Are you looking for a kayak trip that’s much more than just a kayak trip?

My Costa Rica Week of Rivers and Yoga provides a powerful context for building confidence, developing skill and connecting with other female paddlers in an exceptionally beautiful setting.

You’ll be inspired with daily yoga classes, mindset coaching, skills refinement, lush jungle rivers, delicious food, lots of fun, and a lot more!

Costa Rica is one of my favorite places to paddle, and I can’t wait to share it with you.

Here’s what you’ll experience:

Day 1 Arriving in Tropical Paradise

Today is your arrival day when you’ll fly into SJO San Jose, Costa Rica.

We work with a small bed and breakfast called “Your House” in San Jose that is about 5 minutes from the airport. Because we have multiple people coming in during a 4-5 hour period of time, we want to make it comfortable for everyone.

We have arranged to have our friends at “Your House” pick you up and take you to their location so you can relax, have a drink or snack, and wait comfortably for the others. There is a nice area out back and couches and lounge areas for you to wait for the rest of the group.

From there we’ll transfer as a group to Chilamate Rainforest Eco Lodge on the Sarapiqui River. The Lodge is riverside and located on 55 acres of preserved jungle. It’s perfect for bird watching, sightings of tree frogs and other jungle treasures.

Please book your air travel to arrive before noon on this day. If that’s not possible, I recommend that you arrive on Friday and stay at Your House so get a good night’s rest and are ready for the 2 p.m. transfer to Chilamate.

Day 2 – Yoga, Outfitting and Paddling

Yoga class starts off our morning to help us settle into our new environment, and cultivate balance in our bodies and minds. The sounds of toucans, macaws and hummingbirds will serve as our background music.

After a delicious breakfast, it’s time to meet the kayak, inflatable kayak or raft you’ll be paddling all week! You’ll spend a half hour to 45 minutes getting outfitted before you hit the fun rapids of the Sarapiqui. The Sarapiquí is often referred to as the “Jewel of Costa Rica” with clear water, deep pools and excellent whitewater. We’ll guide you through fun rapids and point out the scenery that sometimes includes monkeys, iguanas, toucans and macaws!

Today is your warm up day. You’ll have the opportunity to work on your roll, get comfortable in your boat, and refine your river running skills on Class II-III water. We’ll break the run up with a delicious river lunch.

End the day with a delicious dinner and maybe a tropical cocktail.

Day 3 – Yoga, Rainforest Walk, Paddling and Hot Springs

Greet the morning with yoga that balances and aligns your body and mind to start the day off right and prepare your body for a great day of paddling. After breakfast, you’ll stretch your legs with a rainforest walk where you have the opportunity to see monkeys, poison dart frogs, lots of tropical birds and iguanas. It’s good to meet your new neighbors after all!

Today you’ll travel up river and put-in on the Superman section of the Sarapiqui. This fun and beautiful section has more Class III rapids and lots of fun wall shots and wave trains. You’ll paddle down and take out right at Chilamate Eco Lodge.

After the river we travel 45 minutes to hot springs nestled in the jungle. With several different pools of different temperatures alongside a cool jungle creek there’s plenty of hydrotherapy to help you relax in body and mind. Besides the paddling, this is the most popular activity on the trip!

After a good soak we’ll enjoy dinner at the restaurant on location before heading back to Chilamate.

Day 4 – Yoga, Paddling and travel to Montanas del Pacuare

Morning yoga amidst the beautiful flowers and humming birds on the grounds of the hotel eases you into your last day on the Sarapiqui.

After lunch, we’ll put in at Superman or La Virgen section (depending on how the group feels). After the river we’ll enjoy lunch at a favorite local restaurant before heading over to the famous and beautiful Pacuare River. On our way up and over the mountains we’ll stop at a local fresh fruit stand and have the opportunity to drink cafe con leche.

Tonight we’re staying at Montanas del Pacuare, a small, rustic lodge with one of the most beautiful 365 degree views I’ve ever seen. It overlooks the Pacuare River valley and has a fun swing to help you have fun and enjoy the view. We may get in after dark so the view and the swing may have to wait for sunrise, and it won’t disappoint.

