Costa Rica’s Wild Side Tour
Trip Highlights
Explore Golfo Dulce, one of the few tropical fjords in the world, by boat in search of whales, dolphins, and sea turtles.
Hike through Corcovado National Park, the largest remaining primary rainforest on the American Pacific coast, referred to by National Geographic as “the most biologically intense place on Earth.”
Search for the resplendent quetzal, Costa Rica’s most sought-after bird and a contender for the title of the most beautiful bird in the Americas.
Learn the traditional art of Boruca mask-making and the secrets of Tico cuisine from female artisans who are experts in their craft.
Discover how sustainable coffee and cacao production can benefit both local communities and wildlife.
Locations:
Osa Peninsula, San Gerardo de Dota, San José
Dates:
August 9 – 16, 2025
Limit:
10 persons
Trip Details
From the vibrant city of San José to the wilderness of the Osa Peninsula and the cloud forests of San Gerardo de Dota, this eight-day trip for women is about discovery, connection, and unforgettable experiences. Spot whales in Golfo Dulce, hike through Corcovado National Park, and meet local female artisans, all while exploring Costa Rica’s incredible biodiversity.
Guided by expert naturalists Carly Crow and Arlet Quirós Calvo, you’ll uncover the wonders of this tropical paradise, from its diverse wildlife to its unique ecosystems. Each day offers new opportunities to connect with nature and share those “wow” moments with a group of like-minded women traveling together.
Whether you’re traveling solo or with friends, this trip is designed for women seeking a meaningful travel experience in the heart of Costa Rica’s wild side. Ready for the adventure of a lifetime? Costa Rica is calling!
Trip Itinerary
Day 1 – Arrival to Costa Rica
Welcome to Costa Rica! Upon arrival in San José, you will be greeted at the airport and transported to our hotel for our first night together. This is a great opportunity to connect with your fellow women travelers, as well as Carly Crow, one of two expert naturalist guides for this tropical adventure.
Suggested arrival time: 3pm or earlier
Accommodations: Hotel Bougainvillea
Meals: None
Day 2 – San José to the Osa Peninsula (With Chocolate!)
Our first full day in Costa Rica begins with breakfast at our hotel, followed by a short flight south to Puerto Jiménez. There, we’ll meet our second naturalist guide, Arlet Quirós Calvo. Now that our group is complete, the fun really begins! We’ll visit a traditional cacao plantation, where we’ll explore the cacao forest and learn about its history, which dates back to the Mayan civilization. We’ll then witness the chocolate-making process, from fermentation and drying to the transformation of roasted beans into pure chocolate. By the afternoon, we’ll be ready to settle into our accommodations for the next few days: Danta Corcovado, a beautiful lodge nestled in the heart of the rainforest.
Accommodations: Danta Corcovado
Meals: Dinner
Day 3 – Whales, Dolphins, And Sea Turtles At Golfo Dulce
Today, we’ll board a boat and explore Golfo Dulce, one of the few tropical fjords in the world and home to abundant marine life. We’ll search for whales, dolphins, and sea turtles, snorkel in the warm, clear waters, and take in the beautiful surroundings of lush forests and blue skies. In the evening, back at the lodge, we’ll embark on a night walk to explore the rainforest’s nocturnal world, with the chance to see creatures such as caimans, kinkajous, tarantulas, and treefrogs as we walk around a natural lagoon. Our day of adventure will conclude with a reflection on our experiences over a delicious dinner at the lodge.
Accommodations: Danta Corcovado
Meals: Breakfast and dinner
Day 4 – A Day At Corcovado National Park
A scenic boat ride of about an hour will take us along the Osa Peninsula to the Sirena Ranger Station, our gateway to exploring Corcovado National Park. This is the largest remaining primary rainforest on the American Pacific coast, and National Geographic has called it “the most biologically intense place on Earth.” We’ll explore this incredible place on foot, pausing to savor every plant and animal we encounter. Afterward, we’ll return to the lodge, keeping an eye out for dolphins or even whales along the way, before enjoying dinner and a relaxing evening together.
Accommodations: Danta Corcovado
Meals: Breakfast and dinner
Day 5 – Osa Peninsula To San Gerardo De Dota
After a couple of days in the lowlands along the coast, it’s now time to head up into the mountains. We’ll bid farewell to the wonderful Osa Peninsula and enjoy an air-conditioned, scenic drive to the remote community of San Gerardo de Dota. Here, we’ll learn the traditional art of Boruca mask-making from local female artisans. They will teach us how they dye cotton using roots, vines, or snails, and then spin it to create bags and jewelry. We’ll also have the opportunity to try our hand at carving a piece of balsa to make our own souvenirs. Dinner will be at the Savegre Hotel, a stunning property in the cloud forest and our home base for the next two nights.
Accommodations: Savegre Hotel
Meals: Breakfast and dinner
Day 6 – Quetzals And Cuisine In The Cloud Forest
Get up and grab your binoculars, because today is for the birds. Or rather, today is for the bird—the resplendent quetzal, Costa Rica’s most sought-after bird and a contender for the title of the most beautiful bird in the Americas. A gentle, one-mile walk through the cloud forest will lead us to the quetzal’s habitat. Of course, we’ll encounter many other tropical birds (as well as mammals, plants, and frogs) along the way, and our expert naturalist guides will be there to explain it all. Late morning, we’ll learn the secrets of Tico cuisine in a cooking class led by local women. After lunch, we’ll enjoy a leisurely afternoon exploring the grounds of our hotel, and in the evening, we’ll gather for a special dinner prepared by a female chef from San Gerardo.
