Costa Rica: An Active Exploration of Jungles and Wildlife

Location: Central America & Caribbean
Duration: 10 Days
Price: From $5,595
Activity Level: Active

Costa Rica: An Active Exploration of Jungles and Wildlife

Location: Central America & Caribbean
Duration: 10 Days
Price: From $5,595
Activity Level: Active

Overview

Join AdventureWomen on a multisport women’s adventure in Costa Rica! A mere 117 miles wide from east to west, this tiny country has 800 miles of beaches and 12 different climate zones! Explore lush rainforests, spot diverse wildlife such as kinkajous, sloths, toucans, and quetzals, and experience multiple ecosystems and gorgeous coastlines. On this multisport adventure, you will raft, kayak, hike, and zip line. Throughout your travels, you’ll stay in plush bungalows and lodges and eat local cuisine that is both fresh and delicious! You’ll also learn about cacao at Anita Rainforest Ranch, have the chance to relax in stunning hot springs, and wrap up your adventure with a farewell dinner celebrating your journey with other women as inquisitive and adventurous as you.

Main Attractions

Thrilling Adventure

Experience whitewater rafting, hiking, swimming, tubing, and zip lining through Costa Rica’s diverse landscapes.

Cultural Delights

Enjoy a chocolate-making and Costa Rican cooking class, learning about local flavors and traditions.

Nature and Relaxation

Discover Tortuguero National Park, explore ecosystems and wildlife habitats, and unwind in hot springs with fellow adventurers.

Map of Costa Rica highlighting Liberia, Guanacaste Area, Arenal Volcano Area, San Jose, and Tortuguero National Park with travel routes and activity icons like surfing and hiking.
A group of people stand in a circle, looking down at the camera. Above them is a decorative domed ceiling.
Two people wearing helmets and harnesses cross a narrow wooden suspension bridge in a forested area. The person in front waves while walking.
A group of people sitting at a long table in a restaurant, enjoying a meal with various dishes. The setting is open and surrounded by greenery.
A group of people stands on a path in a dense forest, observing a large tree with extensive roots.
Two women smiling in front of lush green foliage. One wears a blue cap and tank top, the other a hat and butterfly-themed t-shirt.
Two people wearing orange life jackets smile on a boat. One wears a cap with the text "adventure women.
People in helmets and life vests are floating on blue inner tubes in a rocky river.
Two women smiling, sitting together in front of a menu board. One wears sunglasses on her head, and the other wears a pink shirt.
Four people in helmets and harnesses stand on a zipline platform in a lush forest setting.

Itinerary

A group of ten people posing together indoors with a patterned carpet and a digital screen in the background.

Arrive in San Jose

Upon arrival at Juan Santamaria International Airport in San Jose, Costa Rica, your guide will meet you outside the Customs exit doors and transfer you to the hotel. Enjoy a lively welcome dinner as you get to know your fellow travelers this evening. Share stories and learn about why each woman on your trip is excited to explore Costa Rica!

Meals dinner
A historic building with a red roof and ornate facade is surrounded by trees and greenery in an urban setting.

San Jose

Rise and shine early today and depart the hotel at 7:00 AM for a visit to a local Farmers’ Market where there are local artisans with hand-made clothes, artisanal jewels, medicinal herbs, hand-made aromatherapy oils, and plenty of places to eat. Take a walking tour of San José, visiting the National Theater and either the Gold or the Jade museum. Enjoy lunch at the National Theater and a cooking demonstration by a master chef this evening. NOTE: There is a limit on luggage of 25 pounds per person when traveling on local boats while visiting the Tortuguero National Park. Please take only what you will need for the next two days. Bring light clothes, bathing suit, hat, insect repellent, sunblock. It will be hot and humid weather! Your driver will take the rest of your luggage and you will get it back on the way to Arenal on Day 5.

Meals breakfast, lunch, dinner
A baby turtle crawls towards the ocean waves on a sandy beach.

