9-Day Costa Rica Wildlife In Depth
For travelers seeking classic Costa Rican wildlife, tasteful accommodations, plus diverse activities and experiences, this trip is a perfect getaway to Costa Rica. You can start this trip any day, and it's an excellent year-round choice, except between September through early November, when the rainy season peaks.
After a night in inviting San Jose, fly to lush Corcovado, where you'll stay on the coast and explore Central America's most biodiverse rainforest. You'll fly back to San Jose, and travel overland to Arenal Volcano, Costa Rica's most famous landmark and the nation's adventure capital.
From there, you'll head to the lowland Caribbean coast at Tortuguero National Park, famous for nesting sea turtles but simply outstanding year-round for a wild range of biodiversity - amphibians like red-eyed tree frogs, reptiles like the Jesus Christ lizard, colorful birds galore, rare mammals including wild cats, plentiful butterflies, and more. After your time here, you return to San Jose and depart for home or extend your trip and add a few nights on the beach in nearby Puerto Viejo/Cahuita, a wonderful option for those with a little more time available.
Full Itinerary
Day 1: Arrive San Jose, transfer, and overnight
Welcome to sunny Costa Rica! Arrive San Jose (SJO) anytime today. After immigration and customs, you will depart the terminal and look for your private driver. The agent will welcome you and transfer you to your hotel in central San Jose for overnight.
Meals included: n/a
Mid-Range Accommodations: Hotel El Presidente
Day 2: Scenic flight to Corcovado on the Southern Pacific Coast (B)
This morning, transfer to San Jose's domestic airport and take a light air flight to Puerto Jimenez situated on the southern Pacific coast and the gateway to Corcovado. Here you are met, and driven by 4x4 to Karate, where local staff from La Leona Lodge will be waiting for you. They'll help carry your luggage and as you walk along the beach until you reach lodge. Check-in and enjoy the surroundings and facilities of the hotel.
La Leona Eco Lodge borders Corcovado National Park, where the lush Pacific lowland rainforest meets the ocean. Corcovado is widely considered one of the most biodiverse areas in the world. La Leona is situated right on the coast. The lodge is proud of its sustainable practices and environmentally responsible operation which has helped the forest remain pristine. The lodge's tent-cabins are designed to create a unique experience. Accommodations are surrounded by magical scenic views, guests can wake up to fresh ocean breezes, immersed in raw Costa Rican rainforest and experience the most amazing sunsets in the country.
Meals included: Breakfast
Budget Accommodations: La Leona Lodge
Day 3: Corcovado National Park wildlife hike (B)
Good morning Corcovado! Breakfast at the hotel and then join your local guide this morning on a wildlife hike in Corcovado National Park. Free afternoon to enjoy the coastline and rainforest around the lodge. Lunch and dinner at the lodge.
An option at the lodge, highly recommended, is a guided night walk to discover the local nocturnal wildlife - we often see fascinating insects, amphibians, reptiles, and more. Another possibility is - if you get lucky, and some sea turtles are nesting nearby - is hire one of the lodge guide's to take you on a night beach walk. The Osa Peninsula is home to black sea turtles, a relative of the green sea turtle, which nest sporadically around the year.
Meals included: Breakfast, Dinner
Budget Accommodations: La Leona Lodge
Day 4: Fly Corcovado to Arenal, evening hot springs (B)
Breakfast at the hotel, then say good bye to the Pacific Coast. Walk along the beach back to Karate, hop in the 4x4 waiting for you and transfer to Puerto Jimenez Airstrip. Take a light air flight to San José, where a private van and driver is waiting for you to drive you to famous Arenal Volcano, Costa Rica adventure hub. Enjoy the balance of the afternoon and evening at the hotel, which is home to hot springs and spectacular views of the volcano.
Meals included: Breakfast
Mid-Range Accommodations: Arenal Manoa
Day 5: Free Day Arenal Volcano (B)
Breakfast at the hotel, then enjoy a full day free at leisure, to enjoy the views and facilities of the hotel or book an optional 1/2 day tour or two. Let us know what you'd prefer to do and we'll help get it set up. We include round trip (hotel back to hotel) transportation with the activity. Feel free to contact us for more information. Options include:
- 1/2 day canyoning
- 1/2 day Sky Trek zipline
- Full day whitewater rafting
- 1/2 day Horse riding
- 1/2 day Arenal hanging Bridges guided naturalist walk
- 1/2 day Arenal Volcano National Park guided hike
- 1/2 day Penas Blancas safari float
Meals included: Breakfast
Mid-Range Accommodations: Arenal Manoa
Day 6: Drive/Boat from Arenal to Tortuguero, afternoon village tour (BLD)
This morning, take a private transfer to Guapiles where you'' have a "tipico" (traditional) breakfast in a local restaurant. From here, continue by land and boat to Tortuguero, the "Amazon of Central America." Lunch at the lodge. In the afternoon, join a local guide and visit Tortuguero village. Dinner at the hotel.
*** If traveling between July-October, plan to hire a local guide (inexpensive) for a night walk on the beach to witness the nesting sea turtles - it's unfortgetable.
Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Mid-Range Accommodations: Aninga Lodge (Tortuguero)
Day 7: Tortuguero National Park - Boat Tour (BLD)
This morning, enjoy a fantastic Tortuguero Canals boat tour (entrance fee included) this morning to search for the resident wildlife in the park. The "Amazon of Central America," here one may see Spectacled Caiman, Southern River Otters, river turtles, the Jesus Christ lizard, Spider, Howler and Capuchin Monkeys, plus dozens of bird species, butterflies, and more. Rarer animals include manatees and jaguars.
Return for lunch at the lodge. This afternoon, enjoy some time at leisure, relaxing by the pool, bird-watching on the grounds, or taking a kayak out for a spin. . Dinner included tonight.
Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Mid-Range Accommodations: Aninga Lodge (Tortuguero)
Day 8: Drive Tortuguero to San Jose (B)
Breakfast at the lodge. Afterwards, travel to Guapiles by boat. From there, continue by van back to San Jose. Enjoy a free afternoon to wander and discover the inviting San Jose downtown, home to the National Theater, several large plazas, and a pedestrian open air mall.
Meals included: Breakfast
Mid-Range Accommodations: Hotel El Presidente
Day 9: Depart San Jose (B)
After breakfast, transfer to the San Jose airport, and depart. Adios Costa Rica!
*** Optional beach extension: For travelers with more time available, you could consider extending your trip by 2-3 nights and enjoy some beach time around Caribbean-flavored Puerto Viejo and wildlife-rich Cahuita National Park. This area is close to Tortuguero. If you choose to add a few nights on the beach, on Day 8, instead of traveling back to San Jose, we can arrange transportation to Puerto Viejo. At the end of your beach stay, we can arrange for your return to San Jose.
Meals included: Breakfast
Pricing
9-Day Costa Rica Wildlife In Depthfrom $2295 USD
*** Contact Us for other itinerary and lodging options! ***
NOTE: Prices are per person in U.S. dollars based on double/triple occupancy. All quotations are based on the current rates of park fees, VAT, other government taxes, and current exchange rates. Should any of these be increased or a new tax introduced, these increases will be added on even if your trip has already been paid for.
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