Adventure in the Wild

1 nts San Jose, 2 nts Tortuguero, 2 nts Turrialba, 3 nts Cahuita, 4 nts Puerto Viejo de Talamanca

After a night in San Jose you will travel east to the Caribbean coast and the steamy, humid jungle canals of Tortuguero where you will see the diversity of wildlife and birds that frequent this unique and interesting habitat. Sightings may include caimans, howler monkeys and spider monkeys. If you travel between the months of July through October you can take a guided night walk on the Caribbean beach and may see nesting Atlantic Green Turtles.

You will then continue to Turrialba to a remote lodge on the banks of the Pacuare River. To get to the lodge you travel by raft with your luggage in a dry bag, navigating some grade II and III rapids. You will spend 2 nights at this eco lodge and enjoy the rainforest and waterfalls. The raft trip navigates some more challenging rapids of grade III and IV and is along a spectacular stretch of the river including the Pacuare Gorge.

You will travel to the unique and remote eco-lodge Selva Bananito. Experience the natural beauty of this location, listen to the sounds of the tanagers and oropendulas from your hammock and undertake some active adventure in the grounds and rainforest. Adventure activities include horse riding, guided hiking, canopy adventure and waterfall rapelling.

You will finish your trip near Puerto Viejo on the Caribbean coast. Almonds and Corals is located in the heart of the Gandoca- Manzanillo Wildlife Refuge. Accommodation is in rustic bungalow accommodation with palm roofs and tented walls nestled within the dense forest, connected by wooden walkways. A short trail takes you to a beautiful beach. You will visit Cahuita National Park for a snorkel and guided hike, and have a guided kayak along the river from Punta Uva. Hike bikes and explore the local area and discover beautiful beaches, wildlife sanctuaries, and local culture.

Price Guide

12 nights from £2,995 per person based on double occupancy

These prices are excluding international flights. Average direct flight prices to Costa Rica range from £900 per person to over £1,000 per person at peak times (Christmas, Easter and Summer). Flight routes vary, there are direct flight options with British Airways from London Gatwick but also many alternative routes via the US. Please contact us for accurate flight pricing for your timings and place of departure.

Day to Day

Below is an example day by day itinerary

Day 1

Met on arrival in San Jose International Airport and transferred to the Presidente Hotel in downtown San Jose.

Day 2

Vehicle and boat transfer to Tortuguero (approx. 4 hours). Visit the Tortuguero village in the afternoon. Overnight in the simple but comfortable Mawamba Lodge and relax to the sights and sounds of the forest. (BLD)

Day 3

Enjoy an early morning guided boat tour along the Tortuguero canals. Your guide will point out resident bird life and you may spot spider, capuchin and howler monkeys as well as iguanas and caimans. In the afternoon you will have a guided walk around the lodge grounds and through the frog garden, a chance to see Poison Dart Frogs up close. Overnight Mawamba Lodge (BLD).

Day 4

Today you will transfer by boat, vehicle and then white water rafting along the Pacuare River to the Tropical Rivers Lodge. This simple lodge is deep in primary rainforest and has 2,000 acres of land you can explore. The rapids are class II and III on the journey to the lodge. Overnight Tropical Rivers Lodge (BLD)

Day 5

Day at leisure to enjoy the trails at the lodge or optional excursions such as canopy zipline or canyoning. Overnight Tropical Rivers Lodge (BLD)

Day 6

Leave the lodge via more white water rafting, an adrenaline packed morning will see you rafting along Class III and IV rapids and past the famous Pacuare Gorge. Once back on dry land you will be transferred by vehicle into Caribbean lowland forest to the remote and rustically comfortable Selva Bananito where you will overnight (BLD).

Day 7

Enjoy the adventure activities available at the lodge which can include adventure horse ride, rainforest hike and waterfall rapel, canopy adventure and tree climbing. Overnight at Selva Bananito (BLD).

Day 8

Overnight at Selva Bananito (BLD).

Day 9

Transfer by vehicle along the southern Caribbean coastline to the palm tree lined beaches of the Puerto Viejo region. You will be staying in the simple and spacious permanent tents at Almond and Corals with screened windows open to the surrounding sounds of wildlife and where the sound of howler monkeys at dawn may rouse you from your sleep. This is truly a back to nature resort that sits on the gorgeous sandy beach of Playa Grande close to the Manzanillo Wildlife Refuge. Overnight Almonds and Corals (B).

Day 10

Cahuita National park provides an excellent opportunity to see wildlife, common sightings may include White Faced Capuchin, Howler monkeys, Two and Three Toed Sloths and a variety of frogs, reptiles and birds . You will have a guided walk within the forest and along the white sand beaches of Playa Blanca and the opportunity to snorkel. Overnight Almonds and Corals (B).

Day 11

From Punta Uva you will kayak parallel to the coast then paddle up river though the rainforest where you may see monkeys, sloths, colourful birds, river turtles, bats and iguanas. Back at Punta Uva beach you will take a break to relax and swim. Overnight Almond and Corals (B).

Day 12

Day at leisure to enjoy the beach or book optional excursions at additional cost to Manzanillo Wildlife Refuge, visit the Jaguar Rescue Centre, or visit the BriBri tribe and learn about their culture. Overnight Almonds and Corals (B).