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Costa Rica

Coast to Coast / Multisport / Costa Rica Verde / Tropical Adventure / Honeymoon / Jungle Escapade
South Costa Rica / Family Adventure / Adventure Self-Drive / Highlights Self-Drive / Up & Down Self-Drive

COSTA RICA JUNGLE ESCAPADE
9 DAYS / 8 NIGHTS

Corcovado National Park, Turrialba region and Pacuare white water rafting

Are you ready for adventure? This itinerary is the perfect option for those who love nature and adventure while getting to know this piece of land, so small but full of exiting places and people.

Day 1 - Upon arrival at the airport, you will be assisted inside the terminal. Then transfer to your hotel. Overnight at Meliá Cariari or Casa Conde hotel.

Day 2 (B,D) - Transfer to the local airport for a 45-minute flight to Palmar Sur. Upon arrival, you will be transferred by car and boat to Corcovado Lodge. The lodge is located next to Corcovado National Park - a short distance from the ocean - and is surrounded by virgin rainforest and fruit trees, attracting birds, monkeys and other animals. Afternoon will be at your leisure to explore the surroundings. Overnight and dinner at the jungle-luxury Casa Corcovado Lodge.

Day 3 - (B,BL,D) Full day hiking tour to Corcovado National Park - described as "one of the most biologically intense places on earth", by National Geographic Magazine, Starting out from the lodge with your naturalist guide you journey into Corcovado National Park. The cool morning hours offer a good opportunity to spot wildlife and to observe some of the incredible variety of birds that abound in the park. The animal life in this section of the National Park is quite vibrant, with frequent sighting of monkeys, coatimundis, squirrels, spiders, macaws, bats, leaf cutting ants, and other animal species. As well, much will be mentioned about the plant and tree species, which is lush, and teeming with life.

Along the trail your guide will have a chance to tell you some of the fascinating stories about life in the rainforest and point many things out to you. Later, coming down through the forest you will find a river and then discover an incredible waterfall. Now is your chance to cool off in one of the shaded pools of the rushing river. Afterwards, you wind your way down the river until reaching the Park Station at San Pedrillo. The San Pedrillo ranger station is the most northern of the four stations. Situated just off shore is Picaros Island, which serves as a refuge for several species of marine birds including the Brown Boobie, Blue Heron and Brown Pelican. At the Station under shade trees on the beach you will enjoy a sumptuous picnic with fresh fruit and ice-cold drinks. After lunch there will be time to explore the beach or to just relax. In the afternoon it’s a short distance along the coastal trail to return to the lodge. Join us later for a frosty margarita and to watch the sunset. As you watch the sun melt in to the sea you can reflect upon the wonders of the most intricate and intense place on earth, the rainforest of the Osa Península. Overnight and dinner at Casa Corcovado Lodge

Day 4 (B,BL,D) - Full day tour to the Caño Island National Park - The first visitors to the Island are lost in the mists of time but starting around 1500 years ago the island became an important ceremonial site and burial ground for the pre-Colombian Indians who inhabited the region. Some of the mystifying stone spheres that only this culture produced can still be seen on the Island. Large numbers of tombs have been found with an incredible variety of gold figurines made with the “lost-wax” process so that each one is unique. The natives may have abandoned the Island when men of another sort started to arrive.

The first recorded is, Sir Francis Drake in 1579. He stopped with his ship, the “Golden Hind”, on his way up the Pacific Coast of North and South America searching for the northwest passage during his famous circumnavigation of the globe. The Island was a perfect place for pirates to rest up and to raid Spanish towns and shipping. Another Englishman, Henry Morgan, is said to have used the island or nearby Violin Island, at the mouth of the Sierpe River to stash his treasure after looting Panama City. The treasure is said to be worth 100 million dollars at today’s value.

Yet another Englishman, the rouge Navy captain turned pirate Bennett Graham, was surprised anchored off Caño, captured and sent back to England to hang. Later in the early 1800’s the famous, Benito Bonito of the bloody sword, realized that the waters of Panama and southern Costa Rica were a pirate’s happy hunting ground, and added his name to the legend.

Today Caño Island and its’ surrounding waters have been declared a Biological Reserve. For those who want to explore the coral reefs around the Island it’s a great opportunity to see a fantastic number of fish, rays and sometimes turtles. This is one of the best dive spots in Costa Rica. On most days there will be a chance to snorkel at the “Coral Garden”, which is an excellent spot for beginners or more experienced guests. Inflatable diving vests are used so that everyone can feel safe and select the amount of floatation they need. After the immersion in these pristine waters it’s time to check-in at the Park Station on the island and check out the beach.

There is a beautiful beach sheltered by coconut palms, which has picnic tables where your guide will spread out a tablecloth and lay out quite a spread for lunch. There will be time to hike up to the burial grounds in the interior of the island or to contemplate awhile at the “viewpoint”. There will also be plenty of time to take a swim, beach-comb or to try your luck at snorkeling in the cove in front of the Park Station. Around mid-afternoon we’ll pack-up and head back to the lodge where you’ll have a chance to rest up before drinks and dinner. I’m sure you will agree with us that the true riches to be found on this mysterious tropical isle are in its’ crystalline waters and on its’ palm shaded beaches.

Day 5 (B) - Return to San José - Transfer to the Turrialba Valley, passing by scenic sugarcane and coffee plantations and enjoying spectacular views of the Irazú and Turrialba Volcano. Overnight at the exclusive boutique hotel Casa Turire.

Day 6 (B,L,D) - Pacuare White Water Adventure - Today you will enjoy a thrilling whitewater adventure down the Pacuare River, one of the most invigorating and intense rafting trips available anywhere in the world. Part-way down the river you will beach your rafts and enjoy a magical stay at the Pacuare Lodge, a true-eco-lodge located along the banks of this scenic river and amid an enchanting rainforest.
Overnight and dinner at Pacuare Lodge.

Day 7 (B,L,D) - Day at your leisure to rest or enjoy a variety of optional activities such as the adventure canopy tour or guided nature hikes. Overnight and dinner at Pacuare Lodge.

Day 8 (B,BL) - Pacuare River Rafting - Today you will raft again and experience the excitement of more challenging rapids. Explore a natural waterslide and enjoy picnic lunch along the river. After the river take-out, return drive to San José. Overnight at Meliá Cariari or Casa Conde hotel.

Day 9 (B) - Transfer Out - Transfer from the hotel to the International Airport.

Includes
" 2 nights in Meliá Cariari or Casa Conde hotel
" 3 nights in Casa Corcovado Jungle Lodge
" Full day hiking tour to the remote Corcovado National Park
" Full day boat tour to the mysterious Caño Island
" 1 night at the exclusive Casa Turire boutique Hotel surrounded by sugarcane and coffee plantations
" Invigorating rafting down the Pacuare River with overnight in the secluded Pacuare Lodge
" Meals as specified (B= breakfast, L= lunch, D= dinner)
" All ground, boat and air transportation