Tours and Activities
There's tons to do and see on Costa Rica's Caribbean
coast. Here are some of the tours and activities we recommend that
are either in the area or which pick up/drop off at area hotels.
We'll even book it for you!
Most of our tours will pick you up and return you
right to your hotel (or sometimes to another Costa Rica
destination!). Tours which do not include transportation are
indicated below and we will be happy to assist to you in getting to
the start point in those cases.
Jump to:
Whitewater Rafting | Jungle, Nature & Wildlife |
Indigenous Communities | Local Activities
Tortuguero National Park | Bocas del Toro, Panama | Arenal Volcano
Caribbean Wet & Wild Package
| Volcano Jungle & Beach Package
Contact our Tour Desk
Whitewater Rafting / River Trips
Many of the rafting trips include transportation
between San Jose or Arenal and Puerto Viejo so it's like getting
your transport to/from Puerto Viejo for free! Your luggage is secure
throughout the trip so you're free to enjoy your day on the river.
Pacuare River: One-Day (Class III-IV)
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| This trip gives you the ultimate blend of wilderness exposure and
invigorating excitement. The Pacuare River is world famous for its
pristine beauty. A true river gorge, it is flanked by
steep, green walls. Waterfalls cascade into the river
from both sides as colorful, tropical birds fly right
over your head. Amazing views of this virgin Tropical
Rainforest appear before your eyes as you descend this
true exploratory land. Includes transport to/from Puerto
Viejo from/to San Jose or Arenal if you want. |
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Pacuare River: Two Day Hike and Paddle (Class III-IV)
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The overnight Pacuare Adventure is a Paddle and Hike expedition.
Not only will you raft a variety of exciting rapids, but you will
also hike to pristine waterfalls, fun swimming holes and primary
jungles. Includes transport to/from
Puerto Viejo from/to San Jose or Arenal if you want.
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Reventazón River: Pascua Section (Class IV)
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After paddling the Pascua section of
the Reventazón River, adventurers agree that these are the best
rapids they have conquered. Pascua is a classic
big water run, guaranteed to keep you on the edge of your seat,
literally! Amongst the fifteen solid class IV rapids you will run
are: Dirty Mind, The Abyss, Indigestion and Horrendito. Includes
transport to/from Puerto Viejo from/to San Jose or Arenal if you
want. |
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Reventazón River: Florida Section (Class III)
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A great big water run, with moderate
difficulty. The lush surroundings, abundant bird life and good
amount of fun rapids makes this a great introduction to river
running. This run is clearly divided in two halves. The first hour
is very exciting, with big waves and long rapids. The second half is
more relaxed as the river enters the true lower Caribbean, the
surroundings take on a jungle character and the wildlife is more
plentiful. Includes transport to/from Puerto Viejo from/to San
Jose or Arenal if you want. |
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Río Sarapiquí: Class II/III
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Neighboring La Selva Biological
Station, the Sarapiquí River offers the best wildlife viewing
opportunities. This mid-elevation, southern Caribbean area is of
great importance, of which value is measured in terms of its
biodiversity. It hosts many different kinds of wildlife such as:
toucans, waterbirds, monkeys, sloths and butterflies. The Sarapiqui's rapids are moderate so it is the perfect adventure for
families with children. Rapids such as "Confusión", "Ay Caramba" and
"Roller Coaster" will satisfy your daily dosage for adrenaline and
water splash! In addition, the clear, warm water is perfect for
enjoying a swim between rapids. |
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Jungle, Nature and Wildlife
The Puerto Viejo area has some of the most
spectacular natural areas in the country and are even of
international importance. The area includes several protected areas
including Cahuita National Park and the Gandoca-Manzanillo Refuge.
Caribbean Canopy and Zipline Tour
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Experience the richness and diversity of the jungle close-up from this adventure that
lets
you experience nature close-up. This canopy adventure has 9 aerial platforms and 14 on land with a total of 2560
meters of cable. Glide through the jungle on a zipline
for a bird's eye view of the jungle. |
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Canyoning
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The adventure of a lifetime: 2 rappels in a 125 foot
(40m)
waterfall located in a tropical jungle, pristine primary
forest. You'll also have a chance to relax in a jacuzzi
and jump in river pools.
Includes Pick up and drop off at your hotel, all
equipment, professional guides certified by A.C.A.,
lunch, insurance. |
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Gandoca-Manzanillo Refuge Walk
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Get ready for an unforgettable experience! While you walk into the
forest, you will learn about the exotic vegetation. Most of the
trees are covered with mosses, lichens, bromeliads, orchids and
other plants that cascade from the branches of these gigantic trees
creating a backdrop for life in the jungle. We will spot many
different species of birds from the 384 species we have in this
area. Some examples are hummingbirds, tanagers, owls, and toucans.
