Compare Best of Costa Rica’s National Parks by Adventure Women vs Costa Rica: Eco Rainforest Adventure by Discover Corps

Day 1: Depart the United States for San Jose, Costa Rica

Meals: Dinner

Accommodation: Hotel San Jose Palacio

After arriving at Costa Rica’s San Jose International Airport on April 16, 2015, by 5 p.m., each participant is met by an English-speaking driver (who will be holding a sign with your name on it), and is transferred to the 5-star Barceló San José Palacio Hotel in San Jose, just 8 miles from the airport.

After checking in, relaxing, and freshening up in our rooms, we meet at 7 p.m. in the hotel lobby for our special Welcome Dinner. Trip introductions and orientation will take place after dinner.

Day 2: Fly to the Osa Peninsula. Snorkeling and Swimming on Rio Claro

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner

Accommodation: Drake Bay Wilderness Resort

Early this morning we transfer to the domestic airport in San Jose and fly to Drake Bay on the Osa Peninsula. Our scenic flight passes over Manuel Antonio National Park and provides a great aerial view of the South Pacific Coast en route to the Peninsula. We land at Drake Bay and transfer to Drake Bay Wilderness Resort for check-in and breakfast.

The South Pacific side of Costa Rica is home to the Osa Peninsula, an area of unparalleled rugged beauty. Jutting out approximately 30 miles into the Pacific, the peninsula protects Golfo Dulce from ocean swells and produces a marvelous natural harbor. Its extensive area of virgin lowland rainforest and the fact there are few cities or towns here, make the Osa Peninsula one of the most ideal ecotourism locations on the planet: with its picturesque beaches and rocky headlands, majestic forests, endangered plants and animals, and it’s wildness.

Resting on the northern side of the Osa Peninsula is Drake Bay (Bahía Drake), an adventure-seekers paradise. It’s named after Sir Francis Drake who is believed to have ventured here in the late 16th century. Having changed little since the day Sir Francis docked here, it is still remote from most of the surrounding area, and has become a ‘go to’ spot for eco-tourists seeking a genuinely secluded wilderness experience. Frequent rains nourish a very wet tropical forest rich in biodiversity. Stretching south of Drake Bay are highly scenic rocky areas and coves, crystal blue waters, pristine beaches, and lush primary jungle rainforests. Explorers will find tide pools, spring-fed rivers, numerous waterfalls, forest trails, and some of the best bird watching in the entire country.

After check-in, breakfast, and time to relax, we head out to Rio Claro, just a fifteen minute boat trip that takes us to a breathtakingly beautiful beach and lagoon. We hike 30 minutes to a nearby jungle river, and spend time swimming, canoeing, floating, relaxing in a secluded waterfall pool, and observing jungle birds and wildlife. On the beach we’ll have a delicious buffet lunch brought by our guide. Bring hiking shoes, swimsuit, sunscreen, hat and water bottle.

Day 3: Rainforest Hiking in Corcovado National Park

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner

Accommodation: Drake Bay Wilderness Resort

The OsaPeninsula is part of Corcovado National Park, the largest single area of lowland tropical rainforest in all of Central America, and the largest of Costa Rica’s National Parks. Having the good fortune to be fairly inaccessible, Corcovado is the perfect base for visitors who are seeking to fully capture the ecological magic of this region. It is the ideal destination to experience firsthand the ecologic and biotic diversity of Costa Rica.

The crown jewel of Costa Rica’s national park system, Corcovado National Park (Parque Nacional Corcovado), is comprised of an enormous 103,290 acres of tropical rainforest. It encompasses about a third of the Osa Peninsula and embraces an unbelievable amount of its biodiversity. The Park represents a very diverse population of flora and fauna, including 10% of the mammals found in the Americas. Declared a protected area in 1975 to prevent the harvest of precious resources, it is believed to have the largest concentration of macaws and virgin lowland rainforest in Central America. Also, it is one of the very few locations in Costa Rica that harbor the endangered squirrel monkey (the other most prominent being Manuel Antonio National Park).

After an early breakfast, we boat to Corcovado National Park and enjoy a full day of guided rainforest hikes. Our main hike is in the morning, and after lunch we hike to a waterfall to enjoy an afternoon swim.

Bring hiking shoes, swimsuit, sunscreen, hat, water bottle and insect repellent. An extra pair of shoes/sandals is recommended.

Late afternoon we return to Drake Bay for a fabulous dinner.

