Costa Rica Intrepid Adventure

Costa Rica adventure travel to challenge your body while discovering a new world

It's a very full week - waterfall hiking, horseback and climbing trees in the jungle and wild rafting (the magnificent Pacuare), great food and nature and, of course, rain forests and hiking and rappelling into a jungle canyon and hot springs and a zip line canopy tour on ropes and cables.

And don't think this is strictly a hard core trip — we'll guarantee you can do it all whatever your age or prior experience, if you have an open mind and good sense of humor. This high adventure Costa Rica vacation trip is quick-paced and mentally challenging. You are exploring four areas of Costa Rica — the coffee country west of San José, the Arenal volcano, the lush central northern Sarapiqu region, and the white water center near Turrialba. And we'll start and end in San José if you'd like to add some Latin Dancing.

Day 1: Arrive and head for waterfall excitement

A hotel representative will meet your flight (San José airport, airport code SJO) and head directly to a hotel away from the city. Warm up for your Serendipity Adventures by hiking down to the base of the 300 foot waterfall, and then climb back up. This romantic boutique hotel has Jacuzzi and pool, excellent restaurant and acres of jungle for hiking.

Day 2: Costa Rica tree climbing - then Arenal volcano after dark

Eat a hearty breakfast, and your Serendipity guide picks you up to cross the mountains. The destination is a primary forest (primary forest? A forest so ancient that it contains trees aged over 600). There are very few primary forests left in Costa Rica, because they have to withstand not just man's destruction but also nature's own forces of flood, lightning, and wind.

Within the forest is the awesome strangler fig. We'll explain what that is when you're gazing right at the intriguing creature. And climb it (for those who have no fear of heights, or bats). Inside it. Wow!

This afternoon, we'll explore the mountainous slopes of the Arenal volcano, coated by the vestiges of previous lava flows. In 1992 the volcano ejected large volumes of lava that blazed through virgin rainforest on its western flank. We'll walk the National Park's relatively easy trails, discovering the geological formations close up, where it's common to see wild animals such as the coatis, anteaters and toucans.

Day 3: Horseback through country villages and open high pastures - then the hot springs

Serendipity horses are unlike any you have ever ridden. Well trained, well cared for, our horses give wings to your spirit. Even if you have never ridden, allow Serendipity to coax you into really learning horse riding. Or if you are very experienced, we have horses that will challenge you to dance and race and play. With Serendipity you'll be running in wild places, crossing rivers, then tie up your horse at the hitching post while we eat lunch.

After the horses the hot springs beckon. Away from the crowds and buses, our favorite hot springs is in real jungle. The hike back out, after dark, is an adventure all by itself - bring your flashlight.

Day 4: The canopy tours - zip lines in the rain forest

In the morning we start our move to the white water area. As we climb over a mountain range and view the diverse changes in climate.

We're stopping en route to take on this popular Costa Rican "sport" — an ascent into the higher branches of the forest with harnesses and zip lines. The cables connect massive trees, and you dangle from the cables, one after another, and zip across from platform to platform.

We're staying in Serendipity's remarkable bamboo shelter*, high on the side of Turrialba volcano, with nothing between you and the clouds below except a mesh curtain. And dinner is included today.

Day 5: Costa Rica white water rafting on the Pacuare River

It's time for a real teamwork expedition - the Class IV Pacuare River.

Today you will learn the essential skills of great rafting, then venture down into the canyons, with constant rapids and almost nonstop action.

The Pacuare is threatened by plans for a massive hydroelectric project, so we'll enjoy it while we can even as we at Serendipity continue to work to prevent the river's destruction. (NOTE: In high water conditions, Serendipity will change the rafting to a smaller river, either the Pejibaye or the Sarapiquí. In extremely high water conditions we would need to cancel all white water, but this is extremely rare).

Serendipity is very proud of our guide training, emergency procedures and equipment backup system. We have extensive — AND CONSTANTLY REPLENISHED — first aid kits, first aid trained guides, always a bilingual guide with clients, a safety kayaker, an oar boat which also serves as a safety backup boat, ability to communicate with the outside world, and we have a wealth of experience, and respect, for the river. Our guide-to-paddler ratio is unprecedented in Costa Rica, and most other places of the world. These security measures may appear excessive, but we prefer not to test this...

Day 6: Canyoning! Ropes, Harnesses, Waterfalls, WOW!

Canyoning is all the stuff from the movies — going down waterfalls attached to ropes, trusting your Serendipity guides, your traveling companions, your harness, and your own adventurous spirit. We'll move from small to bigger to the biggest. And you'll appreciate the hot chocolate or hot soup to rejuvenate your shaking hands — is it the cold water or the adrenaline?

After today's adventure we're headed back to San José. You'll say goodbye to your Serendipity leader, by now your good friend.

Day 7: In San José in preparation for your return to civilization

Today, sadly, you depart, but you will definitely take with you some great memories and new experiences as well, and probably a few Serendipity bumps and bruises.

Making Your Reservation

GROUP DEPARTURES: If a trip date is listed here, you may join that trip with only 1 day notice: $2,490 per person, single supplement $300.

CREATE A GROUP DEPARTURE DATE: Call us with your travel dates -- starting on any Sunday (except December 15-January 1). If your travel dates are more than 60 days in the future, you are charged at the GROUP DEPARTURE rate of $2,490 per person, minimum of two people. Single supplement: $300 per person. We will post open trips on this web site so other people can join. Reservations for non-published dates within 60 days of departure will be treated as a Private Departure, and priced accordingly.

The following dates are now open for GROUP DEPARTURE - limited to 6 persons per guide/vehicle- U.S. $2,490 per person

February 17 - 23, 2013

March 31 - April 6, 2013

 

PRIVATE DEPARTURES: Costs for a PRIVATE trip (where you will have exclusive use of Serendipity's guide, vehicle, and activities) is

Two people: U.S. $3,430 per person (double occupancy); single supplement $300 per person

Four people: $2,490 per person (double occupancy); single supplement $300 per person

Six or more people: $2,250 per person (double occupancy); single supplement $300 per person

 

Detailed TERMS, DIRE WARNING! and information on making reservations - please READ this before making a reservation

The price includes all hotels (3 star), plus Bamboo Shelter*, Serendipity's observation shelter on cliff overlooking Turrialba valley. Breakfast and lunch included each day, dinner on DAY 5. Included are all adventures as listed (and some others you'll just happen upon as you move along from place to place), transportation in air conditioned vehicles. NOT INCLUDED are your airline tickets, meals not listed, alcoholic beverages, your exit visa for Costa Rica ($26 per person), and the (optional) tips and gratuities.

* Subject to availability

EVENING MEALS: We do not include evening meals (except on Day 5). Why? There is a wide variety of choices, from cowboy cantinas to the (pretty repetitive) meals available at hotels. Our guides will decide WITH YOU what restaurant or meal selection you'd like, and we will go there together. By pricing evening meals independently, we are offering you a much larger choice: local restaurants or Americanized hotel food, or perhaps a very elegant Italian dinner in one of Costa Rica's best restaurants at the beach, or fresh seafood at a place all the locals enjoy.

By the way, many people add a beach stay on the Pacific or Caribbean coast, or for a nature retreat in Corcovado or Tortuguero. We can arrange extensions for you as well.

The first step to enjoying this Costa Rica adventure vacation is to contact us.