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Canoe Costa Rica Classic comfortable adventure and canoeing the best of Costa Rica. 11 day moderate quick water lodge based trip
We will have a full day to explore Monteverde with a local guide surrounded by a medley of ferns and a profusion of blooming orchids. We will leave time for shopping at CASEM, a local handcrafts cooperative and fresh roasted coffee. We leave Monteverde and head overland through rugged mountains, and open vistas on our way to Fortuna, and the stunning Arenal Volcano. Looming over the village of Fortuna the volcano is a constant reminder of nature's power and grace.
Our day's in the shadow of Arenal continues with a hike near the volcano and a visit to the Tabacon Hot Springs. The Rio Frio and Cano Negro Wildlife Refuge fill our day. Cano Negro is a remote haven for ducks, ibis, cormorants, wood storks and anhingas. Cayman, sloths howler monkeys and an array of other mammals and reptiles also make their home in the refuge. After a relaxing and
enjoyable evening at El Tucano we are off again on our journey to paddle a
section of the Rio Toro. The Toro is a boisterous, but intimate tree lined
stream with clear water, attractive scenery, and abundant birdlife
providing the perfect setting for a day of paddling. Evening will find us
at La Quinta Lodge our final destination. La Quinta is surrounded by
attractive gardens, lush lowlands and large trees for birdwatching. The Sarapiqui is a fitting conclusion our journey. All-together too soon we will be on our way back to San Jose, infatuated by this most special country that we are proud to call our winter home. |
  
Canoe Costa Rica 11 day moderate
quick water lodge based trip. Classic comfortable adventure and canoeing
the best of Costa Rica. Canoe Costa Rica trips meet at Hotel San Gildar in
Escazu, just outside of San Jose Costa Rica, and are offered on:
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Detailed Itinerary
Day 1: Leave the States and fly to San Jose, Costa Rica. Our airline desk is able to assist you in making your airline reservations, and we are pleased to do so. We can book with all the major carriers and would be happy to assist you with your travel plans. While airport transfers are not included in your trip price we will attempt to meet all arriving flights on Day 1 of your trip. Transfers are based on the availability of our staff and van at that time. If you are arriving prior to Day 1 of the trip, we will make every effort to meet your flight, again this will be dependent on staffing and van availability. Transfers can be confirmed by our office prior to your departure. Upon arrival you will be met by a member of our staff who will greet you outside the customs and immigration area. Our first evening will be at the Hotel San Gildar in  Escazu. Located just
outside the capital city of San Jose, Escazu offers a quiet and relaxed
setting. The Hotel San Gildar is open and airy with a refreshing
swimming pool and within easy walking distance to the center of Escazu.
After dinner we will gather for a brief trip orientation. Welcome.Lodging - Hotel San Gildar Day 2: After an early breakfast we will leave the hustle and bustle of the central valley and head into the deep fabric of the country. Our first day is a full day. We will travel through the central valley and cross into the Caribbean lowlands. Along the way we pass fields of coffee and sugar cane. The countryside unfolds in front of us with new sights and sounds. After our morning journey we have reached the put-in on the Rio Fortuna. This is the ideal river for our first day of paddling. The gentle current leads us through quiet countryside with plenty of opportunity for birdwatching. After an enjoyable paddle we will be welcomed at Albergue La Catarata and settle into our cabins before enjoying a typical Costa Rican dinner. Lodging - Albergue La Catarata Day 3: Our river choice today is the Rio Penas Blancas. A wonderful river, with scenery dominated by panoramic views of Arenal Volcano, lush forests, vibrantly colored birds and the mystery of being in a new place. These waterways are a haven for a collection of birds including Northern Jacana, Little Blue Heron and Flycatchers. We may want to allow time in the afternoon to enjoy swimming and relaxing in the nearby El Tabacon Hot Springs. After soaking in the hot springs we will enjoy dinner at Vaca Muca, a local restaurant well known for their fresh and flavorful meals. After dinner we return to La Catarata for another evening. We have one more chance to watch the volcano put on a show, from low rumbles to hot rocks tumbling down. It is truly a unique experience. Lodging - Albergue La Catarata Day 4: This is our last day in the Fortuna and Arenal area, and it is a day of choices. Our options today include paddling a section of the Rio Arenal or San Carlos. Both rivers will keep us entertained with lively water, lush surroundings and active birding. We may decide to combine our paddling with a hike to the Fortuna waterfalls. The walk down to the falls takes us through lush vegetation and hillsides overflowing with ferns, vines and bromeliad laden trees. Once at the falls we find ourselves in a spectacular botanical garden and cool inviting  water
-- the perfect way to cool off after a day in the tropical sun, as well
