12-Day Trek Hidden Costa Rica Tour from San Jose: San Isidro, Piedras Blancas, Dominical, Diamante Verde and Uvita | Small Group Tour
What you'll experience
Highlights
• Sleep in a cave behind twin waterfalls
• Make your own sugarcane candy
• Rappel down hidden waterfalls
• Whitewater raft on the Savegre River
12 days
Day-by-day itinerary
- 1
Day 1 — San José
Arrive at any time.
There are no planned activities during the day, so check into the hotel and explore the city. As it is located in the central highlands, San José enjoys a moderate climate.
Amid the hustle and bustle, San José has beautiful parks, museums and the ornate Costa Rica National Theatre downtown. Enjoy the view of the surrounding mountains from the downtown streets.
The central plaza is a good place to people-watch. A mime, juggler, marimba band, magician, or storyteller may be performing for whatever is collected when the hat is passed. Artisan booths are common, creating a regular arts and crafts fair atmosphere.
【Your Welcome Moment: Welcome Moment - Meet Your CEO and Group】
Your opportunity to meet your CEO and fellow travellers, and learn more about your tour. Opt to join the group for a local meal afterwards. Don't forget to see the notice in the lobby (or ask reception) for the official time and place to meet up with the group.Meals: B: Excluded, L: Excluded, D: ExcludedStay: Boutique Hotel Casa Las Orquideas - 2
Day 2 — San José - San Isidro
Travel by local bus over the highest mountain pass in the country. Arrive in the valley of San Isidro de El General and take a walk in the main plaza.
Spend the day visiting some shops and stock up before the next day's trek into the jungle. Located near three rivers and Costa Rica's highest mountain, Mt Chirripó, this region is well-known but few travelers stay to find out why.
【Free Time】
A free afternoon allows you the chance to explore the main square, located around three kilometres from the hotel, and get geared up for tomorrow’s hiking adventure.
San Isidro
Meals: B: Excluded, L: Excluded, D: ExcludedStay: San Isidro Hotel - 3
Day 3 — San Isidro - Piedras Blancas
Embark on a three-day, three-night excursion with a locally owned and operated adventure company to the community of Piedras Blancas, found in the heart of the Zona de los Santos region.
The journey is always half the fun! Travel in the back of a pickup truck through lush green landscapes and end in the small town of Brujo. Enjoy a 4-hour hike to a jungle homestay while spotting tropical fauna and plenty of wildlife along the way.
【Jungle Trekking to Piedras Blancas】
Ready for a challenge? Gear up and head off for a six-hour trek through the jungle. Local English-speaking guides will point out flora and fauna and spot birds and wildlife in the thick forest canopy. Trek up, down, and around rocks and roots. During rainy season (May-Nov), bring walking sticks to support you in the slippery mud.
Save your energy for 'la cuesta roja' (the red hill) -- 20-30 minutes of an uphill slog. The payoff? Howler monkeys and toucans as travel companions.
Piedras Blancas
Meals: B: Excluded, L: Included, D: IncludedStay: Lopez Homestay - 4
Day 4 — Piedras Blancas
Experience life in a remote community in and around a local family farm.
Wake up with the sun today and get ready for loads of activities. Enjoy a delicious traditional Costa Rican breakfast to start the day off right. In small groups, make 'dulce' (candy) at the family's traditional 'trapiche' (sugar cane mill). Cool off in the river that flows right by the house while the sugar simmers over the fire and lunch is being prepared.
Hike one hour to another household and stay the night. While there, local guides and members of the family will explain how to make fresh cheese and breads, play card games and enjoy tasty traditional Tico cooking. Once the evening winds down, head to bed for a well-deserved rest.
【Sugarcane Candy Making】
Roll up your sleeves and get ready for a nice arm workout! Using the traditional 'trapiche', a mill made of wooden rollers that helps draw out juices from the sugarcane, work those muscles to feed through the homegrown sugarcane and extract the sweet sugar. Let the sugar simmer over the fire and take a much-deserved break to cool down in the river and explore a 100-foot waterfall nearby. Towel off and get ready for lunch and try some of the sweet candy your hard work went into for a tasty treat afterwards.
