Tag Archives: Manuel Antonio

The Most Romantic Resorts for a Costa Rica Honeymoon in 2022

Beaches, canyoneering, Costa Rica Adventures, Costa Rica Honeymoon, Kayaking, surfingAdventure honeymoon, Aguas Claras, Arenal Volcano, Arenas del Mar, La Fortuna, Makanda by the Sea, Manuel Antonio, Nayara Springs, Oxygen jungle

Insane adventures in nature and sublime luxury and romance need not be mutually exclusive. On a Costa Rica honeymoon, you really can have it all – especially when you stay in one of the country’s most romantic resorts!

Why is Costa Rica so ideal for adventure honeymoons?

Many of our Costa Rica adventure vacation guests are return customers. Naturally, this is the first destination on their mind when they begin planning their honeymoon. Once bitten by the adrenaline-pumping rush Costa Rica offers, there’s simply no other kind of vacation you’d ever imagine taking. Nope, not even on honeymoon!

Costa Rica honeymoon It’s no surprise that adventure honeymoons are exceptionally popular in Costa Rica, a land revered for its waterfalls, rain forests, volcanoes, dreamy beaches, fantastic wildlife, endless adventures, and an insanely idyllic year-round climate.

Yet no matter how adrenaline-addicted our adventure-seekers may be, luxuriating in a ridiculously gorgeous and romantic resort is always part of their honeymoon plan. Because how could it not?!

Costa Rica is not exactly short on these stellar and incredibly romantic accommodation options.

Are you looking to stay in a romantic resort on your Costa Rica adventure honeymoon?

Here is the top of the crop for 2022 (and don’t forget to scroll to the very bottom for insider tips on making the most of your Costa Rica honeymoon):

Romantic Costa Rica Resorts In The Most Popular Destinations For Adventure Honeymoons

Most adrenaline-addicted couples plan their Costa Rica honeymoon within a zip line length of the Arenal Volcano and Manuel Antonio National Parks. These two centrally located highlights make an ideal base for both activities and romance. You can whitewater raft, kayak, mountain bike, canopy swing, horseback ride (and basically have the time of your life) during the day, and luxuriate in private thermal pools and candle-lit dinners in enchanting honeymoon resorts in the evening.

Sounds like a pretty sweet deal, right?

Countless honeymooning couples certainly think so!

Here are the most romantic Costa Rica resorts in the most popular hot spots:

Nayara Springs, La Fortuna

Arenal volcano - Costa Rica honeymoon Nayara Springs‘ stellar location, right at the heart of the Arenal Volcano rain forest, belies its incredible seclusion. An upscale adults-only resort designed with honeymooning adventurers in mind, Nayara is nestled in the wilds of Arenal – both just a step away from the most visited Costa Rica highlight of all and feeling like it’s a million miles away.

The perfect hideaway after a full day of activities, this insanely inviting space is all about relaxation, indulgence, and romance. Enjoy a dip in your villa’s private thermal pool, spot toucans in flight from your private terrace, tantalize your taste buds on exquisite food, and wave those stresses goodbye as you indulge in all manner of treatments at the in-house, world-class spa. Just 16 villas, complete with thermal pool and private butler. Yes…butler.

New luxury honeymoon resorts continue to open in Costa Rica every year, but Nayara Springs continues to lead the pack. Conde Nast and Travel & Leisure have named Nayara Springs one of the most romantic hotels in the world. You certainly won’t hear an argument on that from us!

Arenas del Mar, Manuel Antonio

Another genially located gem, this time in the world-famous Manuel Antonio National Park, Arenas del Mar is an astonishing property that’s managed to squeeze itself in between the crashing shores of the Pacific and wildlife-enriched forests. You can sit back on your enormous private terrace (complete with hot tub) soaking up a glorious Pacific Ocean sunset and still hear monkeys howling behind you.

Suite options include Ocean View (we’re talking uninterrupted vistas across the coast) and Ocean Breeze, facing the rain forest instead. Whichever option you choose, your honeymoon dreams will be more than satisfied. Beach or rain forest? The choice is yours.

