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There are a few things that you just can’t leave Costa Rica without doing. For some it’s zip lining, for others it’s surfing and for us, it’s whitewater rafting.

On our second day in Costa Rica we awoke to what sounded like hundreds of birds and frogs outside our window. We brushed our curtain to the side and look who we found – a pair of poisonous green and black dart frogs!

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So cute right! Just like the little plastic ones we used to play with as kids. Well, we were later told, after putting our faces inches away from them to get these shots, that they spray their poison… we won’t be trying that again anytime soon.

Once we gathered our waterproof everything, we were off to meet our courageous rafting crew at H2O Adventures in the town of Quepos just outside Manuel Antonio.

By 8am everyone was present and accounted for, so we piled into the van and we were off! About 1.5 hours of driving through remote towns, internet-less villages and learning, hands on, about the various plants in the region, we arrived to the mouth of the Rio Savegre, one of Costa Rica’s wildest and most pristine rivers.

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Depending on rainfall, the Rio Savegre tends to be class III – IV rapids, making it the perfect combo of adrenaline and adventure. With names such as “Boca Diablo” and “Gringo Eater,” we definitely had our work cut out for us:

If only all work could be this much fun!

Halfway through our journey of rafting down the rainforest, our guides took us on one of the most incredible, and much needed, pit stops ever – to the Rio Savegre waterfall:

We cooled off in the crystal clear waters as our H2O Adventure guides, Louis and Ericke, laid out a beautiful spread of the sweetest pineapple, aka piña, we had ever tasted:

We were even visited by a rare and stunning toucan! One of the most incredible creatures I think we have ever seen in real life:

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As he sat perched on his branch, looking at Drew and I as he did his toucan thing, we stared in awe with our jaws dropped. A few unforgettable moments passed and he flew off, leaving us forever changed… Feeling inspired, refreshed and refueled, we headed back out to brave the rapids yet again:

This time, however, we were not quite as successful:

Despite my many efforts to save our crew:

My tiny frame was no match against the relentless currents!:

But to be quite honest, I think we enjoyed being flipped – Pura vida!:

As our rafting adventure came to a close, the van met us as we came ashore. Once we were all piled in, they took us to a delicious little restaurant for some traditional “Casado,” a meal generally consisting of rice, black beans, plantains, salad and a tortilla. With full bellies we returned back to town, parted ways with our new friends and Mr. Adventure and I made plans for a beach-side siesta on Playa Espadilla:

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As Drew hung out in the trees, I hung out upside down, finding relaxation in the way I know best… yoga:

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We stuck around for a little while longer and before leaving, we were greeted by a family of white faced monkeys! Look at these amazing little faces:

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It’s amazing how time flies when you’re hanging out with monkeys, before we knew it another hour had passed and we had to rush home to freshen up in time for our evening plans: sunset drinks at one of the most unique spots in Costa Rica, El Avion:

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El Avion, meaning “the plane,” is exactly that! An old C-123 Cold War relic transformed into one of the coolest bars/restaurants in all of Costa Rica! Take a peak inside, you can even sip on your cocktail in the cockpit!: