2 nights tour to Boca Tapada and Maquenque

2-night tour in Boca Tapada & Maquenque

The Maquenque Mixed Wildlife Refuge and Boca Tapada region in the lower San Carlos River Basin covers an area of 60,000 hectares, which provide a sanctuary for important species of flora and fauna. The area is one of the last remaining forested regions in the northern plains, which was one of the most deforested regions in the 1970s and 1980s.

Day 1 WELCOME TO MAQUENQUE

Arrival by car to Boca Tapada. Welcome by the hotel staff, check in and the afternoon and evening will be free for optional activities. Night walks, after dinner, is an activity that many like, as you can see species of animals that become active only when the sun goes down. Owls, owls, reptiles and amphibians, especially, are some of the species that can be seen. However, it is also possible to see some nocturnal mammals, such as the Martilla, the Fox and some others.

Accommodation included: Hotel

Food included:

Tour included: Optional available (not included)

Day 2 PRIVATE TOUR WITH CHURRAY, OUR STAR GUIDE

Today our guide Churray will pick you up early in the morning. We recommend departures as early as possible ( can be arranged at the time of booking, or, the day before, when our guide will contact you ).Today's goal is to see as many species of animals and plants, trees and various landscapes. Undoubtedly, the search for the Green Macaw is one of the most requested activities, as this species of bird is quite difficult to see in other regions, which has become almost a representative of the fauna of Boca Tapada - Maquenque. During the tours through farms, or reserves (depending on which one has more chances to see them) you can see other species of animals clearly, including hundreds of species of other birds such as toucans, woodpeckers, hummingbirds, herons and birds of prey such as hawks, hawks and eagles.

On the banks of bodies of water such as lagoons, wetlands or even small rivers or the San Carlos River itself, it is possible to see aquatic birds, and also reptiles, such as species of river turtles, alligators and even crocodiles.

If you are interested, you can also book a boat tour on the San Carlos River, which will take you to the junction of the San Carlos and San Juan rivers. This service can be booked the day before through Pura Vida Travel or directly at the hotel. On this tour, you will be able to see species that inhabit the banks of the rivers, and is a tour which at the same time offers the perfect panorama for the guide to talk about the region in a comprehensive way (history, importance of the river for the region, culture)

Accommodation included:

Food included: Breakfasts

Day 3:

After breakfast, you can still walk along one of the hotel's trails, or rest in the middle of the gardens watching birds or other animals. Departure is at 10:30 a.m., where you will be taken back to the hotel parking lot for the continuation of the trip.

Accommodation included:

Food included:

Food included.

Food included: Breakfasts

Tour included:

Tour included.

Flora and fauna of Maquenque - Boca Tapada

This extensive region, which covers large areas of the districts of Pital and Cutris, both districts of the canton of San Carlos, is home to endangered species of both fauna and flora. Among the most important trees in the area is the Almond tree, which is known to be one of the most expensive, hardest and heaviest woods in the neo-tropics. At the same time, it is a very important species for the green macaws, which feed on its fruits but also make their nests in them.

Among the fauna species, some that stand out for being representative of the region are the Green Macaw, the Red Macaw, several species of toucans, hummingbirds, tanagers, unique and rare woodpeckers as well as species that only in this region and some other areas can be seen, such as the beautiful Agami Heron.

The forests in the area have recovered so much, that even the Jaguar, Puma, Ocelot, Tigrillo, Yaguarundi, Taira, white-tailed deer, mountain goat, peccaries, peccaries and many more species were seen again.

Authentic and not overdeveloped tourism

The area between Saino, Boca Tapada, Santa Rita, Boca San Carlos and Cureña is also culturally a very peaceful area, and still breathes the authenticity of the farmer, farmer or those who have started with small rural tourism ventures, or some ecolodges.

Attractions of the area that can be done with our guide

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Explore a private reserve or farm and go in search of Green Macaws. These are extremely attractive, rare to see in other areas and are in danger of extinction. Our guide will take you to the secret sites where you can observe pairs of Green Macaws nesting, or guarding the nest.

On the same nature walks, it is also possible to see the imposing King Vulture, a colorful vulture named for its enormous size, beauty and for being at the head of the hierarchy when it and other species feed on a carcass. The other species wait patiently at a distance until the majestic King Vulture finishes its meal.

Naturalist hikes in the tropical rainforest are another major activity that people like to do in the area. Whether it is simply a jungle hike, or a nature photography tour, birdwatchers or some other interest, the truth is that during the hikes different species of the different families such as mammals, reptiles, amphibians, birds and insects are appreciated. Special interests do not exclude the other interests, and almost always, during bird walks, collaterally you get to see many other animals, such as up to three species of monkeys, sloth bears, martillas, hairy foxes, snakes, red-eyed frogs, poison dart frogs and interesting birds and insects.

Touring the hotel lagoons by canoe (depending on the hotel) is a very enriching activity and soft adventure, as you can enter the meanders and jungle lagoons in the early morning hours or during the afternoon hours and explore the dense forests from the comfort of the canoe. The silence of canoeing makes it easy to get up close to a monkey or other animal in the branches of a tree, or see a caiman or river turtle basking in the sun.

Walking the hotel's trails on your own can be another side activity. If you have no problem waking up early in the morning, even before breakfast, a self-guided walk on the hotel's trails can mean seeing coatis, raccoons, birds, monkeys or other animals. Remember that animals, like humans, avoid the midday heat.