Walter Sample Adventure Itinerary

July 18th ---------- Arrive to San Jose Airport (Hotel San Jose Area)

Sleeping Behind a Waterfall

Today your private guide will meet you at the airport and take you to your first hotel. I will start the tour on July 19th as I will be finishing a tour on this day the 18th so I will plan on meeting up with you on the morning of the 19th. (Meals: None)

July 19th ---------- Drive and hike into Cavern (Sleep Behind Waterfall)

Today I will pick you and the family up from your hotel early and we will plan on leaving the hotel around 6am. The reason for leaving early is because we will be driving south into the mountains between Dominical and San Isisdro. This is about a 3 1/2 hour drive but with the new highways on the coast it really isnt that bad. Everyone will get a good chance to stretch their legs on the intense hike to the top of the ridge. I have taken kids as small as 6 years old on this hike so it is nothing too strenuous. When we arrive we will have lunch prepared for you and then gear up for the waterfall rappel. This is a rappel of around 140ft. After the rappel we will take a short hike to the top of Diamante Falls which is a 600ft waterfall and an amazing place to be standing. Then in the evening we will light a camp fire and enjoy a nice dinner behind the falls. (Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, & Dinner)

July 20th ---------- Hike to pools and then drive to Trogon Lodge (Trogon Lodge)

Pacuare Camp

Today we will wake up and have breakfast and then hike to another waterfall that has a great little jumping rock for everyone if they want to swim in the pools and jump from a rock. We will then make our way back to the cavern for lunch and hike out after lunch. We will get back into the car and make our way to the Cerro de la Muerte and stay at the Trogon Lodge. This is a great little rustic lodge up in the mountains at an elevation of 9,000ft so you will get a feel for a big change in tempature and elevation. I like this place for families because they have a little pond and the kids often like to fish for dinner. (Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, & Dinner)

July 21st ------------ Enter Pacuare River Rafting Adventure (Pacuare Camp)

Pacuare River

Today we will take you to what National Geographic has listed as one of their top 5 rivers on the planet. I have been running this river for the last 12 years and it is still the most scenic place I have found in this country. We will spend the morning rafting and then stop for lunch and we will prepare a river lunch for you and just enjoy life on the river. After lunch we will raft for another hour and then arrive to our camp site. This is tent camping but it is not roughing it by anymeans. There are very nice bathrooms and dining area and it is surrounded by lush rainforest and makes for one of the most pristine settings.

July 22nd ------------ Raft Pacuare Canyon and Drive to Arenal (Arenal Hotel)

Today we will raft the remainder of the Pacuare River. It will be a private trip and depending on the water level we have no problem making this run. I will say though if the level is high then we will take out before the end of the river making it just the one day of rafting but chances are this will not happen but I do not like people to be suprised if it does. It is actually a fun drive out if we have to take out early which is a nice little adventure. After the river we will make the drive to the Arenal Volcano. (Meals: Breakfast and Lunch)

July 23rd ------------- Zipline & Danaus Reserve (Arenal Hotel)

Quetzal in Monteverde

Today it will be time for the best zipline in all of Costa Rica and also a private nature reserve that is one of my favorites. It is a great spot to show the kids reforestation and lots of wildlife in a small area. (Meals: Breakfast)

July 24th -------------- Visit La Fortuna Falls & Travel to Monteverde in the Afteroon (Montverde Hotel)

We will wake up this morning and make the hike to the La Fortuna Falls. This is a beautiful waterfall and a chance to enjoy nature and take a swim down below if you are up for it. In the evening it will be time to drive to the Monteverde area. (Meals: Breakfast)

July 25th --------------- Visit Montverde Reserve & Night Hike Monteverde (Monteverde Hotel)

Here you will visit the Monteverde Reserve. This is where nature lovers can get a real feel for life in the cloud-forest. After a hike in morning to the reserve we can also plan a night hike which kids absolutely love seeing all the different critters that come out at night. (Meals: Breakfast)

July 26th - July 30th ---------- Your Guanacaste Stay (Guanacaste Hotel)


From what I have seen it is best we we just drop you off at the hotels in Guanacaste. Economically it does not make much sense for you to have to hire a guide/driver for them to be on call. Let me know what you think?

