Mike Tyler Costa Rica 2012

Sunset Diamante Falls

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

Today your guide and driver will meet you outside the airport. This will be the same driver and guide you will have for the entire week. We take pride in our service and our personale and being a small company allows us to keep it that way. You will make the drive to the Pacific coast where you will stay at the beautiful Cuna del Angel which is a small boutique hotel with one of the best restaurants in the country. (Meals: None)

Day 2 ------- Surf Lessons or Deep Sea Fishing (Cuna del Angel)

Today you will get a chance to enjoy the warm waters of the Pacific. You will have the option to do a half day of fishing and then some surf lessons in the afternoon or you can just surf all day and enjoy the waves.  If you are really in the mood for fishing then you can fish all day it is up to you. In the evening it is back to the hotel to relax and get ready for day 3's adventure. (Meals: Breakfast)

Day 3 ------- Enter Cave & Rappel (Sleep Behind Waterfall)

One of the best adventures you will find in Costa Rica. Here we will make a hike to a very scenic area where you will be sleeping behind a waterfall. This is not roughing it as there are bathrooms, beds, and showers. It is like having the ultimate dream machine for the night. When we arrive we will get geared up and rappel down a 100 ft waterfall. After we rappel we will make the short hike to the top of Costa Rica's tallest waterfall where we will watch the sunset at Diamante falls. In the evening we can sit around the camp fire and listen to the sound of the rushing waterfalls. (Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, & Dinner)

Day 4 ------- Leave Cave & Travel to Turrialba (Casa Turire)

Today we hike out of the waterfall and make the drive over Costa Rica's tallest mountain range. We will get to an elevation of 11,000ft and a chance to see the Pacific and Caribbean from the same spot. Our final destination will be the beautiful Casa Turire Hotel which will be quite the luxury after a night of sleeping behind the watefall (although many people miss the waterfall experience after leaving). We will arrive to Casa Turire Hotel and you can relax in the pool and hot-tub and enjoy a great meal. (Meals: Breakfast & Lunch)

Day 5 ------- Enter Pacuare River (Pacuare River Lodge)

National Geographic has this listed as one of the top rivers on the planet and the Pacuare River lives up to all the hype. We like it so much we tell our clients it is worth spending two days on the river. We will start our rafting adventure in the morning and your Costa Rican Resource river guides are some of the best in the country (which is why our members placed 9th in the world championship and was the selected team to represent Costa Rica: not bragging Mike we are just proud!). We will prepare lunch for you on the river and then make our way to the Pacuare River Logde. Here we can hike to a waterfall and you will have the chance to just relax in hammocks with breath-taking views of the Pacuare River. (Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, & Dinner)

Pacuare River Lodge

Day 6 ------- Leave River and Drive to Arenal (Casa Luna Lodge)

Waking up to the sound of the river is the best and coming out early in the morning and watching the rainforest come to life is an experience everyone should have. We will be in the lush virgin rainforest and we will enjoy breakfast at the lodge and then make our way down the famous Pacuare Canyon where you will have the chance to run some of the best rapids and enjoy the most scenic part of the river. After we get out of the river we will drive to the famous Arenal Volcano where you will have dinner waiting for you at the Casa Luna Lodge and rooms with excellent views of the Volcano. (Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, & Dinner)

Day 7 ------- Zipline & Hotsprings (Casa Luna Lodge)

Today you will be doing the zipline adventure and with over 77 different ziplines in the country this is by far our favorite. If your not up for the zipline you can enjoy the tram through the canopy. After the zipline it is time to just relax and soak in this amazing adventure. The evening activity will be the hotsprings where they say it takes 30 years off your appearance. I am actually 92 and I look like I am 30 and I give all the credit to the Hotsprings! You will also enjoy a 5-Star meal to end this trip at the hotpsrings. (Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, & Dinner)

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

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 Family Adventure $875/person

Take a look at an amazing and affordable private adventure to Costa Rica. We are running tours as low as possible so entire families can have a chance to experience the best adventures in Costa Rica.

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

Waterfall Rappel

One of the nicer hotels in the mountains of Heredia is La Condesa. You will be met at the airport with your private guide and driver. Today is a long travel day and we will get you to the first hotel with time to relax in the pool. (Meals: None)

Day 2 --------- Rappel 200ft Waterfall (La Condesa)

Today the adventure will begin and all we ask you to do is walk off a 200ft waterfall. Your guide will be taking you to one of the more beautiful waterfalls in all of Costa Rica and a chance to rappel down. This is an amazing adventure and a chance to get wet and get the adventure trip started. After the day of rappeling you will have some time back at La Condesa hotel. (Meals: Breakfast)

Day 3 ---------- Visit Irazu Volcano Crater and Stay at Casa Turire Hotel (Casa Turire)

