Dominical Tours
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Protecting
approximately 54,539 hectares of humid rainforest
and 2,4000 hectares of pristine ocean, Corcovado
National Park has become an international attraction
since it was founded in 1975. It is the #3 ranked
national park in the world, mainly because 2% of the
entire world’s biodiversity can be found within the
park.
Corcovado Park is
home to almost 400 species of birds, 140 species of
mammals and 116 species of amphibians and reptiles
and 6000 species of insects. 6 natural eco-systems
have been identified in the park and it protects
endangered species such as the jaguar, puma,
crocodile, tapir, poison dart and golden frogs and
the harpy eagle. The rainforest is also home to
numerous plants and insects that are extremely
valuable for scientific and medical discovery. It is
the premier place in Costa Rica to see the diverse
wildlife that exists in the country.
We depart
early in the morning in our comfortable van from
Dominical, taking the Costanera Highway along the
Pacific Ocean for about 90 minutes to Sierpe. We
will stop there to have breakfast (not included).
We will then take a comfortable 90 minute boat
ride through the largest area of mangrove swamps in
Central America to Caño Island. The mangroves are
inhabited by crocodiles, snakes, four species of
monkeys, and a great variety of birds. Once through
the Sierpe River mouth we'll boat past two of the
most scenic areas in the country, Drake Bay and the
Marenco Biological Reserve. We will hope to see
Humpback, Pilot and Killer Whales along the way.
When we get to the park our bilingual naturalist
guide will lead you on a 3 hour walking tour of a
pristine primary forest. The hike ends at the
rangers station where we will provide a delicious
picnic lunch surrounded by rich natural atmosphere.
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Departure Time: 6:00 am
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Return Time:
6:30 pm |
What to Bring:
Comfortable clothing, strap sandals, hiking or
sneakers shoes, mosquito repellent, sunblock,
sunglasses, raincoat or poncho, binoculars, camera,
plastic bags, extra water bottle, set of extra
clothes, and a towel. And don’t forget your
prescribed medicine if you take any. |
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Caño Island
Biological Reserve is located in the Pacific Ocean
15 km. off of the Osa Peninsula. The border of the
island has white sandy beaches and a well protected
in-shore reef makes this island the best spot in
Costa Rica for scuba diving and snorkeling. Normally
there is great visibility, about 20 meters (65 ft),
providing for clear sightings of the many species
living in the island's waters: fish, turtles, manta
rays, dolphins and whales to name a few.
The island's main trail is well maintained,
leading uphill into a pristine rainforest. 50 meter
tall trees and Pre-Columbian tombs are scattered
along the trail. The island's main points of
interest are that it was used by ancient indigenous
peoples inhabiting the southern coastal area as a
burial site and many of Costa Rica's mysterious
spherical stones of varying sizes have been found on
the island.
We depart early in
the morning in our comfortable van from Dominical,
taking the Costanera Highway along the Pacific Ocean
for about 90 minutes to Sierpe. We will stop there
to have breakfast at the
Oleaje Sereno Restaurant
(not included). Please bring money for the breakfast
as it is not provided as part of the tour.
We will then take a comfortable 90 minute boat
ride through the largest area of mangrove swamps in
Central America to Caño Island. The Mangroves are
inhabited by crocodiles, snakes, four species of
monkeys, and a great variety of birds. Once through
the Sierpe River Mouth we'll boat past two of the
most scenic areas in the country, Drake Bay and the
Marenco Biological Reserve. Along the beautiful
coast we'll keep an eye out for Dolphins as well as
Humpback, Pilot and Killer Whales.
After arriving at
the island we will snorkel for an hour in the
crystal clear waters, followed by a tasty picnic
lunch. We offer several options for the second part
of the trip: 1) Hike up the trails to the
archeological cemetery where your professional guide
will tell you about the significance of the stone
spheres. 2) Another session of great snorkeling or
3) Stay on beach; as you prefer. Finally, we’ll
start heading back to Dominical, returning you to
your hotel.
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Departure Time: 6:00 am
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Return Time:
6:30 pm |
What to Bring:
Comfortable clothing, strap sandals, hiking or
sneakers shoes, mosquito repellent, sunblock,
sunglasses, raincoat or poncho, binoculars, camera,
plastic bags, extra water bottle, set of extra
clothes, and a towel. And don’t forget your
prescribed medicine if you take any. |
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The Marino Ballena
National Park was created in 1990 to preserve and
protect the 4500 ha of coral reef that surrounds
Ballena & Las Tres Hermanas Islands. This park also
protects 13 km of pristine coastline including
beautifully scenic beaches such as: Playa Ventanas,
Playa Piñuelas, Playa Ballena, Playa Hermosa and
Playa Bahia. Marino Ballena Park's most interesting
feature is a Tombolo, or land bridge, which links
the offshore reef to the mainland of Uvita Bay. This
natural bridge, formed by sedimentation, can be seen
and accessed only at low tide.
