Costa Rica Wildlife

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When You Sign Up By July 31, 2009—See Details Below!

Nature is at its most bountiful in the tropics, and in lush Costa Rica, huge swaths of the ecosystem have been protected in parks and reserves that are now world-famous. With our expert naturalist guide, we explore Costa Rica on hikes in Monteverde Cloud Forest, with its distinct ecological communities, and at Arenal, a towering volcano with glowing red lava flows and inviting thermal springs. At Tortuguero National Park, we travel by boat in a vivid green mosaic of Caribbean waterways with a fantastic array of wildlife. Our trip extension visits Corcovado National Park, a magnificent rainforest with glorious beaches on the Pacific Coast. Delightful nature lodges keep us comfortable and well fed as we explore and appreciate the biological wonderland of the tropics.

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Days 1-4
Monteverde Cloud Forest

One of the most outstanding wildlife sanctuaries in the New World tropics, Monteverde Cloud Forest is home to more than 400 species of birds and over 1,500 plant species. From our lodge at 4,600 feet in the Tilarán Mountains, we walk trails through forests draped in orchids and bromeliads. With luck, we may see the resplendent quetzal, sacred bird of the Mayas and Aztecs, with its long, trailing plumes of iridescent green. Our Trip Leader’s extraordinary depth of knowledge of wildlife, ecology, and ethnobotany brings this tropical realm to life for us as we explore.

Day 5
Arenal Volcano

A scenic journey by 4WD and boat brings us to the lush San Carlos Valley, where towering Arenal Volcano dominates the landscape. A perfect cone shape emerging 5,300 feet from gentle green hills, Arenal first became active in 1968 when it erupted spectacularly. We walk “hanging” bridges suspended high up in the forest for stunning Arenal views. Tonight we enjoy an optional soak in some beautiful hot springs. Our lodge has private balconies with eye-popping views of Arenal.

Days 6-7
Tortuguero National Park

A natural wonderland of coastal forest and inland waterways, Tortuguero can only be accessed by water or air. We explore by boat along the park‘s rivers and canals. Thirteen of Costa Rica’s 16 endangered mammal species make their home in the tranquil Caribbean deltas of Tortuguero, and green, leatherback, hawksbill, and loggerhead turtles nest here (we visit the turtle research station). Three species of monkey (spider, howler, and white-faced), three-toed sloths, and river otters are often seen along the inland canals, and more than 320 species of birds have been recorded here, including three species of toucans and eight species of parrots. Our base is lovely Tortuga Lodge, with its lush gardens and riverside pool. The lodge is set on 50 acres of private land.

Days 8-9
San Jose

Return to San Jose in the afternoon and depart on Day 9, or join our Corcovado Extension.

Corcovado Extension
Days 9-11

One of the most incredible rainforest reserves in the Americas, Corcovado National Park preserves a wild and scenic stretch of the Pacific. From a safari-style tented lodge, view wildlife from a treetop platform in the magical forest canopy.

Please call us or download the Full Trip Brochure for more information about our extensions