Costa Rica

The Coast-to-Coast Trip

A 234-kilometer adventure expedition from Pacific to Atlantic shores mountain biking, trekking, whitewater rafting. For the physically fit this multi-activity adventure is a trip of a lifetime. From the picturesque cliffs and beaches of Manuel Antonio you will be biking, hiking and trekking to challenge the Continental Divide. We cross the Talamanca and Central Mountain ranges mountain biking, trekking and whitewater rafting through some of the most diverse terrain in the world. Finally, having conquered many of nature’s great challenges, we drift and gently paddle our raft peacefully to the Atlantic shore, humbled by our deliverance.

2007 Departure Dates:

Jan 6-20; Feb 3-17; Feb 24-Mar 10; Mar 10-24; April 7-21; Apr 14-28; May 5-19; Jun 16-30, Jul 7-21; Aug 11-25; Sep 8-22; Oct 20-Nov 3; Nov 3-17; Nov 17-Dec 1; Dec 16-30

2008 Departure Dates:

Jan 12-26; Feb 16-Mar 1; Mar 8-22; Mar 20-Apr 12; May 17-31; Jun 21-Jul 5

2007 price: $2350 per person, based on double occupancy

(valid until Oct 31, 2007)

Nov 1, 2007-2008 price: $2530 per person, based on double occupancy

(valid until Oct 31, 2008)

• Additional departure dates will be opened on request with a minimum of 4 passengers.
• Note: Surcharge for Christmas-New Years & Easter departures (underlined above): $65 per person.

Note: This is a fully escorted tour with specific departure dates. Private tours and trip extensions can be arranged on request.

Itinerary

Day 1: Arrive in San Jose, where you are met and transferred to a comfortable hotel. Evening meeting with your guide and group to discuss the details of your trip.

Day 2: The day starts with a 25-minute flight to Quepos, a fishing village on the Pacific coast. You have time to relax, chill out on the beach or visit Manuel Antonio National Park, which is famous for its abundant wildlife, as well as do some prep work checking out your bike. There are a variety of restaurants to choose from for Lunch. (B, D)

Day 3: Pacific Coast to Naranjillo - Mountain Biking (25 km/15 m)/Trekking (14km/8.4m) THE ADVENTURE BEGINS... We awake early and enjoy a light buffet of fresh fruit and coffee. We leave Manuel Antonio on our bikes and climb into the steep mountains and beautiful valleys of the sparsely populated Pacific Coast. In the small town of Esquipulas we have a hearty breakfast, rest up and prepare our packs for the next leg of the day’s journey. Trading our wheels for hiking boots, we continue by trekking into the cool mountains of Central Costa Rica. We camp overnight in the valley of Naranjillo. (B, L, D).

Day 4: Naranjillo to Santa Maria- Trekking (13km/7.9m)/Mountain Biking (13km/7.8m) We begin our day by trekking towards the Continental Divide and challenging the infamous “Cemetery Hill” - a strenuous 3 kilometer climb. We then head for the pueblo of San Lorenzo switching to mountain bikes along the way. We finish the day in the quaint village of Santa Maria where we refortify with some typical Costa Rican fare and rest up in comfortable local cabins. (B, L, D).

Day 5: Continental Divide - Mountain Biking (46km/27.6m) Today we tackle the hardest, steepest climb of our adventure. The challenge before breakfast is mountain biking a 14-kilometer up-hill stretch to the Continental Divide, bringing us to an altitude of 2,330 meters - the highest peak of our journey. Following the rule that everything that goes up must come down, the remainder of the day is mountain biking at its best - mostly downhill on dirt roads and single-track trails. We finish the afternoon in the beautiful Orosi Valley where rich pastures and dark green forests of coffee carpet the land and we rest for the night in mountain top cabins. (B, L, D).

Day 6:Orosi Valley - Free Day Spent in the beautiful valley of Orosi, this day is a free day in which we relax after the first week’s adventure. You are free to explore the area or just use the day to relax. Your guide will have some options of what to do and see in the area. (B).

Day 7:Tapanti - Mountain Biking (9km/5.4m)/Trekking (13km/7.8m) After some coffee, snacks and fruit we mountain bike along a river to the Tapantí National Wildlife Refuge where we stop for breakfast. This is an area of vast rugged terrain covered with dense primary rainforest. Leaving our bikes, we take to the mountains trekking amongst thousands of trees covered with ferns, bromeliads, mosses and other epiphytes. The end of the day finds us on flatter ground, camping near the small settlement of Taus. (B, L, D).

Day 8:Pejibaye River - Whitewater Rafting (10km/6m)/Mountain Biking (20km/12m) Our day starts on water as we begin rafting on the Pejibaye River. The Pejibaye is a jungle river with fun rapids, clear water and spectacular scenery. It is a great introduction to rafting in Costa Rica and good preparation for the ‘real deal’ on the Pacuare River. From the take-out we have a short biking section finishing with a steep climb up a mountain road to reach our night retreat nestled high above the river valley. (B, L, D).

