Transat Costa Rica

Veragua Rainforest Research and Adventure Park
Located less than one hour from the historic Caribbean town of Limón, this doubled-purpose adventure and investigation park includes among other attractions, the largest indoor nocturnal frog exhibit in the world, a butterfly garden, a reptile vivarium, a hummingbird garden, a fascinating tram ride through the rainforest canopy, spectacular walking trails through the primary rainforest and a magnificent waterfall; all surrounded by breathtaking panoramic views of La Amistad International Park. Learn about our research efforts by observing and interacting with actual para-taxonomists who are carrying out Veragua / INBio’s research programs as part of our commitment to understand and protect the biodiversity of Costa Rica’s rainforests. Maybe you will witness the discovery of a new species!

Cahuita National Park
The largest town in the South of Limon is Cahuita. A four mile natural trail leads from Cahuita to Puerto Vargas, beyond Cahuita Point. The walk takes about two hours, but hikers will definitely want to stop frequently for a picnic, for a swim in warm Caribbean waters, to gape at the Howler Monkeys in the tree top high overhead or to focus their binoculars on a Green Ibis of Green and Rufous King fisher. The National Park was formed to protect one of the last living reefs in Costa Rica. Unfortunately, sedimentation from expanding banana plantations and deforestation in the Talamanca Mountains and the last earthquake have killed much of the reef close to the shore. Snorkelers can try their luck near Cahuita Point or Puerto Vargas. In these waters scientists have counted 35 species of coral, including elk horn, brain coral and Venus sea fan, and 123 species of tropical fish. Snorkeling equipment is available.

Gandoca-Manzanillo Wildlife Refuge
Our tour guide will transfer you to Gandoca Manzanillo Wildlife Refuge. This is a 22,000-acre Wildlife Refuge that was recently declared a Ramsar site under the International Convention for the protection of Wetlands. The declaration gives a coastal wetland of international importance. Be prepared for a wild hike. After walking a little deeper into the jungle, you will surely find some wildlife. Howler monkeys, toucans, parrots and other animals can be seen. This is a Humid Tropical Rain Forest. Most of the trees in the upper layer stand up to 30 meters and those in the emergent layer may reach 50 meters and even more. The trees are covered by mosses, lichens and bromeliads, orchids and other epiphytic plants that cascade from the branches.

Rapids on the Pacuare River - class IV:
This river has been declared a Wild and Scenic River, and offers some of the finest white water in Latin America, providing the adventurous rafter with a ride of unbelievable natural beauty as it winds deep inside one of Costa Rica's most impressive primordial rainforests. You will traverse 20 miles of remote and scenic waters that course through a wilderness of dense vegetation covering the sides of steep gorges that rise above the river banks. The thick undergrowth provides shelter for jaguars, ocelots, monkeys, sloths, and numerous other species of animals and birds. You'll break for a delicious lunch served along the river's edge by your guides.

While lunch is being prepared, you'll have plenty of time to relax and enjoy the spectacular scenery as you marvel at the raw, pounding power of the untamed Pacuare River that for millions of years has coursed through this virgin tropical rainforest. River time: approximately 4 hours depending on the water level. Lunch on the riverbank before the afternoon take out at which time you can shower and change into dry clothes.

Caribbean Amazing Horseback Riding
This horseback riding tour brings you in the world of tropical rainforest, farmland of Costa Rica. Ride full gallop through pastures and plantations fields. You will trot across gorgeous landscapes that vary in difficulty. Descend small hills, learn about the development of secondary forests and admire the scenic lookout throughout your journey that culminates in a beautiful waterfall in the middle of the forest.