Our professional naturalist tour guides will sharpen their senses to
find monkeys such as white faced monkeys and howler monkeys, sloths,
iguanas, snakes, poisonous frogs, and numerous other different types
of animals. You will also learn about medicinal plants and the
natural history of this natural paradise and have the opportunity to
learn interesting facts about our Afro Caribbean customs. |
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Cahuita Boat, Snorkel and Hiking Trip
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Cahuita National Park features the
largest coral reefs in Southern Central America as well as great
hiking trails with lots of wildlife. This trip combines a boat ride,
snorkeling and hiking. First is a ride in a boat to Punta Cahuita. Once at the point, you can put on snorkel
gear to explore first hand the “under water tropical forest”. You
will then land for a guided rainforest
hike, with comprehensive information on this particular area.
Monkeys, sloth, several reptiles, frogs and beautiful insects are
common sights. Price is $25 for snorkel and boat trip or hike
only, $45 for combo plus lunch. These options start in Cahuita and
are operated by Roberto's Tours.
We also have a new option for $49 which includes round trip transportation to Cahuita
with pickup/dropoff at your hotel in Puerto Viejo. Lunch is not
included in this option. This is operated by Exploradores. |
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Rio
La Estrella Kayaking and Sloth Sanctuary
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trip is a great combination of adventure and learning
experiences. After a safety briefing we will take you
kayaking on Rio La Estrella which offers a fine paddling
experience for the first timer. Our sit-on-top double
kayaks provide great stability to negotiate the Class I
rapids of this scenic river, where you will be
surrounded by canyon walls covered with Rainforest. The
adventure goes on when we visit the Aviarios del Caribe
Sloth Sanctuary with a recovery project that will give
you a first hand learning experience about these amazing
creatures; a lecture will be given followed by a
interaction time with Buttercup and the other sloths. |
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Bird Watching
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Thanks to our rich biodiversity, I will find and
delight in pointing out and sharing my knowledge on the
various bird species of the area, this is definitely a
superb bird watching tour! Some of the species you could
see in this area are the Red-capped Manikin, crested
owl, the olive throated parakeet; pale vented pigeon,
masked tityra, Collared Aracari, slaty ant shrike,
keel-billed and chestnut-mandibled Toucan, Magnificent
Frigate-bird, common black hawk, passerini’s tanager,
and the black-cowled oriole, among others. |
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Nighttime Turtle Watching
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Take the opportunity to travel through Time and
go back to the beginning of evolution, represented by
the nesting of these live fossils. The leatherback
turtle is the biggest turtle in the world; it can be as
large as 2 meters long and 650 kg of weight. We will
have an unforgettable night walk along the Gandoca
Beach; I will show you a different perspective of this
spectacular experience. You will observe these mothers
in the important work of laying eggs and at the same
time you will learn important things about the natural
history of these special animals in danger of
extinction. Help us with the protection of sea turtles!
Pickup and dropoff at your hotel is now included in our
price. |
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$65 p/p for 2 people
$55 p/p for 3 people
$50 p/p for 4 people
$45 p/p for 5-6 people |
More information |
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Learning about Indigenous Communities
Costa Rica's South Caribbean (along with Panama) is
home to the Bri Bri people. Many of these communities had no
exposure to the modern world until recently. These tours not only
give you a glimpse into a unique life but they support these
communities in their effort at economic diversification. The
Caribbean is also home to a unique Afro-Caribe culture. Many
of our tours take place within the protected areas of the Kčköldi
Indigenous Reserve or the Gandoca-Manzanillo Wildlife Refuge.
