Classic Travel - by Malgosia and Jurek Majcherczyk

This is an ideal trip for those looking to take a first step into the world of rafting. The trip itinerary is designed in such a way that the first day is on an easy river so as to familiarize yourself with the captains, your raft team members and the river. In addition throughout the first few nights you will be taught the basics of rafting, including proper form and safety.

Taking part in this trip, prior experience is always helpful, but not required. What is required is the ability to swim and to have the courage to go up against the wild river when surrounded by only the water, jungle, and clear blue sky.

This is also an ideal trip for business owners for two reasons: allowing employees to work together and build camraderie as well as relaxing from work and everyday life.

Join us!

Jerzy Majcherczyk

Day 1 (Sun. 2/24)  Flight to San Jose

Meet at San Jose International Airport. Group ride to the hotel in mid town.

Day 2 (Mon. 2/25)  Rafting Rio Sarapiqui - Hot Springs

Early morning we leave our hotel after a typical Costa Rican breakfast. We will head towards the Rio Sarapiqui, which is the best river in Costa Rica for beginners in rafting. Here we will get a quick orientation as to rafting safely, correctly, and most importantly as a team. We will also learn about our equipment, which includes lifejackets, helmets and paddles. This river brings many marvels, including lush greenery and trees that harbor tucans, hummingbirds and many other types of birds. During our day we will stop for lunch and a swim in the river. After today's rafting we will ride to our hotel in the Arenal Volcano area and take a trip to the local hot springs, followed by dinner. (B,L,D)

Day 3 (Tue. 2/26)  Hiking to the Arenal Volcano & Twilight Safari Exploration

After breakfast we set out to hike up the Arenal Volcano, exploring its beautiful scenery as we admire the tropical rainforest. Along the way we will stop to experience breathtaking panoramic views. Following the hike we will eat lunch at a local restaurant and embark on a twilight safari river trip, exploring the jungle and observing wildlife.The evening will be completed with a delicious traditional Costa Rican buffet dinner that will be served and hosted by a local family. (B,L,D)

Day 4 (Wed. 2/27)  Rafting Rio Reventazon

In the morning we ride to Turrialba, a village located by where we will begin our rafting of Rio Reventazon. Today we will be challenged with some hefty rapids for a full day of adventure, surrounded by the jungle. (B,L,D)

Day 5 (Thu. 2/28)  Rafting Rio Pacuare

After a breakfast full of tropical fruits, we begin our day of rafting on the Pacuare River. Today we have almost 10 miles to raft (15km). Since the river was first rafted by Polish kayakers as part of the Canoandes expedition, over 150,000 tourists from around the world have rafted this river. Today will be a day full of emotion and one you will not soon forget. Dinner and free time at the beautiful Rios Tropicales Lodge, located right in the midst of the jungle. (B,L,D)

Day 6 (Fri. 3/1)  Horseback Riding & Bajo el Tigre Village

After two straight days of rafting we will take a day off today to go horseback riding through the jungle to the village of Bajo el Tigre. This small agricultural community consists of a school that teaches reforestation and promotes environmental education. Activities include visiting the school & homes of residents, and planting trees. On our way back we will have an opportunity to take a dip by a small waterfall. We then return to the lodge for free time and dinner, resting and preparing for the most challenging day of rafting to come. (B,L,D)

Day 7 (Sat. 3/2)  Rafting Rio Pacuare - Ziplining/Canopy tour - Farewell dinner

We start off the day today by rafting the Pacuare River. This will be the final day of rafting and will test your teamwork and knowledge of white water rafting. After conquering these rapids we will take part in a canopy tour, ziplining through the jungle to complete an adrenaline-filled day. Transfer to San Jose for farewell dinner and free time afterwards. (B,L,D)

Day 8 (Sun. 3/3)  Departure from San Jose.

