Pura Vida in Costa Rica

9 days
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4.8/5 Excellent
64 reviews  
97%
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Small Group Tour
Looking for a larger-than-life multisport adventure in the jewel of Central America? Come to Costa Rica with MTS, the forerunners of adventure travel in the region! We’ll take in the energy and beauty of Arenal Volcano and enjoy an invigorating soak at mountain hot springs. Silently, we'll sneak up close to wildlife as we paddle the jungle waterways of Tortug...
From$3,395
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Overview

Trip type
Small Group Tour
Lodging level
Standard - 3 star
Physical level
Easy
Trip pace
Balanced schedule

Highlights

    • Raft the Río Pacuare, considered by many to be one of the top 10 most beautiful whitewater rivers in the world
    • Zip-line your way through a private rainforest reserve and explore secluded channels by kayak in Tortuguero National Park
    • Take a forest hike near stunning Arenal Volcano and paddle the mystical waters of Lake Arenal
    • Spot a variety of wildlife, including monkeys, iguanas, sloths, toucans, and caimans
    • Enjoy a seamless, flexible, non-stop water park adventure—it's great value and perfect for families!

What's this trip about?

    Looking for a larger-than-life multisport adventure in the jewel of Central America? Come to Costa Rica with MTS, the forerunners of adventure travel in the region! We’ll take in the energy and beauty of Arenal Volcano and enjoy an invigorating soak at mountain hot springs. Silently, we'll sneak up close to wildlife as we paddle the jungle waterways of Tortuguero National Park, home to howler monkeys, basilisk lizards, sea turtles, and tropical birds, and take a rollicking, fun-filled ride down the Río Pacuare—ranked among the world’s top ten rivers for rafting! With two magical nights deep in the rainforest at the Rios Tropicales eco-lodge, you'll soon understand the essence of pura vida, "the pure life"—or in the local vernacular "what could be better than this?" Indeed, this non-stop water park adventure is great value, ideal for families, and the perfect ticket for the kid in all of us!

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Details

Itinerary focusClassic Highlights
Group sizeSmall Group - max of 14 people
Age range11 years and up
Flights and transportAll internal ground transport included
Start CitySan José
End CitySan José

Travel Themes

  • Family Friendly
  • National Parks
  • Nature & Wildlife

Destinations

  • Central America
  • Costa Rica

Attractions

  • Arenal Volcano
  • Caribbean
  • Tortuguero National Park

Activities

  • Bird watching
  • Culture
  • Hiking
  • Hot Springs
  • Kayaking
  • Nature
  • Rafting
  • Short Cruise
  • Wildlife viewing

Trip includes

    • Expert leadership
    • Accommodations as noted in itinerary (or similar)
    • If applicable, tent or safari accommodations and all arrangements in the field, including camp and cook staffs, comfortable and roomy two-person tents, kitchen and dining tents, and other community equipment
    • Meals as noted in the itinerary
    • Airport transfers
    • Sightseeing as noted in the itinerary
    • Ground transportation
    • Additional guides and porters where necessary
    • Tips for lodge, hotel, or camp staff
    • Entrance fees and permits, unless noted separately in costs
    • Basic medical and evacuation insurance

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Itinerary

Travel Map

Day 1: Arrive in San José, Costa Rica

Accommodation: Hotel Bougainvillea

Arrive in San José, Costa Rica's capital city and cultural hub. Your trip leader (or a Mountain Travel Sobek representative) will meet you outside the customs and immigration area at the airport, brief you on the immediate arrangements, and escort you to your hotel.

Day 2: Explore Arenal Lake and Eco Termales

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner

Accommodation: Mountain Paradise Lodge

After breakfast we'll drive north towards the town of Fortuna and home of the Arenal Volcano. Here we'll spend time paddling the calm waters of Arenal Lake, Costa Ricas’s largest a...

