Costa Rica: Hike, Bike & Raft

Costa Rica: Hike, Bike & Raft

8 Days Starting and ending in San Jose

Visiting: San Jose, Monteverde, Monteverde Cloud Forest hike & La Fortuna, La Fortuna, Pacuare River white water rafting & Puerto Viejo, Puerto Viejo de Talamanca Cycling , Puerto Viejo de Talamanca & San Jose

Tour operator:

Intrepid Travel

Tour code:

QVXC

Guide Type:

Fully Guided

Group size:

1 - 12

Physical rating:

Medium

Age range:

15-99 years

Trip Styles:

Active

From: $1860 $1767 Operator discount: -$93

NB: Prices correct on 05-Nov-2024 but subject to change.

This tour is no longer available, please see similar tours below or send an enquiry

Tour Overview

If you’re looking for a Central American thrill, take on an eight-day active adventure through one of the world's greenest countries. Dive into Costa Rica’s wilderness and cascade down the rapids of Pacuare River in a raft, hike misty jungle trails in the Monteverde Cloud Forest and cycle along the coastline of Puerto Viejo. With plenty of free time to customise your adventure depending on your interests, you might opt to surf the Caribbean waves in palm-fringed beach towns or go stand up paddleboarding on Lake Arenal. Costa Rica is the perfect place for wildlife lovers (how many sloths can you spot?), active adventurers and those seeking a natural paradise.

Highlights

  • Swap the concrete jungle for real jungle on a guided hike into the Monteverde Cloud Forest, home to Costa Rica’s amazing range of exotic animals.

  • Raft Costa Rica’s Pacuare River – an area ranked in the top five rivers of the world for whitewater rafting. You’ll tackle Class 3 and 4 rapids on an unforgettable river adventure.

  • Cycle the quiet palm-fringed roads and drop in at hidden beaches along the Caribbean coast.

  • Opt to ride some waves with surfing expedition at Manzanillo beach. You’ll be away from the crowds and hanging ten in no time!

  • Explore the rich urban centre of capital San Jose, with time before and after your active adventure to really get to know the Costa Rican way of life.

  • By travelling on this trip, you’ll directly support our Intrepid Foundation partner, World Bicycle Relief. Donations provide school kids, health workers, and farmers in far-out areas with bicycles that provide access to education, healthcare, and income.

  • Swap the concrete jungle for the real jungle on a guided hike into the Monteverde Cloud Forest Biological Reserve, home to some of Costa Rica’s exotic animals, like sloths, tropical butterflies and the elusive quetzal bird.

  • Raft along the Pacuare River – this area was ranked in the top five rivers of the world for whitewater rafting! You’ll tackle Class 3 and Class 4 rapids through lush green landscapes abundant in wildlife.

  • Cycle the quiet palm-fringed roads of Puerto Viejo and drop in at hidden beaches along the Caribbean coast.

  • Opt to ride some waves with a surfing expedition at a local beach, go stand up paddleboarding on Lake Arenal or take on some more challenging hikes through forest and coastlines – this trip allows you plenty of free time to take on our favourite adventures!

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Itinerary

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Day 1: San Jose

Location: San Jose

Accommodation: Hotel

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.

Optional Activities:
-San Jose - Pre-Colombian Gold Museum (Entrance fee)
-San Jose - National Museum (entrance fee)

Day 2: Monteverde

Location: Monteverde

Accommodation: Lodge

Meals Included: breaksfast

This morning you’ll travel by bus 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 organise a local guide to take you 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.

Optional Activities:
-Monteverde - Coffee & Chocolate tour
-Monteverde - Canopy Zip Lining (Entrance, Equipment & Transport)
-Monteverde - Butterfly Garden and Insects Farm (entrance fee)
-Monteverde - Suspension bridges tour

Day 3: Monteverde Cloud Forest Hike & La Fortuna

Location: Monteverde Cloud Forest hike & La Fortuna

Accommodation: Hotel

Meals Included: breaksfast

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!

Included Activities:
-Monteverde - Cloud Forest Entrance

Day 4: La Fortuna

Location: La Fortuna

Accommodation: Hotel

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.

