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On this gay Costa Rica adventure you’ll discover the meaning of the country’s official tag line, ‘pura vida’ (the pure/simple life). The tour kicks off in burgeoning San José before swerving into the humid rainforest. It’s here we’ll hike around active volcanos and zipline across tropical canyons. On guided tours, naturalists will point out the country’s unique flora as well as all things fanged, feathered, or furry. We’ll visit organic farms, learn to make authentic ceviche and empanadas, and meditate during (optional) rainforest yoga sessions. The tour comes to an end on the Pacific Coast where we’ll board a catamaran to take us on a full-day cruise and snorkeling tour.
Hola! Welcome to San José. With over half the country’s population living within its parameters, San José is a bustling city with lively markets, intriguing museums, and a dynamic atmosphere. Feel free to visit the capital’s many sites like the National Theater, National Museum, and Gold Museum until our Welcome Meeting at 6:00pm. After everyone has gotten acquainted, we’ll head to a nearby restaurant for our official Welcome Dinner.
After an early breakfast we’ll take a private transfer towards La Fortuna—a small town situated just minutes from Costa Rica’s famed Arenal Volcano. The region has become synonymous with panoramic views, a 70-metre-high waterfall, lush rainforest, rare plants, monkeys, water-based activities on the lake, and well-kept thermal springs heated by the volcano. Upon arrival, we’ll visit an organic farm to learn about sustainable production techniques in harmony with nature. After touring the gardens and feeding the various livestock, we’ll enjoy a traditional lunch cooked over a fire. We’ll even have Costa Rican-style filtered coffee. This afternoon is yours to enjoy our jungle retreat’s many amenities, not least of which including a natural hot spring. This evening enjoy an optional dinner, or break away for some rest and relaxation.
If you’re feeling ambitious, wake early for jungle yoga. Otherwise, our day will begin with breakfast before we set off to explore the region’s natural landscape on a guided hiking tour of the 1968 Trail, formed by lava during the Arenal Volcano eruption in, you guessed it, 1968. We’ll pass Los Patos Lagoon, enjoy panoramic views of the volcano and lake, and pass through misty cloud forests. All the while, our guide will point out endemic flora, unique fauna, and the area’s rich birdlife including several species of hummingbird. This afternoon you’ll have some free time to fit in a few optional activities in this adrenaline-soaked adventure town, or enjoy the amenities at our hotel. This evening we’ll gather for an included dinner at our hotel.
This morning we bid adios to the volcano and head to Bagaces for adventure and wellness. Upon arrival at our sustainable (and all inclusive) forest bungalows, we’ll drop our bags before enjoying a Costa Rican zip-lining experience. This 15-platform course will see us gliding across the Rio Blanco canyon while enjoying a bird’s-eye view of the dwarf forest below. After the experience, you’re welcome to enjoy the hotel’s numerous thermal pools, swim-up bar, or yoga classes. There are also plenty of trails to hike or bike, and you can join the group for an included lunch and dinner.
After breakfast, we’ll enjoy a gorgeous, guided hike along the Medicinal Spring Trail. This hike is 2.5km/1.55mi out and back. It’s relatively flat and takes us beyond the Yurro Waterfall, through the Miravalle dry forest, and then to a denser and taller forest where the spring and streams are located. Locals in the region believe the water here has healing properties and tastes a bit like Alka-Seltzer—primarily due to high concentrations of diluted magnesium. The rest of the day is yours to continue enjoying this tropical oasis and optional activities such as white water tubing, mountain biking or yoga. After working up your appetite join the group for the included lunch and dinner.
Our day begins after breakfast with a scenic, 2-hour drive to Tamarindo Beach, a unique corner of Costa Rica known for spectacular sunsets and a vibrant surf town. In the early afternoon, we’ll sail Playa Tamarindo on a catamaran. We’ll silently glide along Costa Rica’s Gold Coast while passing some of Guanacaste’s exotic bays, white-sand beaches, and tropical jungles. Keep your eyes peeled for pods of dolphins, sea turtles, flying fish, or even breaching whales. Mid-tour we’ll stop in a tranquil bay, drop anchor, and splash around the deep blue Pacific. Feel free to snorkel the surrounding coral here or enjoy the deserted beach while our crew prepares a BBQ meal. Then, enjoy a tropical sunset cocktail as we sail back to Tamarindo.
Today is completely free, allowing you ample opportunity to explore the Pacific coast. Your Local Guide & Host will offer a plethora of activities to participate in as a group, or on your own. Try surfing, kayak a nearby river, or just embrace ‘pura vida’ on the pristine beaches. Tonight we’ll reconvene for our official Farewell Dinner.
There are no activities planned today, so you are free to depart at your leisure. Your trip includes a complimentary departure transfer which will be confirmed by your group leader.
The experience, the accommodations, the people, and the food – Everything was excellent and ran smoothly
Some of the most vivid sensual experiences of my life. Soaking near waterfalls in absolute peace at the Rio Perdido River, a catamaran excursion in Tamarindo that brought tears to my eyes, the guides for organic farming, plant life in Rio Perdido, and facing mortality on the zipline and being saved by open-hearted young Costa Rican men!
Costa Rica gay tourism might be the best-kept secret; dazzling nightlife, lush jungles, pristine beaches and a volcano!
Read MoreRead on to see where you’ll rest your head on our Gay Costa Rica Eco Adventure.
Read MoreOur Costa Rica gay eco-adventure dives into the national essence of ‘pura vida’ – the pure life. Read on for the top ten ways you can refresh your mind, body and soul in Central America’s paradise.
Read MoreInsider tips to help you book your next gay Latin America vacation.
Read MoreWhile these trips typically attract gay men, all genders are welcome, and we encourage friends and family to join the fun as well.
Learn MoreAll accommodations on Out Adventures tours include breakfast and are located in areas central to our activities. All amenities are examples only, and may differ from hotel to hotel.
4-Star+ Hotels: Very comfortable and well-decorated rooms along with quality amenities such as a stylish restaurant and/or bar, a fitness centre. Customer service is very good, and there is usually a concierge.
Learn MoreThis trip is fully booked but cancellations occur. If you’d like to be contacted if space opens up, please click “Book Now”, select the appropriate departure and you will be prompted to provide limited information.
If you are a solo traveller willing to share a room with another solo traveller, please select Shared/Twin Room when booking this tour.
If you are a solo traveller interested in booking a private room, please select single supplement when booking this tour (based on availability). If you are willing to share a room with another solo traveller, please select Solo Shared.
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This departure is open for booking!
This trip is available but we are close to departure and will need to confirm services such as hotels and activities before confirming you on the trip. The process can take up to 5 business days. If you are seriously interested in this trip, please complete the On Request Booking form and one of our team members will get back to you with next steps.
