Trip Overview
Departures
Click for Dates + Prices
Duration
10 Days
Activities
Boating/Rafting
Cultural
Wildlife Viewing
Physical Rating
Easy
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Adventure Awaits
This is the only Wild Women adventure that combines whitewater rafting, ziplining and a bow and arrow competition! On this trip we search for crocs and howler monkeys by boat along the snaking Tempisque River in the Cipanci Wildlife Refuge. Birders will go bananas for the roseate spoonbills, wood storks and black-bellied whistling ducks. Expect a truly elevated stay at Arenal Observatory Lodge & Trails where the panoramas of the commanding volcano and Lake Arenal pack a punch.
Experience Costa Rica From Tree Canopy to Coast
A Balanced Bite of Central America
On this thoughtfully balanced edible and cultural adventure, we support Retus, a network of women-owned businesses and learn Costa Rican cocina secrets like how to make tortilla de queso (cheese tortillas) with Doña Miriam. Foodies will love the lesson on the chocolate-making process at the cacao plantation and daily dose of hyperlocal coffee! There’s also an introduction to regional favorites like palm heart, a riverside burrito experience and an authentic Indigenous Maleku lunch. Memorable moments are easy to find at the Proyecto Asis Costa Rica Wildlife Sanctuary where we help prep meals and enrichment toys for the rescued animals at the centre and search for the sloths in the treetops!
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Itinerary
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Day 1
Arrival
The Cosmo Capital of Costa Rica
Upon arrival at Juan Santamaria International (SJO) airport, look for our driver holding a Wild Women Expeditions sign after you pass through Immigration and Customs. On the transfer to our contemporary central hotel, feel the embrace of tropical humidity and take in the painted buses and murals that color San Jose.
We gather for our welcome dinner at 6:30 p.m. at the Gran Hotel San Jose, where we are staying. This historical 1930s building has undergone a sleek urban renovation and is conveniently located on Avenida Central, a pedestrian boulevard.
Our table in the uber modern Cultura5 resto will have a dazzling view of the Teatro Nacional de Costa Rica (the National Theatre) which first opened in 1897.
Included Meals
Dinner
Accommodations
Gran Hotel Costa Rica (NOV/DEC TBA)
Travel
20–60 minutes (depending on traffic from airport)
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Day 2
Turrialba
Tortilla Time
We kickstart our adventure after breakfast, making a beeline for the Central Valley and Turrialba (approximately 2 hours). This region is known as the gateway to the Costa Rican Caribbean and has been declared as a city of National Archeological Interest. It’s also known for its namesake cheese and the still-purring Turrialba Volcano.
At Retus, a network of women-owned businesses, we meet our local guide for an introduction to their community-based ecotourism model. A local historical enthusiast will lead us along the Los Monticles trail to see the ancient aqueducts, petroglyphs, monoliths and abandoned structures of the Guayabo National Monument. This massive archeological site was once a thriving 540-acre city back in 1000 A.D.
After lunch at Casa Mia we visit the nearby home and kitchen of Doña Miriam to learn a few trade secrets from her cocina in a private hands-on, tortilla-making class. The traditional tortilla de queso (cheese tortilla) is baked into a corn masa using the renowned Turrialaban cheese. We can taste-test our efforts with an authentic cup of hyperlocal Costa Rican coffee and sip in the views from Miriam’s patio.
It’s a 40-minute drive to our accommodation and we should arrive around 5:30 p.m. with time to refresh and reset before dinner at our hotel.
Included Meals
Breakfast, lunch and dinner
Accommodations
Villa Florencia or similar
Travel
3 hours (total)
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Day 3
Puerto Viejo De Sarapiqui
Chocolate Palm Hearts
Today we wind down the verdant mountains towards the super scenic Caribbean lowlands for a lesson on palmito (hearts of palm) at the family-owned Palmitour. As a single mother of three daughters, Maria began selling palmito from a roadside stand. She slowly expanded, creating heart of palm dishes that she sold alongside her produce. Maria’s restaurant is a testament to her determination and today’s lunch will be a unique one. Yes, it’s full of heart!
In the afternoon, we have a full-on sensory experience as we are introduced to all the sweet stages of the chocolate-making process at a cacao plantation.
It will be a short drive back to our hotel and we should arrive around 4:30 p.m. in time for a long dip in the pool. Cool down further with a quenching fruit juice.
Dinner will be just steps from the pool at our hotel, La Quinta.
Included Meals
Breakfast, lunch and dinner
Accommodations
La Quinta de Sarapiqui or similar
TRAVEL
2 hours and 30 minutes
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Day 4
Puerto Viejo De Sarapiqui
Choose Your Own Adventure
We ramp things up with a whitewater rafting adventure that chews up Class II and Class III rapids! There’s an optional, slower, less rapid-eating option for those who wish to take in the scenery with their eyes opened, not squeezed shut!
