Costa Rica's Coastal Secrets

The group flight usually arrives into San Jose this evening. Land Only
clients should aim to arrive at the hotel this afternoon/evening. Free
transfers are available for all clients. This evening is the perfect
opportunity to meet your guide and get to know your fellow travellers.
Accommodation: Presidente Hotel or Park Inn (or similar)
*Comfortable Hotel*

Day 2

Our adventure begins early this morning, leaving San Jose behind as we travel
to the north-east of Costa Rica to Tortuguero National Park. Accessible only
by boat or light aircraft, Tortuguero's vast network of waterways, canals and
swamps are remarkably tranquil, unspoilt and devoid of noise pollution. On
reaching the pier we board a small motorboat for the one hour fifteen minute
journey to our lodge, which is nestled on a small strip of land between the
Caribbean Sea and the main lagoon. Our afternoon is spent in Tortuguero
village, where it’s possible to visit the Sea Turtle Museum (a donation
will be requested at the entrance). Tortuguero is probably most famous as a
nesting site for the endangered Green turtle, which can be seen arriving onto
the beach to lay eggs from late July to October (as part of an optional
excursion). Hawksbill, Loggerhead and Giant Leatherback turtles also nest in
this region, and during November to January baby turtles start to hatch and
make their way towards the ocean. Today's travel time will be in the region
of six hours including a break for breakfast.
Accommodation: Evergreen Lodge (or similar)
*Comfortable Hotel*

Day 3

Just after sunrise we board a small boat, enabling us to discover the
extraordinary flora and fauna of Tortuguero as we pass serenely along the
waterways. At this time of day wildlife is usually at its most active and
with the help of our expert guide we are likely to encounter monkeys, caiman,
iguanas, butterflies and many of the 300+ bird species recorded here. We
return to the lodge for a hearty breakfast near the river. The lodge is a
tranquil spot to relax this afternoon if you want to take some time out to
enjoy the facilities, or alternatively you can join a second boat trip
(included).
Accommodation: Evergreen Lodge (or similar)
*Comfortable Hotel*

Day 4

We leave Tortuguero the same way we arrived, by taking a small boat to
Siquirres pier. Our bus will be at the pier waiting to drive us to the region
of Cahuita on the Caribbean coast, where we check into our hotel. Caribbean
culture pervades this part of Costa Rica and is reflected in the music, food
and laid-back lifestyle. Cahuita’s famous white-sand beach is fringed by
tall palms, behind which the dense, wet tropical forest of Cahuita National
Park can be found.
Accommodation: Ciudad Perdida or Villas del Caribe (or similar)
*Comfortable Hotel*

Day 5

Cahuita National Park has 2711 acres of land and an impressive 600 acres of
coral reef, forming Costa Rica's largest reef system. Today we visit the
national park, taking a 7km walk from the southern entrance of the park which
follows the coastline, leads through rainforest and passes impressive
Caribbean beaches. Although a fairly small park in terms of size, there is
plenty of diversity here. The rest of the afternoon is yours to explore the
beach, join an optional snorkelling excursion to discover the underwater
world or simply relax.

Accommodation: Ciudad Perdida or Villas del Caribe (or similar)
*Comfortable Hotel*

Day 6

Today is free to relax into the Caribbean pace of life and enjoy some free
time around Cahuita. It is possible to join an optional excursion to the
indigenous communities of Kekoldi & Bri Bri Reserve, where you'll learn
about the properties and uses of native plants, as well as the process of
making artisan chocolate. Chocolate is very important in Bri Bri culture and
used for purification rituals, food and medicine. 

 

Accommodation: Ciudad Perdida or Villas del Caribe (or similar)
*Comfortable Hotel*

Day 7

Our next destination is Turrialba Valley, a rich agricultural region located
in the Central Highlands. On the way to Turrialba we visit La Marta Wildlife
Refuge, an area of both primary and secondary forest within La Amistad
Biosphere (recognised as a UNESCO World Patrimony of Humanity). The
topography of this region is mountainous, with waterfalls, rivers and caves -
the varied elevation supports a wide range of plants (such as orchids,
bromeliads, lichens and mosses) and animals (such as anteaters, ocelots and
tapirs).
Accommodation: Villa Florencia or Guayabo (or similar)
*Comfortable Hotel*

Day 8

After breakfast we depart towards San Gerado de Dota and Savegre Cloud
Forest. This is said to be one of the best places in the whole of Costa Rica
to see the beautiful, colourful and notoriously shy Resplendant Quetzal and
we have two nights here to discover the region. These endangered birds rely
on the cloud forest for their habitat - the males in particular are striking
with a green crest, red breast and tail feathers that can reach a metre in
length. A good pair of binoculars will be helpful for quetzal spotting as
these birds camouflage themselves well amongst the wet leaves of the forest!
After lunch we take a short walk into the cloud forest.
Accommodation: Savegre Hotel, Nature Reserve & Spa or Trogon Lodge (or
similar)
*Comfortable Hotel*

Day 9

Today is free to relax and explore Savegre Valley. Bring your binoculars to
spot some of the 170 bird species, trek through the tropical cloud forest or
simply enjoy the incredible view from the lodge. Your leader will suggest
walks for today so that you can discover the tropical cloud forest and
sub-Alpine vegetation of the area. Birds that may be seen in this area
include hummingbirds, colibri, tanagers and trogons, whilst tapirs and
Squirrel monkeys may also be seen.
Accommodation: Savegre Hotel, Nature Reserve & Spa or Trogon Lodge (or
similar)
*Comfortable Hotel*

