Self-powered multi activity adventure

This multi activity adventure has been designed to deliver an amazing experience and showcase the some of the most stunning landscapes across Costa Rica whilst also giving you the chance to step out of your comfort zone and gain a greater understanding of the mountains, jungles, environment, wildlife and local communities. Plus you can experience different activities, learn new skills and traverse across the breadth of Costa Rica under your own power with bikes, boots & boats.

We’ve crunched the numbers to work out the total carbon footprint of the Costa Rica Coast to Coast trip, and plant or protect enough trees to suck 2x as much back out the atmosphere.

What’s the number?
It works out on average at 147kg of CO2 emissions per person, including all local transport, accommodation, food, activities, leaders, crew and office operations.

The only thing not included is travel to Costa Rica. Given that our beloved guests travel from all parts of the UK for this adventure we have no way of reliably knowing their travel plans therefore we’re unable to include an individual number in the figure on display here.

What does the number mean?
To give you a snapshot of the numbers:

• Driving 1000miles/1609km would be approx. 281kg of CO2 in an average car (or 140.5kg per person if there was 2 of you).
• A return economy class flight London – New York would be approx. 1,619kg (1.66 tonnes) per person.
• 10 trees in a temperate forest are estimated to remove approx. 250kg of CO2 from the air over a period of 5 – 10 years.

What are we doing about it?
Our adventures are relatively low-carbon by design, and we’re working to develop long term carbon reduction plan. Following much research into climate change organisations, we carefully selected to support the environmental charity, Cool Earth. They’re a sustainable operation and work with rainforest communities across the globe to halt deforestation and it’s impact on climate change. We invest 1% of our revenue into supporting critical conservation projects world-wild with Cool Earth.

On a local level here in the UK, we’re an ongoing business member of the Snowdonia Society, plus Jim and Sue, together with some of our local leaders, also help the Society with their local projects such as planting native trees in Snowdonia. This is to help preserve the landscape and enhance wildlife habitat here in Snowdonia.

Want to know more?
We believe that with great travel, comes even greater responsibility. Tourism is one of the most important and largest industries on the planet. It employs more people worldwide than any other, with millions of families relying on tourism for their daily needs. At Adventurous Ewe we believe that our type of small scale, positive impact tourism can bring benefits to many communities, help preserve the environments we travel to see, and provide real and positive social exchanges. Here is our plan to do our part towards helping reduce factors that we can contributing to climate change as part of Tourism Declares a Climate Emergency.

On booking your Costa Rica Coast to Coast Adventure, you’ll receive all the exciting trip info via our free mobile travel app. You’ll have access to your itinerary, trip countdown, live updates, contact info, weather forecasts, know before you go trip info, kit lists and much more at the touch of a button 24 hours a day via your mobile phone. No more unnecessary use of reams of paper to help the environment and the need of carrying around documents with you. The app is free to download and all info is customary to your adventure ahead. A’ppy days.

With being a small family business we pride ourselves with providing personal, professional and friendly service. We appreciate that everyone has different levels of experience and reasons for wishing to embark on the Costa Rica Coast to Coast Adventure and therefore require varying levels of support and guidance. We’re here to help you every step of the way from the moment you join the flock all the way through to completing the challenge and beyond. Jim and Sue’s knowledge and expertise stems from dozens of years of travelling and exploring the destinations that we visit in order to fully support you in the lead up to your adventure. Having both completed the Costa Rica Coast to Coast adventure, we are perfectly placed to answer all your questions no matter how big or small.

Flights are not included as part of your Costa Rica Coast to Coast Adventure travel package to allow you the flexibility to book your own flights. This way you can travel earlier or stay longer if you wish to explore more of Central America, fly from your closest UK airport therefore reducing carbon miles or use any frequent flyer points for your flights.

Once booked on this trip, we will provide you with the recommended flights to book which include your airport transfers in Costa Rica. If you fly at alternative times, you’ll simply need to make your own airport transfer arrangements. We can help you with this if you need and we recommend:

• Public transportation which is considerably less expensive than taxi 
• Public transportation leaves a much smaller environmental footprint
• Or if there is 3 or more of you, then taxi-sharing is also an option to help with costs and reduce separate journeys and a higher carbon footprint.

We can most certainly help with your flight bookings if you wish. Our lovely Flight Agent, who is ATOL and ABTA protected, can quote and book flights for you. This way you are not paying any additional commissions and your flights are fully protected.

