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YOUR ADVENTURE AT AT A GLANCE
Enter a world full of wonders and discover why National Geographic Magazine calls Costa Rica's Osa Peninsula "the most biologically intense place on Earth". Hike verdant trails to cascading waterfalls, discover the Corcovado National Park teaming with exotic wildlife, stay in a beautiful beachfront ecolodge, eat fresh delicious foods and let yourself be enchanted by Mother Nature's intense beauty.
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INTO THE WILDS OF THE OSA
The pristine rainforests and rugged natural beauty of the Osa Peninsula make this region among the most beautiful areas in Costa Rica. Declared "the most biologically intense place on earth" by National Geographic Magazine, the Osa Peninsula has become the premier eco-tourism destination in the country. The Osa Peninsula is a secluded nature wonderland, playing home to many of the country’s rare and endangered animal and bird species, including squirrel monkeys, jaguars, and other forest cats. With a large chunk of the Peninsula forming the Corcovado National Park, this area has the single largest expanse of a lowland tropical rainforest in Central America and is one of the tallest rainforests in the world. The area hosts more than 375 bird species, a fourth of Costa Rica's tree species and more than 5000 vascular plant species, many of which are found nowhere else on earth.
It is here, in the most lush and verdant part of the country that your exciting rainforest escape will begin. Encounter all four species of monkeys, tropical birds like toucans and macaws and be surrounded by the largest concentration of wildcats in all of the country! Come and fully immerse yourself in this wild and pristine setting for a full week of adventure, relaxation, and fun!
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DAILY BREAKDOWN
Below you will find our sample itinerary for the trip. Just remember to bring good hiking shoes and your appetite for adventure!
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DAY 1 // SATURDAY
Bienvenido! Once you arrive at the Juan Santamaria International Airport in San José, Costa Rica’s capital city, you’ll be greeted by our driver who will take you to your hotel. You will be situated in a quiet town located on the outskirts of San José proper. You’ll have the rest of your day free to relax by the pool or to venture out either into the capital city or nearby in the small town of Alajuela located just a few minutes away from your hotel by taxi. If you arrive early enough, try a fun coffee tour or perhaps simply wandering around with your camera in hand to photograph the many museums, markets and scenic areas around town. Stop by the National Theatre, Gold Museum or visit the many local markets. Once at the hotel, you can meet up with the others for your first group dinner tonight, a great way to get to know each other before heading out to the Osa tomorrow!
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Included meals: None
Recommended optional activities ($): Cafe Britt tour. Contact www.coffetour.com for details. Want to visit San José? Grab a taxi or Uber to get there. Want to explore closer to the hotel? Visit Alajuela which also has wonderful churches and markets. The staff at reception will be happy to help you coordinate your extra time in town.
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DAY 2 // SUNDAY
Bright and early in the morning after a complimentary breakfast join the rest of the group on a scenic domestic flight to the small town of Puerto Jimenez on the Osa. This flight is very much part of the whole adventure as you soar over the lush rainforest canopy, flowing rivers and mangroves and see impressive sites like the famous Whale’s Tale in Uvita! Get your camera ready to photograph Costa Rica from the sky!
Upon landing in the small town of Puerto Jimenez, you will be welcomed by Martine, your RR Escape Adventure Host. Together, we’ll make a quick stop at a local grocery store to pick up any last minute items before taking our four-wheel transport through the rainforest all the way to your beautiful ecolodge OJO DEL MAR on Matapalo beach. Matapalo is a fun little oceanfront community known for its great surfing beaches!
On this short drive, Martine will start by introducing you to the local wildlife. Maybe you'll see our famous scarlet macaws and monkeys! There are 4 species of monkeys in Costa Rica and all 4 can only be found here in the Osa! We consider the transfer to your lodge to be your first tour of the trip, so get ready as your full immersion into the rainforest is about to begin!
When we arrive at Ojo Del Mar, there will be a short welcome orientation followed by a delicious lunch, and you'll have the afternoon free to unpack, check out the property, the pool or beach and enjoy your new home away from home!
Join us before sunset at our yoga platform where we will talk about our plan for the week and maybe even wind down with a restorative yoga session for those interested. Waiting for us next is a yummy welcome dinner under the moon and stars.
