Wild Costa Rica 18 days
Visit some of the less travelled areas of Costa Rica, a country with some of the most varied and diverse eco-systems in the world. Walk in cloud and rainforests and spot rare and colourful birds from treetop hideaways; see caimen and monkeys in their natural habitat as you travel secluded waterways; ride, sail, snorkel and dive. From the Caribbean to the Pacific, from the volcanoes to the wetlands, this is a country to experience - in the wild.

Toni Hart
Namibia Birding and Photography Guide
An accomplished and experienced Namibia birding and photographic guide, Toni holds a Namibia Academy for Tourism and Hospitality Level 3 qualification (the highest level attainable in Namibia) and is widely renowned for her extensive knowledge of the cultures, ornithology, flora, astronomy and wildlife of the country. Read more >
Andy Pollard
Wildlife Guide & Photographer
Andy is a 6th generation Falkland Islander, with a passion for wildlife, plants and photography. Raised in the Falkland Islands, Andy developed a close affinity with the Islands natural environment at a young age. School holidays where spent in the ‘camp’ or countryside with friends and family. For more than 10 years, Andy had the privilege of spending a time on Sea Lion Island, visiting his mother who managed one of the Islands premier tourist destinations. Read more >
Chris Coe
Photographer and founder of the Travel Photographer Of The Year awards
A fascination with natural light and a passion with nature, landscape and travel underpin Chris Coe's photography. His images often have a striking simplicity and graphic quality. More recent work has introduced a subtlety with experimentation with both movement and light.Read more >
Jenny Luxton
Falklands Expert & Guide
Born in Chartres in the West Falklands, Jenny grew up on the family farm where her love for animals was nurtured by the25,000 sheep, horses and cows that lived alongside her. Forever a nature, conservation and wildlife enthusiast Jenny has travelled extensively throughout the Falkland Islands, visiting each and every wildlife island at least once, and even travelling around some by yacht. Read more >
Doug Allan
Special Guest Lecturer
Exclusive to this voyage, Doug Allan, a multi award winning polar photographer and cameraman, will be your special guest lecturer. Doug has been on over 20 expeditions to Svalbard to film its wildlife, and knows the wonders of this area more than most. Read more >Highlights
- Scale Chirripo, Costa Rica's highest peak
- See the resplendent quetzal
- Wild water rafting in Pacuare
- Kayaking & snorkelling at Punta Uva and Manzanillo
What's Included
- All breakfasts
- Other meals where indicated
- Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner at La Leona eco lodge
- Accommodation as mentioned, double occupancy
- Tours and activities as mentioned
- Transport as mentioned, in minibus
- Domestic flights as mentioned
- Local taxes

