Costa Rica Jurassic Experience
In our family we almost never all like the same things. This trip we were all very happy! My husband discovered he can do more than he thought, and he now wants to continue with active vacations.
—Anna C., Sudbury, MA, August 2007
Active Costa Rica all inclusive tour emphasizing private access to nature
Arenal Volcano, misbehaving
Here's really active Costa Rica naturalist travel with emphasis on new ways to experience the tropical world. Some real action - after hot springs and hiking and rain forests and pre Jurassic cloud forests and stealth boats to watch nature and hanging from trees in the rainforest, we'll head to the primordial sea, mother of us all, for turtle watching and snorkeling and chasing dolphins and (primitive??) Latin dancing. Oh, yes. Volcanoes, too.
If you are looking for something less active, we offer private Costa Rica nature travel designed around your specific requests. But warning, Serendipity likes to avoid the tour bus route and take you instead to our favorite, remoter places with the priority of preserving nature rather than entertaining tourists.
Day 1: Arrive in Costa Rica
Cloud forest, lush green,
misty, pre-Jurassic plants
Your plane arrives in San José today, and we'll quickly whisk you away from town towards the west, heading first to the coffee communities on the northwest of the city. If your flight is early enough and we'll stop at a private bird breed-and-release sanctuary where you'll get a head start on learning how to spot these brilliant creatures who, in spite of their dazzling colors, truly are remarkably well camouflaged. As you see close-up some of the larger birds of prey you will appreciate that these are truly the descendants of the dinosaurs.
Day 2: Hike in private cloud forest
Monteverde is the famous cloud forest of Costa Rica, but the national park is now so popular that the people have scared off a lot of the forests' peaceful native inhabitants. But well be stopping at our friends' private cloud forest, which still retains the peaceful, almost spiritual, quality that made Monteverde so popular. Many of the species no longer sighted in the national park are evident here. We'll hike through some bizarre forests which exist only in the clouds in the mountains of Central and South America and southeast Asia (and the mists of the gorilla country in Africa). The type of plant life here is pre Jurassic. The plants around you have seen many species come and go, and you get the feeling we 2 legged ones are probably amongst them.
Approaching silently is the key to seeing the natural state of animals.
After lunch we'll descend into the San Carlos area, dominated by massive Arenal Volcano.
Day 3: Watch monkeys, birds, and lizards from our (silly!) little boats
We know a gentle river filled with birds and iguanas and monkeys and crocs, and this is a naturalist's paradise. We'll inflate our Duckies on the river's edge, and paddle ourselves downstream, using the sharp eyes of our guides and local friends who really can make you see the animals through their extraordinary camouflage.
Day 4: Enjoy the canopy from our platform in a primary forest — THEN from the hot springs
Abraham is over 400 years old, the patriarch of this ancient primary forest. The platform holds you 110 feet up -- watching nature as only birds can enjoy it.
Abraham's platform is above the surrounding canopy. Photo taken from Serendipity's balloon.
The platform is ours all day today — to watch the animals, hear the sounds, enjoy the sensation of being a bird for one day. We even have a good lunch, and comfortable chairs, while feeling the breeze and smelling the jungle and listening to the songs of the birds. This is binocular country up here.
Eating lunch while sitting in the platform in Abraham, 110 feet above the jungle floor, overlooking the tree tops and down into the canopy.
Before sunset we'll head up to Arenal volcano to see the lava flow (only visible after dark), and to soak in our favorite little hot springs (or in Tabacón Resort springs, as you prefer -- but we like our less crowded place much better).
Day 5: WHEEE! Canopy tour, and then the beach!
En route to the beach (Caribbean or Pacific — it depends on the turtle season for each coast) we'll be stopping at a Costa Rica phenomena — the canopy tour. The canopy tour is not a naturalist experience, but nonetheless it is something you can enjoy for the pure pleasure of doing something daring, and different. If you prefer to stay on the ground there is nonetheless the hike in the forest which gives you a chance to stretch legs and see midland altitude birds.
After the hiking (and conquering your fear of heights?), we're off again. The destination is the coast, and the tropical coastal waters that gave life to the lands around it. Our oceans are almost too warm for swimming.
Day 6: On the beach: maybe turtles, maybe sea kayaks
With huge luck we may see the arribada - the massive turtle arrival that occurs (unpredictably). And more than just turtles - there's funky beach communities, snorkeling and some great boat trips out to the whales or porpoises.
Hiking along the beach is another access to nature. Or sea kayak to a small island.
For those who are looking for a bit more, there's scuba* and deep sea fishing**.
Day 7: On the beach, or hiking in the jungle
With the four wheel drive vehicle we can get a lot of places that are so impossible to reach.
On the Pacific we rent a boat to go out if the whales are passing. If the whales are not migrating we head instead to the mangroves on sea kayaks.
Sea turtle hatchlings, ready to
leave the nest
On the Caribbean we would spend an afternoon with our favorite local guide who knows more about jungle edible plants and can spot birds and animals better than any trained naturalist.
Night is reserved for the sea turtles, if it is turtle season. The turtles come ashore almost every day during the nesting season, but avoid the moonlight — so we time our observation to the moon's calendar. The turtle beaches are protected, and we would enter with a National Park guide. Some of the beaches are very remote, and we're once again grateful for the four-wheel-drive to get us there.
Day 8: Back to San José, stopping for shopping
Even the best of times comes to an end sooner or later. We'll head back to the Central Valley today. If you'd like we can stop in Puerto Viejo or in Sarchí for some of the local crafts. We'll find a really local style restaurant for your last dinner in Costa Rica.
Day 9: Sad day today - you are on your way back to civilization
Your flight back is today. Do you realize you avoided San José completely? Did you miss it?
Upcoming Departures
September 13 - 21, 2008
November 1 - 9, 2008
January 17 - 25, 2009
February 21 - March 1, 2009
March 21 - 29, 2009
April 18 - 26, 2009
May 16 - 24, 2009
June 13 - 21, 2009
July 18 - 26, 2009
August 15 - 23, 2009
September 19 - 27, 2009
October 17 - 25, 2009
November 14 - 22, 2009
Do you have your own group of four or more? This itinerary is available for private, self-formed groups of 4+ persons at the same price, but with any start date you desire in the period between April 1 - December 11. It is available during the period from January 5 - March 31 for an additional $120 per person.
Prices
$2740 per person, double occupancy. Single occupancy: add $390.
Printable version of itinerary and full terms of payment
The price includes all hotels (generally 3 star or better), breakfast and lunch each day, all adventures as listed (and some others you'll just happen upon as you move along from place to place), transportation in air conditioned vehicles. NOT INCLUDED are your airline tickets, alcoholic beverages, evening meals, your exit visa for Costa Rica ($26 per person), and the (optional) tips for your guides.
By the way, a lot of people decide to add a few days for rafting, or for a nature retreat in Corcovado or Tortuguero We can arrange this for you as well.
* add $110 per person,
minimum 2 people, for scuba
**add $220 per person,
minimum 2 people, for deep sea fishing
The first step to enjoying a the Jurassic Experience is to contact us.
