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Costa Rica: Hike, Bike & Raft

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Costa Rica: Hike, Bike & Raft

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Description

If you’re looking for a Central American thrill, take on an eight-day active adventure through one of the world’s greenest countries. Dive into Costa Rica’s wilderness and cascade down the rapids of Pacuare River in a raft, hike misty jungle trails in the Monteverde Cloud Forest and cycle along the coastline of Puerto Viejo. With plenty of free time to customise your adventure depending on your interests, you might opt to surf the Caribbean waves in palm-fringed beach towns or go stand up paddleboarding on Lake Arenal. Costa Rica is the perfect place for wildlife lovers (how many sloths can you spot?), active adventurers and those seeking a natural paradise.

Trip Name
Costa Rica: Hike, Bike & Raft
Last Updated
1970-01-01
Days
8
Capacity
12
Highlights
  • Swap the concrete jungle for the real jungle on a guided hike into the Monteverde Cloud Forest Biological Reserve, home to some of Costa Rica’s exotic animals, like sloths, tropical butterflies and the elusive quetzal bird.
  • Raft along the Pacuare River – this area was ranked in the top five rivers of the world for whitewater rafting! You’ll tackle Class 3 and Class 4 rapids through lush green landscapes abundant in wildlife.
  • Cycle the quiet palm-fringed roads of Puerto Viejo and drop in at hidden beaches along the Caribbean coast.
  • Opt to ride some waves with a surfing expedition at a local beach, go stand up paddleboarding on Lake Arenal or take on some more challenging hikes through forest and coastlines – this trip allows you plenty of free time to take on our favourite adventures!
  • Make the most of your full free day in La Fortuna – there are lava-fuelled hot springs, water-based activities on Lake Arenal (like stand up paddleboarding with a volcano backdrop) or you can take a boat tour of Cano Negro Reserve and go wildlife spotting!
  • By travelling on this trip, you’ll directly support our Intrepid Foundation partner, World Bicycle Relief. Donations provide school kids, health workers, and farmers in far-out areas with bicycles that provide access to education, healthcare, and income.

Itinerary

ITINERARY CHANGES Our itineraries are updated regularly throughout the year based on customer feedback and to reflect the current situation in each destination. The information included in this Essential Trip Information may therefore differ from when you first booked your trip. It's important that you review this information prior to travel so that you have the latest updates. Due to weather, local conditions, transport schedules, public holidays, political unrest or other factors, further changes may be necessary to your itinerary once in-country. Your group leader or local representative will keep you up to date with any such changes once your trip is underway. OPTIONAL ACTIVITIES A selection of optional activities that have been popular with past travellers are listed in the day-to-day itinerary. This isn't an exhaustive list and should be used as a guide only for some of what might be available. Prices are approximate, are for entrance fees only, and don’t include transport to and from the sites or local guides unless indicated. All activities are subject to availability, and maybe on a join-in basis. It may not be possible to do all the activities listed in the time available at each destination, so some pre-planning for what you are most interested in is advised. When it's recommended that travellers pre-book these activities, look for a note in the Special Information section of the day-to-day itinerary. For most, they can either be organised independently on the day, or let your group leader or local representative know you are interested at the Welcome Meeting and they can assist. Where activities are considered medium or high risk, we work with operators whose safety and credentials we have sighted and assessed. Although it is possible that you may find the same activity cheaper with another operator on the ground, we cannot vouch for the safety or quality of that operator. Medium and high-risk activities not listed above have not been assessed by us and as such our staff and group leader or local representative are unable to assist you with organising these activities. Activities that contravene our Responsible Travel policies are also not listed. Please remember that the decision to partake in any activity not listed is at your own discretion and risk.

