Costa Rica, nature and life

Departure from Italy (airport of the participants’ choice, KLM/Iberia flights from all major Italian airports). Arrival in San Josè. Group transfer to the hotel, check-in rooms. Evening visit to the historic center. Night in the surroundings of San Josè.

Transfer to Tarcoles. Rio Tarcoles is known as the crocodile river and is home to the largest crocodiles in America. We will take a photographic safari by boat to immortalize the majestic reptiles (included). On the river it is also possible to spot many local birds. Afternoon visit to the Carara National Park, near Tarcoles: small, but incredibly rich in fauna. Return to San José in the evening. Night in the surroundings of San José.

Transfer to Boca Tapada, in the center of the Manenque Reserve. The Reserve is a paradise of vegetation and waters: the large number of birds, including many rare ones, makes Boca Tapada a unique destination for bird watching and nature photography. One of the most representative birds is the green macaw, quite common in the area, another is the white vulture. We will also find various species of colorful toucans, hummingbirds, tanagers. Arrival at the hotel, check-in rooms and entire afternoon of photographic observations in the Lodge park. Night in Boca Tapada.

Full day dedicated to other photographic observations in the Manenque reserve. The reserve offers endless photographic opportunities and the day will pass quickly. Possibility of reserving dedicated hides for the observation of the king vulture, numerous species of snakes and amphibians. Night in Boca Tapada.

Early in the morning transfer to Fortuna, home of the Arenal Volcano National Park. After checking in rooms we will have a visit and photo session at the Ecocentro Danaus Biological Reserve, rich in typical fauna. Possibility of a second night outing (not included) to spot nocturnal animals, such as the red-eyed frog, snakes and other amphibians. Night in Fortuna or surroundings.

After breakfast, long transfer to Esterillos Oeste (about 4 hours), a town on the Pacific coast famous for its mangrove forests and its beaches, the most famous being Plaja Behuco. The ocean sunsets are something you rarely see. Along the way, stop at the Hummingbird Oasis “El Cocora Bosche Nuboso”. Photo session dedicated to these tiny, fascinating and colorful birds. For us, Esterillos Oeste means Scarlet Macaw, the majestic red and blue parrot: the area is full of them and they are friendly animals that let you get quite close. Arrival in Esterillos Oeste: we will be inside a large palm grove populated by sloths and numerous other animals.
Check-in rooms and first photographs of the parrots and the majestic sunset. Night in Esterillos Oeste.

In the morning, a photo safari by boat to the mangrove forest (included): capuchin monkeys, sloths and reptiles will be our targets. In the afternoon, return to Esterillos Oeaste for more photo sessions of the Scarlet Macaw, the sloth and the beach fauna (pink crabs, with a bit of luck turtles). Night in Esterillos Oeste.

Manuel Antonio National Park. The park is the most visited in the country as it hosts a huge variety of animal species and is easily accessible. Despite a certain anthropization, the sighting of monkeys, sloths and toucans is almost guaranteed. The visit will last the whole day and is a beautiful relaxing experience, with the possibility of bathing in the tropical waters. Return and night in Esterillos Oeste.

Last photos at the Scarlet Macaw, then return to San Josè (approx. 4h) in time for the return flights to Italy.