There is a minimum of four participants required for each departure to run. Additionally, Beyond the Map operates with permission from local State Park Service, BLM, and other land agencies that govern the Commercial Use Authorizations, and those management agencies can deny access based on various factors in which your guides will have to oblige. Please wait until you receive confirmation from Beyond the Map before making travel arrangements.

Private departures are available with a minimum of four people. A private trip can be customized and is generally a more flexible option for groups. Please contact our Adventure Team to explore pricing and availability.

All Beyond the Map trips are subject to itinerary changes based on a variety of circumstances beyond their control, including, but not limited to, permit or campsite availability, flash floods, river crossings, wildlife, park or land closures, or other conditions that may deem a location unfit or unsafe for guests. This trip requires a minimum of four people to operate and may be rescheduled or canceled if the minimum requirement is not met. Beyond the Map reserves the right to cancel any trip because of internal reasons including but not limited to inadequate signups or the inability to secure a similar experience in the event of itinerary changes.

The trip begins and ends in San Jose, Costa Rica. Plan to fly into Juan Santamaria International Airport (SJO). Due to the early pickup on Day 1, it is recommended that participants arrive in San Jose the night before. Beyond the Map has local hotels that they can recommend or arrange for those that are interested. The Beyond the Map trip director will notify you of the centralized meeting location in San Jose on Day 1.

Accommodations vary throughout the trip. See below for a description of the accommodations each night:

Homestay - Night 1: This homestay includes rustic rooms that sleep 2-4 people with mattresses and bunks. Shared bathrooms and showers (with room temperature water) are available. Although it is a homestay, the local family stays in a separate living area to allow additional privacy for groups. The home is open-air and does not contain heating or cooling. However, even during the warmer months sleeping conditions are still quite comfortable. The home is next to a river and has a working farm and garden. No electricity or wifi.

Homestay - Night 2: Guests have the option to choose between rustic rooms that sleep 2-6 people with mattresses and bunks or single sleeping bunks with a privacy curtain that are located on the deck overlooking the river. Shared bathrooms and showers (with room temperature water) are available. Although it is a homestay, the local family stays in a separate living area to allow additional privacy for groups. The home is open-air and does not contain heating or cooling. However, even during the warmer months sleeping conditions are still quite comfortable. The home is perched high above a river and has a seasonal waterfall visible from the home. No electricity or wifi.

Beach Hotel - Night 3: Double occupancy hotel room with modern bathrooms and warm showers, typically within walking distance to the beach. Electricity and wifi is available.

Cabin - Night 4: Rustic cabins. Double occupancy with modern bathrooms and showers located in a remote jungle location. No electricity or wifi.

Cave - Night 5: Shared, open-air sleeping platforms located in a large, shallow cavern behind a waterfall. The cave is outfitted with sleeping pads, a kitchen, and fully functioning bathrooms. Vault toilets and showers (river temperature) are available. No electricity or wifi.

Homestay - Night 6: Private double occupancy rooms. Shared modern bathrooms and warm showers are available. The home is located at 9,500 feet and has a working heating system. Although it is a homestay, the local family stays in a separate living area to allow additional privacy for groups. Electricity, but no wifi.

Note: During certain activities, bathrooms may not be available. Please be prepared to follow Leave No Trace (LNT) principles when using the restroom outdoors. Please note, cell phone reception is unreliable and electricity and wifi are not available throughout most of the trip.

Solo travelers may request their own room, when available, for an additional fee.

Each group will have a minimum of four and a maximum of 15 participants.

All meals (breakfast, lunch, and dinner) are included from lunch on day one to lunch on the final day. Throughout this entire trip, you'll eat locally sourced, organic meals that are prepared by your local Costa Rican guides. Each guide tailors the menu for the specific trip and is extensively trained on food handling and meal planning. The goal for meals during physically demanding days is to provide guests with meals that are not only tasty but also packed full of critical carbohydrates, proteins, and fats.

For breakfast you can expect traditional meals such as gallo pinto (rice, beans & eggs), fruit, and yogurt. Lunches may include sandwiches, granola bars, fruit, chips, guacamole, etc. For dinner you can expect traditional meals such as casado, tamal, patacones, pastas, rice and beans, vegetables, etc. In addition, your guide will provide an assortment of trail mix, snacks, and dried fruits to eat at your own discretion during the hikes.

