Compare Caribbean Dream Overview by Life Before Work vs Costa Rica: Eco Rainforest Adventure by Discover Corps
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| Trip |
5 | Excellent
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5 | Excellent
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| Duration | 7 days | 8 days |
| Price From | $ 964 | $ 3,995 |
| Price Per Day | $ 138 | $ 499 |
| Highlights |
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| Trip Style | Group tour | Group tour |
| Lodging Level | Standard | Standard |
| Physical Level |
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| Travel Themes |
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| Countries Visited | ||
| Cities and Attractions |
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| Flights & Transport | Ground transport included | Ground transport included |
| Activities |
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| Meals Included | N/A |
7 Breakfasts,5 Lunches and 6 Dinners |
| Description |
Panama connects North and South America and a major hub for the world’s goods and services, making it an ideal destination for the curious traveller. Despite being the richest country in Central America, it is still quite inexpensive to travel across – as long as you know where to go! On your tour, we take you to the highlights of this relatively undiscovered travellers’ destination. Immediately heading south to Bocas Del Toro, one of the hundreds of small islands on Panama’s Caribbean Coast. In this tranquil island town, relax on the beach, work on your tan, and party the night away with new friends. Four days later you will be on your way to Puerto Viejo In Costa Rica! You won’t be able to resist falling in love with the surfing community and beach paradise that is Puerto Viejo. |
The Corcovado National Park, where you will find the Osa Peninsula, is home to 2.5% of the world's biodiversity and 50% of Costa Rica's wildlife, making this one of the most biologically intense places on earth. The rainforest is thriving with life, from healthy trees to colourful birds to the endangered tapir, making the conservation efforts of this region extremely important. |
Bocas Del Toro (4 Nights)
Bocas Del Toro is one of the hundreds of islands scattered amongst Panama’s Caribbean Coast. Tranquil, relaxing, and beautiful, this island has everything you need to experience the true Caribbean lifestyle!
Day 1
7:30AM departure from San Jose to Bocas Del Toro (we recommend coming a day early to avoid any flight layovers causing you to miss the transportation!)
Once arrived, we will spend the afternoon exploring the tranquil beaches. Enjoy one hell of a wild party night at one of the many oceanside dance clubs to start your adventure off right!
Optional Activities: Surfing ($20), Scuba Diving ($70), ATV Jungle Tour ($80-$100)
Included Experiences: Orientation Meeting
Day 2
Spend the day Underwater Coral Surfing. A sport like no other that's easy to do and incredibly fun!
Get your crazy on with the different parties taking place and get a taste of the Caribbean lifestyle.
Included Experiences: Underwater Reef Surfing, Sightseeing
Day 3
Today is a free day for you to enjoy one of the many optional activities Bocas has to offer.
Optional Activities: Surfing ($20), Scuba Diving ($70), ATV Jungle Tour ($80-$100)
Day 4
Today we're heading out to the ocean for a full day Catamaran cruising through the Caribbean! Enjoy the crystal clear water, spot dolphins, snorkeling, and one hell of a fun party day dancing and drinking aboard the boat.
Included Experiences: Catamaran Cruise.
Puerto Viejo (2 Nights)
Puerto Viejo is a surfing community known for the biggest and strongest wave - the Salsa Brava. It is your ultimate beach paradise so get ready to kick back and relax to the max!
Day 5
Boat and Bus tip to Puerto Viejo (3hrs). Explore the town and beaches on a bicycle trip, visit the Jaguar Animal Rescue Centre along the way and fall in love with the animals.
Be ready to party for the last few days, and soak up the Caribbean sun
Included Experiences: Bicycle Trip, Jaguar Animal Rescue Centre
Day 6
Enjoy a free day to chill out on the beach, a cocktail in one hand and a book in the other, or take on the endless options for activities!
Optional Activities: Waterfall Hike ($12), Snorkelling ($15), Parasailing ($25), Deep Sea Fishing ($150), Rafting ($75), Sloth Sanctuary ($50).
Day 7
Guests depart throughout the day, home or onto their next adventure.
Return transfer to airport and depart, or continue on with LBW to a connecting tour
Day 1: Arrive in San Jose
Meals: Dinner
Arrive in Costa Rica’s tropical San Jose Valley where you will be met by your Discover Corps guide. Take a short drive into the surrounding mountains to an eco-hotel & spa tucked into a rainforest reserve. Home to five waterfalls directly on the property and miles of trails for birdwatching, this is the perfect place to start the journey. Tonight, enjoy a traditional welcome dinner overlooking the twinkling lights of the valley with your guide.
