The most biologically intense place on earth
With 5% of the planet’s biodiversity, Costa Rica is a natural paradise that we will traverse on this expedition: from the rainforests of Monteverde, through the Caribbean rainforests, to the Pacific, more precisely in the Corcovado National Park, described by National Geographic as the “most biologically intense” place on the planet.
We visit some of its natural parks, get to know some of its most important conservation projects and learn all about its ecology and biodiversity. We explore lush forests, deserted beaches and national parks by canoe. We will cross rivers and lakes by boat and miles of open ocean. This is an expedition that will allow you to discover the country in the world that has done the most to preserve wildlife.
Highlights
- Be dazzled by the rain forests of Bosque Eterno los Niños;
- Relax in the warm waters of Tabacón;
- Explore Tortuguero National Park;
- Watch the turtles spawn;
- Explore Corcovado National Park, considered by National Geographic as “the most biologically rich place on earth”;
- Participate in lectures and enlightening tertulias on ecology and wildlife.
EXPEDITION SUMMARY
Destination
Date
Duration
Booking
Minimum age
Flight
Transport
Activities
- Nature discovery
- Guided tours to National Parks
- Snorkelling
- Lectures and discussions on ecology and conservation
Sleeping
- Biological Station - 2 nights
- Guesthouse - 8 nights
- Hotel - 3 nights
Price
€2,250.00
Includes
- Accommodation in Hotels and Guesthouses;
- Local transportation and transfers;
- Accompaniment by a Portuguese Leader during all the expedition;
- Exploration of the “Bosque Eterno los Niños”;
- Exploration on foot and in canoe of Tortuguero National Park;
- Turtle nesting observation;
- Exploration of Corcovado National Park:
- Snorkelling in Isla del Caño Biological Reserve;
- Participation in lectures and discussions on ecology and biodiversity;
- Hot water bath in La Fortuna;
- 3 breakfasts on the nights in hotel in San Jose.
Excludes
- International flights;
- Food not specified; You should expect an average of 15USD-25USD per day for the 3 daily meals;
- Non-specified visits;
- Extra activities;
- Medical and travel insurance (mandatory);
- COVID Insurance for entry into Costa Rica (mandatory);
- Personal extras such as drinks, telephone, etc;
- Tips;
- Airport taxes;
- Visas.
After the welcome at the airport, expedition leader José Miguel will accompany you to the hotel where we will be staying. There you will be able to rest from the flights and meet with the other participants before the general briefing, where everyone will be briefed on the most important aspects of the expedition. The capital of Costa Rica is located in the centre of the fertile Meseta Central, surrounded by volcanoes and lush mountains and offers us the possibility of an urban escape on an expedition so intensely filled with nature in its wildest state. Here, we will have the opportunity to walk its streets, where contemporary art galleries coexist with memories of the past, to shop in its mercadillos, to visit its museums and to get in touch with the most cosmopolitan life of this magnificent country.
We leave San Jose and take a local bus to Monteverde. Once we arrive there, an hour-long hike into the forest awaits us until we reach what will be our base camp for the next two nights.
In the afternoon we will do our first interpretative walk about the flora and fauna of this extraordinary ecosystem and before dinner we will also have the opportunity to hear about the conservation work carried out here.
This day will be dedicated to exploring and learning about Monteverde’s rain forests. Accompanied by a naturalist guide, we will explore this biome located on the Caribbean slope of Monteverde, about 1,200 metres above sea level. This pre-montane forest has many epiphytes and a wide variety of birds, frogs, reptiles and mammals and our base camp offers the ideal starting point to explore the surrounding forest.
We begin here a two-day journey that will end in Tortuguero. It will be a spectacular journey, which on the first day crosses Arenal Lake and ends in La Fortuna, at the base of the Arenal Volcano, where we will take the opportunity to restore our energies in the warm waters of Tabacón. On the second day of this journey, and after a short one-hour bus ride, we will board a speedboat which will take us on a 4 to 5-hour journey through the middle of the forest to the border with Nicaragua and from there to Barra del Colorado. Once here, another boat awaits us, which will take us to Tortuguero right in the heart of its National Park.
We wake up early to explore the depths of Tortuguero National Park by canoe. Founded in the 1960s, this park which stretches over 189 km2 is one of the most famous natural parks in the country. A concentrate of dense tropical forest, habitat for turtles, monkeys, countless species of birds, sloths, crocodiles and jaguars. In the afternoon, we will get to know the Sea Turtle Conservancy project. This organisation was founded in 1959 in response to the appeal launched by Dr Archie Carr, the naturalist who first alerted the world to the critical situation of sea turtles.
After a free morning we will take the opportunity to explore the village of Tortuguero and the warm waters of the Caribbean Sea, in the afternoon we will explore the National Park on foot and see up close all its magnificent biodiversity. For the night, the great moment of our stay in Tortuguero is reserved: the observation of the spawning of the turtles.
We begin here a second 2-day journey that will take us from the Caribbean to the Pacific with a stop in San Jose. After breakfast, a motorboat and bus trip to San José awaits us, where we will still have time to stroll through its most genuine and authentic areas.
The next day, a long bus ride awaits us, before taking a motorboat that will take us by river and sea to the beautiful bay of Drake Bay, located on the north side of the Osa Peninsula, which is believed to have been used by the legendary pirate Sir Francis Drake, in the century XVI, to hide his treasures during his attacks on the Spanish armada.
Today we will explore Corcovado National Park, the one that National Geographic considered as “the most biologically rich and intense place on planet Earth”. Accompanied by a local guide, we will set off early in the morning towards its depths to learn more about this wonderful ecosystem. A spectacular day awaits us, with long, intense boat trips, walks through the rainforest, high temperatures and high humidity levels.
Early morning we head by speedboat to Isla del Caño, where we will go snorkelling and explore the corals and rich marine biodiversity of this island located 20km off the coast of the Osa peninsula. Fish of all colours, turtles and even small reef sharks are possible to find. On the way there and back, you may be lucky enough to stop by the giant humpback whales, which gather here at this time of year to give birth and raise their young during their first days of life.
Early morning we head by speedboat to Isla del Caño, where we will go snorkelling and explore the corals and rich marine biodiversity of this island located 20km off the coast of the Osa peninsula. Fish of all colours, turtles and even small reef sharks are possible to find. On the way there and back, you may be lucky enough to stop by the giant humpback whales, which gather here at this time of year to give birth and raise their young during their first days of life.
The journey continues by van to San Jose and today will be dedicated to the last tours, shopping and visits, ending with a big farewell dinner in one of the most traditional restaurants of the capital.
Transfer to the airport and end of expedition.
Physical effort
Autonomy
Isolation
Cultural immersion
Adventure
Wilderness
Physical Condition: All our expeditions can be undertaken by people with an active and healthy lifestyle. However you should be prepared physically and mentally to live in basic conditions and especially hot and humid weather for the whole duration of this expedition. Make sure you prepare yourself for the expedition in order to arrive fit and ready to go. During the expedition you should be fit enough for the following:
Climate: Most of the time hot and humid, with average temperatures between 25°C and 35°C. Be prepared, however for cooler days and especially cold nights in Monteverde.
Daily physical activity: Varies during the expedition, but up to approximately 6 hours of activity daily.
Walking: up to 8km per day.
Ground: Humid and sometimes extremely rainy tropical forest. Uneven terrain, sometimes muddy trails and the possibility of crossing rivers on foot.
Swimming: You must be able to swim if you want to enjoy snorkelling in the Isla del Caño Nature Reserve.
- No previous jungle experience is required to participate in this expedition.
There will be mobile phone and internet coverage in most places from the beginning to the end of the expedition. However, getting a signal while travelling by bus, boat or within the natural parks is quite unlikely.
On arrival in San Jose, you can opt to buy a phone card from a local network and thus enjoy much cheaper internet data traffic rates.
Yes. As long as you meet the fitness requirements, have an adventurous spirit and a desire to learn about biodiversity and wildlife, you won’t have any problems.
Yes, there are animal species that if they feel threatened can attack man. However, in order to ensure the safety of all participants as well as the respective animals, all nature exploration activities that we carry out on our wildlife expeditions follow strict safety protocols.
You can. We will have one day in San José to group and organize the team. But if you arrive beyond that day we will have to hire a private service for your transfer between the airport and Monteverde, at an extra cost of approx. 350 USD.
In Costa Rica you will always find viable alternatives for a diverse vegetarian diet.
Yes, provided they are over 16 years old and mentally prepared for the difficulties inherent to an expedition of this kind.
Yes, as long as it is properly protected from humidity and some moments of torrential rain.
Book your place
€2,250.00
Open Bookings