Book online and enjoy exclusive savings on G Adventures 12 Day Trek Hidden Costa Rica. Think you know Costa Rica? Trade in the same old settings for the real deal. Trek into the heart of the jungle to live with three families in a remote village. Discover the emerald core of a diverse land while bunking down behind a massive waterfall in a hidden cave. Learn about the medicinal plants native to these parts and how to make sugarcane candy. This is a spectacular country with opportunities for waterfall rappelling, surfing, and whitewater rafting. This is what adventure is all about.
Itinerary
There are no planned activities during the day, so check into the hotel and explore the city. As it is located in the central highlands, San José enjoys a moderate climate. Amid the hustle and bustle, San José has beautiful parks, museums and the ornate Costa Rica National Theatre downtown. Enjoy the view of the surrounding mountains from the downtown streets. The central plaza is a good place to people-watch. A mime, juggler, marimba band, magician, or storyteller may be performing for whatever is collected when the hat is passed. Artisan booths are common, creating a regular arts and crafts fair atmosphere. Stay: Hotel Lluvia de Oro
Spend the day visiting some shops and stock up before the next day's trek into the jungle. Located near three rivers and Costa Rica's highest mountain, Mt Chirripó, this region is well-known but few travelers stay to find out why. Stay: San Isidro Hotel
The journey is always half the fun! Travel in the back of a pickup truck through lush green landscapes and end in the small town of Brujo. Enjoy a 4-hour hike to a jungle homestay while spotting tropical fauna and plenty of wildlife along the way. Stay: Lopez Homestay (L/D)
Wake up with the sun today and get ready for loads of activities. Enjoy a delicious traditional Costa Rican breakfast to start the day off right. In small groups, make 'dulce' (candy) at the family's traditional 'trapiche' (sugar cane mill). Cool off in the river that flows right by the house while the sugar simmers over the fire and lunch is being prepared. Hike one hour to another household and stay the night. While there, local guides and members of the family will explain how to make fresh cheese and breads, play card games and enjoy tasty traditional Tico cooking. Once the evening winds down, head to bed for a well-deserved rest. Stay: Granados Homestay (B/L/D)
Start the day with a delicious home-cooked breakfast and fortify for the two-hour hike through the rainforest to tonight's home stay retreat. Enjoy the sights and sounds of the rushing waterfall directly in front of the dining area. Watch wildlife and hummingbirds up close. Reward yourself homemade chocolate made from cocoa beans collected right from the garden. Stay: Fonseca Homestay (B/L/D)
Today is a full, action-packed day. Set your alarm for an early morning start and a two-hour hike back to Brujo where we jump into rafts and head off on the Savegre River. Paddle toward the Pacific coast, then take a van to Dominical. Spend the rest of the day at the local bungalows, in the swimming pool or walking along the beach. Stay: Hotel Villas Rio Mar (B/L)
Enjoy a free day in beautiful Dominical. Take a surf lesson, hike to a local waterfall for a swim, go on a whale watching cruise, or kick back and relax. Stay: Hotel Villas Rio Mar
Time to put the boots back on and hike to Catedral de Piedra ('Cathedral of Stone'). A free day for exploring the area, the local guides will plan a number of activities depending on the group’s interest and energy levels. Options include a number of hikes to the surrounding falls, waterfall rappelling, cliff jumping and swimming in the natural pools. Stay: Diamante Verde stay in Casa de Piedra (L/D)
Wake up early and set off on foot back to Las Tumbas. At the trail's end, hop in a private van and enjoy the ride to Uvita, a small beach town on the southwestern Pacific coast. Take some much deserved time to rest and relax. Stay: Hotel Luz De Luna (B)
This is a perfect day for some quality hammock time. Still need to move? There's lots to do. Take a surf lesson, horseback ride, snorkel, SCUBA dive or take a trip to nearby Caño Island. Stay: Hotel Luz De Luna
Transfer back to the capital for a final evening with the group. Stay: Hotel Lluvia de Oro
Depart from San José at any time.
Trip Inclusions
Trek into a remote community to live with the locals.
Sleep in a cave behind twin waterfalls.
Make your own sugarcane candy.
Rappel down hidden waterfalls.
Whitewater raft on the Savegre River.
Your Welcome Moment: Welcome Meeting - Meet Your CEO and Group
Your Foodie Moment: Bread Making, Piedras Blancas
Your Foodie Moment: Chocolate Making, Piedras Blancas
Hiking excursion to Piedras Blancas (4 days)
Overnight hiking excursion to Diamante Verde Cave
Waterfall rappelling
Whitewater rafting on the Savegre River
Trapiche demonstration
Ballena Marine National Park visit
Free time in Dominical and Uvita
All transport between destinations and to/from included activities
You will be provided with a sleeping mat and sleeping bag for the cave camping so it is not required you bring your own. You will need to prepare a day bag for this overnight as your main luggage will be stored safely while you hike up to the cave. It's very important to bring plastic bags or dry bags for waterproofing your items.
CEO (Chief Experience Officer) throughout, local guides
4 breakfasts, 5 lunches, 4 dinners
Local bus, pickup truck, private vehicle, raft, hiking
Accommodation, itinerary and inclusions subject to change.
Price is for land, cruise and internal flights as specified. Flights not specified are not included
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Available Departure. Minimum numbers not yet reached, so while this departure is expected to operate, it’s not yet a Definite Departure.
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