Hikes

There is a variety of exciting guided hikes in the area. Here are some of them.

Nocturnal Hikes

Highlights: Amazing insects, snakes, lizards, frogs, mammals (opossums, raccoons, kinkajous, anteaters, bats, sloths)

1. Nocturnal Hike: A great opportunity to explore night life in the jungle of Rancho La Merced Wildlife Refuge.

green-poison-dart-frog1 racoon

Departure: 7:00 p.m.

Estimated tour time: 2-3 hours
Price: US $ 35 per person

2. A Night in the Jungle: Spend the night in a jungle camp nestled in the rainforest of Hacienda Barú Wildlife Refuge. After the hike up to the camp, you will be able to enjoy the sunset and nature sounds from the camp’s veranda. After a traditional Costa Rican dinner, you go out on a night hike to search for nocturnal creatures. You spend the night at a tent camp equipped with a shower and a toilet. The next morning, after a delicious breakfast, on your hike back to the starting point, you will have a chance to see some magnificent old rainforest trees.

coati11 guided-hike-giant-tree

Departure: 3:00 p.m. (Return time 10:00 a.m. next day)

Estimated tour time: 16 hours
Price: US $ 98 per person

Corcovado National Park Hike (One Day Tour)

Highlights: Squirrel, howler , and capuchin monkeys and peccaries. A lot of birds and the chance to spot whales, sea turtles and dolphins during the boat trip.
Description: This is the perfect tour to spot wildlife. The tour departs early in the morning, and depending on the operator, you may take a boat ride along the coast off Punta Uvita Beach, through Sierpe River and mangroves or at Drake Bay. The most popular tour takes you to San Pedrillo (one of the entrances to Corcovado NP, on the Drake Bay’s side). You spend from 3 to 4 hours immersed in the rainforest. Ask for the 1-day tour to Sirena Biological Station (one of the most rugged and extreme areas in the country) and the multi-day trip (3 days & 2 nights), which combines the exploration of Sirena with snorkeling around Caño Island.
Departure: 6:00 am
Estimated time: 8 hrs
Includes: Ground and boat transportation, naturalist bilingual guide, park’s fee, and lunch.
Price: U$95-$105

Mangrove Walk

Highlights: Water birds
Description: The guide will take you through the secondary and successional forest of the lowland where the walking is easy and the birding is great. This tour includes a visit to a bird blind in the mangrove swamp: it is your best opportunity to see several species of water birds, especially during the rainy season.
Departure: 6:00 am or 3:00 pm
Estimated time: 3 hours
Includes: Naturalist guide
Price: U$ 20 per person

Exploration of the Rainforest

Highlights: Toucans, owls, osprey, woodpeckers, parrots , monkeys, huge trees 150 or more years old, colorful insects and plants

Description: You will hike through secondary growth and primary forest in remote parts, along river banks, mangrove estuary, and hillsides . There are several protected areas that offer nature hikes to observe wildlife. 
Departure: 7:00-7:30 am
Estimated time: 4 hours
Includes: Guide
Price: U$35*
* Oro Verde Biological Reserve (includes typical Costa Rican lunch).

Birdwatching Tour

Highlights: Toucans, owls, osprey, woodpeckers, parrots , tanagers, water and shore birds.

Description: The bird watching begins early when the birds are just waking up. You will be taken to strategic spots for bird observation, which are surrounded by gorgeous trees creating a unique atmosphere like that of an open natural history book. With the help of your guide, you are expected to spot at least 50 bird species in one morning!
Departure: 5:00 am – 6:00 am
Estimated time: 4 hours
Includes: Breakfast*, bilingual naturist guide
Price: U$35-$45
* Hacienda Baru Wildlife Refuge and Oro Verde Biological Reserve tours include breakfast.