Adventures in Costa Rica

Upon arrival in San Jose, your private car and driver will escort you to the deluxe Grano de Oro Hotel, set on a quiet street in the heart of the capital. The rest of this day is yours to relax and enjoy as you wish.

Today’s journey to your river lodge is no ordinary hotel transfer! Accompanied by an expert river guide, you and your fellow lodge guests will depart San Jose for a scenic drive to the banks of the Pacuare River. You’ll receive complete instructions before setting out on an exciting white water rafting adventure through Class II and III rapids. This expedition takes you directly to the enchanting Pacuare Lodge, cited by National Geographic Traveler as one of the world’s finest deluxe eco-lodges! This afternoon, you’ll have your first chance to personalize your holiday by joining other Lodge guests on the excursion of your choice. Some of the available group tours include: + Canopy Adventure: Intrepid nature-enthusiasts can explore the rainforest canopy with a guide. After expert safety instruction from Lodge staff, you and your fellow guests will ascend to platforms high above the forest floor to explore among the treetops. Specialized equipment allows you to traverse along suspended cables and to rappel down towering trees! + The Loop Trail: This gentle 90-minute hike takes you into the Pacuare Lodge’s 700-acre private reserve. With an expert naturalist guide, it’s a terrific introduction to the flora and fauna of the region. The tour finishes at a waterfall where you can take a refreshing dip before returning to the Lodge. Meals B+L+D

Tailor this day to your personal interests and taste for adventure! Choose two more expeditions and join other lodge guests and an expert guide on the adventures that are right for you; the Canopy Adventure and Loop Trail hike described above are also available: + El Tesorito Creek Canyoning tour: Flowing out of the mountains behind the Lodge, El Tesorito Creek is a narrow gorge that winds its way through the rainforest. The experience begins with a 15-minute nature hike from the lodge and includes safety training and all equipment. Once you reach the creek, you’ll enjoy rock climbing, sliding along cables, descending down a small waterfall, swinging through the jungle like Tarzan, and rappelling down cliffs ranging from 6 to 90 feet in height!  Tour duration 2 hours + Rainforest Birdwatching: Arise early as the forest’s avian residents are starting their day for this guided excursion into the surrounding forests. Binoculars are available and our sharp-eyed guide will help you to identify the many exotic species – including sun bitterns, red-throated tanagers, black-cheeked woodpeckers and the colorful toucan.  Tour duration 1,5 hours + Ditsö Experience: Immerse yourself in the heart of the Cabécar homeland at Pacuare Lodge. This enlightening experience offers a unique opportunity to engage with local Ditsö Cabécar artisans and explore their rich culture, daily life, and traditional practices. Accompanied by a Cabécar guide and a naturalist, you will walk to a nearby rancho—a replica of the traditional Cabécar dwellings. Watch skilled artisans craft mats, lamps, headboards, and other items, while they share stories about their people. The tour concludes with a rainforest walk, where your guides will highlight medicinal and culinary plants used by the Cabécar.  Tour duration 2 hours + Nature Hike and Cabécar Cultural Encounter: For centuries, the Cabécar, Costa Rica’s largest indigenous group, have lived in harmony with the rainforest near the Pacuare River. This tour offers a unique chance to visit a Cabécar family in their remote jungle home. The trek to their settlement is challenging due to the difficult conditions of the trails but rewarding, as you walk along traditional trails while learning about the forests plants and wildlife, which are vital to the Cabécars culture. Once at the family’s home, youll experience their way of life and gain insight into their customs and traditions before returning to the lodge.  Tour duration 4-5 hours + Rural Costa Rican Experience: Just across the Pacuare River from the Lodge lies Bajo del Tigre, a small village home to many of our employees. This adventure begins with a scenic gondola ride across the river, followed by a guided walk through the rainforest and river basin. Youll visit the farming community of Bajo del Tigre, known for growing spices, roots, and tubers. Experience local life by visiting a family’s home, where you can enjoy a traditional Costa Rican snack. Youll also tour the villages one-room schoolhouse (on weekdays) before returning to the lodge via a picturesque trail. Tour duration 3-4 hours + Nocturnal Wildlife Hike: Explore the rainforest after dark on this captivating night tour. As night falls, youll discover a variety of nocturnal creatures such as snakes, spiders, porcupines, tree frogs, and more. Your guide will lead you through the jungle at sunset, when these animals are most active, hunting and seeking mates.  Tour duration 1 hour + Behind-the-Scenes at our Sustainable Lodge: The Pacuare Lodge is hailed not only for its fine accommodations and service, but for its pioneering sustainable practices. In the company of an in-the-know guide, you’ll go behind the scenes to learn about some of the facilities and programs that help to minimize the Lodge’s environmental impact while also benefiting nearby communities.  Tour duration 1 hour + Jaguar Project Presentation: Since 2008, Pacuare Lodge has supported the National University’s Jaguar Program, aiding research in the Pacuare Reserve and surrounding areas. We provide logistical support and camera traps to help estimate jaguar populations and prey abundance. Guests have contributed to this project through donations for equipment. You can also be part of this effort to help protect jaguars and their future.  Tour duration 1 hour + Emerald Rainforest & Waterfall tour: Accompanied by your naturalist guide, embark on a short hike through Pacuare Lodge’s private 700-acre rainforest reserve. Discover exotic birds and unique plants along the way. The tour ends with a refreshing splash in a waterfall before returning to the Lodge.  Tour duration 2 hour Meals B+L+D

