March 25 Depart
Houston via American Airlines. Upon arrival in San Jose, Costa Rica, you will be met and
transferred to Hotel Grano de Oro
for overnight. This charming 36-room converted coffee plantation estate has all
the comforts and amenities of a fine hotel, including a rooftop terrace with
Jacuzzis and renowned gourmet restaurant.
March 26 Transfer
to the domestic airport for a short flight to Palmar Sur, on the remote Osa Peninsula. Upon arrival, you
will be met and transferred to the Sierpe River for a scenic boat ride through
the river, estuary and into the Pacific. Arrive Aguila de Osa Inn, located in Drake Bay, for overnight. The
lodge is located between the tropical rainforest and the Pacific, offering
comfort and seclusion with a touch of elegance. Each room features hardwood
floors, ceiling fans and tile bathroom. The rest of the afternoon is free to
hike, kayak to a deserted beach, beach comb, horseback ride, or just relax in a
hammock overlooking the ocean. Guided tours at additional cost. Each night
enjoy happy hour at the bar and meals served family style in the open-air
restaurant.
March 27 Full day guided hike of Corcovado National Park: This morning take a boat ride to the entrance
of Corcovado National Park, which protects over 100,000 acres and many
of the country’s endangered species. National Geographic ranks this park as one
of the best in the world and describes it as "the most biologically
intense place on earth". Traverse through the virgin tropical rainforest to see an abundance of tropical
birds (including toucans, scarlet macaws, parrots and hummingbirds),
butterflies, insects, several species of monkeys, sloth and more. Have a
refreshing swim in a waterfall before the return to Aguila de Osa Inn for overnight.
March 28 Snorkeling Tour of Cano Island Biological Reserve: This small
piece of paradise is covered with evergreen forest that pushes up against a
curve of white sand beaches ringed
with warm turquoise waters and acres of coral covered rock reefs. Said to be a
pre-Colombian cemetery and refuge for pirates at one time, the island is now a
popular destination for scuba diving and snorkeling among the big fish
(including white tip sharks and bull sharks). Spotted dolphins sometimes play
in your boat's wake and flying fish sail off the top of the ocean swells.
Visitors often encounter schools numbering in the hundreds that literally block
the sun's ray in the clear waters (visibility ranges from good to excellent
year round). Between December and April, 40-ton humpback whales come from their
Alaskan feeding grounds and manta rays with 15 to 20 feet wing spans are
spotted from February to June. Overnight
Aguila de Osa Inn. (or certified divers can substitute a full day Scuba diving tour for additional cost )
March 29 Free day to kayak to deserted beaches, relax in a hammock, or
arrange a guided trip upon arrival at additional cost. Options include sport
fishing, horseback riding, dolphin & whale watch boat tour, and scuba
diving. Overnight Aguila de Osa Inn.
March 30 Boat
and ground transfer back to the Palmar Sur airstrip for a short flight back to San Jose. Your 4x4 rental will be waiting
for you upon arrival. Drive about
4 hours to the Arenal Volcano,
known for its frequent eruptions, dramatic lava flows and incandescent rock
explosions. Arrive at Tabacon Lodge
for overnight. The lodge is part of the Tabacon Hot Springs Resort located
across the street. The resort offers several pools heated by the thermal waters
of the volcano, spa facilities,
gourmet restaurant, and great views of the volcano on a clear night. In the
evening observe the “fireworks” of vapor and lava. Overnight Tabacon Lodge.
March 31 Free day to schedule spa treatments at the
Tabacon Hot Springs Resort, soak in the hot springs or plan day trips. Guided tours available at additional cost
include hiking in Arenal National Park, Cano Negro Wildlife Refuge, mountain
biking and horseback riding. Nearby Lake Arenal offers fishing, boat tours and
wind surfing. Overnight Tabacon Lodge.
April 1 Drive
back to San Jose in about 4 hours. You will have the option of visiting the La Paz Waterfall
Gardens about an hour before reaching San Jose (at additional cost). Overnight
Hotel Grano de Oro.
April 2 Pacuare River Overnight (Class III-IV rapids):
Early morning pick-up from hotel and transfer to put-in point for breakfast and
a brief safety talk before launching on an exhilarating 16 mile adventure! The
Pacuare offers some of the best whitewater in the world – a quintessential tropical
river that combines a beautiful ride deep into the virgin rainforest with
pounding rapids. Enjoy the hidden waterfalls and densely vegetated gorges,
which shelter an amazing array of wildlife including colorful butterflies,
numerous species of birds, sloth, ocelots, monkeys and even jaguars.
Stop along the way for a short hike through the jungle for a refreshing
swim below a waterfall while the guides prepare a picnic lunch on the banks of
the river. Then continue paddling to the Rios
Tropicales Lodge for
overnight, which features basic but comfortable accommodations with shared bath
facilities. The rest of the afternoon is free to explore the 1,000-acre private
reserve. Tonight the river guides will prepare happy hour and dinner while you
relax in a hammock overlooking the water. Then fall asleep to the roar of the
river.
April 3 Pacuare River (Continued): Free day to
relax, explore the rainforest around thelodge,or take a 2-3 hour hike to nearby
waterfaills and natural pools. A challenging optional guided hike is
available ot the Garcias Indian Village or high up into the Pacuare
REserve. Overnight Rios Tropicales Lodge
April 4 Pacuare River Rafting (Continued): After
breakfast, load the rafts and continue through the Pacuare gorge. Stop for a
hike into the rainforest in search of wildlife. Take a refreshing swim in the
natural pools at the bottom of a cascading waterfall and play in a natural
waterslide. Then enjoy the exciting rapids of the Upper and Lower Huacas,
Cimarron, and Dos Montanas. This afternoon you’ll have a chance to shower and
eat lunch at the new Operations Center after take out. Late afternoon return to
San Jose and transfer to Hotel Grano de Oro
for overnight.
April 5 Transfer
to the international airport for departure back to Houston via American Airlines.
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