Trip Overview

Join AdventureWomen on a multisport women’s adventure to explore Costa Rica’s rainforests, wildlife, ecosystems, and coastlines. Go rafting, hiking, and try a zipline. Experience waterfalls, jungles teeming with wildlife, volcanoes, and hot springs. These are what makes Costa Rica so special!

A mere 117 miles wide from east to west, this tiny country still has 800 miles of beaches and 12 different climate zones! Costa Rica is a gorgeous riot of rivers and waterfalls, lush rain forests, cloud forests, steamy hot springs, volcanoes, and agrarian landscapes hosting plantations of bananas and coffee. Costa Rican plants and wildlife are richly diverse; watch for the huge array of palms, ferns, orchids, and wild ginger with possible sightings of kinkajou, sloths, toucans, or quetzals. If you’re lucky, you might even spot the paw prints of jungle cats along the way. Throughout your travels, you’ll stay in plush bungalows and lodges, and eat local cuisine that is both fresh and delicious!

San José, the Capital of Costa Rica

Over a gourmet welcome dinner, you’ll bond with the women in your group with whom you share genuine excitement about the outdoor activities and discoveries that lie ahead! If you’re a “fruitarian,” shop San José’s Feria Verde, the local farmer’s market, for the freshest fruits around. And if you’ve decided to brush up on your Spanish, chat with the many women there selling handicrafts, medicinal herbs, and oils.

Water plays a vital role in your Costa Rica experience. Using sea kayaks, navigate Tortuguero National Park, the “Venice” of the rainforest, to explore its canals and blue lagoons in search of southern river otters, caiman, and other coastal creatures. We’ll go whitewater rafting on the Sarapiqui River’s gentle Class II-III rapids, hike to a 200-foot high waterfall and swim in its emerald pools and later, go tubing through a canyon. Relax as steamy water tumbles down onto your shoulders in Kioro Hot Springs then catch uninterrupted views of the majestic Arenal Volcano rising high above the rainforest.

Guanacaste

In Guanacaste, walk the dry tropical rain forest and white sand beaches while you stay at Rio Perdido, a private reserve with sun-filled treehouse bungalows, a thermal river, hanging bridges, and the heart-pumping Canyon Adventure – zip lining through the rainforest! At the Anita Rainforest Ranch, learn about cacao, how to make chocolate, and of course, enjoy a tasting before taking a cooking class using locally grown, organic produce. Return to the hotel for a farewell dinner to celebrate your biggest thrills, compare notes on big discoveries, and talk about all the ways that this adventure in Costa Rica was enriched by traveling with women as inquisitive and adventurous as you.

Main Attractions

  • Active adventures: whitewater rafting, hiking, swimming, tubing, and zipline rides
  • Enjoy a chocolate making and Costa Rican cooking class
  • Learn about Costa Rica’s many ecosystems and wildlife habitats
  • Kayak through Tortuguero National Park
  • Relax in hot springs as you bond with your fellow Adventure Women

What You'll See and Do

  • Birding
  • Boat Cruising
  • Canopy Ziplining
  • Hiking
  • Hot Springs
  • Kayaking
  • National Parks
  • Natural History
  • Photography
  • Swimming
  • Whitewater Rafting
  • Wildlife Viewing

If you're curious about this trip, we would be happy to answer any questions you might have.

Call us ~ 1.800.804.8686

Trip Itinerary

Day 1

Arrive in San Jose
Upon arrival at the Juan Santamaria International Airport in San Jose, Costa Rica, your guide will be waiting outside the Customs exit doors to meet you and transfer you to the hotel.

Enjoy a lively welcome dinner as you get to know your fellow travelers this evening. Share stories and learn about why each woman on your trip is excited to explore Costa Rica!

Dinner

Overnight: Hotel Costa Rica

Day 2

San Jose
Rise and shine early today and depart the hotel at 7:00 am for a visit to the Feria Verde, an organic Farmers’ Market, which has much more than fruits and vegetables. There are local artisans with hand-made clothes, artisanal jewels, medicinal herbs, hand-made aromatherapy oils, musicians, and plenty of places to eat. The majority of vendors are women, and you’ll have plenty of opportunities to talk with them and find out about their businesses and crafts. Enjoy breakfast at the market.

In the afternoon, take a walking tour of the city of San José, visiting the National Theater and either the Gold or the Jade museum.

There’s free time in the afternoon to do some exploring on your own. This is a perfect time for souvenir shopping, to enjoy the sights and sounds of San José or simply to do some people-watching.

