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Day 01 (Sun) SAN JOSE
Accommodation »
Arrival and transfer to your hotel. If you arrive early, we can arrange optional tours to museums or to visit the city and surroundings sites.
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Day 02 (Mon) SAN JOSE - PACUARE RIVER
Accommodation »
Today you will be picked up early in the morning for your 2 days / 1 night Pacuare white water rafting tour. Before arriving at the banks of the Pacuare River, you will stop to enjoy breakfast. Upon arrival at the river, an expert guide will provide you with the rafting gear and explain safety precautions before the rafting adventure begins. The river passes through scenic canyons filled with tall trees and dense vegetation. The thick undergrowth of this protected area provides shelter for a variety of tropical animals and birds, including some endangered species. The first day on the river is an exciting journey that takes just over two hours. Arrival at the Pacuare Lodge, a unique jungle oasis nestled in a most remarkable setting. Modern wooden bungalows with thatched palm roofs are spaced out beneath the trees, providing both privacy and serenity. The two-story main lodge has breezy dining facilities on the first floor, and relaxing chairs and hammocks in the open-air second floor lounge. After lunch, you can try the Canopy tour (not included), take a guided hike to a waterfall in the forest (not included), play cards, or just relax. Dinner and overnight at Pacuare Lodge. (B,L,D)
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Day 03 (Tues) PACUARE RIVER - LIMON
Accommodation »
After a delicious buffet breakfast, you will launch the rafts again for the second day of your river expedition. Rafting becomes even more thrilling as you begin to use the skills and experience gained from the day before. Later on, a tasty midday meal of sandwiches, fruits and dessert will be served along the water's edge. At the river take-out, you can change into dry clothes before boarding the mini bus that will take you to Limon and Selva Bananito, a small jungle lodge nestled in the Talamanca Mountain Range near the Caribbean coast. Late afternoon will be at leisure to enjoy the views of the mountains and forests. As the night comes along we will enjoy a beautiful candle-lit atmosphere, as the hotel has no electricity. Overnight at Selva Bananito. (B,L,D)
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Day 04 (Wed) SELVA BANANITO
Accommodation »
After breakfast, hike into the trails of the Selva Bananito Reserve along the Bananito River until reaching some beautiful waterfalls, where you will have time to take a dip in the natural pools and enjoy the surrounding natural scenery. A picnic style lunch will take place near the waterfall. In the afternoon there will be a tree climbing tour, where you will climb a huge tropical tree with the help of a guide and special equipment until reaching a platform at the top of it. Dinner & overnight at the lodge. (B,L,D)
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Day 05 (Thu) LIMON - PUERTO VIEJO
Accommodation »
After breakfast you will be transferred to town of Puerto Viejo de Talamanca, a vibrant laid-back community on the south Caribbean coast. Check in at the hotel. Today you will have a chance to relax and explore the beautiful beaches of the area. (B)
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Day 06 (Fri) CAHUITA NATIONAL PARK
Accommodation »
Today you will enjoy a snorkeling tour to Cahuita National Park. You will be picked up at your hotel and
transferred to Cahuita to meet the boat. You will snorkel for about two hours at two different spots in the National
Park. Afterwards you will go back to the beach to relax and enjoy lunch. After lunch, you will take a walk into the
national park for 1.5 hours with a guide who will explain the variety of flora and fauna and the history of
Cahuita. After the walk you will return to Puerto Viejo. Overnight at hotel. (B,L)
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Day 07 (Sat) PUERTO VIEJO - SAN JOSE
Accommodation »
Morning at leisure in Puerto Viejo. At noon you will meet at the hotel and transfer to San Jose. Overnight at hotel. (B)
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Day 08 (Sun) SAN JOSE
Transfer from the hotel to the International Airport. (B)
Key: (B)reakfast (L)unch (D)inner
Physical Requirements:
This adventure involves moderate to strenuous trekking/hiking at Selva Bananito and 2 days of Class IV White water rafting on the Pacuare River. Good walking/aerobic fitness is required.
