Costa Rica Hike and Explore
Price
Activity Level
Between 2 - 4
We rate trips on a scale from 1 (leisurely) to 5 (avid), with a range of activity levels in between.
Overview
Pura Vida, the good life, is what you will experience in Costa Rica with Wilderness Inquiry. This is a place known for its natural wonders, and this trip will take you to them. Wilderness Inquiry has been doing trips in Costa Rica for many years and by gradually migrating to the southern, and some would say less-traveled, part of the country. We have developed a unique and exciting itinerary you won’t find anywhere else. On this adventure, you’ll travel to Corcovado National Park on the famed Osa Peninsula—a place the National Geographic Society calls “the most biologically intense place on Earth.” Observe monkeys, iguanas, sloths, dolphins, and a wide variety of birds in Barú. Conclude your trip by hiking the amazing cloud forests of Mount Chirripo, the country’s tallest mountain. Stay in small, locally-owned hotels and cabanas.
Included/Excluded
- Skilled Outdoor Leader guides and local experts, including translation if applicable
- Equipment for all outdoor activities
- Delicious local cuisine
- Double-occupancy or group rooms by gender or request
- Limited single-occupancy rooms available for extra cost
- Park permits & fees
- Transportation to & from trip activities
- Transportation to & from trip start/end location (including airfare)
- Optional trip insurance
- Lodging stays before/after scheduled trip dates
- On-your-own activities, food, & shopping
- Alcoholic beverages
- Visa fees (if applicable)
Location Map
Day 1: Arrive in San José and transfer to the hotel in Alajuela
Arrive in San José and make your way to the hotel in Alajuela. Enjoy dinner with the group and a program orientation by the pool.
Day 2: Enjoy lunch on the coast and hike through mangroves
Leave San José early in the morning, traveling by van to the Pacific coast town of Quepos for a lunch stop at Manual Antonio National Park. After lunch, continue traveling to Barú where you’ll stay on a pristine preserve a mile out of town. Hike through a lowland forest of mangroves, watching for water birds before a relaxing dinner on the patio.
Day 3: Zip above the rainforest canopy and enjoy a relaxing afternoon with your trip mates
Awaken to the sounds of the rainforest and take to the trees for a zip line tour of the dense canopy! Enjoy a relaxing afternoon visiting the butterfly enclosure, reading in a hammock under the trees, or swimming in the pool.
Day 4: Depart Barú and head to the Osa Peninsula
Rise in the morning to enjoy a fresh breakfast, then depart Barú for the Osa Peninsula, our home for the next several days. Travel to the village of Sierpe, then by boat through a mangrove channel, continuing out onto the Pacific Ocean for an incredibly scenic ride along palm-lined beaches. Settle into your lodge before relaxing on a beautiful beach adjacent to Corcovado National Park.
Day 5: Spend the morning snorkeling at Caño Island, then enjoy a relaxing afternoon on the beach
Wake up early and get ready for a full day of adventure. Spend the morning snorkeling in the coral reef off the warm waters of Caño Island. This area is one of the very best places to snorkel in clear water among abundant sea life. In the afternoon, relax on the beach, taking a dip or watching the waves.
Day 6: Spot an abundance of wild creatures as you explore Corcovado National Park
An early morning boat ride takes you to Corcovado National Park where you will spend the morning exploring one of the earth’s remaining rare wild places. Hike through the rainforest jungle and beaches looking for spectacular birds and wildlife of all kinds: monkeys, crested guams and other creatures live here in abundance. Return to the ranger station for a picnic lunch. Travel back to your resort for a quiet evening on the beach.
Day 7: Travel from spectacular beaches to stunning mountain valleys
Start the day off with a boat ride back to Sierpe, then travel by van through the mountains to San Isidro, a typical Costa Rican town nestled in the mountain valley. After lunch, travel on to San Gerardo, a small town on the flanks of Mt. Chirripó. Spend the remainder of the day taking short hikes and/or birdwatching.
