Compare Costa Rica – The Sea Turtle Initiative by Discover Corps vs Nature & Culture Tour of Guadeloupe by French Side Travel
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| Trip |
5 | Excellent
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5 | Excellent
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| Duration | 8 days | 6 days |
| Price From | $ 3,395 | $ 1,805 |
| Price Per Day | $ 424 | $ 301 |
| Highlights |
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| Trip Style | Small group tour | Private guided tour |
| Lodging Level | Standard | Standard |
| Physical Level |
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| Travel Themes |
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| Countries Visited | ||
| Cities and Attractions |
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| Flights & Transport | Ground transport included | Ground transport included |
| Activities |
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| Meals Included |
7 Breakfasts, 6 Lunches and 7 Dinners |
3 Breakfasts and 2 Lunches |
| Description |
Our Purpose Spend several days in the heart of Costa Rica’s sea turtle conservation program, learning about the threats to their survival and what we can do both in Costa Rica and at home to help with their protection. We’ll witness sea turtles nesting in a natural environment and participate in an optional beach cleanup that reduces the amount of plastic in the ocean. Our presence at these unique locations ensures that living sea turtles are much more valuable to the local economy than turtle eggs sold into the Black Market. Costa Rica is a world leader when it comes to conservation, but sadly its turtle population has declined by 90% since 1980. Your trip will see you volunteering with conservationists to help ensure their survival, and visiting inspirational places and people that rescue animals and protect the rainforest. |
Located in the Caribbean as a part of the French Antilles, Guadeloupe island impresses with its tropical flair, natural diversity and picturesque beaches. There are a lot of things you could do: visit the active volcano ""la Soufrière,"" the rum distillery, or even go swimming in the hot springs ""Bassin de Bains Jaunes”! In case you prefer to swim and snorkel in the sea, you should not miss the beach ""Plage de la Datcha"". Furthermore, the small island off the coast ""La Désirade"", how Columbus called it, also has stunning white beaches. Those who are longing for a tropical paradise as well as white beaches with palm trees without missing cultural sites should definitely travel to Guadeloupe and discover the colorful culture of this island. |
Day 1: Arrive and Enjoy a Traditional Dinner
Meals: Dinner
Arriving at the airport in Costa Rica, a member of our staff will meet you and take you to a nearby hotel where we’ll spend the fir t evening. After a warm welcome, your guide will discuss the schedule for the coming week. Enjoy an authentic local welcome dinner together and have a relaxing evening getting to know the group.
Day 2: Drive to the Coast and Meet the Conservationists
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner
Enjoy a classic Costa Rican breakfast and freshly brewed local coffee before driving through the mountains to our new home on the coast. We’ll receive a briefing about the work of sea turtle conservationists before embarking on a night patrol to scope the nesting area. Sample patrol times include 10pm - 1am, and 1am-4am.
Day 3: Optional Beach Cleanup & Night Patrols
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner
After an optional beach clean up for those interested, we'll have a talk to learn more about the hatchery and why it's used. We will learn firsth and how to dig a sea turtle nest so we are ready for when we have eggs from our night patrol and need to put them in the hatchery for safety.
Day 4: Meet "Jungle Mike" and Learn about Beekeeping
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner
Meet the infamous Jungle Mike and learn about the diverse insect kingdom of Costa Rica as you explore an open air butterfly farm and jungle path. Afterwards, sample various organic honeys that are locally harvested. In the evening, head out for another sea turtle patrol along the beach.
Day 5: Visit a Small Fishing Village before a Free Afternoon
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner
We'll head out after breakfast to a local fishing village where we'll learn about their way of life and the battle they fight against large commercial fishing vessels. Learn to make educated choices when buying sustainable seafood, and even get a treat as you enjoy a fresh fish lunch prepared by the local women. The afternoon is then free to rest up for patrol and we'll enjoy a nice dinner by the beach before the final night of patrol.
Day 6: Meet Big Cats at an Animal Rescue Center
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner
Today we’ll return to the region around Liberia. After driving a few hours, we will visit an animal rescue center that rehabilitates endangered wildlife such as pumas, ocelots, and even jaguars. After lunch, continue on to a mountainside hacienda and arrive to our accommodations before dark.
