Additional Trip Information
Arrival & Departure
Your trip begins with your arrival in San José at Costa Rica’s Juan Santamaría International Airport. After passing through Immigration, take the right hand side exit door and look for the Sun Tours representative who will direct you to customs. When you leave the building after clearing customs, look for a Sun Tours representative, who will be holding a sign that says “Costa Rica Sun Tours” with your name on it. Your guide will take you to the Hotel Bougainvillea. On Day 9, you will transfer one hour from your hotel to Limon Airport for a short charter flight to San José where you may choose to extend your stay in Costa Rica or fly out of the international airport in the afternoon.
Activities
Hiking: Easy to moderately strenuous hikes ranging from 1 to 5 miles (1 to 4 hours) on birding excursions, village/city tours, national park treks and more.
River rafting: Class III and IV rapids on the Pacuare River. You will raft into the Rios Tropicales Lodge on Day 4 (1.5 hour trip) and raft out on Day 6 (3 hour trip).
Kayaking: Calm waters through Tortuguero canals, no experience necessary.
Canyoning: Rappelling down waterfalls. No experience necessary, guides inspect all equipment and provide detailed instruction.
Zip Line: No experience necessary, gear and instruction provided.
Snorkeling: No experience necessary, gear and instruction provided.
Biking: Easygoing ride with cruiser bikes on the roads near Puerto Viejo.
Discovery: Costa Rica, a tiny country that forms the land bridge between North and South America, is almost too good to believe. Although slightly smaller than West Virginia, it boasts a world famous National Park system, unmatched flora (including over 3,000 species of wild orchids), world-class rivers, active volcanoes and more species of mammals and birds than the continental United States and Canada combined! Explore the gardens of Hotel Bougainvillea in search of over 50 species of bromeliads, Costa Rican native trees, and numerous species of orchids, herb and cacti gardens; and radiant humming birds typical of the Central Valley of Costa Rica. Did you know that the area protected by Tortuguero National Park was an archipelago of volcanic islands until alluvial sediments from the interior mountains, filled in the spaces and formed a network of marshy islands? Raft the Pacuare River spanning some of the country’s most diverse terrain, passing through densely vegetated primary rainforest, lowland tropical rainforest and towering waterfalls. Come discover “The Crossroads of the Americas!” Sun Tours guides are experienced facilitators and regional experts. They will take the time to explain the details of each activity, answer any questions and demonstrate the use of all equipment. Each activity has been carefully planned to include options for all levels. Most importantly, your guides will help you select the distance that’s right for you.
Meals
The hallmark of an Austin Adventures vacation is our exceptional dining. All meals: breakfasts, lunches, snacks, dinners, refreshments and receptions are included as indicated by itinerary. (B = Breakfast, L = Lunch, D = Dinner). Alcoholic beverages and related gratuities are not included in the trip price.
Included in Trip Price- Double occupancy rooms with private baths.
- All breakfasts. Lunches and dinners as listed by day. Snacks along the route.
- Fully trained, first-aid certified, bilingual professional guides and knowledgeable local partners.
- Vehicle support and land transportation during the trip.
- Austin Adventures T-shirt & luggage tags.
- Pre-departure and packing information.
- Incidental expenses such as taxes, dining and housekeeping gratuities, local guide and expert gratuities.
Not Included in Trip Price- Gratuities to Austin Adventures guides.
- Alcoholic beverages and related gratuities.
- Pre-and post-trip accommodations and associated expenses.
- Air and land transportation to/from host cities.
- Airport departure taxes.
- Extras in hotels (laundry, phone calls, room service, etc.)
- All types of personal insurance.
- Personal expenses.
Pre-departure Information After receiving your reservation and deposit, we’ll send you a pre-trip planner with general information about the area you’ll be visiting, a packing list, exercise guidelines, a guest information questionnaire and a liability release agreement for you to sign and return within 10 days.