5-In-1 Combo Tour
We'll pick you at your hotel, boarding your air-conditioned transportation for an enjoyable 15-minute drive, viewing the Limon Beachfront Coastline and Downtown Area, currently under Renovation and Restoration. A brief, breathtaking photo-op awaits you moments later, overlooking the Limon Seaport and the Southern Caribbean Coastline. In your next segment, you will be treated to the beauty of the crescent-shaped beaches along the Coastal Road connecting the sister cities of Puerto Limon and Puerto Moin. Here, you can enjoy another photo-op of Costa Rica's busiest exporting Port. Returning to your bus, after a short drive along the greenest fields of Central America, you'll be treated to the intricate and hard-working Costa Rican workers at our World-Class Banana Plantation, learning to appreciate the breakfast fruit we daily take for granted. Next stop, encounter an Aquatic Adventure on the "Indiana Jones" Amazon Canals, where you may likely be greeted by howler monkeys, iguanas, crocodiles and many exotic species of Tropical birds. Later, we´ll take you for a Sun & Beach Relax Time, where you can just enjoy the Facilities, eat lunch or just enjoy a cool one and relax and take in some sun. At our final Combo Tour stop, purchase some Souvenirs at a Local Handicrafts Shoppe. Before reaching your Hotel, we´ll give a short briefing on the future plans for both Puerto Moin and Puerto Limon.

Zip Line Canopy-Brisas Combo Tour
The Canopy Tour, offering the magical sensation of flying like a bird inside the rainforest, will take you through the treetops, contemplating the natural beauty below you, while adrenaline rushes through your body. The canopy ride consists of 13 platforms and 12 cable rides over a one kilometer stretch, challenging your tolerance of heights. This ride is designed for the adventurous at heart and gradually descends until reaching the beautiful foothills of the Caribbean Costa Rican lowlands, enjoying delicious Tropical fresh fruits upon completing your adventure. Optional Horseback Riding and Nature Trail Hiking are also available at modest cost. An optional lunch on site is also available for about $8.00 per person.

Macadamia and Heliconias Combo Tour
We'll pick you at your hotel, boarding your air-conditioned transportation for an enjoyable 90-minute drive, viewing the lush and lovely Caribbean Coastal Plains and Lowlands. Your first visit will be a one-hour visit to the Heliconias Flower Farm, a 30 hectare flower farm offering an amazing 100 or more varieties of Heliconias, Ornamental Bananas, Gingers, Costus, Cordylines, Palms, Calatheas, Philodendrons and others, many creatively innovated right here in Costa Rica. You will even have the opportunity to special order and ship the flowers of Your choice if you so desire. At your next stop, The Traditional Farm Tour, you will be treated to the beauty and rich history of a traditional Costa Rican Caribbean Farm, learning in only two hours all about the planting and processing of Macadamia and Coffee,enjoying some fresh nuts straight from the oven! Be enchanted by her Botanical Gardens, Fresh Water Springs and much more. Delight to the Butterflies and Birds attracted to these delightful Gardens. Enjoy the 150 year-old tradition of the ¨Trapiche¨ sugar cane press and the legends surrounding it. Enjoy the ox cart, another unique Costa Rican Legend, thriving even in modern-day 2009. Later, an optional lunch will be served, at additional cost, if so desired. On the way home, before reaching your Hotel, we´ll give a short briefing on the future plans for both Puerto Moin and Puerto Limon.

Coastal Tortuguero
The Coast Line Tour introduces you to the main attractions of Limon, offering you the chance to know the main beaches (Port Complex) and the birth of canals linking northern Costa Rica to Nicaragua. Do not miss this opportunity and enjoy the wildlife of the Caribbean and its unique vegetation.

Marcus Garvey's City Tour
Travel through the life of this man and his legacy to the community, the history of the city, the architecture, the presence of the railroad and the banana plantations. All of them important parts of Limon.

Sloth Tours
A wonderful experience awaits you at the Sloth Sanctuary, the newest private wildlife reserve in Costa Rica, just 20 miles (32Km) from Port of Limon. This wonderful beings is considered the Official mascot of the city of Limon. In his message of peace and harmony with their environment.