Costa Rica Specialist
Speak to someone who’s been to Costa Rica. Start planning your tailor-made trip by calling one of our friendly destination specialists on 0800 195 3385 or 44 1625 581143 for outside the UK.
ITINERARY
17 Nights 18 DaysItinerary Summary
- Day 1 | Arrive
at San Jose
- Day 2 | Poas,
Doka & La Paz Waterfall
- Day 3 – 5 | Three day Chirripo Day Trek
- Day 6 - 7 |
Savegre
- Day 8 | Turrialba
- Day 9 |
Pacuare rafting
- Day 10 - 12|
Cahuita & Puerto Viejo
- Day 13 - 17| Osa peninsula
- Day 18 |
Return to San Jose
Arrive at San Jose
Poas, Doka & La Paz Waterfall
Three day Chirripo Trek
Savegre hotel, San Gerardo de Dota
Turrialba
Pacuare rafting
Cahuita & Puerto Viejo
Osa Peninsula
Return to San Jose
Your Itinerary Accommodation
Savegre Mountain Lodge & Spa, San Gerardo de Dota
The Savegre Mountain Lodge & Spa is located in San Gerardo de Dota, a small community in the Talamanca mountains. It is the perfect base from which to explore the surrounding cloud forest which serves as a sanctuary for a large number of mammals, insects, amphibians, amazing plants and colorful birds, indeed a paradise for birdwatchers.
The hotel is run by the Chacon Family, whom arrived in Savegre in 1954 and were the first pioneers settling down in this valley. They have not only developed this wonderful hotel, but have taken full advantage of the surrounding natural beauty and its fertile land.
Over 170 bird species have been observed in the surrounding area and is known as one of the best places in the country to observe the resplendent quetzals, who live here year round. The Hotel hosts the Quetzal Education Research Center Complex (QERC), a cooperative venture between the Chacon Family and Southern Nazarene University in Oklahoma.
All 41 rooms are surrounded by the beautiful kept and vibrant gardens which became a haven for bird life, most notably the charismatic hummingbirds that flock to the feeders at sunrise each day for their sugar fix. All the rooms are equipped with a private bathroom and hot water, electrical heater, safe box, hair dryer and phone for international calls with credit card.
The restaurant offers both, a selection of a la carte or buffet style meals, each providing a wide and delicious variety of International and traditional Costa Rican cuisine, as well as the house specialty - freshly caught rainbow trout.
Aguila De Osa Inn, Osa Peninsula
Feeling adventurous? The Aguila De Osa Inn is the place for you. A superb hotel in a remote, undeveloped area of the Osa Peninsula surrounded by lush rainforest and inhabited by spectacular wildlife.
The boat trip to the hotel is your perfect introduction to Drake Bay, the shoreline the hotel sits atop. After your “dry-landing” and a climb to the cliff-top you will be greeted with a cocktail by the hotel’s enthusiastic staff who will show you around the resort..
The spacious lodgings are designed with local wood and bamboo. Handcrafted fixtures and fittings give the rooms a native feel. Large screened windows and ceiling fans keep them cool and airy, a welcome place to relax after the day’s adventures.
The Restaurant Rio Selva is an open air delight. Breakfast, lunch and dinner are served on long shared tables, creating a friendly, convivial atmosphere. The gourmet kitchen serves the best of local produce and fresh seafood. Many fruits and vegetable are grown in the hotel grounds.
A variety of trails lead from the hotel grounds into the encircling rainforest. There are around 350 different species of bird in the Aguila De Osa region, so take a guide or a comprehensive bird-book to see how many you can spot. To see a different side of the forest, take a night tour and experience the frogs, insects and other creatures that only come out at dark.
Cano Island Biological Reserve is accessed by a 45 minute boat ride and is a paradise for snorkelers and scuba divers. Lightweight kayaks are available from the dock and the Agujitas River is a short paddle away. Whale and dolphin sightings are frequent here, so make the most of it and take a guided boat trip out to sea.
After a long day of exploring, head to the Jungle Terrace for cocktails and appetizers and swap stories with other guests whilst you wait for dinner to be served.
Studio Hotel, Santa Ana
Studio is a boutique hotel located in Santa Ana, near the capital city of Costa Rica, San José. Studio Hotel is a luxury hotel of 82 rooms with beautiful views of the mountains of the Central Valley. Designed to be modern, comfortable and unique in the middle of the city elements.
Seventy five rooms are of the type Studio Standard (including 4 rooms for people with disabilities), 5 Studio Superior and 2 Junior Suites. Rooms are equipped with: one king size bed, resting sofa, private bathroom with hot water, hair dryer, work desk, closet, safety box, cable TV, telephone, Wi-Fi, air
Hotel Villa Florencia, Turrialba
Villa Florencia Hotel offers you the ideal place to rest in one of the most picturesque places of Turrialba Valley. The hotel is surrounded by sugarcane plantations and beautiful vegetation. It is located at only 10 minutes from the city of Turrialba; here you will be able to enjoy privacy and hospitality. Villa Florencia offers 11 rooms carefully designed in harmony with the atmosphere around the Villa. Florencia Villa is characterized by its familiar and personal attention.