After breakfast, set out once again with our experience guide and fellow Lodge guests for an exciting white water rafting expedition on the Pacuare. This section of the river is distinguished by incredible scenery and heart-pounding Class III + IV rapids. Reaching the take-out point, our private car and driver will take you to one of Costa Rica’s most iconic destinations – the Arenal Volcano. On arrival, check in to the deluxe Arenal Kioro Hotel where your spacious suite includes private terraces and your own Jacuzzi with magnificent views of the Volcano!  Meals B+L

Tailor your stay at Arenal to your personal interests and taste for adventure. We include a wide variety of excursions, all accompanied by your own private expert naturalist… Just pick the adventure you want to enjoy this morning: + Hanging Bridges through the Forest Canopy: Appropriate for all ages, this exciting adventure explores different levels of the forest from the undergrowth all the way to the lush canopy 100 feet above the shadowy forest floor. Explore 2 miles of fixed and hanging bridges that wind through the forest reserve as your personal guide shares insight into the various eco-systems and their unique flora and fauna. Tour Duration 3 Hours + Nature Hike in Arenal Volcano National Park: Enhanced by the deep knowledge of your private naturalist guide, you’ll explore the varied volcanic landscapes of Arenal, from petrified lava flows to areas where the forest is regenerating after past eruptions. Along with terrific views of the region, this tour offers a chance for up-close observation of plants, wildlife and unusual geological formations. Tour Duration 3.5 Hours + Birdwatching Expedition: Available in the early morning or afternoon, this excursion with your own naturalist guide can be tailored to your personal interests and experience. Exploring various ecosystems offers the chance to observe different bird groups including aquatic, highland and lowland species. Colorful Toucans, Parrots and Orioles are among the birds most commonly observed. Experienced birders will be thrilled by the chance to see rarer species including the Amazonian Royal Flycatcher and Cinnamon Woodpecker. Tour Duration 3 Hours + Safari Float on the Peñas Blancas River: With our experienced river guide to paddle and guide your raft down a gently flowing stretch of the Peñas Blancas River, this activity is perfect for travelers who simply want to relax as they experience the tranquility and natural beauty of the forest. Enjoy the opportunity to observe a variety of wildlife including monkeys, sloths, basilisk lizards, caimans, herons and cormorants, this is also the ideal tour for nature lovers. Tour Duration 4 Hours + Sloths and Birds Expedition: With its starring role as Flash Slothmore in the Disney film Zootopia, the sloth is one of the Costa Rica’s most famous animal residents. It’s also one of the most elusive, hiding in the dense jungle vegetation. But with our sharp-eyed naturalist guide at your side, this 1.25-mile guided walk is your best chance to come face-to-face with this marvelous creature. The trail also takes you into an area rich with birdlife.  Tour Duration 1.5 Hours + Mountain Biking on Forest Trails along Lake Arenal: Covering about 16 miles in total, this privately guided mountain biking tour does not require extensive cycling experience. You’ll travel a low-traffic route through pastoral towns and virgin forests, with spectacular views of Arenal Volcano and Lake Arenal. Along with your private cycling guide, an assistance van will be near at hand to provide assistance if needed.  Tour Duration 3 Hours + Kayak Adventure on Lake Arenal: Enhanced by the broad knowledge and paddling expertise of your personal naturalist guide, this kayaking adventure takes you across the tranquil waters of Lake Arenal with its secluded bays and verdant peninsulas. Aquatic birds including kingfishers and cormorants are often spotted along with ospreys and toucans and the sounds of howler monkeys and other animals pierce the air. No prior kayaking experience is needed.  Tour Duration 3 Hours + Rio Balsa White Water Rafting Class II-III: The intermediate level of the Rio Balsa’s white water rapids makes this the perfect adventure for thrill seekers of all types, from amateur to expert rafters. This private tour begins with a scenic 1-hour transfer to the riverbank where equipment and a safety briefing will be provided. An expert river guide will control the direction of your craft and give paddling commands to guide you safely through each set of rapids. The final stretch of the river is notably gentler, allowing time to observe local wildlife including sloths, monkeys and toucans. There will be time for a swim, and lunch at a local restaurant is included.  Tour Duration 5 Hours + Zip Line Adventure through the Forest Canopy: With 11 different platforms and extensive stretches of 8 cables winding through the soaring forest canopy, this privately guided adventure is an adrenaline-rushing way to experience the unique flora and fauna of the rainforest including 3 species of monkey, sloths, toucans and hummingbirds. A 120 foot-high rappel offers spectacular views of the Arenal River Canyon.  Tour Duration 2 Hours + Horseback Riding Arenal Volcano Viewpoint: With your own private experienced equestrian guide leading the way, this memorable adventure can be tailored to your level of prior horseback riding experience. Exploring the trails of the El Silencio Reserve, you’ll ascend gradually through pastoral cattle grazing fields into the shade of the forest. You’ll discover impressive geological formations produced by past eruptions and visit the Arenal Volcano Viewpoint. This is a terrific place to capture a photograph of your horse with the mighty volcano as your backdrop.  Tour Duration 2 Hours Following your chosen adventure, your afternoon is free. You might indulge in a treatment at the full service Tabacon Thermal Resort and Spa, soak in your personal plunge pool, or simply take in the rainforest views from your private deck. Of course, you can add extra nights here at our luxury Arenal resort – to simply relax or with additional privately-guided adventures.  Meals B

