See Costa Rica in a new light. Zip wire, white water raft, climb, snorkel and surf your way round the mighty volcanoes and the intrepid jungle of Costa Rica staying in the country’s most secret spots with Black Tomato.
Created specifically for adrenalin-seekers, Cutting Edge Costa Rica includes an exhilarating zip line canopy tour high above the jungle floor, staying in some of the most luxurious eco-friendly hotels in the heart of the Costa Rican rainforest, hiking around Arenal Volcano and soaking up the sun on the soft sands at Manuel Antonio National Park.
Black Tomato is a tailor-made operator putting together entirely personalised bespoke trips. Black Tomato can arrange a 14-night Cutting Edge Costa Rica experience from $4,299 per person including flights, accommodation and transfers based on two sharing. For more information visit www.blacktomatotravel.com or call 1-888 341 9663
The experience in full…..
Touch down in Costa Rica and an oasis awaits in the heart of San Jose city. Converted from a tropical Victorian mansion the Hotel Grano de Oro provides a soothing escape from the bustling city, and the perfect destination to recuperate from the journey.
riding the tribal waters
Once rested and raring to go the adventures begin. Along with a guide, you’ll be transferred to the eco-friendly Pacuare Lodge, the perfect spot to immerse yourself in the Costa Rican wilderness for the next two nights. Getting to Pacuare is half the fun, accessible only by a single track road or by river if you’re feeling adventurous. On arrival you’ll be greeted with a warm welcome at this paradisiacal hide away in the heart of the virgin jungle. As night falls you’re in for a treat as dinner is served by candle light, so as you feast on freshly prepared delicacies you’ll be serenaded by the sounds of nature as the tiny tee-lights illuminate the surrounds. The following morning it’s an early start as you set off for the Pacuare River to conquer the white water rapids. After a spine-tingling day out on the river, it’s time to paddle back to your lodge where you can treat yourself to a massage on the veranda of your spacious thatched bungalow. Staying at the lodge is just the place to acquaint yourself with the Costa Rican jungle on a canopy tour where you can survey the epic verdant scene that’s laid out before your eyes. For a rare chance to spend time with the seldom seen tribal people of Cabecar Indians, your guide will lead you further into the beguiling jungle for a culture experience rarely undertaken by the average traveller.
back to nature
After the action packed days at Pacuare we’ll send you off to Selva Bananito, where you’ll find an atmosphere that follows the natural rhythm of nature. Nestled in the Talamanca mountains spend your days taking leisurely strolls through the mountain passes or hop on horse-back for a ride through the remote region. Or if you fancy a bit of downtime simply flop in your hammock overlooking stunning views and swing away. Get to know a thing or two about the surrounding forests and ecology as you traverse the 30 million year old Talamanca range with your expert guide at hand. To experience the raw beauty of the waterfalls you have to get up close (naturally), rappelling downwards as the tumbling falls cascade around you. The perfect cool down after a long hike.
Volcanic Heights
Suitably relaxed, a private transfer will take you up to Lost Iguana Resort and Spa, where you can experience trekking one of the most notorious volcanoes in the world; the Arenal Volcano. Arenal is placed in a unique transition area between the rainforest and the Monteverde Cloud Forest, allowing for some pretty spectacular views and camera opportunities worthy of a National Geographic cover. The Sky Trek zip lines promises an exhilarating and spectacular viewpoint high above the flora and fauna while the slightly gentler Sky Tram reaches an observation area at the highest point of the Arenal Reserve to admire the surrounding natural beauty of the rainforest, volcano and lake. After the adrenalin has worn off, relax and sink into the natural springs at Tabacon Grand Spa, which offers the unique combination of the energy of the active Arenal Volcano, the heat of the Tabacon Hot Springs with eden-like hot springs gardens that are worked into the natural flow of the Tabacón River.
An internal air transfer will then be ready to whisk you off to the dazzling Manuel Antonio National Park, which boasts some of the most stunning, picture-postcard backdrops in the country. Arenas Del Mar is perfectly located on the white sand beach of Manuel Antonio and adjacent to the park. One of the lushest places in Costa Rica, the beaches are backed by densely forested hills, and while the temptations of spending every moment relaxing on the beach, fishing or sea kayaking, the call of the wildlife lures to meet some of the many three-toed sloths, anteaters, and if your lucky you may even spy an elusive puma or jaguar.
As the holiday begins to draw to a close, Lapa Rios Ecolodge offers something a little more special than the other beach and jungle accommodation, with the chance to see humpback whales from your own private veranda. Poking up from forest canopy, Lapa Rios extinguishes any remaining stress in its idyllic setting, while you lounge by the pool and master the Pacific swells.
A final short air transfer lands you in San Jose to spend the last night in tropical paradise at the Xandari hotel. Take in the last views of Costa Rica with panoramic views of Central Valley, the perfect landscape to reflect on your rainforest adventure.
