Sea Turtles

DAY 1 Arrive from your country of origin to Costa Rica. Overnight at Hotel Milvia or similar (lovely small B&B located in the suburb of San Pedro, just ten minutes away from downtown San José).

DAY 2 Early start to meet the rafting challenge of an untamed river, the world famous Pacuare River, class 3 & 4! Discover the mystical Pacuare Canyon while rafting passed a Cabecar Indian reserve. Waterfalls and wildlife will be part of the adventure. At the end of the day you will enjoy dinner in your hotel in Tortuguero or at a private sea turtle sanctuary. The next two nights you will be hosted in your hotel in Tortuguero or at the main building of the private sea turtle nesting reserve.

DAY 3 SEA TURTLES calls for active participation of our guest by patrolling the 4-mile long volcanic beach at this private reserve. The presence of our guests and their participation in the organized night patrols on the beach together with biologists, volunteers, and private park rangers is a positive deterrent against sea turtle nest poachers.  Watching a giant Leather Back turtle emerge from the waves on to the beach covered by the darkness of the night and the safety of our presence is an unforgettable sight and a very special experience. You will help relocate and hide the nests, so poachers do not find the turtle eggs they intend to sell on the street. The turtle has to be measured and tagged and escorted back into the safe ocean.  By mid-June and until mid-August minute Leather Back hatchlings will squirrel off on their way to the ocean, many times not having the opportunity to do so because of their natural predators and the strong sun. During this time you will help to make sure that as many of these hatchlings as possible find their way into their natural element, the ocean. During the stay at the private sea turtle sanctuary you will also have the opportunity to walk natural trails of the preserve and to observe great wildlife during the boat tour of the natural canals and lagoons created by a big river when it enters the ocean. If you choose to stay in Tortuguero, the night watch for Green Turtle will be managed by your hotel and is charged additionally.

DAY 4 Transfer to Selva Bananito Lodge & Preserve. At Selva Bananito you can choose from a number of exciting adventure activities such as hiking through the exuberant tropical rain forest of our preserve.  At Selva Bananito Preserve you will find trees, over 200 feet tall, that you can climb using our special tree climbing gear and canopy exploration technique. From our canopy platform you will be overwhelmed by the wild and rich diversity in-, and absolute serene beauty of- our primary rain forest.

DAY 5 At Selva Bananito you can choose from a number of exciting adventure activities such as hiking through the exuberant tropical rain forest of our preserve.  At Selva Bananito Preserve you will find trees, over 200 feet tall, that you can climb using our special tree climbing gear and canopy exploration technique. From our canopy platform you will be overwhelmed by the wild and rich diversity in-, and absolute serene beauty of- our primary rain forest.  Have fun, enjoy the lovely scenery, and learn about the region’s low impact agriculture during our tour through the farm on horseback.

DAY 6 Selva Bananito Lodge & Preserve. Enjoy the beautiful hike following the Bananito River upstream, deep into the Selva Bananito Preserve. Lunch and fruit juices by the last of a series of charming waterfalls. Highly recommended   for adrenaline seekers is the Waterfall Rappel!!!

DAY 7 Selva Bananito Lodge & Preserve. Adventure horseback Tour with Jungle tree climbing. Get to know the canopy in the most spectacular primary rain forest setting imaginable. Climb up a gigantic Kapok tree and become part of this unique natural cathedral at 120 feet above the ground. Optional adventure tours at Selva Bananito Lodge include canopy observation from our tree platform and / or 165 feet free rappel down a vertical rock wall. In the afternoon transfer to San Jose. Overnight at Hotel Milvia or similar.