Costa Rica
Rim to Shore: Costa Rica Multi-Sport Adventure
Program No. 19243RJ
Come discover the meaning of “pura vida” and see why there’s no better place to raft, hike, kayak and learn authentic Latin dance than the protected waters and lands of Costa Rica.
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Protecting the Environment
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11 days
10 nights
29 meals
10B 9L 10D
8
Nature Walk, Transfer Central Pacific, Carara National Park
Central Pacific Coast
9
Canopy Zipline, Tarcoles River Boating
Central Pacific Coast
10
Outrigger Canoe Paddling, Free Time
Central Pacific Coast
At a Glance
The emerald Pacific waters, lush tropical rainforest and volcanic landscapes of Costa Rica are home to an array of plant and animal species as diverse as any on earth. To truly learn about this natural abundance and the rich human culture that has developed around it, you must be immersed in the environment. From hiking to river rafting, swimming to kayaking, expand your mind on a quest to enliven your spirit amid Costa Rica’s tropical beauty, history and culture.
Activity Level
Outdoor: Spirited
Hikes on uneven terrain in tropical conditions; kayaking, swimming, and rafting.
Best of all, you’ll…
- Hike to "El Ganador" — a 600-year-old almendro tree.
- Learn about tropical conservation and explore pre-Columbian ruins in Turrialba.
- Sway your hips as you exercise and learn the steps to an authentic Latin dance.
General Notes
This program offers Micro Group options--with 12 or fewer participants--on some departures. Please refer to program date notes.
Featured Expert
All trip experts
Fabián Salas
Fabián Salas was born in Ciudad Quesada and moved to Sarapiquí when he was six days old. He was raised on a black pepper and cattle farm. In high school, he studied ecotourism and worked as a rafting guide on the weekends and during vacations. He graduated college in 2013 with a Bachelor’s degree in Geography. He has been working full time as a group leader in Sarapiquí since 2012, leading rafting and floating trips as well as family trips in Costa Rica.
Please note: This expert may not be available for every date of this program.
Fabián Salas
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Fabián Salas was born in Ciudad Quesada and moved to Sarapiquí when he was six days old. He was raised on a black pepper and cattle farm. In high school, he studied ecotourism and worked as a rafting guide on the weekends and during vacations. He graduated college in 2013 with a Bachelor’s degree in Geography. He has been working full time as a group leader in Sarapiquí since 2012, leading rafting and floating trips as well as family trips in Costa Rica.
Lizeth Alfaro
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Lizeth Alfaro is a Costa Rican naturalist expedition leader, flower therapist, and bee keeper. She earned her qualifications in sustainable tourism and became a national guide by the time she turned 18. Growing up among the rich biodiversity of the northern Caribbean lowlands gave her an early appreciation for nature and awareness of local conservation efforts. In her free time, Lizeth enjoys bee keeping, painting, and herbology.
Esteban Rojas
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Esteban Rojas became a certified naturalist expedition leader in 2001, after completing his bachelor’s degree in ecological tourism. In addition to his role as a naturalist leader, he has spent a decade working on sea turtle conservation projects along the Pacific coast. Esteban’s growing interest in nature conservation led him to eventually pursue a master’s in natural resource management. Some of his favorite pastimes are bird watching, mountain biking, and traveling. Esteban and his wife welcomed a daughter, Eva, in 2020.
Greivin Araya
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Greivin Araya Vega, “Dalua”, has been passionate about the outdoors since his childhood in Guacimo, an agricultural town in eastern Costa Rica. With a family legacy in education, he planned to teach science. He eventually found himself teaching English, while spending his free time as a naturalist. After six years of teaching, he was unable to ignore the call of the outdoors and became a certified Costa Rica Naturalist. Dalua particularly enjoys entomology, travel, and learning what he can from the experiences of others.
Paul Najera
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Paul Najera grew up on a coffee farm in Costa Rica’s scenic Central Valley. From an early age, he loved being outdoors and felt a deep connection to the land. Paul has a bachelor’s degree in ecotourism from the Universidad de Costa Rica and is an ICT-certified expedition leader. He developed a passion for wildlife photography after taking some courses in college and he now enjoys helping others capture that perfect shot. Paul also enjoys traveling, spending time with his family, and birding.
