Others

Your Welcome Moment: Welcome Moment - Meet Your CEO and Group Your Foodie Moment: Bread Making, Piedras Blancas Your Foodie Moment: Chocolate Making, Piedras Blancas. Hiking excursion to Piedras Blancas (4 days). Overnight hiking excursion to Diamante Verde Cave. Waterfall rappelling. Whitewater rafting on the Savegre River. Trapiche demonstration. Ballena Marine National Park visit. Free time in Dominical and Uvita. All transport between destinations and to/from included activities.

Guide

CEO (Chief Experience Officer) throughout, local guides.

Hygieneprotocol

As of October 1, 2021 G Adventures’ Vaccinated Tours Policy applies:  All travelers must meet the G Adventures requirements for joining their tours.  The majority of tours require travelers to be fully vaccinated and the full/final COVID-19 vaccination must be at least 14 days before the first day of the tour.  There are some tours and departures that are only ‘Travel-Ready’ which means all travelers must be fully vaccinated or have a negative COVID-19 test within 96 hours before the first day of the tour.  Please, double check with the G Adventures Support Team about the requirements of your tour and departure date. ** Updated Vaccine Mandate Changes as of 16 December 2022 below** Travel with Confidence & Vaccinated Tours As we continue to see vaccine mandates shifting and countries evolving COVID-19 policies, we have continued to monitor and adjust our policies in line. Based on this, we will be making some adjustments to our Vaccinated Tours and Travel with Confidence policy in 2023. Tours departing on or after March 31, 2023 we will no longer be requiring all travellers to be vaccinated to travel with G Adventures. However, we still strongly recommend that all travellers are fully vaccinated for COVID-19 prior to travelling. As per our existing policy, it is the travellers responsibility to ensure they are aware of and adhere to the regulations of the country they are visiting. Please remember to ensure that your travellers have adequate travel insurance to protect them should their travel plans change, this should include trip disruption and COVID-19 coverage. Our National Geographic Journeys, National Geographic Family Journeys and G Expedition will remain fully vaccinated for all departures . You can read more about these policies here: https://www.gadventures.com/travel-with-confidence/  Leading up to March 31, 2023 our tours will continue to be Vaccinated Tours and you can look for the Vaccinated Tours icon to indicate which departures are vaccinated and which will not require a vaccination as we move forward with this change. You can find more information on our Travel with Confidence landing page https://www.gadventures.com/travel-with-confidence/  or as well as on Sherpa.  Thank you for your continued support as we navigate these updates. ** Updated Vaccine Mandate Changes as of 16 December 2022 above**

Accommodation

Hotels (5 nts twin-share, 2 nts triple-share), jungle homestay (3 nts, multi-share), cave camping (1 nt, sleeping bags, no electricity).

Transport

Local bus, pickup truck, private vehicle, raft, hiking.

Meals

4 breakfasts, 5 lunches, 4 dinners

Not included:

Insurance

Insurance is not included. Travel insurance is required for this tour. Please make sure you are adequately covered. If you require travel insurance, TourRadar has partnered up with World Nomads to provide a hassle-free experience. More information can be found here ( https://www.tourradar.com/travel-insurance ).

Others

Costa Rica will not be allowing anyone to enter the country without proof of a departure ticket (bus, airplane, boat, etc.). If you are travelling through a few countries in Central America, you will need to show proof of your itinerary and a departure ticket from your last destination. Please print the itinerary and voucher and bring it with you.Piedras Blancas - Swimming Uvita - Whale and Dolphin Watching (109USD per person) - Snorkelling - Scuba Diving (180USD per person) - Horseback Riding (35-45USD per person) Dominical - Surfing Lesson (60USD per person) Diamante Verde - Swimming Isla del Caño - Caño Island Visit (120-140USD per person)

Optional

Piedras Blancas - Swimming Uvita - Whale and Dolphin Watching (109USD per person) - Snorkelling - Scuba Diving (180USD per person) - Horseback Riding (35-45USD per person) Dominical - Surfing Lesson (60USD per person) Diamante Verde - Swimming Isla del Caño - Caño Island Visit (120-140USD per person)

Flights

International flights not included.