Day 1 - San Jose
Hola! Welcome to Costa Rica. Your adventure begins in San Jose with a welcome meeting at 6 pm. With over half the country's population living within its parameters, San Jose is a city with colourful markets, many museums and a lively atmosphere. If you arrive early, maybe start exploring in the main plaza. Artisan booths are common here and you never know when there will be a spontaneous art fair. Check out the Gold Museum, home to an amazing collection of indigenous gold art. If these cultural gems get you in the mood for a bit of shopping, head to the San Jose Handcraft Market or the Central Market, where you can buy anything from handicrafts to fresh seafood.
Day 2 - Monteverde
This morning you’ll travel by bus to the incredibly lush Monteverde. Settled by North American Quakers in 1951, this area was initially used as an environmentally conscious agricultural community and is now a biological preserve. Make the most of your free time in lush here and maybe organise a local guide to take you on an evening nature walk. There are also several local communities that operate cooperatives worth visiting. Get a different perspective of the forest by walking through the canopy on suspension bridges or watch butterflies in the Butterfly Garden. More than 2000 species of plants, 320 bird species and 100 different types of mammals call Monteverde home, making it the ideal spot for wildlife spotting. No matter what you choose to do today, be sure to keep an eye out for the resplendent quetzal, one of the most elusive birds in the world.
Day 3 - Monteverde Cloud Forest hike & La Fortuna
Monteverde Cloud Forest has near-constant cloud cover, providing consistent rainfall, giving the area an enchanted feeling. Spend the morning in the forest on a leader-led nature hike, looking out for hummingbirds, quetzals and maybe even a lazy sloths hanging among the mist. After your hike, drive to Lake Arenal in La Fortuna – a small but vibrant town with an abundance of hot springs and natural pools to soak in. When you arrive, you have the rest of the day free to explore, swim or get active. Tonight, why not grab a classic local dinner with a few of your fellow travellers? Chifrijo (fried pork, salsa, beans and tortilla chips) always goes down a treat!
Day 4 - La Fortuna
Enjoy a free day to explore La Fortuna as you wish. This region offers lush forest, rare plants and lots of wildlife watching opportunities. There are also plenty of exciting water-based activities available on Lake Arenal. The volcano’s inner workings also mean there are plenty of thermal springs where hot, lava-heated water gushes to the surface. These springs are often surrounded by foliage, making them the ideal place to kick back and relax. Maybe try stand-up paddleboarding on the lake with a backdrop of the volcano and rolling green hills behind you. Animal lovers might want to take a boat tour of Cano Negro Reserve to count sloths, monkeys, crocodiles and the basilisk lizards that skip across the water.
Day 5 - Pacuare River white water rafting & Puerto Viejo
This morning, leave the towering volcano behind and drive east to Pacuare River – renowned for its natural beauty. What better way to experience the river in all its glory than an adrenaline-filled white water rafting adventure? While not an overly challenging or technical river, the 29 km (18 mi) one day run includes 52 rapids, guaranteeing you a day of fun on the water. Flanked by green gorge walls, tumbling waterfalls and tropical rainforest, this is Costa Rican nature at its best! Keep an eye out for the abundant wildlife, including the sloth, parrots, toucans, butterflies and frogs. Afterwards continue by vehicle (approximately 4 hours) to Puerto Viejo de Talamanca for a taste of Caribbean seaside – think reggae bars and palm-fringed beaches.
Day 6 - Puerto Viejo de Talamanca Cycling
After breakfast, get to know the area better with a relaxed bike ride along the palm-fringed coastal road of Puerto Viejo, stopping at various beaches and inlets along the way. Stop at a local restaurant for lunch and be introduced to the local cuisine in the best way – by watching it being made during at a Caribbean cooking demonstration! Experience a mix of African, indigenous and Spanish flavours with a mix of coconut milk, spices, fruits, seafood and curry flavours. Return to Puerto Viejo for the evening, where you can hit the bars or chill out at the beach to end the night.
Day 7 - Puerto Viejo de Talamanca & San Jose
This morning is free for you to explore Puerto Viejo further at your own pace. Maybe rise early and take the public bus to Manzanillo National Wildlife Refuge – this area is made up of several rare habitats, including a lowland rainforest, a wetland, a coral reef and a mangrove swamp. Spend around 2 hours exploring and keep your eyes peeled for monkeys, reptiles, toucans and macaws. Otherwise, you can kick back and relax on the Caribbean shores or take to the waves for a beginner’s surf lesson. Around midday you’ll take the bus back to San Jose. With time to explore the bustling food and artisan markets, you’ll see a more urban Costa Rica, quite different to the past few days of natural habitats and wildlife opportunities. Around midday take the bus back to San Jose (approximately 5-6 hours). With time to explore the historic buildings and bustling food and artisan markets, you’ll see a more urban Costa Rica, quite different to the past few days of travel. After so much activity in Costa Rica, you may instead be up for a quiet night, so perhaps head out for a group dinner and become acquainted with the city's night scene – your group leader will know a good place to go.
Day 8 - San Jose
There are no activities planned after breakfast today and your adventure comes to an end. You're free to leave at any time after check out. If you'd like to extend your stay, just get in touch with your booking agent ahead of time to organise additional accommodation. If you are exploring San Jose in more depth, why not book in an Urban Adventures tour like the San Jose Bites & Sights.

