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Program | Costa Rica | Ultimate Edition | 9 Days

Compare: If your group can't decide between our Wildlife Edition and our Rafting Edition then this is their program. Like both of those editions, it's based on the 7-Day Essentials Program. It adds the wildlife and whitewater day trip in the Río Tenorio Volcano National Park and the overnight in Palo Verde National Park with early-morning birdwatching and nocturnal wildlife hikes. This program has more wildlife-spotting opportunities and more adrenaline-pumping action than any of the others.

Summary: Round-trip flights; Three days exploring Rincón de la Vieja Volcano National Park, a whitewater rafting day on the Río Tenorioa day trip to Monteverde, a day in Palo Verde National Park, a day trip to Baria Honda and Diria National Park, and two days in Tamarindo on the Nicoya Peninsula; Accommodations; Breakfasts; Dinners; Entrance Fees; Equipment; Guides & Gratuities.

Highlights: Canopy Ziplines, Horseback Riding, Whitewater Tubing, Waterfall and River Canyoning, Hiking, Rainforest Forest, Dwarf Cloud Forest, Volcanic Mud Pools, Hot Springs, Half-Day Boat Trip along the Río Tempisque, Surf Lessons and beaches.

Rincon de la Vieja: Protects over 54 square miles and is home to some of Costa Rica's most fascinating geology. Steam and sulphur pour out of the ground at fumeroles, pools bubble with boiling hot volcanic water, and the mud froths and explodes out of the ground. There are almost a dozen waterfalls, rivers cross the trails and there is an enormous variety of vegetation and wildlife.

Monteverde: Biodiversity. The cool, misty forests are home to an incredible range of plants and animals - this cloud forest is home to more than 400 bird species, more plant speciesthan in the United States and Canada combined, and the largest concentration of orchids in the world.

Palo Verde: One of the most important sanctuaries in Central America for migrating and resident waterfowl. The park encompasses a rich mosaic of tropical dry forest and magnificent wetlands, the Río Tempisque estuary supports a variety of mangroves, and Isla Pájaro, is the most important nesting colony for wading birds in northwest Costa Rica.

Nicoya Peninsula: Famed for turtle nesting, surfing and endless beaches. We’ll end our trip unwinding here with surf lessons and some beach time!

DayDestinationHighlights
1Rincón de la ViejaMeet your Group Director at the airport for an early morning flight to Costa Rica! Board your private shuttle for a ride to Rincón de la Vieja Volcano National Park. Check into your rooms and change into your hiking gear, because our first activity is an orientation hike of the park! This will be our first chance to work as a team to spot as much wildlife as possible. After the hike we'll relax at the hot springs, freshen up for an early dinner, then get some sleep because you've been up since dawn and tomorrow's going to be action packed.
2Rincón de la ViejaWake up to the smell of Costa Rican coffee and enjoy buffet breakfast. Today we'll immerse ourselves in Costa Rica's flora, fauna, and wildlife, while keeping our adrenaline pumped! Activities include a Canopy Tour (aka Zip-lining), Whitewater Tubing down the Rio Negro, Horse Riding through tropical forest, and Waterfall/River canyoning. Those who are looking for a slower pace, or to improve their chances of seeing wildlife, can switch any adventure activity for a guided hike to one of the incredible waterfalls in the park. The day ends relaxing back at the hot springs.
3MonteverdeEarly buffet breakfast. Check out and board your private shuttle, we're heading up into the Tilarán Mountain Range to Monteverde! There are a number of cloud forest reserves around Monteverde including The Children's Eternal Rainforest; The Santa Elena Reserve; Curi Cancha Wildlife Refuge; and Monteverde Cloud Forest Reserve. Each reserve has it's own merits, we'll help you choose the one most suited to your group. Monteverde was the birthplace of the rainforest canopy tour, so we're not leaving without trying one! Whether your group chooses the tour with fastest run, the highest, the longest, or the most scenic, you'll have an unforgettable experience. Dinner in Monteverde and then board your private shuttle for a transfer to Palo Verde National Park.
4Rincón de la ViejaYour chance to see what very few other have seen up close, the lake-filled crater of Rincón de la Vieja Volcano. The summit is at 5,925 feet above sea level so the views can be astonishing - if it's a clear day we'll be able to see Nicaragua, the Pacific Ocean, and the Caribbean Ocean. We'll have lunch at the top, enjoying the complete lack of tourists and the feeling that we've gone very far back in time. For those who prefer less altitude and/or distance an alternative hike visits some of the majestic waterfalls in the park including La Crangreja ("The Crab") Waterfall which drops 131 feet into a swimming hole with copper salt giving the water a beautiful blue color.
5Río TenorioWake up to the sound of monkeys and enjoy an early buffet breakfast. Board your private shuttle for a ride to Tenorio Volcano National Park! Our day will be a mix of gentle floating along the Río Tenorio enjoying the natural beauty of the park while spotting as much wildlife as possible, and adrenaline pumping drops through Class III and Class IV rapid whitewater, including a 12' waterfall! (There's a walking trail around the rapids for those more interested in maintaining a relaxed state of mind.) Mid-way we'll "eddy out" for a packed lunch on the bank for the river. Back on board our private shuttle for a transfer to Tamarindo, a surfers paradise on the Nicoya Peninsula. On arrival in Tamarindo we'll make a dinner reservation, and then we'll have some free time before meeting for a relaxed dinner.
6Palo VerdeWake up to the sound of monkeys! Early buffet breakfast, check out, and board your private shuttle for a ride to Palo Verde National Park where we'll take a boat tour along the Río Tempisque. Have your camera ready because more than 300 bird species have been identified in the park. Dinner, then a Guided nocturnal wildlife hike.
7Diria
Baria Honda
Guatil
Early morning guided birdwatching followed by breakfast. Costa Rican Coffee is held by many to be the best coffee in the world (Starbucks imports most of it's coffee from Costa Rica) so today we're going to follow the life of a coffee bean from cherry to cup at a small co-operative in Diria National Park. We'll also visit Barra Honda National Park, home to a mesa that rises almost 1000 feet over the Tempisque valley where we'll descend into the cave by ladder and spend a few hours exploring with guides. Back on board our private shuttle for a transfer to Tamarindo, a surfers paradise on the Nicoya Peninsula. Along the way we'll check out the famed pre-Columbian Chorotega-style pottery in Guaitil. On arrival in Tamarindo we'll explore the town together, find a restaurant we love, make a dinner reservation, and then we'll have some free time before meeting for a relaxed dinner.
8TamarindoSurf's up! After a relaxed breakfast you meet your instructor for two hours of surfing lessons in warm, crystal-clear, turquoise waters. Lunch is followed by free time to practice with your board, sunbathe, or go shopping. Farewell dinner has been arranged for you! Can you believe that we're going home tomorrow?
9AirborneBoard your private shuttle for a ride to the airport. Flight home. ¡Adiós Costa Rica!