Daily
6:15 am
Full day
A Wildlife Migration Pit Stop Of The Highest Level
We’ll be driving southeast through the Nicoya Peninsula to Rancho Humo located on the southwest corner of Río Tempisque. The drive duration will depend on your place of accommodation. Please ask your contact for specific details.
Tempisque is Costa Rica’s third longest river. It flows south through 144 km, from the Orosi Volcano by the Nicaraguan border to the Gulf of Nicoya, all through the Nicoya Peninsula, providing essential water to one of the driest areas of Central America. If it weren’t for the Tempisque River and its nutrient rich waters, life would be very different in Guanacaste.
The Ultimate Protected Natural Sanctuary
Water is a scarce resource in the Guanacaste region. During the dry season, which extends November through May, the flooded plains alongside the Tempisque River Basin represent one of the few places for wildlife to find water; and in the case of migratory species, a place to rest and recover before continuing with their journey. These conditions make Rancho Humo a wildlife migration pit stop of the highest level.
What to bring
- Hiking shoes
- Lots of Repellent
- Sunblock
- Comfortable clothing including long pants, hat, camera, binoculars, raincoat (seasonal)
- Optional: CR bird book
Transportation
Not included in price. Please indicate in advance if required.
Duration of transportation will depend on your place of accommodation. Times can variate drastically.
who is this for?
Recommended for kids of ages 9-11
Important Information
To make things easy, follow the address link provided below to get to your destination using the Waze navigation app on your mobile device.
Location: Rancho Humo, drive there using Waze: https://waze.com/ul/hd1g69utgq
Upon arrival, your guide will quickly complete the check-in process and begin a Wetland Expedition. We’ll travel on open top Safari Jeeps and have a unique chance to view one of the biggest congregations of migratory birds where many species gather including Jabirus, Cranes, Whistling Ducks, Egrets, herons, Storks, Kingfishers, vultures, and Jacanas. Other animals such as monkeys and crocodiles are also common sights among others.
After the activity lunch will be waiting for you at the main building. Our menu will vary depending on seasonal local ingredients. We can also adjust to personal diets and restrictions. Please let us know in advance if necessary.
After lunch our second experience will be waiting for you. The boat expedition on the Tempisque River will give us the opportunity to visit a very unique ecosystem: the Mangrove Forest. Here you’ll see how some species have gone through very interesting adaptations to be able to survive in such harsh conditions. The boat ride will take us along Palo Verde National Park, which protects one of the most endangered ecosystems in the tropics, the Tropical Dry Forest. On the boat we will also visit one of the main nesting sites and rookeries of the area, Isla Pájaros (Birds Island). Isla Pájaros has an area of approximately 10 acres; and provides thousands of birds with a place to live.
Driving Times
Starting Point | Distance in Kilometers | Distance in Miles | Approx. Driving Time | Road Conditions |
Playa Hermosa | 83.9 | 52.13 | 1:55 | Pavement w/ some off-road |
Playas del Coco | 83.1 | 51.64 | 1:55 | Pavement w/ some off-road |
Playa Panamá | 79 | 49.09 | 1:52 | Pavement w/ some off-road |
Playa Ocotal | 86.1 | 51.64 | 2:01 | Pavement w/ some off-road |
Riu Guanacaste | 104 | 64.62 | 1:55 | Pavement w/ some off-road |
Las Catalinas | 106 | 65.87 | 2:04 | Pavement w/ some off-road |
Playa Flamingo | 98.1 | 61 | 1:46 | Pavement w/ some off-road |
Playa Grande | 89.2 | 55.43 | 1:47 | Pavement w/ some off-road |
Playa Tamarindo | 82.4 | 51.20 | 1:38 | Pavement w/ some off-road |
Playa Avellanas | 80.5 | 50.02 | 1:43 | Pavement w/ some off-road |
Playa Conchal | 96 | 59.65 | 1:50 | Pavement w/ some off-road |
Liberia | 89.7 | 55.74 | 1:59 | Pavement w/ some off-road |
Bagaces | 111 | 68.97 | 1:57 | Pavement w/ some off-road |
Cañas | 86.2 | 53.56 | 1:32 | Pavement w/ some off-road |
Santa Cruz | 47.3 | 29.39 | 0:59 | Pavement w/ some off-road |
Belen | 64.5 | 40.08 | 1:13 | Pavement w/ some off-road |
Filadelfia | 70 | 43.5 | 1:24 | Pavement w/ some off-road |
LIR International Airport | 77.9 | 48.4 | 1:48 | Pavement w/ some off-road |