The science of biodiversity: Costa Rica

6 November 2023 - 13 days for £5,749

Costa Rica is one of the most biodiverse countries in the world in terms of species density, even though it covers just 0.3 per cent of the planet.

Join this amazing expedition where you will experience biodiversity first-hand and delve deep into the science behind it. This trip will encompass a wealth of fascinating ecosystems, including cloud forests, wetlands, primary rainforests, volcanic zones and the rich variety of life in marine reserves and national parks.

You will see many species including whales, dolphins, iguanas, sloths, monkeys and a multitude of birds and butterflies. But biodiversity isn’t just about the number of species – it is also about how they interact with each other to create a complex ecosystem. This tour will give you insights into the biology, ecology, agriculture, sustainability and environmental stewardship of this fascinating country, where 25 per cent of the land is protected. Local guides, conservationists, biologists and naturalists will immerse you in the country’s natural splendours and demonstrate why Costa Rica is officially at the top of the Happy Planet Index.

Group size of no more than 16 guests.

In partnership with Intrepid Travel

DAY 1: ARRIVE INTO SAN JOSE

Welcome to Costa Rica! On arrival, you will check into the historic Gran Hotel Costa Rica Curio. Then, in the evening you will meet the rest of your small group of explorers and cover the forthcoming itinerary with the local tour leader. 

DAY 2: TRAVEL TO THE MONTEVERDE CLOUD FOREST FOR BATS AND A NIGHT WALK

After breakfast, you will travel north-west for 3 hours to Monteverde, which has eight microclimates, 400 species of bird and 1200 species of amphibians and reptiles within its cloud forest.

After checking in to the mountainside El Establo hotel for three nights, enjoy some free time around the lush grounds of the hotel before experiencing the Bat Jungle tour. The tour offers a world-class exhibit, in which live bats fly through a simulated jungle environment. A special ultrasonic microphone will let you experience how bats use their biological sonar for echolocation and socialising.

After the sun goes down, you will head out on a night walk with expert local naturalists, an outstanding opportunity to experience the forest from a whole different perspective. Many of the organisms that are active at night have evolved special adaptations to thrive in the darkness. 

DAY 3: SANTA ELENA CLOUD FOREST RESERVE AND THE MONTEVERDE INSTITUTE

Founded in 1992 and managed by the Public High School Board of Directors, the Santa Elena reserve holds a vast variety of biological diversity within its 310 hectares and a percentage of the entrance fees paid by visitors goes towards youth education in the community. 

You will start the day exploring the fantastic Orchid Garden, where you can find more than 450 species and learn about the project’s work in conserving these beautiful plants and how it utilises local student volunteers. 

After lunch, you will visit the Monteverde Institute for a tour and talk that covers the different sustainable projects there. The institute is a not-for-profit association dedicated to education, applied research and community engagement. It exemplifies how appreciating and building on the area’s biodiversity is woven into the fabric of everyday life here (as you will see on many of the visits over the coming days).

DAY 4: UP INTO THE CLOUD FOREST CANOPY AND DOWN WITH THE FROGS

Today, you will explore the reserve from way up high on the Sky Walk. This serenely peaceful aerial adventure will allow you to explore the highest points of the reserve’s dense forest canopy, giving you views that go on for miles. You will go deep in the mountain on 2.5 kilometres of suspension bridges and a guided walk will enlighten you about the area’s flora and fauna, much of which is hidden from the ground.

Late afternoon, you will visit the Frog Pond, where 25 species of frogs and toads live in large terrariums that simulate a natural environment, including the colourful poison arrow frog, cane toad and red-eyed tree frog. With guides on hand, you will learn about their history, habitats and unique characteristics.

DAY 5: ARENAL VOLCANO NATIONAL PARK

In the morning, you will continue north and then loop around Lake Arenal to where you will take a gentle trek around the Arenal volcano that last erupted in 1968 and the extinct volcano Cerro Chato. Here, you will see dried lava flows and the devastation they can cause to vegetation and wildlife.

Afterwards, you can relax in the Eco Termales Hot Springs. These thermal springs are of magmatic origin and contain calcium bicarbonates and magnesium, which are said to have analgesic, anti-inflammatory, and muscle relaxing properties.

In the evening, you will check into the Arenal Springs hotel for two nights, where you can relax in its exotic gardens and further natural hot springs before enjoying a group dinner.

DAY 6: CAÑO NEGRO AND THE RIO FRIO RIVER

Today is an early departure to Caño Negro. On the way, you will have the opportunity to learn about the crops and plantations that are important to Costa Rica, such as yuca, papaya, pineapple, sugar cane and oranges. 

After a quick rest stop, you will embark on a boat tour of the Rio Frio river, exploring its wetlands ecosystem. On this relaxing cruise, you may have the chance to see egrets, herons, monkeys, caimans, iguanas, bats and a variety of flora. In addition, the wetlands support an abundance of fish such as the tropical gar, the Atlantic tarpon, and the false yellowjacket cichlid. The cruise will be followed by a delicious lunch at a local restaurant before you return to Arenal.

