Costa Rican Parrot and Turtle Conservation

DAY 1: ARRIVAL IN COSTA RICA

Arrival at the International Airport Juan Santamaria. Private transfer to your city Hotel in San Jose.

• Lodging: Hotel Don Carlos or similar

DAY 2: SAN JOSE - TORTUGUERO CANALS AND RAIN FOREST

Early morning departure passing through the Central Volcanic Mountain Range and across the Braulio Carrillo National Park. You will experience the weather, temperature and landscape variations. In Siquirres, you will take another road and you will be able to see many of the largest banana plantations.

At the small embarking-point in Cano Blanco, you will board the boat to Tortuguero. During the cruise you will have the opportunity to admire a great diversity of flora and fauna, for example: sloths, monkeys, crocodiles, small turtles and more.

• Highlight: Conference with the experts at the Green Turtle Information Center
• Remarks: Maximum luggage per person: 12kg (25 Pounds)
• Lodging: Hotel Manatus or similar

DAY 3: TORTUGUERO NATIONAL PARK

Very early morning, Sunrise Boat Tour through the small canals of the National Park, a marvelous rain forest with 18,946ha terrestrial and 52,265ha maritime. You will be delighted in this unique region with its 309 different bird species, its swamp forest and floating aquatic plants. A short visit to the small town is also scheduled.

Mid-morning guided hiking tour through the mysterious Tortuguero Rain Forest. You may also see the fishing bulldog bat, keel billed toucans, anurans, seven species of tortoise, West Indies manatees, crocodiles and the gar, considered a living fossil. Afternoon at leisure for optional activities.

The importance of this Park is that it preserves the most important nesting site of the green turtle in the Western half of the Caribbean.

• HIGHLIGHT: Evening tour in search of the Green Turtles. (May through September only)
• Lodging: Hotel Manatus or similar

DAY 4: TORTUGUERO - SARAPIQUI - BAT TOUR

Early morning boat transfer to Cano Blanco. Continuation by bus to Guapiles. After lunch private transfer through rural and urban areas to La Virgen de Sarapiqui, a really nice region with its incredible flora and fauna.

Early evening be part of the Bat Tour, an incredible experience at the Tirimbina Reserve. Bats represent 50% of Costa Rican mammals and the 110 Costa Rican species represent 12% of the total bat biodiversity worldwide. Discover the wonders of this group of mammals. Learned by observing live specimens that were previously captured using mist-nets. A specialized guide provides the opportunity to touch the bats, in total security, as well feed them. Finally, the bats will be released into the wild again.

• Lodging: Centro Neotropico Sarapiqui or similar

DAY 5: SARAPIQUI - TIRIMBINA RESERVE - GREEN MACAW

Early in the morning after breakfast the journey continues with a Walk in tour thought the trails of the Tirimbina Reserve in search of the Green Great Macaw (Ara Ambigua). This area is home to more than 420 species of birds, more than 500 species of butterflies, 55 species of snakes, and 120 species of mammals. Some birds include: Ocellated Antbird, Plain-brown Woodcreeper, Snowy Cotinga, Yellow-margined Flycatcher, Bay Wren, Striped-breasted Wren, Song Wren, Black-faced Grosbeak, Black-cowled Oriole, Dusky-faced Tanager, Plain-colored Tanager, Black-cheeked Woodpecker, Chestnut-colored Woodpecker, Slaty-breasted Tinamou, Great Tinamou, Little Tinamou, Crested Guan, Great Curassow, and Great Potoo. This is also one of the best locations to see the endagered Great Green Macaw.

• HIGHLIGHT: After the tour, short conference with the experts of the Conservation Program for the Ara Ambigua and explanation of how can you help save the Great Green Macaw.
• Lodging: Centro Neotropico Sarapiqui or similar

DAY 6: SARAPIQUI RIVER - FLOATING SAFARI

Puerto Viejo de Sarapiqui offers the incredible experience of knowing the Sarapiqu?? River through our boat tour in our safe and comfortable motorboats.

At the Sarapiqui River, you will board a boat for an exciting trip. Along the banks of the river you may see a crocodile lazing in the sun or hear the sounds of the howler monkeys. Thousands of exotic birds are common in this area. The vegetation is very exuberant. The canopy boasts tall trees entwined with lianas and laden with bromeliads and orchids.

In the afternoon private transfer to San Jose to the city Hotel check in and overnight

• Lodging: Hotel Don Carlos or similar

DAY 8: SAN JOSE - INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT

Private transfer to the International Airport Juan Santamaria for your return flight.

DAY 9: Arrive Home