Palo Verde Boat Safari & Indigenous Village

Combine wildlife adventure with cultural immersion on this extraordinary combo that takes you from the wetlands of Palo Verde National Park to the ancestral pottery studios of Guaitil village. PALO VERDE NATIONAL PARK BOAT SAFARI Palo Verde National Park is one of the most important wetland ecosystems in Central America and a paradise for birdwatchers and nature enthusiasts. Located at the mouth of the Tempisque River, this park protects over 13,000 hectares of wetlands, mangroves, and tropical dry forest that serve as critical habitat for an incredible diversity of wildlife. Your river boat safari glides along the Tempisque River, giving you front-row seats to one of the most spectacular wildlife shows in Costa Rica. Palo Verde is home to over 300 species of birds — more than almost any other location in the country. Watch for magnificent jabirus (the largest flying bird in the Americas), roseate spoonbills, great blue herons, wood storks, and dozens of other wading birds and waterfowl. But the birds are just the beginning! The river is also home to massive American crocodiles basking on the banks, green iguanas perched in riverside trees, howler monkeys calling from the canopy, and if you are lucky, you might spot white-tailed deer, coatis, or even a boa constrictor. Your expert naturalist guide will identify species and share fascinating information about the ecosystem. GUAITIL INDIGENOUS VILLAGE After your wildlife adventure, travel to the charming village of Guaitil, home of the Chorotega indigenous people. This remarkable community has maintained its pre-Columbian pottery traditions for over a thousand years. Every family in the village is involved in creating beautiful ceramics using the same techniques their ancestors perfected centuries ago. Watch master artisans shape clay by hand (no pottery wheels here!), fire their creations in traditional wood-burning kilns, and decorate them with natural pigments derived from local plants and minerals. You will have the opportunity to try pottery-making yourself and browse the workshops where you can purchase authentic handmade pieces. A traditional lunch with local flavors completes this perfect combination of nature and culture.