Day 2: Coffee Farm Visit and Poas Volcano National Park
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner
We’ll start the day with a fresh breakfast then venture to a nearby coffee farm to see firsthand how one of Costa Rica’s largest exports is grown. Follow the coffee bean from crop to cup and learn what it takes to grow, roast and sell these beans. We’ll then continue our adventure to Poas Volcano National Park and take a short guided hike along the rim of the volcano and have a look into its smoldering crater. After a relaxing lunch in town, head back to the hotel for some free time to explore one of the five waterfall trails, take in the views from the pool or even get a massage in the spa. We’ll reconvene for dinner together in the evening
Day 3: Head Into the Rainforest and Learn about Conservation
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner
Today, we’ll hit the road and make the roughly four hour drive down to the lush Savegre region of Costa Rica. Known for its verdant valleys, tropical wildlife and cool rivers, we’ll base ourselves here for the next two nights from the comfort of Rafiki Tented Safari Lodge. Nestled on 842 private acres of pristine Costa Rican jungle, the lodge boasts eco tents similar to what you’ll find in the African savannah. Each tent boasts a veranda overlooking the dense jungle canopy.
After settling-in, we’ll learn about the lodge’s ecological mission and set off on a hike through the surrounding rainforest. Along the way, we’ll set camera traps to record the movement of wildlife along the biological corridor that runs through the area. Of particular importance is tracking the tapir, a large endangered mammal that roams the forests here. The data that is collected from these cameras will directly benefit the Savegre Tapir Project. After setting the cameras, we’ll return to the lodge and enjoy dinner under the stars.
Day 4: Adventure Day in the Jungle Community Visit & Tree Planting
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner
We’ll have an early breakfast then set out on our morning adventure. Choose to either venture out on a whitewater rafting expedition on the Savegre River or take a guided horseback ride through the jungle. It is up to you! Later in the morning, we’ll reconvene and head into the nearby community of Santo Domingo for a special lunch with Dona Edith. We’ll take a walk around her garden before sitting down for a home-cooked local meal together. Learn about life in this rural Costa Rican community and try some of the famous dishes Costa Rica is known for. On our way back to our lodge, we’ll take a walk through the town to feel the rhythms of day-to-day life.
Take some time to relax on the veranda of your tent before heading down to the river to help out on an important environmental project. The Savegre River, which runs right through the property, is prone to flooding which can destroy some of the local flora and fauna in the area. We’ll help solve this issue by planting native trees to create a natural barrier along the banks of the river - a project that will surely outlast your visit. Later in the evening, enjoy a relaxing dinner together listening to the sounds the rain forest.
Day 5: Collect our Camera Traps, Visit a Local School, and Head to the Beach
Meals: Breakfast and Lunch
After breakfast, we’ll have some time to relax and pack up before hitting the road down to the Pacific Coast. On our way out, we’ll make one last stop at a local high school for a dance performance, tour of the school, and homemade snacks to learn more about those who call the region home.
Take in the views of mountains as we wind our way down to the coast on the roughly two hour drive. The southern Pacific coast of Costa Rica is a gem - home to pristine beaches, monkeys jumping through the trees and the relaxed “Pura Vida” lifestyle. Our base over the next three nights, a 4-star boutique resort & spa set on the hillside overlooking the coast, will put us in a prime location to explore this stunning stretch of coast.
We’ll settle into our rooms and share an ocean-view lunch together. We’ll then head down to the beach for some free time to swim, spot monkeys and take in the sun. Head back to the hotel later in the afternoon for dinner at your leisure.
Day 6: Journey to Corcovado National Park
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner
Today we’ll make our way into one of the most unique places on the planet - Corcovado National Park. Rise early, have breakfast and venture down the winding coastal road to the mangroves that surround the national park. We’ll hop in a boat and journey through the calm waterways until we reach the Osa Peninsula. Home to 2.5% of the world’s biodiversity and 50% of Costa Rica’s wildlife, Corcovado National Park is known as the most biologically intense place on earth. From monkeys to macaws, the rainforest is teeming with life (and very little human development). We’ll accompany our naturalist guide on a full-day journey through the jungle on a mission to spot wildlife and learn all about nature and conservation. Look high in the trees for sloths, watch monkeys swing along the canopy, pick out the colorful birds that dot the sky and take in the breathtaking views along the way.
Later in the afternoon, we’ll make our way back through the mangroves by boat and onwards to the hotel for a relaxing evening dinner together.
Day 7: Enjoy a Day at the Beach
Meals: Breakfast and Dinner
Today will be a relaxing day to take in the tropical beaches and warm Pacific waters of the Costa Rican coast. After breakfast, choose to head down to the beach with our guide or venture off on one of the adventure activities hosted by our hotel (at your own expense). This could include whale watching (Dec-Mar / Aug-Oct), zip-lining, surfing, golfing or bird watching. For those that want to join our guide for the day, we’ll have free time to relax on the beach followed by a walk out to the “whale tail” at low tide to spot sea creatures. Tonight, we’ll enjoy a warm Costa Rican evening together enjoying our final farewell dinner.
Day 8: Return Home
Meals: Breakfast
We’ll rise early this morning to have breakfast before hitting the road on our roughly four hour journey back to San Jose for our flights home. If you're not ready for your Costa Rican adventure to end, opt for our posttrip extension to Ciudad Quesada for a more intimate cultural experience with a host family.
