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Jaguar Trails - Overland Trip

1 ½ weeks: San Jose to San Jose (IMT-LAJT08)

Intro

The jaguar is so elusive it has often been credited with magical powers, but if you want to stand a chance of seeing a real one in the wild, Corcovado National Park in Costa Rica is probably the best place. On this tropical adventure we\'ll explore this isolated park before heading to the Valley of the Flowers in northern Panama, ending with a stay on a beautiful Caribbean archipelago.

Group Size

Max 18

Activities

Hiking in National Parks, optional snorkelling

Accommodation

8 nights hotels, 2 nights eco-lodge

Transport

Private and public bus, 4WD jeeps, boat

Fully Escorted

By Imaginative Traveller tour leader

Itineraries

Day 1, SAN JOSE

Arrival day.

Day 2, SAN JOSE - PUERTO JIMENEZ

We take a bus to Golfito and then a boat to Puerto Jimenez, gateway to Corcovado National Park and the coastal villages of Cabo Matapalo and Carate.

Day 3, PUERTO JIMENEZ - CORCOVADO NATIONAL PARK

We take 4WD jeeps into one of the wildest areas of Central America, Corcovado National Park. Our lodge is located on Carate Beach, at the edge of the park. Animals can often be spotted while hiking on the lodges trails. Our tented accommodation overlooks the beach.

Day 4, CORCOVADO NATIONAL PARK

A full day to explore the Corcovado NP, home to tapir, crocodile, ocelot, giant anteater and of course jaguar. Marine turtles also nest at Llorona Beach within in the park.

Day 5, CORCOVADO - GOLFITO - BOQUETE

Transfer by boat to Golfito and drive to the border with Panama and Boquete, the Valley of the Flowers and Eternal Spring, a coffee growing area.

Day 6, BOQUETE

A free day to explore the surroundings. Boquete's coffee quality is the best in the Republic, and a coffee tour can be easily arranged.

Day 7, BOQUETE - BOCAS DEL TORO

We take a bus to Almirante and then a water taxi to the islands of Bocas del Toro.

Days 8-9, BOCAS DEL TORO

Two full free days to enjoy the beaches, diving, hiking and lifestyle of the islands. It is possible to take an optional day trip on a catamaran, cruising the archipelago and stopping along the way to snorkel around the beautiful coral reefs.

Day 10, BOCAS DEL TORO - SAN JOSE

After breakfast, we leave Bocas and head back to the Costa Rican border following the Caribbean coast. We continue to San Jose.

Day 11, SAN JOSE

Tour ends. (B)

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Last updated: 8th June 2008