Costa Rica: Raft, Surf & Kayak
Costa Rica: Raft, Surf & Kayak
Costa Rica: Raft, Surf & Kayak
8 Days Starting and ending in San Jose
Visiting: San José, Pacuare River, Puerto Viejo de Talamanca, Manzanillo Beach, Parque Nacional Tortuguero
Tour operator:
Tour code:
QVXA
Guide Type:
Fully Guided
Group size:
1 - 12
Physical rating:
Medium
Age range:
15-99 years
Special diets catered:
Vegetarians
Tour operated in:
EnglishTrip Styles:
Interests:
Activities:
Tour Overview
Get a thrill in Central America on this 8-day active adventure through one of the world's greenest countries: Costa Rica. Cascade down the rapids of Pacuare Rivers, and later relax in a rainforest eco lodge. Take a surf lesson in the Caribbean waters near Gandoca Manzanillo Wildlife Refuge. Relax along the Costa Rican coastline to the mellow beach refuge of Puerto Viejo and paddle through the waterways of Tortuguero National Park in search of monkeys, toucans and jaguars. Costa Rica is a country perfect for adventure seekers, and the ecstasies of this expedition are sure to impress even the most seasoned active traveller.
Highlights
Itinerary
Day 1 : San Jose
Location: San José
Accommodation: Hotel
Meals Included: No Meals
Hola! Welcome to Costa Rica. Your adventure begins 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, intriguing museums and a dynamic atmosphere. If you do happen to arrive early, a good place to start exploring is the main plaza. Artisan booths are common here and you never know when there'll be a spontaneous art fair. Have a look at the Gold Museum which has an amazing collection of indigenous gold art. If these cultural gems get you in the mood for a bit of shopping, head to the outdoor markets in Plaza de la Cultura or the Central Market, where you can buy anything from handicrafts to seafood.
Optional Activities:
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Day 2 : Rafting Pacuare River
Location: Pacuare River
Accommodation: Lodge
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
This morning, head out of the city and to the river. The next 48 hours are full of exhilarating white water rafting in Pacuare River with a nights’ stay in an eco-lodge. Today will be an approximately 2-hour adventure down the river covering 12 kilometres of rapids, ranging up to Class 3. In the afternoon, arrive at your lodge, where you can either chill out around the gardens or walk through the self-guided trails around the lush canopies of the Turrialba Valley.
Included Activities:
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Day 3 : Rafting Pacuare River / Puerto Viejo De Talamanca
Location: Pacuare River, Puerto Viejo de Talamanca
Accommodation: Hotel
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch
Hit the river again as you leave the eco-lodge by raft for more unforgettable rapids on the Pacuare River, and potentially stopping for some wildlife-spotting along the way. You'll ride the Class 3 and 4 rapids for around 2 hours, or 14 kilometres. Around 10 am, travel by private vehicle (approximately 2.5 hours) to Puerto Viejo de Talmanca for a taste of Caribbean seaside – think reggae bars and palm-fringed beaches.
Included Activities:
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Day 4 : Surfing Manzanillo Beach / Puerto Viejo De Talamanca
Location: Manzanillo Beach, Puerto Viejo de Talamanca
Accommodation: Hotel
Meals Included: No Meals
Rise early to take the 8 am public bus (20 minutes) to Manzanillo National Wildlife Refuge – an area that encompasses several rare habitats, including a lowland rainforest, a wetland, a coral reef and a mangrove swamp. Spend around 2 hours exploring with your group leader and keep your eyes peeled for monkeys, reptiles, toucans and macaws. The Refuge is also the nesting area for several species of turtles, manatees, crocodiles, caimans, tarpons and dolphins. There will be some free time for lunch in Manzanillo town before taking to the shores for a surf lesson at 2 pm. Learn some basic pointers to ride a wave, or if you've done this before, grab a board and hang ten! You will be dropped back at the hotel between in the late afternoon, in time for perhaps a Costa Rican regional specialty, casado, at one of the local restaurants on offer.