【Your Foodie Moment: Bread Making】
Enter a traditional community kitchen and get to know the techniques and practises involved in making local style bread as well as getting to sample the results of the the hard work at the stove.Piedras Blancas
Meals: B: Included, L: Included, D: IncludedStay: Granados Homestay - 5
Day 5 — Piedras Blancas
Travel across the Savegre River to the next homestay with an included medicinal plant walk.
Start the day with a delicious home-cooked breakfast and fortify for the two-hour hike through the rainforest to tonight's home stay retreat. Enjoy the sights and sounds of the rushing waterfall directly in front of the dining area. Watch wildlife and hummingbirds up close. Reward yourself homemade chocolate made from cocoa beans collected right from the garden.
【Hike to a local family home stay】
Hike through the rainforest for two hours to reach the home of tonight's host family. Stop along the watch to bird-watch, learn about unique plants and breathe in the pure jungle air.
【Your Foodie Moment: Chocolate Making】
There are few things more delicious in the world than chocolate. See this coveted treat produced from bean to bar. From the nearby cacao plant to your mouth, enjoy the tasty benefits of 'eating local'.Piedras Blancas
Meals: B: Included, L: Included, D: IncludedStay: Fonseca Homestay - 6
Day 6 — Piedras Blancas - Dominical
Raft the Savegre River and relax at the end of the day by stretching out on the beach. Try the local seafood at an optional group dinner.
Today is a full, action-packed day. Set your alarm for an early morning start and a two-hour hike back to Brujo where we jump into rafts and head off on the Savegre River.
Paddle toward the Pacific coast, then take a van to Dominical. Spend the rest of the day at the local bungalows, in the swimming pool or walking along the beach.
【Hiking】
Wave 'adios' to your home stay host family and trek for two hours back through the jungle to the town of Brujo.
【Savegre River Whitewater Rafting】
What better way to get from A to B then taking the natural route along a scenic and exciting river? Buckle up your life jacket, grab a paddle and head off to raft the Class II - IV rapids of the Savegre River. Its water is considered some of cleanest in all of the Americas. Enjoy a natural high!Meals: B: Included, L: Included, D: ExcludedStay: To Be Confirmed - 7
Day 7 — Dominical
Enjoy a free day in beautiful Dominical. Take a surf lesson, hike to a local waterfall for a swim, go on a whale watching cruise, or kick back and relax.
【Free Time】
Get out there and get exploring!Meals: B: Excluded, L: Excluded, D: ExcludedStay: To Be Confirmed - 8
Day 8 — Dominical - Diamante Verde
Trek to a unique fully equipped cave with twin 26m (85 ft) waterfalls. Go swimming in three natural pools and explore surrounding trails.
Time to put the boots back on and hike to Catedral de Piedra ('Cathedral of Stone').
A free day for exploring the area, the local guides will plan a number of activities depending on the group’s interest and energy levels.
Options include a number of hikes to the surrounding falls, waterfall rappelling, cliff jumping and swimming in the natural pools.
【Hike to La Catedral de Piedra】
Put on your hiking shoes, fill up your water bottles and set off on a two hour hike through ancient growth jungle. Feel the positive energy of the nearby Baru River which plummets 457m (1,500 ft) down a steep canyon to the Catedral de Piedra. This giant ledge carved into the cliff sits above the Diamante Falls -- Costa Rica's tallest waterfall at 183m (600 ft). No wonder this place is a sanctuary for shamans and those in need of healing vibrations.Meals: B: Excluded, L: Included, D: IncludedStay: Diamante Verde stay in Casa de Piedra - 9
Day 9 — Diamante Verde - Uvita
Enjoy a morning of waterfall rappelling before trekking out of the jungle and travelling to beautiful seaside Uvita. Opt to surf, whale-watch, horseback-ride or kick back and relax.
