• Bird, Costa Rica
  • Bird, Costa Rica

Itinerary Summary

Duration
14 Days
Price
£7000
When
Jul-Mar
Destination
Costa Rica
Type
Tailor-Made
Duration Price When Destination Type
14 Days £7000 Jul-Mar Costa Rica Tailor-Made
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Costa Rica Ultimate Wildlife Adventure

The ultimate wildlife journey through the jungle of Costa Rica, exploring the tropical Tortuguero, Monteverde, and Playa Cativo in one of the most bio-diverse countries on Earth.

Costa Rica has long been one of the leading lights in adventure eco-tourism and is a great location for an action-packed wildlife adventure. This 14- day journey combines spectacular national parks, skywalks in Costa Rica's Cloud Forest, reserves, and the stunning coastline of the Gulfo Dulce. With lodges nestled deep in tropical rainforests the flora and fauna is bountiful; observe monkeys and sloths in the treetops, as well as macaws and other exotic birds, this is ecotourism at its best.

What makes this trip extraordinary

  • Explore tropical Tortuguero: home to tapirs, jaguars, monkeys, sloths and more
  • Search for wildlife in one of the most biodiverse countries on Earth.
  • Enjoy Monteverde, home to toucans, coatis and Costa Rica’s famous Cloud Forest
  • Enjoy Free time exploring and relaxing at Playa Cativo

Embedded Video Overview

An 14-day wildlife adventure exploring the highlights of Costa Rica from $8,190 per person, excluding international flights

Day by day

Day by day

Day 1

Arrive San Jose

On arrival in San Jose , you will be met by our local representatives and transferred to your accommodation where you can relax, recuperate from your flight and look forward to your imminent adventures.

Overnight: Grano de Oro

Day 2

San Jose - Pacuare Lodge

Today you are met and taken in a shared and transfer to your next lodge, nestled in the tropical rainforest. On arrival, check in and then the afternoon is free for you to relax and explore at your leisure.

Overnight: Pacuare Lodge (B, L, D)

Days 3-4

Pacuare River

Awake to the soothing sounds of the jungle and nearby river giving you a real sense of being at one with nature., this is what your lodge is all about. These next 2 days, you can choose an included guided hike to a nearby waterfall all the while learning about the abundant wildlife of the rainforest, or just keep it relaxed and take a dip in the pool. There are also numerous activities to book directly at the lodge: from hikes, to rafting or bird-watching tours. Whatever you decide, your time on the banks of the Pacuare river will be one to remember.

Overnight: Pacuare Lodge (B, L, D)

Day 5

Pacuare River - Tortuguero National Park

Today you are picked from the lodge and transferred to Tortuguero National Park, driving through the spectacular Braulio Carrillo National Park along the way. A two-hour boat ride through the canals will take you to your lodge. Settle in and enjoy the lush gardens. Why not sip on a fresh fruit juice overlooking the river? Be on the lookout for wildlife as toucans, sloths, iguanas and various monkeys can be often be seen directly from the gardens.

Overnight: Tortuga Lodge (B, L, D)

Day 6

Tortuguero National Park by Boat

Located on a sandy spit that juts into the Caribbean Sea, Tortuguero is laced with canals and waterways running through pristine rainforest which makes up one of the most secluded national parks in Costa Rica. Since there are no cars on Tortuguero, a relaxing boat ride on Rio Torutguero is an ideal way take in the vast biodiversity of this national park which covers 66,000 acres. Lush jungle foliage lines the riverbanks where you might be able to see spider, howler and capuchin monkeys. As well as other wildlife such as migrant birds, sloths, crocodiles, caimans, river turtles, basilisk lizards and iguanas. Elusive jaguars also live in the area, so you might be treated to a sighting on your lucky day! After this private 3 hour outing, you will be dropped off back at your lodge or at the village, and the rest of the day is at your leisure.

