01/11/2012
Mangrove Paddle $40/person
We are exploring the mangrove looking for all types of wildlife (monkeys, raccoons, river otters, iguanas, Jesus Christ lizards, crabs, crocodiles, caimans, snakes, all types of birds, butterflies, and much more). The mangroves are a very amazing area to explore with their incredible root systems that grow above the water and spread out as if by walking. Find yourself in the shade of 80 foot mangrove trees that are a host to so much bio-diversity. The mangrove is an important area because it acts as a filter for reefs, and it is where the land meets the ocean (making it home or the seasonal home of so many crabs, birds, lizards and all types of animals and insects). This is a very easy paddle because we are going up river with the tide and then turning around to paddle back down with the tide. We stop and traverse over to the Gulf of Dulce to go enjoy the nicest swimming beach on the Osa Peninsula (miles of deserted beach, no rocks, and a thatched roof to get out of the sun and to enjoy snacks under). We have snacks (seasonal fruits, cookies, and peanuts) before a little more swimming or beach combing. After the beach, we return down river for the last leg of our adventure. The trip takes 3-4 hours, and we supply dry bags (for all your gear, even cameras and video gear), water bottles, snacks, kayak and paddle, life jacket, and a knowledgeable guide.
Snorkeling by Kayak $50/person
3 Hours. We leave 2 hours before low tide (different every day). Use the boat to explore a large section of the only living reef in the gulf. You can see lots of colorful Pacific Reef fish, but it is not a world class reef (actually it is a dying reef). It is also a great time to see dolphins, rays, and turtles.
Snorkeling Tour (by car or bike) $50/person
2 1/2 - 4 hours. We explore the only living reef left in the gulf looking for pacific reef fish, rays, eels, and so much more. We can drive to our destination or for the more adventurous we will ride Mt. bikes or classic 1 speed beach cruisers.
Mangrove & Sunset Dolphin Watch Tour $45/person
This tour combines the two trips into a 5-6 hour adventure. It is only possible when the tide is in the afternoon, we have tide charts so just ask for availability
Sunset Dolphin Watch Tour $40/person
This is an easy paddle out into the gulf looking for Spotted, Spinner, and Bottlenose Dolphins. We always see a great variety of birds, and have a good chance of seeing turtles, rays, sea snakes, and for half the year a small chance of seeing whales. We stop and go swimming on the nicest beach on the Osa Peninsula, where we have snacks and look for turtle tracks on the beach.
We then paddle out, looking for Dolphins again and then sit for sunset; the 360 degree view from the water gives you a perfect place to see all the colors as the sun sets over the peninsula. We then paddle back in the photoluminescence, watch as the water comes to life with colors. Every paddle sends a ball of light into the water, watch as the fish swimming under the boats light up and look like fireworks under the water.
We stop on the beach and swim in the photoluminescence right before we finish the trip. Your guide can provide a cooler with ice if you would like wine, beer, or cold drinks for this adventure. This trip leaves every day at 3:00.
Full Day Snorkeling & Coastal Exploration $70/person
This trip is a full day of paddling and the best possible way to explore the magical coastline of the Gulf of Dulce and its estuaries. The day starts with a taxi ride north of town where we will start our adventure by snorkeling and exploring the only large piece of living reef left in the gulf, two miles long and 1/4 mile wide. We will be snorkeling with an assortment of tropical pacific reef fish, and have the chance of seeing sea turtles, manta and stingrays, eels, starfish and so much more.
After snorkeling, we will explore the mangroves looking for monkeys, raccoons, boa constrictors, lizards, crocodiles and various other animals. This guided trip includes all gear and lunch. The trip can be early morning returning around 4 pm, or we can leave between 9 and 10 am, sit out for the sunset, and paddle in the photoluminescence after the sun sets.
Fishing by Kayak $45/person
3-4 Hours. Coastal or mangrove paddling as we troll for all kinds of fish. Hook a baitfish and then troll with it to catch something big! You can actually get pulled by a big rooster fish if you are really lucky. We use hand-lines but bring your own pole (our kayaks are rigged with fishing pole holders).
Night Paddle $40/person
We have an adventure for you night people, kayaking in the mangroves and out in the Gulf of Dulce at night. We will enjoy the photoluminescence as they light up the water. The fish darting away from the kayak light up and look like fireworks under the water. It is possible to go swimming in the photoluminescence; you almost look like a glowing angel in the water at night.
Enjoy the amazing view of the moon and the stars without the light from civilization. We can leave at 4:30 or 5:00 p.m. to enjoy all the colors of the sunset. And maybe get to see dolphins or turtles. Or for you real night owls, we can leave between 7:00 and 10:00 at night. We have headlights for everyone to see where you are going and what’s around you. We supply dry bags, flashlights, water bottles, and snacks. This adventure runs for 3 to 4 hours, but can be extended during the meteor shower
Rainforest Treks
½ Day
Matapalo $65/person
Explore and learn in the most bio-diverse tract of rain forest in Costa Rica. On a one-day hike with Escondido Trex you will see more animals than going into Corcovado National Park. We guarantee that you will see scarlet macaws and three different kinds of monkeys, although on most days we see all four types (Spider, Howler, White Faced and Squirrel Monkeys). We are hiking you through private trails that are part of the largest private reserve in Costa Rica. We consider this to be the best tour in all of Costa Rica. Beautiful waterfalls, virgin rain forest, beaches for swimming or exploring, tidal pools, the most concentrated amount of wildlife in the whole country, lunch with a simple Tico family, transportation, a birder's dream come true and a guide who tells you the history of the Osa, explains how the different ecosystems work, and medicinal and local uses of different plants and animals.
Our standard hike takes you through virgin rainforest where the animals are very active. We hike up rivers to reach beautiful waterfalls with sitting pools under them. Enjoy each pool with a natural massage from the falling water. In the rainy season we see a waterfall that is over 100 ft high, named "King Louie's". We start the hike at the top of a mountain and hike along ridge lines and down trails that are in virgin rainforest. We see giant trees and have a chance to see pizotes, sloths, anteaters, tayras, armadillos, toucans, and so much more. After exploring the primary jungle, we will walk through secondary rainforest along the nicest surf beaches here. we explore beaches and look for more wildlife. We leave at 6:00 am, and return to town at 1 pm. The taxi ride is 45 min. each way. During this trip we can show you all the lodges and small inns in Matapalo in case you decide to stay in this area.
Our guides carry binoculars for you to use, and go out of their way to make this a very educational and memorable trip. Hikes are geared to each group and their interests and their level of fitness. We have eight different hikes depending on what the group wants to see the most of. The trips can be from relaxing to adventurous. The hike comes with lunch and snacks.