Start planning your experience

Day 1 Day 1: San José
12:00 am - 11:59 pm

Day 1: San José

Arrive at any time.
There are no planned activities during the day, so check into the hotel and explore the city. As it is located in the central highlands, San José enjoys a moderate climate.

Amid the hustle and bustle, San José has beautiful parks, museums and the ornate Costa Rica National Theatre downtown. Enjoy the view of the surrounding mountains from the downtown streets.

The central plaza is a good place to people-watch. A mime, juggler, marimba band, magician, or storyteller may be performing for whatever is collected when the hat is passed. Artisan booths are common, creating a regular arts and crafts fair atmosphere.

Included Activities:
- Welcome Moment - Meet Your CEO and Group
Day 2 Day 2: San José/San Isidro
12:00 am - 11:59 pm

Day 2: San José/San Isidro

Travel by local bus over the highest mountain pass in the country. Arrive in the valley of San Isidro de El General and take a walk in the main plaza.
Spend the day visiting some shops and stock up before the next day’s trek into the jungle. Located near three rivers and Costa Rica’s highest mountain, Mt Chirripó, this region is well-known but few travelers stay to find out why.

Transport:
- Local Bus 03:00 - 04:00 Hr(s)

Additional Notes: Please note it will be necessary to repack your bags according to the packing list provided for our excursion to Piedras Blancas as it is an early departure on the morning of Day 3.
Day 3 Day 3: San Isidro/Piedras Blancas (1L, 1D)
12:00 am - 11:59 pm

Day 3: San Isidro/Piedras Blancas (1L, 1D)

Embark on a three-day, three-night excursion with a locally owned and operated adventure company to the community of Piedras Blancas, found in the heart of the Zona de los Santos region.
The journey is always half the fun! Travel in the back of a pickup truck through lush green landscapes and end in the small town of Brujo. Enjoy a 4-hour hike to a jungle homestay while spotting tropical fauna and plenty of wildlife along the way.

Meals Included:
- Lunch
- Dinner

Transport:
- Pickup truck: San Isidro to Brujo 02:00 Hr(s)

Included Activities:
- Jungle Trekking to Piedras Blancas

Additional Notes: We will be welcomed with open arms and a much needed home-cooked meal at a local family home. The night will be spent eating, sharing stories of the day’s trek, and playing cards with the family members around the stove.
Day 4 Day 4: Piedras Blancas (1B, 1L, 1D)
12:00 am - 11:59 pm

Day 4: Piedras Blancas (1B, 1L, 1D)

Experience life in a remote community in and around a local family farm.
Wake up with the sun today and get ready for loads of activities. Enjoy a delicious traditional Costa Rican breakfast to start the day off right. In small groups, make ’dulce’ (candy) at the family’s traditional ’trapiche’ (sugar cane mill). Cool off in the river that flows right by the house while the sugar simmers over the fire and lunch is being prepared.

Hike one hour to another household and stay the night. While there, local guides and members of the family will explain how to make fresh cheese and breads, play card games and enjoy tasty traditional Tico cooking. Once the evening winds down, head to bed for a well-deserved rest.

Meals Included:
- Breakfast
- Lunch
- Dinner

Included Activities:
- Sugarcane Candy Making
- Bread Making
Day 5 Day 5: Piedras Blancas (1B, 1L, 1D)
12:00 am - 11:59 pm

Day 5: Piedras Blancas (1B, 1L, 1D)

Travel across the Savegre River to the next homestay with an included medicinal plant walk.
Start the day with a delicious home-cooked breakfast and fortify for the two-hour hike through the rainforest to tonight’s home stay retreat. Enjoy the sights and sounds of the rushing waterfall directly in front of the dining area. Watch wildlife and hummingbirds up close. Reward yourself homemade chocolate made from cocoa beans collected right from the garden.

Meals Included:
- Breakfast
- Lunch
- Dinner

Included Activities:
- Hike to a local family home stay
- Chocolate Making
Day 6 Day 6: Piedras Blancas/Dominical (1B, 1L)
12:00 am - 11:59 pm

Day 6: Piedras Blancas/Dominical (1B, 1L)

Raft the Savegre River and relax at the end of the day by stretching out on the beach. Try the local seafood at an optional group dinner.
Today is a full, action-packed day. Set your alarm for an early morning start and a two-hour hike back to Brujo where we jump into rafts and head off on the Savegre River.