Enjoy a cooking demonstration by a master chef this evening.

NOTE: There is a limit on luggage of 25 pounds per person when traveling on local boats while visiting the Tortuguero National Park. Please take only what you will need for the next two days. Bring light clothes, a bathing suit, a hat, insect repellent, and sunblock. It will be hot and humid weather! Your driver will take the rest of your luggage and you will get it back on the way to Arenal on Day 5.

Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Overnight: Hotel Costa Rica

Day 3

San Jose to Tortuguero National Park
Breakfast will be at the hotel before the drive and boat ride today.

Set out very early for Tortuguero National Park, the “Venice” of the rainforest. Drive for 3 hours through Braulio Carrillo National Park, seeing the vegetation change from rainforest to cloud forest and back to rainforest again. Board your boat to Tortuguero for a 90-minute ride on the Parismina River and on some man-made canals.

One of the few Costa Rican National Parks where walking isn’t necessarily the best way to see things, you get to tour the lagoons and jungle waterways of Tortuguero National Park this afternoon by sea kayak. The extensive network of freshwater creeks and lagoons behind the beaches of Tortuguero are home to seven species of river turtles, spectacled caiman, southern river otters, a number of crustaceans, and more than 50 species of freshwater fish. You might also see spider, howler, and capuchin monkeys and dozens of species of birds. If you are really lucky, you might spot an endangered West Indian manatee.

Relax at your lodge this evening and enjoy dinner as a group.

Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Overnight: Aninga Lodge

Day 4

Tortuguero
Explore the park’s verdant landscape from an incredible vantage point following a hike or traverse the park’s winding jungle waterways by boat, looking for monkeys, sloths, crocodiles, and more.

After lunch at the lodge, spend the afternoon visiting Tortuguero Village and enjoy a quick but informative visit to the Sea Turtle Conservancy. Tortuguero beach is the most important nesting site of the endangered green turtle in the Western Hemisphere. Giant leatherback, hawksbill, and loggerhead turtles also nest here.

Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Overnight: Aninga Lodge

Day 5

Tortuguero to Arenal
Leave Tortuguero by boat on your way to Arenal, stopping in Caño Blanco, where your driver will be waiting (with the rest of your luggage) to take you to the Arenal Volcano area. The drive will be just under 3 hours.

Before arriving in Arenal, stop at the Sarapiqui River for an exciting guided whitewater rafting trip! This Class II – III rafting adventure takes you through more than 20 rapids in about three hours. You will be briefed on safety, and it is mandatory to wear a helmet and life jacket.: The Guanacaste region is a dry tropical rainforest that creates a varied landscape. Popular white-sand beaches line the coast, and to the east, the Guanacaste Mountains feature fascinating national parks and caldera volcanoes.”

Originating from clear mountain streams, the Sarapiqui River runs from the Central Mountain Range just north of San Jose to the San Marcos River which runs along the shared border between Costa Rica and Nicaragua. The river is considered a national monument because of the vital service it provided in transporting arms, goods, and soldiers in the 1856 war against the filibusters.

Finishing your adrenaline-packed raft trip, continue to the spectacular Volcán Arenal area and Hotel Arenal Kioro, with its hot springs and uninterrupted views of the volcano.

Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Overnight: Hotel Arenal Kioro

Day 6

Arenal to Guanacaste
Stop to swim in the emerald pools beneath La Fortuna Waterfall after you hike to the falls. La Fortuna Waterfall emerges from dense jungle greenery before plummeting some 200 feet into a pool below. Bring your bathing suit!

Head to the Guanacaste region in the northwestern province in Costa Rica. Arriving late afternoon at Rio Perdido, there is time to enjoy a massage or spa treatment and spend some time relaxing and soaking in the surroundings.

Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Overnight: Rio Perdido

Day 7

Guanacaste
Begin a full day of adventure at Rio Perdido by floating down the river in a modified inner tube, through a gorgeous narrow canyon with the rainforest canopy above. Some parts of the river are very calm and slow, others are faster and very exciting! Sometimes you will need to carry your tube for a little while in order to get over rocks to the other side. Make sure to wear water shoes, sneakers, or Teva sandals. No flip-flops! Life vests and helmets are provided.

