Pura Vida, the good life, is what you will experience in Costa Rica with WI. Come with us to experience many of the natural jewels seldom visited by more traditional eco-tourist "packages". This trip is a hikers' dream in a tropical paradise. Travel to sites such as Corcovado National Park Preserve on the famed Osa Peninsula - a place that the National Geographic Society calls "the most biologically intense place on Earth" and one of the last homes of the jaguar. Observe whales, several varieties of monkeys, iguanas, sloths, and a wide variety of bugs and birds at Hacienda Baru. Wrap up the trip by hiking the cloud forests of Mount Chirripo, the country's tallest mountain. We will be staying in small local hotels, Bed and Breakfasts, and tent cabins.

Sample Itinerary

DAY 1: Arrive in San Jose. Enjoy dinner with the group at a hotel and end the evening with a program orientation by the pool.

DAY 2: Leave San Jose early in the morning, traveling by van to Domical on the Pacific Coast. Stay on a pristine private preserve a mile out of town. There are no developments on these undeveloped beaches where endangered turtles lay their eggs. Take an introductory hike along the beach and mangroves. Keep eyes peeled for monkeys, iguanas, and lots of birds! End your day visiting the butterfly enclosure, or relaxing in a hammock under the trees.

DAY 3: Enjoy the morning bird watching and meet a boisterous troupe of Capuchin Monkeys, who are surprisingly small for the amount of noise and ruckus they make as they show off their might. There are several options on this day, including an upland jungle hike, a mangrove hike near the beach, or a forest canopy tour in the tree tops. There is also a canopy platform for those less comfortable with heights. Spend time in the air and get eye to eye with a variety of monkeys, iguanas, and maybe a sloth! Take an optional night hike in the jungle to see the nocturnal animals at the peak of their activity, including Pacas, Agoutis, and the beautiful but tiny Granulated Poison Dart Frog.

DAY 4: Get up from your cozy little Cabana for a leisurely breakfast and an early morning hike in the mountains. Depart Baru today for the Osa Peninsula, our home for the next several days. Travel by boat through a mangrove estuary, inhabited by numerous species of birds and an occasional crocodile (don't worry, you are perfectly safe!). Continue out onto the Pacific Ocean for an incredibly scenic ride along palm-lined beaches that go for miles. Relax on a beautiful beach adjacent to Corcavado National Park - one of the truly wild places left on earth. Out here you will enjoy frequent sightings of dolphins and humpback whales.

DAY 5: Hike through Corcovado National Park. Trek the Catarata Trail, a dense rain forest, to a spectacular waterfall. Monkeys, Crested Guams, and other creatures live here in abundance. There are even jaguars, though they are very secretive. Cool off in a pool of crystal clear water that looks like it's right out of paradise. Explore the wildlife in one of the earth's remaining rare wild places.

DAY 6: Spend the day snorkeling in the coral off a sandy beach in warm waters off Cano Island 8 miles off the coast. This area is one of the very best places to snorkel in clear water among abundant sea life. End your day lounging in a hammock, letting the wildlife come to you (an anteater crawled out on a limb to greet us on our first visit there).

DAY 7: Start the day with an early morning boat ride, then travel by van to San Isidro, a typical Costa Rican town nestled in a mountain valley. Travel on to San Gerardo, a small town on the flanks of Mt. Chirripo. Choose shorter trip options for the remainder of this day, including bird watching, waterfall hikes, or tree planting at a reforestation project.

DAY 8: Trek up into the cloud forest on Mount Chirripo in Cloudbridge Preserve. If you are adventurous you can hike up to the Continental Divide, however most people will be content to do a loop trail that takes you through a fantasy world of hanging moss, huge old growth forest, and amazing vistas. It's a strange and wonderful feeling to be looking down at the clouds!

DAY 9: Return to San Gerardo for a leisurely day. Enjoy time in the natural hot springs and stay in a beautiful lodge. Reminisce with your new friends over a celebratory evening meal.

DAY 10: Rise early, have breakfast and travel by van over the mountains back to San Jose airport to fly back home. Flights should depart after noon.

Travel, Terrain, Etc...

TERRAIN/ROUTE CHOICES: This trip is a hikers' dream, with a variety of levels of challenge. Trails are rustic in most places, and they can be narrow and rocky and sometimes require fording a stream. Good hiking footwear is essential.

TYPE OF TRAVEL/DISTANCE: Travel is primarily in a mini bus, by powerboat and by foot.

