Draft Itinerary
14th Mar
Arrive San Jose where you will be met and taken to Hotel Presidente in the centre of the city, close to the main plaza and theatre. If you are in need of good natural history and identification books, there is an excellent bookshop nearby.
15th Mar
(B,L)
After breakfast, we will head out by road on a day trip to the Poas Volcano, La Paz Waterfall and Gardens. This is a highly scenic and easy going start to your trip, visiting one of Latin America’s most active volcanoes, some stunning cloud forest waterfalls, and well established forest trails and gardens where we can find 24 out of Costa Rica’s 57 species of hummingbird.
Overnight in San Jose.
16th Mar
(B,L,D)
Early rise and drive to the airport for our flight to Palmar Sur in south western Costa Rica. Transfer by land, river and sea to our jungle lodge. On the way we will take a little time to explore mangroves.
After settling in to your room we will start to explore lowland rainforests in what National Geographic have described as “… the most wildlife intense place on Earth.”
17th Mar
(B,L,D)
Early morning bird watching and mammal watching in a private rainforest reserve surrounding the lodge.
Today we will travel out by boat to the Caño Island Biological Reserve. The island lies 17 kilometres from the coast, close to Osa’s northern Drake’s Bay. Here we can find some of the country’s best marine life, both at the surface and below it. Dolphins are a regular sight, but you may also be lucky enough to see Humpback Whales which can be seen both on the northwards and southwards migrations along the coast. Olive Ridley turtles and manta rays are also often seen at the surface and below. The coral reefs and steep drop-offs provide excellent snorkelling if you wish with some huge shoals of fish and pelagic visitors such as sharks and barracudas. We can arrange diving here by pre-arrangement.
Night walk to explore the forest by torch light.
18th Mar
(B,L,D)
We will spend the whole day exploring in detail the intense rainforest fauna and flora of the Corcovado National Park.
19th Mar
(B)
After an early breakfast you will be transferred to Palmar Sur airport for our flight back to San Jose.
Once in San Jose, we will drive to the forests of Sarapiqui where we will stay on the site of the Centro Neotropico Sarapiqui – a centre committed to education, conservation and scientific research.
20th Mar
(B)
The morning will be spent exploring the Tirimba Biological Reserve which is one of the last remaining stands of mid-elevation premontane forest in north eastern Costa Rica. This reserve has been the site of numerous biological research projects. A suspension bridge and canopy walkway allow viewing at all levels and across some of the many streams which carve through the area.
In the afternoon, we take to a boat to explore wildlife and birdlife along the Sarapiqui River.
21st Mar
(B)
Transfer overland to the La Selva Biological Research Station and it’s near 4,000 acre reserve. Species diversity here is quite spectacular including 448 species of bird, 350 species of tree, 1,850 spp of plant and approximately 500 species of ant!
Overnight at forest hotel lodge in the Tilaran Mountains.
22nd Mar
(B)
Early morning we will take the chance to explore the forests of the Tilaran Mountains.
From here we will descend towards the Pacific coast and the Carara National where we will spend the night. The coastal town of Jaco is not far away and you will have the opportunity to visit there if you wish for food if you wish.
23rd Mar
(B)
Full day exploring the transitional tropical most to tropical dry forests of the Carara National Park. This will include a 1 ½ mile long aerial walkway.
24th Mar
(B,D)
After breakfast in the Carara N.P. we will travel to what is one of Costa Rica’s foremost birdlife and cloud forest highlights: San Gerardo de Dota. From our base at 7,000ft we will enjoy probably the best opportunities in the country for seeing Resplendent Quetzals, as well as a whole host of other high altitude birds.
25th Mar
(B,L,D)
Full day to explore the forests of San Gerardo de Dota.
26th Mar
(B)
Morning to explore forests of San Gerardo de Dota.
In the afternoon we will drive back to San Jose.
27th Mar
(B)
Transfer to the airport for your flight home.
We can also arrange for you to stay on in Costa Rica or other parts of Latin America if you wish.
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