OVERVIEW

Observe an ever-changing parade of tropical animals while cruising a mangrove-lined river and strolling through a serene butterfly garden. As an introduction to the area, you will first pause for photos of a historical church in a leafy park in Esparza, whose surrounding countryside will offer a glimpse into the wilds that lie ahead. The Tarcoles River is a fine example of that natural beauty as its shores are densely forested, an environment that attracts an abundance of wildlife. You can expect to spot all sorts of wading birds in the shallows and in the intertwined branches of the mangroves and massive American crocodiles sunning along the riverbanks. The biodiversity in the butterfly garden El Jardín is equally impressive as you will see species of all sizes, shapes and colors. You will also watch a folkloric performance at the garden setting that showcases Costa Rican distinctive dance and music.

HIGHLIGHTS

• Cruise the Tarcoles River in a covered but open-air boat that is ideal for viewing wildlife.
• See water birds and enormous American crocodiles sunning along the riverbanks.
• Meander through a butterfly garden and watch a folkloric performance there.
• Drop by the town of Esparza to snap photos of its emblematic church.

HELPFUL HINTS

• Dress in weather-appropriate clothing.
• Wear flat comfortable walking shoes.

OVERVIEW

Follow a naturalist through the cloud forest at San Luis Park and across suspended bridges high above the forest floor while enjoying the spectacular views. As an introduction to this jungle-like venue, you will browse a garden that dozens of hummingbirds call home. You will then begin a more adventurous walk into the higher reaches of the cloud forest along a trail that crosses rivers and suspended bridges that tower more than 10 stories above the ground. The foliage will be wildly exotic and often punctuated with bursts of bright color from orchids, bromeliads and heliconias. Be sure to look for tropical birds such as resplendent quetzals, scarlet macaws and keel-billed toucans. Also, you may spot monkeys swinging from tree to tree and sloths, which move so slowly they almost blend into the surroundings. Following the walk, you will dine on traditional buffet dishes accompanied by “agua dulce,” a hot drink sweetened with raw cane sugar.

HIGHLIGHTS

• Walk through a cloud forest with a naturalist that will describe the flora and fauna.
• Cross suspended bridges as high as 10 stories that offers sweeping views of the jungle.
• Meander through a garden that attracts large numbers of hummingbirds.
• Enjoy a buffet lunch of traditional Costa Rican dishes.

HELPFUL HINTS

• Dress in weather-appropriate clothing.
• Wear flat comfortable walking shoes.

OVERVIEW

Float down the mostly calm and meandering waters of the Corobici River on a raft while taking in the gorgeous scenery. A leisurely drive through the fertile Guanacaste flatlands will offer a hint of the natural beauty that lies ahead, but nothing rivals seeing it up close. The river lies in the shadow of the Palo Verde National Park and the foliage is dense, green and comes right to the river’s edge. After a briefing to ensure that you maximize the experience, you will ease into the water and begin floating downstream. Hundreds of species of tropical birds inhabit this area, so keep an eye out for species such as ospreys and kingfishers in the tree branches scanning the water for prey. Roseate spoonbills, white ibises and bare-throated tiger herons are often seen wading in the shallows. If you don’t see howler monkeys, chances are, you will hear them playfully screeching in the tree canopy.

HIGHLIGHTS

• Enjoy a float trip down the winding Corobici River, whose waters are typically calm.
• Look for colorful birds flying overhead and wading birds in the shallows.
• Scan the tree canopy for howler monkeys and white-faced monkeys.
• Admire the endless natural beauty and serenity of the tropical setting.
• Dine at a riverfront restaurant before pausing to shop at a country store.

HELPFUL HINTS

• Dress in weather-appropriate clothing.
• Bring a swimsuit, towel and sunscreen.
• Wear comfortable shoes that can be wet.

Your sightseeing drive through rolling hills, high mountains, plains, valleys, and riverbeds is just part of the gorgeous landscape that will make you think of paradise. Costa Rica’s topography is one of the world’s most diverse. You’ll start by heading east to Esparza, a town that has become one of the most picturesque in Costa Rica’s Central Pacific region. The central park and its church are emblematic of Costa Rica’s hardworking rural towns.

Local dancers in colorful dresses will greet you at the park and you’ll enjoy masquerades and handmade souvenir exhibitions while you learn about their traditions. Your scenic drive includes some stretches along the Pacific Ocean passing by mango and cashew plantations, farming areas and most certainly seeing some birds along the way, all examples of sustainable living. Take the opportunity to capture unique pictures, while traveling down to sea level, admiring the most breathtaking views.

The Natuwa Sanctuary at El Manantial is a Costa Rican wildlife conservation charity working to save and protect endangered species from extinction, headquartered in Aranjuez de Puntarenas.

Natuwa works with some of the most endangered native birds of Costa Rica, focusing on the rarest species and the most fragile habitats. The main focus of the project is the Scarlet Macaw (Ara Macao) and the Great Green Macaw (Ara Ambigua), who once flew freely in many areas of Costa Rica.

At the Sanctuary, Great Green macaws and Scarlet macaws are not bred for the pet trade. They are strictly bred in order to release their young into the wild to be set free forever. In the sanctuary the birds fly unrestricted, enjoying the trees and the fruits they can find around this habitat. The local people from the village of Aranjuez care for and watch over the wild macaws.

In November 2014 three jaguar cubs were brought to the NATUWA Sanctuary, just a few days old. The Costa Rican government rescued them and brought them to NATUWA to be taken care of because they were orphaned. The three jaguar cubs Onka, Baguira, and Dinamú were able to survive thanks to the care they received at NATUWA. They did not have the opportunity to learn survival skills from their mother such as how to hunt and how to mark territory. They have been raised surrounded by humans and this leaves them vulnerable and unable to survive in the wild. They have no other option and must stay in captivity.

These felines will be Ambassadors for an environmental education program that involves schools and the general public. The main objective is to generate information so that visitors understand the vital role that animals play in the forest ecosystem.

A comfortable air conditioned bus ride passing a variety of landscapes including mango and watermelon farmlands, lush forests and mountain views will take you to the highlands of Alajuela Province where the hacienda is located.

Rancho San Miguel is a school of high equestrian arts as they have been exhibiting horse fiestas for over 30 years and is famous throughout the Americas for their pure breed of Andalusian horses. Upon arrival to the ranch you will be greeted by a local expert who will introduce you to the equine world of mares and stallions.

The show combines training of the magnificent Andalusian horses with the mastering ability of the riders, a group of talented young ladies in acts that require many months of hard team-work, training and discipline. You will see the mares and their offspring, the hacienda carriage, the stallion, the long pole and the “equestrian fantasy”, a synchronized choreography of the mares.

Every act will be presented and explained by the expert while you also enjoy the sounds of the Spanish flamenco music in a spectacular amphitheater.

Afterwards, time will be allotted for some shopping.

Take an adventurous safari into the tropical savanna, where you will see a variety of indigenous and exotic animals before relaxing at a waterfall in the surrounding jungle.

After departing from the pier, you will settle in for an immensely scenic drive into the lush Guanacaste Province. Near the regional capital of Liberia, known as the “White City” for its white-washed colonial architecture, you will enter Ponderosa Adventure Park.

The sprawling wildlife park is home to hundreds of animals, all protected and many of them indigenous to Africa. It’s the ideal setting for an adventurous safari into the surrounding grassy savanna. To maximize your experience, you will ride in a vehicle open on the sides for panoramic viewing and be given carrots to feed some of the animals.

You can expect to encounter giraffes, zebras, emus, ostriches and even camels. You can just imagine the thrill when a giraffe walks over, reaches down and gently plucks a carrot from your hand. You will see all sorts of other animals from a comfortable distance that allows you to view them completely undisturbed.

More adventures await you as you board a 4-wheel-drive, military-style vehicle and ride into the jungle-like countryside. Here, you will La Perla waterfall where you can enjoy a refreshing swim. Afterwards, you will enjoy a hearty, buffet-style lunch before returning to the pier.

Emerge yourself and see first-hand how Costa Ricans have integrated their “Pura Vida” lifestyle into what has been considered one of the 100 best breweries in the world. See the process and learn how quality beer is developed. Above all enjoy a beer tasting session with these fine brews and complete your tour with a hearty lunch with food cooked and stewed in the beer itself. There is a short stop for shopping before you are returned to the ship.

Discover how coffee is processed at one of the country’s largest plantations and watch artisans hand-craft oxcarts, which have become a national symbol of Costa Rica. At the family-owned Doka Estate, you will observe the steps involved in producing premium coffee, including the use of the country’s oldest wet mill. The aroma of the roasting beans will whet your appetite for the coffee tasting and traditional lunch that follows. Deeper in the fertile Central Valley, you will find Sarchi, a town synonymous with fine arts and crafts, especially hand-painted oxcarts. Established in 1923, Eloy Alfaro remains the only factory in Costa Rica that still uses water-powered machinery to produce their iconic wooden oxcarts. The guide will elaborate on the production details and how traditional two-wheeled oxcarts were once used to transport crops and even as ambulances. The factory also created the world’s largest oxcart, an enormous two-ton version that you will behold in a nearby square.

OVERVIEW

Meander through the Costa Rica Animal Rescue Center and learn about this sanctuary for animals that have been orphaned, injured, abused or lost their habitats due to deforestation. You will enjoy a close-up look at sloths and other tropical creatures as they are rehabilitated in hopes of returning them to the wild. Sloths are the world’s slowest animals and spend nearly all day hanging upside down in trees, rarely traveling more than 125 feet. If their habitat is disturbed or destroyed, the sloths are at great risk. The guide will describe the habits of sloths in the wild and how they easily adapt to the sanctuary environment that replicates a tropical forest. You can also expect to see plenty of other rescued animals in various stages of rehabilitation. They include toucans, hawks, anteaters and lesser-known animals such as tamanduas, which like their anteater relatives are typically solitary.

HIGHLIGHTS

• Observe animals being rehabilitated in a sanctuary that replicates their native habitats.
• See sloths – the world’s slowest animal – and learn about their characteristics and habits.
• Observe other creatures such as toucans, hawks, monkeys and anteaters.
• Gain insight into how the sanctuary follows its motto – Rescue, Rehabilitate, Release.”

HELPFUL HINTS

• Dress in weather-appropriate clothing.
• Wear flat comfortable walking shoes.

Experience the thrill of a zipline canopy tour without missing out on the Tropical forest’s rich wildlife. This innovative ‘Tranopy’ tour combines the in-depth forest view of an aerial tram with the excitement of a canopy tour. Your naturalist guide will accompany you to point out some of the secrets of the primary and secondary Tropical forest that surrounds you. Your Tranopy tour starts with a ride on the famous tram where you’ll experience all the different layers of the Tropical rainforest, from the floor up to the treetops. Silently glide through the colorful, complex beauty of the Tropical forest canopy. The 30 minute tram ride will bring you through the forest, over tumbling cascades and to the beginning of your canopy adventure. You’ll experience canopying though eight cables – five of which are over 200 meters long. To your right, you’ll find the dense Tropical forest, and to your left is an extensive view of the valley all the way to the Pacific Ocean. Over 1.5 kilometers of cables will take you through everything from the rich Tropical forest ecosystems to sweeping views high above the forest floor.

Enjoy the most exciting adventure in the natural wonderland of Costa Rica. Board the Pacific Tropical Forest Aerial Tram and literally fly through the forest canopy and take an exhilarating jungle cruise on the Tarcoles River. The Pacific Tropical Forest Aerial Tram is the only tour that provides a unique exploration of the canopy in the Transitional Tropical dry Forest on Costa Rica’s mid-Pacific coastline. Dry upland forest meets humid coastal dry forest with unique species colonizing the treetops and the canopy in this 222-acre eco-tourism park, dedicated to conservation. Embark on a gondola designed for 8 passengers to safely glide through a living backdrop of giant trees, hanging gardens and lush green landscapes. Panoramic ocean views and sightings of exotic flora and fauna will introduce you to this unique transitional dry forest. Your experience includes a guided visit to the medicinal plant and Butterfly Garden. After your tram ride, enjoy a Costa Rican lunch at the park in a lush natural setting. You can also shop at the Rainforest shop where you can find a variety of local and handmade arts, crafts and designs as well as Costa Rican souvenirs before transferring to Tarcoles for a jungle river journey. Upon arrival at the Visitor Center you will board comfortable roof covered open boats to explore the world famous Tarcoles River. This river tour usually takes 2 hours. It will provide a great understanding of the life and death of the mangroves and swamps that constitute one of the most important ecosystems in Costa Rica. Noted for its mangrove forests the Tarcoles River is a wonderful and crucial habitat for hundreds of species and a wide variety of sea and shore birds as well as colonies of the largest crocodiles in Central America. During the tour, our naturalist guide will help you identify a great variety of birds and wildlife. This habitat is also vital for the preservation of the endangered Scarlet Macaw.