Trek Hidden Costa Rica
12 days
from San Jose to San Jose
From
$ 1444
Duration12 days
Think you know Costa Rica? Trade in the same old settings for the real deal. Trek into the heart of the jungle to live with three families in a remote village. Discover the emerald core of a diverse land while bunking down behind a massive waterfall in a hidden cave. Learn about the medicinal plants native to these parts and how to make sugarcane candy. This is a spectacular country with opportunities for waterfall rappelling, surfing, and whitewater rafting. This is what adventure is all about.
This tour is operated by
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Duration: 12 daysService level: Basic
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Starts in: San JosePhysical Grading: Demanding
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Ends in: San JoseAges: 12+
Tour Gallery
Itinerary
Day 1: San José
Start place: San Jose
There are no planned activities during the day, so check into the hotel and explore the city. As it is located in the central highlands, San José enjoys a moderate climate.
Amid the hustle and bustle, San José has beautiful parks, museums and the ornate Costa Rica National Theatre downtown. Enjoy the view of the surrounding mountains from the downtown streets.
The central plaza is a good place to people-watch. A mime, juggler, marimba band, magician, or storyteller may be performing for whatever is collected when the hat is passed. Artisan booths are common, creating a regular arts and crafts fair atmosphere.
Amid the hustle and bustle, San José has beautiful parks, museums and the ornate Costa Rica National Theatre downtown. Enjoy the view of the surrounding mountains from the downtown streets.
The central plaza is a good place to people-watch. A mime, juggler, marimba band, magician, or storyteller may be performing for whatever is collected when the hat is passed. Artisan booths are common, creating a regular arts and crafts fair atmosphere.
Arrive at any time.
End place: San Jose
Day 2: San José/San Isidro
Start place: San Jose
Spend the day visiting some shops and stock up before the next day's trek into the jungle. Located near three rivers and Costa Rica's highest mountain, Mt Chirripó, this region is well-known but few travelers stay to find out why.
Travel by local bus over the highest mountain pass in the country. Arrive in the valley of San Isidro de El General and take a walk in the main plaza.
Please note it will be necessary to repack your bags according to the packing list provided for our excursion to Piedras Blancas as it is an early departure on the morning of Day 3.
End place: San Isidro
Day 3: San Isidro/Piedras Blancas
Start place: San Isidro
The journey is always half the fun! Travel in the back of a pickup truck through lush green landscapes and end in the small town of Brujo. Enjoy a 4-hour hike to a jungle homestay while spotting tropical fauna and plenty of wildlife along the way.
Embark on a three-day, three-night excursion with a locally owned and operated adventure company to the community of Piedras Blancas, found in the heart of the Zona de los Santos region.
We will be welcomed with open arms and a much needed home-cooked meal at the Lopez family home. Once home to 18 children (most of whom are now adults), there are plenty of beds for everyone all under one roof. The night will be spent eating, sharing stories of the day’s trek, and playing cards with the family members around the stove.
Meals: L, D
Day 4: Piedras Blancas
Wake up with the sun today and get ready for loads of activities. In small groups, make 'dulce' (candy) at the family's traditional 'trapiche' (sugar cane mill).
Hike one hour to the Granados household and stay the night. While there, local guides and members of the family will explain how to make fresh cheese and breads.
Cool off in the river that flows right by the house with a late-day dip, enjoy tasty traditional Tico cooking, and head to bed for a well-deserved rest.
Hike one hour to the Granados household and stay the night. While there, local guides and members of the family will explain how to make fresh cheese and breads.
Cool off in the river that flows right by the house with a late-day dip, enjoy tasty traditional Tico cooking, and head to bed for a well-deserved rest.
Experience life in a remote community in and around the Lopez family farm.
Meals: B, L, D
Day 5: Piedras Blancas
Start the day with a delicious home-cooked breakfast and fortify for the two-hour hike through the rainforest to Los Fonseca’s retreat. Enjoy the sights and sounds of the rushing waterfall directly in front of the dining area. Watch wildlife and hummingbirds up close. Reward yourself homemade chocolate made from cocoa beans collected right from the garden.
Travel across the Savegre River to the next homestay with an included medicinal plant walk.
Meals: B, L, D
Day 6: Piedras Blancas/Dominical
Today is a full, action-packed day. Set your alarm for an early morning start and a two-hour hike back to Brujo where we jump into rafts and head off on the Savegre River.
Paddle toward the Pacific coast, then take a van to Dominical. Spend the rest of the day at the local bungalows, in the swimming pool or walking along the beach.
Paddle toward the Pacific coast, then take a van to Dominical. Spend the rest of the day at the local bungalows, in the swimming pool or walking along the beach.
Raft the Savegre River and relax at the end of the day by stretching out on the beach. Try the local seafood at an optional group dinner.
Bags are taken to our overnight stop in Dominical, while the activities continue with a rafting excursion. While in Dominical, accommodation is triple-share.
End place: Dominical
Meals: B, L
Day 7: Dominical
Start place: Dominical
Enjoy a free day in beautiful Dominical. Take a surf lesson, hike to a local waterfall for a swim, go on a whale watching cruise, or kick back and relax.
End place: Dominical
Day 8: Dominical/Diamante Verde
Start place: Dominical
Time to put the boots back on and hike to Catedral de Piedra ('Cathedral of Stone').
A free day for exploring the area, the local guides will plan a number of activities depending on the group’s interest and energy levels.
Options include a number of hikes to the surrounding falls, waterfall rappelling, cliff jumping and swimming in the natural pools.
A free day for exploring the area, the local guides will plan a number of activities depending on the group’s interest and energy levels.
Options include a number of hikes to the surrounding falls, waterfall rappelling, cliff jumping and swimming in the natural pools.
Trek to a unique fully equipped cave with twin 26m (85 ft) waterfalls. Go swimming in three natural pools and explore surrounding trails.
Twin 85-foot waterfalls cascade over the cave accommodation. Don’t think tight spaces – this is what we call an open cave and you will have no trouble enjoying the surroundings. There are hand-crafted stone beds to sleep on, composting toilets and a fully working kitchen inside the cave itself.
Meals: L, D
Day 9: Diamante Verde/Uvita
Wake up early and set off on foot back to Las Tumbas. At the trail's end, hop in a private van and enjoy the ride to Uvita, a small beach town on the southwestern Pacific coast.
Take some much deserved time to rest and relax.
Take some much deserved time to rest and relax.
Enjoy a morning of waterfall rappelling before trekking out of the jungle and travelling to beautiful seaside Uvita. Opt to surf, whale-watch, horseback-ride or kick back and relax.
End place: Uvita
Meals: B
Day 10: Uvita
Start place: Uvita
This is a perfect day for some quality hammock time. Still need to move? There's lots to do. Take a surf lesson, horseback ride, snorkel, SCUBA dive or take a trip to nearby Caño Island.
Spend the morning swimming, relaxing, and watching humpback whales off the coast of Ballena Marine National Park, before enjoying free time in Uvita.
End place: Uvita
Day 11: Uvita/San José
Start place: Uvita
Transfer back to the capital for a final evening with the group.
End place: San Jose
Day 12: San José
Start place: San Jose
Depart from San José at any time.
Depart at any time.
End place: San Jose
Inclusions
Included
- Your Welcome Moment: Meet Your CEO and Group Your Foodie Moment: Bread Making, Piedras Blancas Your Foodie Moment: Chocolate Making, Piedras Blancas
- Hiking excursion to Piedras Blancas (4 days)
- Overnight hiking excursion to Diamante Verde Cave
- Waterfall rappelling
- Whitewater rafting on the Savegre River
- Trapiche demonstration
- Ballena Marine National Park visit
- Free time in Dominical and Uvita
- All transport between destinations and to/from included activities
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Transport
Local bus, Pickup truck, Private vehicle, Raft, Hiking -
Accommodation
Hotels (5 nts twin-share, 2 nts triple-share), Jungle homestay (3 nts, multi-share), Cave camping (1 nt, sleeping bags, no electricity)