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Costa Rica and Brazil
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  • Mdtravels

Costa Rica and Brazil

Our trip begins with 16 days in Costa Rica. Next we fly to Brazil and have 5 days in the Pantanal and 7 days in Manaus cruising on the Amazon. We then fly to Iguassu Falls and Rio de Janerio before flying home. Read more
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  • Trip start
    October 23, 2024
    MdtravelsCosta Rica and BrazilTraveler
    View from our hotel room

    Cairns to Brisbane

    October 23, 2024 in Australia ⋅ ☁️ 24 °C

    It has been an easy flight to Brisbane today before our long haul tomorrow morning. Brisbane - Auckland - Santiago - Lima which includes 28 hours of flying and waiting in airports! Overnight in Lima before heading to San Jose.Read more

  • MdtravelsCosta Rica and BrazilTraveler
    Santiago Airport
    Murray enjoying a wine in the lounge

    Brisbane to Santiago

    October 24, 2024 in Chile ⋅ ☀️ 28 °C

    We had a good flight on Qantas to Auckland. We then were fortunate to share three seats in the middle on our flight to Santiago so managed to get some sleep. It is a beautiful afternoon in Santiago and best news was when Skyteam Lounge accepted our Priority Pass cards for four hours in their lounge. It certainly makes a different when you have a long stopover.Read more

  • MdtravelsCosta Rica and BrazilTraveler
    View from our room
    Hotel Costa del Sol Wyndham Lima Aeropuerto -adjacent to the airport terminal

    Overnight at Lima

    October 25, 2024 in Peru ⋅ ☁️ 20 °C

    We are finally at our Lima airport accommodation after a very long trip and guess what?...our luggage is with us after we checked in at Brisbane! It is just after midnight and we are looking over a very busy airport while enjoying a complimentary drink. We are hoping for leisurely flight to San Jose tomorrow.Read more

  • MdtravelsCosta Rica and BrazilTraveler
    Keel-bill Toucan
    HummingbirdDoka Estate - Bullock drawn cart used for bringing in the coffee in the older days.Doka Estate - Coffee BeansWildflowerGunneraGunnera flowerBlue GrosbeakSara Longwing ButterflyCaracaraPuma in captivity at La Paz Waterfalls GardensYellow-throated ToucanOcelot in captivity at La Paz Waterfalls GardensHummingbirdHummingbirdLa Paz Waterfalls GardensHummingbirdLa Paz Waterfalls GardensSan Jose

    Doka, Poás Volcano & La Paz Waterfall

    October 27, 2024 in Costa Rica ⋅ ☁️ 21 °C

    We departed early in the morning for Doka Estate, a local coffee plantation, where we enjoyed a typical Costa Rican breakfast before visiting the plantation and roast room.

    On the way to Poás Volcano, we passed more coffee plantations, flower nurseries, and strawberry fields. As we got closer, we noticed a change in temperature and vegetation. Located within Poás Volcano National Park at an elevation of 8,000 feet, the active volcano offers the chance to view its crater from the edge. Unfortunately, visibility was nonexistent that day, as we were surrounded by clouds.

    La Paz Waterfall Gardens Nature Park is the most visited privately-owned ecological attraction in Costa Rica, known for its famous five waterfalls. It also has the largest animal sanctuary in the country, housing over 100 species. The park features 3.5 km of cloud and rainforest trails, as well as a butterfly observatory, hummingbird garden, serpentarium and frog exhibit.    Read more

  • MdtravelsCosta Rica and BrazilTraveler
    Mistico Arenal Hanging Bridges nature walk.
    Howler MonkeyEyelash ViperRufous-tailed JacamarRed-eyed Tree FrogMonkey ladder vineEyelash ViperMistico Arenal Hanging Bridges nature walk with Arenal Volcano in the background.Scarlet-rumped Tanager (male)Orb Weaver SpiderTropical Turkey1Arenal Volcano

    Místico Arenal hanging bridges walk

    October 28, 2024 in Costa Rica ⋅ ☁️ 25 °C

    There were sixteen fixed and hanging bridges—up to 97m long and 25m high—which looped through this private reserve, along with a series of trails, allowing us to experience the rainforest at different levels.

