What to Expect
Arise from a pleasant sleep to the sound of cascading waters and songful birds. Start the day conversing with newfound friends over a vibrant nourishing breakfast served with warm, tropical breezes. Each day brings a new adventure. But before we set off on our daily quest, we’ll do our morning warm-up and AWAKEN THE SENSES, gently stretching our arms, legs, back, and shoulders. After dinner, evenings are filled with laughter, friendship, and special inspirational talks, whether we’re enjoying a bonfire, lounging along the riverside, or kicking back in some hammocks. Seal in those “good vibes” with our nightly restoration meditation before retiring to our comfy beds.

Scrumptious Meals
We’ll have outrageously delicious meals with spectacular views and a relaxed atmosphere. The chefs create dishes that nourish the body and enliven the senses. You’ll love Costa Rica’s local tropical fruits like pineapple, papaya, starfruit, and citrus. The menu features the freshest ingredients with a strong emphasis on using organic and local produce. Dietary requests (e.g. vegetarian, gluten-free) can be accommodated.)
*All meals are included, with the exception of two lunches and two dinners which gives you the opportunity to explore some fabulous local restaurants.

ITINERARY

Day 1:
We meet at the Juan Santamaría International Airport. Upon boarding private transport, we begin the journey to Turrialba, about a two-hour drive through orchards, small towns, and beautiful coffee fields. Upon arrival in Turrialba, you will settle into your hotel, Villa Florencia. The hotel is an enchanting and elegant place located in the green and agricultural area of Turrialba. Your accommodations offer an experience full of harmony and exclusiveness. Just a stroll around the Villa Florencia gardens will have you feeling closer to nature. Tropical birds surround you – toucans, parakeets, and oropendolas.

Get to know your fellow “Awaken Your Senses” travelers at our Welcome Dinner featuring local cuisine.

Day 2:
Coffee Tour, Rafting, Ziplines, & Tarzan Swing: Welcome to the jungle! After enjoying a great breakfast, you are outfitted for the awesome two-day, one-night rafting trip on the world famous Lower Pacuare River.

On your way to the river, you’ll stop at a local organic coffee farm. This is an opportunity to not only learn about coffee, but also about the culture, traditions, and daily life in Costa Rica. Discover how coffee is traditionally brewed in Costa Rica and, of course, sip on a fresh cup made this way. Have you heard about the butter-in-your-coffee trend? We’ll learn what this is really all about…and if it’s a truly effective biohack to improve your health.
Then it’s time to enjoy 8 miles of exciting whitewater, and take river-side stops to hike up to secluded waterfalls. The rafting is a fun class III section of whitewater on a beautiful pristine river. After enjoying the wonderful hikes and incredible rapids, you will be taken to a remote eco-lodge. The Pacuare Eco-Lodge offers the perfect vantage point to survey the beautiful river and jungle.

Once you’re settled in at the lodge, take a short walk to the canopy/zipline course. Fly through the treetop canopy and capture a different perspective of the river, rainforest, and its environs. This is an experience as no other! You will face the exotic beauty of the rainforest head on, feeling the adrenaline of dramatic views, rappelling down towering trees and sliding along cables from tree to tree as you descend the jungle-cloaked mountain toward the Pacuare Lodge for a final thrilling rappel. You will experience this excitement secure in the knowledge that you are securely anchored with a safety harness, providing a unique experience that no other tour of this type offers. It's an unforgettable adventure in the tree tops! For the brave, there is also the amazing (and nearly heart-stopping) Tarzan Swing. From a platform located over 200 feet above the river bank, you are launched into a free fall out towards the river. It truly is an adrenaline rush for those craving extreme fun. You can opt out , but why would you want to? And you are almost guaranteed to be the only ones there! Breakfast, lunch and dinner are included.​​​​​​​

Day 3:
Hike to the Indigenous Villages: The Talamanca Mountains are host to the Cabecar natives, the largest indigenous group in Costa Rica and one that retains many of its traditional customs and beliefs. Spend the day hiking to the nearby Cabecar indigenous tribe. The challenging trail offers a wonderful opportunity to discover many secrets of the forest, interact with the ecosystem, and hike the same trails the Cabecars have trekked for centuries. Visiting the small community of Tsiobata offers a chance to see how some of the most remote natives of Costa Rica live today. Total hiking time will be about 3 hours (though we will add a break for lunch), and the elevation gain is around 1000 feet. Breakfast, lunch, and dinner are included.

Day 4:
Rafting, Part II: Those who enjoy the early morning will especially delight in a scenic hike through the dense rainforest surrounding the lodge. After a hearty breakfast surrounded by tropical birds it’s time to get serious about whitewater fun. Your rafting trip continues down the most challenging section of the Pacuare as class IV drops seem to be around every corner. The spectacular river canyon and virgin rainforest create vertical walls of green, broken by waterfalls and hanging vines. This stretch of the Lower Pacuare River has been voted one of the top 5 commercially-rafted rivers in the world by National Geographic and will have you floating past primary rainforest, stunning waterfalls, and steep canyons while navigating lively class III and IV rapids. 

Day 5:
Horse-riding to the La Fortuna Waterfall: The Arenal Volcano is a spectacular backdrop as you travel by horseback across the green countryside to visit the beautiful waterfalls near La Fortuna. Ride with an experienced Costa Rican cowboy and practice your Spanish along the way. Cool off in the rushing waters near the waterfall. The horses are well-maintained and this is an easy going ride. Return to your hotel for an afternoon of free time.

Tabacon boasts the best hot springs and pools in the country, and as a guest, you will have complimentary and unlimited use of them. There isn’t a better way to unwind after five full exhilarating days on our Costa Rican Adventure Quest. Guests also have exclusive access to Shangri-La Gardens, the adults-only hideaway.

Many hot springs destinations in the Arenal Volcano region and around the world drill wells and rely on pumps and mechanical systems to fill their pools. Others re-circulate and/or re-heat their supposed “thermal” waters, by means of gas boilers and other heating methods. All of Tabacon’s water is true thermal water, naturally heated by the volcano and slowly mineralized underground.

An essential part of exploring the wondrous world of the Tabacon Hot Springs is soaking in the cascading thermal waterfalls. This natural hydrotherapy is a surefire way to achieve ultimate relaxation. Bask in Tabacon’s warm, river-fed grottos in the mist of a tropical rain forest. And for those requiring a refreshing dunk, there is a cold river that winds through the property as well, offering up cooler pools that contrast nicely with the hot springs.
Breakfast is included.

Day 6:
Personal Time & Home-Style Cooking Experience: Enjoy a day to spend as you choose. That’s what a vacation is really all about, right? At the 5-star Tabacon Resort there are abundant options for adventure or relaxation!

Later, you’ll be taken from your hotel to a local farm that will open its doors to share insights about Costa Rican food and local agricultural products such as yucca, tiquisque, mamón chino, and sugar cane. You'll visit the farm's garden and farm animals. You'll get an understanding of what it takes to get the food from the farm to the table. You will then be taught how to cook up some Tico-style tortillas and "guisados" for a delicious sit-down meal. Afterwards, relax with a cup of coffee, share some recipes, and learn how whole food living can fit into your life. Then be transported back to your hotel to dream about the scrumptious food you'll probably want to recreate back home! Breakfast and dinner are included.

Day 7:
Time to head home: Say farewell to Costa Rica! Pack up your belongings, fantastic souvenirs, and wonderful memories. Our private transfer will take us from the resort to the airport in time for your departing flight.​​​​​​​