Tropical Jungle Escapade
Pacuare, Tortuguero, Corcovado

Day 1 - Arrival in San José
We’ll pick you up at Juan Santamaría International Airport and transfer you to San José for your stay at the Hotel Don Carlos. This elegant hotel, housed in a renovated turn-of-the-century Victorian mansion, is located in the heart of San José’s cultural district. You’ll enjoy the hotel’s gracefully styling and individually designed and decorated rooms.

Day 2 - Overnight Pacuare Jungle Adventure
After an early rise we’ll pick you up at your hotel and head through Costa Rica’s colonial capital city of Cartago before rising up through the fertile countryside that surrounds the base of Turrialba Volcano. We’ll stop for a delicious traditional Costa Rican breakfast along the way. Once we arrive at the verdant banks of the Pacuare River, our professional guides will instruct you on paddling techniques and safety procedures before you don your helmets, grab you paddles and climb aboard the inflatable rafts for an unforgettable adventure.

The Pacuare is a swift flowing river that offers visitors a unique and exciting rafting experience within one of Costa Rica’s most unspoiled wilderness areas. In fact, expert rafters call the Pacuare one of the world’s best white-water runs. Once in the river, you’ll battle powerful rapids and rolling waves that spill over the sides of the raft drenching everyone with excitement and fun. Steep gorges and a seemingly endless green jungle rise from the river’s edge, offering rafters a front seat view of the dozens of species of mammals and birds that reside within this virgin paradise.
You’ll run five miles today, ending at the Pacuare Lodge. Our renowned lodge is a veritable jungle oasis. Towering trees stand guard over a two-story main lodge, where you can lounge in the upper-floor hammocks and dine in the rustically elegant dining facilities on the bottom floor.
You’ll experience pure tropical relaxation in your modern wooden bungalow. Blending into the surrounding forest, your comfortable room offers a relaxing haven amid the exotic jungle melodies right outside your door. When the sun sets, our upstairs bar and game area is the perfect spot to enjoy a cocktail and friendly company. Then come down and enjoy a gourmet meal served with a mouthwatering homemade dessert. When you feel it’s time to turn in, grab a lantern and follow a path of flickering torchlights to your door. Your cozy bungalow will seem even more inviting as you enjoy a hot shower and then retire to a bed of fresh linens and the soothing sounds of the forest.


Day 3 - Pacuare River Rafting & Overnight in Guápiles
Birdsong and the rapids’ cascading rhythm bring you out of bed with style. After enjoying fresh Costa Rican coffee, home made bread, French toast, eggs, fresh tropical fruit and yogurt, you’ll be ready for another day of adventure.

Day two will bring you right into the thick of exciting paddling and stunning rainforest scenery. For thirteen miles you’ll employ the skills you gained the previous day, navigating the powerful river and running some adrenaline-pumping rapids. Along the way, your guides will stop the rafts to explore crystalline streams that form a gentle waterfall complete with natural waterslides. Later, you’ll enjoy a scrumptious picnic lunch along the riverbank. As the journey ends, you’ll feel the satisfaction of having tackled one of the world’s most famous rivers.

At the river take-out, you may change into dry clothes in our private restroom facilities before boarding a comfortable minivan for the short ride into the town of Guápiles. Approximately half an hour later, you will arrive at the Suerre Hotel in Guápiles for your overnight stay.

You’ll have the rest of the afternoon free to relax and reminisce about your exhilarating Pacuare adventure. The Suerre Hotel’s facilities are perfect for relaxing and lounging about. You can soak in the Jacuzzi or the cool swimming pool, and ease your muscles in the sauna. If you’re still up for physical activity, you can play a tennis match or use the hotel’s gym. When night falls, you can enjoy a meal in the hotel’s restaurant or a cold drink at the bar before turning in. (Dinner on your own).

Day 4 - Tortuguero Jungle Canals
Morning brings a great breakfast, followed by departure for Tortuguero, situated on Costa Rica’s Caribbean coast. Roads are scarce in this region, and you’ll navigate a system of waterways as you explore this untouched rainforest. The Pachira Lodge staff will pick you up at your hotel and transfer you to their private dock in Matina, where you’ll begin a two-hour adventure through the jungle and canals, arriving at Pachira Lodge in time for lunch.

Pachira Lodge lies between Tortuguero’s main canal and the Caribbean Sea. Trails head inland from the gorgeous shore to jungles bursting with color and life. Once in the forest, you might see toucans, brightly colored macaws or even some boisterous howler monkeys traipsing through the trees.

Following a hearty midday meal, you will have a chance to unpack and relax before starting your adventure. In the afternoon there will be a guided jungle hike and a canal boat trip to better acquaint you with the surrounding jungle. The hike will allow you to experience a small portion of this magnificent tropical rainforest, which covers an area of more than 47,000 acres and provides refuge to an abundant and thriving wildlife population. With nearly 14 miles of coastline, Tortuguero National Park is one of the most important nesting sites for four varieties of marine turtles, including the massive Green Turtle, which can weigh over 400 pounds.
The Tortuguero Canals are a network of navigable natural and man-made lakes and canals used both for basic transportation and jungle exploration tours. A trip through these waterways will provide visitors with spectacular scenery and the chance to observe up to three different species of monkeys, as well as crocodiles, iguanas and numerous multi-colored birds in their natural environment.