Optional Activities:
-La Fortuna- Caño Negro boat tour
-La Fortuna - La Fortuna Waterfall (Entrance only)
-La Fortuna - Stand up paddle board
-La Fortuna - Arenal hanging bridges
-La Fortuna - Arenal 1968 Volcano View and Lava Trails (Entrance fee)
-La Fortuna - Ecotermales Hot Springs (entrance fee)

Day 5: Pacuare River White Water Rafting & Puerto Viejo

Location: Pacuare River white water rafting & Puerto Viejo

Accommodation: Hotel

Meals Included: breaksfast, lunch

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.

Included Activities:
-Pacuare - 4hrs. Pacuare River white water rafting - Class 3 & 4

Day 6: Puerto Viejo De Talamanca Cycling

Location: Puerto Viejo de Talamanca Cycling

Accommodation: Hotel

Meals Included: breaksfast, lunch

After breakfast, 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. Stop at a local restaurant for lunch and be 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. Return to Puerto Viejo for the evening, where you can hit the bars or chill out at the beach to end the night.

Included Activities:
-Puerto Viejo de Talamanca - Coastal Bicycle ride
-Caribbean cooking demonstration

Day 7: Puerto Viejo De Talamanca & San Jose

Location: Puerto Viejo de Talamanca & San Jose

Accommodation: Hotel

Meals Included: breaksfast

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 take the bus 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.
Around midday take the bus back to San Jose (approximately 5-6 hours). With time to explore the historic buildings and bustling food and artisan markets, you’ll see a more urban Costa Rica, quite different to the past few days of travel. 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.

Optional Activities:
-Manzanillo - Beginner surf lesson or Independent surfboard rental
-Gandoca Manzanillo National Wildlife Refuge (donation for entry) - Free

Day 8: San Jose

Location: San Jose

Meals Included: breaksfast

There are no activities planned after breakfast today and your adventure comes to an end. You're free to leave at any time after check out. If you'd like to extend your stay, just get in touch with your booking agent ahead of time to organise additional accommodation. If you are exploring San Jose in more depth, why not book in an Urban Adventures tour like the San Jose Bites & Sights.

Optional Activities:
-San Jose - San Jose Bites and Sights Tour - Urban Adventures

What's Included

  • Accommodation
    Hotel (6 nights), Lodge (1 nights)

  • Monteverde - Cloud Forest Entrance

  • Pacuare - 4hrs. Pacuare River white water rafting - Class 3 & 4

  • Puerto Viejo de Talamanca - Coastal Bicycle ride

  • Caribbean cooking demonstration

  • Meals

    6 breakfasts, 2 lunches

Transport

  • Shared vehicle , Public bus , Raft , Bicycle

Accommodation

  • The style of accommodation indicated in the day-to-day itinerary is a guideline only and may change. On some occasions, alternative arrangements may need to be made due to the lack of availability of rooms in our preferred accommodation. In these cases, we will use a similar standard of accommodation.
  • Throughout the trip, we request that our properties prepare rooms in time for our arrival, especially if we're arriving prior to normal check-in time. However, this isn't always possible which means we won't be able to check-in immediately on arrival at some hotels. Instead, we can store our luggage and explore our new destination or on some trips, have use of shared day rooms until all rooms are available.

Important Information

  • 1. It is very important that you provide your height at time of booking so we can ensure that you have the appropriate sized bicycle when your trip starts. If you do not provide your height ahead of arrival we cannot guarantee a suitably sized bike for you.
  • 2. Your adventure begins with a welcome meeting at 6 pm on Day 1 in San Jose. There are no activities planned for the final day so you may depart at any time.
  • 3. A single supplement is available if you’d prefer not to share a room on this trip. Please speak to your booking agent for further information.
  • 4. Please be careful when booking flights to/from San Jose; make sure you fly into/out of Juan Santamaria International Airport [SJO]. Please do not book flights to/from Norman Y. Mineta San Jose International Airport [SJC] as this is located in California, United States.

