Adventure highlights of Costa Rica

Duration
7 nights
Price
£3,320 pp.
Location
Costa Rica, Central America
Costa Rica White Water Rafting

Trip Highlights

  • White-water rafting adventure
  • Ziplining through cloud forests
  • Explore Arenal & Monteverde

What's Included

  • Expert guides
  • Activities & excursions
  • 7 nights accommodation

Rafting, ziplines and beaches

Whitewater raft down grade IV rapids of the Pacuare River, fly through the forest on a zipwire, marvel at wildlife from a hanging bridge and relax on powder soft white sand beaches.

This 8-day compact Costa Rica holiday is crammed with highlights. Begin with an adrenaline-filled whitewater rafting experience down grade III and IV rapids which will take you through lush forest and rugged canyons. Next, it is onto Sky Adventures Arenal Park which has some of the best views of the Arenal Volcano and Lake. Here you can zipline at speed from mountain to mountain, whilst you enjoy adrenaline-fueled forest views, and walk more leisurely along the Sky Walk Hanging Bridges up in the treetops allowing you to see the forest from a new perspective and giving you a chance to marvel at the spectacular wildlife found here. Finally, it is onto the beach to relax!


Trip Itinerary

Day 1 Arrive in San Jose

Staying at Hotel Grano de Oro

On arrival, you will be met at Juan Santamaria International Airport and transferred to your hotel, Grano de Oro Hotel & Restaurant in San Jose around 40 minutes away.

San Jose offers a variety of attractio like the Museum of Contemporary Art and Design and the architectural jewel of the country is the National Theatre which is worth visiting. There are plenty of restaurants and cafes to choose from.

Day 2 White water rafting

If you dream about rafting on a wild tropical river with warm water, the celadon-coloured Pacuare is a dream come true! Rated one of the top rivers in the world, you’ll experience the intimate nature of the rainforest as you raft right through it on 19 miles of Class III-IV white water. The warm water, cascading waterfalls, and opulently lush rainforest with its brilliantly coloured plants, animals, and birds indulge your senses on every level.

Located on Costa Rica’s Caribbean slope, the Pacuare River borders the Talamanca Mountain Range and is home to native Cabecar Indians and an incredible variety of wildlife, including parrots, toucans, deer, jaguars, ocelots, monkeys, butterflies, and more.

After your adrenaline-filled adventure, you will be transferred from Siquirres to the Arenal Volcano, La Fortuna where you will spend 2 nights at Arenal Kioro Suites & Spa.

Difficulty: Class III-IV. Distance: 30 kms/18 miles. Number of rapids: 38. river time: 4 hours approx. Minimum age: 12 years

Day 3 Hanging bridges and zip lines

Day 4 Beach time

Day 5 & 6 Relax on the beach

Day 7 San José

Day 8 Return home

Speak to a Costa Rica expert today

and start planning your tailor-made holiday

Call 0203 111 1315
or

Amanda

Costa Rica Expert

When to go to Costa Rica

Discover the best time to visit Costa Rica with our helpful guide.

  • Best
  • Good
  • Mixed
  • Jan
  • Feb
  • Mar
  • Apr
  • May
  • Jun
  • Jul
  • Aug
  • Sep
  • Oct
  • Nov
  • Dec

January

January is the dry season in Costa Rica (although you can still expect the odd tropical shower) and so a fantastic time to visit, the only downside is it is peak season and so you can expect some crowds and peak season prices.

The dry season is ideal if you want to walk through the jungles of Manuel Antonio National Park. It is also an excellent time to visit the soft sandy beaches as you can see humpback whales, as well as green and leatherback sea turtles in the Pacific Ocean.

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February

The dry season continues in February with hot, dry conditions but fewer visitor numbers than in January making it a wonderful time to visit Costa Rica.

If you're hoping to see turtles or humpback whales you want to head to the Pacific Coast, or if you are looking to surf, both the Atlantic and Pacific Coast are great this time of year.

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March

March is still the dry season in Costa Rica, and with fewer crowds, it is a fantastic time of year to visit. March kicks off with Monteverde Music Fest where National and international musicians gather in the cloudforest town for a month of song and dance.

You can see Loggerhead turtles at Parque Nacionale Tortuguero and Gandoca-Manzanillo Wildlife Reserve from March to May.

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April

April is the final month of the dry season, and also one of the hottest meaning many visitors prefer the breezy Pacific coast or visit higher mountainous areas. Easter holidays mean that Costa Rica does get busy, but it quietens after Easter.

Every two years (even numbers), San José plays host to the International Arts Festival where you can expect ten days of theatre shows, concerts, dance performances and art exhibitions.

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May

May is the start of the rainy season, but with it, you benefit from fewer visitors, lower prices and still plenty of good weather. Although there are rain showers, these tend to be in the afternoon, meaning you've bright, sunny mornings to explore - watch wildlife for longer, uninterrupted by other tourists.

Surfers will love this time of year with an increasing swell on the Pacific coast and empty beaches.

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June

June is still part of the rainy or green season, meaning there are tropical showers, but also plenty of lush, vivid vegetation. June is when surfing is at its peak on the Pacific coast.

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July

Whilst July is still part of the rainy season, there is a letup in the volume of rain making it a fantastic time to spot wildlife without the crowds and with amazing plush vegetation.

July is also when green turtles return to their favoured nesting grounds in Tortuguero, with some turtles travelling 2000km to reach their breeding beaches. More turtles can be found at Playa Nancite in Santa Rosa and Ostional Wildlife Reserve, where olive ridleys lay millions of eggs in the black sand, often in the middle of the day.

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August

August still forms part of the wet season, but this doesn't put off families visiting Costa Rica who bring children during the school holidays for the plethora of activities available.

It is a good month to see both green and Hawksbill turtles nesting around Tortuguero. Further up the Pacific coast, olive ridley turtles storm the sands in a synchronized mass nesting event known as arribada which will continue until November. The northern part of the Pacific coast receives the least rain so is ideal for those hunting sunshine.

If you're looking to party, the Virgin of the Seas Fiesta takes place in the Gulf of Nicoya to remember a time when the desperate prayers of storm-shocked sailors were answered.

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September

September and October are the wettest months of the green season meaning that remote areas of Costa Rica can become inaccessible due to the roads and spotting wildlife can be more challenging. The East of the country is the driest so visitors willing to brave the rain head to Tortuguero National Park.

Independence Day occurs on the 15th September which is a big fiesta - across the country, you can expect big patriotic parades celebrating the country’s independence from Spain in 1821.

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October

October is another very wet month in Costa Rica, especially on the west coast which is the best place to see whales and turtles at this time of year.

October is an important month for festivals with Limón Carnival happening. Expect week-long celebrations to mark Christopher Columbus’s landing at Isla Uvita, but be aware these can have an impact on local services.

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November

November marks the end of the wet season - although the exact end date can be difficult to pinpoint, so travel this month can be a gamble, with the upside being lower prices and fewer crowds, plus the potential for glorious sunshine! If you get lucky, November can be the best month to visit.

The Caribbean Coast on the East gets the dry weather first, and if there is rain, it tends to fall in the afternoon so you can easily plan your day around it.

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December

December marks the return of the dry season with visitors flocking to the beaches of sea, sun and sand.

It also means wetter areas of the country reopen with Arenal National Park being one of the most popular for its volcano, hanging bridges and zipwire through the forest, and its magnificent waterfalls.

On the 27th December, there is San José Carnival where you can see huge parades with colourful floats, vibrant music and lots of dancing.

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