Day 02: Corcovado National Park (San Pedrillo Station):
This full day tour, accompanied by a resident biologist, begins right after breakfast. A short 25 minute boat trip from Marenco´s landing takes you to San Pedrillo Station, the northernmost ranger station of Corcovado National Park. After disembarking, there is a walk of about an hour along the beach, to a forest trail up the Rio Pargo. Once more the rain forest story unfolds before you. The trees in this area are magnificent in height and support an outstanding variety of epiphytic plants such as orchids, bromeliads, ferns-even shrubs and small trees. Monkeys, agoutis, sloth's and other critters will entertain you. Corcovado is an irreplaceable part of the natural wealth of Costa Rica. A lagoon set in a forested alluvial plain which opens to the Pacific on the west, flanked by mountains on the east and south by a low plateau to the north, Corcovado's 43,735 hectares is home to at least 800 species of birds, 139 of mammals, 116 of amphibians and reptiles, plus over 6,000 insect species. It is a major refuge for the American Crocodile, jaguar, tapirs, Squirrel Monkeys, giant anteaters, Harpy Eagles, Scarlet Macaw, and Red-throated Caracaras. Some of the forested areas, such as the Llorona Plateau, with high densities of large trees, are as species-rich as any in the Neotropics (over 100 species of trees per hectare). The canopy height reaches 55-60 meters, the tallest in Costa Rica. By noon, the tour returns to the beach to enjoy your packed lunch in the shade of a mango tree while watching the surf. Then a short walk; the San Pedrillo river (time to get our feet wet) brings you to a pristine rain forest waterfall. As always keep your eyes peeled for beautiful birds and secretive wildlife. Kingfishers and Jesus Christ lizards are residents of this river. In late afternoon, we board the boat for return to Marenco.
Day 03: Isla del Caño National Park
This is a day to remember your beach towel and snorkeling gear (available for rent). Early morning departure from Marenco. This is an hour boat trip each way. In the early morning, we land on the island. Immediately upon arrival the guide leads a hike up to the site of the Indian graves that are found all over the central plateau, where archaeologists unearthed mysterious stone spheres and finely worked artifacts, testimonies to a vanished culture. Along the way, notable differences between the island and mainland forest will be pointed out. By noon a picnic lunch is provided on the beach.
Following lunch, you are at your leisure to swim and soak up the sun, you will be free to visit other parts of the island or snorkel among the corals and brightly colored reef fishes. Snorkelers will be delighted in the schools of brightly colored fish.
By late afternoon, it's time to return to MARENCO, a short distance by boat, but an entirely different world. Watch for dolphins along the way! Overnight stay is not permitted on this Biological Reserve except by express permission of the Costa Rican National Park Service for visits involving active research.
Day 04: Marenco Beach & Rainforest Lodge - San Jose
Breakfast at the lodge, some time free to enjoy a swim in the ocean. Transfer by boat to Palmar Sur and flight to San Jose, transfer to you hotel |