Palo Verde National Park & Guaitil Pottery

Palo Verde National Park is best known as a bird-watchers' paradise. More than 300 bird species have been recorded, like the great curassows and the only permanent colony of scarlet macaws in the dry tropics. At least a quarter of a million wading birds and waterfowl flock here in fall and winter, when much of the arid alluvial plain swells into a lake. Isla de Pájaros, in the middle of the Río Tempisque, is filled with white ibis, roseate spoonbills, anhingas, wood storks, jabiru storks, and the nation's largest colony of black-crowned night herons.

The Three well-maintained trails lead to lookout points over the lagoons; to limestone caves; and to water holes such as Laguna Bocana, which are gathering places for a diversity of birds and animals.

The natural hydraulic system of Palo Verde creates the right conditions and produces the most important concentration of birds in the country and Central America. It truly is a birdwatchers paradise as well as a perfect place to spot crocodiles, monkeys, Reptiles, all as you cruise the Tempisque River. After lunch we will pass through the famous artisan village of Guaitil and learn about the Chorotega Indians as we watch them make pottery using the same methods as their Pre Columbian ancestors.