as get us ready for our hike back up to the top of the ridge.We will enjoy a final evening at the base of the Arenal Volcano and be lulled to sleep by the magical evening orchestra of cicadas, frogs and other creatures of the night. Lodging - Albergue La Catarata Day 5: This morning after a full breakfast of gallo pinto and fresh fruit we are off for a day of paddling. Our river choice today is the Rio Arenal. The river offers a mix of quick water and quiet water. Throughout its length the river offers many opportunities for bird watching, relaxing in the sun and perhaps going for a swim. The sights and sounds inundate us through the day and with a careful eye there is always something interesting to see. The end of the day brings us to the small village of Cano Negro. We will settle into our simple cabinas and perhaps opt for a paddle at sunset to enjoy watching the birds return to roost for the evening. Lodging - Cano Negro cabinas Day 6: We have an early departure planned this morning as we look forward to a day of paddling on the Rio Frio through the Cano Negro Wildlife refuge. As a wildlife reserve, Cano Negro is very remote and provides a haven for ducks, ibis, cormorants, wood storks and anhinga. River otter, cayman, sloths, howler monkeys and an array of other mammals and reptiles also make their home in the refuge. It is a full day of paddling and bird watching and after taking out of the river we will settle in for a bit of a drive to our next lodge. Laguna del Lagarto Lodge is located near the remote village of Boca Tapada on the northern border of Costa Rica. This tropical setting consists of 750 acres of rich diverse habitats. The lodge has many trails that allow us to explore on our own the wide collection of tropical flora and fauna. We may choose to learn about pepper, as the lodge is home to an experimental pepper farm, or we may just relax in one of the hammocks on the large warp around deck that overlooks the laguna. Lodging - Laguna del Lagarto Lodge Day 7: We continue are stay at Laguna del Lagarto today. After a leisurely breakfast of fresh fruit aromatic Costa Rican coffee, gallo pinto, and other homemade treats the day is ours to enjoy. Choices include taking a walk on one of the many trails the lodge has to offer. The forest is lined with towering liana-draped trees that attract many birds such as oropendolas, hummingbirds, toucans and parrots. If we like, we can enjoy a guided walk through the forest and learn about the rich variety of plants and animals that live in this bio-diverse area. Optional horseback trips are also available to explore the surrounding farmland and forests. Paddling in the laguna is also an option. With it's dark waters and thick vines cascading down the trees like waterfalls, the Laguna provides a wonderful place to explore and let your imagination run. Whatever we choose to do we will find ourselves drawn to this wonderful setting and reap in all it has to offer. Lodging - Laguna del Lagarto Lodge Day 8: Our river journey continues today with a bit of a difference. If the political mood and weather are safe, we plan to travel by motorized dugout canoe down the San Carlos river to the San Juan River. The San Juan forms the border between Costa Rica and Nicaragua. We will continue our journey to the confluence of the Rio Sarapiqui where we will head upstream to the small village of Puerto Viejo. This river journey is one that few people take, other than locals, and will provide us with sweeping views of virgin rainforest dotted with small village settlements. Rivers are the lifeblood of this area as they provide transportation, communication and livelihood for families living along the shoreline. If we opt to paddle today we will head for the Rio Toro. The Toro is a boisterous, but intimate, tree lined stream with clear water, attractive scenery and abundant birdlife providing the perfect setting for a day of paddling. Evening will find us at La Quinta Lodge, our final destination. La Quinta is a converted cattle hacienda that is surrounded by attractive gardens, a butterfly garden and lush lowlands and large trees that are great for birdwatching. Lodging - La Quinta Lodge Day 9: The Sarapiqui river flows near La Quinta providing a perfect choice for paddling today. Throughout its length, the emerald green water of the river is bordered by verdant tropical rainforest, along with quiet farmland. Trees flank the banks and are laden with orchids and bromeliads. The enchanting river lowland is home to parrots, toucans, oropendolas, sun bitterns, kingfishers, cormorants, and herons just to name a few. The Sarapiqui combines magnificent scenery and a variety of small rapids that provide some excitement to the calm stretches. The river also offers some wonderful swimming holes, quiet spots for lunch and the opportunity to do some exploratory paddling on its tributaries. We will enjoy another evening at La Quinta Lodge where we can choose from absorbing the forest's wonder in a hammock, relaxing in the open air dining room enjoying fresh tropical fruit, or strolling the grounds birding and admiring the gardens. Lodging - La Quinta Day 10: Another day of river choices. We may choose a different section of the Sarapiqui, or the Rio Puerto Viejo. We may opt for a short section of river that will allow us to return to San Jose in the mid-afternoon where we will have time to visit the markets and museums. Whatever we decide, it will be a fitting end to our tour of rivers and rainforests of Costa Rica. As we end our day on the river and head back to the Hotel San Gildar for our final evening, we have time to reflect on the scenic wonders of our journey and start thinking of our next trip. Lodging - Hotel San Gildar Day 11: Today we say our farewells and depart from San Jose to home. Or for those who want to do some exploring on your own, we can arrange/suggest some extension trips. |
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This is our classic Costa Rica Adventure. We combine comfortable lodges,
and good food with canoeing to create a special blend of hospitality. You
step off the plane in cosmopolitan San Jose, slip right through customs,
and are met by your guides. Our welcome dinner is at the Flor de Lys, an
intimate hotel just a few short blocks from the heart of the city. 
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We
have a variety of river choices including the Rio Fortuna, Rio Penas
Blancas and the Rio Arenal. All are quick and lively with verdant
vegetation blanketing their banks. These waterways are a haven for a
collection of birds including Northern Jacana, Little Blue Heron, and Fly
Catchers. We paddle at a leisurely pace allowing us to soak in all that we
can, now throughly immersed in the true fabric of Costa Rica.
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