Caribbean Hiking Adventures

From Tortugero National park to the indigenous Kekolid reserve, while passing by the Irazu volcano, the pre-Columbian site of the Guayyabo Monument and the Caribbean coasts, an original route, far from crowds.
Hikes, animal observations and beaches,  are programmed into this trip which also allows us the privilege to discover an authentic local culture. Visiting the rural communities and fishermen offer us the opportunity for meaningful encounters.

• Day 1/  Arrival in San Jose
• Day 2/ Cano Blanco, Tortuguero
• Day 3/ Tortuguero
• Day 4/ South Caribbean coast (Cahuita)
• Day 5/ Kekoldi Indigenous reserve, Punta Uva
• Day 6/ Monumento Guayabo (precolombian city), Orosi
• Day 7/ Irazu volcano National Park, San Jose
• Day 8/ Depart from San Jose.

From Tortugero National park to the indigenous Kekolid reserve, while passing by the Irazu volcano, the pre-Columbian site of the Guayyabo Monument and the Caribbean coasts, an original route, far from crowds.
Hikes, animal observations and beaches, are programmed into this trip which also allows us the privilege to discover an authentic local culture.
A bit of adventure but also a trip with a human dimension with a string of encounters, the discovery of Costa Rica deeply attached to its local culture and its rural values.

Day 1/ Arrival in San Jose
Meeting in San Jose airport. Transfer to the hotel out of town.
Dinner and overnight in Grano de Oro Hotel (or similar).

Day 2/ San Jose - Tortuguero
Early departure for Braulio Carrillo road and the Caribbean down lands. Visit a butterfly garden. From Caño Blanco, boat trip for Tortuguero. Lunch at Laguna Lodge. Visit the colorful town of Tortuguero and the Turtle Museum. Dinner and overnight in Mawamba Lodge (or similar).

Day 3/ Tortuguero
Early tour to admire the awakening of the wildlife of Tortuguero. After breakfast, another boat tour to admire the canals of Tortuguero National Park where you can see abundant flora and fauna. Lunch at the lodge and free time to enjoy the pool or go for a walk on the beach. Dinner and overnight in Mawamba Lodge (or similar).

Day 4/ Tortuguero - Cahuita
Boat return to Caño Blanco then drive to Limon and the South Caribbean Coast.
Stop at the beautiful Cahuita beach for a swim.
Dinner and overnight at Suerre Hotel (or similar) located in Punta Uva Beach.

Day 5/ South Pacific
Visit to Keköldi Indigenous Reserve to catch a glimpse of the Bribri culture. Walk with a local guide uphill to a tower especially built to observe the birds' migration. Discover cacao plantations and an Iguana Farm. After lunch, walk and swim along the Punta Uva and Manzanillo beaches. Dinner and overnight at Suerre Hotel (or similar).

Day 6/ Cahuita - Orosi
Drive to Central Valley along the beautiful mountain roads. Visit Monumento Guayabo, a protected area for a precolombian archealogical city and visit to a snake exhibition.
Dinner and overnight at Rio Perlas Hotel (or similar) in the Orosi Valley.

Day 7/ Irazu Volcano - San Jose
From the Orosi coffee plantations and Cartago, we reach Irazu, the highest active volcano of the country at 11,260 feet. Visit the National Park and arrival in San José. City tour with your guide and free afternoon.
Dinner in town and overnight in Grano de Oro (or similar).

Day 8/ Depart from San Jose
Transfer to the airport for return flight.

- The walking time schedules are given only as an estimate.
- For different reasons involving trip organization, daily schedules and planned altitude gains (ascent or descent) may be modified without any prior notice. 

During hikes, all of your belongings are dispatched between a back pack carried during the walk and a traveling bag with a lock.  Each participant walks with a light back pack, carrying only the personal items necessary for the day or half day (water bottle, camera, protective clothing, etc). Transport is ensured by the vehicle of assistance and the logistic team during the excursions.

The guide
- an American or an English speaking Costa Rican professional Mountain World Travel guide, hiking specialist with good knowledge of the environment  

The local team
- a driver.

- Ground transportation, bus equipped with air conditioning and well adapted for the local roads (sometimes in bad shape)
- Yacht specially reserved for the group depending on the circuit.

It is varied, in charming hotels or lodges of excellent standing (superior) in the wilderness. Trips are based on 4 star accommodations, sometimes 3 stars when there is no other option in the area.
Due to our goal of providing quality accommodations, we seek charming and reputable places located in the middle of the most beautiful landscapes, on the most beautiful view-points or close to the departure of the excursions.
In the cities, we book hotels of excellent category (superior), 4 stars local standard or similar when available, according to availability at the time of reservation.
We choose these hotels and lodges, not only for the excellent price/quality ratio, but also for their cordiality and hospitality.