San Jose to Tortuguero National Park

After breakfast at the hotel, set out very early for Tortuguero National Park, the “Venice” of the rainforest. Drive for 3 hours through Braulio Carrillo National Park, seeing the vegetation change from rainforest to cloud forest and back to rainforest again. Board your boat to Tortuguero for a 90-minute ride on the Parismina River and some man-made canals. After lunch, spend the afternoon visiting Tortuguero Village and enjoy a quick but informative visit to the Sea Turtle Conservancy. Relax at your lodge this evening and enjoy dinner as a group.

Meals breakfast, lunch, dinner
A group of people holding an "adventure women" banner pose for a photo on a scenic overlook, with lush greenery and the ocean in the background.

Tortuguero

Explore the park’s verdant landscape from an incredible vantage point following a hike or traverse the park’s winding jungle waterways by boat, looking for monkeys, sloths, crocodiles, and more. After lunch, you’ll choose between hiking up to a look-out point where you can take in sweeping views of the surrounding landscape and wildlife or canoeing through the lagoons and jungle waterways of the park.

Meals breakfast, lunch, dinner
A group of six people wearing helmets and life vests joyfully rafting on a river, with splashes of water surrounding them.

Tortuguero to Arenal

Leave Tortuguero by boat on your way to Arenal, stopping in Caño Blanco, where your driver will be waiting (with the rest of your luggage) to take you to the Arenal Volcano area. The drive will be just under 3 hours. Before arriving in Arenal, stop at the Sarapiqui River for an exciting, guided whitewater rafting trip! This Class II – III rafting adventure takes you through more than 20 rapids in about three hours. You will be briefed on safety, and it is mandatory to wear a helmet and life jacket. Enjoy dinner with the group this evening.

Meals breakfast, lunch, dinner
A waterfall cascades into a turquoise pool surrounded by lush greenery, with several people swimming near the base.

Arenal Region

In the morning, swim in the emerald pools beneath La Fortuna Waterfall after you hike to the falls. La Fortuna Waterfall emerges from dense jungle greenery before plummeting some 200 feet into a pool below. Bring your bathing suit! After lunch with your group, visit the Maleku, an indigenous tribe of Costa Rica, located in the Guatuso Indigenous Reserve. Historically, they were also known as the Guatuso, the name used by Spanish settlers. Enjoy dinner with the group this evening.

Meals breakfast, lunch, dinner
Sunset over a green forested landscape with a hill in the background under a sky filled with orange and blue clouds.

Arenal to Guanacaste

After breakfast, head to the Guanacaste region in the northwestern province in Costa Rica. Arrive at Rio Perdido, your home for the next 3 nights, and spend some time relaxing and soaking in the surroundings. Enjoy an afternoon at leisure before joining your group for a delicious dinner.

Meals breakfast, lunch, dinner
A person ziplining through a lush green forest, surrounded by dense trees.

Guanacaste: A Full Morning of Adventure

A full morning of adventure awaits! Float down the river in a modified inner tube, through a gorgeous narrow canyon with the rainforest canopy above. Some parts of the river are very calm and slow, others are faster and very exciting! Next, enjoy your zip-lining/canyoning tour. Rio Perdido has truly innovated with their Canyon Adventure. The adventure includes 15 platforms, six of which are rock-based, and nine of which are suspended on the canyon walls, as well as zip lines of varying lengths from 260 to over 800 feet. Enjoy a leisurely afternoon and share stories of today’s adventures this evening with your group over dinner.

Meals breakfast, lunch, dinner
Six women stand on a wooden deck, holding objects in their hands, with greenery in the background.

Guanacaste: Cacao and Cooking Class

Begin the day at Anita Rainforest Ranch where you will meet the owners, Pablo and Ana, and spend time with Ana as she gives you a private tour of the property. Learn how they grow and harvest their crops, especially cacao, and how it is transformed from dry beans to paste and on to artisan chocolate. In a short cooking class, you’ll enjoy delicious food and fresh produce from the chef’s organic gardens finished off with homemade ginger-spiced lemon and natural fruit juices. Continue to the small town of Colonia Libertad, and meet Aracely, a neighbor in the village. She will share a wonderful and special dessert treat in her home. Have a farewell dinner with your new AdventureWomen friends.

