Costa Rica has a huge amount to offer in terms of marine life and terrestrial wildlife, volcanic scenery and opportunities to experience lowland and highland rainforest. The main focus of this trip is the Corcovado National Park once described by National Geographic magazine as '… the most wildlife intense place on Earth'.
The Diving
The diving highlight is Caño Island Biological Reserve which one of the easiest places in the world to see dolphins - something which is an almost daily affair in travelling out to the island. Humpback whales are also a regular sight since both northern and southern Pacific populations migrate through, extending the period over which they are likely to be seen.
Sharks such as white tips are a common sight, in amongst some very large shoals of fish which are protected within a 5,800 hectare marine reserve. Barracuda and manta rays can make an appearance, with the latter sometimes seen breaching. Marine turtles usually come in the form of olive ridleys, whose conservation we support through donations to the Corcovado Foundation with every visitor we send to the park.
Lowland Rainforests
Above the water, our charitable support goes towards anti-poaching patrols. These patrols have been vital in maintaining the Corcovado National Park as one of the best places in Latin America to see rainforest wildlife. There is a wonderful fusion along this coastline of terrestrial and marine. Mammals such as coatis are regularly seen on the beach in search of food. White faced capuchin monkeys, Central America's most intelligent and opportunistic monkey, are also sometimes seen close to the sand, and more rare visits are made by large tapir. Crocodiles are often seen at river mouths and small bull sharks sometimes swim in and out on the tide.
Caribbean Mountain Rainforests
From the Pacific coast you will fly back to San Jose and then to a mountain rainforest location in the Tilaran Mountains just over half way between San Jose and Arenal Volcano. Here you will stay at 500 metres elevation in Caribbean facing forests where bird species include ground birds such as the crested guan and the great curassow, as well as the attractive ornate hawk eagle and violaceous trogon.
Poas Volcano
On your first full day in Costa Rica, we will take you to see the famous Poas volcano (2644m) which is one of the most active in Latin America having erupted some 40 times since the mid 1800s. An earthquake in the area at the end of 2008 has prevented us from visiting the area for a few months this year, so we continue to monitor the situation in case we need to provide an alternative day trip destination.
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Photographs kindly provided by Natalia Lizano, the La Selva Research Station, ICT, Ralph Pannell, Endangered Wildlife Trust, Rainforest Concern
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Dive live a board – volcano – SCUBA diving – Costa Rica dive holiday – Pacific island – Cloud forest – Corcovado sloth – Humpback whale breaching – Manta rays and whale sharks – Golden cow nose rays – underwater photography - Wildlife & Conservation - Responsible Travel - Explore - Dive - Wildlife - Holiday - Tour - Journey - Adventure Travel - Scuba Diving
Prices:
9 days May & Jun / Sep & Oct 2010:- £1195 / $1910 pp sharing in triple Add £100 / $160 pp for a twin / double room
Single supplements Two people in single rooms add £200 / $320 pp to the twin / double price Single traveller add £485 / $775 to the triple share price
Jan - Apr / July & Aug 2010 seasonal supplements: Triple share add £65 / $105 pp Twin share add £95 / $150 pp Two people in single rooms add £95 / $150 pp Single traveller add £80 / $125
Prices and timings exclude international flights (from £650 incl. taxes ex-UK)
Prices include All accommodation All transfers including domestic flights Diving as specified Meals as specified in itineraries (B=breakfast, L=lunch, D=dinner) Natural history guiding as specified Activities as specified
Prices exclude international flights and insurance; items of a personal nature; activities not specified; tips; visas.
Activity Level: Medium.
Standard of Accommodation: 3 to 4 star hotels and lodges.
Premium accommodation upgrade in San Jose & the Corcovado - please enquire
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Photographs kindly provided by Natalia Lizano, the La Selva Research Station, ICT, Ralph Pannell, Endangered Wildlife Trust, Rainforest Concern
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Dive live a board – volcano – SCUBA diving – Costa Rica dive holiday – Pacific island – Cloud forest – Corcovado sloth – Humpback whale breaching – Manta rays and whale sharks – Golden cow nose rays – underwater photography - Wildlife & Conservation - Responsible Travel - Explore - Dive - Wildlife - Holiday - Tour - Journey - Adventure Travel - Scuba Diving
Day 1 Arrive San Jose where you will be met and transferred privately to the El Presidente Hotel in San Jose's Central Plaza.
Day 2 (B) You will be collected from your hotel early and taken to see the Poas Volcano. Overnight in San Jose.
Day 3 (B,L,D) You will be collected from your hotel and transferred privately to the airport. Fly San Jose to Palmar Sur or Drake Bay. You will be met off the plane and transferred by land / river /sea to your jungle lodge.
Days 4 & 5 (B,L,D) 2 days of 2 dives each at Caño Island Biological Reserve.
Day 6 (B,L,D) Guided exploration of the Corcovado National Park.
Day 7 (B) After breakfast at your lodge in the Osa Peninsula you will be taken to the airstrip and flown back to San Jose. Here you will be met and driven north to the Tilaran Highland and your mountain forest lodge.
Day 8 (B) Guided exploration of the Tilaran rainforests.
Day 9 (B) You will be transferred privately to San Jose international airport for your flight home.
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Photographs kindly provided by Natalia Lizano, the La Selva Research Station, ICT, Ralph Pannell, Endangered Wildlife Trust, Rainforest Concern
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Dive live a board – volcano – SCUBA diving – Costa Rica dive holiday – Pacific island – Cloud forest – Corcovado sloth – Humpback whale breaching – Manta rays and whale sharks – Golden cow nose rays – underwater photography - Wildlife & Conservation - Responsible Travel - Explore - Dive - Wildlife - Holiday - Tour - Journey - Adventure Travel - Scuba Diving
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