Day 3: Hike Arenal Volcano

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner

Accommodation: Mountain Paradise Lodge

After breakfast, we’ll take a moderate 3-hour hike in the area surrounding Arenal Volcano, enjoying the stunning primary and secondary forests. Keep a look out for a wide variety o...

Day 4: Tortuguero National Park

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner

Accommodation: Mawamba Lodge

Today we'll say "hasta luego” to the volcano and take a scenic drive through the Caribbean Lowlands to our put-in on the Río Suerte for a unique kayaking trip into Tortuguero National Park, ...

Day 5: Paddle Tortuguero National Park

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner

Accommodation: Mawamba Lodge

Early this morning we’ll go for an optional birding boat tour with our guide. After breakfast, we’ll take a motorboat loaded with our kayaks and head to a secondary channel in the national p...

Day 6: Discover the Rio Pacuare

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner

Accommodation: Rios Tropicales Lodge

After breakfast we’ll take a 90-minute boat ride to Matina, then drive for about two hours to our put-in on the beautiful but endangered Rio Pacuare, Costa Rica's most remarkable riv...

Day 7: Day in Rios Tropicales Paradise

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner

Accommodation: Rios Tropicales Lodge

Enjoy a full day at Ríos Tropicales Lodge! Take an optional early morning guided bird-watching hike to see toucans and many other species, before returning for breakfast and gearing ...

Day 8: More Pacuare River

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner

Accommodation: Hotel Bougainvillea

Today we’ll continue our whitewater rafting adventure, entering the lush, magical gorge of the Río Pacuare. The rapids become more powerful and technical in nature here, and we’ll powe...

Day 9: Depart from San José

Meals: Breakfast

After breakfast, transfer to the San José airport and depart on homeward-bound flights.

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Dates & Availability

Price From $3,395
Price per day$377
Single supplement (single occupancy)$750
Last Updated: 9/17/2018

Check Current Availability, prices, specials with MT Sobek (Mountain Travel Sobek).

The total tour cost includes the tour price (regular or promotional) and the compulsory local payment. The promotional price is subject to change. Check directly with the operator for the latest price offer. The tour operator requires you to pay only the tour price to purchase your travel. The compulsory local payment will be paid when you join the trip. All prices are based on double, twin or triple share occupancy. Solo passengers will be accommodated in a double, twin or triple room according to availability with a passenger(s) of the same gender. Single supplement only needs to be paid if the passenger does not want to share and requests their own room. Discounts can only be applied at the time of booking and cannot be added at a later date, regardless of any changes made to the original booking.

Prices may vary due to local taxes and trip seasonality. Click "Request Info" to inquire directly with the tour operator for the final trip price.

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MT Sobek (Mountain Travel Sobek) Reviews & Ratings

4.8/5  Excellent
Excellent
61
Great
0
Average
0
Disappointing
0
Terrible
3
B

B. Epstein

Feb 2017

Written on

The Pura Vida trip was an outstanding family vacation

With teenage children, we wanted to do something that would satisfy all of us. There was enough fun activities to keep us active and enough down time for us to relax...

H

H. Hall

Feb 2017

Written on

Excellent adventure!

I have taken several trips with MTS and each has delivered and excellen...

D

D. Chu

Feb 2017

Written on

Costa Rica was a fantastic trip with multi-sport activities.

It surpassed my expectations. The trip leaders and assistant guides were excellent with great patience to make sure everyone is interested and comfortable in all act...

S

S. Dunn

Feb 2017

Written on

Variety of exciting activities.

Mountain Travel Sobek always delivers a wonderful traveling experience. This ...

G

G. Larsen

Feb 2017

Written on

Best adventure vacation.

Pura Vida in Costa Rica is a vacation is for those who like the water—we were white water rafting, kayaking, rappelling down a waterfall, and even soaking in hot spr...

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Other MT Sobek (Mountain Travel Sobek) Reviews

T

Tish

Aug 2023

Written on

Recommend Japan hikes but not with Mt Sobek

First, let me say our tour guide Tomomi S. is hands down THE best tour guide I’ve ever had - knowledgeable, fun and made great efforts to ensure that we were comfor...

