Barra De Pacuare Adventure

After just twenty minutes of driving out from San José towards the Caribbean lowlands, you will have an early introduction to Costa Rica’s natural highlights, as you pass by a rich variety of wildlife and through agricultural farmland with pineapple and banana plantations.

After another half hour, you will descend into the lowlands, and you’ll be able to notice the transition between two of Costa Rica’s key climates, the Cloud and the Rainforest.

Your journey will take you to the  Pacuare Nature Reserve which located between Tortuguero and Limon, on the Caribbean Coast of Costa Rica. Surrounded by canals and the sea, the reserve is only accessible by boat.

At around mid-morning, you’ll arrive at the pier to board a river boat taking you along the beautiful canals of the Pacuare Reserve,  one of the most important nesting sites in the world for the leatherback turtle. Its territories protect not only the turtle-nesting beach, but also the surrounding forests, canals and lagoons. There is a  peaceful atmosphere which attracts nature lovers, yet the area never has the feeling of being busy. It is the ideal place to start a trip to Costa Rica, with early opportunities to spot some of the most famous wildlife.

Along the way, your guide will talk you through the delicate eco-system of the area, giving you insight into how the waterways, the forest and the wildlife coexist so that you have an in-depth understanding of the environment you are experiencing.

The region is rich in wildlife with over 300 recorded species of animals, including 3 species of monkeys, over 200 species of birds, and rarer species such as jaguar and ocelot – an exciting day of animal spotting as you navigate the canals with your local expert guide.

Accommodation: 

Lirio Lodge

Located in Barra de Pacuare on the banks of the Mother of God Lagoon, Lirio Lodge is surrounded by tropical rain forest and overlooks an unspoiled natural canal.  Without a doubt, staying at Lirio Lodge means exploring and discovering the most unspoiled area of the Caribbean rainforests of Costa Rica and the Tortuguero canals in their most authentic, unspoiled and natural state. The flora and fauna in the area is rich, wonderful and unique, including several species in danger of extinction, such as rare sea turtles, the Green Turtle,  Carey Turtle and Leatherback Turtle, mammals as rare as the Jaguar and Tapir, and the very rare Garza Agami Storch, one of the rarest birds.

The lodge offers wooden bungalows raised on platforms, equipped with double beds, comfortable bathrooms, porches, and decks with either lagoon or garden views.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner

Head back to Barra De Pacuare

Today you will head back to the nature reserve, surrounded by three Sea Turtle protection organisations, 2400 hectares of  Biological Reserve and a labyrinth of rivers and swamps in the cloud forest of the Tortuguero area. 

Today you will have access to free kayaks and will be able to navigate the canal system,  interacting with locals who live in the community learning about the wildlife protection organisation

Apart from the kayaking or sailing on a boat tour along the canals of the national park, you can walk along the pristine beach, or visit   Tortuguero village and the Caribbean Conservation Corporation´s visitor centre and turtle museum.

The main trail runs the length of the reserve, through the forest behind the beach. Other shorter trails lead to areas of special interest, making the observation of an incredible array of flora and fauna species easy and enjoyable.

The lodge has an open-air dining pavilion where  you can watch the local wildlife and listen to the sounds of nature only found in a tropical paradise.

Accommodation: 

Lirio Lodge

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner

Sarapiqui Night Walk

Today you will leave Lirio eco lodge and transfer to Sarapiquí,  a unique town and river area in the Heredia Province. The incredible biodiversity and adventure you can find in Sarapiqui is unbeatable. It is an ecotourist’s dream! In addition to being one of the last places to see the endangered Green Macaw, Sarapiqui is home to several nature reserves, protected areas and national parks including the Braulio Carrillo National Park, a lush and green area. Thanks to the Rio Sarapiquí the land is fertile and agriculture thrives in this region. 

This is  the major banana producing region in Costa Rica. However, coffee, cardamom, cacao, corn, pineapple, palm heart and other fruits are also grown here.

This  evening you will have the opportunity to go on a night walking tour through the Tirimbina Rainforest  to see some of the rainforest’s most interesting species of nocturnal insects, frogs, and nocturnal mammals. During this tour you will be guided across Tirimbina´s suspension bridge and explore the rainforest when it is dark and when most of the rainforest animals are active, you may have the opportunity to spot animals like sloths, the red-eyed tree frog, porcupine, kinkayou and more.

Accommodation:

Sarapiquis Rainforest Lodge

Located in La Virgen de Sarapiquí, with restaurants, shops, and bars within walking distance of the property. The accommodation has a distinct Pre-Columbian theme and is comfortable and spacious. Each room is fitted with a ceiling fan, safe, comfortable beds and a private bathroom. Guests can enjoy dining at the on-site restaurants, which serve delicious meals based on local and vegetarian cuisine or relax at the bar with an ice-cold drink in hand, reflecting on the day’s adventures. 

Meals: Breakfast

Rafting and Rappel Tour

Enjoy a full day of adventure as you go down class 2 and 3 rapids surrounded by beautiful natural scenery. You will be accompanied  by an expert guide who will start the day with a safety briefing, and ensure that  you have a great morning of rafting as you splash and float along the river and during calmer periods, marvel at the abundance of exotic wildlife on the banks of the Sarapiqui River and listen to fascinating commentary from your guide.

In the afternoon you’ll have the opportunity to rappel down the Sarapiquí River canyon,  you will descend a large wall and enjoy spectacular views of the Sarapiquí and Pozo Azul rivers. Before you get started, you’ll learn the basics of rappelling and receive safety instructions.

Every rappel is assisted by two guides—one managing the safety line and the second belaying the main line. The equipment is high quality, and the guides are trained and professional. This assures absolute safety.

Accommodation:

Sarapiquis Rainforest Lodge

Meals: Breakfast

Departure

After breakfast it will be time to check out of your hotel. You will be transferred to Puntarenas to embark your cruise ship and continue your Latin American adventure.

Meals: Breakfast