Kayak, Hike and Tree Camp the Hidden Rainforests of Costa Rica
Trek through lush jungle teeming with exotic wildlife, paddle vivid coastline and fall asleep in the trees
What's Included?
Activities & Certified Guides
All itinerary activities with expert, local, English-speaking guidesAll accommodation
3 nights in a hotel, 2 nights tree camping and 1 night in a jungle lodgeMeals
All breakfasts, all lunches, 4 dinnersTransfers
Airport transfers and everything in betweenEquipment
All your kayaking and camping equipmentSmall Like-minded Groups
Solo-friendly by design, join our small n’ sociable groups of up to 10 like-minded, active and outdoorsy people…
…
What's it like?
Sea kayak tropical shores and tangled mangroves, and snorkel amidst coral reefs and colourful fish
Hike through mountainous jungle and virgin rainforest in one of the country's most remote corners
Fall asleep to the calls of monkeys, toucans and frogs while in your tent suspended among the trees
Key Information
Day 1
Welcome to Costa Rica
Hiking
Fly into beautiful Costa Rica and head to your hotel in Golfito, the most southern port town and located across from the Osa Peninsula on the Golfo Dulce. Meet your guides and fellow travellers and go on a short walk to a nearby waterfall.
Day 2
Head into the jungle
Hiking
After breakfast, you'll take a quick transfer to the trailhead at the base of Cerro Adams, the highest mountain in the area. You’ll follow a trail that winds up through mountainous jungle, keeping an eye out for wildlife along the way. Head back down along a path which winds through a different part of the mountain range, stopping along the way to take in the beautiful views and for a picnic lunch. A full day of trekking will take you back to your hotel in Golfito for a relaxing evening.
Day 3
Piedras Blancas National Park
Hiking
An early breakfast will fuel a challenging day, hiking inside the magnificent Piedras Blancas National Park. Head into the Tico-Amazonia mountains along a steep trail through primary rainforest and flatlands, keeping your eyes peeled for the local flora and fauna of this region. Reach your remote camping area situated by the beach and enjoy a well-earned dinner before sleeping in the trees.
Day 4
Kayak and snorkel in Golfo Dulce
Hiking
Kayaking
Snorkelling
With the ocean on one side and the thick rainforest on the other, you'll get to explore both worlds today by kayak and on foot. Enjoy the morning paddling the coastline while capturing stunning views of the shoreline with its magnificent mountainous backdrop. Snorkel amidst the colourful coral reef and tropical fish and you might see a pod of dolphins, or a sea turtle or two. Once back on land explore some of the nearby trails close to camp and enjoy your night in the jungle.
Day 5
Kayak to Playa Bajo Nancite
Kayaking
Fuel up with some fresh fruit and coffee before heading off for another chance to kayak in Golfito Bay. Back on the water again, you'll sea kayak through the coastal rainforest-lined Golfo Dulce to the beach at Playa Bajo Nancite. Soak up the atmosphere and spend a relaxing evening at a coastal jungle lodge.
Day 6
To Golfito via Zamia Forest
Kayaking
Hiking
Begin paddling by the mangroves along the coast, stopping at Cacao Beach. Enjoy a traditional Costa Rican lunch before swapping your kayak for hiking boots and head into the Zamia jungle reserve to learn about the area's flora and fauna. Return to the hotel in Golfito in the afternoon and celebrate the end of this wild adventure.
Day 7
Goodbye Costa Rica
After breakfast with an ocean view and final goodbyes with your team, you'll be returned to the airport in time for your flight home.
The Area
Logistics
Starts
Golfito Airport, Costa Rica
12:00 on Day 1
Ends
Golfito Airport, Costa Rica
Any time on Day 7
Transfers
Transfers from Golfito Airport to your accommodation are included if you arrive on Day 1 and depart on Day 7 – just let your host know your flight details in advance. If you arrive and/or depart outside of these days, then you'll need to make your own airport transfer arrangements. Taxis are available to and from the airport and are inexpensive.
Travel options
There are regular flights to Costa Rica from major airports across the UK, Europe and the US. The most typical international flight route is to arrive at Juan Santamaría International Airport in San José.
Internal domestic flights from San José down to Golfito (GLF) need to be booked separately. They operate from the Domestic Terminal at SJO, located just a short walk from the International Terminal.
The domestic airline flying between San Jose and Golfito is Sansa Airlines. You can book your domestic flight eight weeks in advance. There are three daily flights available, they take 55 minutes and cost around USD150. The total travel time, including getting to and from airports, is around four hours. If you are planning to arrive on Day 1, please book one of the flights that leaves San José before lunchtime.
