Costa Rica Trip with Kike Arnaiz
Venture into the lush tropical rainforest of the Osa Peninsula, one of the most biodiverse places on the planet, where every outing is an opportunity to observe unique wildlife in its natural habitat. This Costa Rica Trip with Kike Arnaiz combines exploration of Corcovado National Park with experiences in mangroves, pristine beaches and primary rainforest, surrounded by an incredible diversity of species such as monkeys, tropical birds and amphibians.
Accompanied by local guides and biologists, you'll walk trails deep in the jungle, go on wildlife-watching outings and experience complete immersion in nature. It's a trip that combines adventure, photography and a deep connection with one of Costa Rica's most intact ecosystems.
7 Days
Duration3-8 people
GroupEasy/Moderate
DifficultyCosta Rica
DestinationWhat you'll experience
GUIDE: KIKE ARNAIZ
Hi! I'm Kike Arnaiz, a professional wildlife and nature photographer. I've spent more than a decade traveling the world in search of wildlife, collaborating with major brands and publishing my work in outlets such as National Geographic.
A big part of my work is documenting these adventures on YouTube, where we're already more than one million people. You can also find my photographs on Instagram as @kikearnaiz.
I've visited this destination many times and know its wildlife and the dynamics of the trip well, which will allow me to help you get the most out of the experience.
And although this trip isn't designed exclusively for photographers, if you decide to bring your camera I'll be happy to share tips and techniques I've learned over years photographing wildlife around the world.
Adventure itinerary
Day 1 – Arrival in Drake Bay
On the morning of day 1 we pick you up at the Drake Bay airport. We'll have breakfast to get to know each other as a group and head out on a birdwatching tour along the Drake and Cocalito beaches, having lunch at a viewpoint overlooking the sea.
We'll stay at a lodge that's private just for us, immersed in the jungle, with a pool and restaurant: an immersive experience! We'll sleep here every night except the one we spend deep in the Corcovado jungle.
If you're flying from an international destination, we recommend arriving a day earlier at San José airport and flying to Drake the next morning — we can coordinate so we all travel together. :)
Day 2 – Immersion in Corcovado National Park
We travel to one of the most biodiverse places on the planet according to National Geographic — and rightly so. This remote and exclusive national park is home to emblematic species such as tapirs, anteaters, pumas, toucans and the country's four monkey species.
After a full day exploring Corcovado combining boat rides, pristine beaches and jungle hikes, we'll spend the night at the La Sirena biological station, the only accommodation inside the park.
It's an authentic, fully immersive experience in the heart of nature. That night we'll sleep in a simpler format than the rest of the trip: refuge-style rooms with bunk beds and shared bathrooms, in a wild setting without the comforts of a conventional hotel, surrounded by wildlife and with privileged access to one of the most intact ecosystems on the planet.
The rest of the nights are spent in carefully selected lodges, with double rooms and private bathrooms.
Day 3 – Corcovado and La Sirena station
We continue our adventure in Corcovado after spending the night at the La Sirena biological station, where we'll be able to observe a great number of birds, and landscapes such as remote beaches and a photogenic airplane abandoned in the jungle.
We'll get up early to make the most of the first light of day, when the animals are active, and take relaxed walks around the station area and the beach. In the afternoon, after enjoying the park, we return to rest in the village of Drake Bay.
Day 4 – Snorkeling or diving at Caño Island and night tour
Located in the middle of the Pacific Ocean, Caño Island is a natural paradise offering dreamlike beaches, crystal-clear waters and rich marine biodiversity. You'll dive into its coral reefs, where you can explore an incredible variety of tropical fish, sea turtles and, with luck, we'll see dolphins and whales in their natural habitat.
The group will snorkel from the beach, but if you have a diving license, you can also request dives in advance.
At night we'll also do a night tour in search of wildlife such as glass frogs, red-eyed tree frogs...
Day 5 – Safari through the Sierpe River mangroves
Get ready to venture into a labyrinth of winding channels surrounded by dense vegetation and discover a unique and fascinating ecosystem.
Today is a boat safari day. We'll cruise the calm waters as we explore the mangroves, home to a great diversity of species including exotic birds, monkeys, crocodiles and much more.
Day 6 – On the puma's trail and the jungle's nighttime magic
Today we return to Corcovado National Park, this time to a remote, rarely visited area, known as one of the places with the highest chances of spotting the elusive puma. Although an encounter isn't guaranteed, walking these trails surrounded by primary forest, rivers and waterfalls is an unforgettable experience in itself.
Back at our lodge at nightfall, we head into the jungle once again to discover a hidden world: brightly colored frogs, fascinating insects and other small inhabitants that only wake up at night. It will be the perfect occasion to try macro photography or simply marvel at the nocturnal jungle in its purest state.
Day 7 – Back to reality
We say goodbye after a good breakfast and take you back to the Drake Bay airport, where you can catch your flight home or continue exploring Costa Rica. If you'd like to continue your trip around the country, or organize activities before your trip, don't hesitate to contact us — we're also a travel agency specialized in Costa Rica and can organize your complete itinerary.
Images of the destination
Why travel with us?
Trip designed by Kike Arnaiz
This itinerary has been personally designed by a professional wildlife photographer, after years of experience in the destination, selecting the best areas, schedules and experiences to maximize encounters and photographic opportunities.
Expert, trusted guides
We work with local guides carefully selected for their experience, knowledge of wildlife and ability to find unique encounters in an ethical and safe way.
Carefully selected accommodations
We choose each accommodation seeking the perfect balance between comfort, location and access to wildlife, so you make the most of every moment of the trip.
Schedules planned for the best light
We organize activities and outings at the key moments of the day to take advantage of the best light conditions and increase wildlife-watching and photography opportunities.
You'll leave with incredible photos
We design every expedition to maximize wildlife-watching opportunities and help you achieve unique encounters and the best possible photographs in the wild.
Included services
- Pick-up & drop-off service
- Private driver available throughout the trip
- All Meals
- Comfortable accommodation
- All activities listed in the itinerary
- Expert wildlife guide on every activity
- Required permits and national park entrance fees
- International and domestic flights
- Travel insurance and medical assistance
Select your date
Trip details
- 7 Days
- 3-8 people
- Easy/Moderate
Frequently Asked Questions
Clear answers to the most common questions about our trips
To confirm your spot we request a first payment of 50% of the total trip price. The remaining 50% can be paid up to 3 months before the departure date.
We accept payments in euros and US dollars via bank transfer. Once your booking is made, we will send you all the information and details needed to make the payment.
Yes. All our trips are designed prioritizing the safety, comfort and peace of mind of our travelers. We only work with trusted local guides and partners, carefully select routes and accommodations, and avoid situations or areas we don't consider suitable for our groups.
You can find all the details about cancellations, refunds and booking conditions on our page: Cancellation Policy.
We always see wildlife during our expeditions, but since these are wild animals in freedom, no specific sighting can be 100% guaranteed.
Even so, we carefully design each itinerary, choose the best seasons and work with expert guides to maximize wildlife-watching and photography opportunities.
No. Our trips are designed both for people with experience in photography and wildlife watching and for travelers who simply enjoy nature and want to live a different experience.
The most important thing is to have interest, curiosity and a desire to enjoy the environment and the animals.
Yes, of course. Many of our travelers join the expeditions on their own. Our groups usually bring together people with similar interests in wildlife, photography and nature, so the atmosphere tends to be very friendly and it's easy to connect with other travelers.
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