ULTIMATE COSTA RICA ADVENTURE (8 Days / 7 Nights)
Biking, snorkeling, hiking and whitewater rafting on the Pacuare River.

From US$2,349 per person in double occupancy (US$294 per person per day).

This action-packed multisport adventure includes mountain biking, snorkeling, a zip line tour, hiking and whitewater rafting. With a professional guide, you will bike through the Costa Rican countryside to the Pacific Coast, then board a canoe and paddle to a secluded beach. On Day 3, glide on cables through the rainforest canopy. In Costa Rica’s South Pacific region, you will sail to Cao Island for snorkeling, looking for whales and dolphins along the way. Then up to the cool highlands to hike through a 600-year-old oak forest and, before the adventure ends, a whitewater rafting trip on the scenic Pacuare River.

Letter Codes = (B) Breakfast, (L) Lunch, (D) Dinner.

Day 1: Arrival in San Jose, Costa Rica (No meals.)
Arrive at San Jose Costa Rica’s Juan Santamaria International Airport. After passing through Immigration one of our representatives will greet you at the airport. Look for a sign that has your unique identifier along with your name. After you submit your booking request you will receive a full itinerary along with in-country descriptions, including all airport and hotel transfer instructions included in your proposal. He or she will take you to your hotel. Overnight at Hotel Bouganvillea (deluxe room).

Day 2: Villa Lapas / Pacific Coast Bike & Paddle (B,L,D)
Meet your Multisport Guide and the rest of the group for an early breakfast then you will drive along one of Costa Rica's most scenic roads, the old Spanish route that winds down from the Central Valley to the Pacific Coast (about 2 hours).

Upon arrival in Orotina, your guide and driver will prepare the bicycles and, after a safety talk and a refresher on biking technique, you’ll be on your way. This route takes you through the center of this active little town and then onto gravel backroads seldomly traveled. Eventually the group will return to the main road for the last eight miles to Aguja Beach for a picnic lunch. Total biking time is about three hours. (19.4 miles or 31 km.)

After lunch, paddle an outrigger canoe to a beach to snorkel or relax. Along the way observe seabirds swooping and circling off the coastal cliffs above you. Return to Aguja Beach in time to watch the Pacific Sunset. Drive to hotel (15 mins). Overnight at Hotel Villa Lapas.

Day 3: Cristal Ballena / Canopy Tour (B,L,D)
After breakfast drive the “Costanera” (coastal road) to Hacienda Baru, a private wildlife refuge with one of Costa Rica’s finest canopy experiences (3-1/2 hours). This route follows the coast offering good views and opportunities to observe a variety of birds, including Wood Storks, Caracaras and a variety of hawks and more. We will stop for lunch in the Quepos area, about half way to our destination.

In the afternoon you will be given a harness and instructions before experiencing the “Flight of the Toucan” zip line tour. This is one of the country’s most unique canopy adventures. Eight separate cable rides will take you from one ridge top to another, across valleys and streams. This is a great way to see and learn about the canopy, home to half of the rainforest flora and fauna. Drive to your hotel (45 mins). Overnight at Cristal Ballena Hotel (jr. suite).

Day 4: Whale Bay and Cao Island (B,L,D)
This morning we will board a sailboat to explore Whale Bay (Bahia Ballena), named for the Humpbacks which breed and calf here. Migrations from the north and south Pacific Oceans take place during two seasons. Whales from central California arrive from Dec. to April. Southern whales, from Antarctica, are in the area from June to Oct.

Ballena National Park includes many small rocky islands, important for nesting seabirds. These rocky outcrops are home to a great diversity of marine life that can be enjoyed both above and below the surface. Our main focus will be to find the Humpbacks, but other species are often seen. Spotted and Bottle-nosed Dolphins are abundant; Spinner Dolphins, Pilot Whales and Killer Whales have also been seen.

Our destination is Cano Island where the surrounding waters contain some of the most abundant and varied marine life in the world. On the island we will also see pre-Colombian, almost-perfect spherical stones, believed to have once marked an offshore burial ground and ceremonial site for the indigenous Diquis people, who inhabited the Golfo Dulce area until the Spanish arrived. Snorkeling gear will be provided. Within 50 feet (15 meters) of the beach, you can explore the warm waters and search for a variety of brightly-colored tropical fish and coral species. Overnight at Hotel Cristal Ballena (jr. suite).

Day 5: Cristal Ballena / Savegre Mountain Lodge / Biking (B,L,D)
Board a van for the 3 -hour drive from the Pacific Coast to the Costa Rican highlands. Our destination is the small town of Canon, where at over 9100 feet above sea level (2800 meters), our mountain bikes will be waiting for us. Right after a safety talk we’ll start down a wide, gravel road that winds downward for five miles (8 km) to the small town of Copey de Dota, where we’ll have a picnic lunch. From Copey, we’ll ride 6.2 miles (10 km) on a flat, paved road to the nearby town of Santa Maria de Dota. We will then board the van for a 1 -hour drive to Savegre Mountain Lodge. Overnight at Savegre Mountain Lodge.

Day 6: Cerro de la Muerte Hike (B,L,D)
After an early breakfast, depart by bus for the Cerro de la Muerte Hike. Accompanied by a local guide, you will walk down the mountain - first through sub-alpine meadows and then through the Savegre Valley oak forests (5-6 hours), ending at the Savegre Mountain Lodge. Picnic lunch will be provided in route. Overnight Savegre Mountain Lodge.

Day 7: Savegre / Pacuare Whitewater (B,L,D)
Depart before breakfast for the 3 1/2-hour drive to the put-in on the Pacuare River. Breakfast en route. After a safety talk and paddling instructions, proceed down river. The Pacuare River cuts through one of the most beautiful river canyons in the world and is one of the top ten best rafting rivers in the world. River time: approximately four hours. Mid-afternoon take-out. Return to San Jose for a farewell dinner (2 hours). Overnight at Hotel Bouganvillea.

Day 8: Departure (No meals.)
Transfer to the San Jose International airport, arriving approx. two hours before your flight’s scheduled departure.