Day 1 ------- Arrive and Drive to Arenal Volcano (Nayara Hotel)
Nayara Resort
Today your private guide and driver will meet you outside of the San Jose airport where you will make drive just over 2 hours to the Arenal Volcano. You will be staying in the Nayara Hotel one of the finest in all of Costa Rica with breath-taking views of the perfectly cone-shaped volcano. (Meals: None)
Day 2 ------- Zipline & Hotsprings (Nayara Hotel)
Today you will adventure out on ziplines that are strung 700ft high above the rainforest as you zip along side the Arenal volcano. There are well over 70 different zipline companies in Costa Rica and this is still without doubt our favorite.
Hola Ann!
In the evening we will be relaxing in the warmth of the hotsprings. The hotsprings are known to make your skin look 20 years younger from what we have noticed. (Meals: Breakafast)
Day 3 ------- Caño Negro (Nayara Hotel)
If you are looking to experience some of Costa Rica's finest in wildlife then this half day trip will give you a glimpse at just about everything. We will have a private boat waiting for you to drive you through the northern wetlands of Caño Negro Wildlife Refuge which is filled with monkeys, sloths, caimans, birds, and much more.
In the evening you can relax and enjoy the grounds of Nayara Resort or we can take you out to dinner in one of the many great places to eat in the town of La Fortuna. (Meals: Breakfast & Lunch)
Day 4 ------- La Fortuna Falls & Don Juan Farm (Hotel Villa Blanca)
La Fortuna Falls
Today we will fit two of our favorite stops into the morning as we visit one of the most scenic waterfalls in all of Costa Rica. After the falls you will enjoy the best tasting meal of the week at our friends Don Juan who has an organic farm and cooks up some of the finest meals you can imagine.
After lunch we will make the drive into the cloud-forest allowing you to get a feel for a different ecosystem of Costa Rica. You will be staying in the Hotel Villa Blanca which is the former weekend home of a former President of Costa Rica. It is in the middle of nowhere tucked away in the clouds and absolutely marvelous views. Not to mention one of the best places to eat in all of Costa Rica. (Meals: Breakfast & Lunch)
Day 5 ------- Travel to Manuel Antonio (Arenas del Mar)
Today we will make the 2 1/2 hour drive to the Central Pacific coast which will have us staying at the Arenas del Mar Resort one of our favorites in all of Costa Rica. You will be surrounded by rainforest and have incredible views of the Pacific ocean. (Meals: Breakfast)
Arenas del Mar
Day 6 ------- Optional Fishing Trip (Arenas del Mar)
Today is an optional fishing trip. If anyone in the group would like to opt out another option is to visit the Manuel Antonio National Park. We can offer a full or half day of fishing out of the Quepos area. (Meals: Breakfast)
Day 7 ------- Optional Diving or Snorkel trip to Caño Island (Arenas del Mar)
Manuel Antonio
Today you will have a chance to explore a beautiful island located off the southern pacific coast which happens to be the best diving in Costa Rica. This is a full day trip but for divers worth it. Those that decide not to dive can enjoy the ride, time on the boat, and some snorkeling. (Meals: Breakfast)
Day 8 ------- Fly Home!
Travel to the San Jose airport and catch your flight home! (Meals: Breakfast)
Day 1 - Arrival to San Jose and transfer to San Jose Hotel (Grano de Oro Hotel)
Today you will be met outside the the San Jose Airport by your private guide and driver. You will be transported to the Grano de Oro Hotel where you will get a good night's rest for your adventure ahead. If your flight arrives early enough, you'll get to enjoy the restaurant at Grano de Oro which is considered one of the best in the capital city. (Meals: None)
Day 2 - Drive to Turrialba and visit Ujarras Ruins and City of Cartago; Dinner in Local Vilage (Casa Turire Hotel)
Today is a full day but an easy day. You'll make the short drive to the Turrialba area out into the countryside of Costa Rica. The drive will take you past two active volcanos, Irazu & Turrialba and a visit to Costa Rica's oldest city, Cartago and Ruins of Ujarras. There is a great little remote town nearby Ujarras called Orosi that will be worth making a stop along the way.
After we pass through the rural areas we'll reach Turrialba where we will be staying in a beautiful hotel called Casa Turire located on a lake with views of the Turrialba Volcano.
