Costa Rica is considered by many to be the birth place of what we know as ‘ecotourism’.  Loose as this term may be, nature and wildlife are duly recognised as national assets and are consequently better protected here than in most countries you will ever visit.  That is not to say the country is without serious environmental threats; but what it does mean is that Costa Rica has one of the best networks of protected wilderness areas where wildlife reaches intensities that are difficult to match.

One of the country’s most unique assets are large sections of the coastal habitat that remain intact and protected.  On the Pacific coast the best of these is the Corcovado National Park on the Osa Peninsula.  Aqua-Firma has explored the globe far and wide looking for pristine coastal rainforest habitats and nowhere is more special or more intense with wildlife than the Osa.

17 kilometres from the coast, close to Osa’s northern Drake’s Bay, is the Caño Island Biological Reserve.  Here you will find some of the country’s best marine life, both at the surface and below it.  Dolphins are a regular sight, but you may also be lucky enough to see Humpback Whales, Olive Ridley turtles or even a Manta Ray breaching.  The coral reefs and steep drop-offs provide excellent snorkelling and diving with some huge shoals of fish and pelagic visitors such as sharks and barracudas.

On the Caribbean coast you can explore a vast network of natural and man-made waterways within the Tortuguero National Park.  Tortuguero is famous not only for its abundant forest life, but the hundreds of Green Turtles that visit its beaches each year to lay their eggs.  This is the most important nesting site for these turtles in the Western Hemisphere.

For a unique insight into wildlife and conservation on the Caribbean coast, Aqua-Firma has teamed up with the Endangered Wildlife Trust and Rainforest Concern to provide privileged access to a rainforest and Giant Leatherback Turtle conservation project.  These are the World's largest turtles.  Whilst Tortuguero is the best place to see Green Turtles, Pacuare is one of the best to see Leatherbacks, as well as an abundance of monkeys, 'poison arrow' frogs, and rare avian visitors such as the Boat Billed Heron and the Agami Heron.

Aqua-Firma can offer you tailor made experiences throughout the best wilderness and wildlife havens that Costa Rica has to offer, and experience its coastline and rivers in some of the most calm or exciting ways.  This is a small country so it is relatively easy to combine your trip with the best of its less visited neighbours, Nicaragua and Panama.

Tailor Made Costa Rica, Panama and Nicaragua (including Birding):-

Call us to discuss your own tailor made itinerary to explore the best of Costa Rica including the Osa Peninsula, Tortuguero, the Brauillo Carillo National Reserve, La Selva Research Station, Monteverde for the Resplendent Queztal, Arenal Volcano, La Amistad Biosphere Reserve, Manuel Antonio NP, the Talamanca Highlands, the Rios Sarapiqui and Pacuare and more. 

Wilderness Lodge, Kayak & Rafting Safaris in Costa Rica and Nicaragua

Opportunities abound in Costa Rica and Nicaragua to get close to nature by paddle.  The possibilities and costs are so diverse that it is difficult to recommend a one size fits all recommendation, so we prefer to discuss your interests first.  Opportunities range from rafting the Class IV rapids through the forests of the Rio Pacuare; to kayaking based out of Nicaragua’s premier adventure lodge in the 2,500 km² Indio-Maíz Biosphere Reserve.