Costa Rica Caribbean Adventure | Trip Notes

Prices valid through November 30, 2016

Turtle nesting season for Green Sea Turtles (the only species you can observe nesting) is generally July through September.. We can add an evening Turtle Nesting Tour to your trip, we suggest as much advance notice as possible. Cost is approximatley $35 pp.

In order to enjoy the arrival of the Green Sea Turtles responsibley, the Park establishes these important regulations:

• All visitors must register and be led by a certified local guide to join. (The Lodge helps in arranging these services for its guests)
• There are two trip schedules, one from 8 to 10 pm and another from 10 to 12 midnight. One cannot choose which tour to take, but will be selected by raffle.
• There is maximum capacity of 200 people on each departure, which is divided into small groups with each guide
• The Park establishes 5 base points spread along the beach, and will inform each guide of his base, in order for him to take the participants to this location. (One of these base points is at the beach right in front of Mawamba Lodge). The participants must remain at the base point until one of the certified trackers has confirmed that a turtle is laying its eggs, and will give the guide green light to take the participants to see it.

Besides all this, visitors must know that all of his actions while on the tour can influence the turtle’s behavior and are asked to follow some simple rules while on the tour,

• Wear black or dark clothes, to avoid disturbing the turtle with reflective colors.
• The use of flashlights, videos or cameras is prohibited. Guides and trackers use a special red light flashlight to which turtles are not sensitive.
• Smoking is not permitted.
• Turtles have a developed sense of smell and it is possible that if anyone wears perfume, smokes or drinks while on the beach, will disturb the nesting process. If needed, wear an odorless cream insect repellant.

Also of interest is the hatchlings are born 2 months after the turtle has laid its eggs. This means that between September and November, one can witness them at the beach in front of Mawamba Lodge.

If you are a guest around that time, don’t miss going to the beach early morning (between 5 and 6) or late afternoon (between 4:30 and 5:30 am) to try and spot one (or many) of the little turtles on their way to the ocean. It is an incredible sight!.

Included: As specified in the above itinerary, arrival, lodging, transportation within Costa Rica, meals as indicated in the itinerary, specified entrance fees to National Parks & Private Reserves, bilingual naturalist licensed guide services, ground operator support within Costa Rica 24/7, and taxes.

Not Included: International airfare, airport departure taxes, meals not specified in the itinerary, alcoholic beverages, personal equipment, extras in hotels (laundry, phone calls, room service), gratuities, or costs associated with changes in your itinerary for reasons beyond our control

• Latin American Escapes, Inc. offers special contract airline rates to Latin America from most cities in the US, as well as special airpass rates for tickets with-in Latin America. Please ask for a quote based on your trip itinerary.
• Additional nights at the beach and optional accommodations & upgrades are available on request.
• Note there is a 25 lb weight limit for luggage transported to Mawamba Lodge, and the rafting portion of your trip. We suggest a soft-sided duffel bag lined with a plastic garbage bag and/or items packed into zip-lock bags.