Costa Rica Adventures with OTS!

Upon arrival at the San José International Airport, after clearing customs and collecting your luggage, you will be met and transported to Hotel Bougainvillea. This evening, gather together for an orientation and delicious welcome dinner at the hotel. Suggested arrival time at SJO Airport is before 4 pm. Check-in starts at 3 pm.

This morning, breakfast at the hotel with the possibility to meet with some OTS staff and receive an informative presentation. Following our time with the staff, we will travel south along the Pan-American Highway into the mountain chain known as Cordillera de Talamanca. Our destination is an area known as San Gerardo de Dota, home of Savegre Hotel Natural Reserve & Spa. This area is famous for the avian species in its highlands, especially the Resplendent Quetzal. After lunch and check-in, meet with our naturalist guide for a walk on the area's trails to experience the lush cloud forest. Enjoy a sunset with beautiful views at Siwo Mirador.

Have a delicious cup of coffee and biscuits before setting out early this morning for optional birding with our guide. Following breakfast and check-out, we will continue our journey south to Las Cruces Biological Station and Wilson Botanical Garden. After getting settled into our rooms overlooking the forest below, we will meet together in the conference room for an informal discussion with our Las Cruces hosts, followed by a walk around the immediate grounds to explore the research facilities, greenhouses, and the Wilson Botanical Garden. Have a family-style dinner this evening, as is customary at the station.

Breakfast is served early, which is convenient for guided morning hikes on the property. Within a 6-mile radius around the station, the flora boasts at least 2,000 plant species, including more than 20 endemic plants, as well as 113 mammal species (60 species of which are bats), more than 400 montane and lowland bird species, an estimated 70 species of reptiles, and much more than 1,000 species of insects, including 800 species of butterflies. Take a rest after the hike, enjoy lunch, and then venture out for an afternoon activity prepared by our hosts at Las Cruces.

Following breakfast, join our naturalist guide and Las Cruces hosts for a full day of activities on and off site. Lunch today will be at a local Italian restaurant.

Enjoy optional early morning birding with our guide, followed by breakfast, before beginning our journey to the Osa Peninsula. Our destination is Bosque del Cabo at the tip of the peninsula - a drive of about 3 and a half hours. We will stop en route for a stretch and a snack. Upon arrival, enjoy lunch and then have the remainder of the afternoon to explore your new surroundings. Our guide will be available for hikes on the trails should you wish.

Wake up early with the Scarlet Macaws for optional birding with our guide. This morning you have the choice of two activities: a wonderful dolphin watch and snorkeling in Golfo Dulce, or a quiet kayak tour among the mangrove estuaries in Platanares River Delta in the the Preciosa Platanares Wildlife Refuge, one of the deepest gulfs in the world and host to a great variety of marine life. The latter tour departs 1-2 hours prior to high tide, which of course varies, so your day would be timed around the tide. Please confirm your activity selection 2 months prior to the tour to guarantee your choice. The remainder of your day is at leisure.

Today, we will spend time at the Osa Conservation Biological Station, known as PIRO, located only 15 minutes from our lodge. Upon arrival, we will participate in an orientation for the station and a walk around the facilities. Have lunch and prepare for our afternoon activity with the staff at PIRO. Return to Bosque del Cabo for leisure time before sunset and dinner.

This morning, get an early start with pre-breakfast birding in the area around the lodge accompanied by our naturalist guide. After breakfast, we will set out for a hike in Corcovado National Park. This afternoon is yours to plan as you wish.

Following breakfast and check-out, we will be taken to the Puerto Jiménez Airport for our flight to San José. Upon arrival, we will be met and transported to Hotel Bougainvillea for a quick lunch, and then we will visit Toucan Rescue Ranch, located only 15 minutes from the hotel. Meet the staff and learn of their work with animals and birds, which they hope to rehabilitate and return to the wild. This evening, gather at the hotel for a delicious farewell dinner.

At the appropriate time this morning, you will be taken to the San José International Airport for your flight(s) home. Please note that there is a 3-hour check-in requirement at this airport. Check out is at 12 pm. Welcome home!