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Included meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Approx. transit time: 50 minute flight + 30 minute drive to the lodge
Included activity: Optional restorative yoga session. We have plenty yoga mats so leave yours at home.
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DAY 3 // MONDAY
Enjoy a full hearty breakfast. Once finished, get into your hiking shoes and we'll take a trek through the neighbourhood to discover and photograph all of the indigenous fruits, flowers, and of course local wildlife! Today we are headed down to “Matapalo” where many of the monkeys can easily be found hanging around, sleeping and playing. We will be showing you around the neighbourhood pointing out all of the local hot spots where you can spot wildlife in the early morning and late afternoons when the animals are feeding.
Bring a snack and enjoy some fun time at the beach before heading back to the lodge for a delicious lunch.
After lunch, enjoy free time at the beach or lounge around the property and enjoy the pool or ocean. In the late afternoon, those of you who wish to continue exploring can hike in the area to spot more wildlife. The animals are always more active early am or late in the afternoon!
In the evening, we will sit together for a delicious family style dinner. Perhaps you’ll be interested in checking out what the chef is making? Enter the open-air kitchen to learn about Costa Rican fare and other local dishes!
After dinner, if you still have enough energy, we’ll take you on a short night hike in and around the property to spot the night action! It’s a whole different perspective from day to night here on the Osa!
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Included meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Included tours: Morning hike to Matapalo + Night hike for those interested
Approx. hike time: Morning hike - 4 hours easy walking including some time at the beach. Night hike is approx one hour and is done slowly around the property.
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DAY 4 // TUESDAY
Start your day with an optional early morning bird tour before breakfast. This is a two hour hike at dawn that will allow you the pleasure of seeing so many birds and other wildlife. Our professional birding guide will meet you at the main restaurant and together, you will head out on foot to spot as many species as you can!
After your tour, join the others for a delicious, hearty breakfast. Then it's off on a fun waterfall hike! Bear in mind that you could get quite wet today as we walk up the Carbonara River. This walk is for those who like a bit of adventure mixed with swimming and walking!
The afternoon is yours to relax, enjoy the beach and ocean or just lie back with your magazine or a good book. You can also try one of our many optional activities from surfing to waterfall rappelling, tree climbing and even horse riding!
Tonight, after dinner, we invite you to experience our relaxing sound bath, which is sure to send you to bed feeling completely relaxed and ready for a good night's sleep. Not sure what it is? Let us surprise you!
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Included meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Included tours: Hike to waterfall + Sound bathing meditation
Approx. hike time: 4 hours in total including moderate hike through a river and time at the waterfall.
Optional tours ($): Waterfall rappelling, Surfing, Tree Climbing, Horseback riding and more.
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DAY 5 // WEDNESDAY
After breakfast, we offer you the option to join us on a fun adventure or to stay put and enjoy a free day.
If you choose to stay back, you can enjoy the beach, the pool and of course try any of our local optional tours.
If you prefer to explore today and discover more of this amazing Peninsula with us, we invite you to Bosque Del Cabo, a nearby property that is home to an abundant array of wildlife. Because of it’s location, size and history, Bosque Del Cabo has become a real haven for many of the local animals. Here it is possible to see more wildlife than anywhere else on the Osa! Not to mention amazing breathtaking views of the ocean and the shoreline from over 300 feet above sea level.
Hike down to discover tide pools in volcanic rocks at low tide or cross a suspension bridge in the rainforest canopy where we have a surprise for you! We’ll head back to Ojo Del Mar mid-afternoon in time for you to enjoy some rest and relaxing before we meet up again for our another fun group dinner tonight.
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Included meals: Breakfast, lunch at Bosque Del Cabo and dinner at Ojo Del Mar.
Included activity: Hike to Bosque Del Cabo. This hike is subject to availability at the lodge. If not available, we will suggest an alternative activity of equal value and excitement.
Approx. hike time: 3 - 4 hours easy to moderate
Transportation: Included for Bosque del Cabo
Optional activities ($): Massage or any other optional tour you may choose today.