Costa Rica Ultimate Family Adventure $950/person

Day 1 ------------- Arrive and Drive to La Condesa (La Condesa)

Sleeping Behind a Waterfall

Today your adventure guide will meet you at the airport. I will transfer you to the first hotel which is located in the mountains of Heredia just 30 minutes from the airport. Here you will get a chance to rest up and your guide will go over some instructions for the week to get you ready for the adventures. This is one of the best trips that every guide wants to be a part of as you will be visiting some of the most beautiful and nature filled areas of Costa Rica. (Meals: None)

Day 2 ------------- Drive to Dominical (Villas Gaia)

Today is a travel day to Dominical. It will only take a couple of hours and there will be some stops along the way to make it interesting. It is a beautiful drive and when you arrive you will have  time to visit the Pacific Coast of Costa Rica. You will be staying in a very nice hotel on a river and in walking distance to the beach. There is an absolutely amazing view from the pool of the endless blue Pacific Ocean. (Meals: Breakfast)

Day 3 ------------ Zipline, Tarzan Swing, & Visit the Beach (Villas Rio Mar)

Waterfall Rappel

Today you will be doing one of the better ziplines in Costa Rica. I have to put this one up there with my favorites. The cables for the zipline are high and fast but the best part about this adventure is the tarzan swing. Yes that is right you will be doing a tarzan swing that is on a ridge 1,000ft above sea-level looking out over the southern part of Costa Rica. One of the more scenic places you can possibly imagine in Costa Rica. After the tarzan swing we will take you to a beautiful beach called Ventanas which means windows and happens to be one of a kind when it comes to beautiful beaches in Costa Rica. (Meals: Breakfast)

Day 4 ------------ Enter Cavern & Rappel Waterfall (Sleep Behind a Waterfall)


Well, let the adventure begin. We will take the car off-roading and arrive to the point where the car can go no farther. It is here where we begin to hike our way up the ridge and finally reach a place that you will never forget. This is truly one of the most beautiful places in the America's and you will be staying here for the night. When we arrive we will be setting up ropes and rappeling down a waterfall and then sleeping behind the same waterfall in a large cavern. Take a look at the video: Costa Rica Sleeping behind a waterfall in the Diamante Canyon (Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, & Dinner)


Day 5 ------------ Hike to Pools and then drive to Turrialba (Turrialba Hotel)

Pacaure River Canyon

Today we will hike to the pools where you will get the chance to jump off a waterfall that is 20ft high into a beautiful pristine pool. This is a nice little hike and well worth the visit to even more and more beautiful jungle and waterfalls. After the hike we will head out of the cavern after a nice hearty lunch and then on to the next stop which is Turrialba. Here you will be staying in the town which is over looked by one of Costa Rica's tallest and smoking volcano--the Turrialba Volcano. (Meals: Breakfast  & Lunch)

Day 6 ------------ Enter Pacuare River 2-Day Rafting Trip (Camp Pacuare River)

Today we will start the day by doing some more off-roading and arriving to the top part of Costa Rica's most favous river the Pacuare River. I have been running this river for 10 years and it is still one of the things I enjoy doing in my spare time along with hanging out with my black Lab. When it comes to running the river there is nothing better than just spending the night on it. After our morning rafting trip down the river we'll enjoy a picnic lunch on the side of the river then wind up staying at a camp-site that is by no means roughing it. There are very nice bathrooms set up and all tents are above ground. Myself and some other guides will be preparing dinner for you and get everything set for another amazing night in the jungle surrounded by nature.

Day 7 ------------ Raft Pacuare Canyon and drive to airport hotel (Airport Hotel)

Pacuare Camping in the Jungle

Today is the serious day of rafting. We will be visiting the part of this river that makes it famous and it is called the Pacuare Canyon. It is filled with beautiful waterfalls and walls that run straight up where the river has carved its way through the jungle over million of years. After we make our way through the canyon we will then go through another beautiful national park called Braulio Carrillo which connects to the San Jose area.  Here you will be staying at an airport hotel for flight home on Day 8. (Meals: Breakfast and Lunch)

Day 8 ------------ Fly Home!

