Feeling at home in nature: Stepping out onto a hanging bridge over a gorge; feeling the power of a tropical rainstorm;  letting the gentle surf carry you to the shore: there is so much richness and meaning in our interactions with nature, and this tour will let you experience all of it in your own way. This tour is great for those who love birds, wildlife and flora.

Conservation communities: The communities that you visit are inspiring, each one dedicated to conservation of forests, water and wildlife. The simple but beautiful lodges where you will stay are family- or community-owned. You will experience the warmth and goodness of the Costa Rican campesino.

Your own bilingual naturalist guide/driver: You and your family or friends will have your own 4WD vehicle with a bilingual naturalist driver/guide who is familiar with these out-of-the-way communities. Because this is your private tour, t can go at any time of year, to correspond with your most convenient dates. It's best in the dry season, December through April. This is your chance to be in several of the most beautiful and inspiring places that Key to Costa Rica author Beatrice Blake has found in her 30 years of traveling in Costa Rica.

ITINERARY:

Day 1: Arrive at Juan Santamaria International airport. Stay at Hotel Don Carlos in San Jose. No meals included.

Day 2: After a hearty breakfast, leave around 10 a.m. for Nacientes Palmichal, a small chalet-style lodge in the mountain village of Palmichal de Acosta, an hour south of the city. Visit Don Manuel's coffee farm and have a homemade snack in the shade of the coffee bushes.  In the village, visit a family that uses a biodigestor to produce gas for cooking. Part of the biological corridor culture is the use of alternative energy technology, to reduce the use of wood and petroleum products. The community of Palmichal protects the watershed for the whole area and has a cloud forest reserve. Overnight at Nacientes Palmichal, all meals included.

Day 3:  After breakfast, you will drive through the beautiful Los Santos region and take a back road to Reserva Los Campesinos, an isolated rural village with a long hanging bridge over a gorge, into which falls a huge waterfall. You will stay in  rustic but comfortable cabins for the night and eat delicious campesino cooking. All meals included.

Day 4:  The farmers who own the project will  take you on a hike through their rainforest reserve, explaining the different uses of the plants and flowers. Halfway up the trail you can  zoom across another gorge in an andarivel, a cable and pulley device that local people use for "rapid transit". At the mirador you'll be able to see Playa del Rey on the coast. When you return, a refreshing dip in an idyllic waterfall pool awaits you, along with more tasty country cooking. All meals included.

Day 5:  After breakfast, drive through down the Pacific coast on your way to  La Cusinga Lodge in Uvita de Osa, arriving there for a delicious lunch with ingredients from La Cusinga's organic farm. Explore beautiful Playa del Arco, and look for monkeys, sloths, birds and frogs on La Cusinga's trails. All meals included.

Day 6: Take a kayak tour in the local mangrove swamp to see birds and crocodiles. The afternoon will be free for relaxing, exploring the beach or trails. Overnight at La Cusinga, all meals included.

Day 7: After breakfast, bid farewell to La Cusinga and travel to San Isidro de El General for a half-day birding tour and lunch. Then head north, through the paramo of Cerro de la Muerte. When you get to the oak forests of Copey, you will enjoy a delicious dinner of freshly-caught trout. Overnight at El Toucanet Lodge, all meals included.

Day 8: In the early morning, hike in search of the famous Respendent Quetzal. After a hearty breakfast, you will head back to the central valley. There will be time to visit the excellent National Museum and the elegant National Theater while you are in San Jose. Meals included: breakfast. 

Day 9: Return home, or go on to more adventures in Costa Rica. Meals included: breakfast.

Optional trips to Poas Volcano, Arenal Volcano, Pacific or Atlantic beaches, river rafting or the Osa Peninsula can be arranged.

Cost: Eight nights and seven days, for US$1530 per person, double occupancy. including  bilingual naturalist guide, all meals mentioned and transportation. Travel insurance is not included, but required (under $75).

This tour can be customized to leave whenever you want. For two people, it costs $1723 per person.

For more information contact Beatrice Blake: beatrice@keytocostarica.com. Hope you can join us!

Check out our other tours, or let us help you plan your own tour!

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