Costa Rica Active Escape
Costa Rica Active Escape
Costa Rica Active Escape
8 Days Starting in San José and ending in Liberia Airport
Visiting: San José, La Fortuna, Balsa, Monte Verde, Puerto Carrillo, Liberia
Tour operator:
Tour code:
AHJ
Guide Type:
Fully Guided
Group size:
4 - 16
Physical rating:
Leisurely / Moderate
Age range:
16-99
Trip Styles:
Interests:
Activities:
From:
$2398
$2160 (USD)
Operator discount: -$238
Tour Overview
The many natural wonders of Costa Rica make the perfect setting for your next big-thrills getaway. Over the course of a week, we go white-water rafting on the Balsa River, swim next to a thundering waterfall, meet the nocturnal wildlife of Monteverde on a night walk, and take to the ocean for a dolphin-watching excursion. After all that excitement, the expedition ends peacefully with a few days on the Pacific coastline, where a sandy bay is shaded by coconut palms and the water is perfect for swimming. This action-packed week will leave you refreshed and with a full understanding of Costa Rica's most famous phrase: 'pura vida' or 'pure life'.
Highlights
Itinerary
Day 1 : Start San Jose
Location: San José
Accommodation Name: Autentico Hotel (or similar)
A free transfer takes you to our hotel in San José, the busy capital of Costa Rica. Check in and take it easy. There’s plenty of excitement on this trip, so today’s all about relaxing and easing ourselves into the adventure. To help, there’ll be a welcome briefing at the hotel in the evening, in which we’ll gather as a group for the first time and meet our guide.
Accommodation: Autentico Hotel (or similar)
Day 2 : To Arenal; La Fortuna Waterfall Walk
Location: La Fortuna
Accommodation Name: Eco Arenal (or similar)
Meals Included: breakfast
We drive to the area surrounding Arenal volcano, which was the most active volcano in Costa Rica until it entered a resting phase in 2010. There is still lots of geothermal activity here, plus natural hot springs, waterfalls and the largest lake in the country, Lake Arenal.
Today, we visit La Fortuna Waterfall, a 215ft (65m) cascade plunging into an emerald pool. A short rainforest trail brings us to steep steps that we must descend to reach the waterfall and then ascend to the exit; this takes around 20 to 30 minutes and will be rewarded with a swim in the pool. You can visit the lookout point to wait for the group if you prefer. There will also be plenty of time to spot forest-dwelling animals along the way; keep an eye out for colourful toucans in the trees.
Accommodation: Eco Arenal (or similar)
Day 3 : Try Grade Ii And Iii White-Water Rafting On The Balsa River
Location: Balsa, La Fortuna
Accommodation Name: Eco Arenal (or similar)
Meals Included: breakfastlunch
After breakfast, we head to the Balsa River for an exhilarating white-water rafting excursion. The rapids here are graded II and III and have nicknames such as Magnetic Rock and Dredges – prepare to get wet and wild on this adventure. No experience of this activity is needed as a full safety briefing and instruction is given before getting into the rafts. Tropical scenery flanks the river and we may spot monkeys, toucans or other animals in the forest. There will also be a stop for drinks and tropical fruits along the way.
On our return to La Fortuna, we stop to enjoy a delicious lunch at Vida Campesina, a traditional country estate that allows visitors to experience typical country life in Costa Rica. Lunch will be made with ingredients harvested on the property and prepared on a wood stove in traditional style.
Accommodation: Eco Arenal (or similar)
Day 4 : To Monteverde In The Tilaran Mountains; Night Walk To Experience The Cloud Forest In The Dark
Location: Monte Verde
Accommodation Name: Montaña Monteverde (or similar)
Meals Included: breakfast
From Arenal, we travel to the Tilaran mountain range in the Central Highlands for a taste of the Costa Rican cloud forest. Reaching Monteverde involves a fast boat across Lake Arenal, which is incredibly scenic and will take roughly half an hour. Our journey is then completed by private minibus as we ascend the hills towards Monteverde, a forest-cloaked region whose name literally means Green Mountain. The high altitude supports a complex ecosystem where plants thrive, particularly orchids of which there are some 400-plus varieties here. Our journey time will be about 3hr 30min, including the lake crossing.
Around 6pm, we have a night walk to experience the forest in the dark. This gives an entirely new perspective on the cloud forest habitat with many pairs of eyes staring back at you. We may see sloths, armadillos, porcupines, possums and coatis and will likely hear a cacophony of insects and amphibians.
Accommodation: Montaña Monteverde (or similar)
Day 5 : Visit The Hanging Bridges And Butterfly Garden; Afternoon Free For Optional Activities
Location: Monte Verde
Accommodation Name: Montaña Monteverde (or similar)
Meals Included: breakfast
Today we visit Selvatura Park, 850 acres (345ha) of protected land dedicated to nature and adventure. We begin with the hanging bridges excursion, a system of treetop walkways designed to let you experience the beauty of the cloud forest and observe the many inhabitants. We also visit the butterfly garden, one of the largest butterfly exhibitions in the world, and the hummingbird garden, where more than 14 hummingbird species amaze you with their aerial manoeuvres.
