Day 01: San Jose, Costa Rica
Upon arrival in San Jose, Costa Rica, you will transfer to the Hotel Grano de Oro for overnight.
Situated on a shady street just off Paseo Colón, San José's main thoroughfare, Hotel Grano de Oro is a true oasis, a sanctuary in the heart of the city. Converted from a Tropical Victorian mansion, the hotel maintains the warmth and comfort of a private home. There are gardens at Grano de Oro both inside and out. A rooftop terrace offers relaxing Jacuzzis and a spot for secluded sunbathing and stargazing.
The restaurant is one of the most renowned in Costa Rica.
Grano De Oro HotelDay 02: San Jose - Pacuare River
Depart San José early in the morning, stopping for a delicious breakfast, at the Ríos Tropicales Operations Center, before arriving at the river. Once at the river friendly and professional guides will load your gear into dry bags, prepare the equipment and give you complete safety and paddle instruction. The first day's Class III rapids welcome you to the Pacuare gorge's charm as you raft deep in the heart of primary rainforest. While your guides prepare you a hearty picnic lunch on the riverbank, you'll be led through the jungle to an enchanting waterfall and pool to swim.
Before you know it, you'll arrive at the award-winning Ríos Tropicales Lodge where you can spend the afternoon relaxing, hiking or soaking in the waterfalls and pools. As an exciting new addition, you can brave the Canopy Zip lines for unparalleled views of the stunning forest. The lodge is nestled in the jungle on a 1,000-acre private reserve and offers basic but comfortable accommodations. Private single and double rooms are spacious offering beds with clean linens and shared bathrooms with showers. Electricity is generated by a self-sufficient hydro-plant. Happy Hour will put you in the mood for a tropical evening, followed by a luscious candlelight dinner with wine served by your guides. Then fall asleep to the roar of the river.
Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner Rios Tropicales LodgeDay 03: Pacuare River - San Jose
After a hearty breakfast and loading the rafts, you'll prepare to paddle down the Pacuare gorge past gushing waterfalls, serene pools and pounding rapids. A snack stop by the riverside lets you explore more waterfalls and natural waterslides. An adrenaline-packed afternoon running rapids like Upper and Lower Huacas, Cimarron, Dos Montañas and many more, will have you cheering ecstatically. Hot lunch will be served at the Ríos Tropicales Operations Center. Showers, changing rooms, cold and hot drinks and snacks are also available. On the return drive to San José, you'll enjoy remarkable views of Braulio Carrillo National Park and Irazú Volcano. Late this afternoon you will return to San Jose and transfer to the Hotel Grano de Oro for overnight.
Breakfast, Lunch Grano De Oro HotelDay 04: San Jose - Corcovado National Park
Today, you will transfer to the San Jose Domestic Airport for the short flight to Palmar Sur, on the remote Osa Peninsula. Upon arrival, you will transfer to the Sierpe River for a scenic boat ride through the river, estuary and into the Pacific. Arrive at the Aguila de Osa Inn, located in Drake Bay, for overnight. The lodge is located between the tropical rainforest and the Pacific, offering comfort and seclusion with a touch of elegance. Each room features hardwood floors, ceiling fans and tile bathroom. The rest of the afternoon is free to hike, kayak to a deserted beach, beach comb, horseback ride, or just relax in a hammock overlooking the ocean. Tonight enjoy happy hour at the bar and meals served family style in the open-air restaurant.
Lunch, Dinner Aguila de Osa LodgeDay 05: Corcovado National Park
Full day guided hike of Corcovado National Park: This morning take a boat ride to the entrance of Corcovado National Park, which protects over 100,000 acres and many of the country’s endangered species. National Geographic ranks this park as one of the best in the world and describes it as "the most biologically intense place on earth". Traverse through the virgin tropical rainforest to see an abundance of tropical birds (including toucans, scarlet macaws, parrots and hummingbirds), butterflies, insects, and several species of monkeys, sloth and more. Have a refreshing swim in a waterfall before the return to Aguila de Osa Inn for overnight.
Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner Aguila de Osa LodgeDay 06: Cano Island
Snorkeling Tour of Cano Island Biological Reserve: This small piece of paradise is covered with evergreen forest that pushes against a curve of white sand beaches ringed with warm turquoise waters and acres of coral covered rock reefs. Said to be a pre-Colombian cemetery and refuge for pirates at one time, the island is now a popular destination for scuba diving and snorkeling among the big fish (including white tip sharks and bull sharks). Spotted dolphins sometimes play in your boat's wake and flying fish sail off the top of the ocean swells. Visitors often encounter schools numbering in the hundreds that literally block the sun's rays in the clear waters (visibility ranges from good to excellent year round). Between December and April, 40-ton humpback whales come from their Alaskan feeding grounds and manta rays with 15 to 20 feet wingspans are spotted from February to June. Overnight Aguila de Osa Inn. (Or certified divers can substitute a full day Scuba diving tour at additional cost.)
Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner Aguila de Osa LodgeDay 07: Corcovado National Park - Manuel Antonio National Park
This morning, you will boat and ground transfer to the Palmar Sur airstrip for the short flight to the Manuel Antonio / Quepos area on the Central Pacific coast. Upon arrival, you will transfer to the Hotel Si Como No for overnight. This award-winning hotel is an exemplary combination of environmentalism, stunning design and barefoot luxury located in a lush tropical rainforest overlooking the ocean. The hotel's 60 rooms are distributed on ten acres of protected tropical forest. Each room has well-appointed bathrooms, fully stocked mini-bars, most with private balconies (offering rainforest or ocean views), direct dial telephones, energy efficient air conditioning and security safes.
Two unique pool atmospheres are offered – a family pool with toboggan slide and an adult pool for guests 18 and over, both contoured into the jungle terraces, with swim up pool bars, whirlpool spas and adjacent open air terraced restaurants. Enjoy a casual meal at the Rico Tico Bar & Grill (live entertainment nightly) or upscale dining in a casual setting at the Claro Que Si Restaurant (specializing in seafood and authentic Caribbean dishes). Other features include the Serenity Spa, Regalame Art Gallery, Gift Shop and Internet Cafe, Nature Farm, and Butterfly Garden. A state-of-the-art cinema (offering nightly movies) is a surprise feature of this jungle paradise. Remainder of the afternoon is free to explore.
Breakfast Si Como No HotelDay 08 & 09: Manuel Antonio National Park
Free days to take the complimentary shuttle down to the beach or plan day trips. Manuel Antonio National Park contains three of the country’s most beautiful beaches and casual trails that wind through the rainforest where it grows to the water’s edge. Other attractions and tours include hiking with naturalist guides for wildlife observation, adventure canopy tour, sport fishing, sea kayaking, scuba diving, mountain biking, ATV tours, Dolphin Watch boat tour, horseback riding, bird watching, Butterfly Farm Tour, exploring the Isla Damas Estuary by kayak or boat, Rainmaker Reserve and suspension bridges, Sunset Sailing and whitewater rafting. Guided excursions at additional cost can be pre-booked or arranged upon arrival. Don’t forget to visit the fun shops and restaurants in the old United Fruit Company town of Quepos.
Breakfast Si Como No HotelDay 10: Manuel Antonio National Park - San Jose - Depart
Transfer to the local airport in Quepos for the short flight to San Jose. Upon arrival, you will transfer to the International Airport for departure.
Breakfast
