|
|
YOUR ITINERARY AT A GLANCE
Enter a world full of wonders and discover why National Geographic Magazine calls the Osa Peninsula in Costa Rica "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.
| |
| INTO THE WILDS OF THE OSA PENINSULA
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 of course discovery!
| |
DAILY BREAKDOWN Below you will find our sample itinerary for the trip. More optional tours will be offered to you and some hikes may be more appropriate than others depending on group size and weather. Just bring your camera, your hiking shoes, your sense of wonder and your appetite for adventure!
| |
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 or take a short taxi ride to our boutique partner hotel near the airport. You’ll have the rest of your day free to venture to the vibrant downtown of San Jose or enjoy some time by the pool with a good book. If you arrive early enough, you might be interested in a fun coffee tour with Cafe Britt. Or perhaps you would prefer wandering the streets with your camera in hand to photograph the many museums, markets and scenic areas around town. If you've chosen to head downtown, stop by the National Theatre for example or one of the many miradors offering beautiful views of the city! Once at the hotel, you can meet up for your first group dinner tonight or walk around town.
| |
Included meals: None
Optional Activity: Cafe Britt tour. Contact www.coffeetour.com for prices and reservations.
| |
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 Peninsula. 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!
Once landed in the small town of Puerto Jimenez, you will be welcomed by Martine, your Group Adventure Host. Together, we’ll make a quick stop at a local grocery store to pick up last minute items before taking our four-wheel transport through the rainforest all the way to your ecolodge, Ojo del Mar on Matapalo beach.
On this 40-minute drive, your host Martine will start to introduce you to the local wildlife in the area. We consider getting you to the ecolodge as your first tour of the trip so get ready as your full immersion into the rainforest is about to begin!
When we arrive at the lodge there’ll be a short welcome orientation followed by lunch, and you'll have the afternoon free to unpack, check out the beach and enjoy your new home away from home!
Around 3pm, meet Martine at the yoga platform for a short talk about all of the optional tours available for the week! After our chat, stay and wind-down with a sunset yoga class followed by our welcome dinner.
| |
Approx. transit time: 45 minute flight + 40 minute drive to the lodge
Included meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Included tours: Intro walk around the property + Sunset Yoga
| |
DAY 3 // MONDAY
After breakfast, 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.
Next we head to a three tier waterfall where you can cool down and take a much deserved rest. Bring a snack and enjoy the beauty of this naturally formed waterfall. After the morning hike we’ll head back to the lodge for a delicious lunch and relaxation time.
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 have a wonderful and delicious dinner waiting for you after happy hour! 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 action! It’s a whole different perspective from day to night here on the Osa!
| |
Approx. hike time: 4 hours
Included meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Included tours: Morning hike to Matapalo + Night hike
| |
DAY 4 // TUESDAY
This morning, join us for an optional early am bird tour before breakfast. After a delicious hearty meal, we’ll venture to our second waterfall hike! Keep in mind that today, you will get fully wet in our hike up the Carbonara River. This hike is for anyone that likes a little adventure mixed with swimming and hiking!
Your Afternoon is open to lounge around, enjoy the beach and ocean or simply lay in a hammock with a good book. You can also try one of our many optional tours from surfing, to waterfall rappelling, to tree climbing to even horseback ridding!
Sunset yoga will be available this afternoon on our beach platform overlooking the ocean for those interested!
| |
Approx. hike time: 4 hours
Included meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Included tours: Hike to waterfall + Sunset yoga
Optional tours: Early am bird tour, Waterfall rappelling, Surfing, Tree Climbing, Horseback riding and more.
| |
DAY 5 // WEDNESDAY
Today is a day of many options. We’ll be happy to tell you all about them in detail during our talk on Sunday. You’ll have the choice between visiting a property close by that offers breathtaking views of the ocean and the shoreline from over 300 feet above sea level. Hike down to discover tide pools in volcanic rock at low tide or cross their suspension bridge in the rainforest canopy. Want to try zip lining? You can try this here too!
The other option today is to get on our local colectivo bus and head towards the small beach town of Carate located at the end of the road towards Corcovado National Park. Here we’ll venture into gold mining territory as we hike up the Carate River to one of the most beautiful waterfalls in the area. Here you can meet gold miners and learn about their history and how they still live today along the riverbed. Carate River still provides a steady stream of gold for the locals.