Wake up early and set off on foot back to Las Tumbas. At the trail's end, hop in a private van and enjoy the ride to Uvita, a small beach town on the southwestern Pacific coast.
Take some much deserved time to rest and relax.
【Rappelling near Diamante Falls】
Use ropes and scramble down through pools and waterfalls. Keep an eye out for wildlife as you descend down through the waterfalls strapped securely in your harness.
【Hike from La Catedral de Piedra】
Return rejuvenated from La Catedral de Piedra and hike through jungles, over rock, in rivers and around waterfalls to Las Tumbas.Meals: B: Included, L: Excluded, D: ExcludedStay: Hotel Luz De Luna - 10
Day 10 — Uvita
Spend the morning swimming, relaxing, and watching humpback whales off the coast of Ballena Marine National Park, before enjoying free time in Uvita.
This is a perfect day for some quality hammock time. Still need to move? There's lots to do. Take a surf lesson, horseback ride, snorkel, SCUBA dive or take a trip to nearby Caño Island.
【Ballena Marine National Park Visit】
Ballena Marine National Park is set along a 15km stretch of coastline on the Pacific, with incredible water for snorkelling and swimming. With the largest coral reef on the Pacific Coast in Central America, this is the perfect spot to grab some fins or enjoy time to relax on the beach. This park also has prime humpback whale viewing as they migrate through the region between Dec and April.
【Free Time】
Unwind on the beach or try one of the many activities available in Uvita.Meals: B: Excluded, L: Excluded, D: ExcludedStay: Hotel Luz De Luna - 11
Day 11 — Uvita - San José
Transfer back to the capital for a final evening with the group.Meals: B: Excluded, L: Excluded, D: ExcludedStay: Boutique Hotel Casa Las Orquideas - 12
Day 12 — San José
Depart at any time.
Depart from San José at any time.Meals: B: Excluded, L: Excluded, D: Excluded
What's included
Included
- Your Welcome Moment: Welcome Moment - Meet Your CEO and Group
- Your Foodie Moment: Bread Making, Piedras Blancas
- Your Foodie Moment: Chocolate Making, Piedras Blancas
- Hiking excursion to Piedras Blancas (4 days)
- Overnight hiking excursion to Diamante Verde Cave
- Waterfall rappelling
- Whitewater rafting on the Savegre River
- Trapiche demonstration
- Ballena Marine National Park visit
- Free time in Dominical and Uvita
- All transport between destinations and to/from included activities
- Accommodations: Hotels (5-night twin-share, 2-night triple-share), jungle homestay (3-night, multi-share), cave camping (1-night, sleeping bags, no electricity)
- Transportation: Local bus, pickup truck, private vehicle, raft, hiking
- Staff & experts: CEO (Chief Experience Officer) throughout, local guides
- Meals: 4 breakfasts, 5 lunches, 4 dinners (Allow USD270-355 for meals not included)
Not included
- Airfares or related transportation between your home and destination
- All personal expenses including hotel room service and meals; however, you have the option to pay for meals that tour guide arranges
- Optional tours (Items and prices may vary due to different seasons and are subject to the final confirmation made by tour guide when on tour.)
- It is customary in Latin America to tip service providers such as waiters, at approximately 10%, depending on the service. Tipping is an expected - though not compulsory - component of your tour program and an expression of satisfaction with the persons who have assisted you on your tour. Although it may not be customary to you, it is of considerable significance to the people who will take care of you during your travels. There are several times during the trip where there is opportunity to tip the local guides or drivers we use. Recommendations for tipping drivers and local guides would range from $5-10 USD per day depending on the quality and length of the service; ask your CEO for specific recommendations based on the circumstances and culture. Tipping of your Chief Experience Officer is very much appreciated. The amount is entirely a personal preference; however as a guideline $5- 7 USD per person, per day is our recommendation in the region. However, if you felt your CEO did an especially outstanding job, any additional amount will always be welcome.
