8-Day Costa Rica Adventure: Tortuguero to Pacuare Rainforest & River Tour – Costa Rica

Experience the wild beauty of Costa Rica on this 8-day journey, taking you from the lush canals of Tortuguero to the stunning rainforest landscapes of the Pacuare River. Explore one of the most biodiverse regions in the world, where wildlife flourishes, and adventure awaits at every turn. From tranquil boat rides through Tortuguero’s canals to an exhilarating rafting trip on the Pacuare River, this tour offers the perfect mix of relaxation, wildlife viewing, and adrenaline-filled activities.

Trip Highlights

Tortuguero National Park Exploration – Journey by boat through Costa Rica’s “Amazon of the Caribbean,” spotting monkeys, sloths, caimans, and seasonal nesting sea turtles.
Wildlife & Birdwatching – Cruise the famous Tortuguero Canals, home to over 300 bird species, iguanas, river otters, and other diverse rainforest wildlife.
Stay at Mawamba Lodge – Relax in a secluded eco-lodge on the Caribbean coast, with guided nature tours and direct access to lush rainforest and canals.
Pacuare River Whitewater Rafting – Experience the thrill of class III–IV rapids on one of the world’s top rafting rivers, surrounded by pristine jungle.
Eco-Stay at Ríos Tropicales Lodge – Overnight in a sustainable rainforest lodge, nestled among waterfalls, hiking trails, and vibrant flora and fauna.
Ziplining & Waterfall Adventures – Fly above the rainforest canopy, hike through lush jungle, and swim in crystal-clear natural pools.

Why Choose This Adventure?

Discover two of Costa Rica’s most biodiverse regions — Tortuguero’s canals and the Pacuare River rainforest.
The perfect balance of adventure, wildlife encounters, and relaxation, designed for nature lovers and thrill-seekers alike.
Stay in eco-friendly lodges that immerse you in Costa Rica’s natural beauty while supporting local conservation.
Travel with expert naturalist guides who share insider knowledge of Costa Rica’s ecosystems, wildlife, and culture.

Trip Itinerary

Day 1: San Jose

Overnight: Presidente Hotel

Welcome to Costa Rica! A FlashpackerConnect representative will meet you at the San Jose International Airport to start your private transfer to your Hotel in San Jose.

The main entryway to the country is the capital city of San Jose in the Central Valley. Founded in 1738, it’s a modern city with bustling commerce and updated services for foreign visitors offering a variety of tourist, cultural and natural attractions, like the Costa Rican Art, Gold, Jade, National and Children’s Contemporary Art and Design Museums. The architectural jewel of the country, its National Theater, plus examples of historical architecture in buildings and churches close to parks and monuments, worth visiting.

Restaurants for fine dining as well as casual cafeterias known as “sodas” offer international and local dishes. It is not a big city, traffic may be challenging though. There are many boulevards that make it easy to walk to different attractions or there are many options to travel by cab or public transportation. The nightlife is active and there are options for every taste.

‍

Day 2: San Jose to Tortuguero

Overnight in Mawamba Lodge

Today, we will pick you up at your hotel lobby to take you to the Caribbean side of Costa Rica, you will travel to Tortuguero! Afternoon visit Tortuguero town.

Located in the extreme northeast of Costa Rica, Tortuguero is accessible only by small plane or boat, along the famous Tortuguero Canals. This system of rivers and man-made channels parallels the coast and cuts through beautiful primary forest. The area was turned into a national park in 1975. It is one of the areas with the greatest biological diversity of the country. The name Tortuguero relates to the Spanish word for turtle as this is the most important nesting site in the entire western half of the Caribbean for the green turtle. Other species of sea turtles like the leatherback and hawksbill also nest on the wide beaches of the park and refuge where most exploring is done by small boat, although some hiking trails are available. There is a small village and a good offer of hotels and tours to fully enjoy this wondrous place.

Mawamba Lodge is situated on the Northeastern Caribbean Coast on a sand bar between the incredible Tortuguero Canals and the Atlantic Ocean. The lodge is set in a 15-acre site which offers comfort and relaxation as well as incomparable opportunities to observe wildlife. Standard and superior rooms; all have garden view, ceiling fan, and private bathrooms. Superior rooms are independent bungalows, more spacious, with separate tub and shower and nice views of the canals. The Katonga restaurant offers delectable local dishes, it is a floating culinary adventure that allows enjoying the sunset; while touring the canals or admires the Tortuguero night from the boat while dinning and swaying to the Caribbean cadence. The pool area invites to lounge and relax. Private nature trails, open sky butterfly garden, direct access to the beach, hammocks, bar, and gift shop plus interesting tours of the navigable network of canals and lake. This tropical sanctuary for more than 300 different species of birds and the amazing array of wildlife including monkeys, sloths, crocodiles and iguanas encompasses a true paradise.

Day 3: Tortuguero

Overnight in Mawamba Lodge

Today you will enjoy a full day in Tortuguero visiting Tortuguero Canals and Tortuguero grounds with your Naturalist guide.