The restaurant, pool, and bar are decked on an upper level, overlooking Playa Espadilla. The entire property screams wilderness immersion thanks to the stellar eco-friendly efforts employed on construction. A few trees were felled when Arenas del Mar was built, yet many more planet native trees replaced them. This means you don’t even need to pry yourself away from your sun lounge to enjoy galore wildlife encounters.

Arenas Del Mar rain forest resort - Costa Rica honeymoon If sustainable travel is important to you, then you will simply love this place. A bevy of eco-friendly initiatives makes Arenas del Mar a beacon of sustainability. There’s no single-use plastic anything in sight, electric buggies to get around, and your side-serves of organic veggies are compliments of the in-house hydroponic vegetable garden. The entire resort is powered by renewable energy. Just three months ago, Arenal was named one of the top eco-lodges in the world by Lonely Planet.

Arenas may not be as swanky as Nayara Springs but few resorts can be. Yet for easy beach access, resident wildlife experiences, and excellent service and amenities, not to mention sustainable travel rewards, it’s an excellent choice for active honeymooners in search of luxury and romance.

Arenas del Mar is not specifically adults-only so if that’s more your jig on your honeymoon (understandable), check out our next entry.

Makanda by the Sea, Manuel Antonio

Makanda shares Arenas’ price point yet is aimed explicitly at honeymooners. In fact, it’s a super popular choice for destination weddings in Costa Rica. Because how idyllic would that be?

With 12 acres of pristine wilderness framing your jaw-dropping villa, including a stretch of the hotel’s private beach, Makanda by the Sea is the kind of honeymoon oasis every couple dreams. The property is a bonafide wildlife sanctuary and the activities are more than you could ever enjoy in just one trip. In essence, you’ll find it impossibly difficult to leave the property although that sums up the idea of romantic honeymoons anyway.

Makanda wasn’t the eye-popping beauty it is today until 2017, when new owners revamped and redesigned the space to take it several notches above the average. The tropical vibe, bespoke art, and outstanding décor combine to create a romantic resort that is, quite frankly, unlike any other. The in-house Shanti Spa is worth a look-see for its fantastical design, let alone its array of wonderful treatments.

With world-class dining and spa indulgences to explore, this is one honeymoon treat you’ll remember forever.

Plan Your Costa Rica Adventure Honeymoon Today!

Romantic Costa Rica Resorts For Off-The-Beaten-Path Adventure Honeymoons

If you have a few more days to dedicate to your Costa Rica adventure honeymoon, or wish to explore the country way off the beaten path, these stunning honeymoon romantic resorts are tailor-made for you! All are in off-beat destinations that see fewer tourists and boast fewer large-scale, all-inclusive resorts – the kind that has made the Papagayo famous.

Swap the hustle for the jungle and immerse yourself in pristine nature, luxuriating in privacy and remoteness.

Just the ticket for a perfect honeymoon getaway?

We think so too.

Here are some amazing gems you should consider:

Oxygen Jungle Villas, Uvita

Oxygen jungle - Costa Rica honeymoon — Oxygen Jungle Villas, Uvita

On the southern Pacific Coast, overlooking the dramatic coastline of Uvita, is where you’ll find a cluster of super chich jungle villas. This upmarket adults-only resort’s remoteness and isolation (a few miles from the coast and the Marino Ballena National Park) are undoubtedly the main enticements for honeymooning guests. Oxygen is a 4-hour drive from San Jose and a 4WD transfer is recommended.

All of this is effort handsomely rewarded as once you arrive and are enveloped by the luxurious romance of this place, heading off on adventures may be the last thing on your mind. And that’s simply perfect.

Set high on a hilltop, Oxygen offers sweeping coastal and rain forest views. This is a small and intimate resort and that’s what makes it so enchanting. Only a dozen villas share the breath-taking property yet the offerings are substantial. #

A stay here is exclusive and private, not to mention romantic and relaxation. Yet there’s plenty to keep you busy if you’re high energy – daytime activities, SPA treatments, sunset cocktails and gorgeous food make for a sublimely enjoyable honeymoon getaway.

Aguas Claras, Puerto Viejo

While most holidaymakers tend to stick to the western coast of Costa Rica’ discerning honeymooners looking for the ultimate escape opt for the southern Caribbean coast instead. Unassuming Puerto Viejo, a hit with surfers and anyone looking for off-the-beaten-path adventures, boasts just a smattering of luxurious and romantic adults-only resorts.