Another option would be to travel from San José by public bus with Tracopa Bus. The journey takes six hours and costs around USD15.
If you are considering to organise a private transfer from San José to Golfito, please contact your host. If you are planning to spend a night in San José, then your host will be able to suggest some hotels near the airport.
Day 1
Breakfast
Lunch
Dinner
Day 2
Breakfast
Lunch
Dinner
Day 3 – Day 4
Breakfast
Lunch
Dinner
Day 5
Breakfast
Lunch
Dinner
Day 6
Breakfast
Lunch
Dinner
Day 7
Breakfast
Lunch
Dinner
What is the food like?
A classic plate of Costa Rican food traditionally includes rice and beans, salad, fried sweet plantains and either fish, chicken, pork or beef. Some will also have cheese, french fries or grilled vegetables. Gallo Pinto is another classic Costa Rican staple: slow-cooked rice and beans with onions, peppers and coriander (cilantro). This is often part of the Costa Rican breakfast, with eggs, fried cheese, sweet plantains and homemade corn tortillas. There'll be plenty of other Latin American and tropical foods available and on the coast you’ll find Pipa Fria: a whole, cold fresh coconut.
Vegetarians and some other dietary requirements and allergies can be catered for - please just request on your passenger info form. Unfortunately due to limited produce options in this part of Costa Rica, it is not possible to accommodate vegan diets.
What is the accommodation like?
Golfito
You'll stay at the Hotel Mar y Luna, a 3-star hotel located at the beach of Golfito. The hotel has a restaurant that serves international cuisine and there's also an on-site bar. The bathrooms are private and come with a shower.
Rainforest Tree Camping
You’ll camp at Tico-Amazonia camp, Playa San Josecito, for two nights in the trees in twin-share tents using certified climbing and camping gear and the assistance of a professional climber by your side. The remote camp has showers, flushing toilets and a dining area protected from the rain. The tree-tents are set up at 1.5 metres (5 feet) above the ground.
Jungle Lodge
You'll spend one night at a coastal jungle lodge in Playa Bajo Nancite. There are a combination of twin-share and triple-share rooms with en suite bathrooms, and the rooming will depend on the make up of your group.
Upgrades
For solo travellers wanting their own space, there is the option to upgrade to a private room and tent if you would like to do so, subject to availability. Single rooms can't be guaranteed for the 1 night spent at a jungle lodge, however. See Optional Extras for prices.
This trip has been rated as Moderate
The hiking is through thick rainforest at times but there will be plenty of breaks and time to take in the surrounding views, wildlife and enjoy the rainforest. You should however feel comfortable hiking through streams and on uneven terrain.
You do not need any kayaking experience. Your guide will give you full instructions and a safety briefing at the start. You’ll just need reasonable levels of fitness to handle approx 15km of relaxed paddling on Day 7 but the hours listed include breaks, so there is no rush and plenty of time to rest.
Average temperatures in and around Golfito vary very little. Considering humidity, temperatures feel hot all year with a fair chance of precipitation about half of the year. The warmest time of year is generally early to mid-March where highs are regularly around 34.7°C (94.4°F) and temperatures rarely dropping below 23.2°C (73.7°F) at night.
An Unforgettable Adventure
Fantastic trip: a great opportunity to explore a less-traveled part of Costa Rica, with a wonderful set of guides who really know their stuff and who went the extra mile to make our trip special. Great mix of activity and also time to relax in the evenings. The beachside camping spot in the national park was particularly special: we had this beautiful spot all to ourselves right on the edge of the jungle. Thanks so much for a brilliant experience.
An Unforgettable Journey to Costa Rica!
I recently returned from the most amazing trip to Costa Rica, and I can’t stop thinking about how incredible the experience was! From start to finish, it was the perfect blend of adventure, relaxation, and discovery.
The location itself was absolutely stunning - lush rainforests, empty beaches, and vibrant landscapes with pops of yellow blossom sporadically scattered throughout the jungle. It truly felt like stepping into paradise. The wildlife was nothing short of spectacular. We had the privilege of seeing an ant eater, toucans, monkeys, and so many colourful butterflies, dragonflies and macaws, and every encounter felt so special.
Our guides were very informative, sharing interesting insights about the local ecosystem, culture, and history. Their passion and knowledge made our adventure so much more enriching.
We were so well looked after by our hosts. The food was another highlight - fresh, flavourful, and authentic. Every meal was a treat, from traditional Costa Rican dishes with mouthwatering tropical fruits and a cocktail to delight.
