Sacred Earth Travel - Sustainable Nature and Adventure Travel

COSTA RICA QUICKLINKS:

Corcovado National Park

Osa PeninsulaThe Peninsula of Osa is located in the South of the country, on the Pacific coast. Almost the whole peninsula is covered by rainforest, protected by the Corcovado National Park. Due to its incredible biodiversity, this rainforest ranges among the most interesting jungles in Central America. Thanks to the difficult access, the Corcovado National Park is responsible for the survival of many endangered species of animals. Over millions of years, this ecosystem also has developed some endemic species of plants and animals. There are some lodges along the coastline, and they offer guided hikes through the jungle, where you can find over 100 species of trees within just 1 hectare of land. Excursions to the Caño Island, located in front of the peninsula, are also part of the trip. This small island is covered by jungle, too, and used to be a famous place for pirates long before our time. Caño Island offers excellent snorkeling and diving, thanks to the protected reefs.

As a base for this roundtrip choose from five different lodges:
Marenco Lodge, Aguila de Osa Inn, Poor Man's Paradise and Pirate Cove.

Marenco Lodge and Aguila de Osa Inn have the same program, from/to San José, and including excursions.
Poor Man's Paradise and Pirate Cove we offer as a less expensive option from/to Sierpe and without excursions. The program is the same. Flights and transfers can be booked upon request; excursions can be booked and paid for directly at the respective lodges.

a) Marenco Lodge
Marenco used to be a biological station and is now open for tourism as well. The rooms are quite rustic, but comfortable and offer a private bathroom and a terrace. The restaurant serves local and international dishes. Built on a hill overlooking the Pacific coast, you need to climb many steps from the beach to the main building.
b) Aguila de Osa Inn
This exclusive lodge offers a lot of privacy and gives the adventurer the opportunity to experience the wild scenery of Osa, within the luxurious setting of the lodge. Excquisite dining is a trademark at Aguila de Osa Inn. Enjoy the fresh seafood, pasta, tasty vegetables and tropical fruits. Guest rooms offer ceiling fans, hand crafted decor, italian-tiled bathrooms, 24 hours electricity and a beautiful view to Drake Bay and the Pacific Ocean.
c) Poor Man's Paradise
This small family hotel under German / Tico management is located on the Amaya family's homestead along the magnificent Pacific Coast of the Osa Peninsula. It provides 6 rustic cabins with private bathroom (hot water is not available) and mosquito nets. The Lodge has a wonderful ocean view, this magical corner maintains its natural beauty. The delicious meals of local cuisine with many fresh vegetables and fruits, a family atmosphere at the Restaurant combined with the individual attention of the owners will make your stay a very special experience.
d) Pirate Cove
This small, comfortable lodge is also under Swiss management. It is located near the village of Drake and the estuary of Río Drake into the Pacific Ocean. It offers 7 rooms in 3 different categories, for our package we arrange the bigger Deluxe Cabinas or Bungalows. Each of them has a double bed and two or three single beds, each with an orthopedic matress. Every room has a private bathroom with warm water in the shower a an own terrace with hammock and view to the Pacific Ocean. The Deluxe Cabinas have a strong construction, the walls of the bungalows are constructed with a strong tentlike, but thicker and stronger material, and each has a door and windows. The meals are served in the open restaurant, and you also get homemade bread. Don't forget to bring a flashlight, because also here only solar energy is used, and the rooms are just illuminated by romantic candlelight. You can be sure to enjoy an unforgettable stay.

Itinerary for Marenco Lodge(a) & Aguila de Osa Inn(b)

Day 1:

Depending on your reservation, you will be picked up at Palmar Sur airstrip, Drake Bay airstrip or at Sierpe at the restaurant "Oleaje Sereno" by a representative of the lodge. Arrival at Palmar Sur airstrip: The land transfer to Sierpe, operated by the lodge, takes about 15 minutes. Arrival at Sierpe: If you arrive by rental car, you may park it at a safe parking lot paying a fee. From Sierpe, you continue by boat, first through the mangrove forests of Sierpe river, where you can observe a great variety of birds, afterwards after having passed the river mouth into the Pacific ocean, you pass along Drake Bay and the further coastline of the Osa Peninsula. Arriving at the lodge you could get wet when getting out of the boat. Arrival at Drake Bay: The transfer from the Drake Bay airstrip to Bahía Drake, operated by the lodge, takes about 20 minutes. From May to November, we recommend the access via Palmar Sur and Sierpe because the sometimes heavy rainfalls might flood the airstrip or the river which has to be crossed to get to the bay. At Bahía Drake you board the boat , which takes you to the lodge. On arrival you could get wet when getting out of the boat.
Included meals: dinner

Day 2:

After breakfast you will enjoy a full day excursion to Caño Island, located 45 minutes by boat from the lodge. Your guide will show you around the island, which once used to be an important pirate hiding out. This is also where the mysterious, completely round stones where found. The afternoon will be at leisure: enjoy snorkeling around the reefs of the island or relax on the beach. Return to the lodge and overnight.
Included meals: breakfast, boxlunch, dinner

Day 3:

After breakfast take a guided hike through the Corcovado National Park. To get there, we need to take a boat to the ranger station, from where we start hiking the rainforest trail network. We will visit a waterfall and enjoy a box lunch during this trip.
Included meals: breakfast, boxlunch, dinner

Day 4:

We will bring you back to your hotel in San José the same way, by boat, plane and bus.
Included meals: breakfast

MARENCO LODGE: valid 15. December 2008 - 14. December 2009
Prices per person,

Single Double Triple Child 0-11 yrs Comments
4 Days/3 Nights Package US$585 US$585 US$585 US$396 includes excursion to Corcovado National Park and Caño Island

Minimum number of participants: 2

Extra nights available

For booking inquiries and further information please contact Sacred Earth.