For more info, please contact us at info@adventurousewe.co.uk or call us on 01492 588 069. Where here to make your travel plans as flexible or as structured as you wish.

You’ll need a valid passport to travel internationally and most countries require your passport to have a minimum of 6 months validity, so remember to check the expiry date.

We need your passport information to get everything ready for your trip so it’s important that the information on your booking matches your passport exactly. Please take care to provide the correct details. We recommend carrying a copy of the photo page of your passport while travelling and leaving a copy at home with family or friends.

Travellers from the UK, US and EU normally do not need a visa to enter Costa Rica; however, proof of onward travel may be required – we suggest you take a physical copy of your flight details in case officials ask to see them. You may stay as a visitor for up to 180 days under a tourist visa waiver, although the exact period is at the discretion of the immigration officer on arrival.

Please note, visa requirements often change and it is your responsibility to obtain any required visas for this trip. Therefore, we recommend that you check with the nearest embassy or consulate of your chosen destination(s), including any countries you may be transiting or transferring through.

Some local governments provide guidance on what visas their citizens need. To help, we’ve gathered a selection of useful links below.

• Australia: www.smartraveller.gov.au/destinations/americas/costa-rica
• Canada: www.travel.gc.ca/destinations/costa-rica
• United Kingdom: www.gov.uk/foreign-travel-advice/costa-rica/entry-requirements
• USA:  www.travel.state.gov/content/travel/en/international-travel/International-Travel-Country-Information-Pages/Costa-Rica.html

Travel Insurance

Travel Insurance is an important part of any booking. It is compulsory that everyone who travels with us has taken out adequate travel insurance which includes, among other things, cover for the full value of your trip, medical (emergency, evacuation and repatriation) arrangements, activities undertaken, personal liability, cancellation, curtailment and loss of luggage and personal effects and flight delays.

For UK residents we have partnered with Campbell & Irvine Direct to provide you with a travel insurance. If you would like to obtain cover for your trip please feel free to contact specialist Insurance Brokers, Campbell Irvine Direct for a quote.

You must send your Travel Insurance Policy to Adventurous Ewe no less than 8 weeks prior to departure.

Global Rescue Membership

For peace of mind whilst trekking in the mountains, Global Rescue provides short term membership giving access to travel, security, medical advisory and evacuation services up to $US500,000.  They’re a specialised field rescue company, and assist from the point of illness or injury by getting you to the closest and most appropriate medical facilities to get stabilised. Once fit to fly if you require additional inpatient treatment Global Rescue will further evacuate and repatriate to your home hospital on record. These services are all covered through their upfront membership fee with no claims process.  For more info, please click here. 

Vaccinations
There are no mandatory vaccination requirements; however, if you have travelled to a country at risk of yellow fever prior to arriving in Costa Rica, you will be required to have a valid Yellow Fever Certificate with you. It’s also recommended that you get a hepatitis A vaccine.

The risk of malaria is slight but you may wish to consult your doctor or travel health clinic for further advice. Dengue and zika, both mosquito‐borne viral diseases, are also known risks in places visited on this trip. There are currently no vaccines or prophylaxes available. We therefore strongly recommend you take the usual precautions to avoid mosquito bites.

For more info, please visit Fit for Travel and Travel Health Pro websites.

Severe allergies
If you have a severe allergy please inform us at the time of booking. We will do all we can to help, but unfortunately we are unable to guarantee an allergy free environment on this trip. You will need to carry your own treatment for the allergy with you, as ‘adrenaline auto-injectors’ are not carried as standard by AE leaders and crew. Whilst your leader is aware of our trekkers medical history, please also inform your leader on arrival of your allergy, and let them know where you keep your adrenaline pen.

General Health
All travellers need to be in good physical health in order to participate fully on this trip. For the safety and wellbeing of yourself and others, if you are unwell prior to travelling, please stay at home and contact us to make alternative arrangements.

When selecting your trip please make sure you have read through the itinerary carefully and assess your ability to manage and enjoy our style of travel. Please note that if in the assessment of our group leader or local representative a traveller is unable to complete the itinerary without undue risk to themselves and/or the rest of the group, we reserve the right to exclude them from all or part of a trip without refund.