Included Activities:
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Day 5 : Tortuguero National Park
Location: Parque Nacional Tortuguero
Accommodation: Hotel
Meals Included: No Meals
Wake up nice and early, and at 8 am, transfer to Limon on the Caribbean Coast, and then travel by boat to Tortuguero National Park, one of the best places in Costa Rica for wildlife spotting (approximately 3-4 hours depending on the water level). Tortuguero is a network of canals and waterways on Costa Rica’s north Caribbean coast, surrounded by native jungle and full of exotic plant and wildlife species, including turtles, caimans, monkeys, and various bird species. Today and tomorrow are dedicated to kayaking on some of the canals in search of various forms of land and birdlife around the park. Tonight, why not join an optional activity of a turtle watching night tour where, depending on the time of year, you’ll see these small creatures nesting and (hopefully) some little babies hatching.
Optional Activities:
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Day 6 : Kayaking Tortuguero National Park
Location: Parque Nacional Tortuguero
Accommodation: Hotel
Meals Included: Breakfast
Today is another active day in Tortuguero National Park. Accessible only by plane or boat, the park is regarded as one of the best places in Costa Rica for spotting wildlife. With this in mind, today, hop into kayaks and set out on a 2-hour journey through the park's canals in search of monkeys, sloths, caiman, jaguars, lizards, bats and a vast selection of birdlife. Along the way, learn from a local tour leader about how the jungle's islets, lagoons, wetlands and palm forests functions as a thriving ecosystem.
Included Activities:
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Day 7 : San Jose
Location: San José
Accommodation: Hotel
Meals Included: Breakfast
Travel by boat to La Pavona (1.5-2 hours, depending on water level) and continue by road back to San Jose (approximately 3.5 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.
Day 8 : San Jose
Location: San José
Meals Included: Breakfast
After breakfast, you are able to leave at any time, with no activities planned for the day. If you’d like to explore San Jose in more depth, why not book in an Urban Adventures tour like The Art of Craft Beer, where you’ll learn of the emerging industry of breweries in Costa Rica. Find out more at urbanadventures.com/destination/san-jose-tours. If you wish to spend more time in San Jose, we'll be happy to book additional accommodation for you (subject to availability).
Optional Activities:
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What's Included
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Tortuguero - National Park (Entrance Fee)
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Pacuare - 2hr. Pacuare River white water rafting - Class 3 & 4
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Pacuare - 2hr. Pacuare River white water rafting - Class 3
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Gandoca Manzanillo National Wildlife Refuge - Leader-led walk (Entrance fee & Transport)
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Manzanillo - Beginner surf lesson or Independent surfboard rental
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Tortuguero - Canals kayak trip
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Meals
5 breakfasts, 2 lunches, 1 dinners
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Accommodation
Hotel (4 nights), Lodge (3 nights)
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Transport
Private vehicle, Shared vehicle, Shared boat. Raft
What's Not Included
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Tipping and Gratuities
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International Travel
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Airport Transfers at Destination
Transport
- Private vehicle , Shared vehicle , Shared boat. Raft
Included Activities
- Pacuare - 2hr. Pacuare River white water rafting - Class 3
- Pacuare - 2hr. Pacuare River white water rafting - Class 3 & 4
- Manzanillo - Beginner surf lesson or Independent surfboard rental
- Gandoca Manzanillo National Wildlife Refuge - Leader-led walk (Entrance fee & Transport)
- Tortuguero - Canals kayak trip
- Tortuguero - National Park (Entrance Fee)
Accommodation
- Hotel (4 nights), Lodge (3 nights)
Check out our Q&As
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Are all entrance fees included in the price?
Yes, except optional activities
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Are international flights included in this tour?
No
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Are airport transfers included in this tour?
No
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Are children permitted to take part in the tour?
Yes if aged 15+ and accompanied by an adult
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Are the local guides on the tour English speaking?
Yes
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What policies are in place for Covid-19?
Please contact us for latest COVID-19 policies
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How long has the tour company been trading?
Intrepid Travel has been taking travellers around the world for over 30 years
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Will the accommodation included meet local health and safety regulations?
Yes
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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.
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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
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Intrepid Travel requires a minimum deposit of 200 GBP per person or the full booking value, whichever is less, with the final balance not due until 56 days before departure.
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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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COVID Protection
Trips from 1 January 2023 onwards
From 1 January 2023, Intrepid will no longer require travellers to provide proof of vaccination against COVID-19.
However, we continue to strongly recommend that all travellers and leaders get vaccinated to protect themselves and other Specific proof of testing or vaccination may still be required by your destination or airline. Please ensure you check travel and entry requirements carefully.
This policy excludes all Polar trips and select adventure cruises, where testing and vaccination remains a requirement. Please refer to the Essential Trip Information of your chosen tour for more details.
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