Night 1
Standard hotel in San Jose
Enjoy exploring the area from your 2-3-star accommodations in a prime location of San Jose.
Costa Rica Off the Beaten Track
Prices
Highlights
Leave the popular tourist spots behind to discover the Caribbean side of beautiful Costa Rica
Costa Rica is a beautiful country full of natural wonders around every corner. The Costa Rica Off the Beaten Track tour skips the popular tourist spots and takes you to more remote locations for a truly authentic experience.
Your tour begins in the beautiful Pacuare Rainforest where you’ll reach your secluded accommodations by raft- what a way to travel! During your stay, you’ll discover the beauty and diversity of the rainforest and learn about the culture of one of its Indigenous communities. An exciting whitewater adventure caps off your time in Pacuare, and then you’ll move on to the southern Caribbean coast. Spend time here relaxing in the sun or exploring the beautiful beaches of the quieter coast. This tour offers a more unique and adventurous experience as you journey off the beaten path to explore natural Costa Rica!
Costa Rica Off the Beaten Track Itinerary
Day 1 Arrive in San Jose
Receive a warm Costa Rican welcome when you arrive in San Jose. Your transfer will meet you at the airport and take you to your hotel in the city. Explore on your own for the afternoon to discover the sights and personality of San Jose.
- Overnight Location
- Hotel in San Jose
- Meals
- None
Day 2 Rafting on the Pacuare
Your day starts early with a morning drive to the Pacuare River. You’ll go on a scenic ride down the river and into the rainforest, where you’ll find your hotel in the wilderness. Get settled and explore the incredible forest that surrounds you.
- Overnight Location
- Hotel in Pacuare
- Meals
- Breakfast, lunch, dinner
Day 3 Rainforest Hike
Adventure into the rainforest with your guide on a five-hour hike through the pristine wilderness. You’ll be visiting the Cabecar Indigenous reserve where you’ll learn about this amazing community that thrives in the middle of the forest.
- Overnight Location
- Hotel in Pacuare
- Meals
- Breakfast, lunch, dinner
Day 4 Whitewater Adventure
Instead of travelling back the way you came, you’ll be going through the rapids! Your whitewater rafting trip has rapids up to Class IV+ and will be an exciting ride! It’s a four-hour paddle to the town of Siquirres, where your shuttle will meet you to take you to the coast. If you chose the rental car option, this is where you’ll pick up your vehicle.
- Overnight Location
- Hotel on the South Caribbean Coast
- Meals
- Breakfast
Day 5-7 Beach Break on the Caribbean Coast
You have the next three days to enjoy the beautiful southern Caribbean coast of Costa Rica. Relax and enjoy the sun or explore the natural beaches in the area.
- Overnight Location
- Hotel on the South Caribbean Coast
- Meals
- Breakfast
Day 8 Return to San Jose
This morning you’ll want to enjoy your last cup of delicious Costa Rican coffee before you start the four-hour drive back to San Jose. If you are driving yourself you can drop the rental vehicle off at the airport before you board your flight home.
- Overnight Location
- None
- Meals
- Breakfast
Costa Rica Off the Beaten Track Price and Dates
This partially-guided nature tour in Costa Rica is run as either a private tour (luxury option) or fixed departure tour (standard and deluxe options) and the price depends on the class of tour booked.
The prices below are per person sharing a double room:
- Standard tour with transfers: from $950USD per person
- Standard tour with car rental: from $1,025USD per person
- Deluxe tour with transfers: from $2,450USD per person
- Deluxe tour with car rental: from $2,450USD per person
- Luxury tour with transfers: from $3,175USD per person
- Luxury tour with car rental: from $3,175USD per person
Important notes:
- Standard tour uses 2 to 3-star hotels and lodges; Deluxe – 3 to 4-star hotels and lodges; and Luxury tour uses the best accommodation available at each location
- Transfers on this tour are private, but all the activities are shared with other travellers. This applies to all tour packages
- Car rental option includes the rental vehicle with cull coverage starting from day 4
Accommodation on the Costa Rica Off the Beaten Track Tour
This tour offers a choice of accommodations suited to all needs and budgets. Book the standard category for a stay at 2 and 3-star hotels and lodges at the best possible price. The deluxe option has hotels and lodges that are rated 3 and 4-stars. Upgrade to the luxury category to stay at the best hotels available at each destination.
In some cases, the accommodation listed below may need to be substituted for other comparable accommodations.
Single Rooms and Solo Travellers
Rooms are double occupancy. You can pay a supplement to have a private room in a hotel where possible (please enquire for the pricing). Solo travellers may be required to pay a supplement.
Night 2-3
Lodge in Pacuare
Immerse yourself in the rainforest at a lodge in the wilderness. The star rating of your hotel will correspond to the category that you booked.
Night 4-7
Standard Hotel on the South Caribbean Coast
Enjoy the beautiful beaches and coastal forests of the Caribbean from your 2-3-star accommodations.
Standard Hotels
Night 1
Deluxe hotel in San Jose
Enjoy exploring the area from your deluxe 3-4-star accommodations in a prime location of San Jose.
Night 2-3
Lodge in Pacuare
Immerse yourself in the rainforest at a lodge in the wilderness. The star rating of your hotel will correspond to the category that you booked.