We will leave early in the morning and visit Costa Rica's tallest volcano. This is a chance to see both coast at the same time and get a cloud's view of the entire country of Costa Rica. After we make the short hike to look down into the crater which will have us at an elevation of around 11,000ft., we will end up at Casa Turire Hotel. Over the years Casa Tirire  has become one of my favorite hotels in all of Costa Rica. It is small and the setting is absolutely perfect. (Meals: Breakfast)

Day 4 ----------- Raft Pacuare River and Drive to Arenal Volcano (Casa Luna)

Pacuare River Rafting Adventure

Today you will raft the Pacuare River which is listed by a magazine named National Geographic as one of the top five rivers in the world. I have been rafting this river for almost 10 years now and it is still to this day my favorite part about Costa Rica. Don't worry I will do my best to keep the family in the raft. We will be on the river for around three hours and we will even have some pictures of you from a kayak that you can take home as a souvenir. After the river rafting we will head to the Arenal Volcano where you will see one of the ten most active volcanos on the planet. From your room at the hotel of Casa Luna you will have an amazing view of the volcano and a perfect spot to relax until the next adventure. (Meals: Breakfast and Lunch)

Day 5 ----------- Zipline & Visit La Fortuna Falls (Casa Luna)

If you have not had enough adventure on the waterfall rappel or rafting then maybe zipping across the rainforest at 700ft. will do the trick. I remember when I first moved to Costa Rica in 1998 there were just a few ziplines and now they are everywhere. The one we plan to go to on this itinerary is without a doubt my favorite. It is a beautiful view of the voclano and the lake below and primary rainforest. After the zipline we will take a hike through some more rainforest and visit one of the most beautiful waterfalls in all of the Americas. In the evening back to the hotel to relax in the pool with the volcano watching! (Meals: Breakfast)

Day 6 ------------ Drive to Manuel Antonio (Beach Hotel)

Manuel Antonio National Park

This is a travel day and you will get dropped off at the beach hotel of Espadilla which is a very nice hotel close to Costa Rica's most beautiful National Park of Manuel Antonio. Here you will have the chance to see more monkeys than you can handle and even the endemic squirrel monkey passes through everyday at around 4:30pm. (Meals: Breakfast)

Day 7 ------------- Beach Day (Beach Hotel)

Today is your day to relax and enjoy the ocean. You have the option of going to visit the National Park or Manuel Antonio or you can just enjoy the pool at the hotel. Either way you look at it it will be just another day in paradise. (Meals: Breakfast)

Day 8 -------------- Transfer to San Jose Airport 

Today your driver and guide will pick you up at the hotel and drive you back to the San Jose airport. This is not a bad drive as they have built a new highway that makes it very smooth and quick to get back to the San Jose airport from the Central Pacific. (Meals: Breakfast)

Cost: $895/person
Includes: All private transportation with driver and guide, all meals listed, all adventures and tours listed, all lodging.

Honeymoon Costa Rica

Day 1 ----------- Arrive & Drive to Arenal Volcano (Nayara Resort)

Arenal Volcano

Today we will meet you at the airport and drive you to the Arenal volcano where you will be staying in the Nayara Resort. This is one of our favorite hotels and a must for those on their honeymoon. It is a beautiful drive to the volcano and you will have great views of the active cone-shaped Arenal. (Meals: None)

Day 2 ----------- Zipline & Visit La Fortuna Falls (Nayara Resort)

Today we will take you on the best zipline in all of Costa Rica. With over 100 different ziplines now this is the highest, fastes, best views, and also the safest. It is only about 20 minutes from the hotel and you will enjoy great views as you make your way through the rainforest. After the zipline we will take you to visit the La Fortuna Falls which is a beautiful waterfall with an amazing area to swim. In the evening you can relax at the hotel or we can take you to some suggested places to eat in the area. (Meals: Breakfast)

Day 3 ----------- Canyoneering & HotSprings (Nayara Resort)

Canyoneering

Today you will do the adventure of Canyoneering which is an amazing adventure and easy for everyone. You will make your way down the canyon filled with waterfalls. When you get to a large waterfall it is time to hook up and then make you way down using a harnass doing a rappel. After making our way through the canyon we will visit the hotsprings which includes a great meal and just time to relax. (Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, & Dinner)

Day 4 ----------- Drive to Manuel Antonio & Relax at Beach (Arenas del Mar)

Today we will drive you to the Manuel Antonio area and you will be staying at Arenas del Mar. This is another perfect place for honeymoons and absolutely spectacular views of the waves below. You will have your own private beach which is a huge plus to this area. Our guide and driver drop you off here as it makes more sense financially for you guys if you just walk to the beach or the hotel can arrange for you to leave the hotel. (Meals: Breakfast)

Day 5 ----------- Fishing (Arenas del Mar)

