Adventure Fly and Drive, an adventurous and active self-guided Costa Rica ecotour
The Costa Rica Eco-Adventure Fly and Drive tour is designed with the active traveler in mind
Duration: 8 days
Low Season: $1325/Person (May-Jun / Sep-Oct)
High Season: $1405/Person (Nov-Apr / Jul-Aug)
This self-guided Costa Rica ecotour is an adventurous and active version of our normal Fly and Drive eco tour. For those who prefer flexibility and the adventure of traveling on their own without a guide, this trip lets you set your own pace. Visit some of Costa Rica's most spectacular sights and scenery with an opportunity to choose budget or luxury accommodations to suit your tastes and pocketbook. The Costa Rica Eco-Adventure Fly and Drive tour is designed with the active traveler in mind. Some of the exciting experiences that await you on your Costa Rica adventure are: The world's most active volcano; rainforests filled with tropical flora and animal species plus an unforgettable whitewater trip down a river that attracts rafters from around the world. And should you want to take a moment to relax on a white sand beach, you won't have to look far.
Adventure Fly and Drive Vacation Itinerary
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Day 1 ARRIVE SAN JOSÉ
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Arrive at the San José International Airport. A Southern Explorations guide will meet you outside the Customs area of the terminal and transfer you to the hotel. Overnight at a choice of hotels in San Jose.
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Day 2 SAN JOSÉ - TURRIALBA
After breakfast, your rental car will be waiting at your hotel for the two-hour drive to the scenic region of Turrialba. There is much to do here. Turrialba attracts Costa Rica adventure travelers from the world over for rafting trips down the Pacuare River through huge canyons lined with rainforests. On this phase of the Costa Rica ecological tour, one can also explore Costa Rica's only accessible crater, the Turrialba Volcano, learn about the country's agriculture at the Center for Tropical Agronomy Research and Education or visit Guayabo, Costa Rica's most significant archeological site, dating to 800-1400 AD. It's also an area for scenic hiking and mountain bicycling. Overnight at a hotel in Turrialba.
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Day 3 TURRIALBA FREE Day
A second day of sightseeing and leisure in Turrialba. Overnight at your Turrialba hotel.
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Day 4 TURRIALBA - ARENAL
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Today's portion of your Costa Rica adventure tour begins with a four-hour drive that will take you to the country's north region along the old scenic highway passing through the towns of Siquirres, Guapiles and Aguas Zarcas and the agricultural region where the country's most important product, bananas, grow. One stop you may want to make near Guapiles is the Braulio Carrillo National Park where you can take a ninety-minute guided tour over a rainforest canopy on the Park's Rainforest Aerial Tram. Overnight near Arenal.
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Day 5 ARENAL FREE Day
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A day of leisure for some of the following optional activities:
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Cano Negro Wildlife Refuge is a Costa Rica ecotour paradise for birders interested in waterfowl. Jaguars, pumas and tapirs are also seen in the refuge.
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The Arenal Volcano has been active for more than thirty years. You'll be able to take a guided canopy tour along paved interpretive trails crossing fifteen hanging bridges or even schedule a night tour by sky tram to the top of the mountain to see lava eruptions and night creatures.
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Tabacón Hot Springs is a Spanish-style bathing resort in a lush tropical setting where you may take a relaxing dip in any of its many 102 degree F thermal pools fed by the Tabacón River.
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There is also horseback riding in the area. After your Costa Rica ecotour, spend the night at a hotel near the volcano.
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Day 6 ARENAL - MANUEL ANTONIO
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A three and a half hour scenic drive through Costa Rica's northern region will take you to the lush tropical beaches of the central Pacific coast. Overnight at a hotel near the park.
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Day 7 MANUEL ANTONIO FREE Day
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A day of leisure to enjoy optional activities, such as a visit to Carara National Park. Surrounded by agricultural land, this reserve is teeming with wildlife including crocodiles, monkeys, sloths and the scarlet macaw in a dwindling habitat where dry tropical forests and wet rainforests meet. This versatile and fertile terrain is the most difficult to protect because of its desirability for agriculture, making it an important stop on your Costa Rica ecological tour.
Or visit Manuel Antonio National Park, an important habitat for the endangered squirrel monkey and known for its white sand beaches surrounded by tropical forests, its marine life and mangrove swamps. Regularly observed wildlife include white-faced monkeys, howler monkeys, sloths, armadillos and iguanas. The park is home to 350 bird species. There are also fishing and more hiking in the area. Overnight at the hotel.
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Day 8 SAN JOSÉ
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In the morning drive to the San José International Airport where you will drop off the rental car before taking your flight home.
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Key:
(B)reakfast (L)unch (D)inner
KEY TO MAP
Itinerary Map
CONTACT US
CALL
1.877.784.5400
TOLL FREE
OUTSIDE
THE U.S.A. CALL
1.206.784.8111
PRIVATE DEPARTURES
Please note that this Costa Rica family tour is on a private departure basis only and trip dates will be determined by the passenger. Please for more information.
INCLUSIONS / EXCLUSIONS
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Included in tour cost
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- Meet & greet upon arrival
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- Accommodation of your choice (budget or upscale / twin shared basis)
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- Transfer airport - hotel in San José
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- 4-wheel drive rental car
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- Map and information kit
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- Meals as indicated
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- All hotel accommodations
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- Southern Explorations Pre Departure service
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Excluded in tour cost
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- International round-trip airfare to and from Costa Rica
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- Tips and gratuities
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- Travel insurance
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- Continental breakfasts are included at all hotels. All other meals are not included unless specified in the itinerary.
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- Optional activities
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- Car insurance is not included
COSTA RICA ACCOMMODATION
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Adventure Fly & Drive:
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7 nights hotels
SINGLE SUPPLEMENT
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Low season: $480
High season: $535
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Single Supplement is the additional cost of a single traveler not sharing a room in double occupancy. We will match you with another same gender traveler unless you request single accommodations.
Prices based on 3% cash discount
After breakfast, your rental car will be waiting at your hotel for the two-hour drive to the scenic region of Turrialba. There is much to do here. Turrialba attracts Costa Rica adventure travelers from the world over for rafting trips down the Pacuare River through huge canyons lined with rainforests. On this phase of the Costa Rica ecological tour, one can also explore Costa Rica's only accessible crater, the Turrialba Volcano, learn about the country's agriculture at the Center for Tropical Agronomy Research and Education or visit Guayabo, Costa Rica's most significant archeological site, dating to 800-1400 AD. It's also an area for scenic hiking and mountain bicycling. Overnight at a hotel in Turrialba.
Or visit Manuel Antonio National Park, an important habitat for the endangered squirrel monkey and known for its white sand beaches surrounded by tropical forests, its marine life and mangrove swamps. Regularly observed wildlife include white-faced monkeys, howler monkeys, sloths, armadillos and iguanas. The park is home to 350 bird species. There are also fishing and more hiking in the area. Overnight at the hotel.
