OVERVIEW
Most people picture Costa Rica as one volcano and a hammock. It’s a country that changes completely every few hours’ drive: dense jungle river valleys, a volcano still shaping the land around it, small communities still tied to the rivers and forest around them, then dry tropical coastline and the open Pacific.
It’s also one of the most biodiverse places on earth, packed into a country roughly the size of Switzerland. Sloths move at their own pace through the canopy, howler monkeys announce themselves long before you see them, and scarlet macaws are impossible to miss once you know what you’re looking for.
This trip moves through all of it. Rivers, rainforest, real wildlife, and a stretch of coastline most visitors never reach.
Let Costa Rica surprise you.
ITINERARY AT A GLANCE
- DAY 1: Arrive in San José. Private airport transfer and welcome dinner in Barrio Escalante.
- DAY 2: Raft into the jungle to a remote riverside lodge, accessible only by water.
- DAY 3: Zip through the rainforest canopy, hike or tube along a jungle creek, and set out after dark on a guided night hike through the reserve.
- DAY 4: Raft back out of the jungle and travel on to La Fortuna, at the foot of Arenal Volcano.
- DAY 5: Hike the trails of Arenal Volcano National Park, then unwind in a natural hot spring as the sun goes down.
- DAY 6: Visit a wildlife rescue centre to meet rehabilitated sloths, monkeys and macaws, before travelling on to the Pacific coast and the low-key surf town of Samara.
- DAY 7: Kayak out to the pink sands of Isla Chora and snorkel its reef, a private slice of coastline just off the coast.
- DAY 8: A free day to surf, explore Samara’s streets, or simply do nothing at all, followed by a farewell dinner on the beach.
- DAY 9: Private airport transfer from Liberia. Until next time, Offbeaters!
FULL ITINERARY
DAY 1: BIENVENIDOS A COSTA RICA
Welcome to Costa Rica!
We’ll be waiting for you at the airport to take you to your hotel in San José. Settle in, rest if you need it, then join the group tonight for a welcome dinner and your first introductions before the adventure starts properly tomorrow.
MEALS INCLUDED: DINNER
DAY 2: INTO THE JUNGLE
Today you leave the road behind. A raft carries you deep into the rainforest to a lodge with no other way in, and no main luggage either, just a small bag for the days ahead. Explore the grounds and take in the sights and sounds. Then after dark, a guided night hike through a jungle that only gets louder once the sun goes down.
MEALS INCLUDED: BREAKFAST, LUNCH, DINNER
DAY 3: DEEP IN THE RAINFOREST
A full day at the lodge, nowhere else to be. Zip through the canopy, hike or tube along the creek, then head out after lunch for a second hike, further into the reserve this time.
MEALS INCLUDED: BREAKFAST, LUNCH, DINNER
DAY 4: BACK DOWN THE RIVER
Raft back out the way you came in, reunited with your main luggage at the other end. From there, on to La Fortuna, at the foot of Arenal Volcano.
MEALS INCLUDED: BREAKFAST, LUNCH
DAY 5: ARENAL
Hike the trails of Arenal Volcano National Park, still active, still shaping the ground around it. In the evening, a natural hot spring, no resort crowd, just the warm water and the sky.
MEALS INCLUDED: BREAKFAST, LUNCH
DAY 6: SLOTHS, MACAWS AND THE OPEN ROAD
Start the morning at a wildlife rescue centre, home to rehabilitated sloths, monkeys and macaws, each with their own story. Then a longer drive west, the rainforest giving way to dry forest and finally the Pacific, arriving in the low-key surf town of Sámara by evening.
MEALS INCLUDED: BREAKFAST, LUNCH, DINNER
DAY 7: ISLA CHORA
Kayak or paddleboard out to Isla Chora, a small island just offshore with pink-tinged sand and a reef worth diving into. Snorkel, explore the shoreline, then paddle back for lunch.
MEALS INCLUDED: BREAKFAST, LUNCH
DAY 8: SAMARA, YOUR WAY
A free day, no plans unless you want them. Try your hand at surfing, wander Samara’s streets, or do nothing at all. In the evening, a farewell dinner on the beach to close out the trip together.
MEALS INCLUDED: BREAKFAST, LUNCH, DINNER
DAY 9: HASTA LUEGO
In nine days you’ve rafted into the jungle, hiked an active volcano, met rescued wildlife, and stood on a beach most visitors never reach. Thank you for letting us show you this side of Costa Rica. Transfer to Liberia for your onward flight, until next time, Offbeater.
