Itinerary

Day 1 (San Jose to Tiskita Lodge) Head directly off the beaten path this morning on a charter flight to a private airstrip just minutes away from your lodge on the Osa Peninsula. After you settle into your ocean-view bungalow, you’ll learn about the history of this unique lodge and the surrounding environment. Our local guide will lead us through the coastal rainforest for a wonderful in-person introduction to Costa Rican wildlife.

Days 2 and 3 (Tiskita Lodge) Venture out over the next two days to look for wildlife and learn about unique rainforest animals. The indigenous people in this area live very close to nature, and we’ll make time to visit a nearby Guayami family to learn about their way of life. In addition to the planned activities, you have access to horses, bicycles, and snorkeling equipment to enjoy at your leisure. Help yourself to fruit from one of the largest and most varied tropical fruit orchards in the world!

Day 4 (Tiskita to San Jose to Pacuare Lodge) Fly back to San Jose for the 2.5-hour drive to your river lodge in the jungle. If there are at least ten guests in the group, it will be possible to raft into the lodge on easy Class I-II water. If the group is smaller, you’ll hop into 4-wheel-drive vehicles for the last four miles to the Pacuare River, the Cábecar culture’s symbol of life. At the river, you’ll get out and cross the river on a hanging gondola. Once across, there are no more vehicles, power lines, or roads, and you can walk the last 300 yards to the lodge on a trail paralleling the river. Equipment is transported by lodge staff, and refreshments await. You arrive mid-afternoon with time to settle into your bungalow, which features private “alfresco” showers, private terraces, hardwood floors, and a surrounding jungle view. Regroup for an introduction to the lodge, then relax and enjoy a delightful, delicious candlelight dinner.

Day 5 (Pacuare Lodge) You can pick a morning and an afternoon activity from the list of lodge offerings: hiking, canopy zipping, canyoning, and horseback riding. If you wish, the lodge will arrange a jungle massage treatment for some lovely unwinding (additional cost). Share your stories over candlelight dinner tonight.

Day 6 (Whitewater rafting and return to San Jose) After a daybreak excursion into the rainforest, you set out on a rambunctious river ride through spectacular primordial rainforest scenery. Considered one of the Top 10 whitewater rivers in the world by National Geographic, the Pacuare descends through dense vegetation that supports jaguars, ocelots, monkeys, sloths, and many other species. There’s time to pull over along the way to explore waterfalls and pools. You’ll have much to celebrate and share at tonight’s farewell dinner!

Day 7 (Departures home) Catch your flight back home—unless you’d like to extend your stay with more adventures!

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