Lunch will be along the river in a local hut where we can assemble our own burritos. After the surge of rapids and heart rate of the rafting experience, we have an afternoon of pure leisure and calm back at our lodge. Our driver can take us into Sarapiqui to poke around—this quaint town is a mini adventure hub on the confluence of the Rio Sarapiqui and Rio Puerto Viejo.
There are also optional activities (not included) that our guide can help us arrange from biking or birding to ziplining through the forest canopies to tubing or hiking.
We reunite tonight for dinner at our hotel and to chat about our day of adrenaline.
Included Meals
Breakfast, lunch and dinner
Accommodations
La Quinta de Sarapiqui or similar
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Day 5
Arenal La Fortuna
Finding Sanctuary
After an early bird breakfast we drive (1 hour and 15 minutes) to Proyecto Asis Costa Rica Wildlife Sanctuary to learn more about the rescue center’s commitment to local environmental, social and conservation projects. We have the opportunity to contribute with some light sweat equity and assist with daily chores that are an integral part of the rhythm of the rescue centre. We can help prep meals and enrichment toys for the wildlife that are rehabilitating at Proyecto Asis as we learn about their specific dietary needs and routines.
After a picnic lunch we will learn about the darling of Costa Rica, the sloths. There are no sloths in captivity at the centre but they do live in the natural habitat of its small reserve. Telescopes will be used to (hopefully) spot them.
In the afternoon we have some free time to poke around La Fortuna before visiting Eco Termales Fortuna, a family-run natural hot spring where we can soak and simmer before a buffet dinner on site. Four geothermal pools (one has a waterfall!) are connected by volcanic silt paths. Our stay at Arenal Observatory Lodge & Trails is just 30 minutes from the hot springs and is the only hotel inside the national park.
Included Meals
Breakfast, picnic lunch and dinner
Accommodations
Arenal Observatory Lodge & Trails or similar
Travel
2 hours 15 minutes (total)
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Day 6
Arenal La Fortuna
Sky Bound
This morning, we have two mile-high options. We can choose to navigate the Sky Walk Hanging Bridges and have a more relaxing, slow-mo introduction to the flora and fauna of the forest canopy OR we can hurtle along the zipline circuit that stretches across the canyons between the treetops on the Sky Trek.
The Sky Walk is a gentler combination of trails and wobbly suspension bridges to jangle your nerves just a little. On the Sky Trek, the thrill begins with an open-air gondola to the observation area before zipping around the canopies.
In the afternoon we have free time to explore the Observatory’s spaghetti line of trails and check out the observation platform. Known as “The Nest”, this recent installation is a 91 foot (28m) high tower that offers a genuine bird’s-eye view. Located in the pounding aorta of the tropical forest, it’s 146 steps to the top. Look for monkeys and toucans and prepare for the 360° panoramic punch of Arenal Volcano, Arenal Lake, Cerro Chato Volcano and the Tilarán Mountain Range. There’s also the Observatory Museum with neat nuggets about the Arenal Volcano’s history.
Tonight we dine in the “Observatory” restaurant and savor the unreal view of the volcano and Lake Arenal from our lodge which once served as a scientific research station for the Smithsonian Institute.
Included Meals
Breakfast and dinner
Accommodations
Arenal Observatory Lodge & Trails or similar
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Day 7
Gulf of Papagayo
Bows and Beaches
After breakfast, we ease into a 90-minute drive to the Guatuso area where we learn about the Maleku Indigenous culture through traditional medicinal plants and a very hands-on bow and arrow competition in the Maleku Indigenous Reserve! The Maleku are the smallest tribe in Costa Rica with a population of around 650. Our guide at Rancho Maleku Tafa Uríjí will introduce us to the powerful natural pharmacy found in cat’s claw, bitterwood, fire shrub and jackass bitters.
After a bull’s eye or two, we will be privy to an authentic Maleku lunch before heading towards the north Pacific coast to our boutique oceanfront lodge in Playa Hermosa, Guanacaste. It’s a 2.5 hour drive and we should arrive around 5 p.m. for front row seats to another equatorial sunset and dinner at our posh beach hotel along the palm-lined beach.
Dinner will be at Niromi (“forest” in native Chorotega language), the on-site restaurant at Bosque del Mar.
Included Meals
Breakfast, lunch and dinner
Accommodations
Bosque del Mar or similar
Travel
4 hours (total)
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Day 8
Gulf of Papagayo
Poolside Paradise
It’s a full day of leisure. We can beachcomb along the strand of Playa Hermosa, take macro shots of the tropical flowers blooming in the gardens, ooze into the on-site spa (not included) or visit the little town of Playas del Coco just 15 minutes away. Our guide and driver can take us to Coco to check out the restaurant scene, art galleries and endless souvenir shops.
The hotel has stand up paddleboards and kayaks that are available for rent. Please note that lunch and dinner are independent today!
