Tortuguero Night Hike, Tortuguero

Meet your naturalist guide at Tortuga Lodge's front desk at twilight and prepare for the rainforest with the provided rubber boots, rain poncho, and flashlight. Then, head into the lodge's private 64-acre (26-ha) nature reserve, where coastal rainforest provides habitat for an array of wildlife found along Costa Rica's Caribbean coast. The changing light makes this an especially interesting time to explore, as some animals wind down for the day while others are just becoming active.

Follow your guide along the forest trails, watching for the subtle signs of wildlife that can be difficult to spot on your own. You might see howler monkeys preparing to settle into the treetops or birds noisily competing for their preferred roosting branches. Closer to the forest floor, keep an eye out for strawberry poison dart frogs and reptiles, including snakes, which are commonly encountered on these walks. Your guide will help locate and identify the creatures you come across while sharing insights into their behaviors and the surrounding ecosystem.

Once darkness settles over the reserve, switch your attention from what you can see to what you can hear. Pause beneath the canopy to take in the whistles, chirps, croaks, and rustling of the nocturnal rainforest before following the trail back to the lodge. You'll return by around 7 pm, with time to freshen up before dinner. Wear long pants and a long-sleeved shirt, and apply plenty of insect repellent, as mosquitoes are abundant in this humid environment.