In the afternoon there will be a zip-lining/canyoning tour. While Costa Rica has dozens of “canopy tours,” with hundreds of zip-lines, Rio Perdido has truly innovated with their Canyon Adventure. Under the guidance of renowned adventure designers, they have created a sequence that will please and surprise. Inspiring Rio Blanco canyon is the
main stage for the awesome cable-based zip-line experience. Good walking shoes are a must! The adventure includes 15 platforms, six of which are rock-based and nine of which are suspended on the canyon walls, as well as zip lines of varying lengths from 260 to over 800 feet.

Share stories of today’s adventures this evening with your group over dinner.

Breakfast, Lunch,  Dinner

Overnight: Rio Perdido

Day 8

Guanacaste
Begin the day at Anita Rainforest Ranch where you will meet the owners, Pablo and Ana, and spend time with Ana as she gives you a private tour of the property. Learn how they grow and harvest their crops, especially cacao, and how it is transformed from dry beans to paste and on to artisan chocolate. Of course, you get to try some too!

In a short cooking class, you’ll enjoy delicious food – heart of palm ceviche, taro chips, beef in red wine and rosemary sauce, and fresh produce from their organic gardens finished off with homemade ginger-spiced lemon and natural fruit juices.

Continuing to the small town of Colonia Libertad, meet Aracely, a neighbor in the village, where she will share a wonderful and special dessert treat in her home.

Have a farewell dinner with your new AdventureWomen friends. Reminisce over all of the
memories you have made and celebrate the end of an amazing journey through this truly spectacular country.

Breakfast, Lunch, and Dinner

Overnight: Rio Perdido

Day 9

Guanacaste and Depart
Enjoy one last morning in Guanacaste before heading home.

Say goodbye to your new AdventureWomen friends as you transfer to the airport for your flights home.

Breakfast

Please note: AdventureWomen will attempt to adhere to the itinerary as much as possible. However, certain conditions (political, climatic, environmental, and cultural) may necessitate changes in the itinerary. AdventureWomen reserves the right to alter any itinerary at any time, if necessary. We will attempt to notify participants of changes as far in advance as possible. Costs incurred by such changes will be the responsibility of the participants. 

If you're curious about this trip, we would be happy to answer any questions you might have.

Call us ~ 1.800.804.8686

Traveling to Costa Rica



Arrival and Departure Information

July 7, 2024 Departure:

Arrive: Arrive in San Jose, Costa Rica (SJO)  on July 7, 2024, before 4:00 pm.

Depart: Depart Liberia Airport (LIR) on July 15, 2024, after 12:00pm.

August 4, 2024 Departure:

Arrive: Arrive in San Jose, Costa Rica (SJO)  on August 4, 2024, before 4:00 pm.

Depart: Depart Liberia Airport (LIR) on August 12, 2024, after 12:00pm.

We are happy to help you make your flight and travel arrangements. If you’d like to do anything prior to or following the AdventureWomen trip, we’d be delighted to help you arrange any trip extensions you’re interested in.

Note: The recent trend in travel is for travelers to finalize their plans much closer to departure time than was customary in the past. While we try to be as flexible as possible booking last-minute registrants, we must release hotel rooms two to three months prior to departure! Please keep this in mind when making your travel plans.

Preparation and Packing  

Please use the following guides as a reference when preparing for your adventure. We also encourage you to adapt the guides to your travel style as well as the destination’s forecasted weather.  

Gratuities  

Gratuities are a personal decision and are at your own discretion based on your level of satisfaction with the service provided. Gratuities are dependent upon the number of guests on your departure, and they vary greatly from trip to trip. As a general reference, AdventureWomen suggests you plan for $210-$230 (or more) worth of gratuities for this adventure. Specific tipping recommendations for your trip will be provided to you closer to your departure date and may fluctuate due to inflation, exchange rates, and the number of travelers on your trip. 

Passports and Visas

Citizens of the United States must have a passport valid for six months beyond your travel dates with at least two blank facing pages. If you do not have a passport, please apply now!

Activity Level

We rate this trip as Active. Our Active adventures at AdventureWomen get you on your feet! You should be in good physical condition for these trips and comfortable walking on uneven surfaces, such as cobblestone streets, biking well-maintained paths and natural trails, or kayaking in calm waters. Please note that this is a general description of what you might encounter; for specific details about your trip, please consult the itinerary.

We recommend training before your trip (with your doctor’s permission) to make the most of your adventure. With this itinerary in mind, we have a partnership with Trailblazer Wellness, a woman-owned, women-run company that will design an individualized fitness plan just for you! Best of all, AdventureWomen guests get a 10% discount with the code AVW. Learn more on the Trailblazer Wellness website.

