Costa Rica: Hike, Bike & Raft

Hola! Welcome to Costa Rica. Your adventure begins in San Jose with a welcome meeting at 6 pm. With over half the country's population living within its parameters, San Jose is a city with colourful markets, many museums and a lively atmosphere. If you arrive early, maybe start exploring in the main plaza. Artisan booths are common here and you never know when there will be a spontaneous art fair. Check out the Gold Museum, home to an amazing collection of indigenous gold art. If these cultural gems get you in the mood for a bit of shopping, head to the San Jose Handcraft Market or the Central Market, where you can buy anything from handicrafts to fresh seafood.

This morning you’ll travel by private minibus to the incredibly lush Monteverde. Settled by North American Quakers in 1951, this area was initially used as an environmentally conscious agricultural community and is now a biological preserve. Make the most of your free time in lush here and maybe support our local Intrepid Foundation partner on an evening nature walk. There are also several local communities that operate cooperatives worth visiting. Get a different perspective of the forest by walking through the canopy on suspension bridges or watch butterflies in the Butterfly Garden. More than 2000 species of plants, 320 bird species and 100 different types of mammals call Monteverde home, making it the ideal spot for wildlife spotting. No matter what you choose to do today, be sure to keep an eye out for the resplendent quetzal, one of the most elusive birds in the world.

Monteverde Cloud Forest has near-constant cloud cover, providing consistent rainfall, giving the area an enchanted feeling. Spend the morning in the forest on a leader-led nature hike, looking out for hummingbirds, quetzals and maybe even a lazy sloths hanging among the mist. After your hike, drive to Lake Arenal in La Fortuna – a small but vibrant town with an abundance of hot springs and natural pools to soak in. When you arrive, you have the rest of the day free to explore, swim or get active. Tonight, why not grab a classic local dinner with a few of your fellow travellers? Chifrijo (fried pork, salsa, beans and tortilla chips) always goes down a treat!

Enjoy a free day to explore La Fortuna as you wish. This region offers lush forest, rare plants and lots of wildlife watching opportunities. There are also plenty of exciting water-based activities available on Lake Arenal. The volcano’s inner workings also mean there are plenty of thermal springs where hot, lava-heated water gushes to the surface. These springs are often surrounded by foliage, making them the ideal place to kick back and relax. Maybe try stand-up paddleboarding on the lake with a backdrop of the volcano and rolling green hills behind you. Animal lovers might want to take a boat tour of Cano Negro Reserve to count sloths, monkeys, crocodiles and the basilisk lizards that skip across the water.

This morning, leave the towering volcano behind and drive east to Pacuare River – renowned for its natural beauty. What better way to experience the river in all its glory than an adrenaline-filled white water rafting adventure? While not an overly challenging or technical river, the 29 km (18 mi) one day run includes 52 rapids, guaranteeing you a day of fun on the water. Flanked by green gorge walls, tumbling waterfalls and tropical rainforest, this is Costa Rican nature at its best! Keep an eye out for the abundant wildlife, including the sloth, parrots, toucans, butterflies and frogs. Afterwards continue by vehicle (approximately 4 hours) to Puerto Viejo de Talamanca for a taste of Caribbean seaside – think reggae bars and palm-fringed beaches.

Enjoy a relaxed start to the day before heading to brunch with a difference as you are introduced to the local cuisine in the best way – by watching it being made during at a Caribbean cooking demonstration! Experience a mix of African, indigenous and Spanish flavours with a mix of coconut milk, spices, fruits, seafood and curry flavours. Now that you are fueled up, get to know the area better with a relaxed bike ride along the palm-fringed coastal road of Puerto Viejo, stopping at various beaches and inlets along the way. After your ride you'll return to Puerto Viejo for the evening, where you can hit the bars or chill out at the beach to end the night.

This morning is free for you to explore Puerto Viejo further at your own pace. Maybe rise early and take the public bus to Manzanillo National Wildlife Refuge – this area is made up of several rare habitats, including a lowland rainforest, a wetland, a coral reef and a mangrove swamp. Spend around 2 hours exploring and keep your eyes peeled for monkeys, reptiles, toucans and macaws. Otherwise, you can kick back and relax on the Caribbean shores or take to the waves for a beginner’s surf lesson. Around midday you’ll travel back to San Jose. With time to explore the bustling food and artisan markets, you’ll see a more urban Costa Rica, quite different to the past few days of natural habitats and wildlife opportunities. After so much activity in Costa Rica, you may instead be up for a quiet night, so perhaps head out for a group dinner and become acquainted with the city's night scene – your group leader will know a good place to go.