Costa Rica Jungle & Sea Adventure and Arenal Volcano Extension

Costa Rica Jungle & Sea Adventure and Arenal Volcano Extension Itinerary:

• Day 1

  Our trip begins today in San Jose, Costa Rica. Depart your home city for San Jose, arriving by 5 p.m. A short orientation meeting will be held in the hotel lobby at approximately 6 p.m. this evening. Your exact air itinerary can be worked out with a member of the REI Adventures air department. The airport to hotel transfer is included. Meals on your own.

• Day 2

  After an early breakfast, we depart by private minibus for Tortuguero National Park. Our scenic drive leads through traditional banana plantations and even a portion of Braulio Carrillo National Park en route to the boundary of Tortuguero, accessible only by boat or plane. From here, we'll board a boat to the remote and secluded Mawamba Lodge where we'll settle in and fuel up with lunch as we prepare to explore. From here, we'll load up our kayaks, learn the basics with a safety briefing and some practice strokes, then set off for a relaxed day of calm-water paddling and wildlife spotting. We kayak today through Tortuguero's primary and secondary rain forest, abundant in Costa Rica's rich indigenous bird and mammal populations. Your guide's skills at spotting wildlife and their near-encyclopedic knowledge of each butterfly, bird, reptile and monkey will delight and astonish you as the rhythm of your paddle carries you further down these peaceful, canopied canals. We'll make our way back to Mawamba for a refreshing welcome cocktail before dinner and reflect on the day over a great meal at our secluded jungle lodge. Overnight at the Mawamba Lodge for the next two nights. All meals included.
  
  Kayaking: 2 hours.

• Day 3

  Ambitious birders can start the day with an optional "early bird" boat tour to make the most of our opportunities here. Our official start to the day is a bit later, with a delicious buffet breakfast at the lodge before we board a support boat for a ride to our next launch point. Back aboard our trusty kayaks, we paddle through more of Tortuguero's winding canals in solitude while spotting exotic birds and monkeys and taking in the lush beauty of Costa Rica's Caribbean Coast. We return to our base at the Mawamba Lodge for lunch once again, then set out together on a short, easy beach walk to the Tortuguero Village. Explore this small, remote and colorful village with your guide for an inside look at village life and classic examples of Caribbean folk art and architecture before returning to the lodge for another great dinner. During our July departures, consider an optional nighttime tour to observe the green turtle migration during nesting season (check for availability, there is an additional cost). Tortuguero beach is the most important nesting site of the endangered green turtle in the Western Hemisphere and giant leatherback, hawksbill and loggerhead turtles are also found here on occasion. These gentle and rare creatures are truly a wonder to see. All meals included.
  
  Kayaking:  2 hours; Additional afternoon paddling options are also available.

• Day 4

  This morning, we say goodbye to our jungle lodge and return to San Jose on a small plane. From San Jose we transfer overland (3 hours by minibus) to Quepos on Costa Rica's Pacific Coast and set out to explore Manuel Antonio National Park, one of Costa Rica's most beautiful rain forest reserves. Manuel Antonio is composed of three long strands of magnificent white-sand beach bordered by a lush, wildlife-filled jungle. Despite its relatively small size, the park is home to over 180 species of birds and 109 species of animals including two- and three-toed sloths and a subspecies of the "titi" monkey, found only in this park and in danger of extinction. We overnight at Hotel La Mariposa for the next three nights. Breakfast, lunch included. Dinner on your own.
  
  Hiking:  2 hours.

• Day 5

  After breakfast at our hotel, a 45-minute drive transports us to our trailhead in gorgeous Campesinos Reserve. The reserve, located in a picturesque mountain range between the Naranjo and Savegre Rivers, is part of the community of Quebrada Arroyo, and is managed by local farmers. Upon reaching Campesinos, we'll have an opportunity to swim in a natural pool at the base of a spectacular nearby waterfall. After lunch, we'll continue hiking toward the Savegre River, where we'll make use of an "andarivel" – a type of hand-operated metal tram suspended by ropes – to cross the fast-flowing river en route to the end of the trail and our waiting vehicle. Return to Quepos tonight for dinner. Breakfast, lunch included.
  
  Hiking:  5 hours.

• Day 6

  A 13-mile rafting excursion on the Rio Savegre (Class II-IV) begins at the small village of Silencio, where we'll fuel up with a traditional Tico-style breakfast before hopping into our inflatable rafts. The stretch of river we paddle lies in protected primary rain forest and our guides help us spot and identify a multitude of bird species that live along the banks including egrets, osprey, toucans, parrots and kingfishers to name just a few. In addition to wildlife-viewing, we'll float past spectacular waterfalls, stop at the best swimming spots, and cheer as we paddle through the thrilling warm-water rapids. At the take-out point, we'll be met by a shuttle that transports us back to Silencio for a late lunch. We return to the Hotel La Mariposa this afternoon in time for happy hour and another colorful Costa Rican sunset. All meals included.
  