Meals breakfast, lunch, dinner
View of a distant mountain framed by a natural rock window, with lush green landscape and cloudy sky.

Depart Costa Rica

Enjoy one last morning in Guanacaste before heading home. Say goodbye to your new AdventureWomen friends as you transfer to the airport for your flights home. One group transfer will be provided when most guests depart (exact time to be determined). Private transfers at other times are available for purchase. Depart Liberia Airport (LIR) after 12:00 PM today.

Meals breakfast
Mountain with clouds and forested landscape below, under a partly cloudy sky at sunrise or sunset.

Accommodations

Please note that all amenities were current when written and are subject to change at any time.

A large, illuminated white building with arched windows and a modern glass extension against a twilight sky. It is surrounded by trees and lamp posts.

Gran Hotel Costa Rica

Gran Hotel Costa Rica is located in the heart of San Jose and is within walking distance of the city’s top attractions. Accommodation is available in stylish guest rooms which feature modern amenities including complimentary Wi-Fi, mini fridge, and a high definition TV. The in-house restaurant serves a combination of local and international cuisine while the 5th floor piano bar specializes in premium whiskey and gin from around the world. A fully equipped fitness centre is also available to guests who like to keep fit.

AMENITIES: complimentary toiletries, hair dryer, minibar, bottled water, safe, flatscreen TV, cable / satellite TV, Wi-Fi, air conditioning

Two cabins in a lush forest setting, connected by a wooden walkway, surrounded by dense green foliage.

Aninga Lodge

Set on the edge of the main canal and surrounded by lush rainforest and howler monkeys, Aninga has 33 bungalows all with comfortable beds and ceiling fans. The bungalows, restaurant, and walking trails are all set on stilts about five feet from the ground to bring you into the canopy of trees and to protect the wildlife’s natural habitat. Enjoy the pool and spa!

AMENITIES: complimentary toiletries, hair dryer available on request, safe, limited Wi-Fi access

A modern, two-story building with large windows and balconies, illuminated by warm lights. It is surrounded by a well-kept garden with small hills and palm trees.

Hotel Arenal Kioro

Sandwiched between two streams – La Palma and Kioro – Hotel Arenal Kioro provides a breathtaking natural view of Arenal Volcano. The hotel’s setting is a perfect representation of what makes Costa Rica so special, with two nature paths alive with myriad species of plants, as well as private thermal springs surrounded by flourishing gardens.

AMENITIES: complimentary toiletries, hair dryer, minibar, safe, flatscreen TV, Wi-Fi, air conditioning

An illuminated pool at night, surrounded by lush greenery and a wooden pathway with string lights. Lounge chairs line the poolside.

Rio Perdido

Rio Perdido, meaning “Lost River,” is truly a hidden gem, situated in a protected dwarf forest that even many Costa Ricans have never seen. The property pays respect to its amazing environment, using wells and natural springs for water and taking 100% of its electrical energy from the Miravalles Geothermal Power Plant, among many other sustainable practices. The hotel’s bungalows – suspended above the ground by columns and accessed by elevated pathways connecting to hiking trails – each offer a unique experience.

AMENITIES: complimentary toiletries, hair dryer, coffee / tea maker, bottled water, flatscreen TV, limited Wi-Fi access, air conditioning

What People Are Saying

I went for the fun and multisport activities in Costa Rican itinerary last year and came away profoundly changed. I connected with my amazing fellow travelers, and was inspired by the remarkable community of women at the Cocoa plantation. I’m so glad I went outside my comfort zone when I signed up to travel without knowing another person. I can honestly say that we are now friends for life.

What People Are Saying

Traveling with AdventurWomen is an awesome experience and worth every penny. I was a bit nervous about not knowing anyone on the trip; by the end of the first day all 12 of us had bonded.. I loved the mixture of fun and challenging and the experienced guides that steered us off the normal tourist path was a great bonus. I had such a great time that I am going to Tanzania next year!

