Cloud Forest & Volcanoes to the Pacific Coast
Pura vida! Not just a greeting in Costa Rica but a way of life. Pure life. Enthusiasm for adventure. Seize it all, from cloud forests and jungles to rain forests with hidden hot springs and plummeting waterfalls. Howler monkeys and iguanas. Zip lines, white-water rafting, biking, hiking and hammocks. Embrace the pure life in Costa Rica.
HIGHLIGHTS
- Hike through cloud forest to Costa Rica's largest waterfall, Catarata del Toro, which plunges into an ancient volcano crater
- Raft the white water rapids of the Río Sarapiquí, looking for toucans, iguanas, sloths and other unique jungle dwellers
- Bike along Lake Arenal and gaze at imposing Arenal Volcano, rising majestically from the lush green rain forest
- Trips departing on 12/2/19, 1/7/20, 7/20/20, 8/17/20, and 12/7/20 include optional yoga on most days.
COSTA RICA
Start/End San José
ITINERARY
Days 1-2 Start your adventure with a walk on the grounds of the Espíritu Santo Coffee Estate |Learn about the coffee-making process, from planting to tasting | Hike through a cloud forest to a waterfall | Luxuriate at an eco-retreat set in a 500-acre cloud forest reserve | Ride to Catarata del Toro, the largest waterfall in Costa Rica, and watch the water crash into an ancient volcanic crater | Visit a local home and discover the secret to perfect handmade tortillas.
Day 3 Buckle up for a white-water rafting excursion on the Río Sarapiquí | Watch for playful monkeys, gentle sloths, green iguanas and colorful toucans | Hike on rain forest trails and cross an Indiana Jones-style hanging bridge | Enjoy a Costa Rican cooking class and learn how to make a guaro mojito.
Day 4 Cross Lake Arenal by boat, then explore its lush jungle surroundings by bike | Ride through a vibrant landscape colored by palms, ferns, fig trees and bromeliads | Soak in a natural hot spring hidden in a forest oasis | A private plane whisks us to the Pacific coast.
Days 5-6 Explore some of Costa Rica's most stunning beaches and hidden trails | Visit the Ara Project, a Backroads-sponsored conservation program dedicated to reintroducing the scarlet macaw | At our oceanfront resort, opt to ride horseback, take a surf lesson, enjoy a yoga class or lounge on the beach | Join a guide for a cultural walk in Islita, an open-air museum, and a visit to the local art gallery.