  Rafting: 4 hours.

• Day 7

  Our week concludes with an exhilarating guided zip-line tour through the tropical rain forest canopy. As we sail from tree to tree in our secure harnesses from suspended cables, we'll have the opportunity to learn about the various layers of the rain forest ecosystem from a truly unique vantage point. Afterward, we'll enjoy lunch at a local host home before we wrap up our adventure with a final kayaking excursion on the Central Pacific Coast. Driving north to the town of Jaco, we'll meet our kayaking guides and board our boats. We'll glide beneath sea cliffs filled with pelicans and frigate birds and, weather permitting, stop to take advantage of some of the best snorkeling on the central coast. Returning to Jaco, we'll board our minibus for the drive back to San Jose where we'll celebrate our adventure with our traveling companions and newfound friends. Pura Vida!
  
  Kayaking and snorkeling: 2 – 2½ hours.

• Day 8

  Take the group transfer to the airport this morning for flights back to the U.S. or spend additional time in this beautiful country on our Arenal Volcano extension. Breakfast included.
  
  For those joining our Arenal Volcano extension today, depart San Jose this morning with your driver/guide for Arenal Volcano National Park. In addition to the volcano itself, the park encompasses thousands of acres of pristine rain forest and teems with tropical birds and wildlife. We have time to visit the beautiful La Fortuna Waterfall for a refreshing swim (weather dependent) before our afternoon hike. Arenal has been regularly spewing lava and smoke plumes since a series of eruptions occurred in 1968 and daily rumblings are not unusual. We will hike on a trail that is actually an old lava flow and offers spectacular views (on a clear day) of Arenal volcano. In the evening we return to our lodge for dinner and perhaps catch an impressive view of the nearby rumbling giant that regularly erupts with breathtaking displays of vapor and lava. Lunch and dinner included.
  
  Driving time: approximately 3 ½ hours. Hiking: 3 to 4 hours on moderately challenging terrain

• Day 9

  In the morning, we take a three-hour hike to the water-filled crater of Arenal's dormant partner, Cerro Chato. The afternoon is left open to spend some time soaking in a splendid natural hot spring. At Arenal, water heated in the core of the earth travels through layers of rock, gathering a wealth of minerals as it rises to the surface to form steaming hot spring-fed pools. Here, temperature, mineral content and a truly splendid tropical setting combine to create one of the most rejuvenating and relaxing hot spring experiences to be found anywhere. Breakfast and dinner included.
  
  Hiking: 3 hours, some steep terrain, with longer options available.

• Day 10

  This morning we'll set out to visit to the Arenal Hanging Bridges. The Hanging Bridges is a complex of six hanging suspension bridges rising above the jungle canopy and two additional miles of trails running through the surrounding lush rain forest. The bridges and trails provide an excellent vantage point to observe the flora and fauna from the ground level all the way to the treetops. During our exploration, we'll learn about the biological diversity and complexity of this unique ecosystem while having an opportunity to see many of the indigenous plant, insect and, with luck, mammal species with our own eyes. Finally we'll drive back to San Jose. We plan to arrive in San Jose by approx. 4 p.m. Flights back to San Jose that arrive at approximately 1:30 p.m. are also available at an additional cost for those wishing to arrive there earlier (these flight times can vary). Breakfast included.
  
  Hiking: 2 - 2 ½ hours.

Although we do our best to adhere to the schedule listed above, this itinerary is subject to change for numerous reasons beyond our control, including weather and terrain conditions.

Please check with us before purchasing your airline tickets to ensure your trip has the necessary minimum number of participants required to operate.

If you are traveling alone and specifically request single accommodations, you will be asked to pay the full single supplement noted on the trip itinerary. If you wish to share accommodations, we will assign you a roommate if one is available. If a roommate cannot be found, you will be asked to pay a reduced single fee which is half of the full single supplement. Please be advised that there are a limited number of single rooms available on most departures.

All accommodations; meals as noted in the daily itinerary; transportation within Costa Rica as noted; airfare Tortuguero to San Jose; arrival and departure transfers; kayaks and related gear; guided canopy tour; entrance to national parks and reserves; rafting excursion and all related gear; outrigger canoe excursion and all related gear; local English-speaking guides and entrance fees to parks as indicated.