    That night, Murray had planned a night walk with our guide which was unfortunately cancelled do to a big thunderstorm.    Read more

  • MdtravelsCosta Rica and BrazilTraveler
    3Two-toed Sloth in rehabilitation.
    Blue Jeans Dart FrogTwo-toed Sloth in rehabilitation.Macaw in rehabilitation.2Green IguanaBoat-billed HeronButterflyGreen IguanaSpider Monkeys in rehabilitation getting their breakfast.White-throated Capuchin in rehabilitation getting its breakfast.Spider Monkey relaxing after breakfast in rehabilitation.Spectacled Caiman2Boat-billed HeronJulia ButterflyCollared Peccary in rehabilitation.ButterflyEmerald BasiliskButterfly

    Proyecto Asis Volunteer Wildlife Centre

    October 29, 2024 in Costa Rica ⋅ 🌧 26 °C

    Proyecto Asis is a Wildlife Sanctuary dedicated to supporting environmental, social, and conservation initiatives in the Arenal Volcano region. The sanctuary provides care for wild animals that have been injured, abandoned, or rescued from the black market by local forest rangers. Animals that cannot be reintroduced into the wild become part of their educational programs, helping raise awareness about conservation. To sustain their work, Proyecto Asis offers guided tours and volunteer opportunities.

    Our guide introduced us to each animal and shared their often heartbreaking stories, emphasizing the critical role of conservation. As volunteers, we had the chance to prepare breakfast for the monkeys, creatively inserting the food into enrichment toys to engage them in varied daily routines. The guide placed the food in their enclosure, ensuring the troop leader was fed first.

    In the afternoon, we looked forward to the sloth tour, where we were to learn about the vital role sloths play in maintaining biodiversity. Sadly, although we had just encountered a sloth at the start of the tour, a major thunderstorm struck within ten minutes, forcing the cancellation of the experience.

    Our photos are a mix of animals currently in rehabilitation and others that have found a permanent home at the sanctuary.    Read more

  • MdtravelsCosta Rica and BrazilTraveler
    2Skywalk
    1CoatiOne of the world's smallest flower (orchid)GrasshopperSkywalkWildflowerStick InsectSkywalkWildflowerBalsa TreeOrchid

    Monteverde Sky Walk and Tram

    October 31, 2024 in Costa Rica ⋅ 🌫 19 °C

    Sky Walk is a 2km guided walk along forest trails and hanging bridges,
    over the cloud forest canopy. There was lots of birds including humming birds.

    Sky Tram is a gondola that floats gently over the cloud forest, up the mountains, to a wide observation platform at 1600 meters above sea level.

    Unfortunately, half way through our walk, Murray's camera or memory card failed and he lost many photos.    Read more

  • MdtravelsCosta Rica and BrazilTraveler
    Monteverde cloud forest reserve
    Smallest hummingbird in Costa RicaWildflowerMonteverde cloud forest reserveMonteverde cloud forest reserveFungiHummingbirdWildflowerMonteverde cloud forest reserveHummingbirdOrchidMonteverde cloud forest reserveHummingbird1Hummingbird

    Monteverde Cloud Forest Reserve

    November 1, 2024 in Costa Rica ⋅ ☁️ 19 °C

    It was another wet day when we visited the cloud forest reserve.

    Cloud forests are a rare mountaintop phenomenon, where warm air from the ocean meets the cool mountain slopes, forming clouds and a constant mist. This mist nourishes towering trees draped in cascades of orchids, bromeliads, mosses, and ferns.

    Monteverde alone is home to an astonishing diversity of life, with approximately 2,500 plant species, 490 butterfly species, 400 bird species, and 100 mammal species catalogued to date.    Read more

  • MdtravelsCosta Rica and BrazilTraveler
    Three-toed Slouth
    Three-toed SlouthWhite-faced CapuchinWhite-faced CapuchinWhite-faced CapuchinHowler MonkeyAgoutiAgoutiWhite tailed Deer hiding in the bushesGray-headed TanagerPacific AnoleChampagne glass FungiLeaf-cutter antsBat hiding in a leafCafeteria in park - caged in to keep the animals out.Playa Beach - Manuel AntonioSpiny-tailed IguanaBoat-billed HeronsHalloween Crab

    Manuel Antonio National Park

    November 3, 2024 in Costa Rica ⋅ 🌧 26 °C

    Manuel Antonio National Park is one of the most famous in Costa Rica for its wide variety of flora and fauna. It is also home to 3 of the 4 existing tropical primates (monkeys) living in Costa Rica. We began our visit with a guided three hour walk, before spending another two hours exploring on our own.Read more

