Costa Rica Wildlife Trail 
Featuring:  Corcovado National Park, Caño Island Biological Reserve,
Manuel Antonio and Carara National Parks

10 Days / 9 Nights

This is a great tour of some of Costa Rica's popular National Parks, and is designed to
experience a diverse range of the country's wildlife -- from reptiles
to mammals -- from marine life to birds -- as well as its extensive flora.
This itinerary is appropriate for any time of the year.

Sample Group Itinerary 

Day 1  -  U.S. to Costa Rica
Today we depart the U.S. and fly to San José, Costa Rica.  On arrival in San José, we are met and transferred to our hotel, located only a short distance from the capital city, in the heart of the Central Valley, amid a breathtaking backdrop of lush green meadows, and surrounded by beautiful mountains.  Hotel Herradura.

Day 2  -  San José  -  Turrialba  -  Savegre
After breakfast, we leave San Jose this morning on a leisurely drive to Savegre.  Along the way, we'll make a short visit to Tapanti National Park, a lush reserve covering 18 square miles, and home to over 400 species of birds.  Lunch en route.  Late afternoon arrival at Savegre, home to the mystic Quetzal.  Dinner and overnight.  Trogon Lodge.  (B,L,D)

Day 3  -  Savegre  -  Corcovado National Park
Early this morning, before breakfast, we venture into the woods in search of the legendary plumed serpent, the Quetzal.  A carrier of cosmic energies to the ancient Mayan civilization, the Quetzal is renowned for its beautiful chanting, but more so for its long colorful tail which sprung the comparison to snakes so long ago.   After breakfast, we depart for Corcovado. Corcovado is a National Park, and the last virgin rainforest remaining on the Pacific coast.   Home to a myriad of wild life species, it is an area renowned for Jaguar sightings, a large variety of snakes, insects, birds, and small mammals such as the White-Nosed Coati (also know as the Pizote) as well as diverse felines.   Our van will leave us in Palmar.   From there we will board a boat, and navigate through the mangroves, finally ending in the open sea and docking at our hotel, where we will stay for 3 nights.  Casa Corcovado Hotel.  (B, L, D)

Day 4  -  Corcovado National Park
As the morning hours here are the best to observe wildlife, we head into the lush tropical forest of Corcovado.  Sloths, Felines, Monkeys, Parrots, and Parrot-Snakes are only some of the local fauna that may greet us while we tread through shallow creeks, up hills, through old hollow trees and vines of all sorts.  Mosquito repellent is a must!!  Once back at the hotel we will enjoy a heart-filling traditional Costa Rican lunch.  The afternoon is free to enjoy the beaches of pearly sand and warm water.  Casa Corcovado Hotel.  (B, L, D)

Day 5  -  Caño Island Biological Reserve  -  Corcovado National Park
Today we leave the mainland on a small boat headed for the Caño Island Biological Reserve, approximately a 1½- hour trip from our hotel.  The island is home to a surrounding perimeter of coral reefs, which we may explore donning snorkeling equipment.  Dolphins, whales, sharks, and octopi offer a wet welcome and a spectacular show not to be missed!  At mid-day we disembark upon the island to enjoy a cold picnic lunch, under the shade of palm trees, before heading back to our hotel.  In the afternoon we’ll have the opportunity to venture once more into the forest to catch a final glimpse of the Park’s fauna.  Casa Corcovado Hotel.  (B, BL, D)

Day 6  -  Corcovado National Park  -  Manuel Antonio
Today, as we reluctantly leave this tropical paradise, yet another jewel awaits us… again on the Pacific coast.  We’ll travel by land, following the coastline northwards, to reach Manuel Antonio, located in the Central Pacific region.  The hotel we’ll be staying at for the next two nights is located on Punta Quepos, in the most pristine and tranquil area of Manuel Antonio, yet only minutes from the world-famous Manuel Antonio National Park, the small sports fishing town of Quepos, and the local airport.  Its elegant Mediterranean – style architecture, modeled after the Traditional Spanish Paradores, and quaint European "boutique hotels," has made the resort one of a kind.  The entire Parador experience is limitless…. wildlife, tropical gardens, boundless pools, expansive views, excellent service, delicious meals, relaxing massages, romantic settings, and much more!  Hotel Parador Boutique Resort & Spa.  (B,D)

Day 7  -  Manuel Antonio National Park
Today we have the opportunity to visit Manuel Antonio National Park, declared a national park in 1972, it is the natural habitat of species such as the endangered Squirrel Monkey (endemic to the area), White-Faced Capuchin Monkey, Raccoons, Three- and Two-Toed Sloths, White-Nosed Coatis, Brown Pelicans, Black-Collared Hawks and Green Kingfishers.  They share the space with primary and secondary forests, bursting with cedars, bully trees, black locusts and silk cotton trees.  A mangrove swamp covers about 44½ acres, adding to the biodiversity of the region. Three different species:  red mangrove, buttonwood mangrove and white mangrove – abound. It also sports small white sand beaches in small coves which heighten the impression of privacy, ideal for relaxing in the sun or playing in the waves.  A word to the wise: be mindful of the White-Faced Monkeys, they tend to toy with unsupervised belongings…  Hotel Parador Boutique Resort & Spa.   (B)

Day 8  -  Carara National Park
Our final destination, before returning to San José, will be the Carara National Park.  The northernmost region of Pacific rainforest remaining in Costa Rica, Carara is also the beginning of the transition zone into the tropical dry forests of the northwest.  Carara is a favorite with bird watchers for several reasons besides its ease of access.  First, its position in a transition zone means that residents of both habitats are likely to appear. Second, the Río Grande de Tárcoles has free flowing sections and its waters seep into seasonal marshlands.  Here, large and numerous crocodiles come to take in the sun, and a shallow oxbow lake, covered with hyacinths, further expands the number of local habitats.  Finally, because it is slightly dryer, and not all of the trees are evergreen, Carara is more open than the rainforests further south, making wildlife spotting easier.  In the afternoon, we finally make our way back to San Jose. Hotel Herradura.  (B)

Day 9  -  San José
On this last day in Costa Rica, we take time this morning to tour the capital city, as it offers a very educational contrast to the landscapes and ways of life we will have seen so far.  We’ll visit the very heart of the capital, stopping by several museums and theaters, as well as market places and cathedrals, and we’ll walk along Central Avenue, witnessing the people going about their daily business while surrounded by music, vendors, smells of coffee, food, and sunshine… or perhaps rain?  A special farewell dinner is planned for this evening.  Hotel Herradura.  (B,D)

Day 10  -  Costa Rica to U.S.
Our Costa Rica journey comes to an end this morning as we transfer back to the airport for our flight back to the U.S.  Arrival back at our hometown airport this evening, full of memories of Costa Rica and its wildlife!  (B)