Nature and Wildlife of the Pacific Coast

Welcome to Costa Rica! One of the most diverse countries on Earth!

At your arrival your driver & guide will be waiting for you at the entrance of the airport to drive you to your hotel.

Depending on your arrival time you may have the chance to visit the Central Market and start getting to know the Costa Rican culture.

Overnight at Rosa del Paseo or similar.

Included: Transfer from airport, guided central market visit & lodging.

Today you continue your way down to the Pacific Coast. The First stop will be at Carara National Park, which in the Huetar indigenous language means "River of crocodiles", has the only transitional forest of the Central Pacific, which translates into diversity of flora and fauna, where species of dry and humid forests converge. It is a world-renowned ornithological destination because it has very diverse avifauna, where the Red Macaw (Ara macao) stands out, a specie that is in danger of extinction, being the second largest Psittacidae species in Costa Rica.

From here you continue to Manuel Antonio, our base for the following days.

Overnight at Karahe or similar.

Included: Breakfast, rental car, Entrance & guided tour in Carara & lodging.

After breakfast you will drive from Manuel Antonio to Los Campesinos. A project, run by the community Quebrada Arroyo with focus on sustainable tourism. This little village can be found just 25km east of the famous Manuel Antonio beaches. A really impressive suspension bridge across a canyon with a length of over 200m. Part of this property is a 35hectar large primary and secondary forest where hiking is one of the most popular attractions. Down near the waterfall, a refreshing bath is always welcome too.

You will walk to the Mirador del Sendero del Pacífico (2.5 hours). You can swim in the beautiful natural pools, after crossing the suspension bridge 40 m high and 127 m long, which offers magnificent views of the Los Chorros waterfall.

After lunch drive back to Manuel Antonio.

Overnight at Karahe Ecolodge

Included: Breakfast, rental car, Los Campesinos visit, lunch & lodging.

After breakfast you will visit Manuel Antonio National Park. The magic of the beach and the greenery of the forest come together in one place, and the result is a natural paradise. In addition to beaches, the Park offers a very humid tropical forest where species of flora and fauna in danger of extinction coexist, a mangrove, marine environments, islands and a lagoon of 14 hectares. This park has great richness of flora and fauna. Approximately 352 species of birds, 109 species of mammals, varied marine fauna and 346 species of plants have been recorded. Among the most outstanding fauna species you can see the titi monkey (emblem species), the white face monkey, congo monkey, the 2 and 3 toed sloth, the raccoon, the coatis, birds like the tucancillo and many other species.

Overnight at Karahe or similar.

Included: Breakfast, rental car, Manuel Antonio entrance and guided tour & lodging.

Early morning you will drive towards the Osa Peninsula, specifically to Rincon, a small town in the South Pacific. El Chontal is a small Ecolodge, owned and operated by a local family of four. Doña Azucena, the chef-owner, her husband Don Jorge, and their sons Eric and David. Eric manages the property together with his father while marine biologist David focuses on keeping track of the Gulf’s dolphin population and monitoring the state of their habitat by means of amphibian biological indicators.

Overnight & dinner at El Chontal.

Included: Breakfast, rental car, lunch, dinner & lodging.

Today after breakfast you will be helping David and the Cetacean Research Center of Costa Rica monitoring the dolphin population at the Golfo Dulce. It is one of the most important locations for cetacean reproduction. You will be on a boat into the Golfo Dulce looking for dolphins and writing that information into a binnacle.

During the afternoon you will have time to relax, visit the beach or any other activity available in the area.

Overnight & dinner at El Chontal.

Included: breakfast, rental car, lunch, boat research experience, dinner & lodging.

Today after breakfast you will have a hike into the humid forest of the biodiverse Osa. Having the chance to monitor the amphibian population. During the afternoon you will have time to relax, visit the beach or any other activity available in the area.

After dinner you will receive a final presentation in which you will be able to see the results of the monitoring you have help done in the past days.

Overnight & dinner at El Chontal.

Included: breakfast, rental car, lunch, guided hike, dinner & lodging.

Early morning you will start the hiking adventure of the last part of your trip!

