Costa Rica! Just mentioning the name sends hearts to racing. Here in Central America’s verdant rainforest lies an adventure that is both beautiful and exhilarating.
You’ll know it as soon as you arrive. The colors are so rich and so deep that you can almost feel them. We’re going to be busy. We’ll be riding bikes on sleepy roads with the Arenal Volcano providing a gorgeous backdrop; kayaking deeply into the teeming lagoons of the Tortuguero National Park; and we’ll finish rafting down the dramatic Pacuare River.
The wilderness is spectacular. Originally designated to protect an Atlantic Green Sea Turtle’s nesting beach, Tortuguero National Park now extends 51,870 acres into glorious tropical rainforest in Central America. The park is home to the endangered Great Green Macaw, white-faced, howler and spider monkeys, chestnut mandibled toucan, the slatey-tailed trogon — to mention just a few! So you absolutely must bring binoculars (at least 8 x 42) and a field guide. (We recommend A Guide to the Birds of Costa Rica (by Stiles and Skutch).
But there is more to Costa Rica than its enviable natural bounty, so we’ll be living well as we adventure, staying at lovely resorts, dining in the country’s best restaurants, and picnicking in places that will delight your senses. (Visit our Costa Rica Tour Photo Gallery)
Costa Rica, in particular San Juan, has a rich history. The famed pirate, Henry MoRiver Guidean, plundered the waters here on his way to a legendary fortune. Lieutenant Oliver Nelson — yes, eventually Admiral Nelson — won his first victory at the fortress town of Castillo, near San Juan. The Vanderbilt Steamship Company provided passenger service on the San Juan, used by thousands of Forty-Niners on their way to California gold fields.
This Pedal and Sea tour is run in conjunction with our partners in Costa Rica.
Day 1: Arrival at San José
Our local representative will meet you at Juan Santamaría International
Airport in San José to help you through customs, and transfer you
to the Hotel Bougainvillea. There you can relax in their gardens, and prepare
for the exciting week ahead. The hotel offers a downtown shuttle to San
Jose for those wishing to explore the city, and soak in the atmosphere.
Due to varied arrival times, you’ll spend this night on your own,
and we’ll be happy to recommend several restaurants that serve delicious
food. Be sure to get a good night’s sleep, however, for the next
few days will be filled with adventure and beauty, and you won’t
want to miss a second. Lodging: Hotel
El Rodeo, San José
Day 2: San Jose to Tilajari (20 mi; 1 mile equals 1.6km)
Our official welcoming breakfast will give us the opportunity to meet each
other and go over our week’s adventure. After breakfast, a 4-hour
shuttle takes us to Tilajari, near the Arenal Volcano. We’ll bike
this beautiful region along lightly-traveled roads, past sugar cane and
pineapple farms, crossing the Penas Blancas River by walking bridge.
Local iguanas like to catch a few rays along this route, and keener eyes
will see a bevy of exotic birds and animals along our route. The day
ends at our resort, Tilajari, with its refreshing pool and charming butterfly
park. (A brief section of the ride is along a dirt road, and van support
is not available near the walking bridge). Lodging: Tilajari Resort,
Tilajari
Day 3: Tilajari (33.5 mi)
Today’s ride is all about exhilarating downhill glides, soaring vistas,
and waters heated by active volcanoes! (OK, OK... you’ll climb a
few hills today, too. Even a Pedal and Sea Adventure has a few ups and
downs). We’ll stop often to spy on monkeys frolicking through the
trees, while wild parrots and toucans will be charting our progress. The
hilltop view of Lake Arenal is especially stunning, if the volcano isn’t
covered by mist. For lunch, we’ll be well away from the tourists,
in the real Costa Rica, enjoying a special homemade meal prepared by Dona
Mireya and her family at their hot springs. Surrounded by glorious countryside,
sipping on exotic fruit drinks, soaking in thermal pools and cavorting
through frothy waterfalls... you'll soon feel like you’ve reached
the Promised Land. It won’t be easy to leave, but your trusty steed
awaits, and you must. Luckily, it’s mostly downhill back to our resort.
(Again, brief sections of this ride are along dirt roads). Lodging: Tilajari
Resort, Tilajari
Day four: Tortuguero (boat ride)
After breakfast, a short shuttle ride takes us to Puerto Viejo for our
boat trip along the Sarapiqui River and into the rainforest's heart.