I can’t recommend a trip to Golfito, Costa Rica enough. Whether you’re an adventure seeker, a nature enthusiast, or just looking to unwind in one of the most beautiful places on Earth, Costa Rica has it all. This trip was a celebration of life and nature, and I will return, one day! Pura vida!
Awsome!!!!!
Javier and Fernando were amazing guides/cooks/leaders! They took great care of us and provide amazing guidance during the trip. I felt like a kid in a summer camp! The trek was not easy but so worth it! The equipment (tents, kayaks) and the accomodations provided were in great condition. Everything was well organized. Costa Rica is a wonderful country and I was glad I chose this adventure.
Thank you for the great memories.
Pura Vida!!!
Incredible experience
My very first Much better adventure and it was absolutely fantastic. The whole tour was incredible with very memorable experiences throughout. The team, JC, Fernando, Rebeka and Lynette ensured that we had an incredible time regardless of the weather (it rained alot). They adapted the literary to see the best of the country. The food prepared by them whilst camping was better than some restaurants I've eaten in. The group of adventurers were from all walks of life but all had a sense of adventure. Positive, caring and easy going. There were so many laughs and memorable times. We were 8 strangers that became friends and I feel we will stay in contact forever more. Thank you. I'll be looking for the next adventure soon.
Incredible way to experience Costa Rica
My first trip with Much Better Adventures - hopefully the first of many! This was a fantastic way to experience Costa Rica, visiting places that most tourists don't ever get to. The best group of people, we bonded so fast and all shared the same adventurous spirit - and a willingness to maintain a sense of humour when things didn't quite go to plan (which, visiting when a Caribbean cyclone was wreaking havoc across the country, was quite often!) Javier, Fernando and the whole team were fantastic hosts, and flexed plans to make sure we had an amazing time - even putting on an impromptu salsa class in the jungle, hosted by the inimitable Rebecca! The culinary side of the trip deserves special mention; how they managed to conjure such delicious meals in the middle of the jungle, I don't know!
A wet, wild and incredible adventure
This trip was everything we were hoping for and so much more, despite the bonus rain from the nearby cyclone. The hosts and guides are an amazing team, knowledgeable, so passionate about the Golfito area and fabulous cooks (how they whipped up such a yummy 4 course meal + wine in the forest still blows my mind). We had to flex the itinerary a little to suit the weather but fortunately there is so much to experience down there you'd never know we were improvising at times. We travelled in the north of Costa Rica before and after this trip and whilst it was all wonderful Golfito was definitely the highlight as it's so raw and real. It also helped that we had the most fabulous small group of people, from all corners of the world and various backgrounds but all up for making the most of whatever mother nature threw at us and helping each other have the best and funniest times. Lifelong friends for sure. My 5th MBA trip and looking forward to booking the next one already, they really do have a knack for finding the best local teams and locations. Pura vida baby!
Absolutely fantastic
I recently had the pleasure of joining a Much Better Adventures camping tour in Costa Rica, and I can’t express enough how incredible the experience was. Our host and guides were absolutely fantastic—knowledgeable, enthusiastic, and always ensuring we were comfortable and having fun.
The group I was with felt like lifelong friends; everyone was so kind, adventurous, and open-hearted. It truly felt like a once-in-a-lifetime experience, and I’ve come away with memories (and friendships) that will last forever.
Thank you for organizing such a wonderful adventure. I’m already looking forward to exploring more with Much Better Adventures in the future!
Amazing - highly recommend!
I mostly booked this trip for the activities and to try a new country, I had no idea how special this trip would be. The area is almost untouched by tourism and the nature we experienced has given us memories of a lifetime - everything from monkeys, sloths and even puma pawprints...
The activities were really well organised, we were quite a fit group and it was challenging but not difficult. Although the kayaking was tough for some but we were well accommodated for. The hiking was really amazing and the passion for the jungle and nature from the team who looked after us was infectious. The food was also really excellent, the kitlist said to bring snacks but the team always knew what we needed before we realised we needed it!
We went during rainy season and avoided the afternoon rain every day, but be prepared to sweat - it is humid in the jungle. Hiking gear took too long to dry so I'd recommend gym gear, long sleeves and full leggings for kayaking (factor 50 wasnt enough!) and some breathable hiking boots. Bring more underwear and changes of clothes than you think you need, you sweat a LOT and we were rinsing our clothes which wasnt ideal.
The group was really good fun and I couldn't have asked for more from the organisers. I also added on the Corcovado overnight stay, not to be missed, way better than any safari!!
If you want to experience real Costa Rica, meet some fun people and have an active trip this is perfect, would recommend to anyone!