Family Adventure Costa Rica

Costa Rica is a wonderful playground for small (or large) adventurers: river descents, walks in the jungle or jungle by horseback or jungle by trees (sky canopy), animal observations including monkeys and "flying bananas" (toucans' local nick names), numerous river swims, ocean swims and hot spring dips are also on this trip's menu, an aqua lover's dream..."pura vida" (super), as they say over there!

• Day 1/ Arrival in San Jose
• Day 2/ Poas Volcano - Sarapiqui Valley
• Day 3/ Rafting & hiking in Sarapiqui
• Day 4/ Sarapiqui - Arenal Volcano
• Day 5/ Arenal (sky canopy) - Rincon de la Vieja
• Day 6/ Rincon de la Vieja National Park (mud spots, "solfatares")
• Day 7/ Pacific beach (Playa Occotal)
• Day 8/ Depart from Liberia

This small tropical country is so well known for its natural attractions and it's commitment to protecting its nature.
But Costa Rica is also a wonderful playground for small (or large) adventurers: river descents, walks in the jungle or jungle by horseback or jungle by trees (sky canopy), animal observations including monkeys and "flying bananas" (toucans' local nick names), numerous river swims, ocean swims and hot spring dips are also on this trip's menu, an aqua lover's dream..."pura vida" (super), as they say over there!

Day 1/  Arrival in San Jose
Meeting at San Jose airport. Transfer to the hotel out of town.
Dinner and overnight in Buena Vista Hotel (or similar), situated amongst beautiful gardens

Day 2/  Rafting & walking in Sarapiqui
Bus drive to Poas Volcano and it's active... his active blue lagoon crater. Walk in the National Park and visit La Paz Waterfall Gardens; a very scenic place in the middle of a tropical rainforest. The road down leads to the Caribbean side. Dinner and overnight in La Quinta de Saripiqui (or similar).

Day 3/  Rafting and Hiking in Sarapiqui
Morning raft trip in the world famous Sarapiqui River (half day class II/III). After lunch, a walk in La Tirimbina Rainforest Center, a private reserve near the Sarapiqui River with beautiful trails. Visit a cacao tree plantation.
Dinner and overnight in La Quinta de Saripiqui (or similar).

Day 4/  Sarapiqui  - Arenal Volcano
Drive to La Fortuna de Arenal, near the famous and very active volcano. Visit of Danaus Butterfly garden.  Have a swim in the natural hot springs and dinner at Ecotermales. If weather permits, night observation of volcano activity.
Overnight in Arenal Springs Resort (or similar).

Day 5 /  Arenal - Rincon de la Vieja
Morning walk on the sky canopy of the Arenal Hanging Bridges. Very rich animal life: possible to observe 3 different species of monkeys, sometimes toucans and numerous other birds. After lunch, drive along Arenal Lake Road. Stop at Cañas to visit the wild cat's refuge of Las Pumas (we can see the 6 species of Costa Rican wild cats). Dinner and overnight in Canyon de la Vieja Lodge (or similar).

Day 6/   Rincon de la Vieja
Walk in Rincon de la Vieja Natural Park to discover the impressive mud spots and "sulfatares" of Las Pailas. In the afternoon, rafting (inflatable kayak) down the Colorado River with it's impressive rocks. Dinner and overnight in Canyon de la Vieja Lodge (or similar).

Day 7 /  Pacific beach - Liberia
After breakfast, a short drive to Playa Ocotal, one of the most beautiful beaches of the North Pacific Coast. Beach day dedicated for swimming and snorkeling. Optional diving is possible. Dinner and overnight at Ocotal Beach Resort (or similar).

Day 8 /  Depart from Liberia
Transfer to Liberia airport (30 mn drive) for return flight.

- Observation naturalist walks on trails: usually 1 to 2 hours of walking. No difficulty in the proposed activities, which are suitable for children and supervised by professionals: rafting (life vest provided), sky canopy.
- 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 Montain World Travel website or contact the Mountain World Travel office at 1 888-MWT-TREK (698-8735).

Our preferred airlines to fly to San Jose, out Liberia:
-      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.

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).