The Ultimate Adventure Through Costa Rica

Welcome to Costa Rica! Your guide and driver will be waiting for you at the airport in San José. From there, head to the small town of Turrialba on a scenic journey, passing coffee fields and sugar plantations. You'll check into your hotel right in the Turrialba Valley with views of the active Turrialba Volcano. In the evening, you'll meet up your fellow adventurers and guide for dinner.

Today, you'll head out on a canyoning adventure in the lush Costa Rican rainforest, where you'll rappel a series of five waterfalls. Gear up and get briefed by your expert guide before descending the smooth, mossy rocks into clear pools. At each of the waterfalls, your guides will set up the ropes for you safely, and you'll take break for a traditional lunch prepared over a crackling wood stove. Keep your eyes peeled throughout the day for some of the diverse wildlife of the forest; sloths, vibrant birds and chattering monkeys. Remember to pack quick dry clothing, as you're going to get wet during canyoning.

After tucking into breakfast, head to the famous Pacuare River, known for its world-class whitewater rafting. Your experienced guide will give you a safety briefing before you launch your raft, descending the river and navigating through 13km of thrilling Class III rapids. Along the way, you'll stop on the riverbank to explore the lush forest and hike to secluded waterfalls. Back in the raft, you’ll continue down the river until you reach the remote eco-lodge with a stunning views over the river. Kick back at your fully equipped eco-lodge, relaxing and unwinding in the heart of this tropical paradise. Welcome to the jungle!

Wake up to the soothing sounds of the rainforest from your lodge. After enjoying a breakfast of fresh fruits and local specialities, your guides will prepare you for an adrenaline-packed morning among the rainforest canopy. Harness up to cross the jungle on nine different zip-lines, including the longest on the Pacuare. Begin by ascending into the trees by ladder, before you glide from platform to platform through the dense foliage. The zip-line course is designed to offer a mix of speeds and heights, with some long, fast stretches and others being a slower, more scenic experience. The platforms are strategically placed to provide awesome views of the rainforest, rivers, and waterfalls. For the brave at heart, there's the incredible 'Tarzan Swing' – a massive 90m-long swing suspended above the ground. This jaw (and stomach) dropping experience will have you free-falling through the canopy and swinging back and forth over the jungle. Next, you'll head down to the eco-lodge and hike out to find your transportation waiting to take you three hours south, to the charming Caribbean town of Punta Cocles. Its beach, Playa Cocles, is picture-perfect – known as one of Costa Rica’s most beautiful stretches of sand. This mile-long stretch of shore, fringed with swaying palm trees, remains blissfully uncrowded and authentic thanks to its remote location and minimal development.

Enjoy a lazy breakfast before heading off to the picturesque Punta Uva beach – known for its soft, golden sand, crystal-clear turquoise waters, and lush, palm-fringed coastline. Get into a kayak to paddle towards and into the mouth of the nearby river. As you paddle through the calm waters, be on the lookout for sloths lazily hanging from the trees or howler monkeys hanging in the tropical foliage. After a stop for lunch, you'll set off on an afternoon hike in the Gandoca-Manzanillo National Wildlife Refuge. Home to a hugely diverse array of flora and fauna, keep an eye out for colourful toucans, agile spider monkeys, and the elusive jaguar as you hike. The refuge also protects important nesting sites for endangered sea turtles, such as the leatherback and green turtle. As you walk along the coast, enjoy breathtaking views of the Caribbean Sea and the lush, green hills that rise up behind the beach, stopping to cool off in one of the many natural pools along the way.

Begin your day with a scenic boat ride through Cahuita National Park, a protected marine and land reserve with the largest system of coral reefs in Costa Rica. Once in the park, you’ll snorkel for an hour or so, observing coral formations and a wide range of colourful tropical fish. You might even encounter a harmless reef shark or a stingray. Later, you'll be dropped off at Punta to set off on a hike through the stunning coastal forest of Cahuita – eyes out for sloths, howler monkeys, capuchin monkeys, and various reptiles along the trails. Afterwards, continue your adventure with a scenic 3-4 hour drive to Sarapiquí, where you'll check into a rainforest eco-retreat. The family-run lodge is located in a private rainforest preserve along the Sarapiquí River, known for its biodiversity and its wealth of birdlife.

