South Pacific Packages

Corcovado Jungle Adventure
4 days & 3 nights

The excitement of this four-day jungle adventure begins the moment the small plane lifts off from San José and heads toward Costa Rica's southern Pacific coast. Casa Corcovado Jungle Lodge, the ultimate destination, lies nestled inside a 170-acre private reserve bordering Corcovado National Park. The park is home to many of Costa Rica's endangered species and is the last Pacific lowland rain forest of sustainable size in Central America. National Geographic Society has called Corcovado "the most biologically intense place on earth."

The aircraft winds its way through mammoth mountain passes blanketed with luxuriant tropical plants and trees, arriving at the Pacific coast in less than an hour. After landing in Palmar Sur, guests are transported to Drake Bay by motor launch along the mangrove-lined Sierpe River. The launch captain expertly guides the boat through the high waves into the crystal clear blue waters of Drake Bay, so named after Sir Francis Drake landed there in 1579.

The rustic design of Casa Corcovado Lodge creates the perfect setting for a dreamy jungle get-away. Depending on individual preference, time spent at the lodge can be divided between peaceful naps, delicious and plentiful food at mealtimes, swimming in the spring-fed pool or just relaxing at the bar and enjoying the peace and tranquility of the jungle.

On the second day, guests can visit the romantic Caño Island, once a sacred burial ground for the indigenous pre-Columbian tribes of the region. The morning can be spent snorkeling and photographing schools of brightly colored tropical fish. Later in the day, a boat tour takes visitors through the mangrove swamps of Corcovado, where they may catch occasional glimpses of the jungle creatures living amidst the lush undergrowth. The park is home to more than 400 species of birds and more than 100 species of amphibians and mammals. Some visitors are lucky enough to catch sight of a jaguar, tapir, ocelot, giant anteater, a flock of scarlet macaws or colorful toucans. Four kinds of monkeys inhabit this jungle, as well as poison dart frogs and crocodiles in the swamps.

The following two days can be spent hiking along myriad trails winding through the lush jungle, inspiring many guests to feel at one with nature, enraptured and enveloped in one of the most beautiful virgin forests in the world. Hikers frequently run across groups of coatimundis, cute but shy creatures that are easy to spot since they are abundant and travel in families. Their long black tails are held straight and tall as they meander through low-lying scrub brush. When frightened, they climb rapidly into the nearest tree. After a couple of hours walking through the forest, the cool, spring-fed water of a

Above itinerary includes: Round-trip air transportation from San José, land and motor launch transportation to the lodge, 3 nights lodging at Casa Corcovado Jungle Lodge; all meals; tour of Corcovado National Park and Caño Island. Snorkeling gear is provided at the island.

Optional Tours: scuba diving, deep-sea fishing and canoeing.

Scuba Diving Adventures: The best diving in Costa Rica is found in the southwestern Pacific Ocean near Caño Island, close to Corcovado National Park. These waters contain beautiful coral reefs and hundreds of species of brightly colored marine life. Guests with no prior experience but who wish to learn to scuba dive on this trip can contact the expert instructors at Costa Rica Adventure Divers. Adventure Divers is a professional company that offers a wide range of lessons, from beginner (called Discover Scuba) all the way to PADI certification. Instructors will demonstrate how easy it is to learn to dive, and more importantly, what an amazing underwater world is missed by not learning. Guests who sign up for beginner lessons can go diving within hours. Both experienced and beginning divers will find visual wonderment among these waters, which are so clear that fish can be seen easily from nearly a hundred feet away. Recently, several beginning divers came upon what they thought was a huge, yellow coral reef. Suddenly, the entire reef moved in unison and it became apparent it was a school of bright yellow fish, so tightly packed together it appeared one solid mass. Giant manta rays will sometimes pass within inches of a diver's outstretched arm. Divers also frequently see enormous schools of barracudas, large stingrays and sleek reef sharks wandering curiously by them. The waters are warm and comfortable, with temperatures ranging in the low 80's throughout the year. With the fantastic diversity of tropical marine life, year-round warm waters, excellent visibility and first-rate dive outfitters, it's no wonder more and more divers are discovering the incredible beauty that lies beneath the waters off southern Costa Rica.

Price per person:
US$690 (low season) April 16 - December 14
US$795 (high season) January 15 - April 15
US$850 (high season) December 15 - January 15