Beyond the Map can accommodate vegan, vegetarian, kosher, and non-gluten diets, and will make adjustments for food allergies. These and other special dietary requests require at least two weeks advance notice and may require an additional fee.

It is recommended that you bring an allotment of cash for personal items you would like to buy during the trip (souvenirs, alcohol, etc). You should also budget for the industry recommended guide gratuity of 10-20% of the trip cost.

The Beyond the Map trip director will provide a detailed packing list upon booking. The trip director will also schedule a virtual meeting prior to the trip to discuss the packing list, gear alternatives, and to answer any questions ahead of time.

Clothing
- Athletic/hiking shoes
- Water shoes
- Camp shoes
- Bandana/buff
- Fleece/jacket (weather depending)
- Rainproof jacket & pants
- Athletic tops & bottoms (light-weight, quick drying)
- Sleeping attire
- Bathing suit

Gear
- Water bottles or bladder (2-3 liters total capacity)
- Contact lenses and glasses (if you wear contact lenses please also bring a pair of glasses - your contacts are likely to become dirty and may be difficult to clean)
- Sun protection (hat, sunglasses, sunscreen, lip balm)
- Bug repellent
- Toiletries & towel
- Trekking pole(s)
- Headlamp/spare batteries
- Camera, spare batteries (optional)
- Notebook or paperback book (optional)
- Travel hammock (optional)
- Prescription medicine
- Money: for tipping your trip leader (optional but appreciated, generally 10-20% of your trip cost based upon the quality of your experience)

This adventure may include 6-8 hours of continuous activity for multiple days in a row. Each of these activities takes place outdoors and you may be exposed to adverse weather conditions such as rain, intense heat, sun, and insects. Your trip director will serve as a source of knowledge for planning and preparation prior to the trip. No experience necessary, just a calling for adventure!

Costa Rica has two distinct seasons, dry and wet. Regardless of the season, Costa Rica has something to offer in every season. The wet, or green season, is a perfect time to experience the lush, green jungles of the rainforest. It is also the best season for white water rafting. The dry season is perfect for canyoneering and swimming in one of the many rivers.

This trip takes place on the west side of the mountain range. The dry season in this part of the country ranges from December to April and the wet season ranges from May to November. The temperatures vary drastically depending on the environment you are in and can go from a balmy 90 degrees on the coast, to a crisp 50 degrees just two hours away in the highlands. In general, the temperatures in Costa Rica are quite comfortable year round. Your trip director will discuss the specific weather conditions upon booking dates.

Travel insurance is required for this trip. Travel insurance allows you to seek reimbursement if you are forced to cancel your trip for unforeseeable reasons, or if you need to cover medical help, emergency transport, and/or theft or accidental damage while traveling. For travel insurance, we recommend VisitorsCoverage.

We recommend you visit the local government websites where you plan to travel and review the required documentation for entry, current restrictions, and general recommendations for travel within the area. We encourage you to also visit your home country's embassy website if you are traveling to a foreign country. Requirements can change rapidly. Please be sure you stay abreast of the requirements and restrictions for anywhere you plan to visit. You can also enroll in the U.S. government’s Smart Traveler Enrollment Program (STEP) and you will be sent updates if the situation in your destination changes. You can find the program link at https://step.state.gov/.

Yes! Book confidently with Free Cancellations within 72 hours of booking. After 72 hours, cancellation fees will apply.

New For 2022 Departures: We’re providing more flexible booking options on this trip.

Up to 60 days prior to departure*
You may postpone or modify your trip up to 60 days prior to departure with no fees or penalties.

You will have the option to:
1) Select a new date within one year of your original departure date
2) Select a new adventure or destination, or
3) Receive 100% lifetime store credit toward a future trip.

*Please note, when choosing a new date, you must choose a date within the same travel season in 2022/2023 to avoid any additional trip costs. If you select a new adventure, you will be responsible for the difference of any additional trip costs above the value of your current trip.

Less than 60 days prior to a departure*
You may have the option to select a new date and travel within one year of your original departure date, but additional trip costs may apply and new dates are subject to availability. If you choose not to reschedule your trip you may have the option to cancel, but standard cancellation fees will apply.

*If you choose to cancel, you will receive a lifetime credit, minus cancellation fees, towards a future trip.

For more information on our Travel Cancellation Policy please Click Here.