We've taken the successful 2022 tour, listened to our guest's feedback, and tweaked 2023 to be EVEN BETTER!


Arenal - Costa Rica's best-known volcano.  Your first stop is the awesome Arenal region, overlooked by the stratovolcano that towers at 5,000ft.  Enjoy a back-to-nature stay at the Arenal Oasis Eco Lodge & Wildlife Refuge.  Go in search of Costa Rica's rich flora and fauna, at this old-fashioned, rustic and charming lodge.

The Arenal Volcano National Park spans almost 30,000 acres of rainforest and contains bizarre landscape of solidified lava flows and lush natural forest, home to howler monkeys, toucans and over 350 bird species.  Plus, 135 species of reptiles including the feared fer-de-lance, boa constrictors, parrot snakes and numerous lizards and iguanas.

Join a local Herpetologist one evening in search of herps and on the second night relax at a hot spring.


Driving on to the Sarapiqui Region, La Selva Verde Lodge is your upmarket stay.  A 500-acre rainforest reserve and lodge with pool, you'll hear the constant noise of howler monkeys in the surrounding Almendro trees. 

Sarapiqui is simply astounding.  Exotic smells, unusual sights and sounds, your senses are constantly bombarded!  Listen to the frog chorus in the night, the constant call of birds, the smell of tropical hardwood trees... this is dense, atmospheric rainforest.

Nearby Le Selva Biological Reserve is your next overnight stop.  And the list of herps here is simply mind-blowing!  48 amphibian species, 87 species of reptiles - many of which you'll find along the forest trails or in clearings.   Over 1,500 species of orchids, and supposedly between 50 and 100 different tree species in just a few acres!  Scientists, biologists, students and wildlife lovers return time and again to this spectacular location.












Heading northeast, travel 3-hours to Kekoldi Indigenous Reserve, for Bushmaster Project camp.  A once-in-a-lifetime experience, staying 1km in to the rainforest, with no electricity, at the biological research station located in the middle of primary rainforest. 

We don't suggest this is an easy stay, yet equally there's nothing too difficult to overcome.  No internet, no cellphone signal, this is back-to-nature, and perhaps reminds us all how much we've come to rely on technology.  Take a break from the world and turn your attention to the spectacular wildlife on show at this remote location offering an outstanding herpetology experience.  Sloths, snakes and birds can be spotted directly from the platform, whilst on guided hikes you'll explore jungle trails that take you to small creek habitats, hilly slopes, dense rainforests, large rivers, beautiful scenery that you will rarely see again.  Home to helmeted iguanas, Panamanian dwarf boas, annulated boas, glass frogs, dart frogs, red-eyed tree frogs, and many venomous snakes, such as different colorations of eyelash vipers, fer-de-lance, hognosed pitvipers and coral snakes.  

After that feast of wildlife, take a well-earned rest for two nights in the coastal town of Puerto Viejo.  Adjacent to the spectacular Cahuita National Park, spend a morning at the Sloth Sanctuary, before snorkelling one of Costa Rica's best reefs.  Next morning, drop by the Jaguar Rescue Centre - home to injured and orphaned animals including sloths and monkeys.  Then, enjoy an afternoon of guided hiking at Cahuita National Park.  Keep an eye out for armadillos, raccoons, sloths, capuchin monkeys, and more snakes.

New for 2023, your adventure continues at Pacuare Reserve - reached by road and local canoe.  With over 25 years history of protecting leatherback turtles and collecting data about nesting trends, and more, Pacuare is one of the world's most important turtle nesting beach.  Just under 4 miles of coastline is patrolled every evening, by volunteers, research assistants and groups of visiting students.  

Another stay that comes without electricity, you'll be too busy helping the local staff to notice!  Help under an amazing star-filled night sky with the marine turtle census, watch for hatchlings, join a crocodile tour, hike the rainforest and visit a small lagoon to view beautiful agami herons.

Last, but far from least, stop at Tapirus Lodge, in Braulio Carrillo.  This is yet more lush rainforest, home to a wonderful amount of frogs and toads, which you can hope to spot on day and night treks within the 475 hectares of protected nature reserve.  6,000 species of plants envelope the lodge, making this another epic herp-rich location.

With nights at the start and end in San Jose, this tour is a 15-night herp and wildlife heavy tour.


Jump on to reserve your spot for just £500... with nothing more to pay until March 2023!

For the day-by-day itinerary, price and booking details, please contact paul@greigsmithtravels.com.