You should consult your doctor for up-to-date medical travel information or for any necessary vaccinations before departure. We recommend that you carry a first aid kit as well as any personal medical requirements in their original packaging as they may not easily be obtained while travelling. If you are carrying medication, ensure you check your government’s foreign travel advice for any local restrictions or requirements. 

To help you prepare yourself for a safe and healthy Costa Rica Coast to Coast adventure, please check out all the latest travel advice by visiting the F&CO website here. Prior planning prevents poor preparations and experience.

During your trip you will be accompanied by certified Local Leaders and Crew for your Costa Rica Coast to Coast Challenge. For groups over 10 people, your team will also be accompanied by a UK Leader who is a certified Mountain, Bike & Kayak instructor.

Your Local Leader is a key part to this trip. They are expertly trained and experienced in every field of this adventure, bilingual (English and Spanish) and qualified in first aid and/or Wilderness First responder. They also have a huge passion for what they do and have plenty of knowledge ready to share with you. They are responsible for ensuring the complete safety, well-being and enjoyment of the team whilst also retaining a flexible and fun attitude.

Leaders and crew will carrying full safety equipment and emergency first aid kits with them at all times. Please note, these kits are for emergencies only so please come prepared with your own personal first aid items.

The Leaders and Crew will also be in constant radio communication with the vehicle drivers and local office throughout your adventure.

At Adventurous Ewe we pride ourselves in small group trips to minimise the impact on the environment, to maximise your safety & wellbeing and to make your experience more authentic.

The minimum group size for this trip to run is 8 people and the maximum group size is 20 people.

You are most welcome to join this adventure as a group of friends, family, colleagues, a private bubble or as a solo traveller. You are also welcome to use this trip as a fundraiser for the charity of your choice.

If you have a group of over 8 people, we would be more than happy to run a private trip for your team, your charity or your company. 

For any further info, please email us at info@adventurousewe.co.uk or call 01492 588 069.

The Costa Rica Coast to Coast Challenge is graded as ‘Tough’ and preparation is key to help you get the most enjoyment and reward from this challenge. A good level of fitness and endurance is required in order to complete this multi activity challenge. A training programme will be provided when you book onto this trip.

Whilst the mountain biking is not on technical trails, some sections are on gravel and rough tarmac, so it advisable that you train on a variety of terrains including gravel trails or bridleways to get accustomed to cycling on this terrain. There are some steep sections to test your stamina though the views are spectacular through rainforests, farmlands, villages and vast countryside. 

The trekking sections are not technically difficult, though you must have good level of fitness in order to manage sections of the trip particularly in the heat. During the trek you will be required to carry your own kit including snacks, drinking water, wet weather gear and personal items such medication and of course your camera.

Experience of whitewater rafting is not necessary but you will be paddling and balancing for the majority of time that you are on the raft so fitness and stamina are key. The Pacuare River is a class III – IV river. “Grade IV: These rivers are considered to be challenging, with long stretches of rapids with irregular waves. The courses to take on these rivers will have various obstacles and obstructions may be hidden and unseen underneath the waves. You will be accompanied by experienced guides throughout your rafting legs.

For the grand finale section of kayaking, again you do not need previous paddling experience, however a good level of strength is required to kayak the river to reach the Caribbean. There’s a great opportunity of wildlife spotting during both paddling sections.

The weather can play a big part in the experience of this adventure, particularly the heat of the sun and the quality of the terrain following torrential rain fall, however this is all part of the adventure and makes the Costa Rica Coast to Coast Challenge such a unique and memorable challenge.

A bespoke trek training programme will be provided when join the team for this adventure to help you with your preparations together with some top tips.

We also have exclusive offers with our Training Partners and Communities – Her Spirit and the Peter Lant Training. For more info, please visit our Training and Preparation page.

The more you are prepared, the more you will enjoy the trip.

Our motto is: Train hard, smile harder and enjoy the journey!

A full kit list will be provided when you register for the Costa Rica Coast to Coast Adventure. Good kit can make the difference between a fantastic adventure and an uncomfortable one. 

All equipment is provided for the mountain biking, white-water rafting and kayaking sections. The mountain bikes are Trek 4300-4500 / 27 shift or similar and have front suspension and disc brakes. You are required to bring your own bike helmet and you’re welcome to bring your own pedals and SPD’s if you wish.  Rafts are 7-person, self-bailing (6 participants + 1 guide) with certified lifejackets, helmets and paddles.  Sea kayaks are plastic sit on top 2-person sea kayaks, with buoyancy aids & paddles supplied.

