COSTA RICA Photo & Birding Adventure - Mar 6 - 19, 2012
EMERALD TOUCANET
PRICE PER PERSON based on double occupancy:
$3998 USF
Maximum 8 participants
SINGLE SUPPLEMENT: $395 USDThe tiny country of Costa Rica offers all the diversity of a neotropical paradise, all in a modern, healthy, safe and comfortable setting. Experience the lush beauty of mountain forests, open country, colourful gardens and coastal habitats. This itinerary is designed to provide the best photo opportunities of the country's most beautiful creatures, especially birds. From the Resplendent Quetzal in the highlands, the Green Thorntail Hummingbird of the Caribbean Slope, to the Scarlet Macaw on the Pacific coast, we hope to observe 300 species of birds (or more) by the end of the trip. Although we visit some of the most productive areas for birds, we'll also enjoy great food, spectacular scenery, and friendly people.
ITINERARY:
Mar 06: Arrive, picked up at airport and transfer to Hotel Bougainvillea for 1 Night
Mar 07: Transfer via Paraiso Quetzal to Savegre Mt Lodge for 2 Nights
Mar 08: Full day in Savegre - 2nd Night there
Mar 09: Early AM at Savegre, transfer via Paramo to La Quinta for 3 Nights
Mar 10: Full day at La Selva OTS, 2nd Night at La Quinta
Mar 11: AM at Old Butterfly Garden, afternoon at local lodge, 3rd Night at La Quinta
Mar 12: AM visit to La Paz Waterfall Garden, transfer to Arenal Observatory Lodge for 2 Nights
Mar 13: Full day at and near lodge, 2nd Night at Arenal Observatory Lodge
Mar 14: Arenal Hanging Bridges in AM, transfer after lunch to Hacienda Solimar for 1 Night
Mar 15: AM at Solimar, transfer after lunch to Villa Lapas for 3 Nights
Mar 16: Full day in Carara NP, 2nd Night at Villa Lapas
Mar 17: AM Boat ride on Rio Tarcoles, afternoon locally, 3rd Night at Villa Lapas
Mar 18: AM locally near Villa Lapas, transfer to Orquideas Inn for final Night
Mar 19: Transfer to San Jose Airport in time for Int'l departure
SILVER-THROATED TANAGER
GUIDING INCLUDED IN THE PRICE: Herman Venegas as your local Bird guide throughout the trip. Tony Beck as your Bird and Photography Guide. Nina Stavlund as your Photography Guide
TRANSPORT INCLUDED IN THE PRICE: Toyota Coaster with driver entire trip. Also includes airport transfers in and out and fuel
ENTRANCE FEES AND ACTIVITIES INCLUDED IN THE PRICE:
Mar 07: Entrance fee and lunch Paraiso Quetzal
Mar 08: Truck ride to trail head while at Savegre
Mar 10: Entrance fee for full day at La Selva OTS
Mar 11: Old Butterfly Garden
Mar 11: Entrance fee Selva Verde Lodge or El Gavilan Lodge
Mar 12: Entrance fee and lunch La Paz Waterfall Garden
Mar 14: Entrance fee Arenal Hanging Bridges
Mar 16: Entrance fee Carara NP
Mar 17: Boat ride on Rio Tarcoles
RESPLENEDNT QUETZAL
MEAL PLAN: All meals are included in the price from Breakfast Mar 07 thru Breakfast Mar 19
ITEMS NOT INCLUDED IN THE PRICE:
Air Fare to/from San Jose, Costa Rica
Meals on March 6, and after breakfast on March 19
Tips to guide(s), chauffeur, hotel staff
alcoholic beverages, or additional refreshments (soda)
Laundry (or other extra hotel services)
Long Distance Phone Calls
Airport Exit Tax of $26 USD when departing Costa Rica
Anything not specifically mentioned as included in above itinerary
Make sure you have a valid passport before traveling to Costa Rica
If possible, try to pack light.
We should expect all types of weather including rain, cold and bright sun. Prepare accordingly
Essential equipment will be binoculars, and photography equipment
Bring your cameras and a good selection of lenses
You'll want everything from wide angle to telephoto (200mm minimum)
A macro (close focus lens) can also be useful
If possible, bring a spare camera, extra batteries and LOTS of memory
Additional support is good (tripod, monopod or gunstock)
You might also want an external flash for low light or fill
ARENAL VOLCANO
Electrical outlets are 120V (same as in North America).
Click Here for More Information: AC Requirements in Costa Rica
At least two of your guides will have telescopes
We expect to be doing some hiking on most days, and in a variety of terrain. Typically, the hiking will be relatively easy. However, it includes some hillside trails and steep inclines. We will always stay on trails or open areas. And, the pace will always be reasonably slow. Make sure you have good, comfortable hiking shoes. We might encounter some areas with mud or shallow water.
Although we will be spending a lot of time around bird feeding stations at our lodges, some days will be very long - getting up early (optional morning hikes before breakfast), out all day, with occasional owling at night (optional). Expect some long bus rides between accommodations.
Insects are rarely a problem. However, it's a good idea to bring insect repellent with deet. This can be especially effective against chiggers and mosquitoes.
Costa Rica is modern, extremely healthy and safe, especially for a tropical "third world" country. It is among the safest destinations for travelers in the world. Medical and personal safety issues are very rare in Costa Rica. However, if you feel you need to take medical precautions, visit the following site for more information. Click Here: Common Sense Travel
Click Here for the Canadian Government's Travel Report for Costa Rica: CDN Costa Rica Travel Advisory
Click Here to get an idea of what we'll photograph on this tour - Galleries from past trips to Costa Rica:
2008: Costa Rica 2008
2007: Costa Rica 2007
CONTACT US FOR MORE INFORMATION. Click Here: Always An Adventure