Night 4-7
Deluxe Hotel on the South Caribbean Coast
Enjoy the beautiful beaches and coastal forests of the Caribbean from your 3-4-star accommodations.
Deluxe Hotels
Night 1
Luxury hotel in San Jose
Enjoy a night in this fascinating city at a luxurious local hotel.
Night 2-3
Lodge in Pacuare
Immerse yourself in the rainforest at a lodge in the wilderness. The star rating of your hotel will correspond to the category that you booked.
Night 4-7
Luxury Hotel on the South Caribbean Coast
Enjoy the beautiful beaches and coastal forests of the Caribbean from your luxurious accommodations.
Luxury Hotels
What’s Included in the Costa Rica Off the Beaten Track Tour?
Meals
7 breakfasts, 2 lunches, and 2 dinners are included. No other meals, drinks, or alcoholic beverages are included.
Accommodations
Accommodations for 7 nights are included. Accommodations before and after the tour in San Jose are not included but can be added as a supplement.
Transportation during the Tour
Transportation for you and your luggage is included throughout the tour, including private transfers to and from the airport. If you choose the car rental option your transfers are included until Day 4, and then the remainder of the tour will be self-driven.
Also Included
- English-speaking guide during excursions
- Excursions mentioned in the itinerary including:
-
- River rafting to lodge
- River rafting with rapids from the lodge
- Rainforest hike to Cabecar Indigenous reserve
- Sales tax
Not included
- Flights to and from San Jose
- Meals, drinks, or snacks not previously mentioned
- Gratuities for tour guides or other staff if desired
- Travel insurance
- Tour leader or guide for entire tour duration
- Visas if required
- Entrance fees to parks or attractions
- Optional excursions
- Fuel
Optional Extras
- Additional nights before or after the tour
- Single occupancy upgrades
- Optional activities or excursions
- Car rental with full insurance coverage for Day 4 through 8
Frequenty Asked Questions about Costa Rica Off the Beaten Track
How hard is the Costa Rica Off the Beaten Track tour?
We rate this tour as a 3/5. You’ll have a lot of leisure time on this tour and can decide on your own activities and difficulty level. However, the included hike and rafting trips may not be suitable for everyone due to the adventurous nature and length of the tours. The rafting excursions don’t require previous experience, but children need to be 14 years and older to participate.
Do I need a visa to travel to Costa Rica?
Check with your local country about visa requirements. You could also try this website, though you should verify with your government.
Are meals included on the Costa Rica Off the Beaten Track tour?
7 breakfasts, 2 lunches, and 2 dinners are included. No other meals, drinks, or alcoholic beverages are included.
What does partially-guided mean?
Booking a partially-guided tour is a perfect choice for those who like to be in charge of some of their time while travelling, but also don’t want to be on their own during activities. In most cases, a partially-guided tour doesn’t have a tour leader assigned to a group, but some or most of the activities, such as hikes, city walks, or historic site visits, are led by different guides. Also, in most cases, booking a partially-guided tour is way cheaper than booking a fully-guided tour!
Is my driving license valid in Costa Rica?
Most foreign driving licenses are valid in Costa Rica, however, you should double-check here.
Is the vehicle rental insurance included?
Yes, your rental car includes full coverage. However, some exceptions apply and you should double-check for additional insurance options.
Do I need medical insurance?
Yes, it is mandatory to have health and medical insurance to join this trip, and your insurance should cover rafting and hiking. Get your Travel Insurance.
How do I get to San Jose to start this tour?
Fly into San Jose via Juan Santamaria International Airport (SJO). Your arrival airport transfers are included.
Is the Costa Rica Off the Beaten Track tour in English?
Yes, the excursions will have a guide who is English-speaking.
Where does the Costa Rica Off the Beaten Track tour end?
This tour ends in San Jose, and you can book your flight from the Juan Santamaria International Airport (SJO). Please ensure that your flight leaves after 12:00 PM on the final tour day.
Can I rent bikes or other equipment on my flexible days?
Yes, during your stay on the Caribbean Coast there are bikes, snorkelling equipment, surfing equipment, paddleboards, and more available for rent.
Do I need whitewater rafting experience to be able to take this tour?
No, your guide and instructor will help you learn and navigate the rapids. The rafting excursions are limited to children 14 years and older.
Do I need special vaccines to travel to Costa Rica?
Check with your family doctor.
Are there any travel restrictions for Costa Rica?
Please check with your local government about travel restrictions before you book your tour. This map from the US Department of State provides an overview of the current status in countries around the globe. The UK‘s Foreign Office and Government of Canada also provide advice on foreign travel. Note that the travel advice may change depending on your nationality.
When is the best time to travel to Costa Rica for this tour?
The best time to visit Costa Rica for this tour is the dry season (mid-December through April) when the weather is warmest and clearest.
Reviews
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Details of the local tour operator will be listed on your booking invoice. If you have questions about the local operator prior to booking, please click the “Ask a Question” button below.
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Tour Difficulty
We rate this tour as a 3/5. You’ll have a lot of leisure time on this tour and can decide on your own activities and difficulty level. However, the included hike and rafting trips may not be suitable for everyone due to the adventurous nature and length of the tours. The rafting excursions don’t require previous experience, but children need to be 14 years and older to participate.
Read about our scale for Tour Difficulty Ratings.
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