Today we will have the fishing arranged for you and they will arrive to the hotel and drop you off at the hotel. This is a beautiful day just to look back on the coast line of the Pacific. Depending upon what you decide on the fishing runs between half and full days about $800 - $1200 depending on boat and length of day. (Meals: Breakfast)

Manuel Antonio

Day 6 ----------- Relax at Beach (Arenas del Mar)

Today is your day to relax at the beach and just enjoy the hotel. (Meals: Breakfast)

Day 7 ----------- Relax at Beach (Arenas del Mar)

Today is another day to relax at the beach and enjoy the shops in the area. If you would like you can visit the National Park which will give you a chance to see a number of different species of monkeys. (Meals: Breakfast)

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


With the new highway it is only 2 hours back to the hotel. Depending on your flight time will depend on when we pick you up from the hotel and take you to the airport. It is good to be at the airport 2 or 3 hours before international departures. (Meals: Breakfast)

Honeymoon Adventure Costa Rica

Waterfall Rappel

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

Today we will meet you at the airport. We will then drive to the Pacific coast and stay at a beautiful hotel for just one night which will put us in position for the amazing adventure of day 2. (Meals: None)

Day 2 -------- Enter Cave (Sleep in the Cave)

Today we drive into the mountains for one hour and then take it off road for a bit as we make our way to the base camp to where we begin the hike into the Diamante ridge. This is a hike that will take us to a waterfall that we rappel and then we end up sleeping behind the waterfall for the night. This is an amazing experience and all your meals and everything are done for you. There is a bathroom and shower and it is not roughing it by any means. We will also make our way to visit the Diamante falls which will put us at the top of a 600ft edge which will give you a few butterflies in the tummy.  (Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, & Dinner)

River Hammocks and Camp Site

LEARN ABOUT THE CAVE WE VISIT

LAST WEEKS GROUP IN THE CAVE

Day 3 -------- Leave Cave & Drive to Turrialba (Casa Turire)

Today we will leave the cave and drive to Turrialba which is a beautiful drive over Costa Rica's tallest mountain range. We will first spend the morning hiking around the cavern some more where we will visit some pools and jump off a 30ft waterfall. This is a great way to end our stay here and then we get lunch and hike out. You will be staying at the Casa Turire Hotel which is the perfect honeymoons spot. (Meals: Breakfast & Lunch)

Day 4 -------- Enter River (Camp at River)

View from River Camp

Today we will take the bumpy road to the put in that is bit farther up stream than the normal put in and that is because we plan on doing a 2 day rafting trip. We will be rafting for around 2 hours on day 1 and will be camping at a beautiful camp-site where all you need is the hammock that is strung there with great veiws of the river downstream. Again this is not roughing although you will be in a tent you have great bathrooms, we cook the meals, and it is truly a special spot waking up in the virgin rainforest. (Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, & Dinner)

Day 5 -------- Leave River Drive to Arenal (Nayara)

Today we hit some of the largest rapids on the river. We will plan to get an early start and make our way down the Pacuare canyon. This is a beautiful run and there should be a nice water level coming in November. After we take out we will make the drive to the Nayara Resort where you will absolutely love. (Meals: Breakfast & Lunch)

Day 6 -------- Zipline & Nature Reserve (Nayara)

Arenal Volcano

If the adventures before were not enough than you hanging from a cable that is 700ft high with views of the rainforest below might do the trick. This is a great day of zipping on 8 different cables with unbeatable views. After the zipline we will take you to a small private nature reserve to test our luck finding some wildlife in the area. (Meals: Breakfast)

Day 7 -------- Canyoneering  (Nayara)

This is growing to be one of the more popular adventures. The canyoneering in Costa Rica is a fun sport that actually takes you rappeling but the best part is when you use your hands and feet to make your way down the canyon jumping over rocks, jumping into pools, and just making a day out of being in the jungle. After this adventure we can head back to the hotel to relax or find something else to keep the excitement going. (Meals: Breakfast & Lunch)

Canyoneering Adventure

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

Pacuare River

8-Day Science Adventure Costa Rica

Day 1 --------- Arrive and Drive to Orosi Valley (Sanchiri Hotel)

Pacuare River (Could be you Gregory!)