Uatsi Waterfall and Indigenous Reservation
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This combo tour includes transportation to/from your hotel as
well as visits to the waterfall, to the Sixoala River (the border
between Costa Rica and Panama), an indigenous reservation and an
indigenous chocolate "factory" where the whole process from the
growing of the Cacao plant to the making of this unique organic
handmade chocolate is explained. |
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Kčköldi and the Cacao Goddess
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Upon arrival, you be will welcomed by one of our local guides who
will tell you about the Bribri Indigenous Territory, Kčköldi, and
about the research project for the reproduction of the iguana verde
(green iguana), an initiative of the community since 1990. Then, you
will be taken through the Striut trail (Cacao Bribri) in the
tropical forest and learn about the importance of different species
of flora and fauna for his ancestors and those still used today by
the locals. Your guide will tell you interesting mythological
stories from the Bribri culture and the special connection of the
people with the nature that surrounds them. At the end of the trail
we will enjoy a snack with seasonal fruits and take time to look at
the beautiful handicrafts made in the community. |
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Kčköldi Iro Soum-Migrating birds
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Our local guide will tell you about
the Bribri Indigenous Territory and about the research project for
the reproduction of the green iguana. Walking through tropical forest, you
will have the chance to
observe different flora species: palm trees, cocoa and fast
growing trees as the Jabillo and Jobo. You may observe Congo and White Faced
Monkeys, Iguanas, Leaf Cutter Ants and other unique bird and plant
species. At the highest point, about
220 m. above sea level, a tower was built to
observe the raptor migration which takes place just twice a year. During the peak
of the season, it is possible to count thousands of birds of prey in
one single day. You will also see
the outstanding scenery of the Talamanca mountains, Panama and the
coastal zone with a beautiful view of Puerto Viejo, Puerto Limon and Uvita island. After enjoying a typical lunch, we will then walk down
towards the reserve’s main entrance where you will be invited to
shop for local handicrafts made by members of the local community. |
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Kčköldi Waterfall
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Enjoy the same information included in the Kčköldi Iro Soum tour,
but your final destination will be a beautiful waterfall in the
Kčköldi Indigenous Reserve. Be prepared for an intense hike and fun
in the water! |
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Multi-day Packages
Caribbean Wet & Wild! Combo Tour of the best of the Caribbean
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Our Caribbean Wet and Wild Combo includes the best of
the Caribbean and we can arrange it all for you! It
includes:
• Transportation from your hotel in San Jose or Arenal to Puerto Viejo
• Rafting Trip down the Pacuare River
• 2 (or more) nights accommodations at your choice of hotels in Puerto Viejo
• Canopy tour or Cahuita National Park Boat/Hike/Snorkel tour
• Transportation to Tortuguero National Park
• 1 night accommodation in Tortuguero
• Tortuguero canal and village tours
• Return transportation to San Jose, and
• 7 meals (1 dinner, 3 breakfast, 3 lunch)
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Tortuguero National Park Expeditions
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Tortuguero national park is located on the other Costa
Rican Caribbean, North of Limon. It is the third-most
visited park in Costa Rica, despite the fact that it can
only be reached by airplane or boat. The park has
incredible biological variety, due to the existence
within the reserve of eleven different habitats,
including rainforest, swamps, beaches, and lagoons. It
is located in a tropical climate, is very humid, and
receives up to 250 inches of rain a year. It is renowned
for it's natural and unspoilt beauty. This is the very best place in
Costa Rica to spot wildlife. Monkeys, sloths,
crocodiles, toucans, and many colorful frogs and insects
are all common sights. Included is transport from Puerto Viejo to Tortuguero and then to San Jose, 1 night
accommodation
(extra nights can be added), five great meals (2 breakfast
plus 2
lunch and 1 dinner except with the B&B option), two canal tours in the National Park, a guided
hike in the National Park and a guided tour of Tortuguero Village.
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Bocas del Toro Trips
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Just a couple of hours from Puerto Viejo, across the
border in Panama are the archipelago of Bocas del Toro, a unique
bustling set of islands where the boat is the way to get around, the
restaurants, bars and hotels are built on stilts right over the
water and the island lifestyle rules.
Our Bocas del Toro trips include
return transportation from Puerto Viejo to Bocas del Toro via
Minibus and then on by boat to the islands,
accommodation in a 3 star hotel on Isla Colon,
continental breakfast, tours and lunch on the final day.
An option returning to San Jose by air is also
available.
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Arenal Volcano
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The Arenal Volcano
produces explosions and flows of glowing lava almost
everyday and is an unforgettable experience. Your
tour includes transportation from your hotel in Puerto
Viejo or San Jose to Arenal, 1 night accommodations in La Fortuna, night
viewing tour of the volcano, hot springs and horseback
ride to a beautiful waterfall. Additional nights to
explore the area on your own are available from $15
pp/night.
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Local Activities
There are many local activities we can help you
arrange. Many of these do book up so if you want to experience
horseback riding along the beach or learning to surf in one of the
best spots in the world, then have us book these activities for you.
Quad Tour
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exciting quad off-road adventure we will take you on a
visit to a beautiful waterfall and to the a local
indigenous reservation.
Your bilingual naturist
guide will accompany you to explain all the natural
sights you see along the way. |
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Horseback Riding
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You pick up your guide and horse in Puerto Viejo and we take you
on a guided ride of the local beaches. There is only 1 guide
and 2 horses available so advance booking is recommended. |
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Fishing Expeditions
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Our experienced captain will take you and your friends on a
unforgettable day on the Caribbean Sea with the chance to land some
amazing catches!
We have half day trips for fish such as Tarpon, King Mackerel or
Red Snapper and full-day deep sea trips for Tuna, Maui Maui and
other big game fish. |
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Saturdays (includes transport to Manzanillo)
restaraunt & nightlife costs Kassi from Reno, US June 27, 2008
Two day rafting trip RazorbackTraveler from Fayetteville, Arkansas June 18, 2008
bocas trip Brian Craig from Flagstaff Arizona February 01, 2008
Rafting Trip Chelsea from USA December 18, 2007
Pacuare River Rafting 