Day 4: Snorkeling and Optional Scuba Diving on Caño Island

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner

Accommodation: Drake Bay Wilderness Resort

Drake Bay provides a wonderful base to explore the uninhabited Caño Island (Isla del Caño). One of the most popular and pristine snorkeling locations in the area, the island has remnants from an ancient civilization that carved stone spheres dating back to pre-Columbian eras. Its beaches are frequently visited by olive Ridley sea turtles, who venture ashore to lay their eggs on the sandy beaches. Just offshore, whales and dolphins like to congregate in the temperate waters.

This morning we boat 10 miles to Caño Island for a great day of snorkeling. This is one of the very best and most special areas in Costa Rica for snorkeling and diving!

If there are certified scuba divers in the group, BRING YOUR C- CARDS and we can arrange for diving while the rest of the group is snorkeling. Diving will be an optional activity and an extra cost.

Day 5: Fly to Arenal Volcano and Tabacon Grand Spa Thermal Resort

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner

Accommodation: Tabacon Grand Spa Thermal Resort

This morning we say good-bye to the beautiful Osa Peninsula and its fabulous beaches, and fly back to San Jose. We transfer by vehicle to the spectacular Volcán Arenal area and the Tabacon Resort & Spa, with its hot springs and uninterrupted views of the volcano.

Tabacon is the name of what might very well be Costa Rica’s top destination. This 5-Star luxury resort is recognized as a member of The Leading Hotels and The Leading Spas of the World. Tabacon Grand Spa Thermal Resort sits near the base of the active Arenal Volcano and offers the unique combination of the heat of the volcano, the flowing waters of the natural, mineral hot springs, the pure air of the rainforest, and the fertile earth of the Fortuna de San Carlos Region of Costa Rica. These thermal springs are warmed from the volcano.

The Resort’s lush setting, with manicured gardens and the relaxing Grand Spa, sets it apart from other spas in Costa Rica. Its location, north of Arenal Volcano’s most active crater, faces the direction in which the lava flows. Sitting in a hot spring and watching the red glow of the volcano light up the deep blue of the rainforest at dusk is a once-in-a-lifetime experience you will never forget!

This afternoon you are free to relax and enjoy the hot springs or a spa treatment (on your own).

Day 6: Kayaking Lake Arenal and Hiking on the Volcano’s Lava Flows

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner

Accommodation: Tabacon Grand Spa Thermal Resort

Lake Arenal is the largest lake in Costa Rica. Considerably enlarged in 1979 as part of a hydroelectric dam project, it covers 33 square miles and can be found straddling the border of two Costa Rican provinces, Guanacaste and Alajuela.

The water and the surrounding hills are ideal for fishing for rainbow bass, kayaking, hiking, horseback riding, birdwatching, and mountain biking.

After breakfast at the hotel, we’ll do a morning kayak trip on Lake Arenal: visit an island in the lake; see local birds such as osprey, kingfishers, neotropical cormorants and aningas; and view mammals such as howler monkeys, spider monkeys, white nosed coatis and sloths. It’s hard to miss the impressive view of the Arenal Volcano as we paddle!

Lunch will be en route on our way back to the resort.

This afternoon our knowledgeable guide takes us on a fascinating hike through the old lava flow trails of the Arenal Volcano. This is always one of the highlights of any of our trips in Costa Rica, so it is an exciting activity to incorporate.

After a day of paddling and hiking, the hot springs will be a refreshing treat before we have dinner tonight at a local restaurant.

Day 7: Whitewater Rafting at La Balsa River Class II & III

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner

Accommodation: Tabacon Grand Spa Thermal Resort

Rio Balsa Rafting is ideal for first-time whitewater rafters. It is gentle enough for inexperienced rafters but enough of a challenge to make it exciting. Our professional, experienced bilingual guides will give us a safety talk and paddling instruction, life jackets, helmets, and then we’re off on our guided rafting trip! Enjoy paddling through 25 fun and safe rolling rapids with names like “Morning Coffee” & “Rock around the Croc” and then play around in tranquil river pools in an isolated rainforest river canyon. Hopefully, we’ll get to see lots of wildlife like monkeys, sloths and tropical birds such as ospreys and toucans. This unique river trip is the best way to combine adventure and nature. Go AdventureWomen Team!!

Bring secure shoes/sandals, clothes to get wet and dry clothes to change into, bathing suit, camera, binoculars, sun screen.

Day 8: Monteverde Cloud Forest and Aerial Canopy Zip-Line Tour

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner

Accommodation: Hotel Fonda Vela

This morning our adventures continue! After breakfast at Tabacon, we transfer overland to Monteverde Cloud Forest and the Hotel Fonda Vela. We check into our hotel, and then we are off to experience the top of the rainforest!

