Tour overview

This 8-day active trip crosses Costa Rica from the cloud forest to the Caribbean, hiking, cycling and rafting. A local leader travels with the group, which numbers no more than twelve. You stay seven nights in hotels and a lodge, with breakfast most days and two lunches.

From San José you travel to Monteverde for a hike in the cloud forest, then on to La Fortuna beneath Arenal Volcano, with a free day for hot springs or hiking.

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You raft the rapids of the Pacuare River through the rainforest, then reach Puerto Viejo de Talamanca on the Caribbean coast to cycle between beaches and villages.

The physical rating is medium. This trip suits active travellers who want adventure in a short break.

Trip highlights

  • Monteverde cloud forest (Day 3)
  • Arenal Volcano (Day 4)
  • Rafting the Pacuare River (Day 5)
  • Cycling the Caribbean coast (Day 6)
  • Puerto Viejo (Day 7)

Your route

6 stops from San José to Manzanillo

8-day route: San José – Monteverde – La Fortuna – Pacuare River – Puerto Viejo – San José
  1. San José Days 1 & 7–8
  2. Monteverde Day 2
  3. La Fortuna Days 3–4
  4. Pacuare River Day 5
  5. Puerto Viejo de Talamanca Days 5–6
  6. Manzanillo Day 7

Why choose this tour

Hike, bike and raft in a week. Great value adventure.

Best suited to

  • Active travellers
  • Adventure seekers
  • Solo travellers
  • Younger-at-heart travellers
A traveller crossing a hanging bridge in the jungle

Day-by-day itinerary

8 days from San José, Costa Rica to San José, Costa Rica

  1. Day 1 · San José San José

    Welcome to Costa Rica.

    Hotel
    Hotel
  2. Day 2 · Monteverde Monteverde

    Into the mountains.

    Hotel
    Lodge
    Meals
    Breakfast
  3. Day 3 · Monteverde Cloud Forest, La Fortuna La Fortuna

    A cloud-forest hike.

    Hotel
    Hotel
    Meals
    Breakfast
  4. Day 4 · Arenal Volcano La Fortuna

    A free day.

    Hotel
    Hotel
    Meals
    Breakfast
  5. Day 5 · Pacuare River, Puerto Viejo de Talamanca Pacuare

    White-water rafting.

    Hotel
    Hotel
    Meals
    Breakfast, Lunch
  6. Day 6 · Puerto Viejo de Talamanca Puerto Viejo

    Caribbean cycling.

    Hotel
    Hotel
    Meals
    Breakfast, Lunch
  7. Day 7 · Puerto Viejo, San José San José

    Back to the capital.

    Hotel
    Hotel
    Meals
    Breakfast
  8. Day 8 · San José San José

    The trip ends.

    Meals
    Breakfast
A rainforest waterfall in Costa Rica

Where you stay

  • San José (1 night) Hotel
  • Monteverde (1 night) Lodge
  • La Fortuna (2 nights) Hotel
  • Puerto Viejo (2 nights) Hotel
  • San José (1 night) Hotel

Hotel names are indicative and may be replaced with a property of similar standard and location.

What's included

Included

  • Accommodation 7 nights in hotels and a lodge
  • Meals 7 breakfasts and 2 lunches
  • Shared vehicles and public buses
  • Cloud-forest hike
  • White-water rafting on the Pacuare
  • Bike hire on the Caribbean coast
  • Local leader throughout

Not included

  • Flights
  • Meals not included 4 lunches and 7 dinners
  • Optional activities
  • Travel insurance and personal spending
Arenal Volcano above a lake

This trip might not be for you if…

Honest disclaimer — please read

  • You want a relaxing holiday
  • You dislike water sports
  • You want most meals included
  • You want flights included — they are not

Good to know

Meals by day Breakfast: Days 2–8 · Lunch: Days 5–6 · Dinner: none included
A palm-covered islet off Puerto Viejo

In pictures

Departures & prices

From £938 per person, twin share, tour only. 60 upcoming departures.

Frequently asked questions

How do I book this tour?

Tap any "Enquire" button on the page and one of our travel specialists will be in touch within 24 hours (often same day). We'll confirm availability on your preferred date, run through anything you need to know, and only ask for the deposit once you've decided.

What financial protection do I get?

Every Travelisto booking is 100% financially protected. Your money is held in a ring-fenced Trust account until you return from your trip, and we are members of the Protected Trust Services scheme (PTS 6035). Most tours also include ATOL protection where flights are part of the package.

Do I need a visa for Costa Rica?

No, UK citizens can visit Costa Rica visa-free for up to 90 days.

Do I need rafting experience?

No, guides and safety equipment are provided; rapids are suitable for beginners.

How hard is the cycling?

Easy rides on flat coastal roads.

Which meals are included?

Breakfast most days and two lunches.

Can I have my own room?

A single supplement may be available; otherwise solo travellers share with someone of the same gender.

How many people travel together?

No more than twelve travellers, with a local leader.

Can you tailor the trip?

Yes — every escorted tour can be modified into a private tailor-made version with your own dates, adjusted pace, upgraded hotels and add-on extensions. Tell us what you'd like changed when you enquire and we'll quote it both ways so you can compare.

What if my flight is delayed or cancelled?

If your international flight is part of your booking through us, we re-book at no cost. If you've booked flights separately, the tour's local team holds your transfer slot until you arrive. We strongly recommend a comprehensive travel insurance policy that includes delay and cancellation cover.

ATOL protected 100% financially protected in a Trust bank account PTS 6035 4.7 on Trustpilot
Tailor-made option

Not quite the right fit? Make it tailor-made.

If this group tour doesn't match your ideal trip, our specialists will turn it into a private tailor-made journey — your own dates, your own pace, upgraded hotels where you want them, and the parts you don't love swapped out. Same destinations, just rebuilt around you.

Contact us for a tailor-made version of this itinerary