Health Considerations

Make an appointment with a travel clinic, as they may have recommendations for vaccines and medications based on the destination as well as your age, health, and past vaccination history.

For more health information, go to www.cdc.gov/travel and navigate to the page about Costa Rica.

How to Register

Call the AdventureWomen office at (800) 804-8686 to determine space availability and register for this trip. We can complete your registration, including taking your credit card deposit over the phone.

If you prefer, you can register online by clicking “Sign Up for this Trip” on the trip page.

Please be sure to read the AdventureWomen policies before registering!

Forms and Final Payment

The deposit for this trip is $800. You can transfer your deposit to another trip with no additional fee if you notify us within 120 days of the original trip departure date. We can hold your deposit for up to six months as a credit. Failure to book a new trip within this timeframe will result in the forfeiture of your deposit.

Once you book, you will need to fill out and return to AdventureWomen:

  • Information Form
  • Booking Conditions Form
  • Copy of Flight Information
  • Copy of Issuing Page of Passport (Photo Page)
  • Supplement Health and Safety Form
  • Additional supplemental whitewater rafting release form

Final payment is due to AdventureWomen in a cash form (check, money order, or wire transfer). A maximum of $1,500 per person can be put on a credit card, which includes your deposit.

July 7, 2024 Departure Final Payment Due Date: April 8, 2024

August 4, 2024 Departure Final Payment Due Date: May 6, 2024

If you're curious about this trip, we would be happy to answer any questions you might have.

Call us ~ 1.800.804.8686

What's Included

Included

  • Accommodations as per itinerary based on double occupancy
  • All meals as listed in the itinerary
  • All ground transportation
  • Guided sightseeing and activities as indicated in the itinerary
  • Professional, English-speaking naturalist guide throughout the trip
  • Entrance fees
  • Drinking water to refill personal bottles
  • Gratuities for local guides, hotel staff, and baggage handling

Not Included

  • International airfare to and from Costa Rica
  • Optional activities
  • Meals not specified in the itinerary
  • Alcoholic beverages (unless otherwise specified)
  • Fees for passport, visas, immunizations, or travel insurance
  • Cost of hospitalization or evacuation
  • Items of a personal nature
  • Gratuities for main guide and driver

If you're curious about this trip, we would be happy to answer any questions you might have.

Call us ~ 1.800.804.8686

Accommodations

Gran Hotel Costa Rica

Gran Hotel Costa Rica is located in the heart of San Jose and is within walking distance of the city's top attractions. Accommodation is available in stylish guest rooms which feature modern amenities including complimentary Wi-Fi, minifridge, and a high definition TV. The in-house restaurant serves a combination of local and international cuisine while the 5th floor piano bar specializes in premium whiskey and gin from around the world. A fully equipped fitness centre is also available to guests who like to keep fit.

Amenities: Soap, shampoo, conditioner, hair dryer; electricity; Wifi

Aninga Lodge
Set on the edge of the main canal and surrounded by lush rainforest and howler monkeys, Aninga has 33 bungalows all with comfortable beds and ceiling fans. The bungalows, restaurant, and walking trails are all set on stilts about five feet from the ground to bring you into the canopy of trees and to protect the wildlife’s natural habitat. Enjoy the pool and spa!

Amenities: Soap, hair dryer available on request; electricity; limited Wifi only in reception area

Hotel Arenal Kioro
Sandwiched between two streams – La Palma and Kioro – Hotel Arenal Kioro provides a breathtaking natural view of Arenal Volcano. The hotel’s setting is a perfect representation of what makes Costa Rica so special, with two nature paths alive with myriad species of plants, as well as private thermal springs surrounded by flourishing gardens.

Amenities: Soap, shampoo, hair dryer; electricity; Wifi

Rio Perdido
Rio Perdido, meaning “Lost River,” is truly a hidden gem, situated in a protected dwarf forest that even many Costa Ricans have never seen. The property pays respect to its amazing environment, using wells and natural springs for water and taking 100% of its electrical energy from the Miravalles Geothermal Power Plant, among many other sustainable practices. The hotel’s bungalows – suspended above the ground by columns and accessed by elevated pathways connecting to hiking trails – each offer a unique experience.

Amenities: Soap, shampoo, conditioner, hair dryer; electricity; limited Wifi

Please note that all amenities were current when written and are subject to change at any time.

If you're curious about this trip, we would be happy to answer any questions you might have.

Call us ~ 1.800.804.8686