Pacific Costa Rica

Fly to Palmar, where a short drive leads to the agricultural town of Sierpe near Costa Rica’s southern Pacific Coast. Board a boat for the exciting voyage down the Sierpe River to the Pacific Ocean, where whales and dolphins are sometimes spotted. Journey along the dramatic coastline toward Corcovado. Your base for the next three nights is Casa Corcovado Jungle Lodge, a 170-acre private reserve bordering Corcovado National Park. Carefully designed with the highest concern for conservation in harmony with the landscape, the lodge offers luxury accommodations and unparalleled access to the crown jewel of Costa Rica’s national park system. Explore the trails surrounding the lodge with a naturalist guide. Keep an eye out for monkeys, sloth, kinkajous, anteaters and numerous birds including macaws, toucans and oropendulas.

Enjoy a full day off-shore at Caño Island National Park. The guided trip includes boat, lunch, snorkeling, snorkel gear and guides for an up-close exploration of Costa Rica’s most diverse reef and island system. Return to Casa Corcovado for dinner overlooking the Pacific Ocean.

With over 400 species of bird, 20 of which are endemic to Corcovado, early-morning bird walks are a popular activity. Corcovado National Park covers 136,347 acres, and the National Geographic Society has called its location along the isthmus connecting North and South America “the most biologically intense place on earth.” The park is a final stronghold of primary forest along the Pacific coastline and remains home to important endangered species such as sea turtles, spider monkeys, crocodiles, scarlet macaws and jaguars. A 6-hour hike into Corcovado National Park includes a beautiful waterfall, lunch on a secluded sand beach and a visit to the San Pedrillo ranger station. This hike is well known for a large number of scarlet macaws as well as other birds and abundant wildlife. Return to the lodge in time to relax and enjoy the evening overlooking the Pacific.

Today take a land transfer from Sierpe to Quepos. This coastal scenic drive takes 2.5 hours to reach the Osa Peninsula and its Manuel Antonio National Park. Arrive at your ocean-view hotel with ample time to take a swim and enjoy the afternoon. Hotel La Mariposa, your base for the next four nights, is perched magnificently on a hillside with panoramic views of the blue waters of the Pacific Ocean and Manuel Antonio National Park.

Drive through palm plantations, little towns, small rivers and jungle vegetation to arrive at the put-in of the Savegre River where you will receive a safety talk. This class II-III section of the river has modest rapids, with great swimming spots that can be enjoyed en route as well as a variety of shore birds on the river banks. The time on the river is approximately 2.5 hours, including occasional stops to rest and admire the region’s beautiful flora and fauna. Take out downstream where a bus awaits to take you the short distance to Manuel Antonio.

Experience the complex estuary and canal system of Damas Island. Choose a covered boat or a kayak excursion that will navigate the thick mangrove system while the naturalist guide points out the diverse and unusual relationships among many organisms that make the mangrove home. This delicate habitat is home to crocodiles, monkeys, sloth, anteaters, iguanas and numerous birds. The exact time of the mangrove tour will be determined by the tides, as the mangrove canals are only accessible during high tide. The remainder of the day is free to relax at the beach.

Manuel Antonio National Park is one of the smallest yet most diverse and popular parks in Costa Rica. Despite its size of only 1,685 acres, the park boasts everything people come to Costa Rica to see, including stunning beaches, a magnificent setting with offshore islands and lush rainforest laced with a network of well-maintained trails accessing a tremendous amount of wildlife. Explore the park with a naturalist guide early this morning when wildlife is most active. This afternoon is free to relax on the beach. Bring your beach gear with you, as several of Manuel Antonio’s most spectacular beaches are located within the national park.

Fly back to San Jose and transfer to the international airport before your flight’s scheduled departure time or begin your trip extension to the Arenal Volcano area, the Monteverde Cloud Forest or the Caribbean coast. Additional nights at Casa Corcovado or La Mariposa can also be added to this itinerary.

Note: Your departing flight must leave San Jose no earlier than 12:00pm in order to make the connection from Manuel Antonio. If your departing flight leaves before noon, then arrangements will be made for you to overnight in San Jose on day 8.