COSTA RICA
WHITEWATER RAFTING and TROPICAL FUN!

Dates for 2009
January 17-25, 2009

Trip Itinerary

Saturday January 17: Arrive in San Jose and transfer to the Aeropuerto Hotel. Dinner is not included the first night but it is available at the Aeropuerto Hotel.

Aeropuerto Hotel	La Paz Waterfall

Sunday January 18: We depart early on our comfortable, air-conditioned bus stopping at a local restaurant for a delicious, typical Costa Rican breakfast on our way to the Sarapiqui River and our first day of rafting. On the way to the river we will pass by majestic La Paz Waterfall and rolling, verdant fields of coffee, papyas and ferns. Upon arrival at the Sarapiqui River, your friendly and professional guides will outfit you with lifejackets, helmets and paddles and give you a safety orientation for the river. Rafting down the Class III Sarapiqui, you can expect beautiful, clear water flowing down from Poas Volcano. The lush vegetation and thick tree canopy along the narrow, winding river are home to toucans, cormorants, howler monkeys, hummingbirds and much more. You'll have fun going through exciting rapids interspersed with tranquil pools,and taking in the stunning tropical forest scenery, an excellent introduction to rafting in Costa Rica. Along the way we'll stop to enjoy a picnic lunch and swimming.

Sarapiqui River	Toucan

After rafting we drive to La Fortuna and check into our lodging for the next two nights, the Lavas Tacotal Hotel where you can enjoy a spectacular view of the Arenal Volcano from your porch and a delicious dinner.

Arenal Volcano	Lavas Tacotal Lodge, La Fortuna

Monday January 19: In the morning we will ride horseback into the jungle rainforest where our destination is the Arenal Canopy Tour where, under the guidance of trained professionals, we will zip along cables high above the treetops. The adventure begins when you arrive at the stables and the guides give you a safety briefing. You then get fitted up with your equipment, mount up, and ride 45 minutes through a pasture and wooded area that is host to monkeys, sloths, toucans, and other birds. When you arrive at the canopy, you are given the balance of the necessary equipment. Then we continue with a short hike through the forest where a guide gives an informative narration about the forests, plants, and trees that prevail in this kind of tropical area. The tree top canopy tour not only offers a great adventure but also an opportunity to observe wildlife in its natural habitat. On each platform the adventurers also have a chance to observe the forest from different angles and to photograph the beautiful landscapes. All the platforms are designed for observation of wildlife and not to damage it. After lunch there is time for shopping in La Fortuna. As evening approaches we visit the Eco Thermales Hot Springs where we can enjoy the hot pools and a delicious 'home cooked' meal.

Arenal canopy Tour	Eco Thermales Hot Springs

Tuesday January 20: After breakfast we check out of our hotel and drive to our next adventure, a sea kayaking trip down the tranquil Rio Penas Blancas where you can view abundant wildlife. Those not wanting to paddle their own kayak can opt to ride in a raft. After our safari kayak trip we will drive to Turrialba. Our lodging for the night will be at the Turrialtico Mountain Lodge near Turrialba where we enjoy a delicious dinner and a spectacular view of the Reventazon Valley with 10,000 foot Volcan Turrialba towering in the background.

kayaking	Turrialtico Lodge

Wednesday January 21: Today we begin our 2-day Rio Pacuare rafting trip where you will enjoy one of the most amazing rainforest experiences possible, breathtaking beauty and heart-pounding excitement. The Pacuare River is one of the top five rafting rivers in the world for its spectacular scenery and abundant rapids. This tropical river is a trip of pure magic, unsurpassed beauty, wildlife and exhilarating rapids.

Pacuare River	Rios Tropicales Lodge

We will drive from our lodge to the river put-in where your guides will load your gear into dry bags, prepare the equipment and give you complete safety and paddle instruction. The first day's Class III rapids welcome you to the Pacuare Gorge's charm as you raft deeper into the heart of the primary rainforest. While your guides prepare a hearty lunch on the riverbank , you'll be led through the jungle to an enchanting waterfall and pool to swim. Before you know it, you'll arrive at the enchanting Rios Tropicales Lodge where you can spend the afternoon relaxing, hiking or soaking in our natural waterfall and pools. Nestled in the jungle on our 1000-acre private preserve, the lodge offers all the comforts you need in "Cebecar Indian" style bungalows. Private single and double rooms are spacious with clean linen, and there are modern bathrooms and showers. Electricity is generated by a self-sufficient hydro-plant. Happy hour will put you in the mood for a tropical evening, followed by a delicious candlelight dinner with wine served by your guides.

Upper Huacas Falls, Pacuare River	Pacuare river rafting

Thursday January 22: After a hearty breakfast and loading the rafts, we'll prepare to paddle down the Pacuare Gorge past gushing waterfalls, serene pools and pounding Class IV rapids. A snack stop by the riverside lets you explore more waterfalls and natural waterslides. An adrenaline-packed afternoon running rapids like Upper and Lower Huacas, Cimarron, Dos Montanas and many more, will have you cheering ecstatically. At the conclusion of the river trip we will stop at the Rios Tropicales Operations Center for a hot lunch. Showers, changing rooms, cold and hot drinks and snacks are also available. Afterwards we drive to our lodge, the Hotel Suerre Caribbean at Punta Uva we spend the next two nights. A tasty dinner will be served the lodge. Punta Uva is not just a beach, it is spectacular, in fact Travel & Leisure Magazine called it one of the 'Top 5 beaches in the World'.

Punta Uva Beach	The pool and jacuzzi at Hotel Suerre Caribbean

Friday January 23: A day of relaxation on the beach where you can enjoy the warm waters of the Caribbean, or rent a bike and ride along the beautiful coast. At night you can enjoy the night life of Puerto Viejo with its reggae and calypso music.

Saturday January 24: Today is our 'BIG WATER" day of rafting on the Pascua Section of the Rio Reventazon. Big Class IV rapids such as "North Sea", "Horrendito" and "Indigestion" will challenge the most adventurous rafters. Non-stop thrills and action await as you plunge through twists, turns and drops down 15 miles of intense challenging rapids. An optional day of rafting the Class III Florida Section of the Reventazon is available for those not wishing the big water Class IV section. At the conclusion we will again stop at the Rios Tropicales Operations Center for a delicious hot lunch, showers, cold and hot drinks and snacks before our return drive to San Jose and overnight at the Aeropuerto Hotel where we have a farewell dinner.

Rafting on the Reventazon, Class III or IV+	Rainforest

Sunday January 25: After breakfast a shuttle is provided to the airport to catch your return flight home.