Costa Rica Traverse

DAY 1: Arrive in San Jose

If you are travelling on the group flight you will be met on arrival at San Jose’s international airport and taken to your hotel. Depending on arrival time you should have some time to explore the sights of San Jose. We will provide an information pack with full details of the trip, including maps and suggestions for cafes, bars and restaurants in the San Jose area.

DAY 2: San Jose - Dominical

We transfer from San Jose to the quiet coastal village of Dominical which will take approximately 4 hours. The drive takes us along the Pan American highway reaching heights of over 3000 meters before turning west to the Pacific coast. Upon arrival we have a chance to relax either at the pool or on the beach before your guide gives you a briefing on the trip in the evening. Dominical is a village (pueblo) of approximately 500 people and it has various tiny cozy restaurants, sodas and small souvenir shops.

DAY 3: Dominical - Baru Waterfall

Our expedition begins immediately as we leave the sandy beach behind. We have the option of a quick warm up on the bikes before heading into the Escaleras mountain range which enjoys spectacular views along the Pacific Coast. Our first climb is quite a challenge before continuing down into the lush river valley of the Baru River Falls where we take a break and have lunch while marveling at these magnificent waterfalls. They are formed by two exquisite cascades that tower almost 300 feet above the sparkling 25 foot deep pool with 3,000 square feet of surface area. We take the chance for a dip in the crystal clear water before making way to our nearby camp.

DAY 4: Baru Waterfall to Tinamaste Cave

We set off hiking to the Tinamaste Cave passing through small hamlets with beautiful views of surrounding waterfalls with the tallest at 600ft. Surrounding the cave are waterfalls with diving and swimming areas. The cave is very large and open, set behind two 90ft waterfalls with kitchen and sleeping facilities.

DAY 5: Tinamaste Caves to Robles (San Cayetano)

Although today is challenging, yesterday’s activities have stood us in good stead for our day’s mixture of trekking and biking. We start with a few hours trekking away from the Tinamaste Cave leaving the Pacific coast behind us and making our way towards the Caribbean side of Costa Rica. We meet up with our bikes again as we head uphill for an hour or so and then begin a great downhill with vistas of the San Isidro de General valley. We then head inland on dirt roads bordering a local river with a chance for a quick cool-off in one of the many natural pools along the way to the small village of San Cayetano.

DAY 6: Robles to Angeles

Today is a very active, full day of trekking through the mountains of Costa Rica. As we pass through pastures and along gravel roads, the terrain is hilly and mountainous in parts with some steep climbs and plunging drops into the valleys below. We are in part of the Cordillera de Talamanca range of mountains which is a protected area. Our late morning climb finds us reaching a selfsufficient farm dedicated to re-forestation where we plan to stop for lunch. The afternoon sees us trekking through intricate trails as we climb and descend the peaks to the village of Angeles where we camp for the night. Angeles is on the banks of the Rio Division and is a major coffee producing area.

DAY 7: Angeles - Providencia

We are amid both cloud and rainforest today but by now we are well into our stride of climbing mountains. Today is a tough day but at the end of the day we have the unique experience of staying with a typical Costa Rican family. Starting out we get the chance to see Costa Rican coffee plantations up close before switching to a seldom used trail as we head up to Cerro Lira at 2,300 metres and one of the major peaks of our trek. The trails to and from the peak are more technical but if the weather is kind to us, from the peak there are great views of the Pacific coastline and the forest-covered mountain ranges. As we are passing through cloudforest there can be no guarantees but hiking in the cloudforest is a unique experience in itself. From the peak, we start our descent, which is not to say it is all downhill from here, as we pass several spectacular waterfalls to the village of Providencia. The group is then divided into different houses in the village where dinner and a bed are provided for the night and breakfast the following morning. This makes for a great cultural exchange so remember to bring your phrase books!

DAY 8: Providencia – Santa Maria

We delay crossing the Continental Divide one more day and stay on the Pacific side of the country today. After saying goodbye to your new Costa Rican family our day starts with trekking, followed by mountain biking. Our trek is along a road through Cloudforest and constantly changing scenery, vegetation, wildlife and evergreen forests with heavy epiphytic growths in the trees, thick ferns and bamboo understoreys. These highland forests are home to such birds as the flame-throated warbler and buffy tufted-cheek to name but two. After 3 hours of mostly uphill hiking we take a break and prepare for some fun mountain biking all the way to the town of Santa Maria.

DAY 9: Santa Maria to Orosi

Today we tackle the hardest, steepest climb of our adventure. The challenge before breakfast is mountain biking a 14-kilometer up-hill stretch to the Continental Divide, bringing us to an altitutde of 2,330 meters – the highest peak of our journey. Following the rule that everything that goes up must come down, the remainder of the day is mountain biking at its best – mostly downhill on dirt roads and single-track trails. We finish the afternoon in the beautiful Orosi Valley where rich pastures and dark green forests of coffee carpet the land. The evening is spent at a local hotel in the heart of the town of Orosi. There will be plenty of time to walk around this typical Costa Rican town and get a feel for the local life.