The afternoon will be spent visiting the local village of Sitio de Mata where we plan to introduce you to many of our friends and enjoy Doña Fressy's meal. We will have time to walk around the village and make ourselves at home for a few hours maybe even get a soccer (or Rugby?) game going on the futbol field with the local kids.
(Meals: Breakfast, Dinner)
Waterfall Hikes Pacuare
Day 3 - Enter Pacuare, rafting the class II and III rapids, lunching riverside, hiking to waterfalls (Pacuare Camp)
Today we will begin an adventure that we consider one of the top adventures not just in Costa Rica but anywhere. Our beloved Pacuare River is surrounded by virgin rainforest and filled with canyons and waterfalls from start to finish. The first day is a day of small rapids, hiking to waterfalls, and a great night at our camp. This is camping for one night but by no means roughing it. Everyone has private bathrooms and showers. The entire camp is private for our group.(Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner)
Day 4 - Leave Pacuare and drive to Arenal Volcano. Lodging at (Tabacón Resort)
Rafting Pacuare Canyon
Today you will wake up to the sounds of the jungle and get ready for a very memorable day of rafting as we do the most scenic part of the Pacuare River. This is a three hour run of excellent rapids and jaw-dropping scenery from start to finish.
After we take out of the river we will head to the Arenal Volcano where we will be staying in the Tabacon Resort. Here you can enjoy the country's soothing hotsprings and one of the world's most phenomenal hotels. (Meals: Breakfast & Lunch)
Day 5 - ,Sky Tram&Trek tour (zipline) by the morning & Hiking Danaus Reserve by the afternoon (Tabacón Resort)
If the rafting was not enough adventure then maybe ziplining on the side of an active volcano on cables that hang 700ft high wlil be! This is one of our favorite adventures and everyone always seems to agree. For those that are not up for the zip there is still a neat Tram/Gandola Ride that everyone can do.
Tabacon Resort
In the afternoon your naturalist guide will be able to show off his skills as he takes you into the Danaus Reserve where you get an upclose look at some of our best friends from the tropical rainforest. Here you will learn the many wonders of the rainforest. After these 10 days, with your expert naturalist guide, you'll look at the natural world with new eyes and appreciation. (Meals: Breakfast)
Day 6 - Hiking La Fortuna waterfall in the morning & Horseback Ride in the afternoon Lodging at (Tabacón Resort)
Today you will visit one of Costa Rica's most scenic waterfalls. This is La Fortuna Falls and it is 500 (easy) steps down to the bottom and 500 (bit more strenuous) steps back to the top. Believe us when we say it is well worth the visit. There is an area where you can take a refreshing dip in a swimming hole down at the bottom and just enjoy the falls.
Arenal Volcano
In the afternoon we will take you to on an unforgettable wildlife trip. We will plan on traveling north and have your private boat waiting for your group at the Caño Negro Wildlife Refuge around 4pm. The sun sets at 6pm, so it will be a float of wildlife flourishing during it's last hours of daylight. Truly a memorable experience and worth the visit and a chance for your guide to show off his skills again! (Meals: Breakfast & Lunch)
Day 7 - Transfer to Manuel Antonio, Beach Lodging & Sunset Horseback Ride(Arenas del Mar)
Today we will drive west to the Manuel Antonio area located on the Central Pacific. We will get an early start allowing us to arrive to Manuel Antonio around lunch time and enjoy the afternoon at the beach. During your time on the beach for the sunset we will load up on horses and trot along the beach and enjoy the simple life of Pura Vida! (Meals: Breakfast)
Arenas del Mar
Day 8 - Surf Lessons, Beach/Resort time. Lodging at (Arenas del Mar)
Today it is time to catch some waves. This area is one of the best for learning how to surf not to mention arguably the most beautiful beach in all of Costa Rica. We will spend the day having lessons with your surf instructors and play time in the sand and water after the classes.
In the afternoon we can take you out to eat to watch the sunset or you can just enjoy the luxury of Arenas del Mar.
(Meals: Breakfast)
Surfing like a pro!
Day 9 - Manuel Antonio National Park Hike and Travel to San Jose in the afternoon. Lodging at (Grano de Oro)
Today we will have a chance to bid farewell to the wildlife in Costa Rica. We will do an easy hike through the Manuel Antonio National Park. Here you will get a chance to get a close look at monkeys, sloths, coatis, and many more species while being just steps away from the park's marvelous beaches.
