Dates: Nov 15 - 23 / 2025
10 days and 9 nights / 4 Locations in the Caribbean slope.
Price: 2,500 USD PAX
General information.
Arrival and departure airport for clients: Juan Santamaria International Airport, San José Costa Rica.
Initial Deposit: 600 USD 01 April (No refund).
Second Payment: 01 June (50% deposit).
Third payment: 01 Sept (remaining 50%).
Minimum: 6
Maximum: 10
Activity Level: 6/10 (on a scale of 1 to 10).
Accommodations: During this expedition, you'll be staying in a variety of accommodations with shared rooms. Please note that some of these lodgings are located away from typical tourist areas, and securing single rooms may not always be possible. However, upon request, we can arrange single rooms for an additional fee.
Extra Rooms Available: Upon request (3 months in advance), single-room accommodations can be available for an extra charge of 800 USD PAX.
Off-the-Beaten-Path Experience: The regions we'll be exploring are not tailored for mainstream tourism, which means we won't have access to standard amenities or typical tourist-friendly dining options, but we will not see other tourists.
Expedition Duration: 10 Days, 9 nights, with daily (day and night) walks ranging from 1 to 4 hours.
Experienced Guides: You'll be joined by private expert guides who specialize in herpetology and photography. Additionally, local guides will be there to enrich your journey.
All-Inclusive Transportation: Your transportation needs will be covered from the day you arrive until the day of your departure.
Your Expedition Guides: Cesar Barrio Amorós and Cristian Porras Ramírez.
Intro:
This expedition to the Caribbean versant of Costa Rica is intended to find and photograph some of the most marvelous and spectacular species of amphibians and reptiles in the world. Costa Rica is known for its enormous biodiversity in such a small area, with more than 440 species of reptiles and amphibians in 51.000 km2 (a little smaller than West Virginia). In this expedition, we can observe around 100 species in a week (of course this is not a promise, as we deal with nature!), and will visit four different locations along the Caribbean versant, all four in the rainforest. One of the sites is the most diverse in herps in Costa Rica, with more than 120 species reported so far. Some target species are the tiger monkey frog Cruziohyla sylviae, the paragliding frog Agalychnis spurrelli, and the lemur frog Agalychnis lemur, among the rarest. Other common species, also spectacular, include the most beautiful variant of the red-eyed treefrog Agalychnis callidryas, the crown treefrog Triprion (Anotheca) spinosus, glass frogs as beautiful as Sachatamia ilex and Hyalinobatrachium valerioi, chirripoi and talamancae, and poison frogs like 3 morphs of Oophaga pumilio (blue jeans, black jeans, and bribri, which is entirely burgundy wine), Phyllobates lugubris and Dendrobates auratus.
Among reptiles, we may see easily many classic Costa Rican species like the emerald basilisk Basiliscus plumifrons, the Green Iguana (Iguana rhinolopha), the spectacled caiman (Caiman fuscus) and the American crocodile (Crocodylus acutus). Many smaller lizards fill the forest, like anoles, geckos and microteids.
Without a doubt, one of the best-known Costa Rican jewels is the Oropel, the yellow phase of the eyelash viper (Bothriechis nigroadspersus). Where we go, there are plenty of them and will be an easy target. Also, there are other color variants, some as appealing as pink, white, or green with orange phases. Other vipers we can see quite easily are the terciopelo (Bothrops asper), actually the most abundant and dangerous viper in Central America, and the hognose viper Porthidium nasutum. But the real target, the ultimate viper, is the Caribbean bushmaster Lachesis stenophrys. Two of the localities we go to are probably the best chances we have to observe this mysterious species.
We are going to have first-hand experience to enjoy these animals in their natural habitat, as well as comfortable lodges and rainforest rooms with delicious tico food.
Itinerary
Day 1: San Jose. Arrival in Costa Rica. Pick up at the airport. Search for the green palm viper Bothriechis lateralis and the golden-eye treefrog Agalychnis annae. Night in the cloud forest around San Jose.
Days 2-3: Sarapiquí. We head towards the upland rainforests of the Caribbean side of Costa Rica. Stay at a lodge, to explore the unbeatable herp diversity of the region, including poison frogs, tree frogs (crowned, gliding, etc), glassfrogs (Sachatamia ilex, Hyalinobatrachium dianae), vipers like Porthidium nasutum, Bothrops asper, and if lucky, even Lachesis stenophrys. One of the few places where the rarest coral in Costa Rica occurs, Micrurus multifasciatus.
