Tenorio Volcano National Park with its lush, humid forests and a wealth of palms, heliconias, ferns, bromeliads and orchids, has a decidedly greener hue than Guanacaste’s drier regions. The park is also known for its mammals, most notably the Baird’s Tapir, a prehistoric-looking creature that resembles a cross between and horse and a rhinoceros! In addition to these gentle giants, Tenorio Volcano park hosts other endangered, though not so gentle species such as jaguars, pumas, ocelots and margays, as well as peccaries and howler and white-faced monkeys, among others. There is also an abundance of bird species, especially the reclusive Bellbird whose mysterious, ringing call characterizes the forest ambiance.
In addition to the outstanding jungle scenery and wildlife, the park is known for its startling turquoise-colored Celeste river, waterfalls and hot springs, considered one of the Seven Natural Wonders of Costa Rica! Legend has it that the gods of creation rinsed their paintbrushes in the river while painting the sky, though the less-romantic version attributes the color to the mixing of volcanic minerals.
Tenorio Volcano National Park with its lush, humid forests and a wealth of palms, heliconias, ferns, bromeliads and orchids, has a decidedly greener hue than Guanacaste’s drier regions. The park is also known for its mammals, most notably the Baird’s Tapir, a prehistoric-looking creature that resembles a cross between and horse and a rhinoceros! In addition to these gentle giants, Tenorio Volcano park hosts other endangered, though not so gentle species such as jaguars, pumas, ocelots and margays, as well as peccaries and howler and white-faced monkeys, among others. There is also an abundance of bird species, especially the reclusive Bellbird whose mysterious, ringing call characterizes the forest ambiance.
In addition to the outstanding jungle scenery and wildlife, the park is known for its startling turquoise-colored Celeste river, waterfalls and hot springs, considered one of the Seven Natural Wonders of Costa Rica! Legend has it that the gods of creation rinsed their paintbrushes in the river while painting the sky, though the less-romantic version attributes the color to the mixing of volcanic minerals. Whichever explanation is preferred, the river pools, and sometimes even the waterfalls, have a brilliant bright-blue tint seen nowhere else!
We pick you up at your hotel between 7:00 and 8:00 am, depending on your location, making a stop in Liberia to buy water and a picnic lunch if desired.
Once at the park, we’ll hike for about an hour and a half to the source of the Celeste river then follow it down, taking in the tranquility of the forest and enjoying a relaxing soak in the hot springs if desired.
Enjoy a picnic lunch riverside, followed by an hour and a half hike out of the park.
After leaving the park, we offer an optional stop at yet another spectacular waterfall for a refreshing swim.
Return to the hotel at about 5:00 pm.
Pants, hat and hiking or running shoes, jacket and rain gear (even in the dry season). Wear your bathing suit under your clothes if you want to soak in the hot springs or swim in the waterfall on the way back.
Camera, insect repellent, sunscreen, sunglasses, drinking water, snacks and picnic lunch (if desired), bathing suit, towel and cash for the National Park entrance fee.
Full-day tour – pick up 7:00 to 8:00 am and drop off approximately 5:00 pm.
Do not miss the high adrenaline of the Tubing in the Rincon de la Vieja , with an hour and 20 minutes of descent bouncing on the mystical Colorado River hours of pure adventure with a jump into the water.
Palo Verde National Park is an aquatic wonderland! There are some 280 species of migratory and resident birds in the park, giving Palo Verde the largest concentration of aquatic birds in Central America. Many endangered and threatened species can be seen including the Jabiru stork, the continent’s tallest water bird as well as the pheasant-like Great Curassow, manakins, falcons, ducks and herons.
The park is also home to deer, peccaries, ocelots, coyotes, pumas, tayras, agoutis, pacas, monkeys, boa constrictors, rattlesnakes, coral snakes, crocodiles and huge populations of toads and frogs, including several species of tree frogs.
Palo Verde also sustains an array of exquisite hardwoods such as Ironwood, Cocobolo and Ron Ron as well as extensive mangroves and hundreds of other plant species.
Santa Rosa présente plusieurs types d’écosystèmes allant de la forêt sèche, aux marécages, à la savane, à la plage, avec faune et flore correspondante. La végétation se présente sous toutes ses formes, allant du massif Guanacaste, aux chênes de taille moyenne jusqu’aux humbles herbes. Comme plusieurs des arbres du parc perdent leurs feuilles durant la saison sèche afin de conserver l’humidité durant cette période, le paysage de janvier à mai devient tant surréaliste que varié!
Santa Rosa est également le refuge de centaines d’animaux, dont au moins 115 espèces de mammifères qui incluent plus de 50 sortes de chauves-souris. On compte aussi plus de 250 espèces d’oiseaux, une centaine d’espèces d’amphibiens et de reptiles et plus de 10 000 espèces d’insectes dont le tiers sont des papillons et des mites!