Classic Itineraries - Costa Rica 14 Day

Destination: Costa Rica Self-Guided Adventure
Description: 14 days/13 nights
Clients: This self-guided adventure was designed for a family of 5 to Costa Rica. Accommodations included 4- and 3-star hotels.
Activity Level: Challenging

This custom adventure encompasses the heart and soul of Costa Rica. With tropical rainforests, incredible diving and active volcanoes tucked in the rugged landscape of Central America, Costa Rica is an adventurer’s paradise. In between exploring national parks, flying through the Costa Rican jungle and surfing the Pacific Coast, travelers will lounge on white sand beaches and enjoy all the “Pura Vida” that Costa Rica has to offer.

14-Day Itinerary:

Day 1: Arrive in San Jose. After clearing customs and picking up your luggage, you will be met at the exit by your rental car company. After picking up your rental car, you will drive to your hotel where you will settle in and explore the surrounding area and the city.

Day 2: San Jose to Arenal—La Paz Waterfall Park Tour. Breakfast is at your hotel and then a morning drive to Arenal. On the way you will stop at the La Paz Waterfall Park for a tour and/or the Poas Volcano tour. When you arrive in Arenal, you will settle into your hotel and then visit the National Park Office for unrivalled views of the volcano. From this perspective you will be able see and hear what a rumbling volcano feels like. Your evening is free to enjoy the town and have a meal in one of the many fine local establishments.

Day 3: Full-day in Arenal, with zip-line canopy tour and horseback ride. After breakfast, you will drive to Sky Trek to be taken to their mountain top site for a two-hour canopy and zip-line tour. Lunch will be at your hotel. Afternoon guided horseback ride through the hills to the volcano overlook. Evening visit to Baldi Hot Springs for dinner and time in the hot springs for the entire family.

Day 4: Arenal day for optional activities. Full-day in Arenal to enjoy many of the optional activities or just explore on your own.

Day 5: Morning flight from Arenal to Drake Bay. After an early breakfast you will drive to the La Fortuna Airport where you will leave your rental car and have a morning flight to Drake Bay. Upon arrival you will take a boat taxi for transfer to Drake Bay Resort. Settle into your all-inclusive resort and you have the rest of the day free to enjoy the local area.

Day 6: Explore the Drake Bay area with several options of your choice. Free time to explore and enjoy the local activities.

Day 7: Flight from Drake Bay to San Jose and drive to Turrialba. Breakfast will be at your resort and then you will take a boat to the airport for your flight to San Jose. In San Jose you will pick up your rental car and drive to Turrialba. This travel day will get you into Turrialba in the early afternoon where you will have a chance to settle into your 3-star accommodation.

Day 8: Turrialba Rio Pacuare two-day whitewater rafting adventure. Enjoy a leisurely morning, breakfast provided at the hotel. Drive to Pacuare River; en route visit local serpentarium; continue to Pacuare river; rafting class 3-4 rapids, 2-3 hrs. Includes side stops to explore 'quebrada fria' side canyon; enjoy stay hosted by river staff guides at private jungle camp, surrounded by rainforest. Lunch and Dinner provided.

Day 9: Continue rafting adventure down more rapids including the famous Dos Montañas Gorge.
Leisure morning; after late breakfast on river, rafting class 3-4 rapids for 2-3 hrs. to take-out (Siquirres) at approx. 1pm; drive to the Caribbean Coast in the evening to settle into your hotel.

Day 10: Rio Pacuare overnight Yorkin Indigenous Tour. After breakfast, you will take a motorized boat to the boundary between the countries of Panama and Costa Rica into a community inhabited by the BriBri people, an indigenous group of Costa Rica. It is principally a farming community with the main economic base in the organic production of cacao and bananas, as well as many subsistence crops. Here you will have first hand experience with the culture and people of this community. The night will be spent in a lodge in the forest.

Day 11: Rio Pacuare to Puerto Viejo. After a morning of exploring the area, you will be transferred back by boat to Puerto Viejo. The afternoon is yours to relax or explore Puerto Viejo. The night will be spent in 3-star accommodations in Puerto Viejo.

Day 12: Surfing in Puerto Viejo. After a leisurely breakfast at your hotel, you’ll have a private surf lesson that will take you to one of the local surf breaks to learn the basics and surf in the warm Caribbean water. You’ll learn to hang ten in no time with a private lesson and local surf instructor. The night will be spent again in Puerto Viejo.

Day 13: Free morning in Puerto Viejo. After taking the morning to enjoy Puerto Viejo a bit more, make your way back to San Jose. The night will be spent in San Jose.

Day 14: Return flight home from San Jose to the U.S. After breakfast, you will return your rental car to the company, and they will proceed to drop you off at the San Jose Airport to catch your flight back home.

TOUR INCLUDES

Accommodations:
2 nights, 4-star accommodations in San Jose; 3 nights 3-star accommodations in Arenal; 4 nights 4-star accommodation at all inclusive resort in Drake Bay; 1 night 3-star accommodation in Turrialba; 1 night on river trip, 3 nights 3-star accommodations in Puerto Viejo, 1night accommodation in Yorkin forest.

Transportation:
Standard SUV for dates indicated, all other transportation between destinations as listed in itinerary.

Activities:
As listed in itinerary.

Guides:
AAW private guide services and local Costa Rican guides.

*Adventures Around the World has created this classic itinerary as a rough example to give travelers a basic sense of an adventure to this destination. All schedules and prices are subject to change due to seasons and booking availability at all destinations.

Costa Rica 14 Day Adventure