A

Anne

Dec 2019

MT Sobek (Mountain Travel Sobek) Company Reviewsby MT Sobek (Mountain Travel Sobek)

Spectacular scenery

Spectacular scenery, great hiking, and fascinating conversations with...

A

Andrea

Dec 2019

MT Sobek (Mountain Travel Sobek) Company Reviewsby MT Sobek (Mountain Travel Sobek)

Truly enjoyable

Thanks to MT Sobek this trip was seamless and truly enjoyable. The accommodations, logistics, and guides were all excellent. I always felt safe, cared for, and well ...

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Tour Operator

MT Sobek (Mountain Travel Sobek)

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Mountain Travel began with the belief that there is a little bit of adventure in everyone. The early days were fueled by the passions of outdoor enthusiasts who loved exploring wild places. 40 years later, we offer almost 200 adventures to destinations worldwide.

Expert Guides: When you venture into foreign lands, tackle snowy peaks or raging whitewater, you want the best guides at your side. With decades of experience in the field, MTS guides offer inspirational enthusiasm, exceptional leadership, and sheer volume of knowledge (better than any guidebook!).

What makes us great!

At Mountain Travel Sobek, we are driven by two philosophies.

One is the credo by which we have guided our company for over 30 years. Mountain Travel Sobek is a continuing experiment in discovery: of new lands, of exotic cultures, and of wondrous wildlife far from fences and highways. We believe the best way to bring to light the marvels of nature, the people of the world and ourselves, is by traveling in small groups—treading lightly with responsibility and sensitivity—while enjoying firsthand the boundless beauty and variety of our miracle planet.

The other is our philosophy for you, our client. Plan nothing, enjoy everything. We take care of all of the logistics so that you can have more time to do what's most important: relax, enjoy the experience, and have fun!

Active Unique Itineraries

Our adventures are planned with reasonably paced itineraries, incredible attention to detail, and the right mix of fun, learning, and challenge that ensure a memorable vacation. You will find our adventures physically active and culturally rewarding. Whether you ride a camel in Rajasthan or climb to the top of Kilimanjaro, you'll experience firsthand the cultures and environments of the region you are visiting. And after a long day of adventuring, we ensure you a comfortable night's rest in deluxe accommodations from regional inns to our own private camps.

In keeping with our founders' adventurous spirit, Mountain Travel Sobek is constantly seeking innovative new trips throughout the world. You will always find an array of new trips to exotic locales in our trip list in addition to the classic adventures for which we are renowned. So whatever your level of adventure, there is a Mountain Travel Sobek adventure just right for you.

Small Groups

You're probably wondering about the people with whom you'll share your adventure. Chances are, they're a lot like you. Our guests come from all walks of life and are spirited travelers who share a passion for our wonderful world. They range in age from their late 20s to mid-80s, reminding us all that you can never be too young or too old to have fun!

Our groups are intentionally kept small—usually less than 15 people—to allow you a more intimate experience with the people and wildlife you encounter on your Mountain Travel Sobek adventure. With such a small number of people, we can take advantage of many unexpected invitations and opportunities that would be impossible with larger groups.

Our guides often have very close ties to the local community and we are readily welcomed into the lives of the local folk. We may be invited to share lunch with a Turkish family or visit an artist's studio in Tuscany. Don't forget to ask us about the time we spent Thanksgiving at a Fulani "festival of the cows" in the Dogon lowlands of Mali—now there's something we won't soon forget!

Private Adventures

Our Private Adventures are an incredible series of itineraries designed especially for small groups, whether it be families, couples, or treasured friends. These selected trips are ideal for reunions with family or old friends, a great way to celebrate a milestone birthday or anniversary - and can you imagine a more exotic honeymoon?

Like all Mountain Travel Sobek trips, you can count on an adventure that reflects Mountain Travel Sobek's time-tested commitment to authentic, personalized experiences and world-class service.

