Costa Rica & Nicaragua Multi-Adventure Trip
Paddle, bike and hike across Costa Rica and Nicaragua for 10D/9N starting at $1,679.00 per person.
Between two oceans, the land narrows into a spine of mountains and volcanoes where rivers spill through jungle and cloud forests brush the sky.
This is Central America in its purest form — wild, restless, and alive with water and light. From the whitewater rivers of Costa Rica to the volcanic islands of Lake Nicaragua, this journey traces a route through shifting landscapes and small moments that stay with you long after you’ve left them behind.
With Lost World Adventures, your passage begins in San José and quickly turns kinetic — paddles biting into the current of the Sarapiquí or Toro Rivers, spray in your face, the jungle rushing by in a blur of green. From there the rhythm changes but never slows: climbing canyons and rappelling down waterfalls near Arenal, crossing the glassy expanse of Lake Arenal by bike and boat, and rising into the mist of Monteverde’s cloud forest, where each breath feels suspended between earth and air.
Crossing into Nicaragua, the land opens and the air changes. You leave the mountains for the Pacific coast — quiet beaches, bright water, a pace that slows with the tide. San Juan del Sur feels like a pause: surfboards stacked in the sand, boats at anchor, the hum of the tropics settling in. Then eastward again, toward Granada and the wide shimmer of Lake Nicaragua, where hundreds of small volcanic islands lie scattered across the water. You’ll kayak among them, gliding past fishermen, egrets, and families living on narrow strips of green, the Mombacho Volcano always rising in the background.
This trip unfolds like a series of connected adventures — river to canyon, jungle to cloud forest, sea to lake — each day a new terrain and a different kind of movement. With Lost World Adventures, you travel not only across borders but through elemental landscapes: fire, water, forest, and stone. It’s a journey that rewards curiosity and energy, a true crossing from the heart of Costa Rica to the soul of Nicaragua.
Lost World Adventures itineraries can be tailor-made according to your plans and preferences: budget, hotel selections, travel dates, optional excursions, length of trip, etc.
Day 1: San Jose
Upon arrival in San José, you’ll be met and transferred to your hotel.
Day 2: San Jose – River Rafting – Arenal Volcano
This morning you will be met at your hotel in San José and transfer to the put-in at the Rio Sarapiqui or Rio Toro for a whitewater rafting trip.
You will receive a safety talk, get your gear all set (helmet, life-jacket and paddle) and have the time of your life paddling down one of Costa Rica’s best rivers. You will paddle about 2 to 2.5 hours and then finish up with a delicious spread of fresh, tropical fruit and then a delicious lunch.
Continue to Arenal Volcano, arrive at your hotel in the late afternoon.
Day 3: Rappelling & Canyoneering
The rugged, mountainous terrain near the Arenal Volcano in Costa Rica is ideal for canyoneering. You’ll go rappelling, down-climbing, river tracing and descend huge, breathtaking waterfalls hidden in the Lost Canyon!
Canyoneering in Costa Rica is more than just rappelling — it’s a very active and physical sport. You will make your way down a beautiful river canyon and hike through deep rainforest, an experience of a lifetime. Start with a fun 4×4 off-road adventure on “Jungle Limos” (powered by renewable Biodiesel fuel) as into a quiet, mountainside community. Prepare to get wet!
Your experienced and friendly, bilingual canyoneering guides will give you a thorough safety talk about important rappelling and down-climbing techniques. You’ll be equipped with climbing harness, helmet and gloves.
You’ll practice your first descent on a small, 10-ft waterfall. There you are, on a sturdy platform looking down into the depths of a 150-ft massive tropical waterfall. You’ll rappel down for the thrill of a lifetime! Make your way along the river by down-climbing & rappelling a series of four waterfalls that get gradually bigger.