Chocolate Tour
Amazing guided tour through the local history and culture of chocolate. Make your own chocolate at our chocolate factory a Museum in jungle.

Caribbean Adventures Farm Tour
A destiny in wich you'll entry...in full contact wuth nature! Meet the 16 foot Aligator's Best Friend who lives in the Caribbean Coast of Costa Rica.

All lodges offer packages including a boat tour into the Canals and a hike inside the national park. Optional activities to be arranged and paid directly at the lodge.

INBIO Park
The educational park just 15 minutes from downtown San Jose recreates four of the country’s major habitats - tropical rainforest, tropical dry forest, pre-montane forest, native to the Central Valley, and wetlands - in outdoor gardens. Learn about sustainable uses of Costa Rica’s biodiversity in the pharmaceutical industry through a process called bioprospecting. And find out why “bioliteracy” is crucial to conservation of natural areas.

Doka Coffee Plantation
A visit to the Doka Coffee Plantation starts with a spectacular view of the Central Valley from the edge of the plantation, where visitors hear about the science of coffee growing, as well as some highlights about the plantation’s 75 years in the coffee business. The company exports over 8 million pounds of green coffee annually from the slopes of Poas Volcano, with Starbucks as a principal buyer.

Irazu Volcano
The route to Irazu passes through one of the country's most fertile agricultural areas, where almost all of Costa Rica's onions, potatoes and carrots are grown. Further up the slope, verdant pastures support herds of dairy cattle. A paved road leads right to the top of Irazú, within a few hundred feet of the principal crater with a chartreuse colored sulfur lake at its center.

White-water rafting at Pacuare River
The Pacuare River is rated one of the top rivers in the world. You’ll experience the intimate nature of the rainforest via the river. The warm water, cascading waterfalls, and opulently lush rainforest with its brilliantly colored plants, animals, and birds make this trip exquisite for your senses.

Sugar cane, coffee and macadamia plantations
This tour of two and a half hours will pass through sugar cane, coffee and macadamia plantations, to then see the processing plants for these crops. Coffee is harvested from July to November, the sugar cane from February to June, and the macadamia from December to June. Guests can take part in the work on the fields, specially participating in the gathering of coffee beans during season.

Horseback riding
Guests ride on specially designed mountain trails so that the striking views of the surrounding plantations, forests and the valley of Turrialba can be admired. The tour lasts approximately three hours.

White water rafting on Reventazon River
This is the most popular river rafting trip of our country, offering a unique experience on the waters of the Reventazon River from the very first moment on. The adventure begins with a series of rapids which will keep the adventurers alert to what is ahead.

Visit to C.A.T.I.E.
One of the most outstanding tropical and agricultural research stations of the world is located in this valley. Its paths offer excellent conditions for bird watching, and the premises for studying orchids, herbs and other tropical species are fascinating. Guests can explore this marvelous world guided by a biologist.

Guayabo National Monument
This archeological sanctuary is located 12 miles away from the city of Turrialba and shows the traces of the indigenous civilization who inhabited Costa Rica between 1000 BC and 1400 AC, before disappearing mysteriously.

Irazu Volcano & Lankester Gardens
With Turrialba as starting point, this tour includes two leading attractions of the province of Cartago: the majesty of the overwhelming Irazu Volcano and the beauty of the orchid collection in Lankaster Gardens.

Turrialba Volcano
Known as one of the volcanoes surrounded by an affluence of nature, the Turrialba volcano seems to observe the homonymous town from its peak. This tour is an ideal choice for visiting a volcano, encountering nature up-close and viewing beautiful scenery.

Hacienda Experience at Tayutic
It is designed especially for tourists who leave the beaten track in search of a unique experience. At Tayutic, visitors will see the picturesque colonial style church, built in 1880, before learning about conventional and organic agriculture while touring the sugar, coffee and macadamia plantations.

Hike in La Selva Biological Research Station
Walking through La Selva Biological Station accompanied by a naturalist guide, learn about the interesting ecosystems of the rain forest and its flora and fauna.