TRIP DATES
2009 (contact us for 2010 dates & prices)
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January
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4-11
18-25
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July
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5-12
19-26
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February
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1-8
15-22
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August
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2-9
16-23
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March
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1-8
15-22
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September
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6-13
20-27
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April
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5-12
19-26
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October
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4-11
18-25
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May
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3-10
17-24
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November
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8-15
22-29
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June
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7-14
21-28
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December
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6-13
20-27
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Scheduled Departures:
Sunday Departures. Our Scheduled Departures are for a minimum of 2 passengers (12 maximum).
Private Depatures: Already have your own group?
For only $100 extra per person, groups of 2 or more can have their own private group and departure dates.
ABOUT SELVA BANANITO
Selva Bananito Lodge, which opened its doors in December of 1995, is a secluded rain forest lodge situated 13mi (20km) south and 9mi (15km) inland of Puerto Limón on the Atlantic side of Costa Rica. It is owned and operated by the Stein family, who moved to Costa Rica from South America in 1974. The Family generates income from tourism for the protection of 850 hectares (2,000 acres) of privately owned rain forest, and for the funding of special conservation projects there and in neighboring areas. In addition to being available for independent travelers interested in the rain forest, they will soon open our doors to scientific researchers.
The private reserve which Selva Bananito Lodge supports, called Reserva Selva Bananito, is only a 10-minute walk from the lodge and graces the view from the cabins. To minimize the impact of tourists on this pristine rain forest environment, they allow only a small number of visitors in the forest at any one time.
Selva Bananito Lodge and Reserve are located on the Stein family farm. The reserve covers two thirds of the farm and consists of primary rain forest. It shares borders with Area de Conservación La Amistad (La Amistad Biosphere Reserve), Central America's largest protected wilderness expanse, which consists of national and international parks and preserves. This area remains one of the least explored territories in the region, its biological wealth only partially known. One third of the family land (about 416 hectares or 1,000 acres) is devoted to low-impact, sustainable agriculture and cattle management.
ABOUT PACUARE RIVER
In the Atlantic region of Costa Rica there is a protected zone of incomparable beauty that begins near the town of Siquirres and covers approximately 25,000 acres as it descends down the Talamanca Mountain Range. This is the area known as Pacuare, which constitutes one of the most important protected areas in the region. High annual rainfall, along with its proximity to the lowlands combine to nurture a complex life systems whose abundance make for extraordinary scenic beauty. This area is still inhabited by the Cabecar Indians, whose hut dwellings are spaced far apart over large distances rather than being clustered as was true of most native tribes. The Pacuare is their lifeblood, and you can hike the same paths that this indigenous tribe still uses. Trails in the Pacuare Rainforest wander in all directions, cutting through the mountains and permitting exploration, with time to understand and appreciate the beauty of this unique tropical rainforest.
The Pacuare River, located within this zone, offers some of the finest white water in Latin America. This officially designated Wild and Scenic River winds deep inside impressive primordial rainforest. Remote and scenic waters course through a wilderness of dense vegetation covering the sides of steep gorges that rise above the riverbanks. The thick undergrowth provides shelter to jaguars, ocelots, monkeys, sloths, and numerous other species of animals and birds.
ABOUT PACUARE LODGE
Nestled deep inside the Pacuare protected zone, on the banks of the Pacuare River and amidst enchanting and captivating rainforest, is our very special jungle getaway, the Pacuare Lodge. A true eco-lodge, here you are completely surrounded by nature in its purest and most primitive state. The two-story Pacuare Lodge has comfortable, rustic dining facilities on the first floor, and sitting areas with sofas and hammocks in an open-air lounge on the second floor. Modern wooden bungalows with thatched palm roofs have been carefully designed in an indigenous style to blend into the surrounding forest. Each hides beneath giant trees that have stood guard over this forest for eons, and comes complete with private bathroom and shower, comfortable bed, and fresh linens.
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