PHOTO OF THE MONTH:

Photo gallery of pictures from our ACTIVE NEW ZEALAND adventure vacation
Iguana Jan 2010
Travelling on two wheels is a great way to meet the locals and slow down to smell the coffee.

MEET OUR GUIDES:

ACTIVE NEW ZEALAND adventure travel guide
Sebastian Hansen
"I was very impressed with this young man. He was personable, insiteful and helpful. He was aware of what was going on and some of our personal issues without being intrusive. He often had solutions to issues before we made him aware of problems. He was aware of our physical capabilites and provided a safe enviornment at all times."
Ian Davis (Hamilton, Ontario, Canada) Dec 2009 Condor
News Clips and Reviews
Finding the Real Gold in Costa Rica
by Linda Ballou

After nine days of non-stop fun on a multi-sport adventure with Active South America in Costa Rica, floating belly-up in a secluded cove at Playa Coyote gave me a chance to savor the journey. A morning swim in placid waters beneath pastel pink heavens soothed muscles put to tests that included mountain biking, white water rafting, pony trekking, hiking in rain forests, kayaking across blue-green depths to a picnic on a palm-studded island, and a night patrol with turtle conservationists along a strand of deserted beach. These were just a few of the high points of this holiday designed for those who want to breathe deeply of the landscape. Read more...

Find the real gold in Costa Rica
"With our experienced guide's help, we saw astounding sights and enjoyed effortless travel to a breathtaking variety of cultural and natural wonders. The small group is a great way to travel with kids."

Terry Le Page (Irvine,California,United States) Aug 2009 Capybara Family
ACCOMMODATION:
The Macaw is an adventure-oriented wilderness trip and while it features more creature comforts than some of our other trips, it's not a scenic tour of the luxury resorts of Costa Rica. We've chosen the places where we stay for their location and charm - not the number of channels available on the television! On the nights where we stay in towns such as San Jose and Quepos, we have chosen clean hotels, ideally situated close to the main attractions without being too central, in order to avoid the most touristy and noisy areas. You'll be staying at the highest level of accommodations available in the remote places we take you, such as on the Osa Peninsula and the Pacuare River, so you won't have to give up hot showers, even in the middle of the jungle!

RECOMMENDED FLIGHTS:
You can fly into San José any time on the first day of the trip, but we recommend you arrive before noon. On the last day of your trip you can fly out at any time after 4pm. If you want to arrive earlier or leave later, we're happy to help out booking extra hotel accommodation for you.

TRIP START:
If you arrive on the first day of your trip, an ACTIVE SOUTH AMERICA representative will meet you at the airport at 2pm and take you to your accommodation and you'll have the rest of the afternoon to explore San José. If you're already in San José, you'll meet your trip leader and the rest of your group in the lobby of the Fleur de Lys Hotel at 6pm.

TRIP END:
We'll be flying back to San Jose's domestic airport from the Osa Peninsula on the last day of your trip, but you can book a flight home departing any time after 4pm that day and we'll be happy to take you over to the international airport.

FITNESS:
You need a reasonable level of fitness to enjoy yourself on the Macaw trip. You don't have to be young or extremely fit (although if you are, you won't be bored) but you should be in the habit of doing at least some regular exercise. Age and experience are not important. We would rather have an older person with a good attitude than a 22-year-old couch potato!

EXPERIENCE:
You don't have to have any outdoor experience to do one of our trips. We offer trips that enable you to make the most of Latin America's awesome outdoor environment, culture and history. Our trip leaders are highly trained and experienced outdoor guides, and they'll look after you! You don't need any experience in snorkelling, rafting or sea kayaking on the Macaw. All you need is to be energetic and in reasonable shape and you'll have a wonderful time. We manage the level of commitment to suit your experience, and we have an impeccable safety record.

FLEXIBILITY:
Costa Rica is in a developing part of the world, and we can't tell you that everything runs like clockwork in Latin America. What we can tell you is that we are experienced adventure travel leaders, and we know how to keep things operating as smoothly as possible, even when conditions are challenging. That's why we're here! If you bring flexibility, an open mind and a sense of humour you'll find your trip goes even smoother!

INCLUDED:
The trip fare is US$3999. The trip fare includes just about everything, specifically:
• All guiding services. We always have an experienced trip leader with every trip and will have a local guide on many of our excursions for extra local knowledge.
• All ground, air and boat transportation including your flights to and from the Osa Peninsula.
• Comfortable accommodation for your entire trip. We can also book pre- and post-trip accommodation for you if required.
• All your meals, except for one dinner in Quepos where we've found most people like to check out the local restaurants on their own.
• All drinking water. Alcohol and other drinks are not included - although we've been known to spring for a few drinks here and there!
• All snorkelling, rafting, sea kayaking, zip line canopy tour and hiking as described in the itinerary, excluding optional activities as noted. None of the activities are compulsory, so if you prefer to sit some of them out and just have a 'down day' hanging out with a book and a hammock, then that's fine by us. This is your vacation after all!
• Tips for local activity guides and drivers are taken care of by us.

NOT INCLUDED:
This is your holiday, and we are serious about not nickel-and-diming you! You'll have a few drinks to cover, extra activities if you choose them, and you'll probably feel like tipping your trip leader at the end of a fabulous time but you won't be pulling out your wallet every few minutes on your ACTIVE SOUTH AMERICA trip!

GEAR LIST:
Click here to see a copy of the Macaw Gear List

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