Included Meals
Breakfast
Accommodations
Bosque del Mar or similar
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Day 9
Gulf of Papagayo
Cipanci Wildlife Refuge
Today is a total immersion into the wilds of Costa Rica along the border of Parque Nacional Palo Verde. This region is known for its enormous wetlands, reclaimed pastureland and unique tropical dry forest. We take a boat trip along the Tempisque River, looking for tropical birds, monkeys and lurking crocodiles. Birders will be on swivel, checking off roseate spoonbills, wood storks, black-crowned night herons, black-bellied whistling ducks and snail kites. On this private boat safari of sorts, we may see variegated squirrels, howler monkeys, white-nosed coatis, white-tailed deer and white-throated capuchin monkeys.
After lunch at Señora Daliila’s restaurant, we meet Willy, a ceramics artist from Guaitil (pronounced wy-teel), the pottery capital of Costa Rica. He will share his exhibition of traditional Chorotega ceramics at Señora Dalilia´s. Guaitil is a Chorotega Indigenous village, named for the vital Guaitil tree that an essential dye is obtained from.
We will return to our lodge around 2:30 p.m. and have the rest of the day to lounge, reflect, journal and float in the pool or Pacific.
After sunset we gather for an unforgettable farewell dinner on the beach at Bosque del Mar (weather permitting!).
Included Meals
Breakfast, lunch and dinner
Accommodations
Bosque del Mar or similar
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Day 10
Departure
Buen Viaje!
Our time in Costa Rica moved so much faster than a sloth! After breakfast we have a group transfer to Liberia International Airport (LIR). Our guide or hotel staff can assist with transfers if you are extending your stay or traveling to the airport independently.
After 10 high octane days of rafting, ziplining, hot springing and tortilla-making, it’s time to rest on your flight home! Don’t forget to decide where you will travel with your new Wild Women crew next!
Included Meals
Breakfast
Travel
30 minutes (to airport)
Take a Deeper Dive
Want all the details in one handy package? Download the full itinerary here.
What’s Included
- Nine breakfasts, six lunches, eight dinners
- Ground transportation from Juan Santamaría International Airport (SJO) and to Liberia International Airport (LIR) for departing flights
- Private air-conditioned van for transfers
- Nine nights shared accommodations at hotels and eco-lodges
- Awesome English-speaking female naturalist guide
- All park entrance fees
- Tortilla-making class
- Cacao plantation and chocolate-making tour
- Palmito tour
- Eco Termales Fortuna hot springs admission
- All activity safety gear and equipment as needed
- Arenal Sky Trek Zipline and Hanging Bridges experience
- White-water rafting and necessary equipment
- Boat excursion on Tempisque River
- Airport transfer (upon arrival) and group transfer on departure (Day 10)
- All tipping associated with the trip, with the exception of lead and assistant guides, housekeeping, baggage handlers and drivers
What’s Excluded:
Alcoholic drinks, soft drinks and bottled water are not included with the meals and must be purchased separately. Filtered tap water will be provided throughout the trip (jugs will be transported in the van for convenient refilling of personal water bottles).
Please Note:
All applicable taxes are included in the trip price.
Optional single private upgrade, subject to availability.
Itineraries may be subject to change without notice due to weather and other environmental conditions. Please review our Booking Terms.
Trip Details
Know Before You Go
Click HERE all of the logistical details you’ll need to know prior to departure—including the packing list, arrival and departure details and suggested tipping information.
This trip starts in San Jose, Juan Santamaria International Airport (airport code: SJO) and finishes at Liberia International Airport (airport code: LIR).
The Wild Women Way
If you’re wondering how we roll, it’s together. The Wild Women Way is our modus operandi, our mantra and our rock solid foundation. You can learn more about our Wild Ways HERE.
How We Support You
Ready for a big adventure? We’re in it together. On this trip, we get up close with wildlife, . Yes, it can be a challenge, but you’re never alone. Like thousands of women before you, you’ll draw on strength you didn’t know you had and come out feeling like the goddess you are.
Like all our trips, this trip can be scaled to suit different abilities and comfort levels. If you have concerns or reservations about your ability to complete or enjoy this trip due to any physical or medical reasons, please contact us and let’s talk about it.
What the Trip Entails
This is an adventure for women who love wildlife and want an up-close, interactive experience. The activity level is easy. We would like you to be comfortable with the following:
- Being in a vehicle on winding, dusty, potholed hairpin roads with some steep exposure
- Close encounters with wildlife
- Insects! And exceptionally large, crawling ones
- Humid and sometimes extreme daytime temperatures
- A menu that might be unfamiliar to you
- River boat and whitewater rafting excursions (optional)
- Ziplining and suspension bridges (optional)
- Traveling and staying in the area of an active volcano
- Physical Rating: Easy (Some physical activity included. Trips are the most leisurely with an average of 1 – 4 hours of physical activity each day.)