Cancellation policy
| When you cancel | Refund | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| 0–31 days before | 0% | Cancellation Made Within 31 days prior to departure, No Refund |
| 32–61 days before | 50% | Cancellation Made Within 32 days to 61 days prior to departure, Refund 50% of total purchase amount |
| 62+ days before | 90% | Cancellation Made 62 or more days prior to departure, Refund 90% of total purchase amount |
Read the full cancellation terms
Important info
Special notes
- Dossier Disclaimer
* The information in this trip details document has been compiled with care and is provided in good faith. However it is subject to change, and does not form part of the contract between the client and the operator. The itinerary featured is correct at time of printing. It may differ slightly to the one in the brochure. Occasionally our itineraries change as we make improvements that stem from past travellers, comments and our own research. Sometimes it can be a small change like adding an extra meal along the itinerary. Sometimes the change may result in us altering the tour for the coming year. Ultimately, our goal is to provide you with the most rewarding experience. Please note that our brochure is usually released in November each year. If you have booked from the previous brochure you may find there have been some changes to the itinerary.
* VERY IMPORTANT: Please ensure that you print a final copy of your Trip Details to review a couple of days prior to travel, in case there have been changes that affect your plans. - Itinerary Disclaimer
* While it is our intention to adhere to the route described below, there is a certain amount of flexibility built into the itinerary and on occasion it may be necessary, or desirable to make alterations. The itinerary is brief, as we never know exactly where our journey will take us. Due to our style of travel and the regions we visit, travel can be unpredictable. The Trip Details document is a general guide to the tour and region and any mention of specific destinations or wildlife is by no means a guarantee that they will be visited or encountered. Aboard expedition trips visits to research stations depend on final permission.
* Additionally, any travel times listed are approximations only and subject to vary due to local circumstances. - Important Notes
* Costa Rica will not be allowing anyone to enter the country without proof of a departure ticket (bus, airplane, boat, etc.). If you are travelling through a few countries in Central America, you will need to show proof of your itinerary and a departure ticket from your last destination. Please print the itinerary and voucher and bring it with you. - Group Leader Description
* All group trips are accompanied by one of our group leaders, a representative, or an expedition team. The aim of the group leader is to take the hassle out of your travels and to help you have the best trip possible. They will provide information on the places you are travelling through, offer suggestions for things to do and see, recommend great local eating venues and introduce you to our local friends. While not being guides in the traditional sense you can expect them to have a broad general knowledge of the countries visited on the trip, including historical, cultural, religious and social aspects. We also use local guides where we think more specific knowledge will add to the enjoyment of the places we are visiting- we think it's the best of both worlds. - Meals
* Eating is a big part of traveling. Travelling with us you experience the vast array of wonderful food that is available out in the world. Generally meals are not included in the trip price when there is a choice of eating options, to give you the maximum flexibility in deciding where, what and with whom to eat. It also gives you more budgeting flexibility, though generally food is cheap. Our groups tend to eat together to enable you to taste a larger variety of dishes and enjoy each other's company. There is no obligation to do this though. Your CEO will be able to suggest favourite restaurants during your trip. The above information applies to group trips.
* For Independent trips please check the itinerary for details of meals included. For all trips please refer to the meals included and budget information for included meals and meal budgets. - What to Take
* We recommend using a backpack for your convenience, or a medium-sized suitcase if you prefer. A daypack is also essential for carrying everyday items. Space is limited on transportation, so there is a limit of one main piece of luggage per person. You will be responsible for carrying and handling your own luggage. - Every traveller is different and therefore spending money requirements will vary. Some travellers may drink more than others while other travellers like to purchase more souvenirs than most. Please consider your own spending habits when it comes to allowing for drinks, shopping and tipping. Please also remember the following specific recommendations when planning your trip.
Pricing notes (children, single supplement)
* All travellers under age 18 must be accompanied by an adult.
* Child shares the same price as adult.
Tour operator
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$1899
NPR 2,56,365