Aguas Claras is the most exclusive option on this side of the mountains and an excellent one at that. Elegance here takes priority, the décor an intoxicating mix of tropical-chich-meet-Victorian-glamour. In their distinctive design, the white-washed villas are all about old-school charm, while the perfectly manicured gardens and pool, an ode to the natural beauty of the location. As so many guests attest, the resort looks like a 19th-century oil painting!

The property is immersed in nature and attracts wildlife while offering an impressive variety of activities. What couples love about this place is that they can do as much or as little as they wish. A jaguar rescue centre is nearby, as are plenty of options for adrenaline-pumping adventures. Discover more about the unique Aguas Claras Boutique Hotel.

Drake Bay Greenleaf, Osa Peninsula

Down the western tippy-toes of Costa Rica is the Osa Peninsula, widely reputed as the most biologically diverse corner of the country. Most of Osa is made up of the Corcovado National Park, a wildlife haven that has few parallels anywhere on earth. This is a remote and, in rain season, hard-to-reach destination, one favored by extreme nature lovers craving a life-changing experience.

If you’re after a truly once-in-a-lifetime adventure honeymoon in Costa Rica, you’ll find no better place on which to set your sights. Wish to double the magic? Then a stay at Drake Bay Greenleaf is for you.

Tucked into the untamed wilderness of Drake Bay, right across from Corcovado, is a slice of heaven on earth. Drake Bay Greenleaf is an incredible ecolodge that marries sustainability with rustic luxury, a rare feat in such an isolated and fervently protected part of the world. No wonder the resort has won multiple Conde Nast and TripAdvisor travel awards over the last few years.

A handful of rain forest villas, built from recycled steel and teak, are the crowd jewels of Greenleaf; each one strategically located on hilltops to afford magnificent views. A short 10-minute walk sees you on a stretch of private beach and you’ll have multiple activities – like whale and dolphin watching boat tours, guided wildlife-spotting hikes and snorkeling – on offer every day.

It’s not often you get to be a 21st-century Robinson Crusoe (you know, the kind that enjoys gourmet meals, sundowners with killer views and in-room massages) but if that’s what you envisage on your Costa Rica adventure honeymoon, Drake Bay Greenleaf delivers.

Plan Your Costa Rica Adventure Honeymoon Today!

Insider Tips for Making the Most of Your Costa Rica Adventure Honeymoon

Finding the perfect romantic resort is only part of the planning for a Costa Rica adventure honeymoon. Before you can even pin down the right place to kick off your wedded bliss, it would help to know the best time of year to travel, how much to budget and how many days you need for this incredible adventure.

How long do I need for a Costa Rica honeymoon?

The most popular time frame is about 8 days, and that works (almost) no matter where in Costa Rica you wish to venture. Obviously, you couldn’t possibly see and do it all but you can hone in on a specific interest (destination or activity) and enjoy it thoroughly. Our Costa Rica Adventure Honeymoon packages follow this model. If you wish to get way off the beaten path, adding a couple of days to that to create a 10-day bespoke itinerary is optimal. Travel time can be considerable, at least on two days.

You can learn more about what you can go, do and see in a week right here.

How much should I budget for a Costa Rica honeymoon?

It depends. Costa Rica is an affordable travel destination yet chances to spend big are also on the cards, which is perfect for honeymooning couples who want to splurge. Usually, our guests don’t need much help deciding how to spend big (luxury resorts, we see you!) Instead, budgeting tips on how to best contain expenses are appreciated.

Choosing the right season and location, scrutinizing all-inclusive resorts and setting up a travel-account wedding gift registry are all clever tactics to enjoy a luxurious honeymoon for less. You can learn more in our Costa Rica honeymoon budgeting tips blog.

By far the easiest way to ensure your honeymoon budget doesn’t go nuclear, however, is to plan things the other way around. This is what we do at Costa Rica Rios: we plan fantastic honeymoon adventure that fit within a pre-determined budget.

Tell us how much you wish to spend and we’ll create a bespoke honeymoon vacation to suit.

Simple!

Plan Your Costa Rica Adventure Honeymoon Today!

The ULTIMATE Costa Rica Honeymoon Guide!