AGUILA DE OSA INN:
High Season: 15 December 2008 - 30 April 2009
Prices per person,

AGUILA DE OSA INN Single Double Triple Child 0-10 yrs Comments
4 Days/3 Nights Package US$825 US$665 US$665 US$406 no tours included, but can be booked at the hotel

Green Season: 01 May 2009 - 14 December 2009
Prices per person,

AGUILA DE OSA INN Single Double Triple Child 0-10 yrs Comments
4 Days/3 Nights Package US$693 US$562 US$562 US$340 no tours included, but can be booked at the hotel

Minimum number of participants: 2
Additional nights can be booked

Please note that your luggage allowance for this excursion is limited to 12kg including hand luggage.

Prepayment 10 days after reservation - no refunds in case of cancellation.

For booking inquiries and further information please contact Sacred Earth.

Itinerary for:
c) Poor Man's Paradise - from / to Sierpe and
d) Pirate Cove - from / to Sierpe

Day 1:

Around noon you will be picked up in Sierpe by an agent of the lodge. In case you are traveling with a rental car, you can park it here safely (at extra charge). On the following boat trip through the mangroves of Río Sierpe you can observe a great variety of birds and with a bit of luck as well crocodiles and other animals. The last part of the ride will lead along the coast of the Osa Peninsula. Arriving at the lodge you could get wet because of the waves. The rest of the day is at you leisure.
Included meals: dinner

Day 2:

You have several possibilities to spend the day. The lodges offer different tours at extra charge, e.g. to Caño Island or Corcovado National Park and more. You can also just relax or enjoy the day at the beach. Return to the lodge and overnight.
Included meals: breakfast, lunch, dinner

Day 3:

Today you can book another excursion offered by the lodge or just relax or take a walk on your own. Return to the lodge and overnight. Included meals: breakfast, lunch, dinner

Day 4:

Your return trip to Sierpe will start after breakfast. Included meals: breakfast


POOR MAN'S PARADISE:
15 December 2008 - 31 December 2009
Prices per person,

POOR MAN'S PARADISE Single Double Triple Child 6-11 yrs
in parents room
4 Days/3 Nights Package US$395 US$335 US$335 US$446
Additional Nights US$115 US$93 US$93 US$93

Transfer Palmar Sur - Sierpe - min 2 persons $50 p.p.

Transfer to Drake Airstrip, min. 2 persons $35 p.p.

Tours are not included but can be booked and paid for at the hotel

For booking inquiries and further information please contact Sacred Earth.


PIRATE COVE:
1 December 2008 - 30 April 2009
Prices per person

PIRATE COVE Single Double Triple Child 0-12 yrs
in room with 2 adults
4 Days/3 Nights Package
Deluxe Cabin or Bungalow
US$455 US$358 US$358 US$215
Additional Nights US$123 US$100 US$100 US$50

1 May 2009 - 30 November 2009
Prices per person,

Single Double Triple Child 0-12 yrs
in room with 2 adults
4 Days/3 Nights Package
Deluxe Cabin or Bungalow
US$425 US$325 US$325 US$198
Additional Nights US$115 US$85 US$85 US$42

Does not include tours, but these can be booked and paid for at the hotel


PUNTA MARENCO LODGE:
15 Dec 08 - 14 Dec 09

Single Double Triple Child Comments
4 Days/3 Nights Package US$335 US$315 US$296 US$178 no tours included

Options and Combinations:

You can also book additional nights.

For booking inquiries and further information please contact Sacred Earth.

Option 1) Options for hotel choice a) and b): with beach hotels in Quepos/Manuel Antonio
From 1-3 persons, you fly back to San José, where you catch a connecting flight to Quepos / Manuel Antonio. A direct connection from Palmar Sur to Quepos is possible with a minimum of 4 passengers.
Option 2) with beach hotels in Tamarindo
After arrival in San José you can catch connecting flights to Tamarindo.
Option 3) for hotel choice c) and d):
You can book a transfer to Palmar Sur, from where you will have the same choice of connection as with option 1, a) and b). You can also reserve a seat-in transfer with Interbus or a private transfer from Sierpe or Palmar Sur to Quepos / Manuel Antonio.

NOTE: All our Costa Rica adventures can be combined to form individualized packages. Please ask if you need help creating your own itinerary. We also offer fly drive packages and some short mountain biking and white water rafting tours that are not mentioned in the index. Please ask.

For booking inquiries and further information please contact Sacred Earth.