DAY 7: DISCOVER SARAPIQUI AT NIGHT AND THE REGIONS CHOCOLATE HISTORY

After travelling east for 90 minutes, you will be in the Caribbean lowlands, another area that is rich in biodiversity and devoted to agriculture. Cacao is an important crop here, so you will enjoy a chocolate tour that takes you on a journey to discover the story behind the drink of the gods, how it was prepared by ancestors, followed by a led-tasting.

In the evening, you will check in to the Sarapiqui Rainforest Lodge for two nights, which is built in the style of a 15th-century pre-Columbian village. Later on, you will take a night walk with a naturalist when the forest is most active. The red-eyed tree frog and web-footed frog are common discoveries on night walks here. 

DAY 8: BIRDWATCHING BEFORE BREAKFAST, ALMA ATA ARCHAEOLOGICAL PARK AND THE TIRIMBINA RAINFOREST CENTER

Sarapiqui houses 54 per cent of all birds found in Costa Rica, so before breakfast and pre-dawn you will embark on a birdwatching tour on foot for a few hours. This will allow you to observe the more nocturnal species before they turn in for the day.

After breakfast, you will visit the nearby Alma Ata Archaeological Park. A beautiful orange orchard, where in October 1999, a large pre-Columbian tomb field, at least 600 years old, was discovered. As well as the burial field and its stone sculptures, the park exhibits reconstructions of petroglyphs and a 15th-century Indigenous village.

In the afternoon, you will visit the Tirimbina Rainforest Center, a national wildlife refuge where you will explore the trails, traverse the suspension bridge of the Sarapiqui river and be given a talk on the centre and its work.

DAY 9: FLY TO THE CORCOVADO NATIONAL PARK

After travelling south, back to San Jose airport, you will catch a domestic flight to Palomar Sur just above Corcovado.

Corcovado National Park is among the most biologically intense places on Earth, located on the wild and untamed Osa Peninsula on the Pacific south-west coast. It contains 13 major ecosystems including lowland rain forest, highland cloud forest, jolillo palm forest, and mangrove swamps, as well as coastal marine and beach habitats. There are more than 250,000 species including toucans, parrots, monkeys, tapirs, elusive jaguars, sloths, monkeys, tapirs, many bird species, peccaries, jaguars, pumas, ocelots, jaguarundis, margays, lowland pacas, agoutis and bull sharks.

You will travel by river boat to the splendidly isolated Casa Corcovado Jungle Lodge for three nights. The hotel paths lead directly into the rainforest, where the smells and sounds fill your senses. Before dinner together, you will embark on a walking night tour to explore them. The thrill of entering into the rainforest at night is incomparable. As smells and sounds fill your senses, the jungle embraces you on each step. On every expedition the chances of seeing wildlife vary greatly, but you could find the red eyed tree frog, tarantulas, and with luck even the shy and secretive tapir. The guide will provide all the necessary equipment including flashlights and rubber boots for your safety. 

DAY 10: DEEP INTO THE PARK FOR THE SIRENA RANGER STATION

Today, you will journey into the heart of the park and visit the San Pedrillo ranger station. Wildlife is abundant here and easily observed. Including sloths, jesus lizards, the mysterious jungle cats and colorful scarlet macaws. 

The number of visitors entering the park is carefully controlled by law to ensure its protection, so your visit will be pre-registered with the local park authorities. Once at the ranger station, you will have plenty of time to explore the trails and enjoy dense primary rainforest where little light reaches the forest floor, leading to intriguing ecosystems. The station has extensive facilities for the support of research and protection activities.

You will return to the lodge by boat for dinner.

DAY 11: AT SEA TO CAÑO ISLAND FOR SUPPORTED SNORKELLING

Today starts after breakfast, when you will meet your guide at the gear house to select your fins and mask for snorkelling. It's then a 40-minute boat ride to the 'Coral Garden'. Along the way, you may see pilot and humpback whales, and dolphins. 

The snorkelling site is located within a marine reserve, with extensive coral and is ideal for spotting a wide variety of marine life, including manta rays, turtles and small white-tipped sharks. This is a great experience for all regardless of experience. Inflatable diving vests that can be adjusted to allow you to bob on the surface, fully supported, or dive down below, whichever you prefer are provided and you will be accompanied by a guide whilst in the water. 

After an hour of snorkelling, you will cruise towards Caño Island. It was once an important ceremonial site and burial ground for the pre-Columbian inhabitants. The island is now a national park. Here, you can wade ashore and stroll along the beach. After your return cruise back to the lodge, a picnic lunch will be laid out for you on the beach.

In the evening, there is a farewell dinner with your fellow guests.

DAY 12: RIVER BOAT TO SIERPE THEN RETURN TO SAN JOSE

After checking out of the lodge, you will return by boat to Sierpe and then on to Palomar Sur to catch your flight back to San Jose. In the evening, you will check in to the Hampton In Hotel close to the airport for your homeward flight the following day.

DAY 13: DEPART CHILE OR STAY FOR A FEW MORE DAYS

After a hot breakfast and checking out, the hotel will transfer you at the appropriate time to the airport, which is literally a few minutes away.

Should you wish to stay a few days longer in San Jose, we are happy to help make the arrangements.