With its unspoiled scenic beauty and rich ecological habitats, Costa Rica is a grand slam when it comes to viewing wildlife. This exclusive active itinerary—with frequent nature hikes, canopy walks, ziplines, an easy whitewater rafting trip, and plenty of local cultural interaction—focuses on the spectacular wildlife and ecosystems of three of the country’s top spots for wildlife viewing. You’ll explore the exquisite cloud forest of Monteverde, home to the legendary resplendent quetzal, a bird prized by Maya kings; Arenal National Park, a pastoral countryside retreat with a canopy walkway, thermal hot springs, and dominated by one of the world’s most active volcanoes; and the Sarapiquí area on the Caribbean slope, where you’ll visit a biological field station and raft a spectacularly scenic river chockfull of wildlife! Expert, passionate naturalist guides personalize the trip and make every minute fascinating—not to mention exceedingly fun!

TRIP HIGHLIGHTS

• Hike and take a zipline in Monteverde Cloud Forest Reserve, home to the legendary resplendent quetzal
• Enjoy an easy rafting trip on the Río Sarapiquí, where green iguanas, kingfishers, and monkeys abound, and visit scenic Arenal National Park, dominated by one of the world’s most active volcanoes
• Spend a day in an indigenous community and learn firsthand about their way of life
  

Check out our Costa Rica Vacation Feature. Slideshows, stories, facts, and more.

Day 1

Arrive in San José, Costa Rica.

Day 2

Drive to the lowland rainforest in the agricultural-rich Sarapiquí area. Afternoon walk in search of toucans, tanagers, and other avian fauna.

Day 3

Guided visit of La Selva Biological Station, a rainforest reserve and research station with a variety of ecosystems. Later, you’ll enjoy a “chocolate” tour of La Tirimbina, a 350-acre nature reserve with an old cacao tree plantation.

Day 4

Get wet and wild on an easy rafting trip on the Río Sarapaquí! Continue to Arenal National Park.

Day 5

Spend most of the day in a Maleku Indian village to learn about their way of life, followed by a soak in hot springs owned by a local family (not open to the general public).

Day 6

Morning wildlife viewing from Arenal’s “hanging” bridges through a ravine filled with huge trees, birds, and sometimes sloths. Drive to the Monteverde Cloud Forest Reserve, where wreaths of mists nurture over 2,000 native plant species.

Day 7

Hike through Monteverde’s forest in search of birds and visit the Hummingbird Gallery.

Day 8

Hike along forest trails, traverse a 300-foot-long, elevated suspension walkway, climb to high platforms, and zipline along steel cables over the forest canopy! Return to San José in the afternoon. Day 9 Depart San José (or take our optional extension to Corcovado National Park—call for details).

Stay a Little Longer

Prefer a Group Adventure?
Check out our Jewels of Costa Rica group adventure.

Add a few additional days to your trip to explore Corcovado National Park, a major birding and wildlife refuge with eight unique habitats ranging from mountain forests to surf-pounded beaches. Call for extension details.

Or you may wish to combine this trip with one of our regular group departure adventures in Central America, our other Private Adventures in Central America, or other independent travel on your own.

Great for Families!

This is an ideal wildlife adventure for families! (We recommend a minimum age of 6, but you can tailor your activities at each lodge to cater to various family group ages.) See below for information on child discounts.

Why Mountain Travel Sobek is Your First Choice for Adventure

Mountain Travel Sobek is the pioneer in active adventure travel. No other adventure travel company can lay claim to that title. We were the first to take Americans trekking in Nepal, raft the wild rivers of Africa, and open up many previously inaccessible corners of the world to curious travelers. We set the standard for adventure travel and have a strong reputation for excellence that we do everything we can to maintain. Since we are the leading adventure company, we have a lot to live up to, so we make sure we provide safe, quality trips and the best customer service to our passengers.

References

Don't take our word for how great our trips are. We'll be happy to provide you with references of satisfied past travelers. Just give us a call at 1-888-MTSOBEK (687-6235).

Questions?

Feel free to call us at 1-888-MTSOBEK (687-6235) if you still have any questions or concerns. We're here to help you.

Note on Itinerary

Although we will do our very best to adhere to the itinerary schedule as listed, it is subject to change for numerous reasons beyond our control. Please read the Limitations of Liability and Booking Conditions in the four-page Participant Information Form.

This itinerary has been carefully designed for optimal value. You may wish to combine this tour with another or add extensions at the beginning or end of your trip. However, if you wish to customize this tour, other terms and conditions apply (ask us about information on customized adventures). Travel Agent commissions or any type of other discounts do not apply to this tour.

Conditions of Participation

Your participation on a Mountain Travel Sobek trip is subject to the conditions stated in the four-page Participant Information Form, which includes the Agreement and Release from Liability and the Booking Conditions. We urge you to read this information carefully, and to call us if you have any questions.

Note on Services

We often use local suppliers who provide services that may include transportation, equipment, logistic support, and other services (hotels, restaurants, etc.). We do not own or operate these independent suppliers. We work with service providers who share our commitment to safety and quality, and work closely with them to develop itineraries unique to Mountain Travel Sobek.

Ready to go? Signing up is easy!

Just call us at 1-888-MTSOBEK (687-6235) or make a reservation request online. Immediately after we receive your deposit, we will request your preferred dates. Upon confirmation (usually within four business days), we will send you a packet with all the information you need to get ready for your trip, including clothing recommendations, suggested reading lists, and other details.

Approximately 30 days before your departure, we'll send you detailed, step-by-step instructions, with emergency contact numbers, a detailed map, and other important information. Upon arrival at your destination, you will be met by your in-country host who will help orient you and describe what to expect in the week to come.