Undiscovered Caribbean Costa Rica Adventure

Day 1: San Jose

Welcome reception at Juan Santamaria International Airport in San Jose where we are warmly greeted and transferred to the Hotel Bougainvillea, an attractive three-story hotel set in tropical gardens just 20 minutes from the airport. Spacious rooms offer two double beds, television, and balcony, and other amenities include a swimming pool, tennis court, and restaurant. Overnight at Hotel Bougainvillea.

Accommodations: Hotel Bougainvillea

Day 2: Selva Bananito - Aerial Tramway

Depart with your guide through the highland cloud forests of the Central American isthmus to the slopes of the lowland Caribbean coast. En route to our first stop, the aerial tramway, you pass through mountains and the majestic beauty of Braulio Carillo National Park. The 6-person tramcars travel on a 1-mile excursion through sections of its 1000-acre nature reserve to observe wildlife. After 3 1⁄2 hours we transfer to a 4 wheel drive vehicle traveling another 40 minutes over rugged roads deep into the protected tropical rainforests of La Amistad International Park. This protected area of wildlife habitat and Indian territories constitute the largest nature reserve in Central America spanning 2.2 million acres of uninterrupted wild lands across the Talamanca mountain range of southern Costa Rica and Northern Panama. Overnight at Selva Bananito Lodge.

Accommodations: Selva Bananito Lodge

Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Day 3: Selva Bananito - Hike & Waterfall Rappelling

Grab your water sandals and hiking boots for a full day hike (5-7 hours) into the rainforest. There are over 60 river crossings, jumping in the plentiful river pools along the way and passing by a 600 year-old mahogany tree as we learn more about rainforest ecology. After rappelling down an 80-foot waterfall (optional) enjoy a well-deserved hearty picnic lunch. This is a real, adrenaline-packed Costa Rica eco tour for true adventure seekers and requires very good physical condition. Other fun and interesting optional activities are available for those who prefer a milder outing.

Accommodations: Selva Bananito Lodge

Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Day 4: Selva Bananito - Zip Lining, Tree Planting & Horseback Riding

After a short hike experience the canopy of the primary rainforest gliding on a zip line hanging 100-feet above the forest floor! This afternoon we take part in Selva Bananito’s ongoing reforestation project. The Stein family has planted hundreds of tropical hardwoods on a part of their land originally cut down by banana plantations in the 1800’s. By creating forested corridors we help provide better habitat for wildlife. Our saplings will one day become part of the tropical rainforest contributing to the conservation of endemic and endangered species while supporting the work of the Fundacion Cuencas de Limón, a nonprofit foundation that has become a regional leader in watershed protection and environmental educational programs. This afternoon, we settle in at Selva Bananito Jungle Lodge where cozy eco-style cabins are built on stilts in traditional Caribbean style. In the afternoon we saddle up for a 2-3 hour horseback ride among local farms, through rivers and over hills with beautiful vistas. After a candlelight dinner (there is no electricity at the lodge, water gets heated by solar panels) relax in your hammock to enjoy the sounds of the jungle and take in the light show of fireflies. Overnight Selva Bananito Lodge.

Accommodations: Selva Bananito Lodge

Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Day 5: Cocles Beach - Snorkeling, Cahuita Natural Park Walk & Cooking Lesson

We head South for an adventure on the reefs off Cahuita National Park. En route stop for snorkeling at the Cahuita National Park, part of a 10,000 acre protected reserve with miles of coral reef along the coast. On the underwater coral gardens watch for parrot fish, angel fish, snappers, groupers, grunts, blue tangs, jack fish and other species swimming amongst the sea fans, brain coral, boulder coral, fire coral, and elk horn corals. Lunch is served at a local restaurant. With one of Puerto Viejo’s matriarch cooks, we learn to cook Caribbean-style and then enjoy a delicious lunch including patacones (fried plantains), coconut rice, fish or chicken, with Caribbean style-sauce, and fresh fruit shakes. The English language spoken here is called “Patois” in which many a phrase begins with, "Let me tell you what’s been happening." Dinner is served at a local restaurant. Overnight at Shawandha Lodge.

Accommodations: Shawandha Lodge

Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Day 6: Talamanca - Yorkin Day Trip - Bribri Native Women's Group

Spend today in Yorkín, a small town located in the Talamanca-Bribri indigenous territory, only accessible by a 1-1/2 hour motorized dug-out canoe on the spectacular Rio Yorkin. There is plenty of wildlife to view along the way so keep your binoculars handy. This is also one of the best places to see organic cacao and banana plantations, learn about medicinal plants, and interact with indigenous people of the tropical rainforests of Costa Rica. Through personal interaction with the Bribri Indians they share their culture, local customs, typical food, mythology and history. Sit for a typical Bribri style lunch at the Casa de las Mujeres, part of an association of indigenous women dedicated to developing new sources of income to preserve their culture such as farming, organic cacao production, and ecotourism. Your visit helps send their children to school. Save room for dessert because the women share their secrets of chocolate making! After a fun-filled day of eating and learning, we board our canoe and head back to Bambú and overnight in Cocles at Shawandha Lodge.

Visit to the Bribri Indigenous Community:

Accommodations: Shawandha Lodge

Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch

Day 7: Cocles Beach Banana Bikes, Beach & Dancing Lesson

Today we hop on our local style “banana bikes” for a short ride to the town of Puerto Viejo where we learn about the amazing history of the Afro-Caribbean descendents of escaped slaves and rail road workers who settled along this isolated coast. You can take time to enjoy the beach.
In the afternoon we have an opportunity to see some Soca, Salsa, Merengue, Hip Hop, Calypso, and African music, and learn to dance from an instructor with more than 20 years motivating Caribbean youth to take pride in their culture and heritage. Proceeds from our visit go to benefit the local youth dance group “Olaba”. Overnight Shawandha Lodge.

Accommodations: Shawandha Lodge

Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch

Day 8: San Jose - Sloth Sanctuary

Today you visit Aviarios del Caribe, a sloth refuge to learn about these shy and amazing creatures and the research, educational and conservation program designed to protect them. Return to San Jose. Farewell dinner and overnight at Hotel Bougainvillea.

Accommodations: Hotel Bougainvillea

Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner