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In the butterfly garden* |
Welcome to paradise! On this Nature Discoveries trip to
friendly, peaceful Costa Rica, you will see monkeys, showy birds,
colorful flowers and many unusual creatures that most people only know
from nature documentaries. You will gain a unique, first-hand insight
into the inner workings of the tropical rainforest, the most
fascinating
ecosystem on our planet. We’re pleased to offer this trip to southern
Costa Rica, which offers a great diversity of ecosytems and
experiences.
Whether you are a returning Costa Rica traveler eager to see a new part
of this special country, or it is your first visit, you will be
thrilled
with the sights, sounds, and discoveries you will make on this trip.
This carefully planned itinerary to southern Costa Rica brings
us into a variety of ecosystems, each with its own special birds,
plants, and animals. With the help of your experienced guides, you will
learn firsthand about Costa Rica’s natural wonders. Your discoveries
about tropical nature will become an exciting, visceral experience,
infinitely more compelling than seeing a rainforest special on TV.
This trip highlights a variety of natural environments – from
coastal lowlands to mountain highlands. We begin in the lush cloud
forest high on the slopes of the Talamanca Mountains. Then we’ll head
to one of the finest botanical gardens in the New World tropics,
comfortably located in mid-elevation forest in the southern part of
Costa Rica. We culminate with a stay at a stunning lodge overlooking
the
Pacific Ocean in the lowland rainforests of the south Pacific coast.
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Green-crowned brilliant hummingbird* |
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Our lovely accommodations on the slopes of the Talamanca Mountains are
in cloud forest, where the birdlife is wondrous and the plant life
ethereal. You’ll understand why the quetzal was the sacred bird of the
Aztec when you see a male, with its brilliant blue-green plumage,
red-breast, and long flowing tail feathers. Our groups the past few
years have had amazingly close up looks of these spectacular birds –
one
year a pair was nesting just behind the rooms! We’ll also visit Cerro
de la Muerte, an accessible, fascinating place along the highest part
of
the Pan American Highway in Costa Rica. Cerro is home to unique birds
and plants.
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Resplendent Quetzal** |
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Mating treefrogs* |
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Each year we plan our trips to Costa Rica near the end of
the dry season. It is the best time to see a great variety of colorful
tropical birds. Many birds that will be returning to North America to
nest are still present, while resident species will be quite visible
and
vocal, as it is the beginning of the nesting season for many of them.
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Sloth** |
* Photographs by Steven Daniel and are the
property of Nature Discoveries, Inc.
** Photographs by Marcia Birken
© 2005
Highlights: “Seeing 6 resplendant quetzals, three species of
monkeys in the wild, sloths, and all those hummingbirds… The
interaction
with our guides, driver, and most of the Costa Rican people was
delightful.”
“Variety of places stayed, variety of birds, being with friendly,
knowledgeable people, exquisite butterflies and moths.”
“Loved the night hikes! And the botanical gardens! The knowledge I
acquired that I can pass on to my students. And the
community/hospitality of the Costa Rican people. Wow!”
“Seeing the male quetzal flying away with its two long streamer
feathers undulating behind; the fiery-billed aracari, anteater, and
kinkajou!”
“Motmots, monkeys, and flora.”
“Guides were a wonderful team, with unflagging enthusiasm and caring
for each of us.”
