Evolve Costa Rica
Evolve Costa Rica is an unforgettable journey through the city, rainforest, river, and ocean. (By popular demand, this trip bypasses the Forsaken Mountains of Doom.)
We'll start at a hotel in the beautiful cobbled streets of San Isidro. Meet the trip leaders and relax before the next morning's hike to our eco lodge, deep in the rainforest and surrounded by wildlife and waterfalls.
Brush up on your British accent, because we may (or may not) pretend to be National Geographic documentary narrators. The lodge is our basecamp, and it's where we'll make chocolate and coffee from scratch, swim in the river, zipline over the tree canopy, and rehabilitate damaged parts of the rainforest. (Heroic Batman cape not included.)
On day 7, we'll earn our water wings and take rafts out on the Savagre River, the purest river in Central America, all the way to the Pacific Coast. That's where we'll go surfing, plant a vegetable garden for impoverished kids to eat at school, salsa dance and more. (If you have two left feet, don't worry: for the dancing-shy, the instructor also covers how to stand awkwardly at the edge of the room pretending to talk on your cellphone.) Swinging north, we'll explore the Arenal volcano area and re-enact classic scenes from Lord of The Rings before relaxing in a hot springs resort. Finally, we'll head back to San Jose to explore the city and shop for "souvenirs for family" (gifts for ourselves).
Tour Dates: July 5 - 20, 2013
Day 1: Touch down
Our private bus will pick us up at the airport and take us away from the screaming throngs of papparazzi to beautiful San Isidro. We'll check in at the hotel, meet the Evolve Tours trip leaders, and talk about our next 15 days of adventures while pointing meaningfully at fancy-looking charts and maps.
Day 2-6: Rainforest
We'll drive through coffee and banana plantations until it's time to travel by foot. Then we'll hike deep into the rainforest to the Eco Lodge and meet our host family (they speak both English and Spanish). When we're not swimming in the rainforest river, falling asleep to the sounds of the rainforest or teaching local monkeys to play sudoku, here's what we'll be doing:
- Climbing ancient trees with a harness
- Rappelling off a 40ft waterfall
- Making chocolate, tortillas and coffee from scratch
- Ziplining over the rainforest canopy, while holding a cup of tea in one hand like "Oh hi there, just thought I'd go for a nice morning zipline, cheerio!"
- Replanting rare tree lings in damaged rainforest areas
Day 7: River
We'll learn how to whitewater-raft (the key is to panic and push everyone else out) and then we'll take our raft down the Savegre River until we hit the coast. We'll stop to shower under the super-gorgeous layered waterfalls (the regular-gorgeous waterfalls are under construction, sorry).
Day 8-11: Ocean
We'll hit the town of Hermosa, take beginner-friendly surfing lessons and get wet in the Pacific Ocean. When we aren't majestically running down the beach in slow motion as our silken hair flies out behind us, we'll help the community and enjoy some of the local luxuries:
- Develop a chemical-free vegetable garden for local kids to eat at school
- Relax by the hotel pool
- Eat amazing food
- Learn to salsa dance
Day 12-14: Volcano
We'll get our cameras out for the breathtaking views of the Arenal Volcano (scalding-hot lava included!) and explore the lush surroundings. Then we'll hit the Baldi Hot Springs Resort to take a much-needed break from the stress and headaches of paradise, before a night out on the town.
Day 15: City
Back in San Jose, we'll explore the shops and markets of the city, picking up Costa Rican souvenirs for our friends, family and mortal enemies back home. Then we'll have our final dinner and say our goodbyes while complaining that our eyes are only watering because it's so dusty in here, darn it. On Day 16, we'll board our flights and head home.
Activities Included in your trip
Hike through the rainforest
Rappel down a waterfall in the Rainforest
Climb up an ancient rainforest tree
Relax your hard working muscles in a natural sauna
Paddle down a Rainforest River in White Water Rafts
Tree planting in the Rainforest
Service project at a local school
Hike around the Arenal Volcano for upclose views of the Lava
Visit the natural Hot springs in the Arenal Volcano region
Learn and be enlightened by a Village Shaman (Medicine Man)
Learn how to make chocolate, tortillas, and coffee from scratch
Visit the National Museum and Central Markets in San Jose
Learn how to Salsa dance
Surf lessons with professional instructors
Zip line over top the rainforest canopy
Practice and learn basic Spanish
Accommodations:
Hotels: Hermosa Beach and Arenal
Eco Lodge: Cabin style accommodation
Evolve Tour Staff
1-2 Evolve Tour staff will be guiding the group for the whole trip
1-2 Local Costa Rican staff
Meals
Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner Daily
Snacks and other items to be purchased by campers
Transportation:
Private Coach Transportation for duration of stay in CR
Private shuttles to access Rainforest Hiking Trail Meals: All meals are included while in Costa Rica travelers will have opportunity to buy extra snacks or meals on their own
Language study
Spanish immersion throughout the trip, with opportunities to practice with locals, staff, children at the school and pretty much everyone you come in contact with
Development Project
Working at a local school to complete a vegetable garden. The garden ensures that kids at the school have access to food for lunch. Some of the other projects are chosen closer to the trip date as we try and ensure that we are contributing to projects that the community actually needs.
Cultural Interactions
Exchange cultures and language through the service project, orientation and adventure travel.
Trekking
Hike right into our eco lodge which is in the middle of the Rainforest. At the site we have zip lining, waterfall rappelling, and tree climbing set up amongst a ton of other activities.
White Water Rafting
1 day trip down the Savegre River with rapids levels II to IV with guides and safety kayaks, and equipment.
Surfing
You cant really come to Costa Rica and not surf. Our surf classes are down with our crew of surf instructors on mellow waves that are usually perfect for beginners.
Accommodation
Throughout the trip we will be at our eco lodge facility in the rainforest and then hotels in Hermosa Beach and near the town of Arenal.
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