Day 4: Transfer to Monteverde with Mountain Biking
Today’s trip to Monteverde combines mountain biking, the Lake Arenal boat crossing and scenic drive to Monteverde. We’ll pick you up at your Arenal hotel and travel to the starting point for your bike ride.
After a safety briefing and from your guide, you’ll peddle on an isolated gravel trail alongside beautiful Lake Arenal. The trail winds its way through secondary rainforest and offers great views of the Arenal Volcano along the way. This is a perfect bike tour for nature lovers and adventure seekers — your guide will try to point out Toucans, Oropendolas and other tropical Costa Rica birds.
You’ll pass by small Costa Rica villages and finish off at a rustic dock on the side of Lake Arenal where your boat captain is waiting for you.
You’ll fuel up with some fresh, delicious, Costa Rica tropical fruit and say “adios” to your guide as you board the boat for the 20-minute crossing of Lake Arenal. Our van will be waiting on the other side for the drive to Monteverde.
Overnight at the Hotel Fonda Vela (or similar).
Day 5: Monteverde Sky Adventure
This morning you will be picked up at your hotel for today’s adventure: the Sky Adventure, in the hills of Monteverde rainforest. The Sky Adventure includes three excursions:
The Sky Walk: a guided tour of the cloud forest from a different perspective where you will learn all about the flora and fauna of the area walking through and over the treetops. The naturalist guide will make this gentle walk/hike very interesting, showing you the wildlife on the way.
The Sky Tram: explore the world famous Cloud Forest of Monteverde on a 5,249-foot ride that takes you up to the Continental Divide.
The Sky Trek: a zipline tour full of adrenaline (and optional). Fly over and through the treetops across 10 different cables: 13,387 feet in total, with lengths up to 2,526 feet, at heights of 460 feet. Transfer back to Monteverde. Overnight at your Monteverde hotel.
Day 6: Monteverde – La Cruz & Bahía Salinas – San Juan del Sur
Today you will leave paradise and head north to the Pan American highway to Nicaragua. Make a stop at La Cruz Viewpoint for a marvellous view to the Bolaños Island and Salinas Bay.
At the border with Nicaragua at Peñas Blancas, your driver will help you to get your passport stamped and will provide all the necessary assistance to cross the border. Meet your Nicaraguan driver for the transfer to San Juan del Sur.
Overnight at Hotel La Posada Azul (or similar), breakfast included – 2 nights.
Day 7: San Juan del Sur
Day at leisure at this beautiful and relaxing beach town. Optional activities can be organized, such as turtles watching (August – February), surfing lessons, fishing and sailing.
Day 8: San Juan del Sur – Granada
Morning at leisure at the beach. In the early afternoon you will be picked up for the transfer to Granada. On the way enjoy beautiful views to Ometepe Island, the world’s largest volcanic island in a lake.
Overnight at a Granada hotel, breakfast included – 2 nights.
Day 9: Kayak in Lake Nicaragua & Islands
In the mid-morning transfer to Lake Nicaragua for a kayak tour. See the most beautiful islands in Lake Nicaragua and their rich flora and fauna, discover some of the 356 islands or “isletas”.
The islands were formed thousands years ago after an eruption of nearby Mombacho volcano (now extinct). They are now covered with lush, tropical vegetation, some of them are inhabited by natives, others have vacation houses built on them, and others are still deserted.
You will be able to observe some of the many species of tropical birds that live in the islands. The inhabitants (Isleños) live peacefully in simple yet decent conditions and dedicate themselves to fishing and small agriculture, and now to tourism.
Lunch will be on a private ecological island with time at leisure in paradise amidst nature, in front of the Mombacho volcano. Return to Granada in the afternoon.
This evening will be on your own.
Day 10: Int’l departure
Today we will transfer you to the Managua airport for your flight home.
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Tipping Guidelines
Although not mandatory, tipping is highly appreciated in all cases. Our general advice to travelers is to tip what you feel is appropriate and based on performance – using the guidelines below – and do not worry about offending anyone.
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