Zoey grew up in Bellingham, Washington, where the Salish Sea and temperate rainforest were powerful catalysts in sparking her love of the coast. Her studies took her to tall ships in the eastern U.S. where she taught kids how to haul sail, sing sea s...
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Please note: All Daily Expedition Reports (DERs) are posted Monday-Friday,
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Today, we embarked on an unforgettable journey, beginning with a visit to the private reserve of Dolphin Quest at Río Seco, followed by an afternoon adventure in Golfito. Both locations are nestled in the breathtaking Golfo Dulce, which offered remarkable wildlife encounters and natural beauty. Our morning expedition took us along the lush trails of Dolphin Quest where guests immersed themselves in the vibrant tropical rainforest. We were fortunate to spot lively white-faced capuchin monkeys, not only during the morning walk but also later in the day. Adding to the spectacle, several pairs of scarlet macaws put on a dazzling display of color and sound. Guests were captivated by the distinctive calls of the three-wattled bellbirds, and a few lucky observers caught a glimpse of the elusive tamandua, a fascinating anteater. In the afternoon, after repositioning National Geographic Quest to Golfito, guests chose between two exciting activities- kayaking through serene mangroves or joining a Zodiac cruise. Both experiences provided up-close encounters with diverse coastal bird species. A highlight of the Zodiac cruise was encountering a mixed troop of howler monkeys and white-faced capuchins, creating an unforgettable wildlife experience.
After a long night of navigation, we dropped anchor in front of a pristine beach at Playa Blanca. Today was all about the local people. We had the great opportunity to visit four amazing Costa Rican families that have worked through hard times to maintain sustainable tourism businesses, surrounded by protected national parks. Each activity stole our hearts, including artisanal gold panning from Don Juan, visiting Johnny’s sugar mill, enjoying chocolate fondue with Alex at his chocolate farm, and tasting fresh palmitos with Dona Eida and her family running a heart of palm plantation. After our morning activities, we came back to a surprise from the hotel team: a delicious picnic lunch, and for dessert not just great cookies but also beautiful Costa Rican dances, performed by the schoolkids of the neighborhood. To end our afternoon, we learned about green sea turtles from the Sea Turtle Conservation NGO. They showed us a huge green sea turtle that had been caught in the night, which would then be released in the waters of Golfo Dulce, a place unique for its geology but its people too.
Our first day exploring the wild side of Costa Rica began with a visit to a private reserve in Punta Caleta. Right after breakfast, we disembarked and divided into groups to explore the area. Some guests walked along the coast to reach Drake’s Bay, others focused their exploration on the premises of the reserve, and the last group decided to hike through a mature forest. All options had so many sightings of wildlife. Our afternoon activities were held at San Pedrillo Field Station, in Corcovado National Park. Here a group hiked to a lovely waterfall and had the chance to take a refreshing dip in a natural pool. Others went to explore the forest and learn about the different species of animals that live in the park. More sightings of birds and mammals delighted our guests. We returned to the ship to share our thoughts about the many different sightings of the day; the most commented sighting was a young male puma that was seen resting under some shrubs. It was a good way to start our journey.