Guests will be picked up from the airport and will embark on a three-hour drive that winds through the mountains of central Costa Rica to the coastal highway that leads to Manuel Antonio. Accommodations will be at the Posada Quepoa, an eco-lodge located at the base of the Eco Era Reserve.

Day 2

The first full day in Costa Rica begins with an adventure to the Eco Era mountain lodge at the top of Cerro Nara, a climb of roughly 800 meters. Guests will have the opportunity to enjoy the serene atmosphere of the cloud forest with sweeping views of the Rio Naranjo as it flows to Manuel Antonio National Park and into the Pacific Ocean. Following lunch guests will begin a fantastic hike down the side of the mountain to a spectacular 220 foot waterfall nestled in the middle of the rainforest*. Ample time will be allowed for swimming in the pool under the waterfall.

*Many people find this hike to be strenuous due to the 2000-foot drop in elevation down the mountain. An alternative hike to a smaller waterfall at the base of the reserve is available to those who do not feel comfortable with the mountain hike.

Day 3

The morning begins with a journey to Manuel Antonio National Park for a guided tour through its secondary rainforest and secluded beaches. After the park tour, guests will be allowed free time to enjoy the beaches before the group departs for a dolphin watching adventure which ends with the sun sinking below the ocean horizon as the boat returns to the harbor.

Day 4

After breakfast guests depart for a horseback ride along a twisting dirt road to a secluded sustainable rainforest community. Quebrada Arroyo is home to a beautiful system of waterfalls with a sky bridge stretching 416 feet across the canyon – 131 feet above the water below. The tourism project supplements the income of a farming co-operative of over 40 individuals and is a taste of authentic campesino culture, something which few visitors to Costa Rica ever experience. Meals consist of typical Tico dishes cooked on a wood-fired stove.

Day 5

Guests hike from the cabins at Quebrada Arroyo through the town down to the shore of the mighty Savegre River. The road ends at the river and guests cross the river using a cage and pulley system, which stretches for 100 feet over the river. Not for the faint of heart, this method is the only transportation between Quebrada Arroyo and the neighboring village of Santo Domingo.

Once in Santo Domingo, guests take to the Savegre on a rafting trip which engages class II, III, or IV rapids depending on the season. The difficulty level is great for beginners while still offering a challenge for experienced rafters. The adventure ends at Coopesilencio, another sustainable community run solely by Ticos. In addition to its rustic eco-lodge, Coopesilencio operates an animal rehabilitation center that treats injured animals for release into the wild. Visitors will be able to see wildlife up close as it is treated.

Day 6

Depart for Hacienda Baru National Wildlife Refuge on the coast near Dominical. A range of activities are available including guided hikes, tours of the butterfly farm and orchid nursery, canopy exploration, and excellent bird watching. A variety of habitats await including wetlands, secondary, and primary forests. 7 km of hiking trails as well as 3 km of pristine beach are here to be explored.

Day 7

From Hacienda Baru the group will travel on a rural Costa Rican road through palm plantations to Manuel Antonio where it will have the opportunity to enjoy the beaches and then visit the small town of Quepos. After returning to the Posada Quepoa for lunch, the group will depart to the primary forest for a canopy tour. Guests will strap on harnesses and helmets in order to explore the canopy of the rainforest via zip line from platforms at the top of giant 200-year-old trees.

Day 8

Morning departure