Day 7: Zip-Line Through the Trees and Tube along the Rio Colorado
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner
Feel the adrenaline as you fly through the treetops on a zip-line course of 8 different lines. Then we’ll cool off by tubing down the Rio Colorado. Spin and bounce your way down river, getting drenched by the cool mountain waters. Hang on tight over the 6-foot waterfall and keep your eyes peeled for monkeys foraging for food in the treetops above the canyon. You’ll definitely work up an appetite for lunch. After lunch, enjoy the warm spring pools or paint on some volcanic mud for a treat for your skin and wash it all away with an exhilarating jump in the river. At night we’ll enjoy a farewell dinner together to reflect on the amazing memories we’ve collected over the past week.
Day 8: Return Home
Meals: Breakfast
Wake up with breakfast at the lodge. Travelers will be taken to the airport in time for their flights home.
Day 1: Arrival in Guadeloupe
At your arrival at the airport, a private taxi or minibus will pick you up and drop you off at your hotel.
Night in a Standard Room in a 3 Stars Hotel in Deshaies.
Day 2: Tour of the Grand Cul-de-Sac Marin in the Northern Grand Terre
A chauffeur will meet you for a private transfer from your lodging to Grand Cul-de-Sac Marin excursion.
Travel towards the heart of the Grand Cul-de-Sac Marin to explore its exceptional 15-mile (25 km) coral reef and neighboring mangrove. This rich and diverse ecosystem is noted for its wildlife. Birdwatchers and snorkeling enthusiasts will be in heaven by the red mangroves and crystalline waters.
Place and time of departure: 9:00 am from Le Gosier.
Return: around 5:00 pm to Le Gosier.
Duration: 8 hours
Night in a Standard Room in a 3 Stars Hotel in Deshaies.
Day 3: Discovery Day Memories and History: Pointe à Pitre, Fort Fleur d'Epée and Memorial Act
From your place of stay, with your driver guide, Taïna and its comfortable, air-conditioned and privatised vehicle, you will visit Fort Fleur d'Epée, the most important fortification in Grande Terre on the height of Gosier.
You will continue your escapade to Pointe à Pitre to discover the city, its history and its markets. After a typical local lunch, visit the Memorial Act, the Caribbean centre of expression and memory of the slave trade and slavery, with its unique architecture in the Caribbean, built on the site of the former sugar factory.
Not to be missed: the permanent exhibition on 1700 m², ""Morne Mémoire"", the panoramic garden, offering a view of the ocean, the mountains of Basse-Terre and the bay of Pointe-à-Pitre and its monumental footbridge.
Duration: 9H : Departure between 7 and 8 hours from your place of residence - return around 17h00-18h00
Bring comfortable shoes for walking (about 1 hour of walking)
Note: the itinerary can be modified according to the starting point of the excursion and the hazards of the road
Night in a Standard Room in a 3 Stars Hotel in Deshaies.
Day 4: Explore the Îles des Saintes (suggestion)
Transfer to Les Saintes
From your hotel , a private taxi or minibus will pick you up and drop you off at the Harbour.
Then, you will have a boat transfer between Trois Rivières and Les Saintes.
Suggestion: Explore the Îles des Saintes
Enjoy a free day on the volcanic archipelago, the Îles de Saintes. Explore the natural and cultural riches of these islands, the Grand-Îlet and Morne Morel natural reserves, and the ruins of Fort Joséphine and the lazaretto on the îlet à Cabrit.
On the Île de Terre-de-Haut, you can admire the Îles des Saintes Lighthouse and the Calvaire Chapel. Finally, on the Île de la Terre-de-Bas, explore the Grand-Baie pottery factory ruins, the Saint-Nicolas Church, and stop at the lookout point over the ponds of Abymes.
Overnight stay and breakfast in a family room overlooking the sea in a 2-star Les Saintes hotel.
Day 5: Free Beach Day
You have a free day to soak up the sun on the magnificent sandy beaches near your lodging.
Overnight stay and breakfast in a family room overlooking the sea in a 2-star Les Saintes hotel.
Day 6: End of your stay
You will have a boat transfer between Les Saintes and Pointre à Pitre.
Upon your arrival at the harbor, a chauffeur will drive you to the Pointe-à-Pitre airport.
