Palo Verde National Park is located on the Pacific slopes of the northwestern Costa Rica. It is an 18.418-hectares area of a plain delineated by rivers, limestone hills and extensive wetland vegetation bordering the Tempisque River that flows into the Gulf of Nicoya. Our visit will consist of a boat ride through the river to appreciate the great ecological variety of this park.

Birds are the biggest attraction at Palo Verde National Park; in the wet season the floodwaters of the Tempisque River spread to form extensive marshes that welcome migrant birds from North and South America. Large numbers of aquatic birds can be seen: Grebes, Cormorants, Anhinga, Herons, Jabirus Storks, Ibises, Spoonbills, Falcons, Caracaras and Jacanas. 

The mammal fauna is equally rich and visible, particularly during the dry season when peccaries, armadillos, jaguarondis, coatis, agoutis, deer's, and monkeys are attracted to the water holes. There are 13 different habitats, including mangrove and swampy forests, salty and freshwater marshes, evergreen, lowland, limestone and secondary forests in a wide range of continuous stages. 

After touring the park, you will take an interesting trip through the Matambú Coffee Plantation's facilities, where you'll learn about the different steps to make coffee: cultivating, processing and recycling wastes. You will also learn about the production in this area, which is unique in Guanacaste, as well as the indigenous and rural cultural values of the region. 

What to bring: Comfortable clothing, sun block, hat and camera. Includes: Transportation, bilingual guide, entrance fee and lunch.

Duration: Approximately 10 hours