Days 4-6. Guapiles. We’ll stay at the lowland rainforests exploring with the possibility to find many spectacular frogs like Oophaga pumilio, Dendrobates auratus, Phyllobates lugubris, Pristimantis, Craugastor, Triprion spinosus, Smilisca, etc, and if lucky, one of the most spectacular salamanders in the tropics, Oedipina carablanca. Here the eyelashes are almost 99% sure, aside from other incredible possibilities like coral snakes (Micrurus mosquitensis, M. alleni), and false corals like Rhinobothryum bovallii.
Days 7-8: We head to the southern Caribbean to enjoy this warm and clear sea, where you have time to enjoy the tropical beach… arriving at the pure center of the yellow phase of eyelash vipers. Here not only yellow, but also white, pink, green, etc can be seen. Also land of sloths and monkeys, the southern Caribbean is a must! At night we can also discover so many impressive species like Boa imperator, Corallus annulatus, many poison frogs and free time to enjoy the Caribbean beach and/or beautiful rivers with high waterfalls.
Day 9: Morning chill, and return to San Jose. Night in an airbnb.
Day 10: Transport to the airport and Flight home.
Necessary gear:
Waterproof trekking boots or rubber boots (that you can buy cheap in Costa Rica).
Front lamps or a good flashlight with enough batteries.
Your own camera gear and equipment.
Insect repellent (preferably not based on DEET).
Raincoat.
Always bring your own water bottle to refill anywhere. Tap water is potable everywhere in Costa Rica.
Your own travel insurance (this is an obligatory requirement).
Bring your own medicines (do not expect to find what you use at home in Costa Rica).
What is included
Transportation arrives at the airport to all our destinations and returns to San José or Alajuela leaving you at your hotel.
Guide specialist in herpetology and photography.
Local guides
Stay at hotels (in doubles or triples), lodges, and/ or rooms. If you want to stay in a single room, you must pay the extra price by yourself.
All entrances to National Parks and private reserves.
3 meals per day with beverages (except breakfast and lunch on day 1, and all meals on day 10). Not alcoholics included.
What is not included
Flight from Origin to Costa Rica and return to origin.
Laundry services.
Last day (day 8) lunch, supper, and hotel.
Your travel insurance (this is an obligatory requirement).
Tips
Notes:
Because the pickup of the participants is on day 1 (15 November) at 2 pm, the best is to arrive that same day during the morning (up to 12 am). If your chosen flight arrives later, it is advised to arrive one day before and stay in a hotel or Airbnb around. Be sure that the hotel or Airbnb provides the service to pick you up and deliver you to the airport included.
Please if you have any special diet (vegetarian, vegan), let me know to plan the meals well.
As you prepare for your adventure with us, we want to ensure that you have all the necessary information to make your experience as smooth and enjoyable as possible.
Below, you will find links to essential documents that cover various aspects of our services and policies. Please take a moment to review each of these important resources:
Deposit Terms: Understand the terms and conditions related to deposits when booking with us. This information is crucial for managing your reservations and financial transactions effectively. https://www.crwild.com/terms-of-the-deposit
Liability Waiver: Familiarize yourself with our liability waiver to know what responsibilities CR Wild assumes and what lies within your own scope as a traveler. It's important to note that you will be required to sign this document at the start of your expedition, ensuring a safe and well-informed trip. https://www.crwild.com/exemption-of-liability
Medical Form: Please complete this medical form to finalize your participation in our tours. This step is vital to ensure your safety during the expedition, as it helps us understand your health needs and any necessary accommodations.https://iizkfvajwho.typeform.com/to/m4Dvt2RZ
Mandatory Footwear Guidelines for Expedition Safety
To ensure safety and compliance with our safety standards during the expedition, the use of rubber boots is mandatory in the field, as no other type of footwear is allowed. These boots are essential for optimal performance in swampy terrains and for protection against venomous snake bites. Additionally, we recommend wearing sandals to help keep your feet dry and provide necessary rest during inactive periods throughout the day.
Footwear Policy to Optimize Luggage Space
Please note that any type of footwear other than the mandatory rubber boots will be considered extra weight. We strongly advise against bringing additional footwear, as it will not only increase your luggage weight but also take up valuable space that could be used for essential items. Stick to rubber boots and sandals as recommended to ensure both compliance with our guidelines and your comfort during the expedition.
Packing Essentials for Field Expeditions
It is essential to carry a backpack, intended for field use, which should contain everything needed for the day, such as water, a poncho, photographic equipment, repellent, snacks, flashlights, extra batteries, and other personal items. Also, a hand luggage, which must be of standard size (22 x 14 x 9 inches) to ensure that the luggage of all passengers fits properly in the limited space available in the vehicle or minibus, will be left at the hotel with your personal belongings and important documents. Following these recommendations is vital to ensure a safe and comfortable experience while exploring with CR Wild.
Each document plays a vital role in ensuring that both you and CR Wild have a clear understanding of expectations and requirements. We appreciate your cooperation in reviewing these details thoroughly.
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