Explornatura
Explornatura
In 1999 a group of adventure sport enthusiasts realized their dream as they combined their years of work and experience to create Explornatura.
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Testimonials
Luis, the river guide, was excellent. As I had been rafting several times before I knew his actions kept us out of trouble, he did a great job getting us through. The lunch was good but it was a little hard to get moving afterwards! You know how you like to just lay back. All in all, everything was better than advertised. We really had a wonderful experience. We really appreciated all the work you put in to make everything just right. Recommendations - most definitely yes. The poster goes up tomorrow at work and I already have photos ready. I'm sure everyone in my area will know how well we were "taken care of" I can only hope we can send some troops your way. Again your new friend at American Airlines
Dan Slupski, Dallas, TX September 2006
You are here: Home » Packages » Espíritu de Aventura (the Spirit of Adventure)
Espíritu de Aventura (the Spirit of Adventure)
Take advantage of our eight-day thrilling adventure package that will be sure to keep your adrenaline pumping as we sweep you off into the wilds of Costa Rica on an excursion that captures the 'spirit of adventure!' Race across mountain bicycle trails, rappel down towering waterfalls, navigate through powerful river rapids and treat yourself in the end with a few days to relax, snorkel, and kayak in the pristine aqua waters of the South Caribbean!
Highlights:
- Mountain Biking
- Canyoning
- Kayaking
- Whitewater Rafting
- Hiking
- South Caribbean Beaches
Size of group:
No minimum, Maximum 11
Date availabilities:
| Arrival Day | Departure Day |
|---|---|
| 06-jan | 14-jan |
| 27-jan | 04-feb |
| 24-feb | 04-mar |
| 07-apr | 15-apr |
| 19-may | 27-may |
| 16-jun | 24-jun |
| 28-jul | 05-aug |
| 15-sep | 23-sep |
| 10-nov | 18-nov |
| 01-dec | 09-dec |
| 22-dec | 30-dec |
Trip Itinerary:
Day 1: Bienvenidos a Costa Rica! (Welcome to Costa Rica!)
When you arrive in San Jose, an Explornatura guide meets you at the airport and accompanies you to Turrialba, a beautiful, quaint mountain town nestled in the Central Mountain Range of Costa Rica, two hours southeast of San Jose. Your evening is highlighted by dinner with the tour group and meeting the Explornatura guide who will lead the rest of your trip.
- Dinner
Day 2: Mountain Biking and Kayaking
You won't have to wait long to start your adventure in Costa Rica as we begin this morning with mountain biking! We pick up the trail in CATIE, one of the world's premiere tropical agriculture research stations, as we start on one of their many mountain bike trails that promise to be thrilling and enlightening as you cross their vast plantations and gardens. After a hearty Costa Rican lunch we head off to the Pejibaye River for some fun in the water! At the river, after you receive basic instructions on kayaking, you and your personal adventure guide jump into the Duckies (two person inflatable kayaks) and navigate down this class 2 and 3 rapid river. If the mountain biking in the morning didn't get your adrenaline pumping, this sure will!
- Breakfast, lunch, dinner, snacks
Day 3: Hiking and Canyoning
Our first stop this morning is 3400 meters above sea level (11,000 ft approximately) as we ascend to the top of the Turrialba Volcano, one of the only volcanoes in the world that you can explore in the active crater. As we reach the top and begin our hike down into the crater, the first thing that you see is a breathtaking view of the Caribbean coastline. You will then explore the volcano's three distinct craters before heading back down the mountain for lunch. In the afternoon, the adventure pace picks back up with Canyoning where you repel down waterfalls, zip through the rainforest canopy on zip lines, walk across a hanging bridge, and experience many other exciting surprises along the way!
- Breakfast, lunch, dinner, snacks
Days 4 and 5: Overnight Whitewater Rafting
We start early as we head off to whitewater raft one of the top 5 rivers in the world, the Pacuare. This class III and IV rapid river is world renowned not only for its thrilling rapids but also for its breathtaking flora and fauna. Halfway through our river trip we stop at our secluded campsite to enjoy the beauty of the natural forest reserve but in the comfort of our homey, fully-equipped lodgings. After a delicious lunch you have the entire afternoon to swim, hike, or lay around the camp before your gourmet, candlelit dinner in the evening. The next morning we hike up to an indigenous village of the Cabecar Indians and then after lunch we raft the rest of the river and head for the beaches of the South Caribbean!
- Breakfast, lunch, dinner, snacks
Day 6: Indigenous Reserve
In the morning, we hike away from the coast and deep into the lush jungle that surrounds the South Caribbean. This hike takes us into an indigenous reserve where you will have a chance to learn more about the indigenous culture of this region. After lunch in a local restaurant, we head off to one of the many pristine beaches where you will be able to snorkel or kayak the afternoon away.
- Breakfast, lunch, dinner, snacks
Day 7: Hiking in Manzanillo National Park
A beautiful drive down to the Manzanillo National Park starts the morning off right and is followed by a hike that immerses you in the lush tropical jungle of the South Caribbean and provides you with an excellent chance to experience the wildlife of Costa Rica. After the hike, it is beach time - perfect for snorkeling, kayaking, or just relaxing.
- Breakfast, lunch, dinner, snacks
Day 8: Caribbean Beaches
Your last morning in Puerto Viejo, a perfect time for walking around the quaint town and shopping for souvenirs or taking advantage of the Caribbean sun and just hanging out on the beach. In the afternoon, we leave for San Jose to stay in one of the hotels near the airport to ensure that your departure day is as smooth as possible. In the evening you have a farewell dinner with your guide and tour companions where you can reminisce about the adventures you had and say your farewells.
- Breakfast, lunch, dinner, snacks
Day 9: Goodbyes
Airport transfer and departure.
Price: $2.200
Reserve now
Included:
- Accommodations: 4 nights in top-quality hotels, 1 night in Explornatura's secluded Pacuare campsite, 3 nights in beach-side resorts
- Transportation: Private Car, Van, and/or domestic flight
- Knowledgeable and bi-lingual tour guide for the entire trip
- Highly-trained and certified guides for all adventure activities
- All adventure activities and the equipment needed (certified by both U.S. and European standards)
- Meals: freshly prepared meals in only the best of restaurants (as denoted in the descriptions)
- Airport pick-up and drop-off
- All National Park entrances
- Complementary photo CD
Not included:
- International airfare to Costa Rica
- Costa Rica departure tax ($26)
- Extra tours that you may want to do in the provided free time
- Guide gratuities
- Travel insurance
- Alcoholic beverages
- Personal items (laundry, souvenirs, etc.).
Explornatura strives to provide you with the ideal vacation in Costa Rica that combines a relaxing get away with immersion in nature and exciting adventure activities. All of the activities will be guided by professionals who will instruct, guide, and help you along the way, so no prior experience is needed to do any of the activities. Being accustomed to light physical activity will help ensure that you enjoy your adventure activities with Explornatura.
Every adventure activity that we do does involve some implied risk and physical activity (it wouldnt be an adventure if it didnt!). We go to every length to ensure your safety throughout the activities, but because of the unknown factors (weather, water levels, safety conditions, etc.) we reserve the right to make any alterations necessary in the above described itinerary.
San José, Costa Rica. © 2006 Explornatura. All Rights Reserved