Costa Rica | Natural History, Birding, and Gardens

Upon arrival at San José International Airport, after clearing customs and collecting your luggage, you will be met and transferred to Selva Verde Lodge and Rainforest Reserve located in tropical lowlands of Sarapiquí. The lodge and reserve protect more than 500 acres of primary and secondary tropical rainforest. Please note that in order to do the group transfer, you will need to arrive in San José by 2:00pm or you will need to pay for a private transfer. After the two hour drive you will arrive at Selva Verde and have time to relax before dinner.

Early this morning, join your guide for an optional bird walk and introduction to the amazing tropical birds of Selva Verde. You'll have the opportunity to spot over 300 species like the Great Tinamou, Gartered Trogon , Keel-billed Toucan, Rufous-tailed Hummingbird, Red-lored Parrot, and Great Green Macaw. After breakfast, take a guided hike in Selva Verde's private reserve. The 500-acre reserve provides a habitat for 398 bird species, 69 species of mammals, 49 amphibian species, 77 reptile species, more than 10,000 species of insects, approximately 1,500 species of orchids, 350 species of trees, and countless plant species. In the afternoon, enjoy a boat ride on the Sarapiquí River, observing life in and along the banks of the river. You'll pass both forested and agricultural lands to observe the activities of the local people and animals whose lives are influenced by the flow of the waters. This evening, take a night walk around the lodge.

After breakfast, visit Arenal and Arenal Hanging Bridges. At Arenal Hanging Bridges you will explore different layers of the forest from the forest floor to the understory and the treetops as you traverse 15 bridges, six of which are suspended bridges. The trails along the mountainside and over the bridges give amazing views of the forest canopy and, on clear days, the Arenal Volcano. Afterwards, enjoy lunch in La Fortuna and then return to Selva Verde and have time to relax before dinner.

Early this morning, depart Sarapiquí and head south to San Gerardo de Dota and Savegre Lodge & Spa. Along the way, stop at Lankester Botanical Garden. The 27 acre garden hosts more than 3,000 plant species, almost 1,000 of which are native orchids. The University of Costa Rica uses the site for important for botanical research. In addition to orchids, their collections include Bromeliads, Cactus, Ferns, Forest, Heliconias, Orchids, and Palms. Enjoy lunch in the area and then continue to Savegre Lodge. The lodge, located in the cloud forest, has nearly 1,000 acres of trails, both in virgin and secondary forests, and has been owned by the Chacon family for more than 40 years.

Before breakfast take a guided bird walk in search of resident Resplendent Quetzal, Long-tailed Silky-flycatcher , Flame-throated Warbler, Sulphur-winged Parakeet, and many more. After breakfast, take a guided hike in Savegre' s private biological reserve. The reserve protects a high elevation habitat of mostly oak forest and highland cloud forest that attracts a huge variety of avifauna. The large centennial oaks that cover the forest are laden with lichens and mosses that contrast with the colorful bromeliads. The afternoon will be free to enjoy a spa treatment or explore more of the reserve with your guide.

After breakfast, head even further south near the Panamanian border to the Organization for Tropical Studies Las Cruces Biological Station, also known as Wilson Botanical Garden. Robert and Catherine Wilson established the 30-acre garden in 1962 with a particular emphasis on palms and bromeliads. In 1973, the garden was purchased by the Organization for Tropical Studies and the research station protects more than 740 acres of premontane wet forest habitat.

Rise early this morning for a guided bird walk. La Cruces offers excellent birding opportunities with a list of 400 species. After breakfast explore Wilson Botanical Garden, the most famous botanical garden in Central America. The garden features beautifully diverse plantings of tropical and subtropical ornamentals, representatives of unusual plant families, and rare and endangered plants from Costa Rica and elsewhere. The garden also boasts the second largest collection of palms in the world. Other well-represented groups include ferns, aroids, bromeliads, gingers, heliconias, and marantas. The afternoon is at leisure for an opportunity to explore the gardens and trails on your own or with your guide.

This morning, depart for Manuel Antonio situated on the Pacific coast. Upon arrival check in at Hotel San Bada Resort conveniently located a short walk from the entrance of Manuel Antonio National Park. After lunch, the remainder of the day will be at leisure to enjoy the spa or explore the beach and town.

After breakfast, take a guided hike in Manuel Antonio National Park. The over 1,600 acre park offers a variety of habitats from lush forest, to mangroves, a lagoon and beautiful white sand beaches. It is also home to a rich variety of flora and fauna such as sloths, capuchin and squirrel monkey (endemic to Manuel Antonio and surrounding areas). After lunch, the remainder of the day will be at leisure to relax or return to the park to enjoy the beaches and trails. (another entrance ticket will need to be purchased). Dinner will be on your own. Manuel Antonio offers endless restaurant options from casual dining to stunning ocean view restaurants.

This morning will be at leisure. After lunch, go kayaking at Damas Island estuary. Learn about mangrove ecosystems and the biodiversity of plants and wildlife that live there. As you kayak through the mangrove forests, you will have the opportunity to see monkeys, birds, and reptiles. Later in the day return to the hotel for dinner.

Depart for San Jose this morning stopping for a guided hike in Carara National Park en route. The park is a transitional zone where northwest tropical dry forest and southern tropical rainforest intersect. Trails through Carara feature thick, ancestral forest that has remained unchanged for thousands of years. Keep your eyes open for flocks of Scarlet Macaws swarming the palm trees in search of fruit. After lunch at a nearby restaurant, continue to Hotel Buena Vista. Nestled in a coffee plantation on a lush hilltop overlooking downtown San Jose, Buena Vista offers a secluded sanctuary of magnificently manicured gardens and grounds.

Transfer to the airport for your flight home.