Costa Rica: Outdoor Adventures

Learn everything you ever wanted to know about sustainable, organic coffee farming in Costa Rica. Your tour begins with a short nature walk through Finca Rosa Blanca’s organic coffee farm. Your guide will explain the ecology of shade-grown coffee production and the symbiotic relationship between the flora and fauna on the farm. Visit the beneficio (production facility) and roasting house to get a first-hand look at how the coffee berries are washed, sorted, dried and roasted. Enjoy a coffee ‘cupping’ session with your expert guide and learn how to evaluate and rate gourmet coffee. At the end of the tour, you will have the chance to purchase some of the farm’s freshly roasted coffee.

(Duration: 2.5 hrs; Time: 0830/ 1300 hrs; Shared activity; Group size: max 6 ppl (for cupping); Transfers not required; Meals are not included; Fitness level: easy to moderate, please note that people with physical limitations can participate as long as they have someone to provide assistance; Please wear closed-toe walking or hiking shoes, a hat, insect repellent, and sunblock; Please note that the tour is not suitable for small children; For guests who are not staying at Finca Rosa Blanca, a transfer can be added for an additional cost)

Enjoy whitewater tubing along the Rio Blanco canyon. Once you reach the location, put on your protective gear, board your vessel and set off on the river. This activity is suitable for beginners as well as families with older children. As you make your way down the gorge with its slides and rapids, take in splendid views of the canyon and look up the narrow rock walls. Watch out for hot waterspouts. Scan the shoreline for small wildlife such as trogons, tiger herons and white-faced capuchin monkeys. You may even spot the elusive sphiggurus, a type of porcupine, or one of the large cats that inhabit the region. After spending an hour on the water, return to shore and head back to your accommodation.(Duration: 1 hr; Time: 0930/1100/1400 hrs; Shared activity; Transfers not required; Fitness level: moderate to difficult, please note that this activity is not suitable for people with physical challenges; Min age: 12; Participants must know swimming; Max weight: 286 lbs; Min height: 4.2 ft (dry season)/4.5 ft (rainy season); Minors must be accompanied by a parent or guardian over 18 years old; Equipment included; Please bring sun protection, mosquito repellant, closed shoes, or water shoes; This activity is subject to weather conditions, especially in the green season from May – Nov; Please note that there is always a chance of making contact with exposed rocks, resulting in bruising or minor cuts)

Go on an adventurous night walk into the wilderness while staying at Hideaway Rio Celeste. In the evening, meet your expert guide in the lobby and set off. Follow your guide down the rainforest trail that winds across the sprawling property. Use your flashlight to light up the path, and keep an eye out for lively insects and colorful amphibians. Red-eyed frogs, snakes, and spiders are some of the species you might encounter. Your guide will share fascinating insight into the region’s diverse ecosystems. After walking for a little over an hour, return to your accommodation with a new perspective on the rainforest. (Duration: 1.5 hrs; Time: 1745 hrs; Shared activity; Transfers not required; Fitness level: easy; Flashlight, light raincoat (if needed) and water bottle provided; Please bring insect repellent & wear hiking or tennis shoes and long pants; This tour is only available for guests staying at Hideaway Rio Celeste)

Soar across a canyon and soak in the beauty of the jungle while ziplining at Rio Perdido. At the scheduled time, make your way to the zipline which is made of carbon fiber cables to ensure noiseless operation. This zipline sequence across Rio Blanco canyon includes 15 platforms, of which nine are suspended on the canyon walls while six are built into the rock. With experienced instructors on hand, fly through the air on safe and sturdy cables with lengths ranging from 260 feet to over 800 feet. The Tarzan swing that will take you to a height of nearly 164 feet, a pendulum cable and challenge bridge of around 90 feet are some of the highlights. There are also four Via Ferratas or climbing routes extending to lengths from 15 feet to 30 feet. All the while, you will be secured with top-of-the-line safety equipment. A water station is available in the middle of the circuit, where you could take a break if you like.(Duration: 2 hrs; Time: 0900/1030/1300/1500 hrs; Shared activity; Transfers not required; Fitness level: moderate, please note that people with physical limitations can participate as long as they have someone to provide assistance; Not recommended if you have knee, heart or back problem; Min age: 12; Max weight: 286 lbs; Min height: 4.2 ft (summer)/4.5 ft (winter); Minors must be accompanied by a parent or guardian over 18 years old; Equipment included; Please bring sun protection, mosquito repellant, closed shoes, or water shoes; Scheduling this activity in the morning is recommended as afternoons can be very humid)

Enjoy a rewarding hike through the verdant landscape of Costa Rica’s Tenorio Volcano National. Your guide will pick you up from your hotel and drive you to the park. After registering at the entrance, begin your roughly four mile hike through the humid forest ecosystem Keep an eye out for the numerous birds that inhabit the park. You might also spot, or hear, howler monkeys. Don’t forget to pay attention to the plants and trees, which include palms and orchids. Stop to admire the natural beauty of the Rio Celeste waterfall, one of the park’s highlights. You will also walk alongside a section of the Rio Celeste (Light Blue River) to get a close-up view of the color for which the river is named. Your guide will also tell you the legend behind how the river got its color.

