What is there to do in Golfito?
Here is a list of just a few of the activities you can enjoy.
Avellan Trails & Waterfalls (Senderos Y Cataratas Avellan)
Tour Type: Nature Interpretation
Duration: Half Day
Pickup time: 7:30am
Difficulty: Easy
Activities: Swimming, Bird watching, Camera / Binoculars
Tour Description:
This family owned and operated ranch is surrounded by the Piedras Blancas National Park and the Golfito Wildlife Refuge, perfect combination for a great excursion in the jungle. Always welcoming to their guests are three generations of the Avellan family all dedicated to the preservation of nature; although the family are not accredited naturalists they are very knowledgeable about both the flora and the fauna. Through trails build for easy access, the owner will accompany us on a loop hike that takes 2 ½ hours through the rainforest ending at a crystalline waterfall where you are welcome to refresh yourself in the deep pool below the waterfall. This tour includes entry fees, transportation to and from the hotel and a Traditional Costa Rican lunch prepared by the family.
What to bring: Shoes you can get wet, Swimming suit, Towel, Bug repellent, Sun screen.
Esquinas Lodge
Tour Type: Nature Interpretation / Adventure
Duration: Half Day
Difficulty: Intermediate to Advance
Pickup time: 7:30am
Activities: Hiking, Bird watching, Lunch, Swimming, Camera / Binoculars
Tour Description:
The Esquinas forest is categorized as a “lowland tropical wet forest“ and contains over 140 species of trees per hectare (more than Corcovado National Park!) and around 2.500 species of plants. On trails ranging from moderate to more challenging, you will be lead by you guide through secondary forest with a wide array of heliconias, ferns, and other light-sensitive plants. And through primary forest with walking palms, buttress roots, giant trees with epiphytic orchids and bromeliads, passion flowers, and endless lianas. You will have the chance to see endemic wildlife such as black cheek an-tanager and Golfo Dulce dart frog colorful birds, bizarre insects, agouti-pacas, peccaries, or coatis. Your hike will bring you to the waterfall where you have time to take a moment and refresh yourself in the clear waters. Once back at the facilities of the Esquinas Lodge we will enjoy lunch and perhaps have an opportunity to swim in the pool before leaving. This Trip includes transportation to and from the hotel and an energizing lunch.
What to bring: Swimming suit, Towel, Bug repellent, Sun screen, Hat, Hiking boots with adequate ankle support, Long pants, Camera / Binoculars
Mangroves of Coto River (Manglares de Rio Coto)
Tour Type: Nature Interpretation / Birding
Duration: Half Day
Difficulty: Easy
Pickup time: 8:00 am
Activities: Marine Bird Watching, Wildlife
Tour Description:
This boat cruise will take you through in a two hour trip through the natural canals of mangrove trees, where you can admire a large amount of marine birds, caimans, monkeys and many more interesting creatures that inhabit this estuary. You will be amazed by the views of the ocean and forest together learning interesting facts of the area that the nature guides. This leisurely trip includes transportation and a light refreshing snack of fruits and drinks.
What to bring: Bug repellent, Sun screen, Hat, Camera / Binoculars
Gofito National Park (Parque Nacional Golfito)
Tour Type: Nature Interpretation / Birding
Duration: Half Day
Difficulty: Easy
Pickup time: 8:00am
Activities: Bird watching, Wildlife
Tour Description:
Golfito National Wildlife Refuge extends over 1,309 hectares north of the sheltered Dulce Gulf near the harbor of Golfito. The abundant rains feed innumerable waterways, which encourage the growth of very tall trees laden with epiphytes. Some species, such as the butternut tree, purple heart and plomo, are common in Golfito but are in danger of extinction in other parts of the country. This educational walk will give you the opportunity to see any of the 146 species of birds in the refuge, including macaws, parrots, brown pelicans, ibis herons and owls. Other frequently seen animals are white-faced capuchin, squirrel spider and howler monkeys, margay cats, anteaters, agouties, raccoons and various species of snakes, butterflies and bats. This trip includes transportation to and from the hotel and entry fees.
What to bring: Bug repellent, Sun screen, Hat, Long Pants, Good support shoes for walking, Water, Camera / Binoculars
A Sorpresa Horseback Riding Adventure
Tour Type: Adventure
Duration: Full Day
Difficulty: Advanced
Pickup time: 7:00 am
Activities: Horseback riding, Hiking, Swimming
Tour Description:
This adventurous tour starts at the family owned and operated La Sorpresa Lodge surrounded by the Piedras Blancas National Park and the Golfito Wildlife Refuge making this a great experience for horseback riding and nature watching. By horseback you will observe different kinds of birds and monkeys, after that you will find beautiful waterfalls where you can relax and swim in the natural pools. This trip includes transportation to and from the hotel and a traditional Costa Rican lunch.
What to bring: Bug repellent, Sun screen, Hat, Long Pants, Good shoes, Swimming suit and towel
Cacaco Beach Mountain Biking
Tour Type: Light Adventure
Duration: 2 hours
Difficulty: Easy
Pickup time: 8:00 am
Activities: Bird watching, Wildlife
Tour Description:
This leisurely tour takes us along the limits of the Golfio National Park where you will observe many bird species and other wildlife. To ensure a safe trip all equipment is provided and our own personal mechanic will be joining us. This tour begins from the hotel and includes energy snacks and a hydrating drink.
What to bring: Bug repellent, Sun screen, Comfortable clothing, Shoes appropriate for biking
Night Tour
Tour Type: Nature Interpretation
Duration: 2.5 hours
Difficulty: Easy
Pickup time: 5:30pm
Activities: Wildlife
Tour Description:
This moderate tour starts at the hotel providing the opportunity to experience the forest by night. Nocturnal wildlife to be seen includes snakes, various kinds of frogs and toads, bats, owls, spiders and maybe bigger mammals like kinkajous or an agouti. Availability of this tour depends on weather conditions. This trip includes one-way transportation back to the hotel.