**Arenal Volcano Extension:  Two nights accommodations; ground transportation from San Jose to Arenal and return; meals as noted on daily itinerary; guide services; entrance fees to Arenal Volcano National Park, Arenal Hanging Bridges and Ecotermales hot springs.

Airfare to Costa Rica; airport departure taxes; 3 dinners; alcoholic beverages/soft drinks; guide gratuities; snorkel gear; excess baggage charges or insurance of any kind. Tortuguero night tour during turtle nesting season (July) is also not included and costs approx. $25 per person.

**Arenal Volcano Extension:  Airfare to Costa Rica; airport departure taxes; 2 lunches; alcoholic beverages/soft drinks; guide gratuities; excess baggage charges (for those taking optional flight back to San Jose at extension's end) or insurance of any kind.

This trip is rated Moderate [3].  It contains a variety of activities ranging from leisurely walks to short hikes, kayaking, rafting and snorkeling all leaning toward the easier side of REI's standard Moderate [3] rating. All activity options are suitable for novices. Participants should arrive in good physical condition and know how to swim. A regular exercise regimen consisting of walking and hiking and paddling/swimming (if possible) is highly recommended beginning at least 2-3 months prior to departure. The better shape you are in, the more you'll be able to enjoy all that the adventure has to offer!

**The Arenal Volcano Extension is rated Moderate [3] and participants arriving in shape for the Jungle & Sea Escape itinerary will enjoy the walks and hikes on the extension as well, but will likely find the hikes on the extension, particularly Cerro Chato, more challenging than the hikes on the Jungle and Sea Adventure.

Costa Rica enjoys the advantage of the perfect tropical climate. The average temperature in the lowlands varies from the high 70s to the high 80s. Conditions are pleasantly moderate all year long and are often compared to a never-ending spring. Although the July departure may encounter a slightly higher amount of rainfall, all day rain is very unusual at this time of year.

This trip is subject to the booking information set forth in the current REI Adventures Reservation Information. Please read this information carefully and call us if you have any questions. A full gear list and pre-departure information is sent upon sign-up. We highly recommend the purchase of travel insurance through REI Adventures. If coverage is purchased at the time of your initial reservation, the 'Pre-existing Conditions Exclusion' is waived (certain exclusions apply).

We look forward to having you join us for the trip of a lifetime! Why wait? Space is limited, reserve your adventure today.

The key to staying comfortable while on an active trip is layering. To obtain maximum comfort with minimum weight, you need versatile layers that mix and match to create the right amount of insulation, ventilation and weather protection. This gear list has been created to help you choose your clothing and gear for this trip. Try to bring only what is necessary—this will help you and the field staff.

Weather

Costa Rica enjoys the advantage of the perfect tropical climate. The average temperature in the lowlands varies from the high 60s to the high 80s. Conditions are pleasantly moderate all year long and are often compared to a never-ending spring. Although the July departure may encounter a slightly higher amount of rainfall, all day rain is very unusual at this time of year. As we are in the tropics, rainfall is a possibility during any month of the year making adequate raingear a necessity.

Flight from Tortuguero to Quepos

There is a 25-pound baggage weight limit on your flight from Tortuguero to Quepos. You may send some of your gear directly from San Jose to Quepos at the beginning of the trip and bring only a small duffle bag with you to Tortuguero.

Gear Checklist

Things to Consider

• Please remember to always pack essential items such as your passport, money, eyewear, hiking boots, a pair of shorts/shirt/fleece top/sandals and medications in your carry-on baggage, in case your luggage is delayed.
• Cotton is wonderful in warm weather. However, once it becomes wet, it will drain your body heat. Bring wool or synthetics such as Capilene®, MTS® and Thermax®.
• Bring clothing that is light in weight and color, which ventilates and protects you from the sun. It is always good to have a lightweight, long-sleeved fleece or synthetic top, especially for the evenings.
• Always test your layers before a trip. Your outer layer should fit easily over the inside ones without binding and bunching up.
• Make sure boots are broken-in. Bring moleskin for foot treatment. Thin liner socks worn under regular hiking socks may minimize the risk of blisters. The liner sock should be synthetic, not cotton. Test your sock combination before you go on the trip.
• Stuff sacks are great for sorting gear. Use different sizes/colors to differentiate contents.
• Plastic bags are the key to keeping clothing and gear dry. Use Ziploc bags to keep wet clothes separate from dry clothes.
• If you wear prescription glasses, use a safety cord and bring an extra pair if possible. Contact lens users should also bring an extra set, or bring eyeglasses for a backup.
• Space for luggage is limited. Pack lightly, fitting all clothing into one duffel bag. During the day, plan on carrying a small daypack with sunscreen, water bottle/hydration system and camera.