Today we will meet you at the airport and drive you outside of the central valley. This hotel opens up to some amazing views. We will just be one hour from our next stop which will be the famous Pacuare River. (Meals: Dinner)



Day 2 -------- Stop at Village and Enter Pacuare River (Camp Site)

Today we will stop at a nearby village to eat breakfast where we get a taste of the culutre and see how the locals live. After we visit the village we will head to the Pacuare River. Because this is a science trip we will be spending two days on the river. We be at one camp site for two nights where we will have the chance to take nature hikes and go over many different parts of the rainforest. This first day of rafting has some great rapids and we will even stop for a river lunch.  (Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, & Dinner)

Day 3 -------- Day of Nature Hikes and Education on the rainforest (Camp Site)

We will use today to really give the kids a first hand look at the rainforest. We will be taking nature hikes and even get a chance to cool down in the river as we find some pools to swim in. In the evening we will head back to the campsite where we enjoy another night on the side of the river under the stars in the middle of the jungle. (Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, & Dinner)

River Camping

Day 4 -------- Raft and Drive to Caribbean Side (Beach Hotel)

Today we will raft some of the larger rapids of the river. This is around a 3 hour rafting section today. When we finish we will head to the Caribbean side of Costa Rica which is home to some of the most diverse areas of the country. We stay in an isolated hotel which works great for our student groups and there is much to do in the area. (Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, & Dinner)

Day 5 --------- Sloth Reserve & Beach Time (Beach Hotel)

Today we will start off the morning by visiting a sloth reserve where the kids will have a chance to get an upclose look at the two different types of species of sloths. After we learn about the sloths it will be over to the beach where the kids can try some surf classes or they can just relax in the sand. (Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, & Dinner)

Day 6 ---------- Drive to Arenal Volcano & Chocolate Tour (Arenal Hotel)

Arenal Volcano (Won't see this in Detroit)

Today we will make the drive to the Arenal Volcano. We will get an early start and arrive to the volcano just after lunch. We will make some interesting stops along they way and our most favorite is the Chocolate Tour. This will give everyone an understanding of where chocolate comes from. (Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, & Dinner)

Day 7 ----------- Zipline & Organic Farm (Arenal Hotel)

Today we will do the best zipline in Costa Rica and then make our way over to an Organic Farm. This Organic Farm is a must see in our opinion as you get to experience a completely organic farm and also have one of the best lunches you can find. The zipline is 8 different cables and the highest being 700ft high and the longest being 1km long. An amazing adventure which all the kids love. (Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, & Dinner)

Day 8 ------------- Drive to the airport and Fly Home!

Today we will make our way to the airport which is a 2 1/2 hour drive so if you have an afternoon flight it will work best for this day.

Costa Rica Honeymoon Adventure

Day 1 -------- Arrive and drive to Casa Turire Hotel (Casa Turire)


One of the finest hotels in the country and surely the best in the area of Turrialba. This is a beautiful small hotel located on a lake with views of the active volcano of Turrialba. We will meet you at the airport and drive you out to Casa Turire Hotel which will put you close to the Pacuare River for you day 2 of Rafting.

Pacuare River

Day 2 --------- Raft Pacuare River (Casa Luna Lodge)

Today we will raft the pacuare river. This will be a privately operated tour and you will have the chance to go at your own pace. We will bring an extra rower as there will only be two of you. I am sure your father can fill you in on the beauty of the river as it is a no-brainer if you are looking for lush rainforest beauty. After the river we will make the drive to the active volcano of Arenal. (Meals: Breakfast & Lunch)

Day 3 ---------- Zipline & Reptile Visit (Casa Luna Lodge)

Today we will take you on the best zipline in Costa Rica. Your father again can fill you in on the fun of this zipline. It will be eight different cables that are strung up to 700ft high above the ground. After this adventure we will make our way to visit the reptiles and amphibians which gives you an upclose look at the many different species of the rainforest. (Meals: Breakfast)

Day 4 ----------- Visit Danaus Nature Reserve & HotSprings (Casa Luna Lodge)

Today is a day to relax in nature as we visit the Danaus Nature Reserve. We will take our time as we look for some different species of birds, sloth, and whatever else decides to jump out at us. In the evening we will make our way to the Hotsprings where you can just relax and enjoy the thermal waters. (Meals: Breakfast & Dinner)

Day 5 ------------- Drive to Manuel Antonio (Espadilla Hotel)

Arenal Volcano

Today we will drive to Manuel Antonio where you will be at one of the most beautiful beaches in all of the Pacific Coast. The best part about this beach is that it is home to the National Park of Manuel Antonio which is filled with wildlife and if you have not seen monkeys yet then be sure that you will see plenty here. (Meals: Breakfast)

Day 6 -------------- Tour National Park (Espadilla Hotel)

Today your naturalist guide will take you on a tour of the national park of Manuel Antonio pointing out the many different species of plants and animals in the area. In the afternoon you can relax at the hotel pool or just chill at the beach. (Meals: Breakfast)

Day 7 -------------- Free Day to Relax at the beach or optional Tours (Espadilla Hotel)

Today is your day to relax at the beach. There are a number of optional tours in the area if you are interested or you can just enjoy the sun. (Meals: Breakfast)

Day 8 --------------- Drive to San Jose Airport!

Fly Home and start planning 5 year anniversary trip!