The hike will leave us at the beautiful Luna Lodge, where we will enjoy the breathtaking property, pool, and cocktails (if you feel like splurging a little)! Luna Lodge is nestled high up in the jungle canopy providing you with a completely different experience of the rainforest. Choose a packed lunch or fresh delicious lunch at Luna Lodge. Try a relaxing massage in their beautiful spa room.
Or, perhaps today is a day of rest and relaxation for you? Enjoy the beach or one of our fun optional tours in Matapalo. You choose!
Enjoy one last sunset yoga session by the ocean with Martine followed by a delicious dinner. Maybe you want to head to our open-kitchen tonight to learn more about your delicious meal coming up!
| |
Approx. hike time: Depends on which hike you choose as a group!
Transportation: Extra to get to either destination (Cost between $10 and $20 return by local colectivo or we can organize a taxi for the group. Price will depend on number of participants joining the hike.)
Included meals: Breakfast, Lunch (packed), Dinner (Lunch can be purchased at the visiting lodge or bring a complimentary packed lunch from Ojo del Mar)
Optional activity: Massage or any other optional tour you may choose today.
| |
DAY 6 // THURSDAY
What’s your pleasure? You’re free to enjoy a day at the beach, take a nearby hike with Martine, your Rainforest Host or visit the famous Corcovado National Park. We highly recommend taking the opportunity to explore this amazing place full of animals! The park is located between the ocean and mountains, which has created a natural corridor that brings together abundant wildlife. You'll realize quickly why it was called “the most biologically intense place on earth” by National Geographic Magazine! It’s home to wildcats like pumas and jaguars, as well as peccaries, tapirs and all four species of monkeys! This hike is led by a knowledgeable local guide. No matter what you choose to do this morning, you'll have the afternoon free at the lodge to do more of whatever you want!
Tonight, we’ll meet for another scrumptious dinner and maybe head to Martina’s Bar for some cocktails and dancing if the DJ is there! This is our last night together on the Osa but many adventures are still to come!
| |
Approx. hike time: Corcovado hike 6 to 8 hours. If you choose to hike close to the lodge with your RR Escape host 4 hours.
Included meals: Breakfast, Lunch (packed for those in the park), Dinner
Included hike: Local hike with Martine, your RR Escape host.
Optional activity: Guided tour of Corcovado National Park. You must be in good physical shape to do this 6 to 8 hour hike on flat but uneven terrain.
| |
DAY 7 // FRIDAY
Save the best for last! This may be our last day on the Osa, but it’s one of our favourites. We will kick off the day with an incredible optional boat trip to visit an animal refuge on the Golfo Dulce. The Golfo Dulce is one of the deepest tropical fjords in the world and is home to three species of dolphins, turtles and even whale-sharks! You’ll see wildlife like you’ve never seen before, and experience the authentic beauty of the Pacific. At the refuge, you can interact with monkeys and photograph some of the local wildlife up close. Also, you’ll be supporting a good cause as the refuge is there to release injured wildlife or to give a home to those that cannot be released. Don’t want to do the boat tour? You can stay on land and take advantage of this day to photograph the small town of Puerto Jimenez or head to one of our favourite restaurants outside of town for a relaxing morning on the beach. You can also photograph the grounds filled with flowers and vistas of the Golfo Dulce. We’ll meet you here for lunch after the tour.
Later in the afternoon you can try out zip lining!! Don’t want to zip? Not a problem, enjoy a cold drink by the ocean, have lunch in a local restaurant or photograph the small and quaint town of Puerto Jimenez. Later this afternoon, we all meet up to catch our domestic flight back to San José. Once in San José we’ll head to our hotel and meet for our last dinner together.
| |
Included meals: Breakfast
Optional activities: Boat tour, Wildlife refuge, Zip lining tour
| |
DAY 8 // SATURDAY
Enjoy a complimentary yummy breakfast at the hotel and say your farewells! With us, it’s never goodbye, just "see you later!" Transfer to the International Airport or you can continue enjoying more of San José if you have time before your flight!
| |
Included meals: Breakfast
QUESTIONS? Contact us at info@rrescape.com. Join our small group of intrepid adventurers to 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 all of the activities listed above are subject to change and some optional tours are only available with a minimum number of participants. For prices of the activities, click below or send us a message for more details.
| |
|
|
|
|
