8 Days | Hike, bike and raft your way through the wilderness of Costa Rica
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
- Start
- San Jose, Costa Rica
- Finish
- San Jose, Costa Rica
- Theme
- Multi-active
- 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
- 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.
- 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 and humid year-round, and from May to October can be wet too. At nighttime and in locations at higher elevations it can get chilly. Protect yourself from the sun, bring light clothing you can layer and a waterproof jacket, and stay hydrated. 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.
View the itinerary for departures between 01 January 2025 - 31 December 2025
Itinerary
Inclusions
6 breakfasts, 2 lunches
Shared vehicle, Public bus, Raft, Bicycle
Hotel (6 nights), Lodge (1 nights)
- Monteverde - Cloud Forest Entrance
- Pacuare - 4hrs. Pacuare River white water rafting - Class 3 & 4
- Puerto Viejo de Talamanca - Coastal Bicycle ride
- Caribbean cooking demonstration
- San Jose - Pre-Colombian Gold Museum (Entrance fee) - USD17
- San Jose - National Museum (entrance fee) - USD12
- Monteverde - Coffee & Chocolate tour - USD47
- Monteverde - Canopy Zip Lining (Entrance, Equipment & Transport) - USD65
- Monteverde - Butterfly Garden and Insects Farm (entrance fee) - USD22
- Monteverde - Suspension bridges tour - USD58
- La Fortuna- Caño Negro boat tour - USD84
- La Fortuna - La Fortuna Waterfall (Entrance only) - USD21
- La Fortuna - Stand up paddle board - USD79
- La Fortuna - Arenal hanging bridges - USD79
- La Fortuna - Arenal 1968 Volcano View and Lava Trails (Entrance fee) - USD26
- La Fortuna - Ecotermales Hot Springs (entrance fee) - USD49
- 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 - USD40
Dates and availability
Important notes
1. It is very important that you provide your height at time of booking so we can ensure that you have the appropriate sized bicycle when your trip starts. If you do not provide your height ahead of arrival we cannot guarantee a suitably sized bike for you.
2. 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.
3. 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.
4. 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.
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.
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