Scuba Diving Fishing Land Rafting Xtreme Adventures Things 2DO

THINGS TO DO / Costa Rica

• Multisport Arenal & Guanacaste - 9 days

Highlights: Cycling, hiking, rafting, outrigger canoeing and snorkeling, plus visits to tropical rainforests and Pacific Coast beaches

Tour Description:

For those of you who just can't get enough out of your active vacation, we invite you to join us in Costa Rica for nine days of multisport adventure. Cycling down lush, tropical river valleys, and past active volcanoes is just the beginning - you'll also white water raft down a national 'wild & scenic' river, canoe and snorkel in protected estuaries and in the crystal-blue Pacific ocean, and enjoy delicious tropical meals and the warm hospitality of our native Costa Rican guides.

Day 1

Arrive at our base hotel in San José today, where you can explore Costa Rica's capital city. We'll suggest some of our favorite sights to visit and then gather late afternoon for a glass of wine and introductions. This evening, we'll enjoy a traditional Costa Rican “casado” dinner complete with marimba music.

Day 2

We'll shuttle to Orosi this morning, where your tour leaders will fit you with a bike. Then you'll follow the scenic Orosi and Reventazón River valleys as they wind through coffee, sugar, and palm plantations to Turrialba and on to our hotel for the evening on Angostura Lake. We'll enjoy dinner together tonight in this lush tropical retreat. Biking distance: 47 km (29 miles).

Day 3

After a short shuttle to the Pacuare River, you will enjoy a day of white water rafting. The Pacuare has been designated a national wild and scenic river by the Costa Rican government, and it features some of the best rafting in Latin America. Throughout the day you will enjoy stunning scenery as the river winds its way through deep canyons and primordial rainforest. A professional guide with years of experience on the river pilots each raft. Following our trip, we'll shuttle on to Sarapiquí, where our hotel is located near the La Tirimbina Rainforest Reserve. Dinner together. Rafting distance: 27 km (17 miles).

Day 4

The rainforest reserves in this area feature some of the last remaining mid-elevation tropical forests in Central America. We'll shuttle to La Tirimbina today, where you can choose a short or a long hike guided by a local naturalist. Dinner is on your own. Walking time: 2 - 4 hours, your choice.

Day 5

Our loop ride out of La Fortuna takes you into the countryside past small rural villages and beautiful rivers. At sunset we shuttle to the hot springs at the base of the volcano where we'll enjoy a traditional homemade dinner together. The dining room is in a replica of the buildings made by pioneers who colonized this area in the first half of the 20th century. Biking distance: 25 or 52km (16 or 33 miles), your choice.

Day 6

Arenal Volcano dominates our ride this morning - and what a sight! As you approach Lake Arenal, keep your eyes and ears open for the playful sounds of howler monkeys and the comic antics of coatimundi, as well as other wildlife that call the lake home. At our hotel this afternoon, you will enjoy views back to the lake and the volcano in the distance. Dinner together. Distance: 38 or 55km (24 - 34 miles) your choice.

Day 7

Today we shuttle to the Pacific Coast. On the way we'll stop at the Corobici River and enjoy lunch in the old mining town of Liberia. We'll arrive mid-afternoon at the beach in Tamarindo, where you can relax by the pool, take a walk on the beach, or visit some of the shops in the area. Dinner on your own tonight.

Day 8

The last day of our Costa Rica adventure takes us to nearby Sugar Beach, where we'll pick up outrigger canoes for a day of paddling and snorkeling. Each canoe holds 6-7 people plus a guide, so you don't have to do all of the work. We'll paddle 45 minutes to a small beach just off the coast where we'll stop to rest, swim and snorkel before heading back to the beach mid-afternoon. Back at our hotel in Tamarindo this evening, we'll celebrate the end of our journey with a final dinner together.

Day 9

After breakfast together, we'll offer a free shuttle back to San José for those needing to get home. There are daily flights from Tamarindo to San José as well, if you would like to spend some extra time on the beach. Pura Vida!

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