All rooms are spacious and cozy, featuring nice and fine wooded furniture. They either have nice view to the gardens or have a direct access to them. They are handsomely equipped with two queen size beds, private bathroom, hot water, hair dryer, iron set and TV. The rooms have been carefully designed in harmony with the atmosphere around the Villa, sur-rounded by beautiful gardens and sugarcane plantation, Free homestyle breakfast, Coffee Corner in the afternoons, Free wireless internet, Local and international calls, Money exchange, Laundry service Fax and photocopy services. There is also a restaurant and pool
Cariblue Beach & Jungle Resort, Playa Cocles
Hotel Cariblue offers a harmonious blend of comfort and natural charm. It lies along the shoreline of Playa Cocles (with neighboring Playa Negra, Playa Chiquita, and Punta Uva one of the most stunning beaches in all of Costa Rica). The hotel is within a 2-hectare (5-acre) tropical garden with 20 standard rooms, 2 deluxe modular areas (each with four accommodations with one king-size or two queen-size beds and a nice porch or balcony with hammocks and chairs), 5 bungalows, a spacious family house, and a beach-front apartment.
All room interiors are refined with details in natural materials like wood and stone and decorated with modern Caribbean works of art. The 10-meter high and spacious rancho-style restaurant (situated in the middle of the tropical garden and facing the main pool) serves everything from traditional Caribbean cuisine and Italian fusion. While in the hotel garden you can admire about 120 species of birds, monkeys, sloths, and other fauna. You can relax either catching some rays at the nearby beach or spending some time pampering yourself with organic treatments at the hotel´s full-service spa.
Facilities: Restaurant, spa, 2 swimming pools, beach bar, pool bar, gift shop, surf school, Wi-Fi, air conditioning.
La Leona Eco Lodge, Corcovado
Situated right next to Corcovado National Park (part of the Osa Conservation Area) this family-owned eco lodge is surrounded by the vast rainforest and stretches along pristine beaches on the Pacific Coast. You can enjoy spectacular views of the ocean and the tropical environment. La Leona Eco Lodge maintains its unique setting by embracing sustainable practices and by reducing environmental impact.
The 6-hectare (15-acre) beachfront and 30-hectare (75-acre) primary forest areas have well-maintained trails that let you admire the abundant wildlife. The lodge has 16 tent cabins placed on wooden platforms and designed with ample decks for you to enjoy the scenic beauty of the foaming waves or the rainforest canopy. The forest-green tents are nestled between the palm trees; all fully screened, comfortably furnished, and with a private garden bathroom. The lodge also serves tantalizing dishes with a fusion of regional Costa Rican and international cuisine at its restaurant. All ingredients are organic and fresh, and bread is freshly baked!
What Our Customers
Say...
Enjoyed the numerous lodges we stayed in which gave a good flavour of Costa Rica. We saw so much, in so little time but never felt rushed….. all in all a great holiday. Thanks.
Considering the standard of accommodation and level of guiding, I think we got great value for money and would happily go again. Although I loved seeing the turtles and hummingbirds the best bit had to be rafting into camp at Pacuare Lodge, best lodge ever!!!
Great views of a huge range of birds, animals and insects etc so a very successful trip. Despite the weather, I did and saw so much every day, an action packed two weeks, thanks for the free bins, they came in most useful.
How WILDFOOT creates your holiday Adventure
Talk to someone who knows. Our specialist consultants are here to help you every step of the way – here’s how..

Talk to a specialist
travel expert
Visit the wildfoot website for inspiration on your choice of adventures and destinations, then call us and speak to one of our specialists for first hand advice. We can start the planning process straight away, if you are ready.

Create your personal
holiday adventure
Your specialist consultant will set the ball rolling and work with you to choose the right itinerary (and the right ship, if you are going to the arctic or antarctic) just for you, to suit your requirements and budget.

Help right up
to departure
We will answer any questions about your trip that may arise and, when you have paid your balance (12-15 weeks prior to departure), we will send you your detailed itinerary and go through it with you.

...and after
departure too
We are still there for you even when you have left home – our partners overseas are there to assist, especially for emergencies and you can contact us at any time in the uk by e-mail or telephone.
WILDFOOT Wildlife & Adventure Specialist
Lines are open from 9am -5.30pm
Monday - Friday

Simon Rowland
Managing Director
0800 195 3385 877 7692466 +44 1625 58 11 4
+44 1625 58 11 43
Lines are open from 9am -5.30pm Monday - Friday

Costa Rica Specialist
Speak to someone who’s been to Costa Rica. Start planning your tailor-made trip by calling one of our friendly destination specialists on 0800 195 3385 or 44 1625 581143 for outside the UK.