Serendipity’s adventure-style teambuilding retreat is for small self-formed groups, normally 6 to 10 people. The exception is whitewater rafting which can accommodate larger groups that are searching for team-building experiences. For all your activities, you will be accompanied by Serendipity’s expert guides, who discretely check every detail without disrupting the team. Our teambuilding retreat centers around action rather than lectures, and bonding experience rather than games, and our experience creating challenging adventures for intimate groups will ensure that you have an exhilarating experience.
Teambuilding Retreat Itinerary in Costa Rica
Day 1: Arrive in Costa Rica
Whether you’ve just stepped off the plane or are already in San José, the idea is to leave the city right away and head north, in the direction of Arenal Volcano. The drive route through the countryside alone is remarkable and we’ll have our first exposure to the proud communities of rural Costa Rica. We can stop in coffee fields and see the whole process, right before reaching the cup.
Day 2: Tree Climbing as a Team
We have two unusual trees to climb today. Joseph is an 800-year-old strangler fig tree that is hollow, inviting you to scramble up inside its trunk. When you can’t climb any higher, you wiggle out through one of the windows in the trunk, about 75 feet above ground, and rappel back to earth. It sounds easy, but it requires a team effort and figuring out the best way to use equipment, the safest way to get everyone up and back down is the challenge. Abraham is the giant of the jungle, towering above the rest of the forest. The lowest branches of this enormous tree are 110 ft above the forest floor. Our platform, where lunch awaits, hangs from these branches. The only clue to how to ascend is the rope dangling from a pulley on the lowest branch. Your challenge is to get the whole team up to lunch and back down – safely, of course.
Day 3: Whitewater Rafting on Rio Sarapiquí
Today, your group will head to the Sarapiquí River for a day of whitewater rafting. Rafting is a team effort but, with regular tour companies, the “team” just does what the guide tells them to do. Serendipity has developed rafting into a team sport – each person guides the raft and the group crashes, flips, drenches, and recovers together. It’s not a committee decision, but everyone must lead and everyone must follow. Serendipity’s guides are there, again to make sure no one does anything foolish, but the School of Hard Strokes brings out teamwork unlike anything done without adrenaline. And, as we go down the river, we make multiple stops for surprise team challenges…
Day 4: Canyoning or Horseback near the Arenal Volcano
For your penultimate day, choose from an exhilarating canyoning activity or horseback riding (or both, if you’re looking for an action-packed day!). Team building with canyoning means coordinating with everyone to decide which route to follow, setting safe anchors, determining the best order for descending, agreeing on everyone’s roles at the top and bottom of each rappel, and establishing what to look out for. Ropes, harnesses, rocks, waterfalls – and a lot of teamwork is required to get everyone down waterfalls! Looking to challenge your team with a horseback riding adventure? Some will already know how to ride, and some will be new at it. We’ll cross rivers and climb trails, all while really learning how to handle a horse.
Day 5: Departure from Costa Rica
It is time to travel south from Arenal to the Central Valley. Whether you are staying one more night in San José or taking your departure flight today, the Serendipity team will be on hand to take care of all the logistics. We hope your group has had both a challenging and enjoyable teambuilding retreat with us in Costa Rica!
Pricing
Your final price depends on how many people will be in your group, your preferences for action, hotel choices, and what tourist season or holidays are involved. Please note that our itineraries do not include international airfare, travel insurance, lunch and dinner (unless stated as included), optional activities and tips, and additional services (e.g. laundry).
When you speak with one of our Travel Specialists, they will ask you what your group budget is. This is so they can create a trip plan that fits your needs, while also respecting the budget available.