Wild Nature - Costa Rica

VALLEYS

Destination 1, San Gerardo de Dota

San Gerardo de Dota is a charming village in one of the most beautiful regions of Costa Rica, just 85 mile from San Jose. On your way from the coast to the capital you will cross Cerro de la Muerte, the mountains that separate the Caribbean and Pacific coasts. Just before the highest point (11000ft), you descend into the magnificent green valley, carved by the river Savegre nearby San Gerardo de Dota (8000ft). Enjoy the breathtaking scenery!

In the 1950’s, a few Costa Rican families settled down in this region. They proved to be ardent protectors of the natural environment and stimulated sustainable tourism in the valley and the surrounding cloud forests. It’s also one of the few places in Central America where you can find the quetzal, the sacred bird of the Mayas in Mexico and today the national symbol of Guatemala. This is without a doubt one of the most special birds you can find in the wild in Costa Rica.
 

Hotel

You will spend the night in a magnificent hotel on the edge of the valley (at an altitude of about 8000ft). Your room has a spectacular view over the valley and don’t be surprised when you spot a hummingbirds from your balcony. Be sure to visit the impressive art gallery, located next to the hotel.

Activities

It’s definitely worth rising early and look for the famous quetzal! With a guide you can hike down into the valley and he can tell you exactly where it’s most likely to spot one. Besides the quetzal you can find woodpeckers, hummingbirds and little green toucans. The area offers also good opportunities for horseback riding and beautiful hikes through the cloud forest.

Destination 2, Orosi

You will continue your trip to the next destination, the scenic little village Orosi in the Orosi valley. Along the way you will notice Costa Rica has many micro climates while you’re driving through the tropical rainforests and cloud forests. You will also pass coffee and sugar cane plantations.

Hotel

You will stay in a cozy hotel in the middle of the centre of the village, an excellent location to get more acquainted with the life in an authentic Costa Rican village.

Activities

From Orosi it’s possible to visit the Irazu volcano, which is the highest volcano in the country (11300ft.). From the edge of the crater you have a wonderful view over the bright blue-green crater lake and if you look closely you will see little plumes of sulfuric smoke. In the valley you can go hiking, mountain biking, horseback riding or go and visit a coffee plantation. On the way to San Jose we can recommend a coffee stop in the city of Carthago, also to see it’s nice historic cathedral.

Package Pricing

This tour lasts 4 nights.