Costa Rica RUGGED honeymoon adventure
This was a TRULY FABULOUS trip. The action was non-stop. Two glorious days on the river, with great meal and an evening talking with the guides. The horses, and places we rode, were unforgettable. We have gone riding every time we go on vacation and we found the Serendipity pasofinos to be the best looking and best trained horses we have ever ridden. And it was great to have the Land Cruiser -- we did an offroad detour to avoid a traffic mess because of an accident ahead -- great fun to get off the main roads. The hikes were rich with information, and laughter. As for surfing, well, it turns out I am a terrible surfer. Well done, Serendipity!
—Gordon P., Toronto, Canada, February, 2008
(also known as “Tarzan and Jane Adventure”)
Steve and Judy's Honeymoon. Steve is the head coach for the University of Michigan varsity soccer team. Give Judy a call and she will be happy to tell you about their Serendipity honeymoon!
Designed as a honeymoon for Steve and Judy, a very adventurous pair of newlyweds, this trip offers challenges and excitement for the young and foolish, including canyoning, horseback, ballooning, volcano and hot springs, extraordinary white water rafting, tree climbing ascents into the canopy, and mountain biking, along with quite a bit of luxury and pampering. This fast paced trip requires some stamina, but more importantly, a strong spirit of adventure and a good sense of humor.
Trip Itinerary
Day 1: Luxury hotel to unwind
After the frantic pace of the wedding you need that airplane time to unwind. Your Serendipity leader will meet your 1 PM arrival at the airport, and head away from San Jose. While Manuel gets your things into your room and arranges for dinner, you two can wander off down the pathway on the side of the cliff to a giant waterfall. Stay here until dark, but don't forget your flashlights.
This is a truly elegant place to park yourselves for a day. The high standards of all the hotels is stark contrast to the ruggedness of the rest of the trip.
DAY 2: tree climbing - on the inside
Ascending Joseph, Serendipity's ancient strangler fig. You do all the work -- the ropes are there for safety
Ballooning through the jungle
tree tops brings you within
inches of nature
We're headed to the Northern Zone, famous for Arenal volcano and the hot springs (and another really beautiful 4-star hotel). But there is so much more here. Our first stop is in a primary forest to learn more about ropes, harnesses, and descending from trees. First you have to get up into the tree -- on the inside. Then to Abraham, the Platform of the Gods, to ascend for a late lunch in the treetops, 110 feet above the jungle floor. The hike through this primary forest brings on thoughts of Tarzan and Jane.
Day 3: Balloon at sunrise, then mountain biking to an old fashioned swimming hole
You'll quickly get used to the early mornings here. With a twelve hour day year round (and no late evening activities outside the city), everyone is up by sunrise. Not to be outdone, we begin the day with an early morning balloon flight We try very hard to dip between forest trees, and descend close to rivers, where wildlife presents itself.
After ballooning (and a BIG breakfast), hop on the mountain bikes and head to our favorite swimming hole, complete with a rope swing to hurl yourself off the rocks. True Tarzan and Jane.
Swing off the rocks, do some flips, this is real Tarzan stuff. Jane, too.
Arenal is spectacular
when clouds permit
viewing after dark
And after the strenuous efforts you deserve a soak in the hot springs at the base of Arenal. If the clouds dissipate, we have a glorious view of the lava flow after dark.
Day 4: Rain forest Hiking
The Celeste River forms itself from two sources, each bringing a mineral from deep within the earth. When they meet, the resulting color is electrifying. Hiking to the source of the Celeste is a naturalists dream, about 5 miles of jungle, with volcanic fumeroles bubbling through mud. And what a beautiful place to -- of course! swim again.
Day 5: Horseback Extraordinaire
Serendipity's fine horses bring great satisfaction for riders from beginners to expert.
Serendipity's horseback riding is NOT trail riding. If you are a novice, you'll leave a comfortable rider. If you are an expert horse rider, you will feel the wings of your soul from the back of our horses. Ride Zorro or Bandolero, Piñata or Presumeda -- elegant Spanish horses, American quarter horses or our favorite, smooth Pasofinos.
It's not just the horses -- it is where we ride. Serendipity horseback is traveling on four strong legs, running backwards in time. Until merely 100 years ago horses were our primary form of transportation, and they still are in rural Costa Rica. Join us for an exceptional horseback experience. Let us show you why the horse is called the Noble Animal.
Serendipity's separate horseback riding organization, Centaura Costa Rica, offers week-long honeymoons with horses -- at the volcano, in the jungle, at the beach.
Day 6: Canopy Zip Lines
Serendipity has checked the equipment, guide training, and support structure on the canopy operators we have selected
Biking choices range from river edge (pictured) to volcanic trails
Canopy tours are really adrenaline adventures, zipping on cables from platform to platform on steel cables, WHEEEE! The jungle setting makes the experience more real, and the duplicated cable system makes it -- more secure.
Day 7: Mountain biking the Turrialba volcano and Valley
Hop on the mountain bikes and explore the Turrialba Valley. Turrialba is a mountain bikers dream, with scores of different trails offering a variety of scenery and plenty of challenges. Among the many possibilities are local spots of cultural interest; marketplaces, a sugar mill, macadamia farm, or farming villages. Our favorite place to stop is to watch Minor milk venomous snakes and learn how to handle snakes in the wild.
Days 8: Pacuare whitewater rafting
Serendipity specializes in the Pacuare River, with time to play with the waterfalls
The final adventure — and by now you have the confidence to take this river with gusto — an expeditionary journey on the spectacular Pacuare River (Class III and IV). Our expedition on the river is small: only one raft — for you, -- and a safety kayaker and an oar boat with equipment. The powerful rapids will thrill you, while the savage beauty of the surroundings will humble you. Serendipity is famous for our private rafting expeditions. You get the chance to try guiding, you learn to read the river. This is so different from signing up for a tour with hundreds of strangers. You are an expedition. This is your team.
Days 9-11: The Beach! (for Sea Kayaking? Scuba? Latin Dancing? Surfing?)
You've survived this far, you are still married and speaking to each other, and you have accumulated enough bumps, bruises, stretched muscles, thank you, to last a lifetime. We're dumping you on the beach to recover. You don't need your Serendipity guide here -- you are bona fide independent explorers.
Sea kayaking on the Caribbean coastline — crystal clear water, soft breezes
And here's where we're spoiling you again. Your hotel is awesome, with beach outside your patio. Your night visitors may be small forest creatures, from frogs to chameleons, and birds will fly into your chambers in the morning to awaken you. This is the image we've always held in our imagination as the place to seduce the one we love the most — our best friend for life.
Day 12: Return to civilization
Your return flight is at 1:30, so we'll pick you up at 7:00 this morning to return to San José. You get to take with you some extraordinary memories, a life-long friend (Manuel likes to come to the U.S. every once in awhile...), and some new abilities. And probably some bruises, too. Coming back on your first anniversary, and maybe bringing some friends......?.
Prices
Since all trips are individually designed, the price varies considerably according to the season and the activities which you'll want to enjoy. Remember that EVERYTHING, from service tips to laundry to snacks, etc. is included (except alcoholic beverages) while you are with your Serendipity leader -- in other words, all the time except while you are at the beach. We've included your hotel at the beach, and getting you there and back. What you do and where you eat at the beach are not included.
The first step to enjoying a Serendipity adventure is to contact us.