After breakfast, your private car and driver will be waiting to take you on a scenic drive toward the Pacific coast.  En route, you’ll embark on a unique journey as you sail on the beautiful Tempisque River, seeing the El Viejo National Wildlife Refuge on one side and the Palo Verde National Park on the opposite shore.  This is Costa Rica’s natural world at its best-experience the local ecology and encounter a variety of wildlife, including birds, monkeys, all while gliding down the river. At the conclusion of your guided river expedition, you’ll enjoy lunch, then continue with your private car and driver to the Lagarta Lodge, our boutique hotel set amidst the coastal forests of the Nicoya Peninsula. Meals B+L

Amidst the unspoiled beauty of the Nicoya Peninsula, the Lagarta Lodge in Nosara maintains its own private nature reserve, offering you a unique opportunity to explore mangrove estuaries and subtropical dry forests that are home to a variety of flora and fauna. The Pacific Ocean offers other exciting activities. Tailor your exploration today with the guided activity of your choice and join other lodge guests and an expert guide: + E-Boating Tour: Board a quiet electric boat and gently glide through the stunning convergence of two rivers flowing toward the ocean. Shrouded by the Ostional Wildlife Refuge, you’ll explore a unique mangrove jungle, home to a diverse array of bird, reptile, amphibian, and plant species. Your guide will offer fascinating insights into this globally threatened habitat, deepening your appreciation of this vital ecosystem.  Tour Duration 2 Hours + Tropical Jungle Trek: The private reserve of Lagarta Lodge seamlessly connects with the world-renowned Ostional Biological Reserve, creating a breathtaking landscape of tropical jungle and mangrove ecosystems. Nestled along the Nosara River, this 40-hectare refuge is teeming with vibrant wildlife. During this guided eco-adventure, youll have plenty of opportunities to learn and capture stunning photos of this incredible natural environment.  Tour Duration 2 Hours + Birdwatching Expedition: Start your day with the enchanting sounds of the regions birds as they fill the jungle with their calls, chirps, and whistles. Whether youre an experienced birdwatcher or a beginner, this is an unforgettable experience. The Nosara and Ostional Biological Reserves provide a rare opportunity to observe a stunning variety of species from jungle, ocean, and mangrove habitats.  Tour Duration 2 Hours + Nosara Biological Reserve Evening Tour: Did you know that alacranes (Costa Rica’s harmless scorpions) glow under UV light? As the sun sets, the forest comes alive with its nocturnal creatures and their hidden secrets. Embark on a guided night trek through the Nosara Biological Reserve, where youll encounter fascinating wildlife like bats, spiders, moths, amphibians, and more, all in their natural nighttime habitat.  Tour Duration 2 Hours +Mountain Bike Tour: Explore Nosara on a thrilling ride through a network of gravel paths, sandy stretches, and hidden trails. Surrounded by breathtaking landscapes, including an unforgettable beach sunset, this exciting adventure will get your adrenaline pumping. Your expert guide will offer biking tips and tailor the ride to suit your ability. Tour Duration 2 Hours Meals B

This entire day is free to relax and enjoy as you wish. Our Pacific resort offers two swimming pools, a lovely oceanview setting, and all the amenities and activities of a world class beach resort.  

Your private car and driver will take you to the airport in Liberia for your homeward flight. Meals B