IMPROVED 2027 ITINERARY
Price: from £2995/$3995per person
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 Alajuela.
Meals included: None
We start our journey towards the Caribbean Coast, to a well know herping hot-spot, Centro Manu. We spend the afternoon and the night walking on the trails looking for snakes, frogs and salamanders.
Main targets: Sachatamia ilex, Tripion spinosus, Agalychnis saltator, Hyloscirtus palmeri, Oedipina carablanca, Porthidum nasutum, Micrurus multifasciatus, Pliocercus eurizonus
Overnight at Centro Manu.
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
We start early and drive towards the Caribbean coast, near the Panama border of Costa Rica. We will stay at the Indigenous reserve for 2 nights. We will learn about Central American Bushmaster Project and will look for reptiles and amphibians in the forest.
Main targets are Lachesis stenophrys, Bothriechis nigroadspersus, Porthidium nasutum, Bothrops asper, Mircurus mosquitensis, Micrurus alleni, Micurus multifasciatus, micururs mipartitus, Corallus annulatus, Diploglossus monotropis, Cruziohyla calcarifer, hyalinobathrachium valerioi, hyalinobathrachium talamancae, Pristimantis gaigei,
Overnight in Kekoldi.
Meals Included: Day 3: Breakfast, Dinner, Day 4: breakfast, lunch dinner
We drive back toward the centre of the country and will spend the next two days near the Costa Rican Amphibian Research Station. We will have exclusive access to the Guayacan Rainforest Reserve on both nights. Brian the founder will take us out in the forest for a 3-4 hour period to look for the resident reptiles and amphibians.
Over the past 20 years 135 species of amphibians and reptiles have been registered at the reserve.
Main Targets are: Sachatamia ilex, Agalychnis lemur, Agalychnis spurreli
Overnight in Siquirres.
Meals Included: Breakfast
We leave the Caribbean-side of the country and head towards the Centre. Today is short drive and the focus will be on the region around Turrialba. With a help of a couple local reptile-expert guides, we head out for night in search for the Mexican Jumping Pitviper and many other critters.
Main Targets are: Cerrophidion sasai, Bothriechis nigroviridis, Bolitoglossa pesrubra, Bolitoglossa cerroensis, Abronia monticola, Sceloporus malachiticus.
Overnight near Turrialba
Meals included: Breakfast
On Day 8 we drive towards the Northwest of the country, near Santa Rosa National Park (5-6h) in Guanactaste province. This is a totally new biome, as the area is covered by the dry forest with many exciting new species. We will spend 2 nights here and look for Central-American rattlesnake and many other species.
Main targets are: Crotalus simus, Porthidium ophryomegas, Loxoscemus bicolor, Trimorphodon quadruplex, Micrurus nigrocinctus, Ctenosaura similis, Rhynophrynus dorsalis
Overnight in Cuajiniquil.
Meals Included: Breakfast
We star our journey back to San Jose with an overnight stop near Arenal Volcano. This is another reptile and amphibian hotspot; we will have our last night hike in the area.
Overnight near Arenal.
Meals Included: Breakfast
After breakfast, we will drive back to San Jose (3h), please depart after 1pm.
Meals Included: Breakfast
Alajuela
Villa San Ignacio, or similar
A nice hotel 10km from the airport in the outskirts of Alajuela town. It is close to our first location (Poas) where we will be looking for vipers on the first night.
Guapiles
Centro Manu House, or similar
A classic lodge in the middle of the forest, near the town Guapiles. We will visit its trails in search for salamanders, frogs and snakes.
Kekoldi Indigenous Reserve
Kekoldi Reserve, or similar (basic)
We will stay at the lodge on the Reserve, facilities are basic, but the location is outstanding as it will provide us with excellent excursion options to search for the local flora and fauna.
Siquirres
Hotel Pacuare, or similar
A simple hotel/motel with a pool in Siquirres. It is only a 15-minute drive away from the Costa Rican Amphibian Research Station, and it will be a good base for us to explore the forest.
Turrialba
Casa Tucan Glamping, or similar
A set of unique bungalows in a slightly remote area with some beautiful views to the surrounding mountains.
Cuajiniquil
Bay Lodge, or similar (basic)
Bay Lodge is a simple hotel/motel near Santa Rosa National Park. It is located in a good location, so that we can visit the park and do road cruising at night in search for nocturnal reptiles.
Arenal Volcano Area
Tilajari Eco Resort (Classic)
The resort is nestled in a beautiful area, on the banks of the San Carlos River, near the Arenal area. The hotel offers spacious, comfortable rooms with nature and wildlife being in its doorsteps.
Prices & Inclusions
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Date: 1st to 11th July 2026 |
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Holiday Price: |
£2995/person |
min. 4, max. 6 participants |
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$3995/person | |
| Single Supplement | £500/person | |
| $600/person | ||
Inclusions
Exclusions
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. On this tour Max will be accompanied by Lucia Alonso, a naturalist guide from Spain.
Costa Rica is a heaven for Reptile and Amphibian enthusiasts. This small Central-American country holds over 400 species of reptiles and amphibians.
On this tour we visit some of the best places the country has to offer and will look for iconic tree and glass frogs, snakes and lizards. We will also learn about conservation and with our visit support some private reserves and even indigenous communities. Max and Lucia will be guarantee that you will be looked after very well. The tour is also perfect for those who want to exercise macro photography. Expect hikes during the day and at night (until 2am) and to visit a variation of habitats from the Caribbean lowlands to the Dry forest of Guanacaste.
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.
Get In Touch:
hello@ecoterraadventures.com
+44 (0) 20 805 08658
+44 (0) 738 888 45 30
ATOL: 12505
Registered Office Address: 85 Great Portland Street, First Floor, London, W1W 7LT
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