Paddle toward the Pacific coast, then take a van to Dominical. Spend the rest of the day at the local bungalows, in the swimming pool or walking along the beach.

Meals Included:
- Breakfast
- Lunch

Transport:
- Private Vehicle: Savegre to Dominical 00:45 Hr(s)

Included Activities:
- Hiking
- Savegre River Whitewater Rafting

Additional Notes: Bags are taken to our overnight stop in Dominical, while the activities continue with a rafting excursion. While in Dominical, accommodation is triple-share.
Day 7 Day 7: Dominical
12:00 am - 11:59 pm

Day 7: Dominical

Enjoy a free day in beautiful Dominical. Take a surf lesson, hike to a local waterfall for a swim, go on a whale watching cruise, or kick back and relax.
Day 8 Day 8: Dominical/Diamante Verde (1L, 1D)
12:00 am - 11:59 pm

Day 8: Dominical/Diamante Verde (1L, 1D)

Trek to a unique fully equipped cave with twin 26m (85 ft) waterfalls. Go swimming in three natural pools and explore surrounding trails.
Time to put the boots back on and hike to Catedral de Piedra (’Cathedral of Stone’).

A free day for exploring the area, the local guides will plan a number of activities depending on the group’s interest and energy levels.

Options include a number of hikes to the surrounding falls, waterfall rappelling, cliff jumping and swimming in the natural pools.

Meals Included:
- Lunch
- Dinner

Included Activities:
- Hike to La Catedral de Piedra

Additional Notes: Twin 85-foot waterfalls cascade over the cave accommodation. Don’t think tight spaces – this is what we call an open cave and you will have no trouble enjoying the surroundings. There are hand-crafted stone beds to sleep on, composting toilets and a fully working kitchen inside the cave itself.
Day 9 Day 9: Diamante Verde/Uvita (1B)
12:00 am - 11:59 pm

Day 9: Diamante Verde/Uvita (1B)

Enjoy a morning of waterfall rappelling before trekking out of the jungle and travelling to beautiful seaside Uvita. Opt to surf, whale-watch, horseback-ride or kick back and relax.
Wake up early and set off on foot back to Las Tumbas. At the trail’s end, hop in a private van and enjoy the ride to Uvita, a small beach town on the southwestern Pacific coast.

Take some much deserved time to rest and relax.

Meals Included:
- Breakfast

Transport:
- Private Vehicle 01:00 Hr(s)

Included Activities:
- Rappelling near Diamante Falls
- Hike from La Catedral de Piedra
Day 10 Day 10: Uvita
12:00 am - 11:59 pm

Day 10: Uvita

Spend the morning swimming, relaxing, and watching humpback whales off the coast of Ballena Marine National Park, before enjoying free time in Uvita.
This is a perfect day for some quality hammock time. Still need to move? There’s lots to do. Take a surf lesson, horseback ride, snorkel, SCUBA dive or take a trip to nearby Caño Island.

Included Activities:
- Ballena Marine National Park Visit
Day 11 Day 11: Uvita/San José
12:00 am - 11:59 pm

Day 11: Uvita/San José

Transfer back to the capital for a final evening with the group.

Transport:
- Local Bus 05:00 Hr(s)
Day 12 Day 12: San José
12:00 am - 11:59 pm

Day 12: San José

Depart at any time.
Depart from San José at any time.

12 days tour

Trek Hidden Costa Rica

This tour includes:

Not included:

Start planning your experience

Itinerary of your trip Trek Hidden Costa Rica

Day 1: San José

Day 2: San José/San Isidro

Day 3: San Isidro/Piedras Blancas (1L, 1D)

Day 4: Piedras Blancas (1B, 1L, 1D)

Day 5: Piedras Blancas (1B, 1L, 1D)

Day 6: Piedras Blancas/Dominical (1B, 1L)

Day 7: Dominical

Day 8: Dominical/Diamante Verde (1L, 1D)

Day 9: Diamante Verde/Uvita (1B)

Day 10: Uvita

Day 11: Uvita/San José

Day 12: San José

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