7-Day Costa Rica Adventure Tour from San Jose: Pacuare River White Water Rafting and Bay Island’s Cruise to Tortuga Island

Arrive in San Jose, the capital of Costa Rica, known as the "Switzerland of Central America". Upon arrival, the driver will pick you up at the airport and take you to the hotel to rest.
【VIP City Bus Tour of San Jose, Costa Rica】 - Afternoon City Tour and Dinner (Exterior) (15:15 pm - 19:00 pm)
The VIP City Bus tour has the best city tour in Costa Rica at your disposal. Our unique sightseeing double decker bus will take you to downtown San Jose from your hotel to witness the city's main historical landmarks for an immersive and panoramic cultural experience and a better understanding of Costa Rica's evolution. Our favorite places to visit for a guided walk in San Jose include Costa Rica's cherished National Theater (lobby), Art Museum, Metropolitan Cathedral, the old and authentic Central Market, the impressive Gold Museum (dinner tour), an in-depth description of the National Monument, and the influential historical episode that took place at the Democracy Plaza. Our VIP City Bus tour will take you comfortably and safely through San Jose's narrow and busy streets driving by beautiful outdoor city attractions. The living city is our museum.
  
The itinerary includes: VIP double-decker bus + bottled water + bilingual tour guide + special dinner + round-trip hotel transfer.
Walking Tour: National Theatre lobby, art museum, central market shopping, metropolitan cathedral, democracy square, central street and national monument.

Departure time: 6:00am - 7:00am
Duration: 14 hours
Location: Puntarenas, Central Pacific
You will experience a day full of beautiful skies, great ocean views and live music. On board the yacht tropical fruits and natural drinks will be served and at the island there will be time to explore the surroundings, sunbathe, swim, take an optional tour like kayaking and canopy; and enjoy a delicious lunch prepared by the crew.
This excursion departs from San Jose very early in the morning to Puntarenas, where you will board a yacht to Isla Tortuga (Turtle Island), a beautiful island located in the Gulf of Nicoya.
At Tortuga Island you will experience a day full of beautiful skies, great ocean views and live music. On board the yacht savory tropical fruits and refreshing natural drinks will be served. Then, you will explore the island, immersing yourself in the calm clear waters and lush landscape, where you can take a swim, sunbathe, and/or take an optional tour like kayaking or canopy. Then a delicious lunch will be prepared by the crew.
Tortuga Island is composed of 120 hectares of gorgeous terrain, with 4 main hills; not to mention a 500 meter beach which is a recipient of the blue flag certification. On the way to Tortuga Island you will see the San Lucas Island which in the past was a security prison where no human rights existed and thus a dark age in Costa Rica´s history.
The journey to Tortuga Island will be on board a yacht equipped with 2 Cummins Marino 300 HP motors, radar, satellite navigation systems, VHF marine radio, clean bathrooms, and palatable drinking water.
A very experienced and international maritime license yacht captain and well trained crew will make sure you have a safe, enjoyable and unforgettable journey.

Depart from San José in the morning and head to Poás Volcano, about a 1.5-hour drive away. On the way, enjoy the picturesque scenery and pass through the misty cloud forest of Poás Volcano National Park. Upon arrival, follow your guide to the summit for a breathtaking view of one of the world's largest volcanic craters.
Next, visit the renowned Doka Coffee Estate, where a professional guide will introduce you to the entire coffee-making process—from cultivation, harvesting, roasting, to packaging. Guests can also sample different flavors of freshly brewed coffee.
Afterwards, continue to La Paz Waterfall Gardens. Following lunch, explore the park's highlights, including the impressive White Falls, the butterfly observatory, insect museum, serpentarium, and frog exhibit. You may even have a chance to encounter toucans up close. At the end of the tour, you will be transferred back to your hotel.
Recommended items to bring: mosquito repellent, binoculars, comfortable walking shoes, jacket, raincoat, sunscreen, hat, and camera.
 

Departure Time: 5:30am - 6:00am
Duration: 12 ½ Hours
If you dream about rafting on a wild tropical river with warm water, the celadon-colored Pacuare is a dream come true! Rated one of the top rivers in the world, you'll experience the intimate nature of the rainforest as you raft right through it on 19 miles of Class III-IV white water.
The warm water, cascading waterfalls, and opulently lush rainforest with its brilliantly colored plants, animals, and birds indulge your senses on every level.
Located on Costa Rica's Caribbean slope, the Pacuare River borders the Talamanca Mountain Range, home to native Cabecar Indians and an incredible variety of wildlife, including parrots, toucans, deer, jaguars, ocelots, monkeys, butterflies, and more. Add in the exciting Class III-IV white water rapids and you have a tropical adventure packed with rich experiences that last long after you've returned home.
 

On the way to Arenal, we will stop in Sarchí, home to the world's largest ox cart. Crafted from cedar wood and decorated with vibrant colors such as bright orange, this ox cart is an elegant example of traditional Costa Rican design. Standing two stories high and pulled by oxen, it took 70 days to complete and has been recognized by the Guinness World Records.
The journey then continues through scenic agricultural landscapes, passing pineapple fields, mango orchards, ornamental plant farms, and cattle ranches, before reaching the charming town of La Fortuna. Here, we will enjoy lunch at a restaurant with a breathtaking view of the majestic Arenal Volcano. In the afternoon, relax at Eco Termales, a natural hot springs retreat that provides a perfect balance of serenity and rejuvenation, surrounded by lush tropical scenery.
 

After breakfast, you can enjoy the hot springs. Check-out at 12:00 noon. (After check-out, luggage can be stored at the hotel front desk.)
Sky Tram + Sky Trek Zip Line or Forest Hike (choose one)
After check-out, head to take the cable car to admire the natural ecology around Arenal Volcano. Along the way, enjoy the unique scenery of the tropical rainforest, overlooking the Arenal Volcano and the volcanic lake, and take in the world’s most biodiverse paradise in a 360-degree view. You may spot various mammals freely moving in the forest and birds singing on the treetops, while appreciating the beauty of the rainforest from above. The cable car passes through the entire rainforest, allowing you to see the unique distribution of the forest from under your feet, admire the endless mountain views, and watch birds and monkeys interact among the treetops. Unlike ordinary cable cars, this one is suspended about 75 feet above the ground with an open-air gondola (except for safety rails), making it quite thrilling.
For those who dare, you may choose to experience the Sky Trek zip line or Sky Walk at your own expense, challenging your adrenaline by sliding between treetop platforms in the rainforest. While gliding down the ropes at speeds of up to 60 km/h, you can enjoy the forest scenery and fully experience the thrill of soaring through nature. This exciting activity attracts many adventurous travelers from all over the world. If you prefer not to try the zip line, you can choose the cable car and forest hike instead.
Return to San José at 19:00 pm.
After the activity, return to San José in the evening, arriving around 19:00 pm.

Transfer out.