Costa Rica Travel

Item Description

Explore Hidden Jungle Treasures: Take on one of the world’s most scenic white water rivers and enjoy unparalleled natural surroundings and the utmost comfort and service at the award-winning Pacuare Lodge. Indulge in gourmet delicacies by flickering candlelight to unwind from the exciting day full of adventures!

Conscientious Eco-Adventure Vacation: The Pacuare Lodge is one of Costa Rica’s premier ecolodges, nestled in a private rainforest reserve overlooking the spectacular Pacuare River. White water rafting, waterfalls, jungle hikes and outdoor tours make every stay an adventure. The Lodge’s dedication to the environment and local communities ensures that guests also have a positive impact.

The Pacuare Lodge 2 days/1 night adventure trip itinerary:

Day 1

6:00 -7:00 am: Early morning pick-up in your hotel lobby by a Aventuras Naturales representative. Transportation service (approximately 2½ hours) to our Pacuare River put-in including a typical Costa Rican breakfast in route. Exciting 1½ hour river rafting tour to the Pacuare Lodge (class II-III rapids) where you will enjoy a one night stay at Costa Rica’s premier eco-lodge.

12:00-1:00pm: Arrival at the Pacuare Lodge

Afternoon: After lunch, participate in waterfall hike, or simply relax. Dine on gourmet delicacies by candlelight and then visit our upstairs lounge for a cocktail or refreshment before retiring to a restful night’s sleep.

Day 2

You’ll wake up to bird songs and the soothing sound of the river nearby. Then head over to the main lodge for a delicious breakfast of home-made bread, tropical fruits, yogurt, eggs, pancakes, cereal and juice and coffee.

10:00-10:30am: Depart by raft for an even more fun-filled day of white water rating excitement (approximately 3½ hours over class III-IV rapids), including a delicious picnic lunch along the river. At our river take-out you will have a chance to change at our private facilities before being transferred by private minibus back to your hotel.

5:30-6:30 pm: Arrival back in San Jose

This package has been generously donated by TIES business member, Pacuare Lodge.

Pacuare Lodge on Ecotourism Explorer

Item Special Note

This package is available from May 1, 2010 to June 30, 2010 and August 16th, 2010 to December 15, 2010 (subject to availability). Black out dates are July 1st, 2010 from August 15th, 2010.

Included: Transportation from San José, bilingual guide, typical Costa Rican breakfast in route, Pacuare River rafting tour or ground transportation to the lodge (depending on preference), professional guides and equipment, all meals (gourmet dinner), bungalow stay in Garden View Bungalow, hot beverages, lunch along the river, use of private installations at river take-out, return transportation to San José with guide.

Not included: Alcoholic Beverages, optional tours & Incidentals.

 Pacuare Lodge Sustainability Practices

Pacuare Lodge and the Costa Rican tour operator Costa Rica Nature Adventures (Aventuras Naturales), which owns the lodge, are commitment to environmental protection and sustainable tourism.

• Jaguar Research: Aventuras Naturales supports a project to study jaguars in the Pacuare Protected Zone.
• Sustainable Design: Pacuare Lodge was built with a minimum impact on the surrounding forest and river. No trees were cut to accommodate the bungalows and main lodge, built with lumber from a reforestation project run by small farmers. The thatch roofs were made by local Cabécar Indians in their traditional style using palm leaves collected in our forest reserve.
• Private Reserve: Aventuras Naturales was the first adventure travel company to acquire parcels of primary forest in this area solely for the purpose of conservation. Over the years, 260 hectares (642 acres) of primary rain forest along the Pacuare River has been purchased for conservation.
• Eco-friendly Stay: The lodge’s bathrooms are equipped with biodegradable soap and shampoo and the water for their showers is solar heated. All the lodge’s wastewater flows into state-of-the-art septic systems to avoid pollution of the nearby river.
• Tree Planting Program: Guests are invited to participate in the lodge's reforesting efforts in former pastures in the Pacuare River watershed, planting native tree species to help improve the area’s environmental health. As those trees grow, they will absorb tons of atmospheric carbon while providing habitat for an array of wildlife.

Learn more about Pacuare Lodge's Sustainable Tourism Practices.

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If you need assistance with the purchase of this package or any other items on TIES eco-holiday auction: please contact ecoDestinations@ecotourism.org or +1 202-506-5033 x11.

If you are the successful bidder, you will receive an email from TIES with the certificate confirming your purchase within 24 hours of the auction close. All TIES eco-holiday auction items are valid for one year (excluding the blackout dates noted in the item description) unless otherwise stated. The winner will receive contact details of the trip provider(s) to make travel arrangements.

All proceeds raised from your purchase of this trip will go directly to The International Ecotourism Society to support their numerous projects in support of responsible travel worldwide.