SHORE EXCURSIONS

Relax and enjoy your two hour drive to the rainforest and discover this private reserve that is connected to the 2nd largest national park in Costa Rica, Braulio Carrillo National Park. Experience the rainforest as never before! This fascinating open-air gondola ride will give you a bird's-eye view of the most interesting part of the rainforest – the canopy. Your aerial tram will take you into the heart of the rainforest.

The rainforest canopy is teeming with wildlife. You’ll see towering trees, giant ferns, bursts of color and myriad wildlife form part of this natural hanging garden. After your ride, take an optional one hour guided walk through the rainforest, garnering a deeper appreciation from this perspective of this complex environment.

A professional naturalist certified guide will introduce you to the most important aspects of the Afro-Caribbean Culture of Costa Rica, and show you the rich wildlife of this fascinating region.

During this tour you will visit: • Moin Lookout point, where the guide will explain the details of the economy of Costa Rica.
• Banana Plantations, from outside the guide will provide you the facts about this fruit, including the crop, harvesting, processing, packing and exportation.
• Bananito Town, where you will see how the people that works at the banana plantations live.
• Fruit Market, you will have the opportunity to visit a small fruit market.

Enjoy the beautiful scenery of Puerto Limon coastline during the bus drive back to the pier.

Unwind and relax on one of the world’s most exotic beaches, ranked on one of the best in Central America, Puerto Viejo.

Puerto Viejo will give you the relaxing atmosphere of a beach town as well as an insight to the Caribbean feel and “Pura Vida” lifestyle represented by the locals. Enjoy a scenic ride from the port to the beach town and a local hotel where you will be able to enjoy the views of one of the most beautiful regions of the country. Talk a walk around Puerto Viejo where you will have the opportunity to shop and see the local artisan shops and find a truly authentic Costa Rican arts & crafts.

OVERVIEW

Discover the natural beauty of the Veragua Rainforest, the adventure and research park called “the cream of the cream of the rainforest” by National Geographic Traveler that is located just one hour from the port. Upon arrival at the nature reserve, your tour begins with visits to the fascinating live reptile and frog exhibits, where you will learn about snakes, lizards and a variety of frogs native to the region. Next, you’ll immerse yourself in the colorful butterfly garden, one of Costa Rica’s largest, where you’ll be enchanted by hundreds of colorful butterflies flying around you, including the famous blue morpho. Next, through the treetops on the open-air Sky Gondola as your expert guide points out the spectacular wildlife that makes this one of the most biodiverse locales on the planet. Keep your camera ready for howler monkeys, sloths, toucans, and parrots! After arriving at the riverbank, you’ll choose an easy walk on the Trail of the Giants or a challenging path to the 65-foot cascading Puma Waterfall. Your guide will teach you about frogs and insects you’re likely to encounter. Your visit concludes with a stop at the Foundation for Rainforest Research labs to learn from a rainforest biologist about conservation efforts in a short presentation. During your tour you’ll enjoy a light meal and have time to browse one of the gift shop, offering souvenirs, locally crafted items, and merchandise that showcases Costa Rican culture.

HIGHLIGHTS

• Glide through the treetops on the Sky Gondola with panoramic rainforest views.
• Visit live frog, reptile, and butterfly exhibits featuring Costa Rica’s vibrant wildlife.
• Choose between walking the flat Trail of the Giants or the optional Puma Waterfall hike.
• Learn about rainforest conservation firsthand from a rainforest biologist and shop for local souvenirs.
• Your ticket contributes to research conducted in partnership with the University of Costa Rica!

HELPFUL HINTS

• Wear comfortable, closed-toe walking shoes, light clothing, and bring rain gear, sunscreen, a hat, and insect repellent.
• Bring a camera or binoculars to capture views of sloths, toucans, monkeys, and other wildlife.
• Wildlife sightings are common but not guaranteed.

Drive along the immensely scenic coast of the Limón Province to a rescue center that rehabilitates injured, orphaned and ailing animals from throughout Costa Rica. As you will discover while touring the facility, its goal is to provide a temporary home to indigenous creatures until they can be rehabilitated and released back into the wild. You can expect to watch the veterinarians and caregivers feeding the animals and administering medicine, all in hopes of giving them the best chance of survival. Although the types of animals are constantly changing, chances are, you will see sloths, monkeys, anteaters and birds, including hawks, parrots and toucans. Many of the animals are injured when they inadvertently touch electrical lines, so a substantial percentage of the donations are used to fund insulating the wires. It will be heartwarming to see the wildlife in various stages of rehabilitation and hear how other animals were successfully re-introduced into their natural habitats.

Explore Costa Rica’s indigenous flora and fauna on an enlightening walk through Cahuita National Park and then kayak along the beach-rimmed coast nearby. The park is one of the world’s most bio-diverse natural areas and is considered a national monument. While walking one of its meandering trails, the naturalist guide will point out the highlights and provide insightful commentary on the extraordinary variety of plants and animals. Exotic-looking orchids, brightly colored lizards, spindly capuchin monkeys and tropical birds such as fiery-billed aracaris are abundant, so keep your eyes peeled. For a different perspective of the natural world, you will kayak along the shores of Punta Uva, a laid-back, beach-blessed town surrounded by a protected reef. The waters are typically calm, especially as you paddle up a river into an adjacent rainforest full of wildlife. Time will also be allotted for you to explore the coastal town of Puerto Viejo, where you will have free time for shopping and lunch on your own.