Costa Rica: Hike, Bike & Raft

8 Days | Hike, bike and raft your way through the wilderness of Costa Rica

4.9 out of 5 based on 20 reviews submitted.
Multi-Active Adventures
From
EUR €1,345
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If you’re looking for a Central American thrill, take on an eight-day active adventure through one of the world's greenest countries. Dive into Costa Rica’s wilderness and cascade down the rapids of Pacuare River in a raft, hike misty jungle trails in the Monteverde Cloud Forest and cycle along the coastline of Puerto Viejo. With plenty of free time to customise your adventure depending on your interests, you might opt to surf the Caribbean waves in palm-fringed beach towns or go stand up paddleboarding on Lake Arenal. Costa Rica is the perfect place for wildlife lovers (how many sloths can you spot?), active adventurers and those seeking a natural paradise.

Trip overview

Map of Costa Rica: Hike, Bike & Raft including Costa Rica
Start
San Jose, Costa Rica
Finish
San Jose, Costa Rica
Theme
Multi-Active Adventures
Destinations
Costa Rica
Physical rating
Indicates how physically exerting a trip is, and how fit you will need to be to enjoy it. More info on physical ratings
Style
Original
Ages
Min 15
Group size
Min 1 - Max 12
Trip code
QVXC
This trip generates 16 kg of CO2-e per person per day.
We offset these emissions on your behalf. But we know that is not enough, so we also have a carbon reduction target.

Why you'll love this trip
  • Swap the concrete jungle for the real jungle on a guided hike into the Monteverde Cloud Forest Biological Reserve, home to some of Costa Rica’s exotic animals, like sloths, tropical butterflies and the elusive quetzal bird.
  • Raft along the Pacuare River – this area was ranked in the top five rivers of the world for whitewater rafting! You’ll tackle Class 3 and Class 4 rapids through lush green landscapes abundant in wildlife.
  • Cycle the quiet palm-fringed roads of Puerto Viejo and drop in at hidden beaches along the Caribbean coast.
  • Opt to ride some waves with a surfing expedition at a local beach, go stand up paddleboarding on Lake Arenal or take on some more challenging hikes through forest and coastlines – this trip allows you plenty of free time to take on our favourite adventures!
  • Make the most of your full free day in La Fortuna – there are lava-fuelled hot springs, water-based activities on Lake Arenal (like stand up paddleboarding with a volcano backdrop) or you can take a boat tour of Cano Negro Reserve and go wildlife spotting!
  • By travelling on this trip, you’ll directly support our Intrepid Foundation partner, World Bicycle Relief. Donations provide school kids, health workers, and farmers in far-out areas with bicycles that provide access to education, healthcare, and income.

Is this trip right for you?
  • With so many activities on offer in Costa Rica we have deliberately planned this trip so that you have ample time to explore activities that specifically interest you outside of the including hiking, cycling and rafting.
  • The included activities on this trip don't require a high level of fitness or skill, but it’s essential to be at least moderately fit if you want to partake in all activities.
  • Most of the activities (both included and optional) on this trip take place in the great outdoors. This means you'll need to be prepared to deal with insects and occasionally rustic conditions. It's all part of immersing yourself in this natural paradise.
  • Costa Rica is generally hot year-round, and from May to October can be pretty wet, too. Of course, you wouldn't get that gorgeous, emerald-green rainforest without the rain, but please carefully consider which time of the year you'll feel most comfortable travelling. Although most vehicles do have air conditioning, it has to work pretty hard to keep a full group cool.
  • With so much to see and do, Costa Rica can sometimes be expensive. Expect to pay more than you would in other Central American countries for a lot of things.

