 6 day all inclusive tropical retreat
Cost: $1090 - 1500*
Dates: 4th-9th of March and 11th-16th of March 2012.
Booking or more information:
Call 1-866-638-4118 or email
kayak@novashores.com
If so, this tropical retreat is for you.
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NovaShores Adventures offers an all inclusive package with kayaking, hiking, horseback riding, snorkeling, wildlife viewing, botanical and cocoa plantation tours and of course just relaxing in a tropical paradise. Our experienced guides and hosts ensure a friendly, exciting, safe and personalized adventure.
We have a maximum of 6 guests, minimum of 2.
Your accommodations will be in a wilderness lodge situated in one of the wildest, least developed areas of Costa Rica, the upper region of the Golfo Dulce in primary (virgin, never harvested) rain forest of the Parque Nacional Piedras Blancas, close to the border between Costa Rica and Panama.
The coastline of the Golfo Dulce offers sheltered kayaking along a wild tropical shore. Paddle along and explore on foot numerous beaches lined with palms and flowering trees, or in the shaded wildlife filled mangroves. It's an area full of life on land and sea.
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While kayaking or even from land you will see dolphins and schools of fish as they turn the surface into "boiling water" as smaller fish try to escape larger fish or dolphins. Often you will see rays swimming at the surface and at low tide many colorful tropical fish in the clear waters around reefs.
 On land there is a wide variety of wildlife such as the phenomenally colorful scarlet Macaw, Toucans, parakeets and hummingbirds and the less obvious but ever present small mammals such as monkeys and Coati - and often the incredibly blue Morpho butterfly will flutter about - a fascinating sight.
Your adventure starts when you leave San Jose, the capital of Costa Rica onboard a small 12 passenger propeller aircraft, which is included in the cost. The 45 minute flight is part of the experience as it follows the coast some of the way, giving you wonderful views. We will meet you at the small paved airstrip in Golfito. There are no roads from there to our jungle lodge; all transport is by boat.
The wilderness lodge is an ecologically friendly oasis with the Golfo Dulce (sweet gulf) in front of us and the wild primary rain forest behind us. The accommodations are off the grid, but there are solar powered lights and fans plus refrigeration. You can enjoy a hot water garden shower situated outside where flowers arch over the privacy screen to give you a real tropical feel while freshening up.
There are no TV's and phones - the music of the rain forest is a symphony of nature and will be the only "noise" for the next 6 days/5 nights! The sounds of the rain forest jungle let you know what a vibrant ecosystem you are surrounded by. As activities are best done in the morning its fascinating to wake to vigorous wakeup sounds from the Macaws and monkeys, then the songs of the birds take over in the warmth of the day, until evening when the sounds change again to the gentle good nights of owls and the rythmic lapping of waves on the beach.
Meals are prepared by Paulina, a local Costa Rican and Susan and Harvey, the lodge owners. They use fresh ingredients, whenever possible local or organically grown right at the lodge and fish caught in the waters often in view of the lodge.
The grounds around the lodge provides some of the delicious fruits you will be treated to and the cleared grassed area offers space to relax in hammocks or stroll around to take a closer look at the exotic plants and trees.
This is your time to enjoy a relaxing and rejuvenating tropical adventure and as your guides and hosts we do our best to give you an unforgettable tropical experience.
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Day one: We meet you in the morning at Golfito airstrip and take a short ride to the motor boat which has a canopy to protect from the sun. Then it's a 45 minute boat ride to the wilderness lodge. It's a beautiful ride up the coast!
At the lodge we will show you around and let you get settled in. After lunch we will introduce you to some of the fruits and medicinal plants that grow on the property and talk about the adventures coming up over the next days.
We will give you a demo with the kayaks, which you can take out when you wish during your stay. It's a good place to catch fish so you might want to go try your luck using the available rods if you want - we will prepare and enjoy the fresh caught meal if you supply it!
There are also some trails into the rain forest that we can explore before dinner. After a delicious dinner you may want to stay around the lodge, retire to your accommodations or just go find that hammock, watch the stars in the night sky and listen to the music of the jungle.
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Day two: After a wakeup call from the resident howler monkeys and macaws, we will be heading out early for a mangrove paddle. We will use the boat to bring us and the kayaks deep into the mangroves where we get into the kayaks and let the current float us downriver.
At some spots we will paddle into areas motor boats can't go to take a close look at what we can find. It's a fascinating world of unusual foliage and creatures. Some, like lizards that can run on water are just plain weird while the egrets and other birds add rich colours to this shaded, special world. Birder's will quickly recognize Whimbrel's and White Ibis fishing for lunch. Other birds you might spot include Laughing Falcon, Yellow-headed Caracara, different species of kingfishers and Boat-billed Heron.
We then have a leisurely paddle along the wild coast back to the lodge. The rest of the day is yours to relax, fish, snorkel or kayak.
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Day three: Early in the morning we take the launch along the shore for an exquisite visit to Casa Orquideas Botanical Gardens. This tour includes touching, smelling and sometimes tasting the flowers and plants while enjoying the company of Scarlet Macaws and Toucans.