Tortuguero National Park:

Tortuguero National Park is a wilderness area with extraordinary biological variety. Diverse mammals, birds and fish live in eleven different defined habitats. Strong Caribbean currents have provided a straight 22 mile expanse of beach which is a favored nesting ground for sea turtles like the Hawksbill and loggerheads that nest from July through October. The Leatherback, the largest sea turtle of the world, nests from February to July. Most exploring of the park is done by boat. Guides with an amazingly trained eye astound visitors finding wildlife in veiled corners, pointing at mischievous monkeys and sharing fascinating facts about nature.

Day 4: Tortuguero to Pacuare

Overnight: Rios Tropicales Lodge

Today you will leave Tortuguero to head towards Pacuare River. You will be leaving Tortuguero by boat to Guapiles and in Guapiles our representative will pick you up to take you to Pacuare river put in where you will raft class III and III rapids until you get to Rios Tropicales Lodge.

Ríos Tropicales Lodge:

This is a genuine “Eco-Lodge,” deep in the rainforest, immerse in beautiful tropical gardens. Access to the lodge is via rafting on the Pacuare River, or hiking in along a trail. It is located on a private reserve at the mouth of the Pacuare Gorge, bordering with the Cabecar Indian Reserve and with more than 40 miles of hiking trails and numerous waterfalls, streams, and pools.

‍
Open air gathering pavilions with thatched roofs and comfortable hammocks swinging in a gentle breeze, such are the various accommodations that fit every preference and budget from luxury

rooms overlooking the river to rustic bunkhouses set back on the hillside, with private bathrooms, hot showers, hydro-generated electricity for a clean sustainable energy source and decks for scenic views of the opulent nature and wildlife.

‍
Great meals, naturalist tours, hiking, waterfalls with pools to soak in, awesome zip line in the rainforest canopy, horseback riding, sustainable development and Tilapia farming tours, and tree- planting are part of their offer. Availability of certain activities depends on the length of the stay at the Lodge.

‍

Day 5: Pacuare

Overnight: Rios Tropicales Lodge

Cabecar Hike: The Talamanca Mountains are host to the Cabecar Indians, the largest indigenous group in Costa Rica, and one that retains many of its traditional customs and beliefs. In contrast to many other indigenous groups, the Cabecar do not live in villages, but prefer small family units scattered throughout this isolated region that includes the Pacuare zone.

The Zutkia, or shaman, plays a multifaceted role in Cabecar culture as priest, magician, metaphysicianorhealer. From the Lodge it is possible to visit an isolated family group to learn about their way of life, as well as enjoying the alluring tropical rainforest. The experience to walk to this family clan is a challenge due to the difficult conditions of the trails; nevertheless, the trail offers a wonderful opportunity to discover many secrets of the forest, interact with the ecosystem, and hike the same trails the Cabecar Indians have for centuries. After visiting with a nearby Cabecar family, we will begin our trek back down to the lodge. *As an indigenous people with little contact with the outside world, the Cabecar can sometimes be shy and reclusive; this will influence the amount of time and contact visitors will have with their family. They advise the guests to request permission from the guide before taking photographs of any Cabecar people. The Cabecar are very zealous of their customs and way of life and do not like to be photographed, and they strongly respect this wish.

Afternoon at leisure to relax and explore the area on your own.

Day 6: Pacuare

Overnight: Rios Tropicales Lodge

Enjoy a morning Canyoning tour.

This tour includes hiking through the rainforest, rappelling down the face of a waterfall and then three ziplines high over the river. You start right from the Rios Tropicales lodge and head into the Pacuare River Gorge, views of the river and a hike to the base of Wake-Up Falls. Once at the foot of this Pacuare landmark, a 200- foot hike leads you to the safety platform. Here Rios Tropicales guides will fit you with professional climbing equipment and provide a safety orientation for this canyoning adventure.

You will rappel for 60 meters down the face of the waterfall in two different sections, the last of which is inside the waterfall! Be ready to be very wet. From here, you can zip high over the river with a bird’s-eye view of Wake-Up Falls, Terciopelo Creek and the Pacuare Gorge. One more zipline takes you over the river again, upstream toward the trail leading back to the Lodge.

Afternoon at leisure to relax and explore the area on your own.

Day 7: Pacuare to San Jose

Overnight: Presidente Hotel

Raft the Pacuare river in class III and IV rapids, an adventure you will never forget. Enjoy the beuty of the Pacuare River. We will provide you with a land transfer from Pacuare river put out to San Jose for you to spend your last night in Costa Rica.

Day 8 - Transfer Out - or Extension

We will meet you at the hotel lobby to provide you with a transfer to Juan Santamaria International Airport for you to take your flight back home or to your next destination.

