Tour Dates:
Call for dates
Escape your dreary winter weather and ring in the New Year in sunny, gorgeous Costa Rica. Here you will bask on beautiful beaches, visit tropical rain forests, explore canopy walkways and have many opportunities to view exotic animals birds and butterflies. With the Caribbean Sea on one coast, the Pacific Ocean on the other and mountains with waterfalls in between, you will love every minute of your vacation!
Upon arrival in San José, we will transfer for our flight to Drake Airport, and then transfer to Sierpe .
From there, we will board the boat for an hour-and-half ride down the Sierpe River, taking in the mangrove wetlands and all the astounding nature this tropical wonderland has to offer. We will be welcomed with a delicious cocktail upon our arrival at Casa Corcovado, our all-inclusive, luxurious jungle lodge which will be our home in this lush paradise for the next four days. The afternoon is free to explore the nature trails and pristine beach, and begin to discover the magic of the Osa.
January 11, 12, 13, 14 Hotel Casa Corcovado Jungle Lodge. All meals included.
We have an early morning call in order to enjoy our full-day excursion in Corcovado National Park. This exotic and lush park is home to 13 major ecosystems. Our private naturist guides will help to make this experience an unforgettable one, as the protected wildlife in this park abounds, including over 140 different mammal species, 400 bird species, and 116 amphibian and reptile species. We will enjoy a picnic lunch, and hope for sightings of the poison arrow frog, indigenous wild cats, crocodiles, pumas, jaguars, and sea turtles.
After breakfast, we will meet our guides and be transported 40-minutes away to Caño Island, known for some of the best snorkeling in the world – but it’s also a perfect place to just relax and absorb the beauty of virgin blue water, frolicking dolphins and colorful marine birds. Back at the lodge, we will enjoy a picnic lunch and a relaxing afternoon.
Take time to enjoy the many facilities at this exceptional lodge. Carefully designed and built by an American naturalist, Casa Corcovado offers accommodations constructed with the highest concern for conservation, in harmony with the landscape and the environment. Two unique swimming pools are offered: the main pool, El Solar, uses only solar energy to recycle the water, and a spring-fed pool is hidden away in the forest. Further options are a bird-watching tour, El Bosque bar and spa services.
Early morning breakfast, then a boat trip back for land transfer to the airstrip, return flight to San José.
Our journey continues to the La Paz Waterfall Gardens, the #1 “Most Visited” privately-owned ecological attraction in Costa Rica. With the best hiking near San José and the most famous waterfalls in Costa Rica, this rescued wildlife preserve features over 100 species of animals and an environmental education program.
Our accommodations for the next four nights are at Hotel Arenal Springs Resort & Spa. This superb hotel offers us use of extensive trails, private hot springs, beautiful gardens, 2 fine restaurants and bars areas. There is also a hike to a magnificent waterfall. Here you will enjoy the breathtaking views of the active Arenal Volcano, one of the most exciting experiences of Costa Rica, where internal eruptions combined with the relaxing environment of the mountain make this a perfect place. Arenal Volcano’s periodic eruptions and lava flows can be seen glowing in the night sky.
January 15, 16, 17, 18 Hotel Arenal Springs Resort & Spa (Breakfast included)
There is no greater attraction in the northern region of Costa Rica than the Arenal Volcano. This colossal geological formation is easily viewed via several trails, which also allow for choice observation of much of the park’s flora and fauna, as well as the remains of lava tracts. (Breakfast Included)
The Caño Negro Wildlife Refuge and the Río Frío are considered to be one of the best sites for bird watching and wildlife observation. Here you can find a great variety of resident and migratory birds including the endangered Jaribu, the largest bird in Central America. Caño Negro is also home to many other exciting animals: howler monkeys, spider monkeys and white-face monkeys can also be seen on the banks of the river, as well as three-toed sloths and some reptiles like turtles, caimans and basilisks, also known as Jesus Christ lizards. The tour starts with a bus transfer from Arenal to Los Chiles, a small village only 4 Km away from the Nicaraguan border. During this three-hour floating safari, a bilingual guide will be showing and pointing out the rich and varied avifauna present in this protected wetland. A typical Costa Rican lunch will be served in a restaurant after the safari. (Breakfast and Lunch Included)
La Fortuna Waterfall, located near the Arenal Volcano National Park, offers some of the most gorgeous scenery in all of Costa Rica. The 70-meter ribbon of water tumbles into a great swimming hole, surrounded by lush tropical forest, which is protected by the local conservation project. This beautiful waterfall has its sources in La Fortuna River and several of its affluent rivers. This attraction is an easy hike and a great refreshing swim. (Breakfast Included)
Breakfast, then transfer to San Jose International Airport for flight home.
Hotel Casa Corcovado Jungle Lodge - Tucked away in the trees and cooled by the Pacific Ocean, this all-inclusive hotel is a 170-acre private reserve comprising beach and rainforest on the borders of Corcovado National Park. If you are looking for an authentic, remote and unforgettable vacation experience in Costa Rica, you'll find it at Casa Corcovado Jungle Lodge. Set above a palm-fringed beach, in tropical gardens surrounded by 170 acres of pristine rainforest, this much-loved destination is the ultimate combination of luxurious comfort and adventure.