Accommodations: Savegre Hotel
Meals: Breakfast, lunch, and dinner
Day 7 – Back To San José (But First, Coffee)
Today, we leave San Gerardo and head back to San José, but a full day of adventuring still awaits. We’ll take a deep dive into Costa Rica’s coffee culture with a tour that guides us through the entire coffee-making process, from wet milling to roasting. We’ll explore the nuances of different roasts and the best methods for preserving the rich flavors of the beans. Afterward, we’ll venture to the Palo Verde Cloud Forest Reserve, a private reserve located between 1,520 and 2,085 meters above sea level, on the Caribbean watershed of the continental divide in the Talamanca Mountains. In other words, it’s an excellent place for hummingbirds, tanagers, toucanets, and many endemic Talamanca birds. We’ll also learn about the story of the family behind this special place as we explore the trails or relax by the bird feeders. Following this, we’ll have the opportunity to unwind with a craft beer or mixed drink at a lively spot in the Escalante neighborhood before enjoying a farewell dinner at Alma de Árbol, a celebrated restaurant led by a talented female chef. The evening will conclude at the Hotel Presidente in San José.
Accommodations: Hotel Presidente
Meals: Breakfast and dinner
Day 8 – Until We Meet Again…
And all too soon, we say goodbye to beautiful Costa Rica. After breakfast at the hotel, we’ll be transferred to the airport for our flights home.
Meals: Breakfast
Your Guides
Arlet Quirós Calvo
Arlet Quirós Calvo is a biologist and naturalist with a passion for wildlife, storytelling, and guiding. Born and raised in Los Santos, Costa Rica and now living on the Osa Peninsula, Arlet blends science, nature, and human connection in her tours, crafting unforgettable experiences for travelers. With a master’s degree in natural resources management focused on biodiversity, she is dedicated to helping others deepen their connection to the natural world. When asked about her most memorable wildlife encounter, Arlet recalls watching a puma stalk a white-faced capuchin monkey—an experience that taught her the value of patience, a principle she applies both in her guiding and in life. When she’s not leading tours, you’ll find Arlet running, biking, or cooking something delicious. If she weren’t a guide, she’d consider a career as a yoga teacher, flight attendant, or full-time farmer.
Carly Crow
Meet Carly Crow, your naturalist guide with a passion for wildlife and a deep desire to share the wonders of nature with others. Originally from Georgia and now based in Denver, Colorado, she holds a Bachelor of Science in ecology and a master’s in biology, with a focus on ecology and evolution. Her time as a field ornithologist has taken her around the world—including to the wilds of Costa Rica—and now she’s bringing that experience to you as a Her Wild Life Expeditions guide. Though she’s often asked about her favorite bird or mammal, Carly believes that’s a forbidden question—like asking a parent to pick a favorite child! When she’s not guiding or chasing birds, you can find her drawing, hiking in the Rockies, or curled up with a book. If she won the lottery, she’d buy some land to keep chickens and bees and run a roadside stand selling eggs and honey.
What to Expect
Every Her Wild Life expedition is designed to offer full, active days for women traveling together seeking authentic, immersive wildlife experiences. This often means being active when wildlife is most active. The trips are carefully planned to put you in the right place at the right time, while acknowledging that unforgettable wildlife encounters require both a bit of luck and the expertise of your guide team.
This Costa Rica expedition involves:
- Boat exploration of Golfo Dulce, a tropical fjord known for its tranquil waters. It also involves a round-trip boat ride to Corcovado National Park. The boat transfers to/from Corcovado are about 2-2.5 hours in length in choppy, open ocean.
- Road transfers of up to 2-3 hours on curvy roads.
- Scheduled during Costa Rica’s green season (rainy season), which means trails may be muddy and slippery at times. Rain is to be expected.
- Time in the cloud forest at elevations ranging from 8,000 to 10,000 feet.
- Early morning activities on most days, starting at 6 a.m. It gets dark around 6 p.m., so any nocturnal activities will wrap up early.
- Be prepared for these conditions: Pack your sense of adventure, wonder, and humor!
Accommodations
- 1 night at Hotel Bougainvillea in San José
- 3 nights at Danta Corcovado on the Osa Peninsula
- 2 nights at Savegre Hotel in San Gerardo de Dota
- 1 night at Hotel Presidente in San José
What's Included
- Lodging for 7 nights as listed. A private room is included in the trip cost. If you’d like to share a room with a travel companion, double-occupancy pricing is available.
- 2 expert naturalist guides: Arlet Quirós Calvo and Carly Crow.
- 7 breakfasts and 6 dinners, including coffee, tea, and purified water at meals.
- Airport transfers on arrival and departure days.
- Domestic flight from San José to Puerto Jiménez.
- 6 days of private transport (Aug 10-15) with air conditioning, including snacks and refreshments in the vehicle.
- Activities and entrance fees as listed.
- Gratuities for your guides, driver, porterage (1 bag), and restaurant staff for included meals.
What's Not Included
- International flights
- Passport/visa fees
- Travel insurance (quotes available)
- Dinner on arrival day and lunches
- Alcohol
- Optional activities
- Excess baggage fees for the Sansa Airlines domestic flight, if applicable
- Pre- or post-trip hotels
- Room upgrades
- Gratuities for hotel staff
- Personal expenses
Cost
$5,255 per person based on private, single occupancy accommodations.
If you are traveling with someone and prefer to share a room, you may receive a discount.
Conservation Impact
COPROT Tortugas de Osa is a community-driven conservation project that aims to protect sea turtle nesting beach habitat along the coast of Costa Rica’s Osa Peninsula. The project safeguards nearly five miles of beach that serve as critical nesting grounds for olive ridley and Pacific green sea turtles. Each season, more than 7,000 nests are documented by the project. A conservation donation to support COPROT’s efforts will be made on behalf of all participants.