An Extraordinary Adventure in Costa Rica

An Extraordinary Adventure in Costa Rica

Please join us for a 9-day/8-night adventure to one of the most environmentally diverse locations in the world, Costa Rica. With unique lodging in La Fortuna, Monteverde, and Guanacaste Province, this hiking-centric trip features lush rainforests, active and dormant volcanoes, spectacular rivers and wateralls, and abundant wildlife.

OVERVIEW

This trip is scheduled for Costa Rica’s “dry season,” featuring mostly sunny skies and better opportunities to explore the country’s amazing biodiversity.

After a relaxing overnight near San Jose, we’ll travel to the scenic town of La Fortuna for two nights, spend three nights in the mountainous Monteverde region, and enjoy two final nights in the less-trafficked Guanacaste Province. Our lodging is distinctive but affordable.

The planned itinerary encompasses a wide range of environments and notable destinations, including Arenal Volcano, Rio Celeste Waterfall, Monteverde Cloud Forest, and Rincon Volcano National Park. Expected hikes range from D2 to D5, with experienced guides to help us get the most value from our major outings. Hikes will be moderate, focusing on the journey and not the destination.

PLANNED DAILY ITINERARY

* Day 1 -- Fly to Juan Santamaria International Airport (SJO) in the Costa Rican capital of San Jose. We’ll relax the first night outside the capital at a comfortable mountaintop boutique hotel.

PHOTO CREDIT: View from Buena Vista Chic Hotel (Property Website).

* Day 2 -- Journey by private van to La Fortuna, stopping along the way for a coffee tour, scenic hike, and lunch. In addition to providing a backdrop for the spectacular Arenal Volcano, the town of La Fortuna is centered on a beautiful park with colorful gardens and a large church. Two nights lodging in the La Fortuna area. (Estimated hiking: D2, 5+ miles.)

PHOTO CREDIT: La Fortuna, Arturo Sotillo, Creative Commons License BY-SA 2.0

* Day 3 -- Day hiking at two of the top parks/reserves near La Fortuna, including the vibrantly colored Rio Celeste river and waterfall. (Estimated hiking: D4, 8+ miles.)

PHOTO CREDIT: Rio Celeste, Rohit Saxena, Creative Commons License BY-NC 2.0

* Day 4 -- Morning hike for an up-close view of the iconic Arenal Volcano, followed by an afternoon boat ride and forest hike toward our next destination: Monteverde. Three nights lodging in the Monteverde area. (Estimated hiking: D5, 12 miles.)

PHOTO CREDIT: Lake Arenal, Leonora (Ellie) Enking, Creative Commons License BY-SA 2.0

* Day 5 -- Free day for attendees to book one of the thrilling adventures available near Monteverde, join a food or cultural tour, or just relax for the day. Learn more about Monteverde.

PHOTO CREDIT: Ziplining, Bigmacthealmanac, Creative Commons License BY-SA 4.0

* Day 6 -- Hiking in the incomparable Monteverde Cloud Forest, a high-biodiversity reserve with thousands of plant species and hundreds of animal species. (Estimated hiking: D4, 8 miles.)

PHOTO CREDIT: Monteverde Cloud Forest, Mike Goren, Creative Commons License BY 2.0

* Day 7 -- Private van to Guanacaste Province, a World Heritage Site and home to Rincon de la Vieja Volcano National Park. Two nights lodging at an authentic ranch hotel in the dry tropical forest adjacent to Rincon. (Estimated optional hiking: D2/D3, 5-6 miles.)

PHOTO CREDIT: Rincon Volcano, Hacienda Guachipelin Property Website.

* Day 8 -- Hiking in Rincon National Park, anchored by an active volcano and featuring some of the country’s most unique landscapes. (Estimated hiking: D5, 10+ miles.)

PHOTO CREDIT: Fumerole at Rincon, Public Domain.

* Day 9 -- Morning private van to nearby Liberia Guanacaste International Airport (LIR) for afternoon flights back to Atlanta.

PHOTO CREDIT: View From the Air, Hiram Montiel Calder, Creative Commons License BY-SA 3.0

CUSTOM TRIP PACKAGE

After four years of research, and multiple attempts at finding a local travel company who could implement our vision for a higher-value Costa Rica trip, we found Costa Rica Custom Trips through our participation in Trip Advisor forums. They worked closely with us over the course of several weeks to create a fantastic custom package.

Package Inclusions

Our package includes the following:

Lodging. Eight nights lodging at unique, highly rated properties. The base package includes a double-occupancy room with two beds and private bathroom. Two single-occupancy rooms for a supplemental fee will be offered first-come/first-serve to attendees based on order of registration.

   * One night at the Buena Vista Chic Hotel outside San Jose, a Trip Advisor Travelers' Choice property that's conveniently located relatively near the airport with a complementary shuttle. It features sweeping views of the surrounding mountains, valleys, and jungle; nature trails and gardens; and indoor/outdoor dining.

   * Two nights in superior cabana rooms at the cozy Arenal History Inn in La Fortuna, featuring an onsite restaurant and located near the central town.

   * Three nights at the scenic Arco Iris Lodge in Santa Elena, gateway to the Monteverde region, set on five acres of old-growth forest but just steps from the village's small downtown.

   * Two nights at Hotel Hacienda Guachipelin, another Travelers' Choice selection that's adjacent to Rincon de la Vieja National Park. It's a rustic mountain resort in the heart of a 3460-acre nature reserve and cattle/horse farm. It features onsite restaurants, accessible waterfalls on the property, and complementary access and transport to a nearby hot springs.

