Iconic Costa Rica

Ziplining, Canyoning, and Rafting the Balsa River

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Overview

This Costa Rica adventure is iconic. Not only will you partake in some of Costa Rica’s classic activities – ziplining, river rafting, snorkeling, hiking, and wildlife viewing – you’ll also surround yourself with some of the country’s classic landscapes – jungle, ocean, volcano, beach, and rainforest. From the flanks of Arenal Volcano to the Pacific shores of the Osa Peninsula, and the whitewater of the Balsa River to the city of San Jose, this journey offers up the essence of Costa Rica from start to finish!

After a relaxing overnight near San Jose, you’ll stay on the flanks of the iconic, imposing, and symmetrical Arenal Volcano, surrounded by rainforest. You’ll explore the area by day with hanging bridges, ziplining, and a tram ride to a vantage point where you can take in the big picture. In the evening, enjoy farm-to-table food and soaking in the aguas termales (hot springs). Then, fly and boat to your next destination on the lesser-visited Osa Peninsula. Boat to an island biological reserve for snorkeling or diving and hike the thick, wildlife-rich jungle that is Corcovado National Park.

Costa Rica is captivating for so many reasons – many of which, you’ll experience first-hand on this exploration of the land of pura vida!

Price From*

$6,795 USD
Trip Type

Custom-Made Travel
Best Months for Travel

January, February, March, September, October, November, December
Duration

9 days / 8 nights
Trip begins/ends
San Jose, Costa Rica / San Jose, Costa Rica

*Price per person based on sample itinerary detailed. Pricing will vary depending upon number of travelers, rooming configuration, and other planning details specific to your trip.

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How Can We Customize This Sample Itinerary For You?

If this sample itinerary looks intriguing, let us know and we can begin the process of tailoring it for you and yours! Call or email us today: [email protected].

Trip Details

Trip Highlights

Costa Rica zip-lining through the rainforest

What’s Included? Everything you need, plus everything you want.

Wet & Wild: Challenge yourself as you rappel remote, tropical waterfalls through beautiful canyons. This activity is always a highlight of the trip for the entire family. Then, you’ll be doused yet again as you paddle through the whitewater of Balsa River. What a day!
Old Smokey: Visit two stunning and active volcanoes on this journey, both of which have a tendency to huff and puff steam and vapor from their craters.
Welcome to the Jungle: From your Osa Peninsula lodge, explore one of Earth’s most biologically diverse ecosystems, with the chance to view rare wildlife in the ocean, in the rivers, in the canopy and on the forest floor.

The Essentials

Iconic Costa Rica

Trip Type: Custom-Made Travel

Territory: Central America

Region: Costa Rica

Trip Price: $6,795

Duration: 9 days/8 nights

Trip Begins/Ends: San Jose, Costa Rica / San Jose, Costa Rica

National Parklands: Corcovado NP

Select Terms & Conditions

All custom travel is tailored to the desires and interests of our traveling clients (see How Custom Travel Works tab). Trip pricing detailed is an estimate of the per person pricing for the sample itinerary detailed and includes all of the lodging, activities, and guided experiences described. Actual pricing for the trip designed expressly for you and others traveling with you will depend on the features and elements developed during the trip planning process. Travel with Off the Beaten Path requires agreement to our standard Terms & Conditions.

Energy Index

No Sweat - 1-2 miles of walking or hiking per day, plus easy activities

Nice & Active – 3-6 miles of hiking or walking per day, plus physically active exploration

High Five! – 5-10 miles of hiking per day, plus possible peak bagging or other action-oriented fun

Iconic Costa Rica

The Energy Index detailed above relates to the level of exertion associated with the sample trip detailed. This would be modified to fit the style and ability of your group as a part of the custom trip planning process

Make It Private

How custom-made travel works at Off the Beaten Path

We’ve been tailoring custom journeys for clients since our very inception in the mid-1980s! The process is all about connecting the interests of the travelers with the best that a given destination has to offer. To achieve this, we rely upon good ol’ fashioned conversation! Our geographically focused travel designer love to meet new people and learn about their interests for travel. Understanding your goals informs the process immensely and serves as the foundation for the development of a bespoke travel experience for you and yours.

The trip detailed on this web page is a sample of something we’ve done for other clients over the years. In order to start the process of designing your own custom travel experience, just call us at (800) 445-2995 and ask to speak with one of our Travel Advisors. After a bit of time on the phone, you will then have the opportunity to connect with one of our travel designers.

The entire planning process is very personalized and works in an iterative fashion until a final, perfect trip has been created. We then secure all of the lodging, activities, and guided experiences associated with your trip and send along abundant trip materials capturing these details – and much more about your travels!

Trip Highlights
The Essentials
Energy Index
How Custom Travel Works

What’s Included? Everything you need, plus everything you want.

Wet & Wild: Challenge yourself as you rappel remote, tropical waterfalls through beautiful canyons. This activity is always a highlight of the trip for the entire family. Then, you’ll be doused yet again as you paddle through the whitewater of Balsa River. What a day!
Old Smokey: Visit two stunning and active volcanoes on this journey, both of which have a tendency to huff and puff steam and vapor from their craters.
Welcome to the Jungle: From your Osa Peninsula lodge, explore one of Earth’s most biologically diverse ecosystems, with the chance to view rare wildlife in the ocean, in the rivers, in the canopy and on the forest floor.

Iconic Costa Rica

Trip Type: Custom-Made Travel

Territory: Central America

Region: Costa Rica

Trip Price: $6,795

Duration: 9 days/8 nights

Trip Begins/Ends: San Jose, Costa Rica / San Jose, Costa Rica

National Parklands: Corcovado NP

Select Terms & Conditions

All custom travel is tailored to the desires and interests of our traveling clients (see How Custom Travel Works tab). Trip pricing detailed is an estimate of the per person pricing for the sample itinerary detailed and includes all of the lodging, activities, and guided experiences described. Actual pricing for the trip designed expressly for you and others traveling with you will depend on the features and elements developed during the trip planning process. Travel with Off the Beaten Path requires agreement to our standard Terms & Conditions.