In the park there
can be found sponges, corals, mollusks, algaes,
echinoderms, crabs and other creatures which are
adapted to the strong tidal swell. Green Iguanas
abound in the park, feeding on the plentiful alga
plants. It is also an important refuge and nesting
place for numerous marine birds including the
frigate and the sea earwig. It is considered the
most median point of reproduction of the Humpback
Whale which comes to these tropical waters during
winter months.
We will launch our
kayaks at Playa Piñuelas, a short 30 minute drive
from Dominical in our comfortable van. Along the way
we may stop to watch birds, monkeys, sloths, etc.
Aside from exuberant flora and fauna you will also
see breathtaking views of the Pacific Ocean. At the
put-in, our bilingual guides will tell you all about
the park's history and teach you important safety
techniques. We do our best to make sure that you get
what you expect from the tour and will provide you
the safest equipment available.
An easy 1½ hour
paddle brings us to Ballena Island where a lunch of
fruit and cold drinks in tropical style will be
provided. We will then snorkel around the island,
observing the richest marine fauna in the area. Or,
if you prefer, you may choose to simply relax on the
island and explore the numerous caves. After an
adventurous day we’ll paddle back to Playa Piñuelas
and return you to your hotel.
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Departure Time: 7:30 am
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Return Time:
1:30 pm |
What to Bring:
Comfortable clothing, strap sandals, hiking or
sneakers shoes, mosquito repellent, sunblock,
sunglasses, raincoat or poncho, binoculars, camera,
plastic bags, extra water bottle, dry clothes to
change into, and a towel. And don’t forget your
prescribed medicine if you take any.
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Caño Island
Biological Reserve is located 15 km. off the Osa
Peninsula on the Southern Pacific coast of Coast
Rica. The border of the island has white sandy
beaches and a well protected inshore reef makes it
the best scuba diving spot in Coast Rica.
Visibility of about 20 meters (65 ft.), assures
clear sightings of the the fish, turtles, manta
rays, dolphins and whales that call Caño Island. The
great variety of marine life around the reef
include: White Tipped Reef Shark, Mantas, Bluefin
Trevally, Snappers, schools of Jacks, Rays, Eels and
a lot more...
Departing
early in the morning in our comfortable van, through
the Costanera Highway, along the Pacific Ocean for
about 1 ½ hour, up to the town of Sierpe. There,
we'll stop for 30 minutes to get Breakfast (Not
Included). After that, aboard a cozy & cover boat
that will take us for the first 45 minutes, on
Sierpe River, through the major concentration of
Mangrove Swamps of Central America, meanwhile we
maybe able to see some of the wildlife on the river
sides, later, we get to the open ocean.
When we get to the
diving spots our professional Dive Master will
briefly go over with the first dive itinerary and
some instructions to make your dive even more
enjoyable. After the first dive is done, we'll be
dropped off on the island for a delicious Picnic
Lunch, than will take you out for the last dive
always hoping that the second one will be better
that the first one. After this second part of the
tour, we'll head back to Dominical.
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Departure Time: 6:00 am
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Return Time:
6:30 pm |
What to Bring:
Comfortable clothing, strap sandals, hiking or
sneakers shoes, mosquito repellent, sunblock,
sunglasses, raincoat or poncho, binoculars, camera,
plastic bags, extra water bottle, set of extra
clothes, and a towel. And don’t forget your
prescribed medicine if you take any. |
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Did you know the 70%
of the wildlife activity is either crepuscular or
nocturnal? In other words night is the perfect time
for a wildlife touSr. And there is no better place
to see nocturnal creatures than a mangrove swamp.
The Great Terraba River is the longest river and
carries the largest volume of water in the country.
Also, the river mouth has the largest area of
mangroves in the country. In the middle section of
this river there remains the two most ancient tribes
of this area, the Terrabas and the Borucas. This
trip will expose you to some of the inhabitants of
this complex environment: Bats, Opossums, Sloths,
Owls, Snakes, Raccoons, Frogs and of course the most
fascinating one, the American Crocodile.
Normally, trips
like this are only offered during day but this night
tour will give you a entirely different perspective
on this amazing area. We invite you to enjoy and to
experience wildlife in a unique way on this
night-time adventure.
Leaving from
Dominical late in the afternoon for to the town of
Coronado, about a 45 minute drive.
We’ll board the boat and ride through the mangroves
swamps, which is part of the most important
conservation area of it’s type in Central America.
The mangroves also border the Marino Ballena
National Marine Park. We'll spend the next 2 hours
in search of the wide variety of wildlife that there
is to be seen in the area. Meanwhile, your tour
guide will enhance this interesting expedition by
teaching you all about the animals, birds, reptiles,
plants and trees in this interesting environment.