Our Ultimate Costa Rica Honeymoon Guide is a comprehensive resource for all things related to location, budget, activities and even what to avoid. If you have yet to find the answer to your questions above, you’ll surely find them there. Oh, and you’ll discover more Costa Rica romantic resorts to check out!

Planning a once-in-a-lifetime trip, like a honeymoon, is usually a fraught endeavor. At Costa Rica Rios, we make it FUN by taking the logistics off your hand – we know what works and what doesn’t and we have 25 years of experience creating award-winning itineraries for adventure-seeking travelers.

Want to be among them?

Contact us to know more.

Plan Your Costa Rica Adventure Honeymoon Today!

15 Incredible Reasons to Visit Costa Rica in January!

Beaches, Costa Rica Adventures, Costa Rica Mountain Biking, Culinary, Family Vacation, Kayaking, surfing, Wildlifearenal, beaches, Manuel Antonio, whitewater rafting, wilderness, wildlife

January is one of the best and busiest months to visit Costa Rica in January. The weather plays along with adventure seekers, the rain forests are at their most luscious best and all those marvelous beaches are dreamy beyond words.

Yet there are SO many more reasons to visit Costa Rica in January! After the colossal downpours of the wet season, the whole country reverberates to life, with cultural events, wildlife spotting, and outdoor adventures galore.

Need just one reason to leave the cold of the north behind and come play in this tropical paradise?

We’ll give you 15!

1. The weather in January is perfect almost everywhere in Costa Rica

Costa Rica’s rainy season tends to run into the first two weeks of January but rains taper off dramatically as the month progresses, before eventually coming to an end in late February. This means that you will likely get some rain if you visit Costa Rica in early January, but they’ll just provide relief for the summer heat. Overall, this is the ideal month that sees most of the country transition from drenched to parched, so you do get the best of both weather worlds.

In January, the rain season shifts from the west to the east: this is the wettest month on the Caribbean side of the country but the start of the outdoor adventures on the Pacific.

2. The Costa Rica wilderness is insanely verdant in January

Some parts of Costa Rica are incredibly dry by the time the hot summer season is over (middle of the year) so if it’s verdant and luscious wilderness you want to see, visit in January. By then, all those tropical rain forests will have received an abundance of nourishment and will be exceptionally green, although typically drier areas (like the northern Guanacaste Pacific region) will showcase a mix of colors.

3. Road travel is back in business!

The rainy season can play havoc on Costa Rica’s roads, especially in remote areas, like Corcovado, that can easily get flooded and cut off by heavy rain. By January, however, road travel becomes easier and transfers are less likely to get disrupted.

If you wish to visit multiple regions, this is the first month where you’d be advised to opt for a road transfer (because road trips are always epic in Costa Rica!) rather than a domestic flight.

4. January falls between peak and high season

In January, the country farewells the end-of-year tourist crowds and is getting ready to welcome high-season visitors. Typically, the last two weeks of January are the calm in-between the tourist storms so everything is open and all regions are accessible, albeit with slightly lower visitor numbers.

The most visited tourist destinations (like Arenal and Manuel Antonio) still receive high tourist numbers this month, although with a bespoke guided adventure tour in Costa Rica, dodging crowds is insanely easy.

BOOK YOUR BESPOKE ADVENTURE TOUR IN COSTA RICA TODAY!

5. January is an amazing month to go wildlife spotting in Costa Rica

Costa Rica wildlife As waters recede in most of the country, Costa Rica’s most iconic animals emerge from impenetrable forests looking to quench their thirst. This is a fantastic month for wildlife spotting in Costa Rica and that also rings true for marine life. The lack of storms means visibility is great for SCUBA diving and snorkeling, as well as boat trips off the Pacific coast.

Whether at sea or on land, ensure you include a few specialized wildlife spotting excursions on your January adventure tour if visiting in January.

6. Whitewater rafting and kayaking in January is perfect for families and first-timers

As the heavy rains recede, so does the water level in Costa Rica’s best rivers. This translates into tamer rafting and kayaking excursions – perfect if you wish to try the sport for the very first time or are traveling as a family!

Naturally, you can expect to find a host of variables in such an eclectic country. At Costa Rica Rios, we plan the bespoke whitewater rafting and kayaking trip to suit your needs, skill levels, and desires for thrills: no matter your skill level, we can always find a challenging run just for you.