MEALS INCLUDED: BREAKFAST
ACCOMMODATION
IMPORTANT INFORMATION
International Flights
For this trip our suggested flights from the UK (subject to change) are shown below. We strongly recommend that before booking any flights in relation to this trip that you first check with us that this trip has been guaranteed.
We also recommend that you book flights that are flexible and ideally refundable. Due to the nature of offbeat travel, accessibility of our destinations and our itineraries can be subject to change at any time. For more information please refer to our booking conditions.
Suggested Flights
| Flight Code | Departing | Arriving |
Key Information
Is Offbeat Horizons for me?
Offbeat Horizons tours are not for everyone. Please check the day by day Itinerary carefully and then decide if this trip is suitable for you. All of our Trips have a fitness rating in the information above that can be used as a guideline for your suitability. If you have any concerns about not being able to participate in certain aspects of the tour then get in touch with our office to discuss.
Trip Pace
Anyone with a reasonable fitness level, a sense of discovery, thirst for learning and broadening their horizons would be a great fit on this trip. The trip will move along at a steady pace and be prepared to be active and engaged everyday. There are several short hikes on the trip but nothing above what a reasonable level of fitness can handle. If you have any questions or concerns please get in touch with our office to discuss.
Travelling Offbeat
Travelling offbeat can throw up the occasional bump in the road (sometimes literally) but we will endeavour to stick to the stated itinerary as close as we possibly can. However, from time to time we may have to make some changes to our stated itinerary or the services we are able to offer. One of the exciting and often rewarding aspects of travelling offbeat is its unpredictability. This can lead to unexpected highlights and experiences that are the essence of travelling offbeat. This is also what makes it so addictive, the thirst for more of the unexpected really can enhance your experience.
If this sounds right up your street that’s great. But if you have any concerns over the occasionally unpredictable nature of offbeat travel then please consider if this type of trip is for you. Please get in contact with us to discuss if you specific concerns.
Solo Travellers and Single Supplements
Almost all of our Offbeaters are solo travellers so you will have plenty of people to connect and enjoy new experiences with!
All of our prices are based on twin-share accommodation with the option of purchasing a single supplement and having your own room. In none of our trips is it compulsory to purchase a single supplement. If you are happy with twin-share accommodation we will always pair you with a member of the same sex for the duration of the trip.
On this trip the single supplement covers all nights of accommodation as per the itinerary. Please be aware that the single supplement entitles you to a single occupancy room. In many cases this will be the same size as a double room/twin room but on occasion the room may be smaller.
Travel Insurance
Travel insurance that covers you for emergency repatriation in mandatory on all of our trips. We strongly recommended that you purchase a travel insurance policy that covers you for all of the activities stated in the itinerary of this trip. For more details on our mandatory requirements for travel insurance please visit our Safety and Security Hub.
General Information
Tour Price
All of our trips are priced on a tour only basis (no International Flights), giving you the ability to decide how you get to and depart from this trip.
Deposit
A special introductory deposit of £100 (or equivalent) is required to book your place on this trip.
What’s Not Included
We want to be completely up front about you with our pricing. No hidden charges, no hidden fees, no optional activities that bump up the price. Please see below for what we don’t include in the tour price:
International flights: Please ask us for advice on the flights from your location. Obligation free of course!
Visas and Travel Insurance: Visas will always be country/nationality dependent but travel insurance is always mandatory.
Airport Transfers: We provide complimentary transfers if arriving on the suggested group flights
Drinks, snacks and items of a personal nature: Including souvenirs or any other costs you may incur at your choosing.
Why Offbeat Horizons?
To understand what makes us unique as a tour provider. Visit our Why Offbeat Horizons page to get to know us just a little bit better.
Climate
There is never a bad time to visit Guatemala but the best time generally considered to visit is the dry season between November and April. You can generally expect day time temperatures to be between 25C – 30C (77F – 86F) and in the nighttime it can drop to the mid teens (C). It is fairly humid all year round.
Entry Requirements
For some destinations we travel to visas may be required.
UK Passport holders are strongly recommended to check Government Travel Advice for up to date entry requirements.
For non-UK passport holders and non-UK residents we strongly recommend you check with your relevant embassies for visa requirements.
Government Travel Advice
Many governments issue advice which highlights potential hazards their citizens might experience when travelling abroad. We strongly suggest you refer to your country’s particular advisory site before booking and contact us if you have any queries or concerns. Click to follow links to the advice of the British Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (FCDO) or the US State Department.
Non-UK citizens should consult the travel advice of their respective governments.
Other Popular Activities
If you wish to extend your trip and continue your adventure, you may wish to consider the following popular activities: