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White-water rafting through a forested river canyon in Costa Rica

RIVERS · VOLCANO · PACIFIC COAST

Costa Rica Explorer

Pacuare white water, Arenal's canopy and the wildlife coast of Manuel Antonio

Your trip

Your 9 days in Costa Rica

A nine-day adventure that strings together three of Costa Rica's greatest landscapes: the white water of the Pacuare River, the rainforest and canopy adventures around Arenal Volcano, and the wildlife-rich Pacific shores of Manuel Antonio. It blends genuine thrill, rafting, ziplines, sky trams, with sloth-spotting walks and time to do nothing at all on the beach.

We arrange it as a private, tailor-made holiday with return UK flights, hand-picked lodges (including a remote rainforest river lodge), all transfers and expert local guides, flexible on dates and length, and ATOL protected from the moment you book.

At a glance

  • 9 days8 nights
  • Private tripJust your own party
  • ModerateActivity level
  • Flights includedATOL protected
  • Flexible datesYou choose when you go
  • Costa RicaOur destination guide
Three-toed sloth resting on a branch in the Costa Rican rainforest

WHAT YOU'LL DO

Holiday Highlights

  • White-water rafting

    Pacuare River rafting, Class II–IV white water through pristine rainforest, with two nights at a remote river lodge

  • Arenal's hanging bridges

    Arenal by sky tram & zipline, a gondola ascent, canopy zipline circuit and the famous hanging bridges

  • Monkeys and sloths

    Manuel Antonio National Park, a guided naturalist walk among monkeys, sloths and iguanas, then beach time

  • The Pacuare gorge

    Remote rainforest lodge, fall asleep to the river deep in the Pacuare gorge

  • Mangrove boat and other extras

    Optional add-ons, tree-planting, a Cabécar indigenous village visit, Damas mangrove boat or a sunset catamaran

  • Adventure and downtime

    Private guides & transfers, throughout, with a relaxed mix of adventure and downtime

  • Flights from the UK

    ATOL protected & flight-inclusive, return UK flights and full financial protection (licence 10898)

Day by day

Your itinerary

  1. Day 1Fly from the UK · Arrive San José

    Fly from the UK to San José (typically via Madrid or a US gateway). Your private driver transfers you to your hotel, where you meet your guide for an evening briefing on the adventure ahead.

  2. Day 2Into the Pacuare, white water & jungle lodge

    Drive to the Pacuare River and raft Class II–III rapids through rainforest, with a riverside picnic lunch, arriving at a remote eco-lodge reachable only by river or trail.

  3. Day 3Rainforest day at Pacuare

    Guided rainforest hikes from the lodge, with optional extras, a canopy rappel-and-zipline loop, horseback riding, tree-planting or a visit to a Cabécar indigenous community.

  4. Day 4Pacuare Gorge · transfer to Arenal

    A final exhilarating raft through the Pacuare Gorge (Class III–IV), then a scenic transfer to the Arenal Volcano region; unwind in the natural hot springs in the evening.

  5. Day 5Arenal, sky tram, zipline & hanging bridges

    Ride the Arenal Sky Tram for canopy views, fly the zipline circuit, and walk the 5km hanging-bridges trail eye-level with toucans, monkeys and the rainforest canopy.

  6. Day 6To the Pacific, Manuel Antonio

    Travel to the Pacific coast and the laid-back town beside Manuel Antonio National Park, with lunch en route and a free afternoon to settle in by the sea.

  7. Day 7Manuel Antonio National Park

    A guided naturalist walk through one of Costa Rica's most wildlife-rich parks, sloths, white-faced capuchins, iguanas and seabirds, followed by time on its postcard beaches.

  8. Day 8Manuel Antonio at leisure

    A free day on the Pacific: relax, or add an optional Damas Island mangrove boat tour, a sunset catamaran or a jungle night walk.

  9. Day 9Fly home

    Transfer to San José International Airport for your flight back to the UK, arriving home the following day.

Sea kayaking along the Pacific coast of Costa Rica

Your price covers

What's included

  • Flights

    Return international flights from the UK to San José

    We can also book other airlines, including flights with one stop, to suit your dates and preferences.

  • Accommodation

    8 nights' accommodation across city, river-lodge and Pacific resort (B&B; full board at the Pacuare lodge)

  • Transport

    All private transfers and a bilingual naturalist guide

  • Experiences

    Pacuare rafting, Arenal Sky Tram, zipline and hanging bridges, and the Manuel Antonio National Park guided walk

  • Entry fees

    National park entrance fees as per the itinerary

  • ATOL protection

    24/7 in-destination support and ATOL financial protection (licence 10898)

Not included: Travel insurance (required; check your policy covers the activities on this trip) · Optional excursions and meals/drinks not specified · Gratuities and personal expenses; single-room supplements

Where you stay

Your accommodation

A characterful mix of city hotel, remote river lodge and a Pacific wildlife resort, all chosen for location and comfort (or similar in each category).

San José (1 night)

A comfortable city hotel for arrival and your evening briefing.

Pacuare River (2 nights)

A remote rainforest river lodge reached by raft, the sound of the Pacuare and primary forest all around.

Arenal / La Fortuna (2 nights)

A hot-springs resort with volcano views and easy access to the canopy adventures.

Manuel Antonio (3 nights)

A Pacific wildlife resort beside the national park, with monkeys in the gardens and the beach close by.

Your next step

Dates and price

Tailor-Made Holiday
Guide price from£5,799
per personATOL protected (10898)
Flights Included
Private holiday
Flexible dates
9 days / 8 nights (suggested)
Fully customisable

No commitment, we reply within one working day

Call us

Before you book

Frequently Asked Questions

The Pacuare rapids range from Class II to IV, exhilarating but run by expert guides and suitable for first-timers in good health. Ziplines, sky tram and hanging bridges are optional in intensity. We can dial the adventure up or down to suit you.

Yes, return flights from the UK to San José are included, usually via Madrid or a US gateway. Regional UK departures and upgraded cabins are available on request.

No. UK passport holders do not need a visa for tourist stays of up to 180 days; the officer on arrival decides how long.

Yes, it's a favourite with active families. We adjust the rafting sections and activities for younger travellers, and there is plenty of wildlife and beach time built in.

Of course, it's tailor-made. Add Tortuguero's canals, Monteverde's cloud forest, or more beach time on the Pacific or Caribbean. Tell us what you'd like and we'll design it around you.

Not sure when to go? Our month-by-month guide to when to travel to Costa Rica breaks the year down season by season.

Plan your Costa Rica Explorer adventure

Speak to one of our Latin America specialists for a tailored quote and your preferred dates. Flights, lodges, transfers and guides all arranged, ATOL protected from the moment you book.

Enquire About This Holiday
We reply within one working day

Real reviews

What our customers say

“
They organised excellent accommodation and transfers from airport to destination and between destinations which was seamless and gave us peace of mind for our trip. We stayed in the nicest casa particular in Havana right on the outskirts of the major hustle of the old town but within walking distance to every site and lots of lovely restaurants. Our hotel in Varadero had 5 a la carte restaurants which were delicious and wonderful beaches! Would definitely go back to Cuba and use TravelFab again.

Annabelle

“
Excellent service. Fabien responded to all our queries promptly and efficiently and was always willing to spend time talking to us. The itinerary was well-considered and well-organised with an adequate amount of time in each location. Locations were varied and interesting. The service provided by the B&B owners was good to outstanding. The organisation of the coach services for transfers from one destination to another was super with comfortable journeys in clean, air-conditioned coaches. Thanks, TravelFab!

David

“
I was very impressed with Fabian's dedication, patience and professionalism in organising a group of 8 young persons (over 60's) to get to Cuba. The whole experience has been a very positive one. Despite having to relocate to another hotel at the last minute, that change over went very smoothly. Our accommodations were excellent. We will definitely book with TravelFab again. Thank you!

Yvette T

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Tailor-made · ATOL 10898

Want to customise this trip?

Every Travelfab holiday is tailor-made, extend a leg, swap a hotel, combine with another country. Tell us the shape you want and a specialist will redesign it around you.

Customise this trip with a specialist
Guide price£5,799pp
ATOL protected