What to bring: Long pants, Closed shoes with ankle support, Flash light, Light coat
GOLFO DULCE NATURE ADVENTURE (AVENTURA NATURAL EN GOLFO DULCE)
Tour Type: Wildlife / Nature Interpretation
Duration: 5 hours
Difficulty: Easy
Pickup time: 7:30 am
Activities: Dolphin and Whale Watching, Swimming, Scuba Diving, Beach Lunch, Education tour
Tour Description:
This is our most activity filled tour; from dolphin and whale watching, to scuba diving and enjoying the beach. This tour also gives you the opportunity to have an enlightening experience at the Osa Wildlife Foundation where you see Scarlet Macaws, monkeys and sloths while learning about the animals in the area and what this great foundation is doing to help. Due to the many rivers that flow into the gulf from the surrounding rainforest, the ocean is rich with minerals and provides a healthy food source for many marine animals and mammals. There is a 90% chance of observing bottlenose dolphins playing and swimming by the boat. This trip includes transportation to and from the hotel, all equipment required for scuba diving and a relaxing picnic lunch on the beach where you will have ample time to enjoy swimming in the ocean.
What to bring: Bug repellent, Sun screen, Swimming suit & towel, Shoes that can get wet, Hat, Camera /Binoculars
Manu Private Wildlife Eco-Refuge (Eco Refige De Vida Silvestre Manu)
Tour Type: Nature Interpretation / Light Adventure
Duration: Full Day
Difficulty: Easy
Pickup time: 6:30am
Activities:
Hiking
Bird Watching
Optional Horseback
Tour Description:
The 93 hectares of the Rancho Manú is family owned and operated; the Herrera family came to the area over 30 years ago and have dedicate their lives to the agriculture and have preserve the forest and lagoons within their property. There are many species of birds that can be found in this private eco-refuge making this a great place to visit for avid birders. This tour includes transportation to and from the hotel, an optional horseback ride and a Traditional Costa Rican lunch served at the Rancho.
What to bring:
Bug repellent, Sun screen, Hat, Long Pants, Good shoes, Camera / Binoculars
Piedras Blancas National Park (Parque Nacional Piedras Blancas)
Tour Type: Nature Interpretation / Adventure
Duration: Full Day
Difficulty: Advanced
Pickup time: 6:30 am
Activities:
Hiking
Bird Watching
Wildlife
Tour Description:
The ultimate rainforest adventure, the Piedras Blancas National Park protects the rainforests and beach areas inland of the Golfo Dulce near Golfito, Pacific Coast of Costa Rica. With a stunning diversity of flora and fauna, the gorgeous Piedras Blancas National Park is a significant natural reserve and wildlife refuge. This tour takes you through the heart of the park searching for wildlife and the many varieties of birds. This full day of hiking begins in Piedras and includes transportation to and from the hotel and an energizing lunch. This is a more demanding tour so good physical shape and fitness are required.
What to bring: Good supportive hiking shoes, Bug repellent, Sun screen, Hat, Long Pants, Camera / Binoculars
Kayak Tours
Tour Type: Light Nature / Light Adventure
Duration: 3 hours
Difficulty: Intermediate, Swimming skills required
Pickup time: 8:00am and 1:00pm
Activities:
Wildlife
Bird watching
Kayaking
Tour Description:
This is a nice relaxing tour starting at Cacaco Beach into Golfito Bay where you will observe the birds and wildlife of the mangroves from your kayak. The trip includes all required equipment, transportation to and from the hotel and a snack of fruit and water.
What to bring: Do not bring valuables, Light Clothing, Sun Protection, Shoes that can get wet
Palmar Sur Archaelogical Site
Tour Type: Archeology/ Historical
Duration: Full day
Difficulty: Easy
Pickup time: 7:00am
Activities:
Educational
Tour Description:
The decade of the 1940's marked the beginning of banana production in the region of the Diquis delta, in the southern countryside of Costa Rica. While clearing the forest and digging for irrigation systems, the United Fruit Company brought to light fabulous stone balls of different sizes and weights with an impressionably exact spherical shape. Even with the most recent investigations done by several archaeologists, we keep finding the same old enigmas. Who made them and when? What was their purpose? What about the tools used to build and transport them? Perhaps those tools proposed by the Archaeologists that they themselves haven't found yet?
We will explore one of these archaeological sites where you can see these historical wonders and listen to stories of their origins. This tour includes transportation to and from the hotel and a traditional Costa Rican lunch.
What to bring: Camera
El Chorro Horseback Riding
Tour Type: Nature / Light Adventure
Duration: Half Day
Difficulty: Easy
Pickup time: 7:30am
Activities:
Picnic Lunch
Horseback riding
Swimming
Tour Description:
What to bring: Bug repellent, Sun screen, Hat, Long Pants, Camera / Binoculars
Wilson Botanical Gardens
Tour Type: Nature Interpretation
Duration: Full Day
Difficulty: Easy
Pickup time: 6:00am
Activities:
Botanical
Bird watching
Tour Description:
Operated by the Organization for Tropical Studies this 80 acre of beautifully landscaped gardens, contains one of the foremost collections of tropical plants in the Western Hemisphere. This is a nice relaxing tour through the exotic gardens which attract many birds that includes transportation to and from the hotel and a traditional Costa Rica lunch at Mirador L Torre.
What to bring: Bug repellent, Sun screen, Hat, Camera / Binoculars
