Strabo Photo Tour Collection

Costa Rica - Tropical Adventure Spring 2010

Costa Rica’s natural heritage is one of astonishing diversity. Bordered by the Caribbean and the Pacific, its coastline rises abruptly to volcanic mountains that run the length of the country. For millions of years, it has been a biological land bridge between North and South America, which has given it a unique natural history. The sheer variety is amazing for a country of just 20,000 square miles. Within its borders are more than a dozen life zones. In the same day, you can experience 12,000-foot mountains, cloud forests, lowland rain forests, mangrove swamps, palm-lined beaches, dry tropical forest, and savannah.

This diversity is reflected in its rich plant and animal life. There are more species of birds here than in all of North America, over 800 in a country the size of West Virginia. Among its 237 species of mammals are three-toed sloths, four species of monkeys, giant anteaters, tapirs, peccaries, jaguars, and humpback whales. Reptiles and amphibians include the Strawberry Poison Dart Frog, all five genera of sea turtles, the endangered American Crocodile, and the Basilisk Lizard, which can actually run across water. There are more butterflies in Costa Rica than on the entire continent of Africa. The plant life is spectacular; there are more than 12,000 species of plants, including a dazzling variety of trees and orchids.

All of this is being wisely protected in an excellent system of national parks and reserves that has won praise from conservationists around the world. The government has set aside thirteen national parks, eight biological reserves, three wildlife refuges, and other areas that now comprise one fourth of the country’s land area. These far-sighted efforts have placed Costa Rica at the forefront of conservation, especially among tropical countries, where deforestation is proceeding at an alarming rate.

Itinerary

May 17: Home – San José

Our Costa Rican adventure begins today as we board our flight to San José, the country's capital city. We will stay overnight at the Bougainvillea Hotel, about fifteen minutes away from San José. The hotel offers excellent accommodations and superb service in a suburban village setting. Located amid coffee plantations, orchards, and is surrounded by colorful gardens. The rooms feature native woods, tiled bathrooms, and balconies offering marvelous views of the mountains or the city skyline. We will have a Welcome Dinner and Orientation. Overnight Bougainvillea Hotel. (D)

May 18: San José – Arenal Volcano

After breakfast we will photograph in the beautiful gardens surrounding the Bougainvillea Hotel. This will be your first opportunity to see topical flowers and birds. Blue-gray Tanagers are easy to photograph as they feed outside the dining room and Blue-crowned Motmot occasionally perch out in the garden.

We will visit the LaPaz Waterfall Gardens. The hummingbird garden and feeders attract several different species of birds we can photograph along with the beautiful orchids and flowers. A nearby frog house and reptile display offers opportunities to photograph red-eyed tree frog and several snakes that visitors rarely encounter in the wild. (Note: LaPaz Waterfall Garden was affected by the 2009 earthquake in Costa Rica. An alternative location may be planned as the tour date approaches, if the photography experience will not be adequate for our group).

Our destination for the evening is Arenal, if it is a clear night, we will try to photograph a real natural fireworks display, when an eruption of lava and burning rocks explodes into the air and showers down the cinder cone. Even when it is overcast, the rumblings, venting, and molten lava glowing eerily through the clouds, make for a stirring spectacle. Overnight Arenal Observatory Lodge (B, L, D) both days.

May 19: Arenal

This morning the group will have the chance to explore the trails the hotel property has, and admire the majestic views of the volcano. Arenal Observatory Lodge, first built as a research facility for the Smithsonian Institute, is the closest hotel to Arenal Volcano, but is separated from the lava flow by a deep river valley. The lodge is a rustic nature lover’s retreat, surrounded by 860 acres of private land, including 270 of primary tropical rainforest with well-kept trails. Feeders attract a variety of species of birds plus the grounds offer a wide variety of photo opportunities. A nearby river provides a chance to work on landscape photos with the volcano in the background. The hotel also has a volcano museum and an active seismograph constantly monitoring Arenal’s volcanic and seismic activity.

May 20: Sarapiqui Area

Photography begins the next morning with views of the volcano at dawn with the jungle gardens in the foreground and several species of birds along the walkway to breakfast. Mid-morning we will load our luggage in the motor coach for a leisurely stop at Danaus, a small Costa Rican owned forest restoration project. We will photograph rufous motmots, euphonia, honeycreeper, and tanagers at the feeders and look for boat-billed herons in the lagoon. Lunch at a charming Spanish-style restaurant with bird feeders gives us a chance to photograph iguana, black-cheeked woodpecker, and other birds.

In the afternoon we will be in the Sarapiqui area, this region is one of the most exuberant and luscious places in Costa Rica, especially with respect to the rainforest. It is named after a river and rests at the base of the Central Volcanic Mountain Range.

The Sarapiquis Neotropical Center includes a hotel designed to resemble a fifteenth century indigenous village, an archeological site, a small biodiversity museum, and organic vegetable gardens. Three huge thatched-roof bungalows house comfortable rooms with covered terraces, handmade bamboo furniture, ceiling fans, and spacious bathrooms. Many of the rooms have an outstanding view of the rainforest canopy, while others are nestled in the bright and fragrant gardens.

The center, which is owned by a Belgium non-profit conservation association, is adjacent to the 350-acre Tirimbina nature reserve, which preserves lush lowland primary rainforest nourished by the Sarapiqui River. The reserve’s environmental education center is run by another non-profit organization in cooperation with the Milwaukee Public Museum and Riveredge Nature Center.

The botanical garden holds 400 native and endangered plants and was designed in cooperation with the National Botanic Garden of Belgium. The Sarapiquis grounds are a bird watchers’ paradise and are visited by Honeycreepers, Bananaquits, Toucans, and many other species. Overnight Sarapiquis Neotropical Center, (B, L, D) both days.