Rapids on the Sarapiqui River
Class II and III, La Virgen - Chilamate section. An exquisite day, more than 20 rapids while surrounded by the spectacular scenery of the tropical rain forest. Sarapiqui is a dream for white water rafting: natural waters, risky rapids, and crystalline pools. Enjoy the natural splendor and abundance of wildlife.

Boat ride on the Sarapiqui River
Ride from one to three hours on this magnificent river in comfortable boats with roof. It embarks from Puerto Viejo downstream and offers the possibility to see monkeys, sloths, waterfowl, and alligators.

Hacienda Pozo Azul
Located at only 90 minutes from San Jose and from Arenal Volcano area, Hacienda Pozo Azul was originally a 2000-acre working ranch; nowadays it also operates different adventures with the highest quality of service and security. Among the many activities, visitors can enjoy a two hour horse ride through pristine forest or a canopy tour ending with a spectacular 900-foot zip line across the Sarapiqui river. White water rafting is another option and as well as descending a 90-feet wall on the Sarapiqui river canyon. The one day tour from San Jose offers a choice of two out of the four adventures. It includes a typical breakfast, a delicious lunch and a fruit break. From Arenal, one of these activities is combined with a visit to La Paz Waterfall Gardens.

Chocolate Tour (Biological Reserve La Tirimbina)
Visitors will discover the secrets and marvels of one of the favorite foods of human-kind, chocolate. The tour lasts three hours and includes: guided walk through Tirimbina suspension bridge, visit to the cacao plantation including wild species of cacao, natural and cultural history of cacao beans (harvesting, fermentation and drying) and chocolate tasting.

Full day Buena Vista Combo
Buena Vista is located near Rincon de la Vieja National Park. In this tour, visitors will enjoy the primary forest on a different way. A small hike leads to the first canopy platform, from there you start swinging to the other 12 platforms, connected by nine cables from 150 to 400-feet long. During this adventure, that lasts almost three hours, you will have the opportunity to observe the surrounding forest from a new perspective. The tubular shaped 1,365 feet long water slide is next. After having lunch at the Lodge, the third part of the tour begins: horseback riding to the hot spring spa which includes five spacius pools of different temperature, sauna and volcanic mud treatment. On the way back, you will enjoy the wildlife of a transitional forest (between dry and rain forest). Includes: air-conditioned transportation, guide and lunch.

Palo Verde National Park – Tempisque River
Paradise for bird watchers! Visit one of the parks with the largest variety of habitats with mangroves, swamp forests, swamps, and both fresh and salt water lagoons. Take a two and a half hour boat ride on the Tempisque River, one the most important of the province of Guanacaste. A huge variety of birds can be admired along the course. Lunch and entrance fee included.

Arenal Volcano and Hot Springs
Experience the majesty of the imposing Arenal Volcano. After a five hour trip around the edge of the Arenal Lake, you will have the option of a short walk to the La Fortuna waterfall or in the rain forest. Then enjoy the hot springs of the area. Lunch and dinner included.

Rincón de la Vieja National Park
Created to protect the flora and fauna surrounding the volcano, you will be able to relax in the thermal waters known as “Las Hornillas” and “Las Pailas”, sulfur ponds and bubbling mud, and admire examples of the Costa Rican national flower, the purple orchid (Guaria Morada). Lunch and entrance fee included.

Corobicí River Floating
Take a two hour boat ride on one the most tranquil rivers of the region (class I and II), admiring the incredible birds. Some of the birds you may see during the trip are Great Egrets, Tricolored Herons and Boobies. The tropical flora along the river completes this unique and unforgettable tour. Lunch included.

Shopping tour in Guaitil, Santa Cruz and Liberia
For those who like to go shopping, the towns of Guaitil, Santa Cruz and Liberia are typical and good places to find souvenirs, clothing, and gifts for those who were left home.

