Pacuare Reserve is located a few miles south of Tortuguero, but with a group size of 6 travelers, it's just you, the researchers, and these unique turtles! Join biologists for 2 nights of research at the most important nesting ground of leatherback turtles in Costa Rica. A day of whitewater rafting and a few days of jungle adventure and relaxing round out this exclusive Costa Rica travel itinerary.
Tour Itinerary:
Day 1: Arrive San Jose. Overnight.
Day 2: Pacuare Nature Reserve
This morning you’re transferred by car and boat to the Pacuare Nature Reserve. Dinner is by candlelight against the backdrop of the rolling Caribbean sea. Tonight, you can join biologists to search for your first leather back turtle or just relax on the breezy beach house porch. Includes: (L), (D).
Day 3: Leatherback Turtles and River Canals
Reserva Pacuara is Costa Rica's most important nesting ground for leatherback turtles. The 1,850 acres of jungle, beaches and canals is also home to birds such as toucans, herons, king fishers, parrots, hummingbirds and such rainforest mammals as peccaries, two and three toed sloths, howler, spider and capuchin monkeys, the strange coatimundis, and pumas – just to name a few.
After a late breakfast, wander along the deserted four miles of beach and study the tractor-like tracks of the previous night's leather back turtles. Then take an afternoon boat trip through the adjacent canals and into the reserves primary rain forest.
After the sun goes down, you'll accompany one of the biologists on their turtle rounds. During nesting season, your job is to walk the beach looking for a leather backs laying eggs. When you find one, you’ll wait with the researcher until the turtle is done laying eggs. Then, you'll have the chance to approach the turtle and assist in measuring and tagging it before the giant leather back returns to the sea. Turtle egg poachers are a major threat to the survival of leather backs, so your next job is to carefully dig up the eggs and rebury them in another location so poachers cannot find the nest.
When the turtles begin to hatch later in the season, you'll have the chance to observe dozens and sometimes hundreds of baby leather backs scratching their way to the surface and making their way into the surf. The process is grueling. Hatchings at the top of a nest often pack the sand below them so that their siblings cannot escape to the surface. This means that in the morning you might be invited to play midwife to these trapped baby turtles. By loosening the sand in certain nests, you allow hatchings at the bottom a chance to escape to the sea to begin their lives. While the leather backs are hatching, 250 pound green turtles come to these same beaches to lay their eggs, and visitors will be out searching for these turtles, measuring, tagging, and hiding the nests of these endangered turtles too. Includes: (B), (L), (D).
Days 4-6: Rain forest Retreat
After a late breakfast, you travel to Selva Bananito Reserve for a few days of jungle discovery and adventure. Bordering Costa Rica’s largest and most pristine nature reserve, Selva Bananito is part of the same rich ecosystem as the 1.5 million acre La Amistad International Peace Park, and is alive with hundreds of species of birds, and animals such as toucans, parrots, monkeys, sloths and the elusive jaguar and tapir.
There’s an adventure here for everyone. You'll have the chance to climb a giant kapok tree and enter the fascinating world of the rain forest canopy. With the encouragement of Jurgen or Sofia Stein, the brother and sister team that created the reserve, even land lovers will find themselves lost in a swinging world 100 feet off the ground and buzzing with life. There's also horseback riding through the adjacent family farm to learn about the organic tropical farming techniques that their father, Rudi Stein, has developed over the past 25 years.
The farm boasts a helicon garden brimming with enormous tropical flowers, and a half day nature trail through the surrounding primary rain forest where guests can learn about the rain forest ecology. For the adventurous there’s an all day trip deep into the jungle where a dip in a pool below a 70 foot waterfall is the just reward for the effort. At the end of each day, locally grown food is served by candlelight before you retire to the tranquil retreat of your jungle cabana. Includes: (B), (L), (D).
Day 7: Pacuare River Rafting
This morning you travel towards the Class III-IV whitewater of the Pacuare River. One of Costa Rica's most exciting whitewater trips, the Pacuare plunges through spectacular mountain gorges and passes through virgin rain forest filled with howler monkeys, toucans, sloths, ocelots and more. This afternoon you head back to San Jose. Includes: (B), (L).
Day 8: Return home
The turtle season runs from Mid March to Late August.
Notes:
* Accommodations: 3 nights comfortable cabanas, 2 nights simple beach house, 2 nights hotel. Note that Selva Bananito and Pacuare do not have electricity.
* Food Includes: All meals as indicated (B=Breakfast, L=Lunch, D=Dinner); most of our hotels offer free continental breakfast.
* Transportation: minibuses, 4x4 vehicle, river boat, raft.
* An itinerary filled with wildlife and adventure, and flexible enough to accommodate the most adventurous souls and those who prefer a more relaxed time. An easy trip for any age. For those not comfortable with Class III-IV rapids, they may switch to a tamer river or go on an Aerial Tram tour.
* Start Dates: Weekly Departures Sat-Sat.
Notes:
Airfare is not included in the tour price.
Prices:
- Single Supplement: US$245
- US$140 Triple Room Discount
- US$170 Quadruple Room Discount
Note: Personal Budgeting: Allow $60 for meals not included, $27 international departure tax, $40 optional excursions, gratuities. Pre and Post Tour Accommodations: Share US$60, Single US$110. Arrival/Departure Transfers: 1 person US$50 each, 2 or more people US$25/person. Prices are based on a 3% cash discount.
Also see tour packages in:
Central America and Caribbean
Costa Rica
Wildlife Viewing
Rainforest
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