DAY 10: Orosi to La Suiza

After a typical breakfast we are back on our bikes for another full day of mountain biking. The route takes us through the town of Orosi, across the swing bridge and into the Reventazon Valley. Along the way we are treated to amazing vistas of coffee covered hillsides and views of Lake Cachi. Following a short climb the altitude drops as the temperature rises and coffee fields turn into sugarcane plantations. Most of the day is on paved roads with a fun dirt section along the Pejibaye River. We stop for lunch on the riverbank with plenty of time for a swim. We stay overnight in a bed and breakfast in the La Suiza area.

DAY 11: La Suiza to San Joaquin

We bike to the rafting put-in and if the skies are good to us we will have an early start on the river on the seldom run upper section of the Pacuare River (Class III-IV). The Pacuare is the most scenic rafting river in Costa Rica and one the world’s classic whitewater experiences. The last 300 metres before the take out are very technical rapids filled with boulders. If the weather has swelled the river, we will hike out of the valley along a road used only by the indigenous village we pass through. The indigenous people maintain this route and so sometimes a local person will join the group to make sure we take the right route. The terrain is challenging uphill and likely to be muddy and slippery. Whichever route is decided upon, we camp tonight in San Joaquin.

DAYS 12/13: San Joaquin-Valle Escondido-El Nido del Tigre

With our hiking boots back firmly on our feet we head up into the remote area of Valle Escondido (The Hidden Valley) and home to the Cebecar Indians. The area is a mixture of forest and open spaces but likely to be muddy and heavy underfoot. We will be backpacking all the camping and overnight gear as we head into the mountains and camp near an indigenous settlement. The end of our two day trek leads us back to the Pacuare River and we finish up the day with a 2 hour stretch of rafting to our camp, El Nido del Tigre which borders the river but is set in the midst of the forest. Your overnight bags will accompany you on the river in an Oar Boat which is transporting all the food for the coming days on the river. The Pacuare River plunges down the Caribbean slope through a series of spectacular canyons clothed in virgin rainforest. The savage beauty of the surroundings is humbling as we negotiate Class III and IV rapids, meandering through pristine rainforest spotted with waterfalls. Overnight is at our camp on the banks of the river. Spacious tents on fixed platforms board the edge of the river and nestle in the surrounding forest. The camp is fully functional with its own supply of pure spring water, shower and sanitary facilities. The name of the camp, El Nido del Tigre, comes from the giant patches of ginger plants that carpet the main floor of the main area of the camp. When the ginger reaches a certain height it falls over creating flattened areas in the shape of a tiger’s paw - hence its name, which translates to “the nest of the tiger”. From the center of the nest, trails radiate throughout the forest and along the river. There is an open area for those who like the odd game of ball or Frisbee. If this is too much after a day on the river, seek out one of our quiet reading areas, set yourself down with a refreshing drink and just ‘be’ for a while.

DAY 14: Pacuare River

This a well earned rest for a day although you can make it as active as you like. Your guides will be with you and so make the most of this free day at the camp by spending it enjoying El Nido del Tigre and the surrounding area. Hiking through the rainforest to a waterfall, floating down a rapid with just a life jacket, or relaxing in a hammock around the camp, are all possible activities.

DAY 15: Pacuare River

Today the Pacuare takes us through virgin rainforest, cascading waterfalls and river carved canyons. We maneuver through the exhilarating Class III and IV rapids and point out the intricacies of the rainforest at the river’s edge. The Class IV rapids are exciting and separated by calm stretches which enable you to stare at the near vertical green walls towering hundreds of metres above the river, which make this a magnificent and unique river trip. Along the way we take time out to do some hiking to spectacular waterfalls and have lunch on the shore. Tonight’s camp marks the end of the rapids and the beginning of the banana lined slow moving waters of the Pacuare River.

DAY 16: Pacuare River

THE SWEET TASTE OF SUCCESS... For the final leg of the crossing we swap to kayaks and head 40 km (approx 4-7 hours depending upon conditions) down the Pacuare and ease into the Caribbean lowlands where banana plantations gradually swallow the receding rainforest. The river slows to a tranquil pace as we kayak last mile of the river, completing the mosaic of the landscapes we have passed. At the end of the adventure, we reach the mouth of the Pacuare as it meets the Caribbean Sea. After some time to celebrate our accomplishment we are transferred by motor boat and van to a comfortable hotel for a well deserved hot shower and some time to relax around the pool.

DAY 17: Pacuare River - San Jose

A relaxing morning around the hotel is followed by an afternoon transfer back to San Jose.

DAY 18: Trip concludes in San Jose

You will be picked up at your hotel and transferred to the airport.