|

|

4 days - 3 nights /
Itinerary
Day
1
Departure from San Jose local airport to fly south. The aircraft
winds its way through mammoth mountain passes blanketed
with luxuriant tropical plants and trees, arriving at
the Pacific coast in less than an hour. After landing in
Palmar Sur, guests are transported to Drake Bay by motor
launch (90 minutes boat trip) along the mangrove-lined
and wetlands of the Sierpe River. The launch
captain expertly guides the boat through the high waves
into the crystal clear blue waters of Drake Bay, so
named after Sir Francis Drake landed there in 1579.
Arrive at Casa Corcovado, complementary cocktail before lunch. The rustic
design of Casa Corcovado Lodge creates the perfect
setting for a dreamy jungle get-away. Depending on
individual preference, time spent at the lodge can be
divided between peaceful naps, delicious and plentiful
food at mealtimes, swimming in the spring-fed pool or at
the beautiful gold beach or
just relaxing at the bar and enjoying the peace and
tranquility of the jungle. Overnight at Casa Corcovado
(lunch and dinner included) |
Day
2
On the second day, guests can visit the romantic Caño Island, once a
sacred burial ground for the indigenous pre-Columbian tribes of the
region. The morning can be spent snorkeling and photographing schools of
brightly colored tropical fish. The island and its environs invite study
from several points of view. It is Costa Rica's largest concentration of
coral-building organisms along the Pacific. Schools of tangs, jacks and
needle-fish, as well as moray eels, wrasses and huge trigger and
porcupine-fish present an ever-changing panorama to those who venture
below the surface. Boring sponges, Diadema sea urchins, sea cucumbers,
many crustaceans and calcareous alga mats
and
balls add to the variety of life found among the Porites and Pocillopora
corals of these reefs. Marine life is abundant in the general vicinity
of the island. Manta rays are often seen breaching. Dolphins are
encountered daily, and Olive Ridley sea turtles (Lepidochelys olivacea)
are commonly observed swimming and even mating as they travel to and
from the sandy beaches of the peninsula where they lay their eggs.
Humpback whales are seasonally present and often sighted from Punta
Marenco, and killer whales have been reported near the Isla Violines and
mouth of the Sierpe River. Although rich in marine resources, the area
is little studied apart from the reefs of the Isla del Caño.
Full - day excursion to Caño Island, with picnic lunch, snorkeling gear
and naturalist bilingual.
Overnight at Casa Corcovado (all meals included)
Day 3
On
your third day, a boat tour takes visitors through the mangrove swamps
of Corcovado, where they may catch occasional glimpses of the jungle
creatures living amidst the lush undergrowth. The park is home to more
than 400 species of birds and more than 100 species of mammals.
With 500 species of trees, 140 species of mammals, 367 species of birds,
40 species of freshwater fishes and 117 species of amphibians recorded
here, it is easy to understand why Corcovado National Park has been
called "the most biologically intense place on Earth" by National
Geographic. Some visitors are lucky enough to catch sight of a jaguar,
tapir, ocelot, giant anteater, a flock of scarlet macaws or colorful
toucans. Four kinds of monkeys inhabit this jungle, as well as poison
dart frogs and crocodiles in the swamps. Corcovado National Park located
in the Osa peninsula, in the southwest corner of the country is an
undeniably beautiful place, considered to be one of the most important
natural preserves in the Americas. This virgin rain forest park invites
superlatives from all who visit. The captivating visual beauty of its
forest and of its coastline, with miles of uninhabited beaches and
roaring cascades, draws visitors from all over the world. There are 8
main habitats in this park, mountain forest,
cloud
forest, alluvial plains, swamp and holillo forest, fresh water
herbaceous swamp, mangrove swamp and a rocky coastline. At least
thirteen distinct vegetation types can be seen in close proximity,
including mangroves, palm swamps and blood weed forest making Corcovado
a botanist's dream. Jaguars, giant anteaters, hundreds of white-lipped
peccaries, tapers, red brocket deer, margay cats, spider monkeys, and a
host of rare rain forest animals inhabit the vast reaches while
poisonous frogs, snakes. and other lizards live surrounding the
crocodile-filled lagoon at the park's center.
Full - day excursion to Corcovado National Park, with picnic lunch and
naturalist bilingual guide.
Overnight at Casa Corcovado (all meals included)
Day 4
Hearty breakfast Return up the river to La Hacienda in the town of
Sierpe. Guests will be met and transferred to the airport for the return
flight to San Jose.
Important
notes:
The Caño Island and Corcovado day trips may be reversed.
We reserve the night to change or omit portions of any itinerary if
warranted by inclement weather by inclement weather or sea conditions.
We
can assist you in planning your trip to Costa Rica! Please contact our
travel division for help customizing a vacation that meets your budget
and exceeds your expectations. We will reply with a suggested itinerary
and total cost within 24 hours to 48 hours. |