Trip Dates

StartEndPrice FromRoom Type
04-01-202511-01-2025AUD $ 2,840-
11-01-202518-01-2025AUD $ 2,403-
01-02-202508-02-2025AUD $ 2,430-
22-02-202501-03-2025AUD $ 2,855-
08-03-202515-03-2025AUD $ 2,855-
22-03-202529-03-2025AUD $ 2,855-
05-04-202512-04-2025AUD $ 3,095-
26-04-202503-05-2025AUD $ 2,595-
10-05-202517-05-2025AUD $ 2,495-
24-05-202531-05-2025AUD $ 2,495-
05-07-202512-07-2025AUD $ 2,495-
19-07-202526-07-2025AUD $ 2,495-
02-08-202509-08-2025AUD $ 2,520-
16-08-202523-08-2025AUD $ 2,495-
04-10-202511-10-2025AUD $ 2,495-
18-10-202525-10-2025AUD $ 2,495-
08-11-202515-11-2025AUD $ 2,595-
22-11-202529-11-2025AUD $ 2,595-
29-11-202506-12-2025AUD $ 2,695-
06-12-202513-12-2025AUD $ 2,695-
20-12-202527-12-2025AUD $ 2,695-
27-12-202503-01-2026AUD $ 2,695-
03-01-202610-01-2026AUD $ 2,725-
10-01-202617-01-2026AUD $ 2,725-
24-01-202631-01-2026AUD $ 2,725-
31-01-202607-02-2026AUD $ 2,725-
07-02-202614-02-2026AUD $ 2,830-
14-02-202621-02-2026AUD $ 2,495-
21-02-202628-02-2026AUD $ 2,830-
28-02-202607-03-2026AUD $ 2,495-
07-03-202614-03-2026AUD $ 2,830-
21-03-202628-03-2026AUD $ 2,830-
28-03-202604-04-2026AUD $ 2,495-
04-04-202611-04-2026AUD $ 2,725-
25-04-202602-05-2026AUD $ 2,725-
09-05-202616-05-2026AUD $ 2,620-
23-05-202630-05-2026AUD $ 2,495-
04-07-202611-07-2026AUD $ 2,620-
18-07-202625-07-2026AUD $ 2,620-
01-08-202608-08-2026AUD $ 2,495-
15-08-202622-08-2026AUD $ 2,620-
03-10-202610-10-2026AUD $ 2,620-
17-10-202624-10-2026AUD $ 2,620-
07-11-202614-11-2026AUD $ 2,620-
14-11-202621-11-2026AUD $ 2,495-
21-11-202628-11-2026AUD $ 2,725-
05-12-202612-12-2026AUD $ 2,830-
12-12-202619-12-2026AUD $ 2,495-
19-12-202626-12-2026AUD $ 2,830-
26-12-202602-01-2027AUD $ 2,830-

Accommodation

Hotel (6 nights),Lodge (1 nights)

Transport

Shared vehicle,Public bus,Raft,Bicycle

Map

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