Hola Nicole!!!
In the afternoon we will drive you back to the San Jose where you started, at the Grano de Oro Hotel. We can take you out in San Jose for a farewell dinner to Costa Rica at one of our favorite local spots if you are up for it. (Meals: Breakfast)
(Meals: Breakfast)
Day 10 - Transfer to the airport and flight home or to Vancouver depending on timing.
Today we will transport you to the (SJO) San Jose Airport. (Meals: Breakfast)
11 years of Experience as Raft Guide in Costa Rica
WEMT, Vertical Rescue, Swift Water Rescue, WFA, WFR
Dog Lover
Environmentalist
Slow Runner
Global Warming Activist
Son & Brother
Former Car Owner
Story-Teller & Writer (at times boring)
Public Transportation Guru
Bilingual English/Spanish
Coffee drinker
Horrible dancer but not afraid to try
List of Forbe's 500 people to never pick up the magazine of Forbe's
Topics of Interest: Tropical Ecology, Global Warming, Sustainable Agriculture, Permaculture Farming, Biomimicry, Curing Kids of Nature-Deficit Disorder
Marlon Bustos - Rafting Head-Guide
Marlon - "Water Buffalo"!
14 years River Guiding
Member of Costa Rica National Rafting Team
Mountain Rescue, Whitewater Rescue, WFA
Father & Son
Nature Activist
One-Time Visitor to Manhattan
Hates to Fly
Bilingual English/Spanish
Lives in Sitio de Mata
Topics of Interest: Rafting Safety, Teaching and Instructing River courses, Rafting Competitively, Sustainable Agriculture, Aquatic Birds, Soccer
Diego Quesada - Naturalist Guide
Go Diego Go!
Biologist
Degree in Natural Resource Management
Executive Director of The National Park Arenal
8 years experience as Naturalist Guide
Bilingual English/Spanish
Funny
Prankster
The guide everyone wants to bring home
Diego is not for SALE!
Topics of Interest: Evolutionary Biology, Volcanology, Sustainable living, Upkeep of National Parks and Goals for Conservation, Movies, playing guitar
Jheudy Carballo - Naturalist Guide
Jhuedy (Our Wiki-pedia)
14 years experience as Naturalist Guide
Degree in Agro-ecologico Turismo
Consultant for Sustainable Business Practices
A wiki-pedia of information & then some
Father
Hiker
Fast Reader in English & Spanish
Full country guide
Did we mention Jheudy knows more about Costa Rica than the President
Passionate & Natural Teacher
Lives in front of Active Arenal Volcano
Represented CRR at a Teacher Conference in Miami, saw two Heat games and is now a huge FAN!
Topics of Interest: Tropical Ecology, History of Costa Rica, Large Company affects on Central America (United Fruit Company), Global Warming, Sustainable farming and business practices, Alternative Energy Solutions, Presidents of Costa Rica, Birding
Erick Aguila - Naturalist Guide
El Guapo
Degree in Turismo Naturalist Guide
Smart
Funny
8 years of Experience
Lives in Turrialba Mountains
Relentless Hiker
Bilingual English/Spanish
Loves to Scream during big rapids!
Good Dancer
Topics of Interest: Tropical Ecology, Insects, mammals, ferns, Caribbean Costa Rica, Affects of mono-culture on Costa Rica economy and environment
Tom & Luigi Camping Class V Section Rio Chirripo
Luigi (Luis) Rasta - Turrialba Costa Rica
Puts the "flawless" in raft guiding
Best Guacamole in Las Americas
Professional Videographer
Naturalist Guide
Bi-Lingual English / Spanish
10 years working in Tourism
Father of "Ella" cutest kid alive
Husband to "Vivi" an Expert in Rural Tourism and Super Mom!
Nature Lover, Simple Liver, & walks the talk!!!
