Squadrons of pelicans swoop down from a ‘Jurassic Park’ volcano backdrop and glide unsteadily across the silvery water of a sandy bay. Walking beneath the high cathedral of the jungle canopy, its lime green light streaming down, you hear howler monkeys whoop and bark. Armored iguanas clattered up thick trunks as a rare quetzal bird darts in a turquoise flash through the cloud forest: The ‘Rich Coast’ of Costa Rica derives its name with good reason.

Costa Rica has become the ‘poster child’ for sustainable ecotourism throughout the world. It is an active example of how linking tourism with a protected area can lead to the simultaneous growth of both its socioeconomic and environmental sectors.

This fantastic and relaxing ecotourism adventure avoids some of the more heavily visited areas. This will allow you to immerse yourself in Costa Rica’s wondrous natural biodiversity and culture without the crowds. You will also learn about the country’s successes in ecotourism, which offers a path to recovery for the rest of the world. Costa Rica has a tropical and subtropical climate contributing to the fact that it has one of the highest levels of biodiversity in the world. Its location between North and South America means that it is home to species from both continents.

We visit 3 national parks as a part of this ecotourism adventure: Corcovado (home to the Tapir), Quetzales National Park ( home to the Quetzal), and Marino Ballena National Marine Park, where the mangrove forests and coral reefs support incredible diversity. The wildlife of Costa Rica is central to this adventure but there are no guarantees as to what you will see – this is an opportunity for us to walk through the natural environment and notice what is around us, rather than an ‘arranged’ viewing.

Highlights:

• Gentle walking and wildlife watching in Quetzales, Corcovado & Marino Ballena National Parks
• A boat trip to Cano Island to explore its archaeological discoveries
• Snorkel off the Pacific South Coast to enjoy the varied and colorful marine life
• Enjoy the pristine natural environment of the Osa Peninsula
• Visit and tour a local organic coffee farm with coffee tastings included
• Learn about ecotourism in Costa Rica
• Stay in 4* hotel accommodation in unspoiled locations

Seasonal Notes:

Traditionally, Costa Rica has enjoyed two main seasons; 1) the dry season lasting from December to April, with hot, dry, and cloudy weather; 2) the wet season from May to November, with more humid and overcast conditions, and higher rainfall in many regions. With global climate change, the seasons have become less defined at either end of the season, and the transitional months of April & November make for a pleasant time to visit, with fewer crowds and better value for money. This is why we schedule our trips around these months.

• In November you can expect warm temperatures with balmy evenings (average max of 31ºC / 88ºF and min of 72ºF). Rains during the afternoon or early evenings are common.
• In March and April, we enjoy the end of the dry season. The daytime temperatures are warm (mid–high 20sºC / 77-84ºF) and there is a risk of some thunderstorms. It is the high season as well, so it will be busier than in November.