Costa Rica: Pura Vida

San José, Costa Rica

Arrive at Juan Santamaría International Airport and transfer to our hotel in San Jose. Depending on your time of arrival, you may have to time explore the area. 

Dinner is on your own tonight. Try the on-site restaurant, or if you’re feeling adventurous, venture to a local establishment nearby.

Tortuguero National Park

This morning we’ll begin our overland journey to the Caribbean coast and Tortuguero National Park (approximate drive time is 3 hours). Our destination is Caño Blanco, where a boat awaits our arrival to take us into the heart of the park where there are no roads, only waterways. We’ll board the boat for the 1-hour water taxi to Tortuguero. These boats are sleek and fast and fun to ride in!

Upon arrival at the lodge, we’ll enjoy lunch along with the scenes, sounds, and scents of this tropical beach location. 

Our afternoon adventure will be kayaking one of the many canals within the park. We’ll board a motorboat and cruise the park’s canals and lagoons before we arrive at a remote canal. Here we’ll launch our kayaks and enjoy a leisurely paddle, exploring where motorboats cannot go and where wildlife is most abundant. You’ll find yourself immersed in a world where the forest merges with the river as you paddle your kayak through the calm water.

This evening after dinner we’ll gather again in hopes of witnessing an Atlantic Green Sea Turtle nesting on a nearby stretch of beach. Depending on the location assigned by Tortuguero National Park, we’ll travel by boat and/or by foot to reach the beach. Once in position, our group waits for the park service trackers who will radio our guide to indicate where a mother turtle has been spotted. Once located, we get to stand a few feet from the 300-pound turtle while she lays 80-100 eggs, covers up her nest, perhaps digs a false nest to throw off predators, and after more than an hour, returns to the sea.

While our primary objective is to witness the nesting process of the Atlantic Green Sea Turtle, we will also have the opportunity to observe the stars in the Caribbean sky, the bioluminescence on the waves, and if we’re really lucky we may see a sign of jaguar coming to the beach, also in search of a turtle. It’s not unusual to find their tracks in the sand. (B, L, D)

Tortuguero National Park

We awake to the sounds of life around us – ocean waves, birds, monkeys, and more. We depart early this morning from the lodge by boat, stopping by the ranger station at the Tortuguero National Park headquarters where the park ranger will tell us which canal we are able to explore. From there we’ll journey up the canals, full of flora and fauna, and home to more than 350 bird species, including three out of the four species of Costa Rica monkeys, caimans, toucans, sloth, and much more. Stay alert, as nature will rise right in front of your eyes.

Back at the lodge, we’ll enjoy a hearty breakfast before deciding how to spend the remainder of the morning. You may choose to join our guide on a journey up another nearby canal by kayak, in search of more wildlife. Or perhaps you’d prefer to relax by the swimming pool and explore the surroundings along one of the nearby nature trails. Either way, the sights, sounds, and smells of this tropical environment will be a fulfilling experience.

After lunch, our guide will take us to the village of Tortuguero. This visit will provide an opportunity to learn about the ways of life for the inhabitants of Tortuguero, a small community of about 1,300 people. We’ll tour the village center made up of local artisans, businesses, and more. For those who are enjoying the walk, we can return to Mawamba Lodge via the beach, adding about 1-mile to the walk.

As the day comes to an end, we’ll gather once again for dinner. We’ll toast the staff and our guides for a great time, and learn more about what to expect as our next stop brings us to the Rio Pacuare. (B, L, D)

Pacuare River Whitewater Rafting

Our stay in Tortuguero comes to an end as we begin our travels to reach the renowned Rio Pacuare and our whitewater rafting adventure (approximate drive time is 3.5 hours). We’ll return to the mainland by boat, through the inland canals to where our vehicle awaits. On the way to the river, we’ll stop at an authentic restaurant.

Upon arrival at the river, our guides will give an orientation and safety talk. Then it’s into rafts for fun and exciting whitewater action on Class II-III rapids. As we are swept down the Rio Pacuare by the currents, we soak in the natural beauty of the primary and secondary rainforests surrounding us. Water level and time permitting, a guide will lead us on a hike up one of the many gorgeous side creeks that spill into the Rio Pacuare.

When we arrive at our unique riverside eco-lodge you can settle into your room and then spend the evening relaxing in a hammock or soaking in the natural pools by the river. Come on down to the open-air dining area where the guides will have prepared fresh appetizers and the guest-acclaimed famous “jungle punch.” As the sun dips behind the hills and the twilight fades, we will be treated to a delicious, freshly prepared dinner. (B, L, D)

Canopy Zipline, Hiking, Relaxing

Wake up to the beauty of the light through the forest, the sound of toucans, and the smell of coffee. This day is designed to enjoy the lodge and its natural surroundings. Here you will have the unique opportunity to experience the wonders of the rainforest canopy on the zipline course. The distinctive platforms blend in seamlessly with the natural surroundings, giving you an amazing perspective of life in the roof of the jungle.

After the ziplines, you can choose from a couple of hikes on the property—a short nature hike near the lodge or a two-to-three-hour hike to a nearby waterfall, with a natural slide and pools. This 2,000-acre private rainforest reserve offers limitless places to get away from it all and enjoy nature. Just a short walk from the dining area, the lodge offers a sheltered hammock area that makes for the perfect spot to catch up on your reading, enjoy a cool drink or just relax and take in the stunning beauty of this amazing retreat. (B, L, D)

Pacuare River Whitewater Rafting & Return to San Jose

After breakfast and loading the rafts, we’ll prepare to paddle downriver through the Class III-IV Pacuare Gorge, past gushing waterfalls, serene pools, and pounding rapids. A quick stop by the riverside allows you to explore a waterfall and pool. An adrenaline-packed morning running rapids like Upper and Lower Huacas, Cimarron, Dos Montañas, and many more will have you cheering ecstatically.

Our river journey ends with lunch before we travel back to San Jose, arriving at our hotel in the late afternoon (approximate drive time is 3 hours). Here you’re welcome to relax or take advantage of nearby museums, restaurants, and colorful local businesses. Head over to Escazú, San José’s hottest spot for shopping and nightlife. (B, L)

Departure from San Jose

Enjoy breakfast at the hotel then OARS will arrange your transport to the airport for your departing flight. You may depart at any time today. (B)