Complete Costa Rica Eco Adventure Vacation

The Rio Celeste does not offer a classic rafting adventure. It is a narrow river, so you will need to explore in small rafts with just four people. You do not need to worry about safety because your guide will do that for you. Your guide will also avoid any rapids that are unsafe for your skill and swimming levels. After breakfast, you will drive and hike to the launch point, where you will navigate some gentle rapids and get used to paddling before your downriver adventure. While some sections of white water will provide thrills, this day of rafting will also be a relaxing connection with nature.

From your lodge in Rio Celeste, you will have seen Tenorio Volcano. Your local guide will show you around the volcano, and it will be quite an adventure. Your guide will use a machete to open narrow sections of the forest. At other times, you will be walking barefoot through rivers and following sounds to hidden waterfalls. With a range of trails that are suitable for most levels of adventures, Tenorio is set to become Costa Rica’s next big eco-destination. You will have a day to explore the area. Your guide will then transfer you to a lodge that overlooks the volcano.

On horseback, you can cover more distance than on foot. Therefore, you can explore some of Arenal’s lesser-visited areas, especially those on the north side of the volcano. Walking slowly, the horse will lead you out of the forest and higher up the mountain. A full-day horse backing expedition will lead you on a loop around different waterfalls, and each of them tumbles through the trees, creating an immersion of green colors and the soft sounds. Soon, you will be able to soothe your legs in the natural hot springs that froth up around Arenal. Your lodge will also have its own private hot springs, which means that the experience is private and that you can enjoy the hot springs long into the evening.

Cave systems lurk beneath Costa Rica’s volcanoes, and many of them are yet to be discovered because geologists are only beginning to understand what lies beneath the ground here. Today, you will go spelunking in a cave system that was only discovered a decade ago. The entrance will be narrow and hidden, and with flashlights and a sense of trepidation, you will descend into a murky world of damp and cool air. A morning of spelunking can be combined with an afternoon elsewhere in the Arenal area, so you can hike on the volcano, indulge in ziplining, visit a nearby wildlife refuge, or relax in the hot springs.

Arenal Volcano will dominate the landscape as you travel this morning. This central part of Costa Rica is a haven for all kinds of adventure, and you can always choose the carbon-neutral option instead of riding on a motorboat. After crossing Lake Arenal, you will continue by road, moving up into the cloud forest for an unpredictable scene. From areas in Monteverde, you can see both the Caribbean Sea and the Pacific Ocean, but it needs to be clear, which is somewhat rare for the area. While the views are impressive, a sense of mystique will arrive with the clouds and can make for evocative adventures amid the trees.

Narrow suspension bridges arc through the canopy and connect ancient trees and small treetop platforms. By connecting these bridges, you will slowly rise through Monteverde Cloud Forest Reserve until the views are spectacular. Clouds and mist will add to your experience because they make the forest feel more private, especially when a quetzal or three-wattled bellbird flutters past you. After an early start, you will spend around two hours on the bridges and trails before speeding down through the cloud forest on ziplines. After lunch back at your lodge, you will make your own contribution to carbon-neutral Costa Rica by planting a tree in a reclaimed forest.

From volcano and cloud forest to the Pacific Ocean, your eco-tour through Costa Rica will continue. While you can enjoy a lazy afternoon on the sand, you will probably want to get out and explore the area. Your suite will overlook the ocean and will provide you with barefoot access to the sand. You can indulge in a snorkel, and there are two nearby spots that you can access directly from the shore. Later in the afternoon, as sunset starts to work its magic around the horizon, you will cruise along the Guanacaste coastline in a catamaran. Cocktails will be served as the sun begins to dip below the horizon, and you can toast to your Costa Rica vacation before cruising back to the harbor.

After breakfast today, you will board a ferry for Catalina Island before indulging in a privately guided snorkeling trip to two different sites, including Casino Point Dive Park. You should note that if you are a qualified scuba diver, you can choose to dive instead of snorkel. This afternoon, you can choose to stay on the island and soak up its tranquility, or you can head back to your lodge for beach bliss. While Guanacaste is slowly becoming Costa Rica’s most popular coastal destination, it has retained a sustainable approach to tourism. Most of the lodges remain small, and many of them have achieved the country’s green leaf eco-rating.

From Guanacaste, you will return to Liberia for your international flight. For later departures, you can enjoy a guided tour of the old-city and dayroom hotel use before flying home.