Adventure Tours - Costa Rica downtown hotel, san josé hotels, Hotel Don Carlos


The action takes place inside a 5.000 hectare private property, only 45 minutes away from the City of San Jose. This protected forest area includes some of the hills that surround the southern part of our Central Plateau and contributes to the preservation of the local flora and fauna, of great diversity. The views of the landscape, from above, are in every way nothing short of spectacular. Part of the route will take you through one of the largest coffee plantations of our Country and you’ll be able to see a few rural villages as well. All ATVs are individual (for one passenger only) and fairly easy to operate. Participants are divided into beginners and experienced so that everyone is able to drive at the speed that better suits their taste, under the instructions of an experienced guide. In general you’ll drive approximately 04 hours through off-road (non paved) and well-kept paths and trails. Both passengers and machines are fully insured and you’ll be provided with the required equipment: Helmets, gloves, goggles and raingear. Minimum required age is 16 years. Young people (under 18 years) must be accompanied by one or more adults. We recommend participants to wear regular shoes (except sandals) and sports clothing. Also, to take with you a light jacket or sweater and sunscreen. This Tour departs from Don Carlos Hotel at 10:00 a.m. and gets back approximately at 5:00 p.m. Lunch, bottled water and soft drinks are included. We also have available a shorter Tour which includes a snack instead of lunch. Departs rom Don Carlos Hotel at midday and gets back at 5:00 p.m. approximately A minimum of 02 participants is required.
* ATV Full Day Tour - $ 105.00 p/p - RESERVE * ATV Half Day Tour - $ 85.00 p/p - RESERVE

Costa Rica offers some of the world's best white water rafting. These wild untamed rivers rage through spectacular and beautiful unexplored wilderness. With Class ll, lll and lV rivers, Costa Rica offers a great opportunity for those who have never enjoyed this sport before, and as well, for those fanatics who just can't get enough.


The Sarapiqui River offers an unforgettable rafting experience amid some of Costa Rica’s most vibrant tropical scenery. The adventure begins in the early morning, driving you through the impressive cloud forests of the Braulio Carrrillo National Park. There is a stop along the way for an energizing breakfast. Once at the river put-in, bilingual guides will provide you with a safety briefing before you board your specialized raft. This river’s moderately flowing rapids are ideal for family groups and nature lovers in general, which doesn’t mean that you’ll be missing a good dose of adrenaline. No previous experience is necessary for this trip. You’ll be surrounded by verdant forests that shelter hummingbirds, toucans, woodpeckers and many other bird species, among others. During the trip there will be a stop for a delicious picnic lunch of sandwiches, fruits and dessert. At the river take-out there are restrooms and facilities for you to change from wet to dry clothing. This Tour leaves Don Carlos Hotel at 6:40 a.m. and returns at 3:00 p.m. approximately. Minimum required age: 10 years.
Sarapiqui River Rafting - Price per person: $ $ 73.00 - RESERVE


The Pacuare, Class III & IV, is another very popular river in Costa Rica. The Reventazon is for those looking for a little less excitement, while the Pacuare is for everyone else. The adventures of this voyage keep coming and coming as each raft races swiftly downstream through the tropical wilderness of Costa Rica. The rich, fresh air and the unforgettable thrills of whitewater rafting in the Pacuare, provide all tour guests the memory, of all memories. This whitewater rafting tour departs from Hotel Don Carlos at 6:30 am and returns back to the hotel at 6:00 pm. This tour includes breakfast, fresh fruit, lunch, professional guide and all necessary safety equipment. Minimum required age: 14 years.*
Pacuare River Whitewater Rafting Tour $ 92.00 - RESERVE


Enjoy an unforgettable overnight stay in the unique Pacuare Jungle Lodge, nestled among the trees in an enchanting and captivating rain forest. Rest peacefully after an exhilarating day of riding rapids in your private, wooden bungalow complete with bathroom & shower. This adventure affords guests an opportunity to explore one of the rarest pockets of untouched wilderness on this planet - an experience that is sure to live in your memory forever! Trip length: 18 miles. Class III-IV. This Pacuare 2 Day River tour departs from Hotel Don Carlos at 6:30 am and returns back to the hotel on Day 2 at 6:00 pm. This tour includes meals and beverages, lodging, professional guide and all necessary safety equipment. Minimum required age: 14 years.*
2 Day Pacuare River Tour (Minimum: 02 participants) $ 310.00 p/p - RESERVE


Actually Pascua is the upper section of the Reventazon River. If what you are looking for is a BIG water run, this river guarantees to keep you right at the edge of your seat, literally, and will test you with solid class IV rapids like: "Horrendito”, “ Indigestion”, “The Abyss “ among others, in a 15 mile ride of sheer emotion and enjoyment. Team work, total focus and a senior, bilingual river guide are essential components to this river challenge. This Pascua Whitewater Rafting tour departs from Hotel Don Carlos at 6:30 am and returns back to the hotel at 6:30 pm. This tour includes breakfast, fresh fruit, lunch, professional guide and all necessary safety equipment. Previous rafting experience and overall good physical condition is required for this trip and participants must be at least 15 years old.*
Pascua River Rafting $93 ( minimum: 04 participants ) - RESERVE
* For the above rafting tours, the tour guide is able to decline from taking children that according to his knowledge and experience do not meet the standards of strength, size and weight required for the individual and group safety.

