home-slider1

Jungle, Nature and Wildlife

The Puerto Viejo area has some of the most spectacular natural areas in the country and are even of international importance. The area includes several protected areas including Cahuita National Park and the Gandoca-Manzanillo Refuge.

Ways to enjoy nature range from guided hikes in the reserve and national park or ziplining through the trees!  Then there’s kayaking, turtle watching, bird watching, dolphin watching…I could go on and on but you can see all the choices below.

Animal Rescue Centre, Chocolate Lady and Waterfall
This trip combines three of our most popular activities: a visit to the Jaguar Rescue Center, a visit to an indigenous family that shows you how they make chocolate right from the Cacao trees in their yard and a visit to a local waterfall and swimming hole.

The Jaguar Animal Center rehabilitates mistreated, injured and/or confiscated animals, which are then reintroduced to their natural habitat in protected areas. Visitors have direct contact with monkeys, wild cats, sloths, raccoons, anteaters, marsupials, reptiles, amphibians, etc.
Half day $55.00 More Info Book It

Caribbean Canopy & Zipline
Experience the richness and diversity of the jungle close-up from this adventure that lets you experience nature close-up. This canopy adventure has 9 aerial platforms and 14 on land with a total of 2560 meters of cable. Glide through the jungle on a zipline for a bird’s eye view of the jungle.
4 hours approximately Regular Canopy Tour: $55.00
Canopy Tour + Superman Cable: $65.00 		More Info Book It

Tortuguero Canal and Banana Plantation
See the world-famous Tortuguero Canals on a safari through the mangroves looking for wildlife like birds, mammals like sloths and monkeys, reptiles like the emerald basilisk lizard and with a bit of luck even a crocodile or a caiman. And visit a banana plantation to learn everything about this delicious tropical fruit.
Full day tour Rates from $89 to $119 depending on option More Info Book It

Cahuita Boat, Snorkel and Hiking Trip
Cahuita National Park features the largest coral reefs in Southern Central America as well as great hiking trails with lots of wildlife. This trip combines a boat ride, snorkeling and hiking. First is a ride in a boat to Punta Cahuita.  Once at the point, you can put on snorkel gear to explore first hand the “under water tropical forest”. You will then land for a guided rainforest hike, with comprehensive information on this particular area. Monkeys, sloth, several reptiles, frogs and beautiful insects are common sights.  Round trip transportation to Cahuita with pickup/dropoff at your hotel in Puerto Viejo is included.
4 hours approx Price depends on tour date
Until 2013-10-31: Adults $49.00, Children $24.50
2013-11-01 to 2014-10-31: Adults $55.00, Children $27.50		 More Info Book It

Gandoca-Manzanillo Refuge Jungle Hike
At the southeast corner of Costa Rica lies the unspoiled Gandoca-Manzanillo Wildlife Refuge, stretching to the border of Panama. Home to monkeys, sloths, a great variety of birds and much more. The area is rich with wildlife. It is also spectacularly scenic with cliffs and hidden beaches along the water. You can choose to meet your local naturist guide in Manzanillo town or we can pick you up at your hotel. Your guide will take you on a hike where you will learn much about the rainforest and its inhabitants and see its hidden wonders which take a trained eye to spot.
Half day Price depends on number of persons:
1 person: $70.00
2 persons or more: $55.00 p/p		 More Info Book It

River and Sea Kayaking with Rainforest Hike
We will drive to the most beautiful location in the area, Punta Uva. This trip consists of three sections. After a safety briefing we will first embark in a magical sea kayaking journey paralleling a coast full of cliffs, caves, and the most amazing rainforest. Then we will paddle our way up river though gorgeous rainforest where you can expect to spot monkeys, sloth, colorful birds, river turtles, bats and iguanas. Your professional guide will deliver a lot of interesting insights on this wonderful eco system. Back at the beach we will take a nice break to relax, swim and enjoy some nicely presented fresh fruit and snacks before hiking to the great over view at Punta Uva.
4 hours approx. Price depends on tour date
Until 2013-10-31: Adults $49.00, Children $24.50
2013-11-01 to 2014-10-31: Adults $55.00, Children $27.50		 More Info Book It