Day 10

Our journey continues towards the small town of Sierpe, where we board a
small motorboat to Drake Bay on the Osa Peninsula. Passing the huge mangrove
swamps that line the Sierpe River, our boat crosses the ocean before arriving
into Drake Bay. This region is very remote and with extremely limited road
access, which means the majority of supplies, as well as visitors and locals,
must arrive by boat. Originally discovered by Francis Drake, getting here is
part of the adventure! The bay is spectacular, with just a handful of lodges
scattering the horizon and the rest thick verdant forest and rocky coves as
far as the eye can see. Our next three nights will be spent at the Drake Bay
Wilderness Resort, a family run property positioned close to the 'town' of
Drake Bay and with ocean views from every corner.
Accommodation: Drake Bay Wilderness Resort (or similar)
*Comfortable Hotel*

Day 11

Board a small boat to Caño Island, located 12 nautical miles from Drake Bay.
During this 45 minute boat ride there may be opportunities to spot migrating
whales or playful dolphins in the surrounding waters (Orca whales might be
seen between approx. December to April and Humpback whales might be seen
between approx. July to November). The interior of the island is thought to
have been a burial ground for the indigenous Daquis tribe during
pre-Columbian times, and many perfectly spherical man-made stones have been
found here. But it's the marine life that is the biggest highlight of Caño
Island, with Hawksbill and Olive Ridley turtles, Manta rays and White-tipped
reef sharks being just some of the likely encounters on today's snorkelling
excursion. This area has been rated as having the best snorkelling in the
whole of Costa Rica, with excellent water visibility and a huge marine
diversity awaiting beneath the waves in the protected reef. Enjoy a picnic
lunch on nearby San Josecito beach, where Capuchin monkeys, Coatimundi and
lively Scarlet macaws may make an appearance.
Accommodation: Drake Bay Wilderness Resort (or similar)
*Comfortable Hotel*

Day 12

When National Geographic describes an area as ‘the most biologically
intense place on earth’ it has to be worthy of investigation! This morning
we board a small boat for a 30 minute journey to San Pedrillo Ranger Station,
our entrance point to Corcovado National Park. This is undoubtedly Costa
Rica's most secluded and tranquil region. Protecting around one third of the
Osa Peninsula (some 164 square miles), Corcovado is Costa Rica's largest
national park and encompasses 13 major ecosystems across various elevations,
with montane forest, cloud forest, freshwater and mangrove swamps being just
some of these. Scientists have recorded half of all of the species in Costa
Rica on this peninsula alone. On today's hike along the parks trails we may
see all four of Costa Rica's monkey species (Squirrel, Howler, White-faced
Capuchin and Spider monkeys), tamandua (anteater), two and three-toed sloths,
peccary, tapirs (including the endangered Baird's tapir) and of course many
reptiles, insects and amphibians. Puma and jaguar are known in this area but
very difficult to see. With over 500 tree species, the bird count stands at
an impressive 365 and the park protects the largest population of Scarlet
macaws in the country, which can frequently be seen and heard flying
overhead.
Accommodation: Drake Bay Wilderness Resort (or similar)
*Comfortable Hotel*

Day 13

After breakfast, we board another boat to depart from Drake Bay and return to
Sierpe town. On the way our boat will take a short tour of the huge mangrove
forest that lines the Sierpe River. Delving into the network of tributary
rivers and streams is fascinating and a chance to learn more about the role
of mangroves in the eco-system and the numerous creatures that depend on
them, such as fish, crabs, birds, molluscs and shell fish. In Sierpe town we
transfer to our private minibus and commence our journey to San Jose.
Accommodation: Presidente Hotel or Park Inn (or similar)
*Comfortable Hotel*

Day 14

Today begins with a trip to the Irazu Volcano National Park in the Cartago
province of Costa Rica, located within the Central Mountain Range around a
1.5 hour journey from San Jose. Passing different types of vegetation from
coffee plantations to ferns, we'll drive towards the summit and then follow a
path that leads to a wonderful view across the huge crater, overlooking the
mystical green lagoon and jagged rocks. Irazu is one of Costa Rica's most
active volcanoes, though it has recently entered a dormant phase which has
brought great relief to the farmers and property owners who make their living
on its fertile slopes. On a clear day, both the Caribbean and Pacific
coastlines can be seen from the summit. Remember to bring a jacket as it can
be windy and cold at the viewpoint of this elevation (Irazu summit is
3,432m).  

Following this we continue to the city of Cartago with its famous Basilica,
and the Orosi Valley, an area of natural beauty. After lunch in one of the
many traditional restaurants, we join the Orosi Coffee tour to learn about
the ancient techniques used to produce some of the best coffee in the world!
This involves understanding the cultivation, harvesting and roasting of
coffee beans, before you have a chance to savour the end product yourself.
Afterwards we return to San Jose for our last night of the holiday. 

Accommodation: Presidente Hotel or Park Inn (or similar)
*Comfortable Hotel*

Day 15

Our adventure comes to an end today after breakfast and it's time to bid
Costa Rica and the rest of the group goodbye. Free transfers to San Jose
airport are available to all clients today.
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Day 16

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