  • MdtravelsCosta Rica and BrazilTraveler
    Northern Tamandua anteater
    Northern Tamandua anteaterRed-backed Squirrel MonkeyHermitSpiny treeBoaSpider MonkeyCaterpillarWhite-nosed CoatiGreat CurassowTapir snoozingOwlForest floorYellow-throated ToucanForest treeEntrance to native bee hiveSlouthWalking in the rainThe only way to the park is by a 90 minute boat rideButterfly

    Drake Bay Wilderness Resort

    November 7, 2024 in Costa Rica ⋅ 🌧 25 °C

    On our last day, we embarked on the Corcovado National Park tour. Although the weather was challenging, it only added to the authenticity of the experience, making it a memorable way to wrap up our adventure in Costa Rica’s wild, untamed beauty.Read more

  • MdtravelsCosta Rica and BrazilTraveler
    Departing Drake Bay for San Jose
    Flying into Sao Paulo, BrazilFarmland between Sao Paulo and CampograndeArriving into Campogrande, BrazilCaiman Lodge100 year old farmhouse accommodation at Caiman LodgeOld farmhouse at Caimen LodgeOur room at Caiman Lodge in a 100 year old farmhouseMonk ParakeetWildflowersWildflowerTurquoise fronted ParrotsBridge between Caiman Lodge and the farm villageThe lodge is still a working cattle propertyStorm clouds at sunset

    San Jose to Caiman Ecolodge

    November 9, 2024 in Costa Rica ⋅ 🌧 25 °C

    Our journey began on November 9th with a flight from San Jose to Panama City, departing at 6:30pm. From there, we flew to Sao Paulo, arriving the next morning at 6:45am, before continuing to Campo Grande, landing at 10:05am. After a four hour, 230 km scenic drive, we arrived at Caiman Lodge located in the Pantanal, the world’s largest wetlands.

    The lodge is set within a 53,000 hectare property combining livestock, ecotourism, and conservation in harmony. Adjacent to it lies a 17,300 acre private ecological reserve. The name “Caiman” reflects the owner’s commitment to conservation and regional progress.    Read more

  • MdtravelsCosta Rica and BrazilTraveler
    Greater Rhea
    Black collared HawkMonk ParakeetMonk Parakeets are the only parrots to build a nestRufescent Tiger-HeronRoad within the ranchRed BrocketNesting box for Hyacinth MacawsHyacinth MacawsTurquoise fronted ParrotsChaco ChachalacaTarantulaBurrowing Owl chicksScratches on a tree from jaguar sharpening its clawsGreat Black HawkPlumbeous IbisPampas DeerPlumbeous IbisTraditional barbeque at Caiman Lodge stablesTraditional barbeque at Caiman Lodge stables

    Caiman Lodge - Day 2 - Afernoon Safari

    November 11, 2024 in Brazil ⋅ ☁️ 35 °C

    When the temperature cools off (4pm), it is time to go out for the afternoon safari which is another good time to see wildlife and enjoy a local sunset. During our safari, we saw a tapir and then spent time watching a jaguar and her cub playing with a stick in a waterhole. Unfortunately, for the second, Murray's camera or memory card failed and he lost these photos.

    We arrived back to a traditional barbecue for dinner.    Read more

  • MdtravelsCosta Rica and BrazilTraveler
    Crab-eating Fox
    Pampas DeerLaughing FalconJabiru StorkJabiru StorkHyacinth MacawYellow crowned ParrotGuanBare faced CurrassowBlack collared HawkPicazuro PigeonWhite-browned MeadowlarkGreat KiskadeeNarrow billed WoodcreeperGiant AmeviaGreat AntshrikeSix-banded ArmadillosSix-banded ArmadilloSix-banded ArmadillosWhen we left at 7am, not everyone was out of bed.

    Caiman Lodge - Day 3 - Afternoon Safari

    November 12, 2024 in Brazil ⋅ ☀️ 29 °C

    We had the same guide and driver each day and they we were passionate and genuinely excited about finding wildlife for us and sharing their knowledge. We wish we would have had time to stay longer than 3 nights.

    When we left at 7am the next morning we had our eighth jaguar sighting which was very close to the lodge.    Read more

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