It's the closest you get to the Garden of Eden with mass plantings of orchids, bromeliads, heleconias, ornamental palms and flowering gingers.
Later in the morning we continue by boat to go horseback riding into the rain forest to a small waterfall where you can refresh yourself under the clear cool water.
Along the way you will be able to observe the many birds and maybe the white faced monkeys will come to investigate the intruders into their natural habitat. Depending on the tide, we may have an option of riding on the beach.
After a treat of fresh fruits and a cool drink we head back to the lodge.
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Day four: You may choose one of the following tours:
Option 1: We will take the power boat with kayaks in tow to Los Mogos islands with calm waters and a variety of tropical reef fish. You can use the kayak to study the ocean floor, try your luck fishing or snorkel. This is best done at low tide to be able to enjoy the varied tropical fish in the clear, shallow waters. This rarely visited area is pristine and the small islands offer a peaceful setting for relaxing in the shade and having a snack.
Option 2: Let a local naturalist take you for a tour and get a fascinating insight into the natural world she lives in. Visit her home and experience first hand how the life of the local is in tune with nature. Trek up a small river into the primary rain forest and try your luck catching river shrimp hiding under rocks with just your hands. Pick tasty exotic local fruits right from the tree. Learn names and uses of some of the medicinal plants found in the area.
Day five:
Enjoy the boat ride across the Gulf to Playa Blanca, where we board a taxi for the short trip to Finca Kobo, an organic cocoa plantation. Experience the process of growing, drying and making chocolate - as part of the guided tour of this amazing organic farm you will pass through a "biological corridor" where wild animals and the farm coexist in harmony. The tour culminates in tasting's of a wonderful chocolate fondue with fresh fruit and homemade banana bread in the middle of a tropical garden. Chocolate products are available for purchase - a great souvenir to take home.
Day six: If you are up early, after breakfast you might want to try your luck fishing, relax a while in the hammocks or wander the trails one last time before we take you on the scenic boat ride to Golfito for your flight back to San Jose.
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Practical stuff:
We will send a list of recommended items to bring with you plus clothing recommendations when we confirm your booking. The small aircraft taking you to Golfito has limited space and your allowed luggage is 30 lbs a person. (We can recommend a place to stay in San Jose that will also store any excess luggage you might have, if you have a longer stay planned.) You can take more if there is room, but you will have to pay extra for it. It's a warm climate so you don't need to bring a lot of clothing. Laundry service is offered at the lodge.
All meals are included, and they will be delicious! Lots of fresh fruits and juices. We usually catch some fresh fish for the meals - or perhaps you will contribute with the catch of the day! We will ask if there are any food allergies when we confirm your booking. Alcoholic drinks aren't included other than a complimentary drink at dinner each evening, but there will be beer and wine available at reasonable cost ($2.50 per beer) We have safe drinking water available.
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Reservation and Cancellation:
We would like you to reserve as early as possible so we can prepare the logistics of flights and accommodations. The lodge has only a couple of cabins and can become booked up very early.
On booking we take a 30% deposit and email your confirmation and suggested "to bring" list. If you must cancel we require 90 days notice for refund of deposit. Non refundable full payment is taken 60 days before the adventure is to start. We recommend cancellation insurance.
If NovaShores Adventures must cancel there will be a full refund or you can choose to have the funds applied to another of our adventures in Canada or Costa Rica.
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What's Included:
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There are 2 accommodation options -
The Beach House
Cost: $1500 per person based on double occupancy.
The Beach House can accommodate up to 4 where the cost per person for 3 is $1230 per person, $1090 per person for 4. It offers open-air lounging with a private queen bedroom and bath, a huge open living area with additional sleeping area with queen bed and a guest bath. The living room area with sofa, tables and chairs overlooks the ocean, flora and fauna below. The outdoor hot water shower lies among the botanical's and under the blue sky or evening stars. Solar powered electric lighting and ceiling fans.
The Canopy House
Cost: $1350 per person based on double occupancy.
Its 88 steps up into the canopy where you will enjoy complete privacy - you shouldn't have any mobility issues as it is a long way up! There is a ensuite bath with hot water shower. Enjoy the deck overlooking the beach and forest to take in the sounds and sights of the jungle up close. More rustic than the beach house - lit by candle light or battery powered lights - you will have a feeling of being in a very private retreat here, it can't even be seen until you climb up those steps!
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The evening meal includes pre dinner drink, snacks and dessert. Tropical juices and safe drinking water is always available.
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, and water taxi to tour start and pickup.
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(you do not need to know Spanish)
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while on tours and whenever you want to use them back at the lodge.
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wildlife viewing, Costa Rican rain forest jungle symphony, hammocks, tropical warmth and natural beauty.
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Note - Alcoholic beverages for purchase at reasonable costs ($2.50 per beer, $4 per glass of wine)
Laundry can be done for a $10 charge per load.
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* All prices are per person/Canadian Dollars including tax. You can pay either by VISA or MasterCard.
Call 1-866-638-4118 or write to us at
kayak@novashores.com to book or to get additional information.
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