In the afternoon, there is time to try aerial manoeuvres of our own on an optional zip line adventure through the tree tops. Before we fly, guides teach us the proper technique, including how to position ourselves and hold the cable correctly, enabling you to safely embark on this adrenaline-pumping adventure above the trees.
Accommodation: Montaña Monteverde (or similar)
Day 6 : To The Pacific Coast; Afternoon At Leisure To Enjoy Carrillo Beach
Location: Puerto Carrillo
Accommodation Name: Leyenda Hotel (or similar)
Meals Included: breakfast
We travel to the Samara region on the Pacific Coast, a destination to rival any for beauty in Costa Rica but yet to be discovered by mass tourism. The broad, shady bay is backed by coconut palms and the water is calm and safe for swimming thanks to a coral reef on which the normally large Pacific waves break before reaching the shore. There are plenty of facilities in this area but there's a noticeable absence of big resort hotels, which makes for a nice atmosphere. We have a free afternoon to enjoy the facilities and discover the area.
Accommodation: Leyenda Hotel (or similar)
Day 7 : Boat Trip To See Dolphins Offshore From Carrillo Beach; Have A Go At Snorkelling
Location: Puerto Carrillo
Accommodation Name: Leyenda Hotel (or similar)
Meals Included: breakfast
Today we take a private boat from Carrillo Beach in search of dolphins. You could be lucky enough to see spotted dolphins, Central American spinners or common bottlenoses, which all inhabit this area year round. Feel the ocean breeze and enjoy the coastal scenery as we search for these playful animals who love to swim in the bow wave of the boat. As we return along the coast, we anchor near the shores of Isla Chora, a white-sand beach full of hermit crabs and iguanas. This is a great spot for a refreshing swim and a chance to observe the underwater world with a mask and snorkel. Beneath the surface teems a lively world with huge marine diversity. In total, today’s excursion lasts around four hours, with the rest of your time at leisure to enjoy the area.
Accommodation: Leyenda Hotel (or similar)
Day 8 : To Liberia And End
Location: Liberia
Meals Included: breakfast
A final breakfast at the hotel is your chance to say goodbye to the group, swap numbers, and perhaps start planning your next adventure. For those joining our post-trip extension to Tamarindo Beach, the wait won’t be long.
What's Included
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Meals
7 breakfasts, 1 lunches, 0 dinners.
What's Not Included
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Travel insurance
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Single accommodation (available on request)
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Visas or vaccinations
Food
All breakfasts and one lunch are included. Hotel breakfasts are normally buffets. Vegetarians are well catered for but please inform us before departure of any special dietary requests.
Costa Rican specialities include gallo pinto, a black bean and rice dish and staple part of the local diet. Soups and stews are also common, and fresh fruit is abundant and will no doubt be one of the highlights of your time here.
Accommodation
We stay in four comfortable hotels during this tour for a total of seven nights.
In San José, we stay at the modern three-star Autentico Hotel, which has easy access to the downtown areas of the city.
In Arenal, our accommodation will normally be the Arenal Paraiso Hotel. This property is close to Arenal volcano and has large natural grounds with wonderful volcano views. There are also several spring water-fed pools in which you can relax.
In Monteverde, we stay at the Monteverde Country Lodge, a three-star property providing cosy, comfortable and warm accommodation. This property doesn’t have a swimming pool or air conditioning as it’s in an area of Costa Rica that is typically much cooler.
By the Pacific Coast, we stay at the three-star Leyenda Hotel by Carillo Beach, which has a swimming pool and jacuzzi.
Check out our Q&As
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What happens if I need to change my holiday date once I’ve booked?
If you wish to make any changes to your booking, particularly if you need to alter any flights booked through us, please let us know as soon as possible. There is a booking or flight amendment fee of £40 per change and flight amendments often incur extra airline costs depending on the changes to be made and if the ticket has been issued or not.
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How long has the tour company been trading?
Exodus has been trading since 1974
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What documents will I receive before I travel?
Your final joining instructions and flight details, if booked with us, will then be sent out 2 to 3 weeks before departure. If you would like a hard copy posted, or if you require these any earlier, please contact the customer operations team. We advise that if you are booking connecting travel before receiving these, please ensure you leave plenty of time.
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Do you operate a “single share” option and how does it work?
Travellers are welcome to opt to share a room with a tour member of the same gender for no additional charge. If you'd like your own room, we can request a single supplement so that you will have your own room throughout.
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Can I join the tour once it has departed?
You are welcome to meet the group after the tour has departed however there is no reduction in rate for joining a tour after the departure date.
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Transfer as credit to Future Tours
Exodus allows you to transfer existing payments to a future tour to avoid cancellation fees if you can't travel and inform exodus, 43 days before departure.
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Low Deposit
Exodus requires a minimum deposit of 25% or the full booking value, whichever is less, with the final balance not due until 90 days before departure.
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Cancellation Policy
We don't charge a cancellation fee, here is a summary of exodus charges.
Up to 70 days before tour starts: Forfeit 100% of deposit.