The names of accommodations (hotels, lodges, etc...) when they are indicated, are only indicative.
Depending on availability, accommodations (hotels/Lodges, etc...) may be replaced by another equivalent type.
It is possible that accommodations may change without prior notice due to a number of factors.

Breakfast and dinner at the lodge or in restaurant.
Lunch, as a picnic, eaten on site, sometimes in restaurant when being transported by bus.
Drinks: water is drinkable everywhere. Fresh fruit juices, delicious and varied, accompany meals. You will also find beer and good rum! The Costa Rican coffee is excellent.
Gastronomy: Tica cuisine kitchen is varied, a little bit spicy and containing excellent products. The basic dish is the Casado (rice, black beans, fresh vegetables, banana plantain, salad, cheese); accompanying chicken, meat or fish. You can easily eat vegetarian if you wish.

Although we are an experienced adventure travel company doing our best to respect the itinerary schedule as presented on this detailed itinerary, there is always the possibility that we may need to modify it for different reasons beyond our control. Please read the Registration Conditions: Terms and Booking conditions - Limitations of Liability.

• International flights in/out San Jose
• Airport tax (to date 26 $ per person)
• All services mentioned in Services +/extensions /options
• Personal medical & Travel Insurance
• All items not expressively mentioned in "What's included".

• Drinks (except mineral water during meals)
• Personal expenses
• Tips for guide and porters
• All items not expressively mentioned in "What's included".

As airfare is NOT included in our adventures, please check if your trip is "a guaranteed departure" before confirming your own airline travel arrangements. You can check your trip status at the website of Mountain World Travel or contact the Mountain World Travel office at 1 888-MWT-TREK (698-8735).

Our preferred airlines to fly to San Jose:
-      American Airlines: flights from anywhere in the States through Dallas, Miami
-      Continental: flights from anywhere in the States through Houston, New York
-      Delta: flights from anywhere in the States through Atlanta
-      United: flights from anywhere in the States through Miami, New York, Chicago, Denver, San Francisco.

Formalities for US, Canada, Australia, NZ passports travelers: a passport valid at least 30 days after the arrival of your journey; no visa needed for a stay up to 90 days.
For US citizens, please check with US Government Travel Entry Exit Requirements
For other nationalities, please contact the Costa Rica embassy of your country.

Costa Rica is the first country in Latin America in terms of quality of care. The techniques used are modern and the doctors are well trained.
Vaccines: No vaccine is obligatory. We however advise you to be up to date with traditional vaccinations: diphtheria, tetanus, polio, typhoid fever. Vaccination against hepatitis A is recommended.
For more information visit the website of the US Department of Health.
A treatment against Malaria is sometimes advised, but not necessary in our opinion. However, we do highly recommend that you protect yourself carefully against mosquitoes (mosquito repellent and shirts with long sleeves), because in certain zones, occasional seasonal cases of dengue have been announced.
Dentist and doctor:
A check up before departure is recommended.

LEVEL 1
2 months prior:  Hike 6 miles every weekend or on two consecutive days.  Pay attention to your lifestyle and your weight.

Basic equipment
- A warm fleece hat
- A cap or a hat to protect from the sun
- Sun glasses (minimum index 3 or 4 for high mountain)
- Thermal top and bottom, short and long) underwear (fast drying).
- Fleece turtle neck top
- A warm fleece jacket (light weight/well insulated).
- A waterproof/breathable shell jacket (Gore-Tex).
- A pair of gloves
- A rain poncho
- Hiking shorts
- Lightweight hiking long pants
- A Camelback or a water bottle.

Shoes and technical material
- Hiking socks
- Light ventilated hiking shoes with a good traction on different type of terrain, for people with fragile ankles: waterproof ankle hiking boots and a sole offering good traction.
- A pair of telescopic walking poles

Luggage
- A back pack equipped with broad straps, with an adjustable anatomical back reinforcement, and a capacity of 7 to 9 gallons, for your daily belongings
- A soft travel bag, which can hold between 18 to 23 gallons that will be transported by the porter team or by vehicle during the day.

Miscellaneous
- A change of clothes.
- A pair of replacement shoe laces
- A dop-kit and a bath towel.
- Toilet paper.
- A pocket knife (not in carry on luggage).
- Some plastic bags to protect your belongings.
- A bathing suit.
- A small pocket anti-theft protection device, to always keep on yourself, along with your identity papers, money, certificate of insurance.

Some advice
During your flight your back pack should contain fragile and useful items that you might need while on the plane (camera, memory cards, jacket, books, magazines, medication, dop-kit etc).