Day 8: Trek into the clouds and admire stunning vistas of Mt. Chirripó
Wake early for a trek into the cloud forest adjacent to Mt. Chirripó in Cloudbridge Preserve. A beautiful loop trail takes you through a fantasy world of hanging moss, huge old-growth forest, and amazing vistas. It is a strange and wonderful feeling to look down at the clouds! At the end of the day, share dinner with your trip mates over a celebratory evening meal.
Day 9: Enjoy a morning hike as you search for native bird species
After a hearty breakfast, take a tour around Talamanca and observe the many species of birds that call the mountains their home. Keep your eyes peeled for the gorgeous Violet Sabrewing Hummingbird, the largest hummingbird in Costa Rica. After a leisurely lunch, drive down the mountain and return to Alajuela.
Day 10: Enjoy a visit to the Doka Coffee Estate before saying farewell to your trip mates
Tour the Doka Coffee Estate, a pioneer of coffee production for more than 70 years. This is the perfect opportunity to stock up on Costa Rican coffee before returning home. After the coffee tour, travel back to the San José airport.
Our Approach to Accessibility
Wilderness Inquiry takes a creative and multifaceted approach to accessibility on trips and programs. Understandably, an ADA-level accessibility may not always be available in wilderness and even international settings. That is why we utilize Wilderness Inquiry’s Universal Program Participation Model (UPPM) to guide our approach to accessibility by leveraging key resources such as adaptive equipment, support personnel, itinerary and activity choices, and weighing in unique environmental factors to create experiences that can be accessible to many individuals. While our trips may not follow a one-size-fits-all approach, our team does our best to ensure there is a variety of travel and program options that offer differing levels of accessibility for a variety of needs and abilities. If you have questions about your ability to participate on a Wilderness Inquiry trip or program, our team is always willing to explore options and solutions that suit a traveler’s interest and ability- don’t hesitate to reach out!
What is included in the trip price?
Trip fees cover all of your needs while you are traveling with us — including equipment, food, guides, permits, etc. You are responsible for bringing personal clothing and hygiene supplies. Gear such as sleeping bags, pads, and cots can be checked out during the booking process for no additional fee.
Could the itinerary change after I sign up?
Your trip is dependent on weather, availability, and potential other unforeseen circumstances. All itineraries online are “sample” itineraries that are subject to change. Please check your confirmation packet for the most up-to-date information.
There are many different route choices available within our trip locations for hiking and paddling. The routes will be chosen by Wilderness Inquiry Outdoor Leaders based on availability and the strength of the group.
What type of food will I eat during the trip?
Typical menus for overnight camping trips include pesto pasta, burritos, stir-fry, avocado caprese wraps, brats and burgers, apple cobbler, and plenty of snacks. The exact menus vary trip-by-trip. On longer wilderness expeditions, we bring more nonperishable foods that keep well for days without refrigeration. On international trips, we tend to eat the local cuisine. We can accommodate most dietary restrictions and preferences — please note this information on your registration form.
I or a member of my family has a disability. Can I/they still participate?
We strive to put accessibility at the forefront of our programs so that individuals of all abilities, including people with disabilities, can successfully participate in our trips. If you or a member of your family has a disability, you will have an opportunity to confidentially share more during the registration process for your trip. A member of our team will connect with you further over the phone to make sure we are able to provide the appropriate support or accommodations you need to have a safe and rewarding experience on your trip.
What is your cancellation policy?
Trip deposits are due at the time of booking and are generally non-refundable.
- Within five weeks prior to trip departure (0-34 days):
- You are responsible for 100% of trip fees. No refunds issued.
- Five to ten weeks prior to trip departure (35-70 days):
- We will refund up to 50% of your trip fee, minus your deposit.
- Ten weeks or more prior to trip departure (71+ days):
- We will issue a refund of all trip fees paid, minus your deposit.
- The deposit may be credited to a future trip.
To view our full cancellation policy, please click here.
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