We'll even provide a tasty luch of sandwiches and
drinks before we start to get back to Dominical.
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Departure Time: 5:00 pm
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Return Time:
9:30 pm |
What to Bring:
Comfortable clothing, strap sandals, hiking or
sneakers shoes, mosquito repellent, sunblock,
sunglasses, raincoat or poncho, binoculars, camera,
plastic bags, extra water bottle, set of extra
clothes, and a towel. And don’t forget your
prescribed medicine if you take any.
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Mangrove swamps are
one of the richest natural environments in the
world. Mangrove trees are the only plant that
thrives in salt water. You'll see a great variety of
birds in the swamps including: Bare-Throated Tiger
Heron, Little Blue Heron, Brown Pelican, Royal Tern;
and mammals including White Faced Capuchin Monkey,
Three and Two-Toed Sloth, Northern & Crab Eating
Raccoons, and White Nosed Coati. Some of the
reptiles indigenous to the swamps are the Green
Iguana, Jesus Christ Lizard, Boa Constrictor snake
and 6 different species of crabs.
Departing from
Dominical, heading north for about 7 kilometers on
the Costanera Highway we will arrive at the Hatillo
Mangrove Swamps next to Guapil Beach. We may stop
along the way to view sloths, toucans or monkeys. At
the put-in spot your guide will give safety
instructions and will explain to you the grand
significance of this environment. We will then
introduce you to an easy, 3 hour paddle through the
canals discovering the beauty and the great variety
of fauna that this estuary offers. The tour's
departure time depends upon the tide. Please contact
us for exact times.
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Departure Time: Call for Time
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Return Time:
12:30 pm |
What to Bring:
Comfortable clothing, strap sandals, hiking or
sneakers shoes, mosquito repellent, sunblock,
sunglasses, raincoat or poncho, binoculars, camera,
plastic bags, extra water bottle, set of extra
clothes, and a towel. And don’t forget your
prescribed medicine if you take any. |
|
the Marino Ballena
National Park was created in 1990 to preserve and
protect the 4500 ha of coral reef that surrounds
Ballena & Las Tres Hermanas Islands. This park also
protects 13 km of pristine coastline including
beautifully scenic beaches such as: Playa Ventanas,
Playa Piñuelas, Playa Ballena, Playa Hermosa and
Playa Bahia. Marino Ballena Park's most interesting
sedimentation process has formed a Tombolo, or land
bridge, linking the offshore reef to the mainland of
Uvita Bay. This interesting formation can be seen
and accessed only at low tide.
In the park there
can be found sponges, corals, mollusks, algaes,
echinoderms, crabs and other creatures which are
adapted to the strong tidal swell. Green Iguanas
abound in the park, feeding on plentiful alga
plants. It is also an important refuge and nesting
place for numerous marine birds including the
frigate and the sea earwig. It is considered the
most median point of reproduction of the Humpback
Whale which comes to these tropical waters during
winter months.
Starting with 30
minutes drive from Dominical to the put in section
in Ventanas Beach. During this 23 kilometer road
trip, we will stop, if we get to spot some of the
wildlife such as: birds, monkeys, sloth’s etc. You
will see all this, along the most beautiful scenery
of the Pacific Ocean and the exuberant vegetation of
the coast.
At the put in section we provide
you the most professional and safe equipment a
safety speech
by a professional and bilingual tour guide. After
that, the guide will illustrate the 1 hour ease
paddling to where the caves are, with natural
history of the park, than you will witness one of
the most scenic place in the area, over 30 different
caves and 2 of them are accessible -depending on the
oceans condition- by kayak. After that we will go to
one of the most beautiful beaches of the area, Playa
Ventanas, where we will set you up on a tropical
way, with fruits and drinks. Steps away from our
fruit stop, there are 2 caves for you to explore
hiking through during the low tide, you can also
enjoy and have fun surfing the waves at this beach
on your kayak. After all this, we start to paddle
back to our take out point at Playa Piñuelas and
drive back to your hotel.
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Departure Time: 7:30 am
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Return Time:
12:30 pm |
What to Bring:
Comfortable clothing, strap sandals, hiking or
sneakers shoes, mosquito repellent, sunblock,
sunglasses, raincoat or poncho, binoculars, camera,
plastic bags, extra water bottle, set of extra
clothes, and a towel. And don’t forget your
prescribed medicine if you take any. |
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Just picture it..
experience the 2 jewels of the Southern Pacific
coast in one trip!
Snorkeling, amazing
hikes, spectacular views and great variety of
wildlife- this is what our tour of the Osa Peninsula
offers you. The complexity and logistics of reaching
this remote part of the country prevents most but a
few lucky people from experiencing what National
Geographic calls "the most biologically diverse and
intense place on Earth." We will take care of
everything so that you just come and enjoy it all.