Read this guide to whitewater rafting and kayaking in Costa Rica and you’ll have a better idea of what it’s all about.

7. There’s a host of fun cultural fiestas throughout January

Day of Masquerade The holiday fiesta vibe is well and truly kicking in January and you’ll find cultural festivals held in just about every province. Traditional festivals always involve plenty of delicious food, as well as music, dances, and parades to boot.

Fun, sociable, and unforgettable, Costa Rica’s fiestas and parades are reason alone to visit in January!

8. January is the perfect beach-bumming month in Costa Rica

The beaches of Playa Zancudo If relaxing on a sublime tropical beach is what you’re dreaming to kick off the new year, then consider Costa Rica your dream destination. As the dry season starts, the sky is resplendently clear, the sea is calm and the beaches unspoiled. Hit the far north Pacific coast for uncrowded beaches and sensational verano vibes.

Beach conditions along the Pacific coast are also ideal if you want to take some beginner surfing lessons so if you do find some energy to expend, you’ll find plenty of fun activities to enjoy.

9. It’s leatherback sea turtle nesting month on Playa Grande!

Sea turtles nest along both coastlines in Costa Rica all year long, with different species focusing on distinct months. This is what makes the country such a rewarding hot spot for international sea turtle conservation work.

In January, it’s the turn of Eastern Pacific leatherbacks around the Las Baulas National Marine Park. In Playa Grande, the next beach up from famous Tamarindo is the start of what is essentially a marine reserve created specifically to protect nesting turtles. Head to the main reserve station when you arrive and you can put your name down for a guided night-time tour during nesting season. January is the best month to spot them! The best part is that you only pay if there is a sighting, so you can be assured of a rewarding experience – if they are running a tour, you know chances are super high that you’ll get to see these amazing creatures.

Learn more about the Eastern Pacific Leatherback from EarthWatch.

10. January is a fantastic month for hiking in Costa Rica

Drier trails and verdant wilderness make for awesome hiking in January!

Rarely, trails are still closed due to flooding this month, so you’re likely to be among the first visitors of the year leaving footprints on trails. Viewpoints along trails offer breathtaking vistas this month, with the lack of extensive cloud cover making for outstanding photography.

11. January is a popular month for destination weddings & honeymoons in Costa Rica

Want to start the new year as a newly-married couple? Yes, you guessed it: January is one of the most popular months for destination weddings down our shores. It’s a no-brainer, in many ways: the weather is fabulous and, especially for North Americans, the chance to dodge the winter cold and enjoy a wedding and honeymoon in a tropical paradise like Costa Rica is immensely enticing!

Read our Ultimate Costa Rica Honeymoon Guide to know more.

BOOK YOUR BESPOKE ADVENTURE TOUR IN COSTA RICA TODAY!

12. You can spot giant manta rays on the Catalinas Island

Diving with giant manta rays is one of the best reasons to visit Costa Rica in January. The beasts of the seas, which are the largest ray species in the world, measure an astonishing 23 feet in width and can weigh as much as 3,000 pounds. They are docile, slow-moving yet acrobatic and are majestic to see on a diving trip.

Giant mantas (and other pelagic species) love to feed off the nutrient-enriched waters of the Pacific between November and May. January is considered an ideal month as this month sees the largest concentration of this marine wonder in various spots off the western coast of the country. The very best spot, however, is off the coast of the Catalinas Islands.

Learn more about diving with manta rays in Costa Rica.

13. You’ll see an abundance of migratory birds in Cano Negro & Palo Verde

Costa Rica is one of the world’s most extraordinary birding destinations, home to about 10% of the species found on our planet. Alongside over 100 endemic species, the country also welcomes untold numbers of migratory birds at the start of the dry season.

January is the perfect month to get an eyeful of outstanding bird species, especially in the Palo Verde and Cano Negro reserves, where you might easily spot up to 100 distinct species in just a single day.

If you’re a birding fanatic, ask us about bespoke private tours and we can organize a specialist guide who’ll help you make the best of your visit.

14. You can literally pick your ideal temps!

Costa Rica’s eclectic geography means you can pick and choose your ideal temperature. Yes, even in January!