WEATHER: Temperatures between January and March can range from 60 F at night to 95 F during the day at the coast and from 40 F at night to 80 F during the day in the mountains. Rainfall can vary, but you should expect rain during portions of several days.

LODGING/BATHROOM FACILITIES: Throughout the trip we will be staying in small local hotels, B & B's, and tent cabins. Our hotel accommodations will be simple yet comfortable. Costa Rican hotels and other public facilities typically make very few accommodations for people with disabilities. As always, WI staff will assist participants who require additional help in every way possible. We make every effort to ensure privacy and cleanliness.

MEALS: Kick back and relax while all meals are made for you. You'll indulge in typical Costa Rican fair (including "Casadas"--rice, beans, eggs, cheese, fresh fruits and chicken, fish or beef). The water in Costa Rica is almost always safe to drink right out of the tap. The only exception is on the Osa Peninsula, where treated and bottled water are readily available.

GROUP SIZE: The group size ranges from 6 to 10 participants, plus 2 Wilderness Inquiry staff. Each group consists of people of various ages, backgrounds and abilities, including people with disabilities.

CAMP CHORES: There are few to no camp chores on this trip. We stay in hotels and cabanas and take our meals at restaurants and local eateries.

EQUIPMENT AND CLOTHING: If you are new to outdoor activities, you need not spend a lot of money on gear. All you need to provide is your personal gear, such as clothing and a water bottle. A detailed equipment list will be sent to you upon confirmation of your participation. If you need to borrow personal gear that can usually be arranged.

LEVEL OF DIFFICULTY: This trip does involve hiking, but no previous experience is necessary to complete this trip. If you use a wheelchair and are interested in going please call to discuss the trip with us. Some of these areas are not very accessible for chair users but accommodations can be made.

Wilderness Inquiry is proud to serve Caribou Coffee on all our trips. Great food, great coffee, and great company are just some of the ingredients that make Wilderness Inquiry trips special.

[ Dates & Fees ]      

Costa Rica covers only 0.03% of the surface of the planet but supports about 6% of the world's biodiversity. Visitors encounter beaches, rivers, mountains, and an abundance of flora and fauna.

Twelve major life zones provide habitat for over 10,000 kinds of flowering plants, 850 bird species, 3,000 butterfly species, and 209 species of mammals. Volcanoes, rainforests, cloud forests, lowland jungles, the Pacific coastline, and tranquil Caribbean beaches stretch across seven provinces. Thirty percent of the land is protected by national and private reserves, which harbor more than five percent of the world's plant and animal species.

The Caribbean region of Costa Rica is noted for its variety of aquatic ecosystems and its beautiful white and black sand beaches, providing a picturesque setting for activities such as sport-fishing, snorkeling, and sun-bathing. The Pacific coast boasts some of Costa Rica's most famous beaches for surfing.

Costa Rica boasts 20 national parks, 8 biological reserves, and a wealth of other protected areas to enchant those who marvel at the wonders of nature. It draws ecotourists from around the globe. Activities include horse back riding, hiking mountainous paths in the cloud forests, and guided bird-watching tours.

Ticos, as the people of Costa Rica are known, are famous for being hospitable, and are quite happy to live up to their reputation. They seem to be well aware that their country is a special place, and they go out of their way to accommodate their visitors, sharing their culture, pointing out unique sights, and helping make their stay as enjoyable as possible.

Source: www.incosta.net

 

For more information, visit these links:

Corcavado National Park

Cloud Forest at Cloudbridge Preserve

Hacienda Baru

[ Dates & Fees ]

2009 Dates	Fee
01/23/2009 - 02/01/2009	$1995
02/04/2009 - 02/13/2009	$1995
2010 Dates	Fee
01/27/2010 - 02/05/2010	$1995	Register Now
02/08/2010 - 02/17/2010	$1995	Register Now
Transportation This trip officially begins at the San Jose International airport, where your group leader will meet you at 4 pm in the afternoon of Day 1. The trip ends when your group leader takes you back to the airport at approximately 2 pm on the last day. To make your travel arrangements for this trip we recommend that you consult with our travel agency, Travel One (800-245-1111). They are very familiar with our trips and can help you make the best flight connections at the best prices. Detailed meeting place instructions will be sent to you when you are confirmed for the trip.
Meeting Places:		Additional Round-trip Fee:
San Jose - Orquideas Inn		$0 (No charge)