Costa Rica - Every Paddler's Dream Trip

Itinerary

Whether you prefer rafting, kayaking or inflatables, every paddler dreams of Costa Rica's warm, unspoiled rivers, lush tropical rainforests and abundant wildlife. This is the ultimate Costa Rica paddling adventure, flexibly designed to accommodate paddlers of all skill levels and emphasizing Costa Rica's best whitewater rivers and flatwater float trips. We've included many additional destinations and special touches from our Ultimate Wildlife itinerary.

Expert Local Naturalist Guides - Even biologists in some places

Breathtaking Rainforest Lodges

Specifically designed to accomodate paddlers of various skill levels

Day 1 Transfer to Sarapiqui Region

Upon arrival in Costa Rica, you will be met by your Wild Planet Adventures guide and whisked away to begin our journey deep into the fabric of Costa Rica. We'll travel through rugged mountains, lush coffee plantations and small villages on our way to the Sarapiqui River. (D)

Day 2 Puerto Viejo River - Class I-II, La Selva Biological Preserve

Highlights: Flatwater wildlife expedition on an intimate rainforest river that rarely sees any humans besides us! Hike in a Biological Station with biologists studying the rainforest.
Wildlife: Extreme biodiversity including 400 species of birds, monkeys, sloth, rare rainforest frogs, river otter, agouti, coati, anteaters and more.

This morning we'll explore La Selva Biological Preserve, with special guides and biologists sharing their exciting research on the plants and animals of the rainforest. La Selva forms the border of Barullio Carillo National Park, one of the most dense, lush National Parks in the Country, and also one of the least visited. We offten see howler and spider monkeys, tent bats, strawberry poison arrow frogs, and many rare and endangered animals while hiking La Selva.

This afternoon we'll float the Puerto Viejo river, a remote, mostly flatwater river that rarely -- if ever -- sees any other paddlers. Its slower moving water offers ideal conditions for wildlife viewing, revealing 400 species of birds including great green macaws, parrots, laughing falcons and great jacomars, as well as 2 species of monkeys, iguana and caimen. (B,L,D)

Day 3 Sarapiqui River - Class II-III,

Highlights: Whitewater paddling on a lush rainforest river
Wildlife: Extreme biodiversity including 400 species of birds, monkeys, sloth, rare rainforest frogs, river otter, agouti, coati, anteaters and more.

The Sarapiqui is one of the highlights of every paddler's "dream trip." Flowing freely from two Costa Rican volcanic national parks and lined by dense Caribbean lowlands primary rainforest, the Sarapiqui is one of the most pristine and cleanest rivers in Costa Rica. It passes directly through La Selva Biological Reserve, known for its extreme biodiversity and abundance of wildlife. An excellent choice for beginners to experts, the Sarapiqui offers a choice of runs, ranging from easy class I-II to intermediate class III. This wildlife lover's paradise is full of monkeys, sloth, rare rainforest poison arrow frogs, sunbitterns, river otter, toucans and more. (B,L,D)

Day 4 Peñas Blancas or Tres Amigos Rivers - Class II-I, Arenal Volcano & Hot Springs

Highlights: Flatwater wildlife expedition on an intimate rainforest river at the base of Volcano Arenal. Relax in a rejuvinating hot springs near the foothills of of Volcano Arenal. Then enjoy a night-time view of the volcano spouting lava.
Wildlife: Extreme biodiversity including monkeys, sloth, anteater, 400 species of birds, rare rainforest frogs, river otter, agouti, coati, and more.

This morning we'll choose between the Peñas Blancas or Tres Amigos Rivers, depending on conditions. These are quiet, isolated river surrounded by lush rainforest and vibrantly colored birds. They start in the Monteverde Cloudforest and retain their interesting character in the sections we paddle. They always have sufficient water in the lower sections and feature overhanging trees filled with bromiliads, orchids and easily spotted monkeys. We'll paddle at a leisurely pace, allowing us to soak in the exhuberance of life in the rainforest. (B,L,D)

Day 5 Hike to Rio Celeste

Highlights: Hike to this remote and unusually colored cobalt-blue river, with natural hot springs and breathtaking waterfall.
Wildlife: Tapirs, monkeys and over 400 species of tropical birds inhabit the Tenerio National Park, and colorful trogans in particular are found close to the rare waters of Rio Celeste.

This incredible cathedral-like setting features an unusual natural phenomenon that causes the river and its rocks to turn a brigh light blue, due to a the presense of cobalt and other minerals washed off the ground into the river. We'll follow the river downstream for a refreshing swim under an enormous waterfall that continues on to spill down the sides of the volcano. It is one of the most picturesque waterfalls in Costa Rica, with dense rainforest surrounding the cascading water. (B, L, D)

Day 6 Corobici/Tenerio Rivers - Class III-I, Carara Biological Preserve

Highlights: Intimate rivers in a tropical dry forest ecosystem, hike
Wildlife: Crocodiles, scarlet macaws, anteater, ocelot, peccaries, white-faced and spider monkeys, poison-arrow frog, rare boat-billed herons, roseate spoonbills, iguana, parrots and much more.

The Corobici is an intimate river with many exciting rapids, fun turns and a brisk pace. It meets with the flat Tenerio River which is known for its abundance of wildlife, including a nesting roost for odd-looking boat-billed herons and sometimes roseate spoonbills.

This afternoon we’ll hike in Carara Biological preseve. An old growth forest of striking complexity and density, Carara's giant trees include 10 of the rarest hardwoods in Costa Rica. The unique combination of ecosystems is habitat for many rare and endangered animals, including one of the largest populations of scarlet macaws in the country, which migrate twice daily from the inland rainforest to the coastal mangrove swamps. (B, L, D)

Day 7 Zip-Line Canopy Tour

Today we’ll zip on cables from platform to platform high above the rainforest. Canopy Los Sueños is one of the most fun and thrilling canopy tours in Costa Rica, with lengthy zip lines over steep ravines and rivers. With luck you may join the parrots and scarlet macaws as you experience the transcendent feeling of flying over the rainforest.

Day 8 Savegre River - Class III-I

Highlights: Pacific coastal river with technical whitewater and abundant wildlife.
Wildlife: Rare squirrel monkeys, howlers, white-faced capuchins, scarlet macaws and more.

Located south of Manuel Antonio, the Savegre is a beautiful, boulder-filled whitewater river with scenery that rivals that of the Sarapiqui, yet features the entirely different ecosystems of the Pacific coast. (B, L, D)

Day 9 Dominical - Ventanas Beach

Highlights: Spectacular world-class beaches
Wildlife: White-faced and squirrel monkeys in the rainforest surrounding the beach!

This secluded beach is far from the crowds of Manuel Antonio and is the perfect spot for swimming, walking and relaxing. The brilliant white sand beaches are populated with centasaurs who sometimes join you sunning on the beach. The water is very warm and clean, and the beach is surrounded by tropical rainforest with great trails to hike and view friendly white-faced monkeys, squirrel monkeys and more.(B, L, D)

Day 10 Dominical - San Jose

Return to San Jose by mid-day, in time for your flight back home. (B))