May 21: Sarapiqui Area - La Selva

La Selva Biological Station is a rainforest reserve and research station owned by a consortium of U.S. Universities and the University of Costa Rica known as OTS (Organization of Tropical Studies). Founded in the late sixties, La Selva is perhaps the longest running and, certainly, one of the most prestigious research stations on tropical rainforest anywhere in the world. The property encompasses more than 1500 hectares including a variety of ecosystems characteristic of the wet lowland tropical zone. It forms part of a much larger protected area, which includes Braulio Carrillo National Park. Within La Selva, visitors can experience virgin forest, secondary forest at different stages of growth, forest edge vegetation, lowland rivers, swamps, and cultivated areas around the buildings.

The trails are very easy to negotiate, ranging from paved to hard-packed earth. The station’s primary function is research; it also serves as an educational center for a wide variety of courses in different aspects of tropical biology.

May 22 - May 23: Turrialba Area

After breakfast we will depart for the Turriabla region. Rancho Naturalista, is located in the Tuis Valley, at the northern limit of Costa Rica’s Talamanca Mountains. At 900 meters elevation on the Atlantic slope of the country, Rancho’s forests, farmlands, and surrounding area offer an impressive 300 species of birds – many of which are difficult or impossible to see in other parts of the country.

The ranch lies on 125 acres in pre-mountain rain forest. You will be impressed with the famous hummingbird pools where Snowcap and Purple-crowned Fairy are regular bathers. The numerous hummingbird feeders offer a wonderful opportunity to photograph White-necked Jacobin, Green Violet-ear, and Green-crowned Brilliant species. The beautiful old tree off the veranda that is covered with bananas, attracts Fiery-billed Aracari, Passerini Tanager, and other topical birds. We will photograph hummingbird with a stop-action studio at this location.

Near our lodge, you will see several species of morphos and a large variety of butterflies and orchids. Of the more than 12,000 species of Moths to be found in Costa Rica, a sizable percentage can be found around the lodge. The Rancho itself is somewhat eclectic, an attractive combination of main house - in bed and breakfast style - plus additional hotel-style rooms in separate but nearby buildings. Balanced, nutritious meals are prepared in the newly remodeled kitchen and served family-style in the cozy dining room. Overnight Rancho Naturalista, (B, L, D) both days.

May 24: San Jose or Savegre Lodge for extension

After breakfast at the lodge we will depart for our return trip to San Jose. Those departing tomorrow will have the afternoon and evening on your own to enjoy the gardens at the Bougainvillea Hotel. This family-owned and operated hotel offers a welcoming atmosphere, from fresh cut flowers from its own gardens, to original paintings and sculptures by leading local artists. Massive beamed ceilings, wood paneling, and a fireplace, all contribute to the warm feeling of a country inn. Overnight Bougainvillea Hotel, (B, L, D).

May 25: Departure for Home

After breakfast those not continuing on the extension, will transfer to Juan Santamaria International Airport to take our flights back home. (B)

Extension

Savegre 2010

On May 24 we will leave participants not attending the extension, in San Jose, and continue on to the Savegre region with Kathy and our local guide. We will make our way through the Cerro de la Muerte area, stopping along stunning mountain roads to photograph birds and local sights.

May 24 - May 25: Savegre

Our destination today is the charming Savegre Lodge, a Costa Rican owned property hidden away in the picturesque San Gerardo de Dota Valley of Costa Rica’s southern Talamanca Mountain range. The misty and beautiful surroundings provide a unique opportunity to enjoy the views and sounds of the cloud forest, as well as discover the wonders of Costa Rica's unspoiled ecology. In this virtually undiscovered location, we will get comfortable in our new mountain environs, and then photograph the lovely tropical gardens, clear mountain stream, and forest landscape. We will have another relaxing day, taking opportunities to discover this unique lodge, looking for great shots of the Resplendent Quetzals, hummingbirds, and many others.

Photographing birds in this lovely setting is extraordinary. We will have one more opportunity to photograph hummingbirds at the stop-action studio at this location. Overnight Savegre Lodge. (B, L, D) both days.

May 26: Savegre Lodge – San Jose

We will have this morning to continue our explorations and photography before our departure to San Jose. Lunch will be en route amidst our unscheduled stops. We’ll enjoy another evening at the Bougainvillea Hotel (B,L,D).

May 27: San Jose - Home

After breakfast at the hotel we transfer to Juan Santamaria International Airport to take our flights back home. (B)

Accommodations

Please contact us for more details.

Guides

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Food & Drink

Costa Rican food is not spicy. Menus are usually simple, but the food is always good and plentiful. Breakfast menus are much like those in North America. Rice, meat, beans, and vegetables are usually served at lunch and dinners. Local cheeses are quite good. Delicious fruits and juices are in abundant supply. Accommodations are clean, comfortable and pleasant, but not luxurious.

Pricing Info

Tour land cost: $2,995 US Dollars based upon minimum of 8 paying participants. There is a small group surcharge of $300 if 5-7 paying participants. All our program prices are based on double occupancy unless noted in exceptions.

Single room supplement: $495; single rooms are subject to availability and are not guaranteed. We try to accommodate travelers who request single accommodations, as well as travelers who are looking for a roommate. If a single room is requested, or if we are unable to find a suitable roommate, you will be required to pay the supplement.

Extension land cost: $695 based upon minimum of 6 paying participants. There is a small group surcharge of $100 if 4-5 paying participants.

Single room supplement: $105; single rooms are subject to availability and are not guaranteed.

Note: The land costs on international tours is based upon current exchange rates. Although the rate has been relatively stable, should it change, there may need to be an adjustment in the land cost.

General Tour Info (includes, excludes and other details)