Costa Rica
From the mystical Central Valley to the colourful Caribbean lowlands
Join us on an unforgettable journey through the vibrant Costa Rica.
This expedition takes you across multiple unique and highly biodiverse regions, each offering its own rare and colourful species and wild beauty. From searching for elusive vipers hidden in volcanic cloud-forests to exploring the life-filled lowland jungles of the Caribbean coast, this trip is a deep dive into the heart of tropical herpetology.
Some of this trip’s targets include the Black-speckled Pit Viper (Bothriechis nigroviridis), Central-American Bushmaster (Lachesis stenophrys), The Eyelash Viper (Bothriechis nigroadspersus), Annulated Tree boa (Corallus annulatus), several species of coral snakes and a plethora of rare and colourful amphibians like the Crowned Tree Frog (Triprion spinosus), The Ghost Glass Frog (Sachatamia ilex) and the rarely seen Golden-eyed Fringe-limbed Tree Frog (Ecnomiohyla bailarina).
Beyond the thrill of herping in some of Costa Rica’s most remote and species-rich hotspots, this experience is also about immersion, into the rhythm, culture, and warmth of the Caribbean lifestyle. Spend your days not only uncovering snakes, frogs, and lizards but also relaxing on golden beaches, kayaking through serene forest rivers, and soaking up the music, food, and laid-back spirit of Afro-Caribbean culture. It’s an expedition for adventurers, naturalists, and anyone eager to see the wild world. Up close, unfiltered, and unbound.
Itinerary
DAY 1 : Pickup from Juan Santamaría Airport. we stay close to San Jose spend the coming two nights in the cloud-forests of Valle Central in search of some iconic montane species like the Side-striped Pit viper and the Golden-eyed Tree Frog as well as having a chance for the ghost of the cloudforest; the Black-Speckled Pit Viper.
DAY 2-3: Transfer to Horquetas, the gateway to the Caribbean lowlands. Next to being filled with the more common Caribbean snake species, like the Eyelash Viper, Fer-de-Lance, Keelbacks and Snail-eaters, these ancient forests are home to some of Costa Rica’s rarest and most colourful amphibians. We will be looking for Crowned Tree Frogs, Sylvia’s Tree Frogs, Shaman Fringe-Limbed Tree Frogs, and six species of Glass Frogs including some of the countries rarest.
During the day there is the option to get your daily dose of adrenaline while white water rafting or hangout by the pool, have a drink and go through your photos from the first leg of the trip.
DAY 4-6: Transfer to Puerto Viejo de Talamanca. Here we are truly in the Caribbean, where the most common morph of Eyelash Viper will be as yellow as the Piña Coladas you will find on the beach.
Here we will venture into the Kéköldi indigenous reserve. An ancient, truly wild forest and a hotspot for Annulated Tree Boas, Fer-de-Lances, Hognosed Pit Vipers, the False Tree Coral Snake and several species of true coral snakes.
We will enjoy the days herping Cahuita national park and kayaking through coastal forests teeming with three species of monkeys, sloths, and coati’s, the raccoon’s tropical cousin.
DAY: 7-8: A short drive into a remote and secretive area of the Caribbean foothills. This is where the Central American Bushmaster is seen somewhat regularly, which will be our main target. Next to the Bushmaster, this private area is one out of two Costa Rican populations of the Golden-eyed Fringe-limbed Tree Frog. A rare and stunning arboreal Hylid of which official sightings can be counted on two hands.
Day 9: Transfer back to Valle Central. We will spend the last night, like the first one, looking for the remaining montane targets.
Day 10: A relaxed morning as we will already be close to Juan Santamaría Airport.
What is included.
Transportation at the destination (starting and ending at the pickup spot in San Jose)
Expert guiding throughout the whole tour
Accomodation
Park entrance fees
Three meals per day (excluding breakfast on day 1, and lunch and dinner on day 10)
Optional photography workshop
What is not included.
Expedition gear (rubber boots, mosquito repellent etc.)
Flights to the destination
Insurance
Any extra hotels or transport
Potential visa costs
Snacks and alcoholic beverages
Tips
Limited spaces available
To ensure a high-quality, personalized experience, our herping trips are limited to small groups of 5–8 participants. This allows for better wildlife viewing opportunities, more direct interaction with guides, and a lower impact on the environment. Whether you're a photographer, researcher, or passionate nature enthusiast, the small group size ensures you get the most out of every moment in the field.