Topics of Interest: Rafting, Videos, Tourism Projects, Reggae Music!!!!!!!!!, Learning, Saving the Planet for "Ella", & Puerto Rico (That is where Vivi is from)
Daniel Bustos - Heredia (INSANE KAYAKER)
Danny Bustos & Does Stunts for Capitan JAM
Kayaker
Rafter
Street Dancer
Ju-Jitzu
Excellent cook
Highly Energetic
Father of cutest little girl possible
Nature Lover
Sitio de Mata Turrialba Native
Capitan JAM
Capitan J.A.M. - Blue Planet
A Super Hero
Helps get Local Costa Rican's out into Nature
Many Local Friends on Facebook
Incredible Raft Guide in tights
Speaker at Local Schools
Surprise Visits on CRR Family Vacations
Day Job - CRR Owner
J.A.M. = Jale Afuera Mae
Jale Afuera Mae = Let's Go Outside Dude!
Topics of Interest: Saving the Blue Planet, getting kids excited about nature, World's Strongest Man Competition, having coffee with Batman & The Avengers, and turning down contracts to Marvel Comics.
Your Movie Stars!
Raft Guides - Turrialba
National Team Guides
Years of Experience
100% Stress Free Lives
Happy
Funny
Tan
& Ripped!!!
Topics of Interest: Currents & Rivers along with getting home at a reasonable hour to get up for work on time.
Doña Fressy - Rural Tourism Jefa!
Fressy Araya - Sitio de Mata Project Manager
10 years working in Raft Warehouses
6 years working for CRR full-time
Mother, grandmother, & great
Recycler, composter, Sustainable Advocate
Manager of Local Dance groups & Activities
A Patron Saint of Rural Eco-tourism Project
Hard worker
Prefers the Simple Life
Mother of 3 river guides and never been rafting
Craft maker
Topic of Interest: Rural development, Recycling, reusing everything, maintaining local culture, providing local cuisine, and sustainable agriculture
Anne Ledezma - Office Manager
La Guapa
16 years working in Tourism
Completed her dream in 2011 (Went to a U2 Concert)
Rockstar
Street dog lover
Wife, Daughter, & Sister
Never been Rafting!!!! (Just can't get her to do it)
Trilingual English/ Spanish/Italian
Passionate about CRR
Also a Naturalist Guide
Healthy Eater
Not in it for the money
Roy Jimenez
Topics of Interest: New hotels in Costa Rica, New areas of interest for tours, best food at best price, music, dogs, Arenal Volcano, graphic design, politics
Roy Jimenez - Family Travel Manager
- 10 Years Working in Costa Rican Tourism
- Native of San Carlos Arenal Volcano Area
- Degree in Business Management
- Bi-Lingual Spanish & English
- Nature Lover
- Fanatico of Costa Rica's best tasting Restaurants
- Loves to Travel
- Coffee Expert
- Proud Supporter of Imperial & Pilsen Beer (Locally Brewed)
La Jefa - Mary Liz Ranieri!!!
Mary Ranieri - Office Assistant
Dog Lover
10 employees in one body
Wife & Mother of 3 boys (2 Conservationist Adventure Junkies and 1 FBI Agent)
Dog Lover (Max, Bruno, & Tuk)
Public Transportation Deamon
Lives in Rural Costa Rica Mountain village
CRR Meal Provider & Cook
Owner of Office Space for CRR
Has rafted Pacuare 6 times
Lifetime Educator
Relentness Composter, Recycler, & Herb grower
Rappeler of 3 different Costa Rican Waterfalls which happen to be off the grid falls (Not Commercial)
Topics of Interest: Dogs, cooking, her family, being a host to guests, adventure company operator, wedding planner, Mother Teresa, Holiday Greeting Card writer, birthday reminder,
Regina Lopez - Marketing
Regina - Geeger
15 years in Corporate America in Chase Bank; Stole one from the Corporate world
Resides in Costa Rica but markets in the USA
Bilingual Spanish/English
World Traveler
Degree in Business Marketing
Yoga Instuctor
One time rafter
Smoothest & Fastest to pass out a CRR business card
Topics of Interest:Marketing, International cusine, yoga, Costa Rica living, Costa Rica real estate market, Economy of Costa Rica
Jim Ranieri - Educational Specialist
Jimbo - Flash Gordon
15 years of guidance counseling in the USA
35 marathons & counting (I know we ask the same question, WHY?!)