Mode of Transport

  • Shared vehicle , Public bus , Raft , Bicycle

Check out our Q&As

  • Is this trip right for you

    With so many activities on offer in Costa Rica we have deliberately planned this trip so that you have ample time to explore activities that specifically interest you outside of the including hiking, cycling and rafting.

    The included activities on this trip don't require a high level of fitness or skill, but it’s essential to be at least moderately fit if you want to partake in all activities.

    Most of the activities (both included and optional) on this trip take place in the great outdoors. This means you'll need to be prepared to deal with insects and occasionally rustic conditions. It's all part of immersing yourself in this natural paradise.

    Costa Rica is generally hot and humid year-round, and from May to October can be wet too. At nighttime and in locations at higher elevations it can get chilly. Protect yourself from the sun, bring light clothing you can layer and a waterproof jacket, and stay hydrated. Please carefully consider which time of the year you'll feel most comfortable travelling. Although most vehicles do have air conditioning, it has to work pretty hard to keep a full group cool.

    With so much to see and do, Costa Rica can sometimes be expensive. Expect to pay more than you would in other Central American countries for a lot of things.

  • What policies are in place for Covid-19?

    Please contact us for latest COVID-19 policies

  • How long has the tour company been trading?

    Intrepid Travel has been taking travellers around the world for over 30 years

  • Will the accommodation included meet local health and safety regulations?

    Yes

  • What Ethical Travel credentials does the tour company have?

    Since 2002, The Intrepid Foundation has supported over 130 organisations across the world. We’re creating positive impact through the joy of travel, community and connection.

  • Do you operate a “single share” option and how does it work?

    Over 50% of traveller travel solo with Intrepid. You can choose to share a room with another solo travelle of the same sex for no additional charge, or choose to pay a single supplement if you’d like your own room. Please request this when booking, and we will secure you a single supplement wherever possible. Please note, if you are booking a last-minute trip, it may be harder for us to secure a single room

Reviews of this operator

Maroochy Dazza (Google Reviewer)  

Just leaving a review to...

24-Aug-2023

Just leaving a review to share how much I enjoyed my Central America trip. I thought the guide, Aura was so knowledgeable and organised and clearly a great ambassador for Intrepid. She gave us lots of information on each region, helped us organise anything we needed and dealt with queries from passengers very well and diplomatically. She made the trip run smoothly. She was also keen to explain the Intrepid vision and how the company values making a difference to locals and is a credit to your company. I did Guatemala and beyond and thoroughly enjoyed it - very fast paced, lots to see and do and a great overview of the region. I would definitely recommend 👍

LivvyGrace 4 (Google Reviewer)  

I just completed my first...

15-Jul-2024

I just completed my first Intrepid tour which was 33 days travelling around Central America - I had the time of my life! It was great to have the benefit of a guide (Fluffy was amazing!) and be able to ask questions at any point, but I also liked the freedom that you were permitted throughout. The group tour made boarder crossings seamless and the whole process felt easy - there was never one hiccup. As a solo female traveller, I felt safe throughout, and I cannot recommend Central America enough - the people, the food, the sun and the activities were just amazing :) Can't wait to book my next adventure soon!

V Open (Google Reviewer)  

I have just come back...

26-Oct-2022

I have just come back home after doing Intrepid's 10-day Vietnam Express Northbound tour. What a SUPERB tour. We saw lots and did lots, it was jam-packed full of sights and activities. Our tour leader, Tam, was the best ever. Very knowledgeable, organised and lots of fun too. The other 10 people on the group were all lovely. The places we visited were very interesting. We even visited local homes and ate just like the local people do. I highly recommend Intrepid to anyone considering touring a new country. This was my 5th tour with them and they have consistently been fantastic.

Jack Edwards (Google Reviewer)  

I have travelled with Intrepid...

03-Jun-2024

I have travelled with Intrepid a number of times now and can't recommend them enough. The trips are always exciting, full of history and immersive in the culture and environment. The office staff are great too and always happy to help with any questions you might have. Everywhere I have gone with the company has been different but the guides and itinerary have always been excellent and full of knowledge and passion for their country. Add in the social responsibility angle the company has and it top quality ethical practice and you can't go wrong

Jo Clayton (Google Reviewer)  

I recently went on an...