Today you'll discover the process of chocolate making at the local plantation which surrounds your lodge. You'll learn about the traditional methods of cacao cultivation and processing from the neighbours of the eco-retreat. They are both excellent naturalist guides who will share their knowledge – from the fruit in the trees, through all of the processing stages, right to the chocolate that is the end result. Relish plenty of opportunities for tasting, and get stuck in to the chocolate-making process. Later in the day as the sun sets, hike into the nocturnal world of the Costa Rican jungle. Joined by a local guide and equipped with torches, navigate the winding jungle paths on the lookout for glowing insects, croaking tree frogs, and – if you're lucky – elusive kinkajous. Your experienced guide will share insights into the behaviours and habitats of these nocturnal dwellers.

This morning you’ll head to Tirimbina Rainforest, a private biological reserve located in Sarapiquí, known as one of the richest biodiversity hotspots in the country. You’ll hike through pristine tropical rainforest, observing a wide variety of exotic plants and wildlife. The reserve is home to over 5000 species of plants, 400 species of birds and 100 species of mammals. The guided hikes are led by knowledgeable local biologists who provide information about the rainforest ecosystem and the ongoing research and conservation efforts at Tirimbina. As the hike ends, you'll drive to La Fortuna and check into your hotel, where you can enjoy a dip in the pool overlooking the Arenal volcano, taking the evening to relax and recharge.

After a leisurely breakfast, you'll head out hiking through the scenic trails of Bajos del Toro region to discover some of Costa Rica's most secluded waterfalls. Trekking through the forest, stop off at the turquoise waters of the hidden El Tepezquintle waterfall, continuing on to Las Gemelas, two stunning twin waterfalls that flow side by side. As you continue your hike, you'll come across La Celestial and La Turquesa, and finally reaching La Pintada, renowned for the unique colours and patterns in the surrounding rocks. The highlight is the spectacular Catarata Del Toro, an 80m+ cascade that thunders into an extinct volcanic crater. After completing the hike, head off on a scenic four-hour drive south towards the Pacific Coast and the beach town of Uvita – known for its laid-back atmosphere and excellent surfing conditions. Once you've checked into the hotel you can head out into the town to enjoy a relaxed dinner with your fellow travellers.

Today, you'll explore the Diamante Waterfalls, a series of ten sparkling waterfalls hidden deep in the jungle. To reach the falls, you'll begin with a couple of hours' hiking up a steep, rocky path through lush primary forest. Reach the highest point of Diamante and experience breathtaking views of the valley. Once at the waterfalls, you'll find an amazing open-air cave nestled between twin cascades. This jungle hideaway has a fully equipped kitchen, bathrooms, and benches behind the water face, so here you'll have lunch – a delicious vegetarian meal prepared by your guides using fresh produce from an organic garden on the property. After lunch, you'll get into safety equipment and rappel down the 25m Diamante Waterfall, with your guides on hand to advise on proper form and technique. Once you reach the bottom, there'll be a short hike leading to a spectacular viewpoint where you can take a dip in the large natural swimming hole. After a long day of adventure, drive back to your hotel where you can chill in the pool, or relax on the sun terrace.

After a few very action-packed days, you’ve certainly earned a lie-in and a leisurely morning. Today, you have some free time to relax and explore the local town of Uvita or head to the nearby beaches to soak up the last of the tropical sun. Just a 15-minute walk from the hotel is Uvita Beach – a stunning stretch of sand known for its gentle waves and the famous whale tail-shaped sandbar that emerges during low tide. It’s an ideal spot for a relaxing swim or a peaceful stroll along the shore. Alternatively, a bit further south, Playa Ballena is part of the Ballena National Marine Park. This beach is more secluded, with clear waters and lush jungle surroundings – you might even spot some dolphins or sea turtles in the distance. In the late afternoon, meet your guide and transfer to San José, where you'll check into your hotel and head out for a farewell dinner.

Enjoy breakfast at your hotel before heading to San José Airport in time to catch your international flight home.