Gems of Costa Rica with Cruise West

NWC Costa Rican Cruise 2004

34 members and staff from the Northwoods Wildlife Center enjoyed an amazing cruise in Costa Rica on December 4-11.  From the moment we got on the ship we were immersed in Costa Rican culture by an all Costa Rican crew.  On hikes we explore a number of different types of forests spotting monkeys, sloths, toucans, iguanas, butterflies, frogs, bats, and more birds and plants than this webmaster can remember the names too.  Snorkeling and kayaking were also enjoyed by all.

So click on the pictures to experience our trip.  We hope you will join us next time we travel to make your own memories and add to our photo album.

Day 1-Boarding the Pacific Explorer and a short cruise to our next day destination.

                                 Our group

Day 2-Curu Wildlife Refuge and Tortuga Island

Curu Refuge is a privately owned park (207 acres) that consists of 5 different habitats.  It is considered a dry forest, but does have quite a bit of humidity.  This is also where we learned not to stand under palm trees that have yellow coconuts.  The yellow ones are ripe and ready to fall.  At Tortuga Island we spent the afternoon trying out the snorkeling and kayaking.

Howler monkey         A fun bridge to cross over a lagoon                 Black iguana

The height of the trees were incredible                    White-face Capuchin monkey                

Our transportation from ship to shore

Day 3-Rio Agujitas and Drake Bay

A trip up the Rio Agujitas was in store for us this day.  In zodiacs we traveled up to a spot where we could dive in and cool off.  Caymans, herons, and iguanas were some of the animals spotted this morning.  Some in the group decided to forgo the more relaxing jaunt and experience a zip line course in the forest.  At our highest point we were 240 feet up in the canopy.  I am happy to report we all made it back safely.   The afternoon and evening was spent cruising to Panama and our next destination, Coiba National Park.

A pleasant afternoon was spend on the sundeck and bow looking for dolphins and whales.

Day 4-Coiba National Park-Granito de Oro

Coiba National Park is quite a recent park in Panama only being established in 1991.  We spend the day snorkeling around the isle of Grandito de Oro (Little Grain of Gold) which felt like our own personal island.  Well, we did have to share it with the locals-Hermit crabs.  Many from the group saw eels, white-tipped reef sharks, turtles, and a huge variety of fish.  It felt like you were swimming in an aquarium.  If we tired of swimming below the water kayaks and water skiing were also offered.

Granito de Oro isle               A park ranger awaits our arrival.                             Kayaking

             Water skiing                         Baby gecko discovered by a naturalist 

Click here to see pictures from days 5-8