COSTA RICA ADVENTURE

Get ready for a great winter vacation! Costa Rica literally means "the rich coast" and rich it is in breathtaking scenery and fascinating natural history. Spend an unforgettable week in a tropical paradise at Drake Bay Wilderness Lodge, one of Chuck and Judy Nichols' favorite places. Overlooking the Pacific Ocean on the remote Osa Peninsula, the lodge borders world renowned Corcovado National Park. The accommodations of Drake Bay Wilderness Lodge feature individual charming, tropical cabins complete with hot water showers, bathrooms, porches, and a ceiling fan. A beautiful open-air bar and dining room face the ocean with a jungle river flowing behind.

This week has the perfect blend of relaxation and exciting activities. Daily journeys to the outlying beaches and hidden waterfalls of Corcovado National Park will give you access to miles of exploration and wildlife viewing opportunities in one of the tallest jungles of Central America. Daily guided trips are led by resident naturalists into the heart of Corcovado National Park, where there are 500 species of trees and 360 types of birds, including a large population of scarlet macaws. Hiking and snorkeling at Cano Island, horseback riding, sea kayaking, mountain biking, swimming with dolphins and early morning bird walks are all available. There is excellent swimming and canoeing just steps from your cabin, as well as many hiking trails ranging from easy to challenging. Comfortable oceanside hammocks let you lie back and listen to the rhythm of the waves.

Costa Rica is known for its wealth of natural beauty, stunning wild life and a dedication to its unique and diverse ecology. Travel in Costa Rica is easy, the Costa Rican people are friendly and the food is wonderful. Visit Drake Bay Wilderness Lodge and see how one location can provide so many adventures, and you won't have to repack your bags for a whole week!

Day 1: Arrive in San Jose, Costa Rica, and taxi (on your own) to your hotel. Hotel lodging in San Jose.

Day 2: Taxi (on your own) to Pavas Airport main terminal for 8:00 am flight to Drake Bay Wilderness Lodge on the Osa Peninsula. You need to check in at 7:30 am at Nature Air in the main terminal of the Pavas Airport. You will board a 40 min. charter flight to the Drake Bay Airport and then a boat ride across the bay will take you to the Resort. You arrive by lunch and the afternoon is open for relaxing on the beach, canoeing or kayaking on the river,or hiking in the rainforest. Lodging at Drake Bay Resort.

Late afternoons are reserved for relaxing in a hammock, a walk to the beach or having a cocktail and hors d’oeuvres at the open-air bar while chatting with new friends with whom you shared the day’s adventures. Dinners are served family style in the dining room, and afterward you can enjoy an evening stroll beneath a canopy of stars and flickering lightening bugs.

Day 6: Morning flight to San Jose, taxi (on your own) to your hotel and have the afternoon for shopping and visiting the city. Hotel lodging in San Jose.

Day 7: Taxi (on your own) to airport for return flight home OR stay and go White Water Rafting!

2-Day Whitewater Rafting Trip Extension: This trip may be arranged at the beginning or end of your tour to Drake Bay. The Pacuare River is the quintessential tropical river! It is a trip of pure magic, unsurpassed beauty, wildlife and exhilarating rapids. Located on Costa Rica's Atlantic slope, the Pacuare River borders the Talamanca mountain range, home to native the Cabecar Indians and an incredible variety of wildlife.

Day 7: You will be picked up at your hotel in San Jose and stop on route for a delicious breakfast. Once at the river, your guides will load your gear into dry bags, and after a complete safety and paddling orientation you will shove off on the Pacuare and raft deep in the heart of the rainforest. While your guides prepare lunch on the riverbank, you will be led through the jungle to an enchanting waterfall and pool to swim. Before you know it, you will arrive at a wonderful Eco-lodge on a 1,000-acre private reserve where you can spend the afternoon relaxing, hiking or soaking in the waterfall and pools or enjoy a canopy tour. The lodge has all the comforts - private single and double bungalows with clean linen, modern bathrooms and showers. Happy hour will put you in the mood for a tropical evening with a luscious candlelight dinner and wine served by your guides.

Day 8: After a hearty breakfast, you will prepare to paddle down the Pacuare gorge past gushing waterfalls, serene pools and adrenaline-packed Class-III & IV rapids that will have you cheering ecstatically. Lunch will be served where you finish your river trip and there are showers available. On the return drive to San Jose you will enjoy remarkable views of Braulio Carrillo National Park and Irazú Volcano. Hotel lodging in San Jose.

Day 9: Taxi (on your own) to airport for return flight home.

Trip Price: $1,385/adults, $1,040/children under 16 who will be sharing a room with their parents. (Price of trip is based on double occupancy. For a single supplement please add $275 to the trip cost.)

Trip Dates: This trip may be booked any time of the year for any number of people. You may add additional days at Drake Bay for $130/day (includes meals).

Trip Price Includes:
Lodging (2 nights in San Jose, 4 nights at Drake Bay)
Meals (all meals at Drake Bay)
Flights within Costa Rica
3 guided tours at Drake Bay

Trip Price Does Not Include:
Air transportation to and from the U.S.
Meals in San Jose
Taxis to/from the airport
Alcoholic beverages
Gratuities to local guides

Whitewater Rafting Extension: $400/pp, can be arranged at beginning or end of trip

Includes:
Roundtrip transportation to river
2 days rafting
1 night lodging on river
All meals on river
1 night hotel in San Jose

RESERVATIONS: For complete reservation information click here.

Costa Rica Tour Opeator l Drake Bay Sea Kayaking l Osa Peninsula Hiking Tours
Family Vacations l Adventure Travel