Note: It's unlikely but possible that substitutions of equivalent quality may be required. Because of the unique nature of these properties, the bedding types may vary, from singles/twins to kings.

Transportation. Private group transport between destinations and to/from all group activities; a boat ride across Lake Arenal as part of our trek from La Fortuna to Monteverde; and private group transport to the Liberia airport on our departure morning. (There's a free hotel shuttle from the airport to our first night's lodging.) It does not include transportation on the free day.

Meals. Eight breakfasts and six lunches. Breakfast will be available at our lodging on Days 2-9. Lunch will be provided on Days 2-4 and 6-8, including meals at Costa Rican sodas featuring authentic local cuisine along with occasional pre-packed lunches.

Hikes & Entrance Fees. Private guide on many hikes plus entrance fees to parks, reserves, and other sites that are part of the group itinerary.

Additional Attendee Expenses

Expenses not specifically included in the Costa Rica Custom Trips package are the responsibility of individual attendees. These include:

Flights. Airfare to/from Costa Rica ($400-$600?).

Meals. All dinners plus any other meals not specifically included in the package, along with any alcoholic drinks as well as other food, drinks, and snacks purchased by attendees.

Tours. Activities/tours purchased by attendees on the free day in Monteverde, plus any other individual sightseeing expenses incurred by attendees.

Other. Expenses common to an international trip (such as travel insurance, credit card/ATM/currency conversion fees, etc.), Costa Rican exit fee (usually included in airfare), laundry, purchased services, tips, and any other expenses not included in the package price.

Note: In-country expenses will depend on the currency exchange rate; $1 U.S. dollar equals about 514 Costa Rican colons. All cost estimates current as of the event posting date.

VISITING COSTA RICA

Costa Rica's unofficial slogan, Pura Vida ("Simple Life" or "Pure Life"), represents the people's connection to the land and their zest for living in the moment. It translates into a warm embrace of visitors, along with a well-developed infrastructure (except perhaps some of its roads!) and easy entry requirements.

For stays up to 30 days, U.S. citizens only need only a valid passport and a return ticket home or to another destination. Published entry requirements also require proof of funds ($100 per month of stay) but it's unlikely you'll be asked. It's probably best if your passport doesn't expire until at least six months after your depature date. Please see the U.S. State Department website for any current travel advisories.

The official language is Spanish, although English is commonly understood in areas frequented by travelers. The currency is the Colon (CRC), but U.S. dollars are sometimes accepted. Credit cards are used widely, with VISA being the most common. ATMs are available in major locations.

PROCESS FOR ATTENDEE SELECTION

Qualifications

This trip requires physical suitability plus adaptability in a group setting. It requires that you:

   * Be an active AOC member with a significant event history so you can be properly evaluated. If the TLs haven't hiked with you, they may ask you for a recommendation from another TL.

   * Be an experienced hiker with recent AOC D5 experience. (If you’re a strong D4 hiker with interest in the trip, or your D5-type events aren't recent, consider adding a D5 to your resume ASAP.)

   * Have a history conducive to a group trip.

Considerations

Some considerations to help you decide if this event is a good match:

   * None of the hikes are expected to be extreme, but we’ll do multiple shorter hikes on some days as well as hike on some consecutive days.

   * We’ll hike together, with a guide for most hikes. This will involve a relatively slower pace at times to take-in the scenery, learn about the ecosystem, and view wildlife. If you’re a hiker in a hurry, you’ll likely hate this trip.

   * We’ll have private group transportation between destinations and to/from our hikes, which you’ll need to be on time for.

   * The TLs will try to fulfill any roommate requests, but it’s not promised.

   * There is a planned itinerary but specifics on some hikes may depend on conditions and we may need to adjust the schedule along the way. Being flexible is essential.

What Happens Next

This event requires a minimum of eight attendees and is set for a maximum of 12 attendees. (The min/max numbers in the initial event listing are there to facilitate the sign-up process.)

If you're interested in joining, please sign-up when it opens for registration. You will be placed initially on a waiting list. Please note any special issues.

In addition to evaluating registrants’ AOC event history, fitness, and group compatibility, logistical issues may affect the selection process. These include whether you will attend only if another member can go, room type and roommate considerations, and in the case of last-minute additions, your ability to quickly make the necessary arrangements and payments.

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The Trip Leaders for this event has elected either to personally collect the funds that event participants are required to pay, or to require participants to pay funds directly to a third party. No funds [NOTE FROM THE TLs: EXCEPT THE AOC SERVICE FEE] will be paid to the Atlanta Outdoor Club for this event. Therefore, by registering for this event, you acknowledge and agree to the following: (1) the monies paid by registrants will not be monitored, managed, or otherwise accounted for by the Atlanta Outdoor Club; (2) that the Atlanta Outdoor Club bears no financial responsibility for this event; and (3) you waive any and all claims against the Atlanta Outdoor Club, and hold the Atlanta Outdoor Club harmless for the loss of any monies you paid for this event.

Notwithstanding the foregoing, any paying registrant may request directly from the Trip Leaders, prior to the event, a breakdown of funds collected, estimated expenses, and deposits made in anticipation of the event. Following the event, the Trip Leaders must complete their financial accounting for the event, with supporting documentation, within 30 days of the completion of the event, and a paid registrant may request a breakdown of funds collected, money spent and supporting documentation after that time. If you are unable to obtain requested documentation, please contact the Director of Paid Events.

See the "Cost Includes" section for cancellation considerations. Partial attendance is not available.