Palo Verde National Park is a wildlife refuge located between Tempisque and Bebedero rivers in the province of Guanacaste. In this park we can find the biggest area of preserve wetlands in Costa Rica. Scientists from all over the world come to study this rich ecosystem that combines rivers, marshland, mangroves and dry forest. The name of the park comes from the “palo verde”. In English it is known as horse bean, but its name literally means “green stick” as the leaves, branches and trunk of this thorny shrub are all green. It also has delicate, yellow flowers.
During the bus ride, we will travel through changing countryside of savannas, plantations, and little villages.
After boarding the boat that will take us up the river, we will be able to admire the natural beauty of this park, including wildlife; such as huge crocodiles resting under the sun, groups of monkeys moving quickly between the branches, while our boat takes you in a floating safari adventure through Tropical Forest.
Some birds are resident species, plentiful in the area, and it is possible to see hundreds of them together: Anhinga or “Snake Bird”, Roseate Spoonbill, Wood Storks, the Jabiru, the largest bird in Central America and very endangered. Also we can see the Olivaceous Cormorant, the White Ibis, Blue Herons and much more.
This trip includes typical Costa Rican food for lunch , regional fruits, natural juices and bottled water.
Don’t forget to bring light clothing, sun cream, insect repellent, binoculars and a camera... photographing wildlife is very easy in the abundance of this sanctuary of nature.