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DAY 6 // THURSDAY
What's your pleasure today? It's up to you. Enjoy a day at the beach, hike in the famous Corcovado National Park, or join us at Luna Lodge at the end of the road in Carate!
If a free day is what you’re looking for, stay back and enjoy some peace and quiet in Matapalo.
If you have been itching to get into the famous Corcovado National Park, this is your chance! We highly recommend taking the opportunity to explore this amazing place full of animals! The park is located between the ocean and mountains, a naturally created corridor that brings together abundant wildlife. You'll quickly realise why National Geographic Magazine calls it "the most biologically intense place on earth"! The park is home to wild cats such as pumas and jaguars, as well as peccaries, tapirs and all four species of monkeys! Your hike will be led by a local guide with expert knowledge of the park, so you'll be in good hands.
Or perhaps you would prefer something a little more luxurious and a little more wild? If so, we'll head to the small beach town of Carate, which lies at the end of the road leading to the Corcovado National Park. Here we venture into gold mining territory as we drive up the Carate River to one of the area's most beautiful lodges: Luna Lodge.
Nestled high in the jungle canopy, Luna Lodge offers a very different rainforest experience. Try a relaxing massage in the beautiful spa room, climb up to take in the incredible views of the surrounding rainforest from the stunning yoga platform or simply wander around the gardens photographing flowers, birds and more. You can also sip a margarita by the pool and enjoy the sounds of nature all around you.
If you’ve chosen to join us in Carate today, we’ll stop at the beach for a late afternoon swim and enjoy a spectacular sunset overlooking the pacific ocean. We’ll be back in time for another scrumptious dinner. Although this is our last night on the Osa together, many adventures are still to come!
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Included meals: Breakfast, Lunch (packed for those in the park or 15USD if you want to have a delicious fresh lunch at Luna Lodge - highly recommended), and Dinner.
Optional activity ($): Corcovado National Park hike (min 2 people) 90USD to 120USD per person based on how many join the hike + transportation. Visit to Luna Lodge (min 4 people) at no extra cost other than for your transportation and lunch.
Approx. hike time: Corcovado hike - You must be in good physical shape to do this 6 to 8 hour hike on mostly flat but uneven terrain with some limited elevations.
Transportation: Needed for Corcovado and Luna Lodge. Price will depend on how many join the activity.
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DAY 7 // FRIDAY
Save the best for last! This is one of our favourite days on the Osa, even though it's our last. We start the day with an incredible optional boat trip on the famous Golfo Dulce, one of the world's deepest tropical fjords! This protected body of water is home to three species of dolphins, turtles and even whale sharks! Experience the authentic beauty of the Pacific and see wildlife like you've never seen before. Don't want to do the boat tour? You can stay on land and spend the day photographing the small town of Puerto Jimenez. Or you can visit one of our favourite restaurants in town for a relaxing morning by the pool. There is also plenty of time to photograph the flower-filled grounds and views of the Golfo Dulce. We'll meet back here for lunch after the tour.
Later in the afternoon you can try your hand at ziplining! Don't feel like ziplining? No problem, join us for lunch or take some time to photograph the small and picturesque town of Puerto Jimenez. The group will reunite for the domestic flight back to San José later in the afternoon. On arrival, a shuttle will be waiting to take you to your hotel. Here you will meet for your last fun group dinner.
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Included meals: Breakfast only today. Lunch will be in a local restaurant that offers you varied options and prices. Same for dinner in San José.
Optional activities ($): Dolphin boat tour (150USD per person or receive it for free if you book your spot early!) Zip lining tour (price based on the number of participants.)
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DAY 8 // SATURDAY
Enjoy a delicious complimentary breakfast at the hotel and say farewell! Actually, with us it's never goodbye, it's just "see you later"! Transfer to the international airport for your flight, or enjoy more of San José if you have time to explore!
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Included meal: Breakfast
QUESTIONS?
Contact info@rrescape.com for more details about this unique retreat escape and join us in THE most impressive and prolific rainforest in all of Central America!
If you have a Q, we have an A.
NOTE that the schedule and the price of the activities listed above are subject to change and some optional tours are only available with a minimum number of participants. Contact us for more details.
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