NEW 2025 DATE! Price: £2495/$2995 per person
Day 1: Arrive at San Jose and travel to Poas
We will meet at Juan Santamaría International Airport (San Jose) and we will head straight to our first location, to Poas. We spend the night looking for vipers, tree frogs and glass frogs.
Main targets are: Bothriechis lateralis, Agalychnis annae, Espadarana prosoblepon, Hyalinobatrachium fleischmanni, Bolitoglossa subpalmata.
Overnight in Poas.
Meals included: Dinner
Day 2 – 3: Herping at Centro Manu
We drive today to the Caribbean side and will spend the next two days at Centro Manu. This stop will mainly concentrate on the colourful amphibians of the region, although we will have the chance seeing coral snakes and the unique Rainforest Hognosed-Pitviper.
Main Targets are: Sachatamia ilex, Tripion spinosus, Agalychnis saltator, Hyloscirtus palmeri, Oedipina carablanca, Porthidum nasutum, Micrurus multifasciatus, Pliocercus eurizonus.
Overnight in Centro Manu.
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Day 4: Travel to Cerro de la Muerte
We leave the Caribbean-side of the country and head towards the South pacific. En-route we will cross the Talamanca Mountain Range and we will stay near Cero de la Muerte for overnight. Today’s plan is to explore some species in high elevation. Our expedition will take us to over 3000m over sea level. We will be looking for vipers, salamanders and lizards.
Main Targets are: Cerrophidion sasai, Bothriechis nigroviridis, Bolitoglossa pesrubra, Bolitoglossa cerroensis, Abronia monticola, Sceloporus malachiticus.
Overnight near San Gerardo de Dota
Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Day 5: Travel to the Osa Peninsula
We are driving today towards the majestic Osa Peninsula today and we will be heading towards the mountains. It is a long (7h) drive, but we will arrive to one of the most unique and most biodiverse places of Central America.
Overnight near the Osa Peninsula.
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Day 6 – 7: Herping at the Osa Peninsula
On the next two days we will be Based North of Corcovado National Park on the Osa Peninsula. It is one of the most biologically diverse places on the Planet. Explore the rainforest and its herpetofauna. Visit the Black-headed bushmaster project and learn about the ongoing conservation efforts.
Main targets are: Lachesis melanocephala, Porthidium porrasiii, Nothopsis rugosus, Phyllobates vittatus, Hyalinobatrachium collymbophyllum.
Overnight on the Osa Peninsula.
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Day 8: Travel to Manuel Antonio National Park
Today we drive North along the Pacific coast to one of the most popular National Parks of the country, to Manuel Antonio National Park. During the day we will be looking for diurnal wildlife; the park is home to mammals reptiles and birds. At night we will go out and discover the local herpetofauna.
Overnight near Manuel Antonio National Park/Quepos.
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Day 9: San Jose de la Montana
For the last stop of our herping adventure, we will return to north of San Jose. We will have the last chance to see the beautiful Black-speckled palm-pit viper and some rare frog species.
Main Targets are: Bothriechis nigroviridis, Itsmohyla pseudopuma, Agalychnis annae.
Overnight in San Jose de la Montana.
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Day 10: Departure Day
After breakfast, free time and individual departure from San Jose de la Montana.
Meals Included: Breakfast
Poas
Posada de Belen
Centro Manu
Centro Manu House
San Gerardo de Dota
Cabinas El Quetzal
Osa Peninsula
Rancho Quemado-Laguna Azul
San Jose de la Montana
Cabañas el Silencio
Prices & Inclusions
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Date: 18th to 27th July 2025 |
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Holiday Price: |
£2495/person |
min. 4, max. 6 participants |
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$2995/person | |
| Single Supplement | On Request | |
Inclusions
- Accommodation in simple hotels for 9 nights on a twin share basis
- All meals from Dinner on Day 1, till breakfast on Day 10
- Transportation as per the itinerary
- Local Herpetologist experts throughout the holiday
- Guided daily walks as per the itinerary
- Full financial protection by Protected Trust Services
Exclusions
- International flights
- Airport transfers
- Meals not mentioned in the program
- Tips
- Travel Insurance
+44 (0) 738 888 45 30
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YOUR GUIDES
Max Benito Smeele
Max is a biologist from the Universidad de Salamanca in Spain. His main interests are around amphibian and reptile conservation, as well as in nature photography as a way to spread knowledge and awareness about these animals. He has worked as a researcher in Spain and Costa Rica, to which he travelled 5 times, with the aim to explore its overwhelming biodiversity. Currently he resides in Spain were he works as photographer for the Exsitu Project, tour leader, teaches courses about Iberian herpetofauna and studies a masters in tropical biodiversity. Moreover he speaks Spanish, Dutch and English fluently.
Esteban E. Arrieta
Esteban, from an early age, due to him living in the Caribbean slopes of the Talamancan mountain range, he has been passionate about herpetofauna. Since them he acquired a lot of field experience, focusing on finding rare species. He has been able to rediscover lost species and even find new ones for science. He now works as a private guide through Costa Rica to show people the wonders that inhabit this amazing and biodiverse country.
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Costa Rica is in Central America between Nicaragua and Panama; it is bordered from the East by the Caribbean Sea and from the West by the Pacific Ocean.
Volcanoes, high mountain ranges, and lush tropical forests are dominating the landscapes. It also provides beautiful golden beaches for those who want to relax at the end of their holiday.
This Central American country is one of the leaders in eco-tourism and sustainability. They have more than 190 biological reserves and national parks. The country has 12 different life zones, and despite its small size, it is home to nearly 5% of the total living species of the Earth.
It is a perfect place for wildlife watching, birding (over 900 species of birds), wildlife and nature photography, and for families who can combine nature, adventure, and the beach.
+44 (0) 738 888 45 30
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+44 (0) 20 805 08658
+44 (0) 738 888 45 30
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