Today I will pick you up and drive you to the airport where you will catch your flight back and we can start planning your next Costa Rica Family Adventure as there is plenty more to see! (Meals: Breakfast)

#2 Lisa Sample Itin: June 18th - June 25th

Cuna del Angel

Day 1 ----- Arrive and Drive to Pacific Coast (Cuna del Angel)


We will meet you outside the airport and drive you to the beautiful Cuna del Angel Hotel. I thought of this hotel for your group because they have two very different types of rooms. One type is very luxurious and the others are still clean and nice but just not as fancy in which case not as expensive. All rooms get access the the beautiful pool and restuarant which is one of the finest in the country. (Meals: None)

Surf Classes

Day 2 ----- Zipline, Tarzan Swing, & Surf Classes (Cuna del Angel)

Today you will wake up to the sound of the jungle and enjoy an amazing breakfast at the Cuna del Angel. After you are done with your Costa Rican coffee we will make our way to the zipline. This is an incredible zipline one of my favorites in the country for two reasons. It is on a ridge 1,000ft above sea-level and it has a tarzan swing that is just amazing that makes you feel as if you are out over the 1,000ft drop. After the zipping and swinging in the morning we will go to the beach and take some surf classes. This is a great day of surfing and a chance to surf some great waves of Costa Rica. (Meals: Breakfast)

Day 3 ----- Perfect Surfing Skills (Cuna del Angel)


Today is your day to perfect your surfing skills. You can relax on the beach and read a book or just get ready for the next couple of days of adventure we have planned for you. (Meals: Breakfast)

Day 4 ----- Hike  to Cavern & Rappel Waterfall  (Sleep Behind a Waterfall)

Snoozing behind a Waterfall

To this day probably one of the most amazing places I have ever seen and an area that few tourist that come to Costa Rica get the chance to see. If you just want an all out slap in the face with natural beauty then this is the place to get it. We will hike in for about 1 1/2 hours and it is a nice hike. Pretty steep and I've taken kids as young as six and they made it no problem.  We will hike to where you will be sleeping which is behind a waterfall. We will be rappeling the same waterfall and everything is set up for you when you arrive. It is not roughing it as all your meals are prepared and there are very nice bathroooms even with toilets and sinks. The rappel is a thrilling experience walking over the side of a waterfall. After the rappel we hike take a short hike to Diamante falls but we will be at the top of it which is Costa Rica's tallest free falling waterfall that measures 600ft!  (Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, & Dinner)

Day 5 ----- Hike to Pools and Jumping Rock (Casa Turire)

Hammock Area at River Camp Site

Today those that just want to sit and enjoy the area in the caver behind the waterfall can relax and those that want to take another little hike to more waterfalls and pools where we jump off a 30ft high rock into a beautiful pristine pools surrounded by jungle can join us for the hike (I know that is where I will be). After the hike we will have one last amazing meal in the cavern and then make our way out. We will then spend the afternoon driving over Costa Rica's tallest mountain range getting up to almost 12,000ft. We will arrive to an area that is called the Paramo which is known in tropical countries and quite a neat area. After we make our decend from the Paramo we will arrive to the beautiful hotel of Casa Turire. Here we will have some time to relax and just enjoy the pool where you have a perfect view of the Turrialba Volcano which is smoking. (Meals: Breakfast & Lunch)

Day 6 ------ Raft Pacuare River to Camp (Camp on River)

Pacuare Canyon

We will get up and enjoy the excellent breakfast that is offered by Casa Turire and then make our way up into the mountains where we will put in the Pacuare River and get ready for our two day rafting adventure. National Geographic has this river listed as one of the top 5 rivers on the planet. It is filled with primary rainforest, canyons, and waterfalls. Without a doubt the best river in Costa Rica just writing this makes me want to go tomorrow unfortunately we dont have a trip till another week, ugh! We will stop along the way where we will make lunch for you and then make our way to the camp. This is tents but it is a beautiful area and all the tents are set up, above ground. Very nice kitchen, bathrooms, and social area with hammocks and views downstream of the river. (Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, & Dinner)

Day 7 ------ Raft Pacuare Canyon & Drive to Grano de Oro (Grano de Oro)

We will get up to the sound of nature. After we get breakfast and our load of Costa Rican coffee we will head downstream to the famous Pacuare Canyon. Here we will visit some of the more famous rapids of the Pacuare River. This scenic area is what makes it one of the top on the planet. After we take out of the river we will make the drive back to the San Jose area and spoil you for the night in the Grano de Oro Hotel. (Meals: Breakfast & Lunch)

Day 8 ------ Fly Home!!!

 Unfortunately no rafting, surfing, rappeling today just a ride to the airport. (Meals: Breakfast)