costa rica Trip itinerary

This was a trip a long time in the making. We wanted an adventure that showed you some of the most amazing places in Costa Rica. Our favorite places; places that are off the main tourist routes, places that would be difficult to find on your own. After working there, living there, making many visits solely to plan this Itinerary (yes, it was a tough job!), and working with native Costa Ricans Jorge and Alex we finally came up with an adventure we are extremely excited about and proud of.  For many Costa Rica is their first taste of tropical nature and becomes a place they return to year after year.

Itinerary Overview:
Length: 10 days from the US, 9 Days beginning and ending in San Jose
Activities: 4 to 4 ½ days rafting; 1 day horse back riding option; 1-2 days easy hiking; 1 day snorkeling; ½ day Dolphin Tour; night time “jungle tour”; lots of beach time.
Lodging: 3 nights hotels, 6 nights jungle lodges.

Detailed Trip Itinerary:
Day 1 - Arrive in San Jose, Costa Rica’s capitol city. We meet you at the airport, have a welcome dinner and orientation, and spend our first night on the outskirts of the city among the coffee plantations.

Day 2 - Rafting the Division and Sevegre:  A spectacular early morning drive along the central range of Costa Rica and through the forests of Cerro de Morte (don’t let he name “hill of death” scare you!) brings us to the little town of el Llano. From there all our gear is packed on horses and we raft down the technical class III-IV Division and Sevegre rivers into a remote canyon set in the heart of a tropical rainforest. We use tiny “mini-me” rafts which hold just 2 to 3 paddlers and 1 guide. The day ends at an amazing “safari lodge” located in the heart of the jungle and complete with a swimming pool and water slide. We are hosted by a South African family and stay in luxury safari tents, with private baths, and fire heated hot water showers.

Day 3 - The Jungle: Rafting, Horse Back Riding or Hiking.  We wake to the sound of the jungle and enjoy a cup of coffee on the deck while searching for exotic tropical birds and animals. You can spend the day rafting, take a horseback ride or hike and learn about this amazing jungle, or just relax at the lodge.

Day 4 - More Rafting and Travel to the Coast. In the morning we raft out of the jungle and take a drive along some of the best of the Pacific coast. We have a picnic lunch and swim at one of the many beautiful beaches before arriving at the town of Sierpe. From there we board a boat and travel down the Sierpe River into the ocean and to the Osa Peninsula. The remote Osa Peninsula is in many ways Costa Rica’s “final frontier” and is home to Corcovado National Park, the largest single expanse of lowland tropical rainforest in all of South America. We will spend three nights at a jungle lodge overlooking the ocean and spend our days exploring miles of deserted beaches and the national park.

Day 5 - Snorkeling and Tropical Beaches: The morning begins with a boat ride out to Cano island. The island is a biological reserve and was once home to a still little understood pre-columbian culture. The day is spent snorkeling with tropical fish (Chad’s favorite part) and hanging out at the beach.

Day 6 - Corcovado National Park, the “Jewel” of Costa Rica: We spend the day exploring the jungles and beaches of one of Costa Rica’s most beautiful and least accessible regions. After dinner we join the “Bug Lady” for a night tour of the jungle. Armed with flashlights and night vision goggles we check out the creepy crawly world of the jungle at night.

Day 7 - Dolphins and then back to the city: This is a busy day! We begin with a Dolphin tour where you will get to interact with not only Dolphins, but also have a chance to see Orcas, pilot humpback, and other whales. This is an unforgettable experience. We then have lunch and board a short flight away from the coast and back to San Jose. You will have the evening to yourself to have dinner and see the town.

Day 8 - Rafting the world famous Pacuare River: We wake up early and drive through coffee plantations and farms and arrive at the class IV Pacuare River. This is the quintessential tropical whitewater river. The Pacuare cuts through impenetrable jungle and is full of wildlife, rapids, cascading waterfalls, and is home to native Cabecar Indians. We raft through class III-IV rapids to a riverside lodge located in the heart of the canyon. In the late afternoon you can try a zip line canopy tour that takes you into the jungle’s upper world.

Day 9 - Another day on the Pacuare and then the final night: On our last full day we continue our journey down the Pacuare through more class III-IV rapids and through an area full of the famous Toucans. We then leave the river and journey back to San Jose where we spend a night on the town and a final farewell dinner together.

Day 10 - Journey back home or on to other places: Say good-bye to Costa Rica and board a plane home. Or, we can help you with other options and extensions so you can see more of the country.

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Adventure Travel Vacations and Rafting in Costa Rica with Momentum River Expeditions!