15-Mar-2024

I recently went on an 11 day tour of India with Intrepid and was impressed with every aspect of the tour, the tour leader and the organisation behind the scenes. I always travel alone so it was a big deal to join a tour, I didn't want to feel less independent or ferried about. I loved being part of a group and the things we saw and did on the tour, I would never have known about or seen if I had been by myself. I loved it from start to finish. Yes the overnight trains were not easy to sleep on, but I managed. Meeting locals on board was a high light for me. English is widely spoken in India and its amazing who you strike up a chat with. I had two problems on the tour - one my own fault and one hotel related. The support from Intrepid was amazing. I cannot thank them enough for going the extra mile to support me. I recommend Intrepid 100% and have gone from thinking an organised tour is for people who don't know about Lonely Planet and can't do solo stuff, to realising its a faster, better, more fun way to get to know a country truly and deeply whilst on a bit of a budget. I will book again and again with Intrepid. I loved it that much! Big thanks to tour leader Daddy H. Devender for his help on day one, and Nick in the Oz office for his fab customer care skills. Also the person who staffed the emergency whatsapp in India - you saved my sanity helping me get there a day late! THANK YOU ALL X

Nicole  

North American Adventure

12-Oct-2021

This was my first international solo trip, but I never felt “alone” - there was always someone to go shopping, hike, or grab a quick bite with. The itinerary was a great balance between organized activities, while still allowing free time for exploring. Each location was unique and charming in its own way. Spending the night in the holy city of Moulay Idriss and wandering the winding streets of Chefchaouen were especially memorable. Thank you Mustapha and Intrepid for an incredible adventure!

Alice Norton (Google Reviewer)  

I have just completed a...

29-Feb-2024

I have just completed a 12 day food tour of Vietnam, and had an amazing time. Our tour leader was great, knowledgeable and kind, who helped throughout the trip with recommendations for places on our free days, and spas. All the food we tried was delicious. It is a very fast paced tour, and Bon tried to maximise our experiences for the best.

Henry Guy Robinson   United Kingdom

Cambodia Discovery

22-Jan-2024

The overall experience was fantastic. V good tour leader. All places visited had something special to do or see. I would book a tour with this company again. Only one negative tour hub is not I repeat not available to contact direct by phone.

Merouane Harkat   Uk

Explore Southern Africa

08-Mar-2024

Best trip ever was, 2 things I didn't like the black mamba stop was wasting day and village ,so 2 night I think was just wasting, I could do 2 days in Kruger, and one more night in delta

Alan Perrott (Google Reviewer)  

We had a fantastic time...

13-Aug-2024

We had a fantastic time on the Botswana Highlights tour recently. We chose Intrepid because it seemed to suit what we wanted - well planned itinerary, small group, comfortable without being overly luxurious (and pricey), and supportive of the local community and environment. We weren't disappointed, and as we met with other like-minded travellers then we all had a great time. We are already planning our next Intrepid tour - maybe Vietnam & Cambodia :-)

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Operator discount: -$93

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$2130

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$2050

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$1975

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$2130

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$2130

Book with Confidence

  • Free Date Changes

    Intrepid Travel allows you to make 10 free date changes, as long as the change is made at least 56 days before the start of the tour.

  • Transfer as credit to Future Tours

    Intrepid Travel allows you to transfer existing payments to a future tour to avoid cancellation fees if you can't travel and inform intrepid travel, 56 days before departure.

  • Low Deposit

    Intrepid Travel requires a minimum deposit of 400 USD per person or the full booking value, whichever is less, with the final balance not due until 56 days before departure.

  • Cancellation Policy

    We don't charge a cancellation fee, here is a summary of intrepid travel charges.

    Up to 56 days before tour starts: Forfeit 100% of deposit.

    At 55 days before tour starts: Forfeit 30% of booking price.

    At 30 days before tour starts: Forfeit 60% of booking price.

    At 14 days before tour starts: Forfeit 100% of booking price.

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