet requirements!
Breakfast
- Gallo Pinto - scrambled or fried eggs, fried plantains, fruit, black beans and white rice mixed with wild cilantro, onion, and seasoning.
- Fresh Costa Rican coffee, chocolate milk, or homemade lemon cane sugar water
Lunch
- Casado - chicken, green salad with tomatoes and onions, avocado, fresh pineapple, mangoes, with white rice and black beans.
- Fresh juice, rain forest spring water, or lemon cane sugar water.
Dinner
- Casado - choice of meat, local mixed vegetables, white rice with wild cilantro and locally grown black beans.
- Hot chocolate, rain forest spring water, or lemon cane sugar water.
Pricing Details
Price includes:- Transportation from San Isidro de El General
- Final transportation to San Isidro de El General, Uvita,
Dominical, or Manuel Antonio - Lodging
- All meals
- All safety equipment for activities
- All activities mentioned
- Roundtrip transportation from San Isidro de General
- 24 hour bilingual guide(s)
- Hiking backpacks (if needed)
- Flight to Costa Rica
- Transportation from San Jose
- Gratuities