We get to relive summer camp life by staying in 2 bunk houses together. 🙂

Day 5 – Sunrise yoga/swing session, Pacuare and Jungle Camp

This morning you’ll want to wake up before sunrise to enjoy one of the most inspirational views you’ll ever experience. After the sun rises over the ridge it’s time for yoga class followed by a laughter filled session on the swing.

Breakfast will be served overlooking the gorge. After breakfast you’ll be shuttled to the start of the Pacuare River. The bus won’t be able to drive right down to the river so we’ll walk 30 minutes down a dirt road to the put-in.

The Pacuare River is known internationally as one of the most beautiful and fun rivers to raft and paddle. Today you’ll paddle the first part of the run down to our jungle camp. We’ll put-in a bit higher than other groups and enjoy an additional 4 kilometers of whitewater as we paddle to our riverside Jungle Camp.

The rapids on this day are fun class II and III. To spend a night along the shores of the Pacuare river is an experience every person should enjoy at least once in their lives. Beautiful, screened-in cabins with comfortable beds and breathtaking views.

Tonight you’ll get introduced to latin dancing with Elberth, our beloved dance instructor. His hips don’t lie and it doesn’t matter if yours do 🙂 So much laughter and fun to be had tonight, and the guides will be cooking a special dinner for you tonight.

At the end of an amazing say you’ll fall asleep to the sounds of the river below.

Day 6 – Yoga and Pacuare Gorge

After paddling and dancing your body will enjoy waking up with gentle yoga to get your body back on track for our most challenging day of paddling.This jungle camp is one of my favorite spots to teach yoga – on the deck surrounded by awesomeness.

Today is an exciting day of paddling! We enter the stunning Pacuare Gorge with Class III-IV rapids. We’ll pull over and enjoy a riverside waterfall hike and lunch to break up the rapids and get to experience the beauty of this famous gorge.

We paddle down to a second jungle camp, this one is a bit more rustic, and just as awesome in it’s own way. Another night of delicious food cooked by the guides, and enjoying the sights and sounds of the jungle.

Day 7 – Yoga and Lower Pacuare Adventure

Following yoga we eat a delicious breakfast and enjoy the last of jungle glamping on the shores of the Pacuare. This section of the Pacuare has a few Class III-IV rapids, a beautiful narrow flatwater canyon, and a nice Class II-III paddle out to the Caribbean flatland town of Siquirres where we take out.

On our way to the B&B in Turrialba we’ll stop by Nortico Chocolate Farm and Naturalba Coffee farm and roasters for deliciousness! We’ll enjoy dinner and our last night in Costa Rica at the B&B.

Day 8 – Saying Goodbye

We get to enjoy one last breakfast together before saying our good-byes at the airport. We’re now paddling sisters, connected by paddling, Costa Rica and the experiences we’ve shared together all week. It won’t be the last and you can start your plans to come back the following year!

**We do our very best to adhere to the specific itinerary listed above, but activities and locations may be subject to change due to a number of reasons beyond our control (i.e. weather, water levels,road and safety conditions).

This Trip Includes

• All meals from dinner Day 1 through breakfast Day 8
• 7 nights accommodation based on double occupancy with one night in a shared bunk house (5-6 people per bunkhouse).
• 6 days of whitewater kayaking, inflatable kayaking or rafting (depending on what craft you choose based on your skill level).
• Raft support for the Pacuare for those paddlers who prefer this option for Class III/IV whitewater.
• Daily yoga classes.
• Mindset coaching with Anna.
• Kayak coaching with Anna.
• Airport transfers.
• Ground transportation.
• Exceptional and highly trained local guides.
• Kayaks, including newer models.
• Latin dance class.
• Coffee and chocolate tours.
• Trip to amazing hot springs.

Commonly Asked Questions

What level kayaker do I need to be to participate on this trip?

