Pacific Jewels & Wildlife Adventure
Day 1
Land in Costa Rica’s capital city of San José where you are greeted by our guide and begin the adventure of a lifetime. Drive past Cartago, Costa Rica’s original capital and then begin to climb up into one of the country’s most magical Paramo forests. Take a short hike into the eco-lodge, which is an off-the-grid family farm. Relax and soak up the views after a long day of travel.
Overnight: Santa Maria de Dota
Day 2
We spend the day on the Seeley farm learning about sustainability and organic gardening. You take a breathtaking hike through the surrounding forests and have a chance to climb the magical Castle Tree, a redwood relative that could possibly be 1,000 years old. On your hike, learn about the highland forest and see many unique species of plants, trees and birds that are endemic to this area. In the evening you have a wonderful dinner and drink tea by the fire.
Overnight: Santa Maria de Dota
Day 3
Wake early and continue your journey closer to the Pacific Ocean. Today you have a short hike (45 minutes) to your overnight destination, which is one of Costa Rica’s most enchanted locations, Diamante Verde Waterfalls. Along the hike, you pass an organic garden where you have the chance to try fresh sugarcane and learn about the medicinal herbs grown here. After a delicious lunch, enjoy the many nearby swimming holes and possibly go rappelling. Enjoy watching the sunset over the Pacific Ocean from the top of a 900 foot waterfall before dinner. Tonight you sleep on comfortable cots in a giant cave, situated behind two waterfalls!
Overnight: Diamante Falls
Day 4
Wake up to the sound of the waterfall and tropical birds. After breakfast and coffee take time to relax, write in your journals and continue with activities in the enchanting Diamante area. Lunch provides your last opportunity to soak in the magic of this hidden treasure before you hike out and continue on to the coast, eventually arriving at your unique Eco-Lodge. A delicious dinner is served at the hotel’s restaurant.
Overnight: Central Pacific Coast
Day 5
A combination of bus and boat will get you to your destination in the remote Osa Península of Costa Rica, described as Costa Rica’s “last frontier” and “best kept secret”. Your boat ride is through one of Central America’s largest mangrove forests, which is crucial for the survival of many tropical coastal ecosystems. Spend the afternoon snorkeling near Caño Island. Only 45 minutes by boat, Caño Island’s pristine habitat entices both snorkelers and scuba divers. Along the way, you may have a chance to see whales or dolphins. Once at the Island, discover the brilliantly colored wonders of the underwater world; beautiful parrot fish, sea stars, corals, moray eels and many other fascinating creatures. You also have the option to explore the island by foot. After another beautiful boat ride back to the mainland you’ll enjoy a delicious dinner at our remote hotel and then rest peacefully, lulled to sleep by the nocturnal sounds of the rainforest.
Overnight: Drake Bay, Osa Península
Day 6
Wake up in paradise! After breakfast, you will hike in Corcovado National Park. The 54,539 acre park encompasses at least eight distinct habitats, making it the most unique and pristine Pacific coastal rainforest in Central America! National Geographic describes it as “the most biologically intense place on the earth.” Wildlife is abundant and the park is home to Costa Rica’s largest population of scarlet macaws. Many important and endangered species are protected here, including five big cat species, crocodiles, peccaries, tapirs, anteaters, sloths and monkeys.
Overnight: Drake Bay, Osa Península
Day 7
Enjoy a relaxing day on the lodge grounds and the beach. Enjoy a good book, a nap in a hammock, take a walk through the gardens or simply bask in the sun.
Overnight: Drake Bay, Osa Península
Day 8
You enjoy your last morning on the beach of this remote paradise. A charter plane takes you back to the capital city where you meet up with our driver and head to the city to do some last minute shopping at the local markets. Your hotel serves you a delicious dinner.
Overnight: San José
Day 9
An early wake up call gets you on the road to the Pacuare River, where you have a full day of white water rafting. This is one of the top five rafting rivers on the planet with class III and IV rapids. Expert guides help you navigate safely on your adventure. The river cuts through primary rainforest on the Caribbean slope and passes numerous waterfalls that practically pour into your raft. Lunch will be served on the side of the river this afternoon. Afterwards, head back to San José for your farewell dinnerat a Mountainside hotel above the coffee plantations.
Overnight: San José
Day 10
Today you fly home with memories to last a lifetime.
On this one of a kind, off-the-grid family farm, you will step into a magical world unlike anywhere else in Costa Rica. The hand built mountain lodge sits above the clouds and has an amazing view of the Central Valley, 3 active volcanoes, and the surrounding highland forest. Search for quetzals as you hike through the tranquil Paramo forest and have a chance to climb enormous ancient trees. Enjoy the unparalleled hospitality of your hosts as you sip tea by the fire and eat delicious home cooked meals—you will truly feel at home.
Our drivers are the best of the best. Your driver will meet you at the airport when you arrive, and safely take care of all your travel needs until you return to the airport days (or weeks) later. By the end of their adventure, many families and travel groups feel as though their driver is “one of the family.” The feedback we receive never fails to mention the wonderful service provided by our drivers.
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Chill Expeditions also travels to Spain, Ecuador, Peru, and Belize