There are several different canopy tours around Costa Rica giving tourists the opportunity to view the rainforest at a unique up close angle.

This cable system for travel was first used by spelunkers (cavers) and by canyon dwellers in providing a secure passage over the earth's floor and has now been adapted in the environmentalist tourism industry.


A very recommendable option for those seeking adventure as well as experiencing natural wildlife from a very close perspective. A day full of vivid impressions. After departure it will take only 1½ hours to get to the Sarapiqui region, passing through one of our most exuberant places: Braulio Carrillo National Park. Once there, you’ll board a specially designed motorboat to explore the banks of majestic Sarapiqui River. Animal sightings are very frequent: Monkeys, aquatic birds, huge iguanas, sloths, toucans, small river turtles and many others. Once at the canopy’s facilities you’ll be given a snack to energize yourself before this thrilling experience begins. Getting to the beginning point offers you two options: Hiking or horseback riding. We certainly recommend you the second one. Horses are tame and previous experience is not required. After an explanation on safety procedures and the basic principles on how the canopy works, a suspension bridge and 15 platforms with their respective zip lines await you for two full hours of packed adrenaline. After all that action a complete home-style lunch will be provided. Before starting your way back to the city a visit to the frog sanctuary is scheduled. Many of the tiny, colorful and poisonous frogs from our rainforests can be seen among other species of amphibians. This Tour departs from Don Carlos Hotel at 10:00 a.m. and gets back at 6:30 p.m. approximately. A snack and a complete lunch are included. All canopy and horseback riding equipment is provided.
* Sarapiqui Canopy & Boat Ride - $ 77.00 p/p - RESERVE****


For those who enjoy the thrills of exploring the forest canopy, sliding from tree to tree and from platform to platform, using pulleys on horizontal traverse cables and who enjoy the cooler weather of a cloud forest, the San Lorenzo Canopy is the right choice. This place is located about one and a half hours from San Jose in the boundaries of our Central Valley. Several small countryside towns, coffee fields and ornamental plant greenhouses can be spotted along the way. Tour consists of 7 horizontal traverses inside the forest and several longer adventure cables outside the rainforest. This place has a similar or sometimes cooler weather than San Jose, the country's capital city. It is recommended to bring sports clothing, a light sweater, raincoat and insect repellent. This canopy tour departs from Hotel Don Carlos at 8:10 a.m. and returns back to the hotel at around 4:30 p.m. Lunch is provided on this tour.
* San Lorenzo Canopy Tour - $ 77.00 p/p - RESERVE****

One Day Biking Adventures

Being Costa Rica a small country, distances between destinations are relatively short but the landscape changes constantly: Hills, valleys, high peaks, farms, lowlands, etc. All this makes our country a very appropriate destination for excellent biking excursions. Although there are many more of them, we will mention here perhaps the two most popular.


Difficulty Degree: Easy to Moderate - 28 kilometers Initially, a Van will take you through Cartago, former Capital City of Costa Rica and continue to the countryside town of Cervantes and from there to the hydroelectric plant of La Angostura. This is where the biking activity begins. Distance covered will be approximately 28 kilometers . You’ll be biking through sugar cane and coffee plantations. The route is mainly flat with an uphill segment passing by a dense rainforest. Bikers will go across two shallow rivers. One of them provides the challenge of passing it without getting down from your bike, but it is not easy: The river is shallow but the bottom is rocky. The Pejibaye River has a safe pool where bikers can plunge in and refresh themselves. After another dirt road and reaching the ending point, participants will be taken to a typical restaurant where a delicious lunch will be served. Departure from Hotel is approximately at 8:00 a.m. and a return scheduled for 3:30 p.m. Recommended: Bring extra clothes, shoes and a towel. This Tour requires a minimum of two participants.
Pejibaye River Biking Tour $77.00 - RESERVE (Available all year round - Minimum: 02 passengers)


Difficulty Degree: Moderate - High 24 kilometers Participants will be transported in a comfortable Van all the way to the summit of our highest volcano. Irazu stands at an altitude of 11.200 feet above sea level and offers impressive views of the entire Central Valley of Costa Rica. Bikers will begin descending and heading towards the area of the Turrialba Volcano, which also belongs to the Central Volcanic Mountain Range. During this 24 kilometer route you’ll pass by farmlands dedicated to the production of potatoes, cabbage, carrots, lettuce, coffee, etc. Many dairy farms will be also seen along the way. The soil in this region is perhaps the most fertile in the whole country due to the ashes expelled by the volcano during its cyclical eruptions. During some segments the Van will not be able to accompany bikers due to the difficult conditions of the terrain, including mud, but your accompanying guide will always keep in communication with the supporting team. This tour is not recommended for beginners. At the end of the route you’ll enjoy a quite nice Costa Rican style lunch at a small countryside restaurant. Departure from Hotel is approximately at 8:00 a.m. and a return scheduled for 3:30 p.m. Recommended: Bring a light sweater and extra pair of clothes and shoes. This Tour requires a minimum of two participants.
Volcanic Biking Tour $77.00 - RESERVE (Available all year round - Minimum: 02 passengers)
These Biking Adventures include: Cannondale or Trek mountain bikes, a supporting Van and team, a cooler with water to refill your bottles every time you need to and energizing snacks such as tropical fruits, candies, a mix of nuts and raisins, etc.