Sarapiqui Tortuguero San Gerardo de Dota Osa Peninsula
A tiny country that boasts 5% of the world’s entire biodiversity, Costa Rica is arguably the finest destination for wildlife in Central and South America. From the mangrove channels of Tortuguero and the lush highland cloud-forest to the Pacific dry jungle of the Osa Peninsula, the national parks brim over with exotic species from sloths, howler monkeys and jaguar to humming birds and the iconic resplendent quetzal. This itinerary explores Costa Rica’s key destinations and has you staying in comfortable wildlife lodges deep within the national parks.
Itinerary Highlights
Wildlife cruises through the mangrove channels of Tortuguero
Nature walks along the forest trails of Sarapiqui
Guided hikes in the Corcovado National Park
Birding tours in search of Costa Rica’s resplendent Quetzal
Snorkelling at the coral reefs of Caño Island Biological Reserve
What’s included
Private tours for most included activities
Meet & greet airport service
Luxury or boutique accommodation at your chosen level
Expert guides in each destination
flexibility
This is an example itinerary. It is fully flexible; you can add or detract days and include hotels at your chosen budget. It departs daily.
13
Nights
Price Guide
from $ pp
Our quotes are bespoke for your customised trip. The prices displayed are indicative only, read more
Day 1
Fly to San Jose
Day 2-4
Sarapiqui – Primary Rainforest & Green Macaws
Transfer north to Sarapiqui, one of Costa Rica’s true wildlife hotspots. Sarapiqui sits on the edge of the Sarapiqui River in the lush transition zone from Nicaragua to the Braulio Carillo National Park to the south and from the highlands to the Caribbean, an area of incredible diversity that spills over with flora and fauna. Home to some of Costa Rica’s last patches of primary rainforest and final haven of the country’s Green Macaws, Sarapiqui is a wonderful introduction to Costa Rica’s natural treasures. Based at a wildlife lodge, you will head out each day to take in the resident flora and fauna. Explore the nature trails around La Selva Biological Station, venture out to the Tapiria Wildlife Reserve or even enjoy some thrilling white-water rafting on the Sarapiqui River as the howler monkeys watch on!
Day 5-7
Tortuguero – Costa Rica’s Amazon
Your journey continues by road and boat to the mangrove channels and tropical rainforest of the Tortuguero National Park on the Caribbean coast. Dubbed the Amazon of Costa Rica, Tortuguero is a nature-lover’s dream, an area inaccessible by road which boasts some 60 species of mammals including sloths, howler monkeys and jaguar as well as over 375 species of birds. You will stay a wildlife lodge overlooking the channels and enjoy daily guided excursions to observe the extraordinary array of flora and fauna. Travel between July and October and you coincide with the hatching period of the green-, leatherback and hawksbill sea turtles that nest each year in the dark volcanic sands, a phenomenon that gave the region its name.
Day 8-10
San Gerardo de Dota – Quetzal Quest!
Returning to San Jose by small plane, you will be met and driven south along the Panamerican highway to San Gerardo de Dota at the heart of the Los Santos Forest Reserve. High in the Talamanca Mountains, San Gerardo’s lush cloud-forest is one of Costa Rica’s best kept secrets, a region far less visited than Monteverde Reserve yet home to an astonishing variety of birdlife. Here, from the comfort of a wildlife lodge, you will head out accompanied by an expert local guide to explore the surrounding forest trails. With luck, you will spot the resplendent quetzal, Central America’s iconic bird whose glorious plumage attracts ornithologists from far and wide. For walkers, Costa Rica’s highest peak, Mount Chirripó, is close by offering incredible, views of both the Pacific and Caribbean via a 2 day trek. More accessible to vehicles, the paramo grassland sits above the cloud-forest offering a completely unique landscape and wildlife.