Hotel Arenal Springs - There are breathtaking views of an active volcano which has periodic eruptions and lava flows. All of this can be seen glowing in the night sky. This hotel offers us use of extensive trails and beautiful gardens on their grounds.
Biotrek’s small group tours are custom designed to reflect the local character and shared traditions of the countries we visit. No matter if this is a family vacation or an independent traveler experience you will love sunny Costa Rica!
Costa Rica is one of the most beautiful, prosperous, and tourist friendly countries in all of Central America, and is less than five hours flight time away from the Washington DC area. You and your friends and family will experience a natural kingdom of lush rain forests and pristine beaches; tiny blue indigenous frogs, giant leather back turtles, hummingbirds and iguanas; screaming howler monkeys, crackling lava and crashing white waves: Costa Rica attractions offer a breathtaking array of sights and sounds! Your Costa Rica guided travel itinerary can include whitewater rafting, a rain forest canopy tour, hiking, boat tours, active volcano exploring, snorkeling, and relaxing at the beach all while enjoying one of our many fabulous eco- lodges. You choose!
Costa Rica has a long, proud history of ecotourism, claiming one of the most developed conservation programs in the Americas and enthusiastically invites travelers to experience its treasured landscape. On your Costa Rica trip, you’ll learn the essential meaning of the country’s motto, Pura Vida – “Pure Life.” Experience nature travel at its best!
From untouched secluded beaches to canopy walks, volcano hikes and tropical spas, Costa Rica has just about something for everyone. But don’t take our word for it. We invite you and your entire family to EXPERIENCE it for yourselves!
The Osa Peninsula -- In his book, "Osa: Where the Rainforest Meets the Sea,” Dr. Trond Larsen describes it like this: “In a remote and lush corner of southern Costa Rica lies a realm of giant trees, potbellied spider monkeys, harpy eagles, prowling jaguars and herds of white-lipped peccary. This is the Osa Peninsula and there is no place in the world like it.” We will visit Corcovado National Park, the crown jewel of Costa Rica's extraordinary, world-renowned national park system. Corcovado is the last remaining large and sustainable lowland rainforest in Central America. You will see for yourself why National Geographic calls this region, “One of the most biologically intense places on earth.”
Arenal Volcano and the surrounding area is one of the most exciting experiences you will enjoy on your small group vacation in Costa Rica! Our hotel offers breathtaking views of this active volcano which has periodic eruptions and lava flows. All of this can be seen glowing in the night sky from the hotel grounds. There are beautiful gardens and walking trails to explore as well. Whether you are vacationing with your family, friends or are one of out independent travelers there are many activities available. These include a hike on the lava flow through the rain forest and to a magnificent waterfall. There are many birds and animals to see on your hike as well. A cruise on Arenal Lake at sunset is a great experience and great for photographs. In the evening relaxing in a hot spring surrounded by tropical gardens is especially relaxing. The day boat trip through the Cano Negro preserve is rewarding with continue sightings of a great variety of birds, monkeys, iguanas, sloths, alligators and turtles. This refuge is considered one of the richest in biodiversity in all of Costa Rica!
Ecotourism emphasizes a minimal impact on the environment. It provides income that helps to both preserve protected areas as well as benefit local populations, by reducing their dependence on activities possibly harmful to natural habitats.
Fortunately, Costa Rica, the birthplace of ecotourism, is also the place where this activity has achieved the highest level of success. Costa Rica takes pride in the fact that every day tens of thousands of visitors experience the incredible variety of wildlife in this natural paradise.
Costa Rica, a small country, measuring 51.100 square kilometers, is replete with breathtaking landscapes and a variety of natural wealth. This small stretch of land, representing barely 0.3% of the earth’s total surface area, houses 5% of the global biodiversity. Costa Rica is home to more bird species than the United States, as well as to a greater variety of butterflies than in all of Africa. These facts demonstrate why this Central American nation of 4 million inhabitants has received such considerable international recognition in the area of biodiversity.
Living in Costa Rica’s diverse habitats and ecosystems are: 13 thousand plant species, 2,000 moth and 4,500 butterfly species, 163 varieties of amphibians, 220 types of reptiles, 1,600 species of fresh and salt water fish, and at least 870 types of birds.
The extensive landscape also boasts many different types of forests, including deciduous, mangrove swamps, rain forests, herbaceous ponds, cloud forests, moors, palm groves, oak woods, riparian forests, and swamp groves.
Among Costa Rica’s environmental wonders are extensive volcanoes, several of which are active and produce relaxing thermal springs, and are some of Costa Rica’s most popular attractions. There are deep caves to explore and pre-Columbian settlements, sites of many meso-American archaeological studies. These are all part of a vast system of 22 national parks, 10 wildlife refuges, 12 biological reserves, 8 forest reserves and 26 protected zones, covering 25% of the national territory.
The Costa Rican Government, in an effort to preserve the natural riches of this country, is currently implementing sustainable development policies that foster the adequate use of natural resources.
Travel with tour guide Sunny Reynolds, who has been showing the world to travelers since 1992. While this is not exclusively a photo tour, Sunny Reynolds as a professional photographer is happy to help all levels of photographers take better photos of their adventures. These small group tours are perfect for those who want to see the best sites without doing hours of research and planning.