Energy Index

No Sweat - 1-2 miles of walking or hiking per day, plus easy activities

Nice & Active – 3-6 miles of hiking or walking per day, plus physically active exploration

High Five! – 5-10 miles of hiking per day, plus possible peak bagging or other action-oriented fun

Iconic Costa Rica

The Energy Index detailed above relates to the level of exertion associated with the sample trip detailed. This would be modified to fit the style and ability of your group as a part of the custom trip planning process

How custom-made travel works at Off the Beaten Path

We’ve been tailoring custom journeys for clients since our very inception in the mid-1980s! The process is all about connecting the interests of the travelers with the best that a given destination has to offer. To achieve this, we rely upon good ol’ fashioned conversation! Our geographically focused travel designer love to meet new people and learn about their interests for travel. Understanding your goals informs the process immensely and serves as the foundation for the development of a bespoke travel experience for you and yours.

The trip detailed on this web page is a sample of something we’ve done for other clients over the years. In order to start the process of designing your own custom travel experience, just call us at (800) 445-2995 and ask to speak with one of our Travel Advisors. After a bit of time on the phone, you will then have the opportunity to connect with one of our travel designers.

The entire planning process is very personalized and works in an iterative fashion until a final, perfect trip has been created. We then secure all of the lodging, activities, and guided experiences associated with your trip and send along abundant trip materials capturing these details – and much more about your travels!

Itinerary

Day 1: San Jose

After arriving in San Jose, you’ll transfer to your home for the night, a little piece of paradise nestled on 40 acres at 3,900 feet. Tonight, stroll the lush gardens, relax by the pool, take in the views from the terraces, and enjoy exquisite farm-to-table dining.

Day 2: San Jose to Arenal National Park

This morning, you’ll meet your local guide and driver and then make your way to the flanks of the Arenal Volcano, Costa Rica’s youngest and most active volcano. Along the way your guide will introduce you to Costa Rican culture and flora and fauna. Settle into your new lodging, at the entrance to Arenal National Park, with a stroll in the surrounding private rainforest reserve.

Day 3: Arenal National Park

The adventure begins this morning with a guided half day hike. Your effort will be awarded with amazing views of the Arenal Volcano and the possibility of spotting wildlife in the rainforest. This afternoon is all about spectacular bird’s-eye views. Meander on a path that includes thrilling hanging bridges. Then get your heart pumping with a zip line through the forest canopy. Top off your day with views from the top of an open-air tram.

Day 4: Arenal National Park

After joining your guide and getting fitted for safety equipment, you’ll take a short and gorgeous hike through the jungle to rappel down through beautiful rainforest slot canyons. Next up, it’s time for a whitewater rafting adventure on the Balsa River, running Class II-III rapids with an expert river guide. Don’t be surprised if you encounter some curious wildlife along the river!

Day 5: San Jose to Corcovado National Park

This morning, you’ll drive back to the San Jose airport for a short domestic flight south. On arrival, you'll take a scenic boat transfer to your lodge’s palm-fringed beach in the biodiverse Osa Peninsula. The lodge is surrounded by pristine rainforest and the Corcovado National Park. Take a guided night walk tour to take in your new surroundings.

Day 6-8: Corcovado National Park

Spend your time here enjoying everything this wild and incredibly biodiverse destination has to offer. This remote destination offers a plethora of opportunities and activities, from birdwatching to snorkeling and diving to guided hiking in search of wildlife in Corcovado National Park. Look for tapirs, anteaters, monkeys, toucans, macaws, wonderful bugs, and so much more!

Day 9: San Jose for Departures Home

Today, you bid farewell to the volcanoes, wildlife, ocean, rainforests, and extraordinary people of Costa Rica. After another boat transfer, you’ll board your domestic flight to San Jose and connect with afternoon homebound flights.

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Lodging

Xandari Resort and Spa

This resort is a tropical paradise of 24 individual villas nestled on a 40-acre plantation overlooking the Central Valley. Elegant accommodations, stunning views, and unmatched convenience make Xandari the ideal choice near San Jose.

Tabacon Thermal Resort and Spa

Welcome to Tabacon! Exotic and set in a quieter, more remote part of the busy town of La Fortuna, Tabacon is a fantastic place from which to explore the Arenal Volcano Region. The resort is a five-star, carbon-nuetral property, and is also a member of Leading Hotels of the World, providing fine accommodations, services and amenities in a picture perfect, organic setting. The unique thermal springs on the property emerge from volcanic grounds, cascading to form waterfalls, streams, pools and ponds surrounded by tropical gardens. The springs will thrill active visitors, children and couples alike. Luxurious rooms and suites with satisfying amenities provide blissful contentment for an unforgettable stay. Local restaurants feature typical and international dishes to cater to every taste, from casual snacks to fine dining. The Grand Spa offers tempting treatments in 11 open-air bungalows with a private Jacuzzi.

Corcovado Wilderness Lodge

This excellent property boasts a prime location on the edge of Corcovado National Park, offering luxury accommodation, first-class service, exciting activities and the opportunity to unwind in one of the world’s most biodiverse locales. Set above a palm-fringed beach in tropical gardens and surrounded by 170 acres of pristine rainforest, this much-loved destination is the ultimate combination of luxurious comfort and adventure. The lodge was built in harmony with the landscape and environment in order to maximize enjoyment of the natural beauty of the Corcovado area. Each of the bungalow accommodations is spaced throughout the property for ideal peace and privacy.