An exclusive Adventurous Ewe discount code will be provided for a specialist outdoor retailer on registering for this fantastic adventure.

To help you get the very best from your adventure we will provide you with an exclusive Adventurous Ewe discount code to use in an outdoor retailer both online and in store. They offer a large choice of kit that the staff themselves use while climbing, hiking, mountaineering, running, travelling or enjoying expeditions across the globe and they pride themselves on sharing their experience and knowledge of equipment so you can choose the right gear to suit you and this trek.

Our Costa Rica Coast to Coast trip departs towards the end of the ‘Green Season’. With the country located 10º north of the equator, it has a tropical climate. The average temperature range is 10ºC – 13ºC in the highlands, and from 22ºC – 26ºC in the lowlands. The rainy season is from May to November where there are daily short downpours, though there is still plenty of lovely sunshine.

Costa Rica is made up of many different climate zones, which also creates a lot of microclimates within the country. You should be prepared for the rain and the heat, but these two elements make for a beautiful lush green landscape and exciting conditions.

During your Costa Rican adventure you will be staying in a variety of accommodation places ranging from hotels and local lodges to a family stay and camping. As part of our Responsible Travel Policy, the use of homestay style accommodation to support local communities at the grass roots whilst also providing a more meaningful travel experience is a key focus in this itinerary.

Please find below the breakdown of accommodation places during your adventure:

• 5 nights in hotels or lodges
• 5 nights in campsites
• 1 night in local cabin

You’ll need to bring your own sleeping bag and sleeping mat some of the camping locations. We base our accommodation on a share and save basis (twin rooms) however if you would prefer your own room and tent, please let us know and we will make these arrangements for you according to availability. There is a single room supplement costs associated.

Eating is one of the wonderful experiences when travelling in Costa Rica. Included meals are a combination of restaurants, local food and delicious meals prepared by your local crew. 

Costa Rican specialities include ‘Gallo Pinto’, a black bean and rice dish considered to be a staple part of the local diet. Soups and stews are also common, and delicious fresh fruit is abundant and will no doubt be one of the highlights of your adventure together with Costa Rican coffee.

Meals included:

• Breakfasts x 12
• Lunches x 8
• Dinners x 7

Please let us know if you have any specific dietary requirements so we can make the necessary arrangements for you.

Drinking water will be provided during your adventure so please bring your own water bottles and water bladders for refilling.

Water-To-Go Bottles

The impact of single use plastic is having on our landscape, wildlife and oceans, it is now more important than ever that we all make changes in order to help our planet. We may not be a huge global company but we’re passionate about playing our part and trying to make a huge difference collectively. Together we can dramatically reduce our consumption of single use plastics and support our responsible travel ethos of ‘Take nothing but photos, leave nothing but boot-prints, keep nothing but memories.’ You can make a difference too with taking part in one of our big adventures. As part of our commitment to helping the planet, members of the flock who join us for a big overseas expedition will receive an Adventurous Ewe Water-to-Go bottle. This is our way of saying thank-ewe and also making a difference to the consumption of single use plastics in developing countries. For more info please visit https://www.adventurousewe.co.uk/water-to-go-bottle-partner-sheep/. 

Deposit: £295 per person is required on booking.

Remaining balance: £2490 per person is due for payment no later than 6 weeks prior to the trip departure date.

Monthly payment plan
A monthly payment plan can be arranged for this trip with no additional charges. Please contact us for more information or to set up your plan. Simply email info@adventurousewe.co.uk or call 01492 588 069.

Fundraising
You are welcome to fundraise for a charity of your choice if you wish to do so. All sponsorship monies are to be sent directly to your chosen charity.

All your Costa Rica Coast to Coast Challenge info will be sent to you through a travel mobile app which is free to download. You will receive an email from Adventurous Ewe with your personalised log in code for this app.

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We are very excited to have teamed up with leading climate change charity Cool Earth, who share our mission to protect the planet’s precious environment in a sustainable manner. The future of rainforest protection is where everyone makes a difference to climate change! We invest a % of our revenue into supporting critical conservation projects around the world through Cool Earth. You are most welcome to help make a difference too by sparing a few pennies. Please give what you can and help save the world’s rainforests today by visiting Cool Earth Just £2.50 will save 10 trees and lock up 10 tonnes of CO2. Together, we can all make a difference in helping preserve this precious and wonderful planet.