Trekker, rafter, & conservationist
White Nile Rafter (Class Gazillion Rapids)
7th grade basketball Most Improved Player
Cirriculum Planner
Eco-Tourism schmoozer (TIES member & Attendee of all conferences)
Surfer (Really not that good)
Prefers the Simple Life
Travels with practically nothing
CRR's version of No-Impact-Man
Topics of Interest:Running, Adventure Sports, Education, National Standards between different nations, How what we consume affect the poorest of the poor abroad, Planet Earth, Africa, Uganda, Sustainable Farming
Today your naturalist guide and driver will meet you outside of the San Jose airport. Your mode of transportation will be a 4x4 due to the level of off-roading FUN you will be experiencing during this week. The first hotel will be around the San Jose area. If you arrive on an early flight we can make the drive to Rafiki Lodge on this day. (Meals: None)
Day 2 -- Travel to Rafiki Lodge (Rafiki Lodge)
Today will be a travel day to Rafiki Lodge along with some horseback riding. We will make the drive to Rafiki Lodge and when we arrive drive for around 30 minutes on off-road to arrive to the lodge. When we arrive it will be your daughters highlight of the trip because we will be horseback riding! This is a great adventure in and around the mountains that surround the Rafiki lodge through the virgin rainforest.
The Rafiki Lodge is a very unique place located on the banks of the Savegre river. It is surrounded by nothing except primary rainforest and the sounds of nature. The service and food is excellent and a night hike to keep the little guy excited will have us seeing more critters than you will see all year in the temperate zones. Just for the record for the little guy there are 350,000 different species of insects in Costa Rica. (Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, & Dinner)
Day 3 -- Raft Savegre (Rafiki Lodge)
Hanging in the Waterfalls at Savegre
Today we will have the rafts ready to go and head up river of the Savegre and put in for a full day of rafting. The river is absolutely gorgeous and a perfect level for the kids. We will plan on rafting for around 2 hours and stopping for lunch along the way and some hikes to an enormous waterfall making it a day on the river.
In the afternoon we will take you back to the Rafiki Lodge where the kids can enjoy one of the fastest slides in all of the world! (Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, & Dinner)
Day 4 -- Enter Cueva (Sleep Behind Waterfall)
Probably our most unique tour and something you will not find anywhere else. Today we will hike for about 1 1/2 hours. It is a steep hike and we have taken young kids before but we do ask that they are up for the challenge. Once we get to the top of the ridge we will rappel down a waterfall and sleep behind the waterfall. This is truly a unique spot and plenty of open area to just enjoy the sound of water and amazing views.
Sleeping Behind the Waterfall
In the evening we will take another short hike and be at the top of a 600ft waterfall called Diamante Falls. Here we will watch the sunset and then head back to where we will spend the night behind the waterfall. (Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, & Dinner)
Day 5 -- Hike out and Travel to Coastal Hotel (Cuna del Angel)
Today we will be hiking out from behind the cavern but first visit some pristine pools hidden in the jungle where we will have some time to just relax in the paradise and privacy of absolutely no tourist for miles and miles!
After the hike out we will head to the Cuna del Angel luxury boutique hotel. Here you will have a chance to have a tasty meal in one of the best restaurants in the country and enjoy a splash of luxury for the night. (Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, & Dinner)
Cuna del Angel
Day 6 -- Zipline & Enter Drake (Aquila de Osa)
Where nature meets luxury is no better place than the Aquila de Osa and the peninsula of Corcavado. One of the few places where you will still find more monkeys than people walking around. Considered to be one of the most biodiverse rich places on the planet it is here you will enjoy the true essence of Costa Rica and its wildlife.
Before we make our way on the boat we will be doing a nearby zipline. One of my favorite ziplines in the country here you will have the chance to zip on cables with breath-taking views of the Pacific Coast line and even enjoy a tarzan swing.
We will travel 1 hour south driving and then make another hour travel in boat through mangroves and then out into the ocean to Drake Bay. Here we will have the chance to see whales, dolphins, and plenty of scarlett macaws to welcome us when we arrive. (Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, & Dinner)
Day 7 -- Nature Hike National Park (Aquila de Osa)
While staying in one of the most biodiverse places on the planet it only makes sense to take a nature hike and train our future naturalist (your son) for his future summer job of nature hikes in the rainforest for CRR!!!! In the evening we can have some time on the beach and renew the vows and celebrate the 10 years that have past and the many more years to come in the future! (Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, & Dinner)
Day 8 -- Fly Home!
Homework for the little naturalist. What animal is this?
You will travel back by in-country flight to the San Jose area to catch your flight home from the San Jose Airport! (Meals: Breakfast)