After this adventure-filled day, you’ll return to your relaxing room at the lodge for a much deserved rest. Each room has its own private bath, hot water and ceiling fan. You can pass the evening splashing around under the shadow of palm trees in the large swimming pool, or unwinding in the Jacuzzi. Tonight you can sample delectable national and international cuisine at a local family-style restaurant. From July to October you can take an additional night tour to see the massive sea turtles lumber up from the surf to lay their eggs. Costa Rica is one of only a few countries that protect turtle nesting sites, and the spectacle is truly amazing.

Day 5 - Corcovado, Osa Peninsula
Get an early start and climb aboard a light airplane that will make a stopover in San José en route to Sierpe. As you wait to change flights, enjoy a hot cup of Costa Rica’s internationally famous coffee. At 9:30 a.m., you’ll fly into the small town of Palmar Sur, near the southern Pacific shore. There you’ll transfer to Sierpe, from where you’ll board a speedboat that will take you to Drake Bay in the Osa Peninsula. The bay forms the border of Corcovado National Park and is a great base for visiting the area’s attractions, including the Caño Negro Biological Reserve.

About an hour later you will arrive at the charming Aguila de Osa Inn, where you'll be warmly received by the hotel staff. The Inn is perched on a bluff overlooking Drake Bay, and offers an extensive fleet of sport fishing vessels that provide an outstanding deep-sea experience. Once you’re settled in, you can explore the different trails that lead into the rainforest surrounding the lodge. You’ll have fantastic opportunities to see the endemic plant and animal life that makes this region famous. Deserted beaches, tumbling cascades and great hikes are all within walking distance from your hotel.

Day 6 - Drake Bay, Osa Peninsula
Early mornings are the ideal time for exploring the exuberant Corcovado rainforests, where sunrise is around 5 a.m. and sunset about 5:30 p.m. This is the perfect time for engaging in outdoor activities, including hiking, horseback riding, beach combing, fishing, swimming and scuba diving.
The highlight of today’s activities is a visit to world-renown Corcovado National Park. An accomplished naturalist guide will accompany you, helping bring the jungle alive. National Geographic Magazine called Corcovado "one of the most biologically intense places on earth," and you won’t be disappointed as you wind through the primary rainforest and observe the thousands of species of flora and fauna. Orchid-draped streams and brightly colored birds and butterflies stand out against a backdrop of all different shades of green. You’ll think you’re living in a fairy tale land.

Over thirteen ecosystems are located within the park’s expansive borders, which encompass much of the peninsula.

A tranquil afternoon at the hotel or a relaxing swim in the pool is the perfect way to wind down after your venture into the enchanted realm of Corcovado. At night, sit back and soak in the profound beauty of this isolated corner of Earth, pondering ideas of paradise and dreamy adventures.

Day 7 - Drake Bay, San José
After breakfast, you’ll head back to Sierpe via speedboat. From there you’ll transfer to Palmer Sur to take a flight back to San José. Overnight at the hotel of your choice, and the day is at leisure to enjoy your last night in paradise.

Day 8 - After breakfast, transfer to the airport for your flight back home
Above itinerary includes: Two nights of lodging at Hotel Don Carlos or similar, two-day Pacuare Adventure, transportation and all meals; one night at Mawamba Lodge, transportation, guided jungle hike and canal boat tour and all meals; roundtrip flight between San José and Corcovado; two nights at Aguila de Osa Inn or similar, all means and choice of tour: Corcovado National Park or Caño Island excursion on Day 6.

Note: Land transfers are handled by Nature Adventures and Mawamba Lodge.

Optional Tours in Drake Bay

Snorkeling / Scuba Diving at Caño Island: Caño Island lies twelve miles west of Drake Bay. You’ll find some of the best scuba diving in the world here. Divers regularly see porpoises, schools of manta rays and white-tip sharks, as well as large schools of colorful fish. The fearless whale shark and giant bull shark are also commonly spotted. Water visibility is excellent, and frequently exceeds 90 feet depending on weather conditions. Temperature are perfect for extended dives, always in the upper 70s to lo 80s, making for a very comfortable experience. While you visit the area to dive, you can also hike through the island’s thick vegetation and visit pre-Colombian burial grounds.

Sportfishing: Dozens of world inshore and offshore records have been registered out of the Drake Bay area. Species include sailfish, black marlin, blue marlin, occasionally striped marlin, yellowfin tuna and wahoo; roosterfish and cubera snapper are found inshore.
Price per boat: US $550 – half day
US $800 - full day

Sea Kayaking: Sea Kayaking Rio Agujitas and Drake Bay is a fantastic way to get close to this region. Discover the jungle’s innermost secrets as you leisurely explore the hidden nooks and corners of this secluded river. Drake Bay’s tranquil waters also offer a pleasant kayaking experience as you paddle along the coast or surf in on one of its gentle waves.

Horseback Riding: Horseback riding tours are not for the equestrian alone. Anyone with an interest in exploring primary rainforest outside of Corcovado can tour the area with a local guide and his entourage of native horses; this is a great way to get in touch with the Drake Bay lifestyle.