Caño Island is by
far the best place to snorkel in Costa Rica and
Corcovado National Park is recognized as the 3rd
Best National Park in the world. National Geographic
calls Corcavado "the most biologically diverse and
intense place on Earth." Do you really need more
incentive to come see it? The Sirena Biological
Station in the park is host to over 100 species of
mammals (Including Jaguars and Tapir), 375 species
of birds, and more than 117 species of reptiles.
Many scientist come to Sirena Biological Station to
study and research. It truly is a spectacular and
amazing place. And we'll even have a good chance of
seeing dolphins and/or whales on the boat ride out.
“The ultimate
expedition”
Departing early in
the morning we'll take a 1 ½ hour drive to the town
of Sierpe where we'll stop for breakfast and then
board our comfortable boat. We will travel down the
Sierpe river, through dense mangrove swamps, and out
into the open ocean, arriving at Caño Island for a
1½ hour snorkeling session. Next, we'll have lunch
before we heading to Sirena Biological Station at
Corcavado Park on the Osa Peninsula. Once there,
we'll walk to the refuge and make ourselves at home
in our shelter, rest a bit, and than take a short
hike. We'll prepare a scrumptuous dinner and spend
the evening hours in search of some of the abundant
nocturnal wildlife including: frogs, snakes, Owls,
Tapir and possibly even the elusive Jaguar.
The following
morning, after breakfast, we'll take a long hike on
well maintained trails around the station which
offer the largest concentration of animals, birds,
incredible trees and lush vegetation in the area.
We'll return to the station for lunch and you'll
have free time to roam the area at your leisure. In
the afternoon you can either hike some more or
listen to an interesting talk by your naturalist
guide and learn more about this amazing part of the
world. Your night's activities are completely up to
you.
On the third day
we'll take a short hike after breakfast, come back
to the station and prepare for our boat trip back to
Sierpe. We'll have lunch somewhere on the way back,
either along the coast or the Sierpe river. We'll
conclude our trip by making our way back through the
mangrove swamps, full of interesting things for you
to see and learn. That afternoon we'll arrive back
in Dominical.
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Departure Time: 6:30 am
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Return Time:
5:30 pm, 3 days later
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What to Bring:
Comfortable clothing and bathing suit, strap sandals
and hiking shoes, mosquito repellent and net,
sunblock, sunglasses, raincoat or poncho,
binoculars, camera and extra film, plastic bags,
extra water bottles, 4 sets of extra clothes
including a towel, set of sheets (twin size), and
powerbars or something similar. Don't forget your
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Whales & Dolphins
have always fascinated us. Their graceful, playful,
and intelligent nature is inspiring and captivating.
There are 5 Species of Dolphins living in the waters
off the southern Pacific Coast of Costa Rica:
Spotted, Spinner, Bottlenose (Flipper), Common
Dolphin and even Orcas. 3 Species of Whales: False
Killer, Pilot & Humpback Whales can be sighted
nearly year round. The acrobatic Humpback Whale, a
mammal measuring 15-17 meters long, migrates to
these tropical and subtropical waters during our
winter season to birth their young.
Many species of
dolphins and whales are endangered and protected.
Perhaps none more so than the Humpback Whale, whose
numbers continue to decrease. Come, join us, learn
and love them even more. This tour will surely be an
unforgettable experience for you.
Departing early in
the morning in our comfortable van we'll drive down
the Costanera Highway and along the Pacific Ocean
for about 1 ½ hour to the town of Sierpe . There,
we'll stop for 30 minutes to eat a tasty breakfast
(not included). After breakfast we will board our
cozy boat and cruise for 45 minutes down the Sierpe
River through the largest Mangrove swamp in Central
America , watching the abundant wildlife along the
shores.
Once through the
Sierpe River mouth and into the Pacific Ocean we
will start our search for some of the 5 species of
Dolphins, Whales and/or possibly the Sea Turtles
that inhabit these waters. Your guide will
illustrate the trip with interesting facts about
these fascinating mammals and their Natural History.
The spectacular views of Drakes Bay , Caño Island
and Violines Island will amaze you. When you get
hungry we will prepare a delicious picnic lunch and
then get back to Dolphins and Whales watching.
Around 3:00 p.m. will start to head back to Sierpe
and to Dominical.
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Departure Time: 6:00 am
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Return Time:
4:30 pm |
What to Bring:
Comfortable clothing, strap sandals, hiking or
sneakers shoes, mosquito repellent, sunblock,
sunglasses, raincoat or poncho, binoculars, camera,
plastic bags, extra water bottle, dry clothes to
change into, and a towel. And don’t forget your
prescribed medicine if you take any.
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Visit Costa Rica with Us!
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