The Pacific Northwest is the driest part of the country this month, with temps in the low 90s and very minimal rainfall (sometimes, it’s days between brief afternoon showers).

Down along the coast, in the Central Pacific Region, there is a chance of a little more rain, but also slightly cooler temperatures (around the high 80s). In the southernmost Pacific coast, around the Osa Peninsula, this is as dry as it gets all year. Temps are around the mid-90s and you can expect brief showers, say, every other afternoon.

The Central Valley region is blissful in January, with temps in the high 70s and a few afternoon showers to keep things cool. This is undoubtedly the best spot for hiking excursions around Arenal and La Fortuna.

The Caribbean side sees heavy downpours that can sometimes last for a whole day. This is arguably not a good time to visit if you wish to fill your itinerary with a lot of outdoor excursions. On the other hand, crowd numbers are super low on this side so if you wish to retreat to a gorgeous remote lodge and enjoy a few days of downtime, January is ideal.

15. January is the best month to join a group adventure tour as a solo traveler

Solo travelers are apprehensive, at times, about booking a group adventure tour in Costa Rica. They worry that there won’t be enough participants so the tour will be canceled, or they simply think they’ll feel isolated and lonely. Although this is NEVER the case on our Costa Rica adventure tours, January is a reliably super-busy month so you can bank on joining a jovial group of like-minded adventurers to share in on the fun!

Costa Rica is a wonderful place to celebrate the start of the New Year: the whole country is in holiday mode; celebrations abound and the dry season is at the door. This is a busy, exciting, and sociable month but getting away from hectic touristed spots is very easy. Enjoy a thrilling adventure-filled week and then indulge in a stint of R&R on a yoga or wellness retreat, away from the partying crowds. That’s Costa Rica adventure perfection, right there!

We still have a few spots available on our Adventure Vacation Package Tours in January but we can always plan a bespoke private itinerary if you prefer. Check out our Top 4 CRR Tours for inspiration or simply contact us today. We’ll create a tailor-made itinerary to suit your budget and desires – it’s bound to be the best decision you’ll make all year!

BOOK YOUR BESPOKE ADVENTURE TOUR IN COSTA RICA TODAY!

Costa Rica Rios - Adventure Vacations

4.9

Based on 152 reviews

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Bailey Savage

5 months ago

Had an incredible week with Costa Rica Rios! The adventure had the perfect amount of adventure and rest. We explored the beauty of the country’s rural areas and connected with a bunch of amazing local guides. Highly recommend traveling with this company.

Rhonda Stutzman

9 months ago

We are a family group of 10 - two 70-yr old grandparents, three adults in their 40s and 5 grandchildren, between the ages of 12 and 17. Costa Rica Rios did a wonderful job helping us organize a great 9-day vacation. We chose lots of activities (teenagers love that!), and Costa Rica Rios did all the leg work, providing transportation from the airport, between the 2 hotels we chose, and to all of the activities - from our hotel. All the drivers were great, and we really appreciated not having to navigate some of the bumpy roads ourselves. The tour guides at all the sites were just wonderful! They were friendly, spoke English well, and kindly answered our many questions! You can tell that they love Costa Rica, and are so eager to preserve all the natural beauty there!
We chose two locations: La Fortuna and Manuel Antonio
These are the activities we chose and enjoyed!
La Fortuna - Nature Safari Float, Hanging Bridges and Canopy Zipline Tour, Horseback Riding to La Fortuna Waterfall, Coffee and Chocolate Tour
Manuel Antonio - Manuel Antonio Nat. Park Private Guided Tour, Half-day Sport Fishing, Manuel Antonio Beach, ATV tour
The two hotels that they selected for us were just wonderful! Beautiful landscaping, nice rooms, excellent restaurants.
La Fortuna - Hotel Los Lagos
Manuel Antonio - Hotel Costa Verde
I was a little concerned that we might get a LOT of rain, since it was in the rainy season. We had some rain, but it didn't hinder the fun that we had!
Lots of beautiful memories of a great family time!
Thank you Costa Rica Rios!

S K

11 months ago

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Second time’s a charm — and somehow even better!

