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THINGS TO DO / Costa Rica

• Costa Rica: Osa Peninsula Multisport - 9 days

Tour Description:

Costa Rica's Osa Peninsula is both isolated and spectacular. Called "the most biologically intense place on earth" by National Geographic Magazine, it is home to some of the most pristine, coastal rainforest found anywhere in the world - half of which are protected in Corcovado National Park, and private reserves. Join us as we explore this remote and scenic area by bike and on foot. You'll also enjoy beautiful white sand beaches, kayak in the Pacific, and snorkel in the warm, clear waters off Isla del Caño - an island renowned for its coral reefs and extensive variety of aquatic life.

Highlights: Cycling , hiking, sea kayaking and snorkeling, plus visits to tropical rainforests and Pacific Coast beaches

Tour Itinerary:

DAY 1

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

DAY 2

After breakfast together in our hotel, we shuttle into the Talamanca Mountains where we switch to mountain bikes for a ride along the ruta de los santos, or "route of the saints." We pedal past coffee plantations to Santa Maria de Dota, one of the most important coffee production areas in Costa Rica. We'll do a tour of a Coffee Plant (Beneficio) after lunch. We spend the night at Gerardo de Dota, a small farming community and a great place to look for the colorful Quetzal, a bird of great significance to both the Aztec and Mayan cultures. Tonight we stay at a private lodge on a family farm with plenty of opportunities for wildlife viewing. Dinner together.

DAY 3

Today we'll begin with a hike into the Cloudforest in search of Quetzals and other wildlife. By late afternoon, though, we'll be in the quiet coastal village of Dominical, where you can enjoy its beautiful beach and magnificent coastal scenery. Dinner together.

DAY 4

After breakfast together we'll head off to spend the day on the R?Savegre, one of the most pristine rivers in Costa Rica. Surrounded by primary rainforest, the Savegre has great swimming holes and some of the best white water rafting in the country. We stop for lunch in a village where we'll enjoy a traditional "Tico" style lunch in a restaurant with a thatched roof. We'll be back on the beach this evening. (Note that during the last part of the dry season - March and April - the river rafting may be substituted by a sea kayak tour in the warm waters of the Pacific Ocean.) Dinner on your own.

DAY 5

We pedal today to the nearby village of Ojochal with its beach, Playa Tortuga. Undiscovered by tourists, this area captures all of the natural beauty of Costa Rica - mountains, rainforest, the Pacific Ocean, and abundant wildlife. Dinnner together. Distance: 35km. (21 miles)

DAY 6

We pedal today to the nearby village of Sierpe, and enjoy lunch together along the way in Palmar Sur. Palmar is known for stone spheres made by indigenous people in pre columbian time. Your ride takes you along the coast and then inland to cross the Terraba River (the largest in Costa Rica). We'll shuttle to Corcovado by boat, passing through Terraba-Sirepe mangroves. Dinner together. Biking Distance: 45km. (27 miles)

DAY 7

Corcovado National Park is home to the largest tree in Central America, a 77 meter Silk Cotton tree. We hike to Sirena in the heart of the park. On the edge of the park we stop at a waterfall frequented by tapirs, macaws and other species of animals. After a picnic lunch on the beach we'll take a boat shuttle back to our hotel for dinner together.

DAY 8

We've planned a tour of Isla del Caño today. Historically the sacred burial ground of the Boruca Indians, Isla del Caño is home to many ancient artifacts, including bolas, or curious stone spheres. This afternoon we'll snorkel in the warm waters off the island. Enjoy the coral reefs and huge variety of aquatic life.Lunch together. We'll have a special final dinner together tonight.

DAY 9

This morning after breakfast we'll provide a shuttle back to San José. Or maybe you'd like to relax for a few days somewhere on the peninsula? Your choice! Thanks for coming.

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