Itinerary

Map of Costa Rica: Hike, Bike & Raft including Costa Rica

Inclusions

Meals

6 breakfasts, 2 lunches

Transport

Shared vehicle, Public bus, Raft, Bicycle

Accommodation

Hotel (6 nights), Lodge (1 nights)

Activities
  • Monteverde - Cloud Forest Entrance
  • Pacuare - 4hrs. Pacuare River white water rafting - Class 3 & 4
  • Puerto Viejo de Talamanca - Coastal Bicycle ride
  • Caribbean cooking demonstration
Add on activities
  • San Jose - Pre-Colombian Gold Museum (Entrance fee) - USD16
  • San Jose - National Museum (entrance fee) - USD11
  • Monteverde - Coffee & Chocolate tour - USD45
  • Monteverde - Canopy Zip Lining (Entrance, Equipment & Transport) - USD62
  • Monteverde - Butterfly Garden and Insects Farm (entrance fee) - USD21
  • Monteverde - Suspension bridges tour - USD50
  • La Fortuna- Caño Negro boat tour - USD80
  • La Fortuna - La Fortuna Waterfall (Entrance only) - USD20
  • La Fortuna - Stand up paddle board - USD75
  • La Fortuna - Arenal hanging bridges - USD75
  • La Fortuna - Arenal 1968 Volcano View and Lava Trails (Entrance fee) - USD25
  • La Fortuna - Ecotermales Hot Springs (entrance fee) - USD45
  • Manzanillo - Beginner surf lesson or Independent surfboard rental - USD65
  • Gandoca Manzanillo National Wildlife Refuge (donation for entry) - Free
  • San Jose - San Jose Bites and Sights Tour - Urban Adventures - USD38

Dates and availability

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Important notes

1. Your adventure begins with a welcome meeting at 6 pm on Day 1 in San Jose. There are no activities planned for the final day so you may depart at any time.
2. A single supplement is available if you’d prefer not to share a room on this trip. Please speak to your booking agent for further information.
3. Please be careful when booking flights to/from San Jose; make sure you fly into/out of Juan Santamaria International Airport [SJO]. Please do not book flights to/from Norman Y. Mineta San Jose International Airport [SJC] as this is located in California, United States.

Essential Trip Information

Want an in-depth insight into this trip? Essential Trip Information provides a detailed itinerary, visa info, how to get to your hotel, what's included - pretty much everything you need to know about this adventure and more.

Read Essential Trip Information

Reviews

4.9 out of 5 based on 20 reviews submitted.
Reviews are from travellers who have completed their trip and want to share their experience. We show all reviews, but may remove any that include profanity or inappropriate content, are unrelated to the trip or reveal personal details.

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Iris · Traveled February 2024
Wonderful trip! Outstanding group that bonded immediately and was always there for each other and Jonnathan, our leader, went above and beyond to fulfill our every need and desire. The Puerto Viejo cooking demonstration is at his childhood home and his sharing of his family’s Costa Rican history fed my soul as much as the delicious food fed my belly. An experience I will never forget!
Review submitted 21 Feb 2024

Louise · Traveled February 2024
This trip was incredibly enjoyable. If you want to be active, enjoy meeting people, exploring and love scenery and wildlife with a knowledgeable guide who is also a local, then this is for you
Review submitted 20 Feb 2024

Amelia · Traveled February 2024
A wonderful and action-packed trip with a great trip leader. Well worth the money for incredible experiences and endless wildlife. Choko was a highly knowledgeable trip leader who promoted education on history and sustainable and responsible tourism and a willingness to make things work for everyone. Really looking forward to future ventures with Intrepid!
Review submitted 14 Feb 2024

Lis · Traveled February 2024
Awesome. My third trip with intrepid. Because Costa Rica’s biodiversity of landscape and animals is so rich, I wanted to do an outdoor and active trip. This trip gave me all the ways to experience it including all the add on experiences. It’s active and I slept good each night. The free day in La Fortuna I used as a bit of a slower day since we had been go go for the first few days. Leaving San Jose and returning to San Jose were long travel days but that’s par for the course. I used it as my relaxing down time. And if you get Choko as your guide definitely trust his recommendations about additional excursions or don’t be afraid to ask for something. I had an idea and asked is it possible and he made something happen that was so local and authentic for the whole group. I stayed an extra day in San Jose to check it out. I think it’s all you need if you do the city, just not a lot going on the same way other capital cities might be. Most of my travel mates stayed extra but did more day trips out of San Jose. Great trip, highly recommend.
Review submitted 14 Feb 2024

Thomas · Traveled February 2024
Review submitted 18 Feb 2024
Costa Rica: Hike, Bike & Raft
From
EUR €1,345