Undoubtedly, the zip line aerial canopy tour in Monteverde is one of the most exciting activities you’ll enjoy. It’s the perfect combination of adventure, nature, and excitement, together with experiencing the beautiful cloud forest landscape above and in the treeline.

The tour begins with a short safety briefing by our guides about the equipment we use, building confidence, and offering a few laughs. Then our adventure begins with the “Tarzan Swing”, one of the most exciting parts of the tour. This “feat” can be done by anyone, and once you do this, the rest of the tour will be no problem! Next we pass through the treetops via a rope canopy cable, which feels like we’re flying through the forest. Along the way, the guides will review the safety guidelines.

At the halfway point we reach the Rappel section, where we safely experience a quick rope descent of about 150 feet, always helped by the guides. This is a moment of pure adrenaline. You’ll wonder why you have never done this before!

On this tour you’ll get to experience being in the forest canopy, a magical world that exists only in the treetops. Connecting to nature in a new way, you’ll gain a deepened sense of “place” from the bird’s eye views of the environment and geography that you witness. It’s an amazing experience, and you will be empowered by it. Your fellow AdventureWomen friends are there to support and encourage you!

This is a FULL day of activities, and at 5:30 p.m., we’ll experience a night tour of the cloud forest. A new world awakes in the cloud forest just before nightfall, when forest life is just beginning to wake up. Our guide helps us recognize the various animals, insects and amphibians within the cloud forest and will explain the reason that these creatures’ habits (most of which involve feeding or breeding) are best suited for the dark. Typically though, this time of transition offers a good opportunity to view nocturnal mammals as well as diurnal animals as they prepare for night.

At 7:30 p.m. we return to the hotel for dinner and overnight.

Day 9: Monteverde Cloud Forest Reserve

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner

Accommodation: Hotel Fonda Vela

This morning we have a naturalist guided hike through the cloud forest of Monteverde Reserve. The whole area is a fabulous place for walking, especially through the magical shrouds of mist that drape the forests in the early morning.

Monteverde Cloud Forest Biological Reserve is the most well known cloud forest in the world for its wide variety of biodiversity, important conservation contributions, and scientific researches. It sits astride the continental divide at an altitude slightly above 5,249 feet. The foliage is lush, and it protects and provides habitat for an estimated 2,500 species of plants, more than 100 species of mammals, 490 species of butterflies, and over 400 species of birds.

The Reserve is the last sizeable pocket of primary cloud forest in Central America, and supports six different eco-systems.

On our hike this morning we’ll enjoy the cloud forest climate as we walk the trails among the varieties of plants and magnificent epiphytic-laden trees. The resplendent quetzals, with their long tails, feed at various locations, and one can, at times, hear the “bong” of the bellbirds.

Interesting fact: You can step on the Continental Divide, where one foot will be on the Caribbean side and the other on the Pacific side (fun to take a picture with a friend, each in one side).

This afternoon you’ll have an opportunity for optional horseback riding before our Farewell dinner in the tree tops at Tree House Restaurant. This aptly named restaurant has a large and impressive fig tree growing right through its center. Indeed, it’s worth a visit not only to enjoy its wonderful food but also to see its one-of-a-kind environment.

Day 10: Back to the U.S.A.

Meals: Breakfast

Transfer to San Jose International Airport for afternoon departure.

Day 1: Arrive in San Jose

Meals: Dinner

Arrive in Costa Rica’s tropical San Jose Valley where you will be met by your Discover Corps guide. Take a short drive into the surrounding mountains to an eco-hotel & spa tucked into a rainforest reserve. Home to five waterfalls directly on the property and miles of trails for birdwatching, this is the perfect place to start the journey. Tonight, enjoy a traditional welcome dinner overlooking the twinkling lights of the valley with your guide.

Day 2: Coffee Farm Visit and Poas Volcano National Park

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner

We’ll start the day with a fresh breakfast then venture to a nearby coffee farm to see firsthand how one of Costa Rica’s largest exports is grown. Follow the coffee bean from crop to cup and learn what it takes to grow, roast and sell these beans. We’ll then continue our adventure to Poas Volcano National Park and take a short guided hike along the rim of the volcano and have a look into its smoldering crater. After a relaxing lunch in town, head back to the hotel for some free time to explore one of the five waterfall trails, take in the views from the pool or even get a massage in the spa. We’ll reconvene for dinner together in the evening

Day 3: Head Into the Rainforest and Learn about Conservation

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner

Today, we’ll hit the road and make the roughly four hour drive down to the lush Savegre region of Costa Rica. Known for its verdant valleys, tropical wildlife and cool rivers, we’ll base ourselves here for the next two nights from the comfort of Rafiki Tented Safari Lodge. Nestled on 842 private acres of pristine Costa Rican jungle, the lodge boasts eco tents similar to what you’ll find in the African savannah. Each tent boasts a veranda overlooking the dense jungle canopy.

After settling-in, we’ll learn about the lodge’s ecological mission and set off on a hike through the surrounding rainforest. Along the way, we’ll set camera traps to record the movement of wildlife along the biological corridor that runs through the area. Of particular importance is tracking the tapir, a large endangered mammal that roams the forests here. The data that is collected from these cameras will directly benefit the Savegre Tapir Project. After setting the cameras, we’ll return to the lodge and enjoy dinner under the stars.

Day 4: Adventure Day in the Jungle Community Visit & Tree Planting

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner

We’ll have an early breakfast then set out on our morning adventure. Choose to either venture out on a whitewater rafting expedition on the Savegre River or take a guided horseback ride through the jungle. It is up to you! Later in the morning, we’ll reconvene and head into the nearby community of Santo Domingo for a special lunch with Dona Edith. We’ll take a walk around her garden before sitting down for a home-cooked local meal together. Learn about life in this rural Costa Rican community and try some of the famous dishes Costa Rica is known for. On our way back to our lodge, we’ll take a walk through the town to feel the rhythms of day-to-day life.

Take some time to relax on the veranda of your tent before heading down to the river to help out on an important environmental project. The Savegre River, which runs right through the property, is prone to flooding which can destroy some of the local flora and fauna in the area. We’ll help solve this issue by planting native trees to create a natural barrier along the banks of the river - a project that will surely  outlast your visit. Later in the evening, enjoy a relaxing dinner together listening to the sounds the rain forest.

Day 5: Collect our Camera Traps, Visit a Local School, and Head to the Beach

Meals: Breakfast and Lunch

After breakfast, we’ll have some time to relax and pack up before hitting the road down to the Pacific Coast. On our way out, we’ll make one last stop at a local high school for a dance performance, tour of the school, and homemade snacks to learn more about those who call the region home.

Take in the views of mountains as we wind our way down to the coast on the roughly two hour drive. The southern Pacific coast of Costa Rica is a gem - home to pristine beaches, monkeys jumping through the trees and the relaxed “Pura Vida” lifestyle. Our base over the next three nights, a 4-star boutique resort & spa set on the hillside overlooking the coast, will put us in a prime location to explore this stunning stretch of coast.

We’ll settle into our rooms and share an ocean-view lunch together. We’ll then head down to the beach for some free time to swim, spot monkeys and take in the sun. Head back to the hotel later in the afternoon for dinner at your leisure.

Day 6: Journey to Corcovado National Park

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner

Today we’ll make our way into one of the most unique places on the planet - Corcovado National Park. Rise early, have breakfast and venture down the winding coastal road to the mangroves that surround the national park. We’ll hop in a boat and journey through the calm waterways until we reach the Osa Peninsula. Home to 2.5% of the world’s biodiversity and 50% of Costa Rica’s wildlife, Corcovado National Park is known as the most biologically intense place on earth. From monkeys to macaws, the rainforest is teeming with life (and very little human development). We’ll accompany our naturalist guide on a full-day journey through the jungle on a mission to spot wildlife and learn all about nature and conservation. Look high in the trees for sloths, watch monkeys swing along the canopy, pick out the colorful birds that dot the sky and take in the breathtaking views along the way.

Later in the afternoon, we’ll make our way back through the mangroves by boat and onwards to the hotel for a relaxing evening dinner together.

Day 7: Enjoy a Day at the Beach

Meals: Breakfast and Dinner

Today will be a relaxing day to take in the tropical beaches and warm Pacific waters of the Costa Rican coast. After breakfast, choose to head down to the beach with our guide or venture off on one of the adventure activities hosted by our hotel (at your own expense). This could include whale watching (Dec-Mar / Aug-Oct), zip-lining, surfing, golfing or bird watching. For those that want to join our guide for the day, we’ll have free time to relax on the beach followed by a walk out to the “whale tail” at low tide to spot sea creatures. Tonight, we’ll enjoy a warm Costa Rican evening together enjoying our final farewell dinner.

Day 8: Return Home

Meals: Breakfast

We’ll rise early this morning to have breakfast before hitting the road on our roughly four hour journey back to San Jose for our flights home. If you're not ready for your Costa Rican adventure to end, opt for our posttrip extension to Ciudad Quesada for a more intimate cultural experience with a host family.