This accessible itinerary is designed to cater to travelers of all abilities, ensuring that everyone can experience the thrill of exploration in this breathtaking Costa Rican paradise. From the misty cloud forests of Monteverde to the pristine beaches of the Central Pacific, get ready to immerse yourself in a world of natural wonders and exhilarating activities. Whether you’re seeking adrenaline-pumping adventures like canyoning and whitewater rafting, or tranquil moments surrounded by the sounds of the rainforest, we adapt our activities to ensure a fun and accessible adventure in Costa Rica for all. Our Travel Specialists will work with you to design the right itinerary for you.
Itinerary for Accessible Adventure in Costa Rica
Day 1: Arrive in Costa Rica
Hola and welcome to Costa Rica! Your dedicated guide and transport will meet you at the Juan Santamaria International Airport (SJO) in San José. From here on out, they will take care of all the details of your trip so you can simply enjoy the experience! Travel east to the hidden gem of Turrialba for the first part of your adventure with us.
Day 2: Canyoning at your Comfort Level
Today, you can experience an exhilarating outdoor adventure that we operate in this region: canyoning! We adapt our private canyoning adventures for clients with limited mobility, including travelers using lower-leg prosthetics and AFOs. For this adapted activity, you can rappel down three waterfalls side-by-side with a canyoning guide. Enjoy a traditional Costa Rica lunch prepared at a local family’s casita overlooking the valley.
Day 3: Whitewater Rafting on the Pacuare River
Just a short drive from Turrialba is the Pacuare River, one of the best rivers in the world for whitewater rafting! You’ll find many other tour providers here, but our rafting trips are a little different from the rest. The day is yours to enjoy, there is no rush and we want you to enjoy the river as much as possible. We adapt this experience to our client’s comfort and skill level, providing different types of rafts to ensure a safe and enjoyable experience for every traveler. For clients needing a more stable raft, we have our ‘oar boat’ that is appropriate for young kids, older travelers, and clients with limited mobility. After your day on the river, travel to the northern plains surrounding the Arenal Volcano.
Day 4: Tree Climbing on Abraham
Meet Abraham, the granddaddy of this primary forest — an ancient tree more than 400 years old, but still in the peak of health and majesty. Abraham towers more than 150 feet, overlooking our friend’s private primary rainforest not too distant from Arenal volcano. Once in Abraham, you have the whole place, and the whole day, to become part of the forest. It’s comfortable up here, with the birds — the breeze sways the other trees, while Abraham sits rock-solid, and you eat lunch while watching the birds. Don’t believe you can make the climb? We have ways of getting you up there, with some help from your Serendipity guide, and some inventions we’ve made (we can even get your wheelchair up there, too!).
Day 5: Safari Nature Float in Caño Negro
On our unique naturalist float, we use a quiet, stealthy raft setup using a silent electric motor to get right up next to the wildlife and we have adapted our float for easy access for travelers with limited mobility. In the Caño Negro National Wildlife Refuge, it is common to see Spectacled caiman, Green iguanas, monkeys, different types of herons, Wood storks, flycatchers and warblers, Anhingas and sometimes even the elusive Sungrebe. Your guide is expert at spotting the wildlife and there’s no one else’s schedule to adhere to, so you can stop all you want and take time to observe and photograph the beauty surrounding you.
Day 6: Exploring the Cloud Forest Canopy
Today, you’ll travel around the beautiful Lake Arenal towards the cloud forests of Monteverde. Because it is found only in tropical countries at high elevations (5,000 to 8,000 feet), it is ecologically remote, like an island sticking skywards between lower-altitude landscapes. Cloud forests host many plant and animal species not commonly found in lower elevations. Travel up into cloud forest canopy by cableway to feel as though you are on top of the world and explore this unique ecosystem along a network of wheelchair-accessible hanging bridges.
Day 7: Curi-Cancha Reserve
The Curi-Cancha Reserve is less crowded and more accessible than other cloud forest reserves in Monteverde. A favorite with bird watchers, you’ll have a chance to spot Keel-billed toucans, lots of hummingbirds, mot mots, orioles, and quetzals! An electric buggy with a guide is available to help you discover the trails.
Day 8: Central Pacific Coast
Today, we head to the beach! Costa Rica is home to several accessible beaches, including Playa Herradura, Jacó Beach, and Playa Espadilla. To break the journey, we’ll stop to visit the Tarcoles River for an accessible boat tour. As we cruise along the river, you’ll witness the vibrant colors of the macaws, herons and egrets, as well as agile kingfishers. This river is also home to the American crocodile, one of the largest reptiles in the world, and you’ll be able to see them basking in the sun or lurking in the water. Don’t worry; we’ll keep you at a safe distance!
Day 9: Carara National Park
Carara National Park is on Costa Rica’s Central Pacific near the coast and was the country’s first National Park to build a Universal Trail for autonomous use by people, not only with limited mobility but also with audiovisual and haptic information such as maps and detailed sculptures of animals common in the park, descriptions in Braille and QR codes with information. Carara has a wide variety of birds, mammals, reptiles, and amphibians; Scarlet Macaws, while scarce in many places, are seen on practically every visit to the National Park.
Day 10: Return to San José
You are leaving today. It’s hard to think it is over! You came for adventure, but you leave with much more! Thank you for trusting us and letting us be part of your greatest memories. Your guide will make sure that you travel back to the airport in plenty of time for check-in for your departure flight.
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 individual or family budget is. This is so they can create a trip plan that fits your needs, while also respecting the budget available.
| Style of Travel | Price per Person, per Week |
|---|---|
| Fully Independent | $1,500 – $2,500 |
| Mix of Independent & Guided | $2,500 – $3,500 |
| Fully Guided Trip | $3,500 – $4,000+ |