Day 10-13
The Osa Peninsula & Corcovado NP
The highlight – the Osa Peninsula! Continuing south, you will head to the dense rainforest and jungle fringed beaches of the Osa Peninsula. Jewel in the crown of Costa Rica’s natural reserves, the Corcovado National Park is the last of Central America’s Pacific lowland rainforests and has been dubbed “the most biologically intense place on earth” by National Geographic. Staying at a jungle lodge accessible only by water – the only one of its kind actually within the national park – you will enjoy daily activities from nature walks and bird-watching to boat trips and snorkelling. There are over 350 recorded species of birds alone as well as 140 species of mammals including some of the continent’s last remaining populations of ocelot, margay, puma, two- and three-toed sloth and jaguar. Off the coast, the rich waters teem with rays, dolphins and tropical fish and offer excellent snorkelling and diving around the coral reefs of the Caño Island biological reserve.
Day 14
Fly home
A note on price
The prices outlined above are a rough guide to give you an idea of costs and enable you to budget for your trip.
Guide prices are generally for private arrangements based on twin share, in well located, good quality accommodation (excluding international flights).
Please note costs are indicative and may vary due to a number of factors such as; travel date, hotel choice, room category, number of people travelling and prevailing exchange rates.
Price Guide $ – $ per person
When to travel
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Costa Rica enjoys a tropical climate year round which can be divided into a distinct dry and rainy season. The dry “summer” period runs from December to April and is the most popular time to travel. The wet season then corresponds from May to December and coincides with tempestuous downpours. Average temperatures range between 26°-28° throughout the year although it is obviously cooler in the highlands along the spine of the mountains.
Costa Rica in January, you'll want to prepare for warm and humid weather. The average temperature during this time of year ranges from 21°C to 32°C, with occasional rain showers to cool things down.
Costa Rica in February, you'll want to prepare for warm and sunny weather. The average temperature during this time of year ranges from 22°C to 33°C.
Costa Rica in March, you can expect warm and pleasant weather with an average temperature ranging from 22°C to 34°C. It's still important to pack light, breathable clothing and plenty of sunscreen as the sun can be quite strong.
Costa Rica in April, you can expect warm and comfortable weather with average temperatures ranging from 24°C to 35°C.
May, you can expect warm and pleasant weather with average temperatures ranging from 24°C to 34°C. It's still important to pack light, breathable clothing and plenty of sunscreen to protect yourself from the sun's strong rays.
Costa Rica in June, you can expect warm and comfortable weather with average temperatures ranging from 25°C to 34°C. It's recommended to pack light, breathable clothing and plenty of sunscreen to protect yourself from the sun's strong rays. You may also want to bring a hat and sunglasses to make your trip more comfortable.
Costa Rica in July, you can expect warm and humid weather with average temperatures ranging from 24°C to 32°C. It's recommended to pack light, breathable clothing and plenty of sunscreen to protect yourself from the sun's strong rays. You may also want to bring a hat and sunglasses to make your trip more comfortable. While rain showers are common during this time of year, it's always a good idea to pack a rain jacket or umbrella just in case.
Costa Rica in August, expect warm and humid weather with average temperatures ranging from 24°C to 32°C.
Costa Rica in September, expect warm and humid weather with average temperatures ranging from 23°C to 31°C. It's best to pack light, breathable clothing to stay comfortable in the heat. Don't forget to bring plenty of sunscreen, a hat, and sunglasses to protect yourself from the sun.
Costa Rica in October, expect warm and humid weather with average temperatures ranging from 22°C to 30°C. It's best to pack light, breathable clothing to stay comfortable in the heat.
Costa Rica in November, expect warm and humid weather with average temperatures ranging from 22°C to 30°C.
Costa Rica in December, expect warm and humid weather with average temperatures ranging from 22°C to 29°C. It's best to pack light, breathable clothing to stay comfortable in the heat. Don't forget to bring plenty of sunscreen, a hat, and sunglasses to protect yourself from the sun. While rain showers are common during this time of year, it's always a good idea to pack a rain jacket or umbrella just in case.
Add on’s
Arenal and Monteverde are good extensions, both renowned wildlife destinations (Monteverde especially so for its birdlife) while further north, close to the border of Nicaragua, you can take a boat trip into the flooded forests and wetlands of Caño Negro Wildlife Refuge, an extraordinary natural haven for jaguars, tapirs, ocelots and peccary.
San Jose and Costa Rica also combine nicely with Quito in Ecuador, gateway to both the Galapagos Islands and Amazon Rainforest as well as neighbouring Panama with stunning beaches and one of the last great, wildlife refuges – the Darien Gap.
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