Costa Rica | Nature`s Paradise: Savegre, Sarapiqui and Arenal

Arrive in San José and transfer to Hotel Buena Vista, situated just minutes from the airport in the charming town of Alajuela. Check in at the hotel and enjoy the stunning views of the Central Valley. Elevation is comfortable 3,100 feet. Check-in time 3:00pm

This morning meet for breakfast and orientation at 7:00 am in the hotel restaurant. Check out of the hotel and then transfer to Selva Verde Lodge and Reserve, situated in the Caribbean lowlands at elevations of between 180-220 feet. En route birding at Cinchona and, and long the road near Virgen del Socorro. Founded by the Holbrook family in 1985, Selva Verde Lodge is renowned for its commitment to ecological preservation and sustainability. The reserve is home to a large assortment of avian and other wildlife. Bird species often spotted at Selva Verde include the Keel-billed Toucan, Sunbittern, Crimson Tanager, Wood Thrush, Violet-crowned Woodnymph, and Grey-necked Wood Rail. Selva Verde is also home to the endangered Great Green Macaw, which can occasionally be found here feeding on the giant fruiting almond trees in the rainforest. Upon arrival have lunch at the elevated, riverside restaurant. After a brief orientation to the facilities, afternoon birding and nature watching on the lodge trails. This evening after dinner, optional night walk.

Depart at dawn for the world famous La Selva Biological Station and an early morning walk in the tropical wet forest. La Selva consists of approximately 2,500 acres of land, over 90% of which is virgin forest, and is home to 1,850 species of plants, 350 species of trees, and over 400 species of birds. The area averages 13 feet of rainfall each year! Over half of Costa Rica’s 895 recorded bird species have been spotted at La Selva, including the Bare-necked Umbrellabird, Red-capped Manakin, Great Antshrike, Chestnut-backed Antbird, Slaty-tailed Trogon, Yellow-tailed Oriole, and Rufous-tailed Jacamar. Return to the lodge for lunch and have free time to relax or for optional activities such as ziplining or horseback riding.

Birding around Selva Verde grounds and reserve. Then enjoy your lunch being accompanied by Paul Foster(Bijagual Ecologic Reserve Director) and be prepared to have a talk given by him and discuss about on-going research projects at Bijagual. Late afternoon boat ride on the Rio Sarapiquí. While winding down the river bordered with forests and cultivated fields, aquatic animals, birds, and reptiles are abundant in their natural habitat.

This morning after breakfast depart for Arenal Observatory Lodge with a stop at La Fortuna’s Eco Center Danaus, a private ecological reserve dedicated to conservation, environmental education and sustainability. Lunch in La Fortuna. Arenal Observatory is situated in Arenal National Park on a ridge amid towering pine trees and beautiful rainforest on the south side of the volcano. The lodge boasts seven miles of well-maintained trails on over 800 acres. A natural paradise, more than 400 species of birds have been recorded here. Some of the more spectacular local residents include: Three-wattled Bellbird, Fasciated Tiger Heron, Sunbittern, Laughing Falcon, Red-lored Parrot, Steely-vented Hummingbird and Keel-billed Toucan. There is also plenty of other wildlife in the area, including three species of monkeys. Elevations range from 1,650 2,950 feet.

Morning birding if desired. After breakfast, transfer to the Arenal Hanging Bridges. Six of the 15 bridges are suspended in the upper canopy of this mature forest trail system. The elevation is approximately 1,900 feet. The trail system straddles types of ecosystems forming a transitional vegetation strip with high biodiversity where both highland and lowland species occur. There is an excellent chance to see motmots and jacamars. Return to the lodge for lunch and this afternoon continue birding and nature study on the lodge’s trails.

Travel to Villa Lapas today, arriving in time for lunch at the lodge. When it cools off a bit, later this afternoon, take a boat ride on the Tárcoles River. The Tárcoles River basin is one of the most important in the Pacific coastal region, virtually draining the entire western side of the Central Valley. Tárcoles hosts an amazing diversity of wildlife along its banks. Perhaps the most famous of all its inhabitants are the enormous crocodiles that live on its banks. Later take a guided night walk to observe owls.

Take an early morning nature walk before breakfast. Later visit Carara National Park for the day, one of the birding hotspots of Costa Rica. The park is located in Costa Rica’s Central Pacific region, which is one the most ecologically diverse areas of the country. The intersection of the northwestern tropical dry forest habitats, with the humid rainforests of the South Pacific region in a relatively small area, produces a very interesting combination of species from both ecosystems. Keep your eyes peeled for Golden-naped Woodpecker, Baird’s Trogon, Orange-collared Manakin, Dot-winged Antwren, Long-billed Gnatwren and Chestnut-backed Antbird. Also watch for sloths and monkeys. Before dinner at the lodge, watch for macaws from a nearby bridge.

After breakfast continue to Cerro de la Muerte, an area located at the top of the Cordillera de Talamanca that is famous for its diversity of endemic wildlife. Consisting of temperate forest and páramo habitats, the natural vegetation attracts species such as the rare Red-fronted Parrotlet, Costa Rican Pygmy owl, Dusky Nightjar, Fiery-throated, Volcano, and Scintillant Hummingbirds, Ochraceous Pewee, Volcano Junco, Zeledonia, and Resplendent Quetzal. Afternoon birding at the lodge before dinner. Take some time to visit the delightful hummingbird feeders in front of reception and off the balcony of the lounge.

Savegre’s private biological reserve protects high elevation habitat of mostly oak forest and highland cloud forest that attracts a huge variety of avifauna. The large centennial oaks that cover the forest are laden with lichens and mosses that contrast with the colorful bromeliads. The forest is rich with insects, mammals, and amphibians, and 170+ bird species. Elevation here is 7,200-8,000 feet. Spend the morning looking for Spotted Wood Quail, Costa Rican Pygmy Owl, Collared Trogon, Buffy Tufted-cheek, Ruddy Treerunner, Ochraceous Pewee, Barred Becard, Zeledonia and Golden-browed Chlorophonia. Head to Los Lagos in the afternoon in search of the Resplendent Quetzal. Guided night walk this evening.

Early morning departure for San Jose to the airport to take your afternoon flight back home.