Customized Adventures

You can either book your group on one of our scheduled departures, choose your own dates for one of our regular trips, or let us create a special trip hand-tailored to your specific needs and wishes. If you can imagine it, we just might be able to make it happen!

Safety

Our safety record is unparalleled (good to know if you're stepping into a river raft for the first time or planning to trek in the high mountains of Nepal). The guides are fully trained, our equipment is state-of-the-art, and we continually monitor conditions with our worldwide team of outfitters to make certain every trip is run safely and with the highest standards of quality.

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Logistics

What's excluded

    • International airfare
    • Meals not noted on itinerary
    • Insurance other than basic medical and evacuation insurance
    • Optional tipping to leader, guides and local staff
    • Excess baggage charges
    • Airport taxes (international—varies by location)
    • Cost of medical immunizations
    • Items of a personal nature (sodas, alcoholic beverages, laundry, etc.)

Accommodation

,Mawamba Lodge — Tortuguero Nestled in the lush rainforest, this is the ideal hideaway for nature lovers and the perfect place to discover the wonders of the Tortuguero National Park. The lodge features lush gardens and rustic accommodations, along with regular visits from brightly colored exotic birds.   Mountain Paradise Lodge — La Fortuna de San Carlos, Arenal Volcano National Park The Mountain Paradise Lodge sits at the base of Volcan Arenal, and features spectacular views. If you’re lucky, you may even get a glimpse of lava in the evening! This hotel’s lovely setting, pool, and jacuzzi allow guests to truly enjoy the relaxed pace of the Arenal region.   Rios Tropicales Lodge Let the sound of the Pacuare River lull you to sleep at this sustainable eco-lodge. This evening’s lodge offers a haven for relaxation and immersion in tropical sights and sounds. The lodge features open air gathering pavilions with thatched roofs and comfortable hammocks swinging in a gentle breeze. Guests enjoy ample viewing decks for watching the toucans fly overhead and the roaring river below.

Transportation & flights

Air Travel Airfare is not included in the land cost of our trips. For air reservations, we recommend you contact the airlines directly, either by phone or the Internet. In addition, many travelers elect to use their “frequent flyer” miles when traveling with us. But please check with our staff before purchasing or obtaining your tickets. We need to verify your arrival and departure schedule and ensure we have enough participants to operate the trip.
Guides
Jorge Calderon Jorge “Loco” Calderón is a whitewater rafting guide in his thirties who has led trips in Costa Rica for over a decade. He was part of the Costa Rica whitewater rafting team that won the fourth place in the World Championships in Brazil in 1997, and this year he guide sea kayaking trips in Greenland. Jorge loves the outdoors and is eager to share with you the natural beauty of his country. The end of November through April is the “dry” season (usually less than two inches per month of rain), while May through October is wetter (about nine inches per month). June, July, and August are called “the second spring” as birds start courting, flowers bloom, sea turtles come ashore to breed, and showers refresh the day. Average daytime temperatures range in the 70s and 80s; nighttime temperatures can get down to the 60s.
Cancellation policy

If written cancellation is received and Cancellation fee will be:

  • 90 days prior to departure $150
  • 89 to 61 days prior to departure $400
  • 60 to 46 days prior to departure 50% of Land/Cruise Cost
  • 45 to 0 days prior to departure 100% of Land/Cruise Cost
Travel Insurance
We strongly recommend purchasing travel insurance alongside your travel package to safeguard against unforeseen circumstances such as medical expenses, trip cancellations, and other contingencies. It offers you peace of mind and ensures you are prepared for unexpected events that may occur before or during your journey
Visa requirements
Visa requirements vary depending on your country of origin and your country of destination. It is your responsibility to familiarize yourself with the relevant requirements. For a handy tool that can help you quickly find the requirements, please visit this link .
Meals Included

8 Breakfasts, 7 Lunches and 7 Dinners

Age Requirements
11 years and up
Additional Information
Trip ID
mtsobe-PurVidMou

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