Dates & Pricing

Start Date End Date Availability Pricing Booking Link
Jun 7 Jun 16
Space Available
$5,595*
Standard Room, Single
$6,895 total, $800 deposit
Standard Room, Double
$5,595 total, $800 deposit
Aug 9 Aug 18
Space Available
$5,595*
Standard Room, Single
$6,895 total, $800 deposit
Standard Room, Double
$5,595 total, $800 deposit

*Additional Pricing Information: 2025 Optional Single Accommodation: $1,300

Start Date End Date Availability Pricing Booking Link
Jul 5 Jul 14
Space Available
$6,695*
Standard Room, Single
$8,195 total, $800 deposit
Standard Room, Double
$6,695 total, $800 deposit

*Additional Pricing Information: 2026 Optional Single Accommodation: $1,500

Arrival: Arrive Juan Santamaria International Airport in San Jose, Costa Rica (SJO) before 4:00 PM on Day 1

Departure: Depart Liberia Airport (LIR) after 12:00 PM on Day 10

What's Included

  • Accommodations as per itinerary based on double occupancy
  • All meals as listed in the itinerary
  • All ground transportation
  • Guided sightseeing and activities as indicated in the itinerary
  • Professional, English-speaking naturalist guide throughout the trip
  • Entrance fees
  • Drinking water to refill personal bottles
  • Gratuities for local guides, hotel staff, and baggage handling

What's Not Included

  • International airfare to and from Costa Rica
  • Optional activities
  • Meals not specified in the itinerary
  • Alcoholic beverages (unless otherwise specified)
  • Fees for passport, visas, immunizations, or travel insurance
  • Cost of hospitalization or evacuation
  • Items of a personal nature
  • Gratuities for main guide and driver

FAQs

Absolutely! We happily welcome all women regardless of race, creed, or sexual preference, as long as you are physically capable of doing the activities on your chosen trip. Our guests range from 18-85+! It is important to us to talk to each guest to make sure each woman chooses the right trip for her physical ability and interest.

You can process your registration on our online booking system or over the phone. Most deposits are $800. In many cases, and unless otherwise indicated, your deposit is transferable if you notify us in writing 120 before your trip departs.

Be sure to check the ‘What’s Included’ section of the trip you are interested in. Once you get to the departure city and meet the group, we often include most meals, all accommodations, all activities (although there might be an optional activity at an additional cost), transportation while on the adventure, qualified local guide(s) and some trips also include an AdventureWomen Ambassador. Our trips do not include airfare to/from the arrival and departure cities. However, internal flights are included in some itineraries so please read the itinerary carefully.

Absolutely! In fact, we encourage it! Many of the women who travel with AdventureWomen come solo. For those that do not choose a single supplement, we pair you with a roommate. Usually, when we change accommodations on a trip, we will change roommates if we can, so you get a chance to know others in our group. A limited number of single supplements may be available for an additional charge.

That depends entirely on the trip! AdventureWomen adventure travel trips are rated according to the physical fitness level demanded by the included activities.

  • Moderate: These adventures exercise your mind more than your body and are designed for women who prefer a leisurely, less rigorous experience. For example, you could walk up to 2 miles per day through cities and villages, stand in museums for a few hours, relax on a boat, or view wildlife from a vehicle.
  • Active: Adventures that get you on your feet! You should be in good physical condition where you are comfortable walking on uneven surfaces, such as cobblestone streets, biking manicured nature trails or kayaking calm waters.
  • High Energy: These adventures are designed for women who enjoy a physical challenge and crave being on the go! You should be prepared for itineraries that include (but are not limited to): a full day of biking on a rolling terrain, hiking 5-8 miles on moderate to steep trails, being active at high altitudes, whitewater rafting, or skiing.
  • Challenging: Adventures that get your heart rate pumping, these are demanding yet deeply rewarding and designed for seasoned outdoor enthusiasts. You should be in excellent physical condition, and be able to hike up to 10 miles, in steeper, more rugged terrain.