Full Day Jungle Adventure
Looking for the maximum in adventure? This full day adventure combines our canopy and zipline tour with a ATV ride, tarzan swing and much more in an action packed day you’ll not soon forget!
6 hours approx. One person per quad vehicle: $140.00
Two persons per quad vehicle: $110.00 		More Info Book It

Nighttime Turtle Watching
Take the opportunity to travel through time and go back to the beginning of evolution, represented by the nesting of these live fossils. The leatherback turtle is the biggest turtle in the world; it can be as large as 2 meters long and 650 kg of weight. We will have an unforgettable night walk along the Gandoca Beach; I will show you a different perspective of this spectacular experience. You will observe these mothers in the important work of laying eggs and at the same time you will learn important things about the natural history of these special animals in danger of extinction. Help us with the protection of sea turtles! Pickup and dropoff at your hotel is now included in our price.
7pm to 11pm approximately Please inquire More Info Book It

Dolphin Watching and Snorkeling
Take a beautiful ride along the coast past Manzanillo deep into the Gandoca National park. Near the Panamanian border, atlantic and bottlenose dolphins come in to feed in the brackish waters near the Sixaola river. After seeing the dolphins, we cruise back to Mona island for snorkeling and/or diving! Then we continue back up the coast to Punta Uva for our second dive and second snorkeling site. An alternative tour from Cahuita with snorkeling off Cahuita National Park is also available.
Half day Cahuita Dolphin & Snorkel $75 each (min 2 persons)
Puerto Viejo Dolphin & Snorkel $100 each (min 3 persons)
Puerto Viejo Dolphin & Scuba Dive $110 each (min 4 persons) 		More Info Book It

Bird Watching
Thanks to our rich biodiversity, I will find and delight in pointing out and sharing my knowledge on the various bird species of the area, this is definitely a superb bird watching tour! Some of the species you could see in this area are the Red-capped Manikin, crested owl, the olive throated parakeet; pale vented pigeon, masked tityra, Collared Aracari, slaty ant shrike, keel-billed and chestnut-mandibled Toucan, Magnificent Frigate-bird, common black hawk, passerini’s tanager, and the black-cowled oriole, among others.
4 hours approximately $60 More Info Book It

Uatsi Waterfall and Indigenous Reservation
This combo tour includes transportation to/from your hotel as well as visits to the waterfall, to the Sixoala River (the border between Costa Rica and Panama), an indigenous reservation and an indigenous chocolate “factory” where the whole process from the growing of the Cacao plant to the making of this unique organic handmade chocolate is explained.
half day $75.00 More Info Book It

Bri Bri Medicine Man Tour
This tour will give you the opportunity to learn more about the culture of the indigenous peoples of Talamanca and meet with Don Cándido, a famed local healer who will teach you about local healing plants and methods. We will visit Centro Cultural Indigena and meet Don Cándido, the last in a long line of indigenous medicine men. At the centre there are more than 1500 plants used to cure different illnesses. There is a walking trail where you can see many of these medicinal plants and enjoy close contact with jungle birds and small animals. Also while you are here you can take a treatment with Don Cándido for any illness using nature’s own botanical healing system. You can also learn about traditional foods, massage, history and science.
Half day $55.00 More Info Book It

Bocas del Toro, Panama One Day Tour
A day trip to the Bocas del Toro islands including dolphin watching, snorkelling and a visit to the Red Frog Beach.

If you don’t have enough time for a multi-day trip to explore these islands but still don’t want to miss out on this tropical paradise this one day tour will hit the highlights and keep you busy with activities as well.
Full day Rates from $110.00 USD More Info Book It

Looking for something else?

Please see our tours overview page for all the categories of tours offered.

Can’t find what you’re looking for? Have Questions? Contact us!

Our onsite travel and tour company partner Gecko Trail Adventures can arrange all sorts of local activities in the area beyond those listed here or make special arrangements and tours for groups, etc.

They also can help you arrange the rest of your trip around Costa Rica by arranging transportation, hotels and activities throughout Costa Rica.

So send them an email or give them a call. They’re happy to put together a package of activities that suits your needs or answer any questions you have about any of this.

You can contact Gecko Trail Adventures at: