Popular Tours - Southern Pacific Region

Osa De Peninsula: Drake Bay/Golfo Dulce

This region offers one of best wildlife viewing, dolphin & whale watch, scuba diving, sports fishing activities in Costa Rica. Since this region is very remote, most of the hotels offer an "All Inclusive" program to their hotel guests. For the budget travelers, there are tent camps and for the real backpackers, there are camping stations throughout the national park region. If you have allocated some time to stay in this area, we recommend at a minimum a 4D3N package. The standard 4D3N package includes: 3 nights of lodging, all meals, Corcovado National Park Tour & Caños Island Tour, roundtrip taxi/boat hotel/airport transfers, roundtrip domestic air transfers San Jose/Drake Bay.

Corcovado National Park - Corcovado National Park has been cited by National Geographic as "one of the most biologically intense places on earth". Corcovado is located 368 km from San Jose, following the Pan American Highway south, taking the detour toward Puerto Jimenez. The quickest access to this area is by domestic flight from San Jose then transfer by taxi and boat. Corcovado National Park is approximately 100,000 acres of rainforest and is 780 feet above sea level. Corcovado is made up of a unique combination of terrestrial and marine ecosystems which interact in harmony and whose origins science has yet to fully understand. The area as a whole inhabits thousands of species of flora, many only found in this area and others which have disappeared from other regions. Corcovado's diverse fauna is remarkable; many of the species of this region are in danger of extinction, despite the large numbers still found in the region. The red macaw, the wild boar (pecari), the jaguar and the crocodile confirm this fact. Just as in the case of the caracolito tree, in the future, studies could reveal the existence of other unknown species, which if it were not for the conservation of the park, would be lost forever without ever having been described.

Tour

Depending on the location of your hotel, the boat ride to the Park entrance takes approximately 20 minutes to 45 minutes. After a delicious breakfast your adventure begins. Starting out from the lodge with your naturalist guide you journey into Corcovado National Park. The cool morning hours offer a good opportunity to spot wildlife and to observe some of the incredible variety of birds that abound in the park. Along the trail your guide will have a chance to tell you some of the fascinating stories about life in the rainforest and point many things out to you. Later, coming down through the forest you will find a river and then discover an incredible waterfall. Now is your chance to cool off in one of the shaded pools of the rushing river. Afterwards, you wind your way down the river until reaching the Park Station at San Pedrillo. There under shade trees on the beach you will enjoy a sumptuous picnic with fresh fruit and ice-cold drinks. After lunch there will be time to explore the beach or to just relax before heading back to the hotel in the afternoon.

Departures: 7:30 A.M.
Duration: 7 hours
Frequency: Daily
Items to bring/wear: Small backpack, water, hiking shoes/sneakers, light clothing, bathing suit, sun block, camera, change of clothes, towel, plastic bag for wet clothes.
Includes boat transportation, guide and lunch.

Caño Island Biological Reserve - Only 10 miles or 45 minutes from Drake Bay, is a world apart from the mainland. Diquis Indians once used this island as burial grounds, however little is known about the pre-Colombian artifacts that you will come upon on the tour. The perfectly spherical stones are believed to have once marked an offshore burial ground and ceremonial site for the indigenous Diquis tribe who inhabited the Golfo Dulce area until the arrival of the Spanish. The island has a resident insect fauna that is perhaps one percent as rich as that of the mainland. Moreover, the forest on this island is a curiously impoverished version of that on the mainland. The central plateau is a nearly mono specific stand of Brosimum utile, the white latex, fruits, and seeds of which are readily edible to humans. Stone spheres and Indian graves found all over the island suggest that this was an ancient cemetery. The obviously heavy usage of the island by the aboriginal population, and the fact that Brosimum utile is never found in mono specific stands on the mainland indicate that the island may have been used as an orientation by the Indians, a plantation free of mainland herbivores and seed predators, such as agoutis, pacas and insects. Whatever the origin of the present low species diversity of flora and fauna, the island throws the richness of the peninsular plant and animal life into sharp relief.

Tour

Depending on the location of your hotel, the boat ride to the Park entrance takes approximately 45 minutes to one hour, during which time you might be lucky enough to see whales and/or dolphins frolicking in the ocean. Your tour to Caño Island includes ample time to snorkel in front of the ranger station. This will provide snorkelers with an excellent opportunity to familiarize yourself with the underwater terrain and sea life surrounding Caño Island. The island and its environs invite study from several points of view. It is Costa Rica's largest concentration of coral-building organisms along the Pacific. Schools of tangs, jacks and needlefish present an ever-changing panorama to those who venture below the surface. Boring sponges, Diadema sea urchins, sea cucumbers, many crustaceans and calcareous alga mats and balls add to the variety of life found among the Porites and Pocillopora corals of these reefs. Ongoing research by scientists of several nations is currently focused on the factors surrounding coral die-off, such as occurred in 1983-84, probably due to changes in water temperature associated with "El Niño"' the capricious current of Eastern Pacific equatorial waters. Recolonization and regrowth of the corals is being studied intensively. Marine life is abundant in the general vicinity of the island. Fishing boats take tuna, shrimp, shark, mackerel, snapper, and sardines in quantity. Manta rays are often seen breaching. Dolphins are encountered daily, and Olive Ridley sea turtles (Lepidochelys olivacea) are commonly observed swimming and even mating as they travel to and from the sandy beaches of the peninsula where they lay their eggs. The dark, volcanic rock is home to numerous species of marine life, much of which you'll see just a short swim from the beach. As well, you'll have time for a relatively short hike, which begins just behind the ranger station. After an initial climb, the trail tapers off and remains rather flat throughout the remainder of your hike. Caño Island is not know for its prolific wildlife, however, the Park does have rodents, crustaceans, amphibians, birds, lizards, and insects. As well, there are archaeological remains on the island, which can be found at the very end of one of the island's trails. Small, completely round spheres can be observed, which is believed date back to the days when the island was inhabited by Indians. As well, you'll have This tour includes lunch, which comes complete with a variety of tropical fruits and drinks, salad, sandwiches, and snacks, i.e. cookies. Lunch is prepared and served around midday, along the beach, just to the right side of the Ranger Station. There are benches and shaded areas for those who need a reprieve from the hot sun. The Park Ranger Station has an office, public bathrooms, an outdoor, freshwater shower, and storage area.

Departures: 8:00 A.M.
Duration: 7 hours
Frequency: Daily
Items to bring/wear: Small backpack, water, hiking shoes/sneakers, light clothing, bathing suit, sun block, camera, change of clothes, towel, plastic bag for wet clothes.
Includes boat transportation, guide and lunch.

Other popular tours in the region:

Scuba Diving - This is one of the best locations for diving in Costa Rica. Scuba dive and witness some of the most abundant marine life anywhere in the world. Diving on the Southern Pacific Coast of Costa Rica can be simply described as spectacular. Explores several sites around the small Island of Caño. Protected as a biological reserve by the Costa Rican Government, the water surrounding the island is extremely pristine and teeming with life. Nine miles west of the Lodge, Caño Island offers some of the most exciting diving anywhere in the world. A wide variety of marine life can be discovered beneath the island waters. Perhaps the most memorable encounters occur with the pelages that inhabit the area. Porpoises, schools of rays and white tip reef sharks can be seen on many dives. On almost every dive, large schools of fish swimming around and overhead can be breathtaking. Sometimes the numbers are so great that sunlight can actually be blocked by these large schools of fish, creating an underwater eclipse. Although not as common, the elusive whale shark and the shy hammerhead are often spotted in the area. Water visibility is good and can range from 45-90 feet. Temperatures hover in the upper seventies to low eighties throughout the year and provide for an exquisite diving experience.

Dive Sights

El Bajo Del Diablo (The Depth of the Devil): The best site by far in the area and one of the best in the entire country with a huge area with many sub sites. Towering rock pinnacles rise from over 150ft to just under 20 ft. the best visibility, overall fish life and the best place to encounter Giant Mantas. Explore the incredible maze of peaks and valleys. Groupers, snappers and amberjack reaching 70lb, swim along side great schools of tuna, barracuda, reef sharks and a large number of different tropical fishes. More than 4 species of eels can be found as well.

Cueva Del Tiburon (Shark Cave): A small cave that is home to you guessed it, sharks! Other inhabitants include angels, butterfly, damsels, parrotfish, moorish idols, puffers, surgeonfish, and occasional mantas and stingrays.

A very exciting dive. Los Arcos (The Arches): Unique rock formations formed in the shape of arches. Swim through these towering underwater arches and see fish life similar to the Shark Cave due to its close proximity. El Barco (The Wreck): No wreck here, only a variety of rock formations with the areas most plentiful hard corals. Fish life profuse and a great dive to encounter white tip reef sharks, stingrays, and an occasional sea turtle.

Paraiso (Paradise): Prolific fish life. An Excellent site to view white tip reef sharks. Large schools of big groupers, snappers, tuna, and rooter fish can be found here as well as a number of smaller species mentioned earlier.

Marine Life

Humpback Whales, Dolphins, Reef Sharks, Giant Manta Rays, Mobula Rays, Sting Rays, Sea Turtles, Groupers, Snappers, Angels, Moorish Idols, Trumpet fish, various types of Eels, Crustaceans, huge schools of Barracuda, Jacks, Grunts, and much more. Coral Formations: Soft and hard coral formations are common but not as colorful or abundant as the Caribbean.

Temperature Range

High 80's to low 70's at varying depths.

Visibility

Excellent!! Varies from site to site but is usually no lower than 40ft and ranges to 100ft plus making it the best in mainland Costa Rica. Averages 60ft plus.

Dolphin & Whale Encounters - Costa Rica enjoys one of the most biologically diverse oceanic ecosystems in the world. This is mainly due to the fact that most of Costa Rica lies in the heart of a vast natural habitat known as the Costa Rican Thermal Convection Dome which remains constant and occurs this way in no other part of the world. Incredible numbers and kinds of marine life, including whales, manta rays, sea turtles, whale sharks and other varieties of sharks all congregate here to take advantage of such consistently rich waters. The most common sighting on the excursion is the Pan Tropical Spotted Dolphin. There are smaller groups close to shore and an incredible pod offshore, which sometimes number over 1000. Bottlenose Dolphins are also commonly seen and will certainly make you smile as they love to ride the bow of the boat and jump into the air. The Rough Tooth Dolphins are a favorite as they look different that other dolphins, almost reptilian. You can also encounter the incredible Costa Rican Spinner Dolphin and Common Dolphins. At any time you can encounter whales. Orcas have been encountered both right by the shore and many miles offshore.

Sport Fishing - Whether you are in the Golfo Dulce or the Drake Bay area, the fishing is ample. From Golfo Dulce to the Pacific Ocean, there will a lot of action for sailfish, black, blue, and striped marlin, yellowfin tuna, wahoo, cubera snapper, Spanish, sierra mackeral and roosterfish. Consistent annual water temperatures between 80 and 83 degrees insure that inshore fishing along the coastline and flats boat fishing the estuaries is good all year. Offshore fishing is available all year, with the months of December through May being best. Try the Inshore fishing for roosterfish in the teaming waters of Caño Island where grouper and giant cubera snapper can be found.Yellow-fin tuna, wahoo, dorado, and spanish mackerel are also commonly caught.