Costa Rica’s national parks are its greatest glory. The Costa Rican Authorities have set aside one third of the country and protected areas, and this in turn has elevated Costa Rica’s star status for eco tourism. The country has a stunning variety of landscapes, microclimates, flora and fauna; and nature lovers will not be disappointed by amazing wildlife and coastlines. The Pacific Coastline is composed of a combination of private reserves and active villages; with stunning beaches and bays, the area also provides opportunities for land visits including jungle adventures.
DAY 1- 3
TORTUGA ISLAND
The Gulf of Nicoya which separates the Nicoya Peninsula from the
mainland of Costa Rica is a stunning marine and coastal landscape of
wetlands, jagged rocky islands and cliffs, extensive mangrove habitat, and high biodiversity. Densely forested hills and promontories touch the sea, closing off secret bays.
THINGS TO SEE: Tortuga has excellent white sand beaches lined with
swaying with palm trees, as well as tropical forests where you can take canopy adventures. All islands are protected seabird sanctuaries and there is an abundance to see including pelicans.
ACTIVITIES: You can snorkel through a live crystalline water aquarium full of live coral reefs and thousands of multicolour fish and occasionally even dolphins.
Overnight cruise south to Manuel Antonios
DAY 3: 7:45AM GUESTS JOIN YOUR VESSEL VIA HELICOPTER FROM
LIBERIA.
DAY 4
NATIONAL PARK MANUEL ANTONIOS
The most popular national park in Costa Rica, the Parque Nacional Manuel Antonio is the most visited park in the country and among one of the most diverse and beautiful places in the region. Considered to be among the tiniest national parks in Costa Rica, what this park lacks in size, it makes up for in stunning natural beauty.
THINGS TO SEE: Combining gorgeous beaches with dense lush rainforests, exotic animal and bird species and exquisite coral reefs. Within the Park itself sloths, iguanas, peccaries, armadillos, coatimundis, and scarlet macaws are just a few of the many animals that can be seen roaming and of course monkeys.
ACTIVITIES: The snorkelling here is terrific and the beaches silky white sand and a stunning offshore coral reef. One of the best trails in the Manuel Antonio National Park is the Perezoso Trail, where the guide will show stunning views of the park’s off shore islands, or go to the Punta Cathedral and get some magnificent vistas of the beautiful Pacific Coast. The four main Park beaches here include; the Espadilla Sur, the Playita, the Manuel Antonio, and the Escondido. Of these the Playa Manuel Antonio is the prettiest beach with silkywhite sand and a stunning offshore coral reef.
Overnight cruise south to Drake’s Bay
DAY 5
DRAKE’S BAY NATIONAL PARK CORCOVADO
Drake Bay lies on the northern end of the Osa Peninsula in Puntarenas province and is probably one of the most inaccessible places in the entire country. With a rich history of first being discovered by Sir Francis Drake in 1579 during his circumnavigation of the globe, Drake Bay is the gateway to visiting the Corcovado National Park as well as enjoying a plethora of other activities and tours in the region.
NATIONAL PARK CORCOVADO
Exotic and lush, the Corcovado National Park is home to thirteen major ecosystems that range from mangrove swamps and jolillo palm groves to mountain forests, lagoons, beaches, freshwater herbaceous swamps and primary lowland rainforests. Encompassing over 41,000 hectares the park protects over 140 different mammal species; 400 bird species, 20 of which are endemic; 116 amphibian and reptile species, 40 species of fish and at least 500 species of trees. Habitat of the rare Harbor Squirrel Monkey and the Harpy Eagle, the Corcovado Park also is a great place to spot the poison arrow frog, indigenous wild cats, crocodiles, pumas and jaguars as well as four species of sea turtles.
THINGS TO SEE: With the tallest primary rainforest on the planet, this national park is home to many endangered animal and bird species as well as a huge number of indigenous wildlife and flora.
ACTIVITIES: Within Drake’s Bay there is a wealth of underwater sea life, giving tourists the opportunity to swim amidst beautiful brightly coloured tropical fish and dolphins. Horseback rides are available in the area as well as some excellent sport fishing off the coast. Canoeing and kayaking trips can also be arranged. The best way to see the National Park is to take a guided tour.
DAY 6
ISLA DEL CANO
Lying in the beautiful blue Pacific Ocean, some 20 km offshore from the Osa Peninsula at Drake Bay, Isla del Cano or Cano Island is an amazing marine biological reserve in Costa Rica. Isla del Cano is an island of considerable geographical and archaeological importance. Fifteen kilometres from the Port of San Pedrillo, this 300-hectare piece of land was formerly a cemetery or burial ground dating back to the pre-Columbian era. Evidence of this island’s history is the incredible stone spheres that have been found here, all of which are hand carved and perfectly rounded. On the island itself, not much wildlife or fauna is found, however, Isla del Cano is often used as a migratory passage of birds that fly to warmer climes from the northern hemisphere during the winter. Birds like the osprey, black hawk, cattle egret and phalarope. The real beauty of Isla del Cano is not found on its land, but underwater; home to a spectacular variety of stunning marine flora and fauna as well as some gorgeous coral reefs.
THINGS TO SEE: The Isla del Cano Biological Reserve is home to a huge variety of fish, whales and sharks. With fantastic underwater visibility, one can see on any given day, sea turtles, dolphins, stingrays, manta rays, moray eels, barracudas, tuna, snapper and grouper swimming alongside a variety sharks and humpback or pilot whales.
ACTIVITIES: Snorkelling, diving and exploring the diverse landscape.