Words seem too ordinary for the experience. You may be reminded of Hepburne
and Bogart, and their African Queen voyage, for it feels just like that.
Crocodiles glide by lazily, moving with surprising grace, while flashes
of color seem to coalesce into exotic birds that chatter enthusiastically
about their travels. We’ll stop for an amazing lunch along the
riverbank, prepared by Martha and her daughter. Keep an eye on your meal
or her pet toucan might steal a bite! We'll then take a ride to Siquirres,
which is a bit of jaunt, but well worth it for what comes next: a delightful
glide down the San Juan River, eventually making our way back to the
Rio Colorado. Our lodge for the next two nights — accessible
only by boat — is surrounded by the rainforest’s exotic sights
and sounds. You can hang in a hammock, reveling in nature, or enjoy the
resort’s infinity pool before we tuck into a family-style dinner.
Lodging: Tortuga Lodge, Tortuga
Day five: Tortuguero (hike & kayak)
If you’re a dedicated naturalist, you can prove it to everyone by
joining a walk through the Lodge’s Private Nature Reserve — at
5:30 am! More than 800 different species of birds, not to mention monkeys
and frogs, await your attention. The late-risers will join us for breakfast,
after which our journey into the Tortuguero Rainforest — heading
north to Cano Palma — begins.
The rainforest is magical! Once in our kayaks, the lush scenery will cosset
your senses as we travel where motorboats cannot. Paddling under the rainforest’s
leafy expanse — at peace with nature’s bounty — is an
experience that will never be forgotten. After lunch, the adventure will
last as long as you do.It's so hard to leave the rainforest. But as your
energy wanes, relaxing pool side or swinging in a hammock is the perfect
ending to a perfect day. Another great meal will help replenish our bodies
for the next day's adventure. Lodging: Tortuga Lodge, Tortuga
Day six: Tortuguero & Pacuare (rafting)
This is it…the experience of a lifetime! We will be rafting the tropics’ most
beautiful river canyon, which happens to be rated one of the world’s
top four. For beginners and experienced rafters alike this is an awesome
experience and we encourage all to give it a try. We’ll do whatever
it takes to get you in a boat, for even the faint-of-heart have thrilled
at the encounter, and discovered something about themselves in the process.
A boat and van transfer brings us to Tres Equis and the Pacuare River to meet our skilled rafting guides. Their years of experience running Class III & IV rapids is tangible during the training session, and their air of quiet confidence will soothe even the most nervous in our group. Carpe Diem! Really! Once on the raft, your hearts will race even as your spirit is touched by the spectacle — by old-growth rainforest clinging miraculously to steep cliff walls; by the glorious waterfalls that plunge into the canyon; by the awe inspiring beauty around every dip and bend of the river. After a sumptuous riverbank lunch, more rafting will fill the day, until we head back to San José for our farewell dinner. Lodging: Hotel El Rodeo, San José
Day seven: Departure
You can enjoy a walk in the garden or a swim in the pool before we shuttle
you to the airport. If you are traveling further in Costa Rica, or returning
home, our message is the same: We wish you godspeed, and look forward
to the day when our paths cross again. We’ll be sad to see you
go, but happy to have made new friends.
Our Costa Rica Adventure Tours for 2008
January 5-11 • February 9-15 • March 8-14 • April 12-18
• May 10-16 •
June 14-20 • July 12-18 • August 9-15 • September 13-19 • October 18-24
•
November 22-28 • December 19-25 •
Pedal & Sea Adventures: our annual sale
1) Is this your second tour with PSA? Let us know, so we can knock $100
Cdn off the price, and send you a free PSA Jersey ($80 value).
2) If this is your third PSA tour, let us know so we can knock $100
Cdn off the price, send a free jersey, and cover your bike rental!
For these great incentives, please let our staff know when you book!
Prices:
$1999 US and CDN
Our prices vary slightly, due to fluctuating exchange rates
Single Supplement: 20%
Inclusions:
• 6 nights' accommodation
• 5 dinners, 5 lunches, 5 breakfasts
• guides, snacks, & refreshments
• all rentals
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