*Optional Extention - Manuel Antonio

Day 8 – San Jose to Manuel Antonio

Overnight: Parador Boutique Resort and Spa

Early morning pick up to take you to Costa Rica`s Central Pacific, to Manuel Antonio area. Traveling from San José to Manuel Antonio National Park is a pleasant drive on Highway 27. As the Central Valley is left behind, the passage through the mountains fills the senses with relaxing ease. The road goes west towards the agricultural town of Orotina, where road vendors tempt travelers with colorful mangoes and fresh watermelons. From there, the Costanera Sur leads into Jaco and gorgeous strips of beach and jungle announce the upcoming town of Quepos, arriving shortly after at beautiful Manuel Antonio.

Manuel Antonio Zone:

Traveling south bound through the stunning Central Pacific, the small agricultural town of Quepos welcomes visitors and a tree lined, cliff top road leads to Manuel Antonio offering glimpses of spectacular forest and beach. This renowned touristic town sits up in the hills overlooking the vibrant Pacific Ocean framed by green, luscious vegetation.

The highlight here is the marvelous Manuel Antonio National Park, an amazing combination of rainforest that grows right down to the three white sand beaches that are part of the park, which protects several

habitats, including primary and secondary forest, mangroves, beach vegetation and marine resources.
There is no development inside the park but along the main road across Manuel Antonio, there are dozens of hotels surrounded by tropical gardens, and a variety of dining and recreation options, the wharf and modern marina serve as a departure point for sport-fishing and memorable boat trips.

Parador Boutique Resort and Spa:

Perched high above the scenic Pacific coastline surrounded by verdant rainforest teeming with wildlife, Parador is situated in a tranquil area, which was once inhabited by the fabled Quepoa Indians.
Adjacent to the peaceful cove of Playa Biesanz, this resort is blissfully isolated, but just minutes from the famed Manuel Antonio National Park and touristic attractions in the area.

Excellent accommodations offer ocean, jungle or garden views and all of the amenities today’s travelers expect, plus golf cart service for guests, concierge, laundry facilities and room service. Four ocean-view restaurants offering international and local cuisine set on gorgeous tropical ambiance and impeccable service. Two beautifully appointed private dining rooms are ideal settings for romantic evenings or a small private party. For those who prefer the convenience and privacy of in-room dining, room service is available from 11:00 a.m. to 11:00 p.m.

Nice walks on the beach, swimming, luxurious treatments at the spa, fun adrenaline filled tours or just relaxing by the pool, give guests a lavish, memorable stay.

Day 9 – Manuel Antonio

Day at Leisure in Manuel Antonio

Day 10 – Manuel Antonio

Day at Leisure in Manuel Antonio

Day 11 – Manuel Antonio to San Jose

Meet our driver at the hotel ́s lobby for your transfer to the San Jose International Airport to take your international flight back home or to your next destination.

‍

Please inquire for extension pricing.

Additional Trip Info

Transfer from Juan Santamaria Int. Airport to San Jose
Land and Boat Transfer from Tortuguero to San Jose
Hotel/Lodge accommodation as listed
Visit Tortguero Village
Boat visit Tortuguero Canals
Kayak Tour at Tortuguero Canals
Natural Hike at Tortuguero National Park
Land and Boat transfer from Tortuguero to Pacuare
Rafting to Rios Tropicales Lodge
Cabecar Hike at Rios Tropicales lodge
Canyoning at Rios Tropicales Lodge
Rafting out Pacuare River
All Transfers

International Flights
Alcoholic beverages unless specified.
Meals not detailed in the program.
Personal expenses of any kind
Transportation not specified
Gratuities
Services not specified in the program
Travel Insurance - We recommend Insuremytrip, or Global Rescue

info@flashpackerconnect.com

+1 206-892-8877

Costa Rica

Tortuguero to Pacuare - 8 Days

Tortuguero to Pacuare - 8 Days

Trip Highlights

Why Choose This Adventure?

Trip Itinerary

Day 1: San Jose

Day 2: San Jose to Tortuguero

Day 3: Tortuguero

Day 4: Tortuguero to Pacuare

Day 5: Pacuare

Day 6: Pacuare

Day 7: Pacuare to San Jose

Day 8 - Transfer Out - or Extension

Additional Trip Info

Have Questions?

Interested in building a custom trip? We want to help you travel to places you have dreamt about.

info@flashpackerconnect.com

+1 206-892-8877

Costa Rica

Tortuguero to Pacuare - 8 Days

Tortuguero to Pacuare - 8 Days

Trip Highlights

Why Choose This Adventure?

Trip Itinerary

Day 1: San Jose

Day 2: San Jose to Tortuguero

Day 3: Tortuguero

Day 4: Tortuguero to Pacuare

Day 5: Pacuare

Day 6: Pacuare

Day 7: Pacuare to San Jose

Day 8 - Transfer Out - or Extension

Additional Trip Info

Have Questions?

Related Trips

Osa Peninsula to Dominical - 8 Days

Related Blog Posts

Interested in building a custom trip? We want to help you travel to places you have dreamt about.