Santa Rosa National Park
This is a combination of an extensive dry forest with history. The cattle ranch “La Casona”, found here, was the site of an important battle in the history of Costa Rica. La Casona was converted into a museum and houses valuable historic relics. On this tour you will enjoy a hike through the tropical dry forest to admire the great variety of wildlife in the area. At lunch time you will be taken to Liberia, the capital of the province of Guanacasate. Lunch and entrance fee included.

Congo Trail Canopy
Experience the forest in the area of Guanacaste from a totally different perspective, gliding through the canopy where the majority of the birds and many animals spend most of their time, in the treetops.

Tortuga Island Snorkeling
Once you get to the island, you can snorkel and see lots of coral, a large variety of tropical fish, oysters and octopus. The flora and fauna is stunning and is nature at its best! You can enjoy a stroll along the gorgeous white sand beaches and be able to rent kayaks and other water sport equipment.

Curu Biological Reserve
Curu Biological Reserve is a privately owned reserve, maintained in its natural state, with selected trails to wildlife viewing areas and a private beach. On the way to the reserve we will pause in Tambor and Valle Azul which are some typical small towns of the Nicoya Peninsula and take in some of the day-to-day life of the villagers.

Horseback Riding
This trip is great for children, beginners and people who prefer a short ride. You lead the horseback riding wherever you want on the Tango Mar property and enjoy the flora and fauna of the Tango Mar Resort.

Manuel Antonio National Park
This leisurely hike will take visitors through the tropical rain forest in one of the national treasures of our country, Manuel Antonio National Park. The pace of this adventure is determined by the visitor’s abilities and interests, and the abundance of wildlife he wants to stop, observe, or learn about. Sloths, raccoons, iguanas, various birds and the endangered squirrel monkey are just some of the species that can be watch in the park. The guide will also teach visitors the history of the Quepoa Indians and Costa Rica’s past in regard to this stunningly beautiful Manuel Antonio area. After the tour, visitors can stay in the park to take a dip in the warm waters of the Pacific or to continue discovering the other trails. The tour includes: transportation, a certified naturalist guide, entrance fee, snacks and refreshments after the tour right near the beach.

Nauyaca Waterfalls
Two hours by car from Quepos, you arrive to the entrance of the trail where your breakfast awaits. After breakfast a 45 minute walk takes you to the waterfall where you will be able to enjoy the clear waters and take photographs. After a swim, enjoy a delicious lunch.

Pacific Aerial Tram
Created to raise the world’s consciousness as to the importance of the tropical forests, the Rain Forest Aerial Tram on the Pacific side of Costa Rica, allow visitors to discover the hidden secrets and hanging gardens of the Tropical Forest from a different perspective.

Kayaking the Damas Island Estuary
Row in the tranquil waters of a magical place to learn this sport and explore the animal life of the coastal mangroves. An excellent excursion for bird watching. Lunch included.

Rafting the Rapids on the Savegre River
An adventure of four hours in rapids categories II, III and IV. Along the way you come across pools perfect for a swim as well as a variety of flora and fauna and primary forest. Enjoy a lunch of typical foods in the town of Rio Blanco and be amazed by the beautiful waterfalls and hundreds of wild heliconias. Runs from May to December.

Rafting the rapids on the Naranjo River
Half day of adventure, categories III and IV, recommended for the more experienced rafters. The Naranjo River flows down from the coastal range of Quepos, through a beautiful jungle, and takes you on a trip to sea level, passing farms and palm plantations. Good physical condition is a must. Fruits and snacks included. Operates from May to December.

ATV Tours Manuel Antonio
During this 3-hour tour, visitors can feel the thrill of riding on their own ATV through the mountains outside of Quepos, as the bilingual guide lead them through rustic unpaved roads, giant African palm plantations, cattle farms, and typical towns such as Naranjito and Londres. Then they will have a chance to cool off in the refreshing crystal-clear waters of a waterfall. Children under parental supervision are permitted.