Suggested Reading List
(20 books)
Visit the Road Scholar Bookshop
You can find many of the books we recommend at the Road Scholar store on bookshop.org, a website that supports local bookstores.
Rim to Shore: Costa Rica Multi-Sport Adventure
Program Number: 19243
Culture Smart! Costa Rica
A guide to local customs, etiquette and culture.
Wild Costa Rica
This beautiful, informative survey of the habitats, wildlife and protected areas of Costa Rica features 200 color photographs and chapters on natural history and conservation.
Costa Rican Spanish
A pocket guide to understanding idioms, slang and Spanish as it is spoken by the Ticos.
The Ticos
This insightful, fact-filled portrait of the Costa Rican people accessibly explores their culture, history and society.
Costa Rica, A Traveler's Literary Companion
A wonderful introduction to the character of the people, culture and land, this anthology brings together 26 stories by Costa Rican writers.
Tropical Nature
A lively, lucid portrait of the tropics as seen by two uncommonly observant and thoughtful field biologists. Its 17 marvelous essays introduce the habitats, ecology, plants and animals of the Central and South American rainforest
Nature of the Rainforest, Costa Rica and Beyond
Our favorite biologist-writer returns to the Neotropics in this beautifully illustrated, oversized overview of the rainforest. With chapters on Monteverde and Guanacaste, plants, frogs and snakes, birds, monkeys and jaguars, the sloth, peculiar insects and biodioversity; A marvelous, anecdotal introduction to ecology, evolution and conservation.
Sea Kayaking, The Classic Manual for Touring, from Day Trips to Major Expeditions
Once again fully updated, this 'kayaking bible' covers every known kayaking query, from essentials to advanced hazards. The expert advice is supplemented by black-and-white photos and some classic kayaking stories.
The Birds of Costa Rica
Built for the field, this great guide includes multiple illustrations for 820 species of birds.
Costa Rica Reader: History, Culture, Politics
A lively, literate sourcebook on the politics, economy and society of Costa Rica
Costa Rica Butterflies & Moths
A handy, laminated fold-up card with color illustrations of Costa Rica’s more visible species of butterflies and moths. Includes the distinguishing markings or behaviors of each species.
The Monkey's Bridge, Mysteries of Evolution in Central America
Opening this absorbing account of the history and biogeography of the Central American isthmus with the tale of Columbus, Wallace weaves his own travels in the region with a crisp overview of exploration, nature and evolution. Natural history buffs and ecologically minded travelers will appreciate this valuable resource.
Costa Rica Adventure Map
A double-sided map at a scale of 1:500,000.
The Wildlife of Costa Rica, A Field Guide
This guide includes 450 of the most common, interesting and charismatic mammals, birds, reptiles, amphibians and arthropods that you are likely to encounter. Each has exquisite full-color illustrations.
The Chocolate Tree, A Natural History of Cacao
A rich concoction of cultural and natural history, archaeological evidence, botanical research, environmental activism and lush descriptions of the author's own adventures, The Chocolate Tree offers an appreciation of the plant and the environment that provide us with this Maya food of the gods.
Costa Rica, A Journey Through Nature
Dividing the book by ecosystem and geographic area, BBC Wildlife Photographer of the Year Hepworth's color photographs showcase the diversity of Costa Rica's wildlife and habitats.
Volcanoes, Crucibles of Change
A complete primer for the volcano lover, this heavily illustrated book covers types of volcanoes and eruptions, worldwide distribution and the physics of their formation.
National Geographic Costa Rica
This stylish, informative and up-to-date travel resource features 200 photographs, many maps and good information on the country's history, nature and culture.
Costa Rican Wildlife
Put it in your pocket! This handy, fold-up card includes color illustrations of dozens of typical birds, mammals and reptiles.
The Sea Turtle, So Excellent a Fishe
An appreciative and informative account of the sea turtle, its ecology and field work in Costa Rica by the man who did so much to promote sea turtle research and conservation, first published in 1967. Karen Bjorndal, director of the Archie Carr Center for Sea Turtle Research, brings the story up to date in a new foreword.