Transfer in the morning to San Jose International Airport for departure. (B)

*** End of main trip ***

Abbreviations: B - Breakfast,  L - Lunch, D - Dinner

Optional stay: 5 Nights RIU Guanacaste 4* All-Inclusive Resort

Day 7 (Sat. 3/2)  Rafting Rio Pacuare - Ziplining/Canopy tour - Transfer to All-Inclusive 4* RIU Guanacaste Resort

We start off the day today by rafting the Pacuare River. This will be the final day of rafting and will test your teamwork and knowledge of white water rafting. After conquering these rapids we will take part in a canopy tour, ziplining through the jungle to complete an adrenaline-filled day. Transfer to our All-Inclusive RIU Guanacaste Resort. (B,L,D)

Days 8-11 (Sun. 3/3 - Wed. 3/6) Four full days of All-Inclusive fun and relaxation

Enjoy four full days of fun and relaxation at our All-Inclusive 4* RIU Guanacaste Resort with plenty of activities for everyone.

Activities include:

• Kayaking
• Windsurfing
• Sailing
• Volleyball
• Snorkeling
• Jacuzzi/Steam Bath/Pool
• 5 different bars including one swim-up bar
• 4 different restaurants (Italian, Grill/Steak house, Asian, Costa Rican)
• Casino
• Pacha night club
• Pedal boats
• Daily live shows/music
• Tennis court, table tennis
• 1 introductory SCUBA diving lesson 
• Gym

Each night enjoy a different restaurant with themed buffets 3 times a week! (B,L,D) Click here to see a video of the resort.

Day 12 (Thu. 3/7)  Transfer to San Jose

Transfer in the afternoon from our hotel in Guanacaste to hotel in San Jose. Farewell dinner in the evening with free time afterwards. (B,L,D)

Day 13 (Fri. 3/8)  Departure from San Jose

Transfer in the morning to San Jose International Airport for departure. (B)

*** End of trip ***

Abbreviations: B - Breakfast,  L - Lunch, D - Dinner

Costa Rica

Costa Rica, officially the Republic of Costa Rica, is a country in Central America, bordered by Nicaragua to the north, Panama to the east and south, the Pacific Ocean to the west and south and the Caribbean Sea to the east.

Costa Rica, which means "Rich Coast", constitutionally abolished its army permanently in 1949. It is the only Latin American country included in the list of the world's 22 older democracies. The country is ranked 3rd in the world, and 1st among the Americas, in terms of the 2010 Environmental Performance Index. In 2007 the Costa Rican government announced plans for Costa Rica to become the first carbon neutral country by 2021. According to the New Economics Foundation, Costa Rica ranks first in the Happy Planet Index and is the "greenest" country in the world.

Because Costa Rica is located between nine to ten degrees north of the Equator, the climate is tropical year round. However, the country has many microclimates depending on elevation, rainfall, topography, and by the geography of each particular region.

Rio Pacuare

The Pacuare River, or the Río Pacuare, in Costa Rica has its source in the Cordillera de Talamanca and flows approximately 108 km to the Caribbean. It is a popular location for white water rafting, whitewater kayaking and riverboarding has been named one of the top 10 river trips in the world by National Geographic. The rainforests that surround the river are home to exotic animal species such as jaguars, monkeys, ocelots, and a very large number of birds. Also it was considered one of the 5 nicest rivers to practice rafting.

Wildlife

Costa Rica supports an enormous variety of wildlife, due in large part to its geographic position between the North and South American continents, its neotropical climate, and its wide variety of habitats. Costa Rica is home to more than 500,000 species, which represents nearly 4% of the total species estimated worldwide, making Costa Rica one of the 20 countries with the highest biodiversity in the world. Of these 500,000 species, a little more than 300,000 are insects.

One of the principal sources of Costa Rica's biodiversity is that the country, together with the land now considered Panama, formed a bridge connecting the North and South American continents approximately three to five million years ago. This bridge allowed the very different flora and fauna of the two continents to mix.

RIU Guanacaste 4* All-Inclusive Resort

Riu Hotels & Resorts is proud to bring its first resort to beautiful Matapalo Beach in Guanacaste. Guests will bask in both luxury and comfort while taking in the beautiful natural landscapes and romantic beaches.

Riu Guanacaste features four restaurants including an International buffet and a Grill Steakhouse. There is an unlimited domestic section and a selection of imported alcoholic beverages at the five bars. Each room also features its very own liquor dispenser. Guests will enjoy the main pool, which is surrounded by complimentary sun loungers, towels and umbrellas as well as a swim-up bar.

Daytime activities are endless, from sailing, snorkeling, one introductory SCUBA lesson, windsurfing, kayaking, volleyball, Pacha night club, Casino, and much more!