Day 9:Pacuare River - Mountain Biking (18km)/Whitewater Rafting (10km/6m) . After breakfast we mountain bike directly from the hotel towards the whitewater rafting “put-in” at Tres Equis, which is the gateway to the raging Pacuare River. From here we embark on a whitewater rafting journey through pristine rainforest spotted with waterfalls. The rapids section of the river is approximately 30 kilometers of Class II-IV rapids. This afternoon we arrive at our comfortable riverside camp, El Nido del Tigre. Nestled between the sounds of the rainforest and the hum of the river, take time to explore the lush environment first hand looking out for toucans overhead or simply relaxing in a hammock to the sounds of the river. (B, L, D).

Day 10:El Nido del Tigre - Hiking Today we spend some quality time at this unique location on the banks of the Pacuare River. This area of rainforest is maintained as much as possible in its natural state. The camp takes its name from the giant patches of ginger plants that carpet the floor of the main area. From the center of the camp trails radiate out to secreted areas of rainforest, waterfalls and swimming holes. (B, L, D).

Day 11:Pacuare River - Whitewater Rafting (3-5 hours, 17km/10.2m) Today the Pacuare takes us through virgin rainforest, cascading waterfalls and river carved canyons. We maneuver through the exhilarating rapids and point out the intricacies of the rainforest at the river’s edge. Along the way we take time out to do some hiking to spectacular waterfalls and have lunch on the shore. We take-out in the heart of banana plantation country at Finca Pacuarito, where we rest for the night before an early start in the morning. (B, L, D).

Day 12: Pacuare River – Rafting (5-8 hours, 40km/24m) THE SWEET TASTE OF SUCCESS ...For the final leg of the crossing we continue rafting down the Pacuare leaving the rapids behind as the river eases into the Caribbean lowlands where banana plantations gradually swallow the receding rainforest. The river slows to a tranquil pace as we are rafting the last mile of the river, completing the mosaic of the landscapes we have experienced. At the end of the adventure, we reach the mouth of the Pacuare as it meets the Caribbean Sea, celebrating our passage with bubbly in the surf, while enjoying a well-deserved rest. After some time on the beach we are picked up by a motorboat and transferred up the canals to the coastal town of Tortuguero. Here we stay in a comfortable hotel as we congratulate ourselves on completing the journey from Coast to Coast of Costa Rica! (B, L, D).

Day 13: Caribbean (R&R in Tortuguero) The day is free to relax and enjoy the area. If you have some energy left walk into the town and visit the community museum. Boat trips leave from the dock to see the forest and the wildlife at close hand – its gentle pace allows sufficient time to enjoy the surroundings while learning about the flora and fauna and animal life found in the area. This couple of days in the area is a great way to unwind and relax after your adventure. (B, L, D).

Day 14:Caribbean/Return to San Jose Our motorboat winds through the Tortuguero Canals to our awaiting vehicle, which is a very relaxing way to complete your stay in this unique area before boarding a vehicle for the trip back to San Jose. (B).

Day 15: Departure to the airport.
B=Breakfast, L=Lunch, D=Dinner

Trip Notes:

• Passengers traveling alone can share accommodations (same sex) for the same rate as double occupancy. If you prefer/request a single room, there is an additional charge.
• Latin American Escapes, Inc. offers special contract airline rates to Latin America from most cities in the US, as well as special airpass rates for tickets with-in Latin America. Please ask for a quote based on your trip itinerary.
• Sleeping bag and pad are needed for the camping portions of this trip. All other communal camp gear is provided. You will receive a complete list of recommended clothing and equipment necessary for this itinerary when you have paid a deposit and are confirmed on a trip.

To confirm reservations:

A deposit of $300 per person is required to confirm reservations. In addition, the following payment procedures apply:

Payment for airline tickets is due at the time tickets are issued, but no later than time of final payment.

Last Minute Bookings: Last minute reservations (less than 30 days before departure) will be accepted, subject to availability, if payment has been received, and documents can be delivered. Any special communication costs and delivery charges will be at the client's expense.

Revision Fee: Revision fees will apply once the initial deposit has been received. Charges will vary based on itinerary, and extent of changes, with a minimum charge of $50. Changes requested after documents have been issued (generally with-in 30 days) will incur a minimum $100 change fee, plus additional services requested.

International bookings: We gladly accept bookings from passengers outside the US. However, an additional surcharge of $50 per booking is applied to cover additional shipping charges.

CANCELLATIONS & REFUNDS--At the time we receive written notification that you must cancel your trip, money will be returned less the following cancellation fees:

Trip Documents: Trip documents will be forwarded approximately 3 weeks prior to travel, and once all payments and completed application forms have been received.

Risk and Responsibility

In arranging these trips, Latin American Escapes, Inc. acts only as the agents for the owners, contractors and suppliers actually providing tour services for these trips with whom Latin American Escapes, Inc. has no legal connection or joint ownership. These local tour operators attempt to conduct these trips as described in the preceding itineraries. However, it is possible that due to transportation schedule changes, weather, delays and unforeseeable acts of God, humans or nature, itineraries may vary from what is described. Participants are responsible for extra costs due to travel delay or itinerary changes for reasons beyond our control and assume all risks, whether identified in advance or unforeseen, as described under Limitation of Liability, and Trip Member Responsibility, located in our Terms and Conditions, which all travelers agree to sign. Traveler's insurance is not included, but is offered, and is strongly recommended. CST # 2023695-40.