Sarapiqui Packages
Rain
Goddess Riverboat Tour
3 days & 2 nights
This
tour gives visitors a chance to explore the wild jungle
waterways of the Sarapiquí and San Juan rivers and
their tributaries in northern Costa Rica and southern Nicaragua.
Guests travel in luxurious comfort on the Rain Goddess houseboat,
through jungles teeming with wildlife, including monkeys,
crocodiles, exotic tropical birds and brightly colored butterflies.
Come join the adventure!
Day
1
This jungle excursion begins when guests are picked up at
their hotel in the early morning and transported by comfortable
minibus through the scenic Braulio Carrillo National Park
to the scenic lowlands of Costa Rica's northern zone. At
the Sarapiqui River, guests board a fast boat for the jungle
ride to the San Juan River, the border with Nicaragua. At
the San Juan, the boat cuts through various backwaters,
rivers and lagoons into Nicaragua, continuing toward the
Colorado River. Guests are likely to see crocodiles and
caimans, sloths, monkeys and an infinite variety of birds
and butterflies. A constantly changing panorama of nature
is guaranteed. Guests are accompanied by an experienced
naturalist guide who will answer every question about those
strange looking trees, exotic birds and rare orchids, and
offer insights into the wonders of the rain forest. The
guide will point out the wildlife and tropical birds of
the area during the three-hour boat ride to the air-conditioned
Rain Goddess luxury houseboat, moored at Bird Island, a
private six-acre wildlife preserve in Nicaragua. A delicious
lunch awaits guests on board the Rain Goddess. Afterwards,
they can enjoy a walk to the ruins of the old town and cemetery.
San Juan del Norte was the starting point from where miners
from Europe, Germany and United States crossed Central America
on their way to California and Alaska during the 1849 Gold
Rush. Upon returning to the Rain Goddess, guests can make
themselves at home in their quarters. The air-conditioned
houseboat has six staterooms, all beautifully furnished
and carpeted, a dining room, lounge area and sundeck. The
Rain Goddess is a 65-foot long, 18-foot wide houseboat custom-designed
and built in the United States, and finished and fitted
out in Costa Rica with elegant handcrafted furnishings and
paneling in rare local woods. Pack light, as there is a
washer and dryer aboard. Guest may dine regally in the main
salon, decorated with period furnishings, or enjoy a more
casual barbecue on the roofed upper deck. Wine is served
with the evening meal, and the self-serve bar never closes.
A complete library of natural history books is on board
for those who might want to do a little research in the
evenings. Two generators provide 110- and 12-volt current.
Day
2
Today is a full day of nature tours in the pristine wilderness
around the border between Costa Rica and Nicaragua. Guests
will have an opportunity to explore the vast Indian River
and Si a Paz National Park in southern Nicaragua, the protected
largest rain forest north of the Amazon. Want to try some
fishing? No problem! Boats, tackle and guide are available.
In the evening, enjoy a delicious meal with beer or wine.
Day
3
The final day brings a morning nature tour through the jungle
with the naturalist guide. After lunch, the boat returns
to Puerto Viejo, Sarapiquí, where guests board the
comfortable, air-conditioned minibus for the return drive
to San José, with stops at a banana plantation and
Braulio Carrillo National Park along the way.
Price
per person: US$475 Transportation, accommodations, all
meals and open bar included.
Note: The Rain Goddess has capacity for only 12 people,
and normally books full during high season.
Prices subject to change without notice.
