Their private naturalist guide, Kurt Westenbarger, hired by the tour operator Off the Beaten Path, had come across the carcass the previous week.

Where to stay: Forsyth's Lodge is comfortable and eco-friendly, with excellent food and delightful staff including resident naturalist guides.

Aria's stars are the chefs and the naturalist guides.

These three-hour, 21-passenger van tours are led by naturalist guides, who claim a 96% success rate at spotting moose.

Our tour group enjoyed a nature walk along the cliffs in Forest Parish with a naturalist guide, and the wildflowers were unforgettable.

In the adjoining Chail Wildlife Sanctuary, occasional choruses of cicadas were the only sound as Sanjeev, my naturalist guide, pointed out where crested porcupines and wild boars had been rooting.

The prices usually include meals, accommodations, transfers, excursions and the services of a licensed naturalist guide.

On a beautiful beach, with sea lions on shore and in the water, we tossed the disk around, and were joined after a few minutes by our 65-year-old Ecuadorian naturalist guide.

Tours with naturalist guides leave hotels in Manuel Antonio and Quepos daily except Sunday; reservations can be made at most hotels or by calling the Rainmaker office.

Through this organization you may find also local experts, naturalist guides and more information on how to explore Talamanca and climb Kamuk.