(Duration: 3 hrs; Time: 0800 hrs; Private activity & transfers; Meals are not included; All entry fees are included; Fitness level: moderate to difficult; Please note that this activity is not suitable for people with physical challenges; Please bring insect repellent, hiking shoes, and raincoat)

Enjoy tubing on the Rio Celeste during this fun adventure. In the morning, meet your guide at your hotel and head down to the water. Hop into an inflatable tube and journey downstream on the turquoise water. This activity is suitable for beginners as well as families. First, you will glide across the class I rapids comprising calm, temperate waters and small waves. As you float gently with the current, take in gorgeous views of the lush rainforest. Spot small wildlife such as howler monkeys and toucans along the shoreline. Next, experience the thrill of medium waves and short bends as you go over class II rapids. Afterward, make your way back to shore and return to your accommodation. (Duration: 3 hrs; Time: 0900 hrs; Shared activity; Transfers not required; Meals included: snacks and water; Please inform us of any food allergies in advance; Fitness level: easy; Please bring insect repellent, swim suit, water shoes or sport sandals and sunscreen; Min age: 4)

Soar over the treetops and soak in the beauty of the jungle while ziplining at Ecoglide Arenal Park. With experienced instructors on hand, this activity is suitable for first-timers as well as families with children. Located on the slopes of the Arenal Volcano, the zipline has one sliding cable and a second, independent cable holding you securely. The first section of the canopy tour comprises a network of six cables and seven platforms with the Tarzan swing at the end. The facility has been built in keeping with the security standards of the Costa Rican Tourism Institute and National Insurance Institute. Fly through the air at a height of 82 feet above the ground along lengths extending up to 688 feet. Next up is the Tarzan swing that will take you to a height of nearly 131 feet, almost as high as a 12-storey building. Continue to zoom above the ground on the second section consisting of five cables and six platforms. Take in bird’s eye views of the lush rainforest canopy as you travel along lengths ranging from 328 feet to 1,410 feet. You could also take a walk across the suspension bridge before returning to land.

(Duration: 2 hrs; Time: 0800/1000/1300/1500 hrs; Shared activity; Private transfers; Fitness level: easy; Entry fees to Ecoglide Arenal Park, safety gear, insurance, and beverages included; Please dress in light and comfortable clothes; Do bring binoculars, camera, sunscreen, rain gear, and hiking or tennis shoes; Sandals are not permitted)

If you’re fascinated by volcanic landscapes, this trip may be your opportunity to watch an active volcano from a perfectly safe vantage point. From your hotel, drive over to the northwestern end of the Arenal volcano, which is less than a half hour drive away. Get off ahead of the Las Coladas Trail and enjoy a leisurely hike through tropical rainforests and an old lava flow formed nearly three decades ago. Note the interesting lava formations along the trail, while your guide relates the region’s natural history. Watch out for local plant and wildlife too. If you’re lucky, you may come across a variety of primates, sloth bears, and birds, including toucans and hawks on your hike. The walking trail ends at an observation area that offers spectacular views of the volcano. (Half Day; Private Activity & Transfer; Fitness Level: Easy; Please bring comfortable boots, insect repellent and sunscreen; You will be accompanied by a bilingual guide).

Choose from eight exciting adventure activities during your stay at Pacuare Lodge. Go white water rafting over Class III-IV rapids that rush through steep canyons and down cascades. If you want something more leisurely, paddle through Class II rapids for a closer look at the wealth of nature straddling the Lodge. Rappel, climb up and down the steep sides of the canyon along the sides of the El Tesorito Creek. Book an exhilarating canopy tour, which takes you to the towering heights of the rainforest from where you can slide along cables and look out for exotic birds hidden in the thick foliage. Sign up for an early morning birdwatching tour and try and spot the Sun Bittern, Red-throated Ant-Tanager, Black-cheeked Woodpecker and a variety of colorful toucans in their natural habitat. Or you could join a naturist on a sustainable tour to learn how responsible tourism can balance economic needs with nature conservation. Trek along an ancient mule trail to reach a hidden waterfall or explore more of the Cabecar Indigenous culture during The Loop tour.