To get the most out of this trip you want to be comfortable on Class III-IV whitewater with a solid combat roll at least 80% of the time. If you’re comfortable on rivers like the Ocoee, the Pigeon, the Middle White Salmon, Shoshone, Lower New, Southfork of the American, or Ottawa you’re good to go. If I didn’t mention your local river and you’re wondering please contact me to discuss. I’m happy to help.

If you’re comfortable in your kayak on Class II, there’s the option of paddling your kayak on the first 2 days and then switching to a ducky and the raft for the remainder of the trip.

Non kayakers are welcome on this trip! You can paddle an inflatable kayak the first 3 days and then be in the paddle raft for the last 3 days on the Pacuare.

Do I have to bring my own paddling gear?

Kayaks and paddles are provided by Amazing Vacations. They have a great fleet to choose from. They do have PFDs, sprayskirts and helmets, but I suggest that you bring your own. You’re also welcome to bring your own paddle. I like to travel with a 4 piece breakdown to make that easy. Bring any specific gear you like to have with you. That includes specialized outfitting.

What are the sleeping arrangements like?

The price is based on double occupancy with one night in a bunk house shared with 5 -6 women – true summer camp throwback! FYI – if you want a guaranteed single room for the entire trip, the single supplement is an additional $400. 

I’d be traveling solo. How are the group dynamics?

I love and welcome solo travelers! Most of my trips are made up of solo women travelers with the exception of small groups of friends who travel together on occasion. This is an awesome opportunity for you to get to know and paddle with other like-minded women.  We’re all connected by our passion for the river and by the end of the trip we recognize each other as strong paddling sisters.

What is the group size?

I love and specialize in small groups that allow everyone to receive personalized attention. The maximum group size for this trip is 10 women.

Can you accommodate my dietary restrictions?

We do our best! As a vegan myself (95%) I find that Costa Rica is relatively easy. It doesn’t have all of the foods you may be accustomed to, but please let me know asap and I’ll be able to talk to the restaurants and cooks. 

I’d really love to join this trip, but it feels selfish to take money and a week for myself. Especially when I have responsibilities at home and/or at work.

I hear you, I really do. Let me ask you this… Is feeling uninspired, stressed and tired helping you get optimal results in your life? Is it selfish to take care of yourself so you can thrive in your roles at work and at home? Investing in your passion is investing in your wellbeing, both mental and physical. That isn’t selfish, it’s intelligent.

The truth is that taking care of yourself contributes to way more people than you – your family, your colleagues and your community all benefit when you take care of YOU!

What Isn’t Included

• Airfare.
• Tips and gratuities for guides.
• Alcohol.
• Yoga mat. To get the most value out of your trip please bring a mat. A towel isn’t as effective. Here’s a link to my favorite travel yoga mat

Dates:  January 6 – 13, 2024 – SOLD OUT

Stay tuned for 2025 dates!

“This trip was a dream come true. Everything was perfect. Thanks for your positivity and the rich knowledge in so many topics you shared with us. It was a true vacation for body, heart and soul.”  – Karin, Switzerland

“Just got back from an AMAZING trip to Costa Rica with the Anna!! Words really can’t describe how awesome it was… 6 days of whitewater kayaking, gorgeous scenery, fantastic instructors, new friends, delicious food, and lots and lots of laughter!!”  – Sarah, MO

“It was very inspiring to paddle and yogi with you in Costa Rica. I am glad you’re doing what you’re doing. You showed me new ways to approach paddling… really good reminders that it is important to step up to your potential, and remain true to yourself.”  – Almut, Germany

“The rivers are beautiful and I fell in love with the Pacuare River and staying at Jungle Camp. Not only did my kayaking skills grow as well as my confidence, but also I was able to share this experience with such great women and instructors. And to top it off, I loved the yoga every morning and the laughter and celebration in the evening.  I am so glad I did not miss this experience!” – Sarah, WI

“This was more than great. I really had a lot of fun! Many thanks for having made this trip possible.” – Meryl, France