The Corcovado National Park preserves the last portion of the Tropical Humid Forest of the Mesoamerican Pacific. Its location, its climatic characteristics, the capricious condition of its soils and its topography, make this site the home of an amazing diversity of biological species. The hike starts at the entrance of the park into Los Patos Station for about 2 hours and from there you will continue to Sirena Station (the deepest ranger station into the National Park).

Overnight & dinner at Sirena Station.

Included: Breakfast, transportation to starting point, Specialist Corcovado guide, lunch, dinner & lodging.

Today you will continue to explore the trails around the Sirena Station.

At 5:00 am you will go to the mouth of the Sirena river to live a different and unforgettable dawn, between the sweet song of the birds and the relaxing sound of the sea, besides being able to see how the river ends in the sea. You return to the station. After breakfast you set out to walk the paths, Espaveles and Sirena, at the end of the route of these trails. During the afternoon you will go along the Rio Claro trail and here you will go through a "natural pool" where you can take a refreshing dip, after you head towards the Naranjos trail.

Overnight: Sirena Station.

Included: Breakfast, Specialist Corcovado guide, lunch, dinner & lodging.

**hike into Sirena not available during September and October due to heavy rains

After breakfast you will travel back towards Puerto Jimenez town.

During the afternoon free time to relax or enjoy the beach.

Overnight Cabinas Marcelina or similar.

Included: Breakfast, rental car & lodging.

After breakfast start the drive back to the Central Valley. Enjoy the scenery and different landscapes on the way.

Overnight Rosa de America or similar.

Included: Breakfast, rental car & lodging.

After breakfast you will drive back to the international airport. We hope you leave the country with a new perspective on how ecological & cultural tourism help to protect the environment and the culture of local communities.

Included: Breakfast & transfer to the airport.

Included

• 1 Night at Rosa del Paseo, standard room

• 1 night at Rosa de America, standard room

• 3 nights Karahe, villa rooms

• 3 nights El Chontal

• 2 Nights Sirena Station

• 1 Night at Cabinas Marcelina

• Rental Car from day 2 to 12 (4 x 4 Automatic, basic insurance & GPS)

• Corcovado Specialized guide from day 8 to 10

• Meals as Specified in itinerary

• Carara Entrance & Guided Tour

• Los Campesinos guided Visit

• Manuel Antonio Nat Park entrance & Guided Tour

• Dolphin & Amphibian Monitoring

Not Included

• Tips

• Personal and / or medical expenses

• International flights

• Optional Activities or tours

• Meals not specified in the program

Accommodations can be adjusted to match your style! Here's more info on the specific lodges included in this example itinerary:

Rosa del paseo- standard rooms- located in the heart of the Costa Rican capital. In one of the last remaining Victorian homes in Costa Rica. Build in 1910 by wealthy coffee farmers, Preserving the enchanting style of this old mansion, were the magic of our history is preserved in a modern-day family hotel.

Rosa de America - standard rooms, private bathroom and hot shower, some with walk-in closet, ceiling fan, cable TV, clock/radio, very comfortable beds, gorgeous hardwood furniture, room safe (in most rooms), covered patios, WIFI, and access to all the hotel’s amenities.

Karahe, villas- have two full size beds, mini fridge, bathroom, air conditioning and a terrace in front. They are located 70 steps from our front desk and have a unique and panoramic view of the beach and mountains. Because of their location, these villas are not recommended for small children or older people.

El Chontal, cabins- El Chontal’s cabins are literally carved out from the surrounding mangrove forest, using fallen trees and sustainable wood species. Their rustic and unique architecture is rich in design and ingenuity and favors ventilation. The cabins are spotlessly clean and well kept. Beds are firm and comfortable, bathrooms impeccable. At night, a cool breeze and rich jungle sounds from the surrounding forest enter the room.

All cabins include: private bathroom, towels, fan, daily cleaning

Sirena Station, shared rooms and bathrooms at National Park station.

Cabinas Marcelina, standard- located at the center of Puerto Jimenez town. Private rooms with private bathroom, cable tv and AC.