Costa Rica: Nature

On arrival at San Jose's international airport, you will be met by a local representative for Borton Overseas and transferred to your hotel.

Welcome to Costa Rica!

After breakfast, we depart San Jose with a drive up the mountains to the Cerro de la Muerte (Summit of Death), so named because, in the past, travelers needed several days to cross it on foot or horseback, and many of them perished due to harsh weather conditions.    Nowadays, the Interamerican Highway lets you cross it in a couple of hours, while allowing you to enjoy the amazing views and the Paramus vegetation, the plants and trees that have adapted to tropical high latitude areas.

Today you will drive down the mountains and on to your lodge on the South Pacific coast.  

On the way, we'll stop to visit the Nauyaca waterfall, a magical place where you can swim in a beautiful pond, under a waterfall, surrounded by forest. Reaching this beautiful waterfall involves either a 12 km hike, horseback-ride, or 4x4 shuttle, so it is a half-day tour. Make sure you pack plenty of snacks and refill your bottles!  Lunch will be provided.

Today is at your leisure to explore the area.

Walk down to the beach and explore La Cusinga´s surroundings.  

There are optional tours available at an additional cost.  We recommend a visit to Marino Ballena National Park or a full-day tour to Corcovado National Park.

Today we'll drive mostly along the coast to the Central Pacific area.  Before heading up the mountains to reach your next lodge, you will enjoy a boat tour on the Tarcoles River, a great place to meet --from a safe distance!-- Costa Rica's apex predator, the American crocodile. The cruise is also ideal for birdwatchers, as there are 60 bird species commonly sighted along the river.

Arrive at your lodge in time for lunch. 

The afternoon is free to relax and enjoy the lodge's surroundings. Macaw Lodge is situated among the hills and lush forests of Cerros de Turrubares and is a haven for birds, butterflies, and plants!

Dinner is included in your stay.

Today is yours to do as you wish. Learn about the lodge's sustainability projects or explore the area on any number of tours offered (at additional cost), or simply relax with a good book and a nice cup of Costa Rican coffee.

Time to go home!

You'll be transferred to the Juan Santamaria International Airport in San Jose for your departure flight back to the US.

Buen viaje!