Overnight: Tortuga Lodge (B, L, D)

Day 7

Tortuguero free day

Today is free for you to explore the wildlife-rich Tortuguero region, in the northeast Atlantic area of Costa Rica. Tortuguero is one of Costa Rica's best-known national parks, and not without good reason. Besides protecting a 22-mile stretch of idyllic beach that is one of the largest and one of the continent`s most important green turtle nesting grounds (July to September), it also serves as a refuge for other turtles, such as leatherbacks, and hawkbills. Tortuguero`s surrounding network of rainforest and canals are also home to manatees, crocodiles, tapirs, elusive jaguars, monkeys, and sloths - a true tropical wildlife haven. The rainforest behind your lodge can be explored on foot thanks to dedicated trails, so grab a pair of boots (provided) and let your sense of adventure guide you for a leisurely stroll.

Overnight: Tortuga Lodge (B, L, D)

Day 8

Tortuguero - Monteverde

This morning you will picked up from your lodge and transferred by boat to the airstrip – a 2 minute crossing away - for your flight to La Fortuna. Here you will be met by your local guide and transferred by both road and boat across Lake Arenal to your hotel in Monteverde, a scenic 3 hour journey. The remainder of the afternoon is free to spend at your leisure.

Overnight: Hotel Belmar (B)

Day 9

Monteverde Sky Walk

Today you will head out on a fun and educational half day nature walk to the hanging bridges and primary rainforest around the Monteverde Cloud Forest Reserve. Learn more about the Cloud Forest and the local environment and enjoy close contact with nature. While walking along the trails, you will be immersed in the diverse flora and fauna of the region. Your expert guide will help you make the most of possible sightings such as agouti, coati, pit viper, howler monkeys, sloth, poison dart frog and more. Return to your hotel in the afternoon and enjoy the remainder of your day at leisure. Be sure to enjoy the beautiful view from your hotel’s bar and why not enjoy a cocktail as the sun sets on the lush gardens, teeming with birdlife.

Overnight: Hotel Belmar (B)

Day 10

Curi Cancha Reserve

Plan for an early morning visit to maximize sighting wildlife at the enchanting, private Curi-Cancha reserve, which reaches elevations of 1,615 meters/5,300 feet in the Monteverde region. The sanctuary's reservation system controls the number of guests on their well-maintained, easy-to-moderate trails, ensuring
less crowds for a peaceful environment as you explore the 83 hectares/205 acres of land that transitions from dry Pacific forest to misty cloud forest. The reserve is home to a wide variety of birds, including hummingbirds, finches, toucanets, and elusive resplendent quetzals. Mammals such as coatis, agoutis, and white-faced monkeys are often spotted. Exciting wild cats such as puma and ocelot are also known to inhabit the reserve but sightings are very rare. This private guided walk will last around 3 hours but can sometimes run a little longer depending on the amount of wildlife along the trail.

Overnight: Hotel Belmar (B)

Day 11

Monteverde - Playa Cativo

Prepare for a very early departure (a box breakfast can be arranged by your hotel) as you will be met and driven back towards San Jose, a journey of about 3 hours with beautiful views of the Pacific coast as you descend from the cloud forest. You will be left at San Jose's domestic terminal for your short flight to Puerto Jimenez - with a short technical stop in Drake Bay (50 minutes in total). Arriving into Puerto Jimenez, you will be met and taken to the pier for a beautiful 30 minute speedboat transfer across the Gulfo Dulce, until you arriving to your stunning ecolodge, home for the next few days.

Overnight: Playa Cativo Lodge (B)

Days 12-13

Playa Cativo

Spend the next 2 days exploring the stunning jungles and coastline of the Gulfo Dulce. You will spend your days enjoying self-guided activities such as: Nature walks, snorkelling, stand-up paddle boarding and kayaking. This is one of the last remaining untouched swathes of rainforest in Central America and your lodge is the ultimate combination of tasteful luxury and pristine natural beauty.

Overnight: Playa Cativo Lodge (B, L, D)

Day 14

Playa Cativo - San Jose

Today you will be transferred by boat and road to the airport at Puerto Jimenez to catch your flight to San Jose in time for your international flight home.

TRIP DETAILS

ABOUT TAILOR-MADE SAFARIS

A tailor-made safaris is one designed specifically for you, around your taste, budget, people travelling, interests and more. This itinerary is just an example and can be refined and changed to make it perfect for you

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