You will travel throughout Costa Rica. The 5 Included Activities (included in the Program Cost) will be determined by ISV, Inc. and will be included in the Travel Manual and sent to you 30 days prior to your departure date. The adventure will include such optional activities as:

• Snorkeling in the Pacific Ocean
• White water rafting on the Pacuare River
• Treks through several ecological reserves, including the cloud forests of Monteverde
• Jungle kayaking in the canals of Tortuguero National Park
• Horseback riding through a typical Costa Rican farm and a private secondary forest with views of the Pacific Coast
• Zip-lining in cloud forests
• Observing one of Costa Rica's many volcanoes
• Rappelling in La Fortuna
• Exploring the local nightlife in Heredia
  

 

Adventure Tour Locations

Sample Itinerary Outdoor Adventure Tour

DAY 1: Arrive in Heredia.
Lodging: Hotel América
Return to the city from the Volunteer Project (laundry time!). The ISV Adventure Tour Orientation will take place in the afternoon. Tonight, relax and explore the city..

DAY 2: Heredia to Rio Pacuare
Lodging: Rios Tropicales Jungle Lodge
Get ready for high-adrenaline whitewater rafting on the Pacuare River, Class III and IV rapids (an ISV Included Activity). The Pacuare is rated one of the top five rivers in the world to raft. Along the way, we will stop to swim in secluded, natural swimming holes. Overnight in the incredible Rios Tropicales Jungle Lodge and experience a traditional Costa Rican meal prepared by the local river guides.

DAY 3: Rio Pacuare
Lodging: Rios Tropicales Jungle Lodge
Awake to the sounds of the rushing river. Early risers can enjoy some phenomenal bird-watching and get ready for the best-ever waterfall hike. Relax in the evening and enjoy the tranquility of the river; this is truly one of the country’s most scenic locations!

DAY 4: Rio Pacuare to Selva Bananito
Lodging: Selva Bananito Lodge
Start the day with a hearty breakfast, followed by more exhilarating whitewater rafting. We will then travel to the rainforests of the Caribbean region, crossing two rivers to reach our beautiful accommodations. Selva Bananito is one of the world’s top eco-lodges. In this idyllic location, there is no better place to learn about and experience sustainable tourism.

DAY 5: Selva Bananito:
Lodging: Selva Bananito Lodge
Learn about rainforest flora and fauna of the Caribbean region with a guided nature hike (an ISV Included Activity). Experience the breathtaking beauty of primary and secondary tropical rainforest. With luck, we will see toucans, colorful poison dart frogs and many other species as we trek through the reserve. Finish off the day with an optional tree climb or horseback ride at Selva Bananito.

DAY 6: Southern Caribbean to Tortuguero
Lodging: Evergreen Lodge
Today is a travel day as we head to Tortuguero. Getting there is half the experience as we must take a motorboat from Caño Blanco and travel along the canals for 1 ½ hrs to reach our final destination. Tortuguero is famous for its sea turtles and National Park. In the afternoon we will explore Tortuguero Village (an ISV Included Activity) and visit the sea-turtle information centre, the CCC.

DAY 7: Tortuguero
Lodging: Evergreen Lodge
Today is another amazing day for wildlife viewing. Watch for sloths and monkeys in the forest while exploring the amazing canals and lagoons of Tortuguero National Park by kayak (an ISV Included Activity).

DAY 8: Tortuguero to La Fortuna (Volcan Arenal)
Lodging: La Cangreja Lodge
Travel to Volcan Arenal near the small town of La Fortuna. In the evening, those with the ISV Optional Activity Package can relax in natural thermal springs and watch out for nature’s fireworks!

DAY 9: La Fortuna
Lodging: La Cangreja Lodge
Spend the day at Arenal Mundo Aventura, an ecological adventure park like no other in Costa Rica. Enjoy the fantastic zip-lines and learn about the indigenous “Maleku” culture through a visit to their mystical village (an ISV Included Activity). If you have the ISV Optional Activity Package, test your courage on the largest rappel in Costa Rica! Descend 30m (90ft) free-rappel followed by 50m down Pino Blanco waterfall.

DAY 10: Volcano Arenal to Monteverde
Lodging: Hotel El Establo
Monteverde, literally ‘Green Mountain’, is one of the most beautiful destinations in the country. Learn about the unique culture and visit the many local artisan shops. We will hike within the Monteverde Cloud Forest Preserve ecosystem (an ISV Included Activity). This type of ecosystem is threatened internationally due to global climate change – this is a very special opportunity! As you hike along the nature trails, look out for the endangered rainforest bird the resplendent quetzal, and also listen for howler monkeys. You would learn a lot from hiking with a professional naturalist guide who are experts at explaining about the cloud forest and helping you see things that the average person will miss (guide hire is part of the ISV Optional Activity Package).

DAY 11: Monteverde Site-seeing
Lodging: Hotel El Establo
Today is a free day; try the orchid gardens, the frog pond or serpentarium. A fun and scenic option in the morning is to go horseback riding through an organic farm (part of the ISV Optional Activity Package). In the afternoon enjoy Selvatura Park Canopy tour (part of the ISV Optional Activity Package), experiencing one of the tallest and fastest series of zip-lines, located inside the actual cloud forest of Monteverde

DAY 12: Monteverde to Playa Ocotal
Lodging: Ocotal Beach Resort & Marina
Travel to the beautiful Pacific Coast of Costa Rica. Tonight, unwind with volleyball on the black-sand beach and take in a magnificent sunset.

DAY 13: Playa Ocotal Lodging:
Octotal Beach Resort and Marina
Go snorkelling from a boat with a guide and explore beneath the surface of the Pacific Ocean (part of the ISV Optional Activity Package). The area is famous for the abundance of marine life, including schools of fish, manta rays and whale sharks. Dolphins often cruise alongside the boat on the way to the snorkelling site! Participants will also have the opportunity to scuba diving at an additional cost.

DAY 14: Pacific Coast to Heredia.
Lodging: Hostel La Dehesa
Return to the central valley via Sarchi, the crafts center of Costa Rica. The town of Sarchi is perhaps most widely recognized for its colorful and decorative oxcarts that have been made here for over a century. A national symbol of Costa Rica, the oxcart plays a key role in the country’s history, as they were used to transport coffee beans to nearby and faraway markets. This is a great place to obtain well-made Costa Rican souvenirs, particularly woodcraft, jewelry and masks.

 

Enjoy a farewell dinner during the final night with the group.

DAY 15: Depart for home.
The adventure ends, travel home!

Accommodations:  All accommodations have been carefully selected for their comfort and ideal locations. Accommodations range from nice tourist class hotels to jungle lodges.

Meals:  Most meals are provided by ISV. Meals during times of sightseeing will be the responsibility of participants.

Activities:  ISV includes more activities to make your experience unforgettable. Activities are subject to change but may include activities such as white water rafting, zip lining and jungle kayaking, to waterfall rappelling and zip lining in the cloud forest.

Disclaimer: Exact dates, itineraries, accommodations and included activities will be given to participants in the ISV Participant Travel Manual approximately 30 days prior to departure. ISV reserves the right to change the ISV tour itinerary, accommodations and activities without notice. Any and all changes are within the discretion of ISV, Inc.

 

Optional Activity Package (OAP)