I just wrapped up my second adventure with Costa Rica Rios and I can’t say enough good things. Henry (aka Ninja) and Michael, along with the entire crew, are the absolute best at what they do. From the moment you arrive, you feel like family — they handle every detail with so much care, humor, and local wisdom.

Every day was packed with jaw-dropping adventures: river rafting, kayaking, zip lining, waterfall rappelling — you name it. They balance safety and adrenaline so perfectly that even when you’re pushing your limits, you feel completely looked after.

This trip is off-the-grid magic. Great food, stunning scenery, and a team that loves what they do and makes you love every second too. If you’re thinking about booking — do it! I came back for my second year in a row, and I’d do it again in a heartbeat.

Pura Vida forever!

Connie Vance

1 year ago

We just got back from Costa Rica -- it was fabulous AND stress free thanks to Costa Rica Rio. We usually arrange our own trips and activities but we were so happy that we traveled with Costa Rica Rio this time. Everything happened as scheduled at top notch venues and on time, every time. Frasier revised our trip four times to get it exactly right and within our budget. Costa Rica Rio deserves 10 stars.

Response from the owner 1 year ago

Thanks for the incredible review, Connie and it's so nice to hear that you loved your vacation. Pura vida!

Misty Gilheany

1 year ago

If there were more stars to give, I would give them!! 100% the best adventure vacation we've ever been on!! There were 6 of us on the tour of varying abilities, and we all had an epic time! Henry and Michael were the best guides ever: knowledgeable, skilled, and funny! The rafting was spectacular, the zip lining and Tarzan swing were perfect for the adrenaline junkies among us, the tour at Manuel Antonio NP gave us a chance to see a ton of animals, and the sea kayaking was beautiful. Highly recommend this tour company! We didn't want the vacation to end. Pura Vida!

Response from the owner 1 year ago

Thanks for the fantastic review, Misty! It's so nice to hear that you loved your vacation with us. Pura vida!

Teresa Straffin

2 years ago

My family of 5 (mom, dad, 3 sons who are 21+) had the BEST trip ever. We've been on various adventure tours but this one was the absolute BEST! We were met at the airport by a very friendly guide. We waited a short while for one other group participant to arrive and then were driven a few hours to Villa Florencia. This was a beautiful resort with a restaurant, pool, work out area and many places to relax. We arrived at around lunchtime and needed to arrange a lunch with the restaurant staff as this was not provided. Food was provided from dinner that first night through breakfast on the last day. Each night all week, our fearless leader briefed us on what to expect the next day. We went kayaking, zip-lining, whitewater rafting for 2 days on #1,2,3,4 rapids, hiking, tarzan swing, repelling down a handful of waterfalls, walk in animal sanctuary, morning at the beach and shopping. There's probably more I'm forgetting as the schedule was very packed. My favorite place was the ECO Lodge without electricity where the view and experience was spectacular. We traveled with a group of 13 people (including our family) in a van with our Leader and Driver. We all got along very well and had a great time together. It didn't take long for us to feel like a family. The food was great, accommodations also great (some had more bugs than others but hey, this is Costa Rica - there are bugs!) I recommend a few things: listen to your guide and you will have a much better time - when traveling, when adventuring, when given safety warnings and for all things Costa Rica. Bring a watertight sealed bag for your camera to wear around your neck so you can take pictures in all settings. Bring a pair of binoculars for animal viewing. Bring good water shoes that you can also hike in, and another pair of shoes that can get wet and muddy along with flip flops and something else. I was glad I brought 4 pairs of shoes to wear. One pair gets wet and you will have another to wear. They do not necessarily dry out overnight. Bring lots of t-shirts and shorts for the same reason. You will go through clothing. Bring rain gear. Not much need for dress-up clothes although you might want something clean for restaurants and a possible trip to a bar. There's not much opportunity to wash/dry clothes. Bring sunscreen and bug spray. There is some time for relaxing in the evenings before and after dinner. Bring the stuff on the list you are given. Keep in mind that at the end there is an expectation to tip guides 5-10% of the total per person in cash. An envelope is given out for this purpose. It was our understanding that guides would be given % dependent on how much contact they had with the group all week. There are ATM's in town that you can access the day before you leave. I highly recommend this trip for adventurous people who are tolerant of bugs and who love to see the world and meet other adventurous people. Excellent trip we will have a hard time topping elsewhere!