This day is our last in Costa Rica, and we visited the fantastic Casa Orquideas Botanical Garden. Only accessible from the ocean, this has become one of our favorite places to visit over the years. Ron and Trudy McAllister are American expats that have been living surrounded by forest and ocean for the last 35 years, and during this time, their love for the tropical plants has blossomed into this full-fledged beautiful exhibit. We enjoyed easy walks through a well-manicured property that displayed fruits, flowers, and spices from tropical areas all around the world. In addition, we kept being visited by animals and birds from the surrounding tropical rainforest. Then in the afternoon, we visited the mangrove forest of
2/26/2022
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National Geographic Quest
Osa Peninsula and San Josesito
Today, National Geographic Quest arrived in the gateway of Corcovado National Park, Costa Rica’s most ecologically intense rainforest. Its diversity is unparalleled. In the morning, our guests enjoyed either a long hike or a walk along the coastline. In both activities, guests spotted scarlet macaws, their colors blazing in the tree canopy. Other tropical birds also displayed extraordinary colors. Among others, we spotted scarlet-rumped tanagers, bay-headed tanagers, and red-legged honeycreepers. We also observed land mammals, including white-nosed coatimundis, on the grounds of the coastal walkway of San Josesito Beach. Later in the afternoon, we repositioned to San Pedrillo, one of the stations of the national park and a highlight of our voyage. The chance to dip into a waterfall pool made every meter of the walk worth it. Along the hike, guests spotted American crocodiles and many types of tropical birds. The importance of this area is demonstrated by the size of its trees. The park, 80% of which is protected, maintains a good balance of the species that inhabit this gorgeous rainforest. The pargo trail was another option for hiking today, and guests enjoyed great sightings of spider monkeys, black-hooded antshrikes, dot-winged antwrens, and rufous pihas. After the afternoon activities, we headed back to the ship. We enjoyed the recap sessions, a great end to this day.
