Lapa Rios Tours

Early Birds Tour:

Share the cool early morning air with some of the over 319 bird species inhabiting the Osa Peninsula. Leave at 6AM with a ride to the main road coming from Puerto Jiménez and hike up for breakfast at around 8:15AM. For keen birders and animal lovers, this guided tour will guarantee numerous species of birds, morpho butterflies and other mammals. Binoculars highly recommended. High quality binoculars can be rented.
Level/duration: Easy, 2 hrs.

Price per person: $25

Wild Waterfalls:

Hike up and down through virgin rain forest to pristine waterfalls and splash back along the Carbonera River. A rain forest experience with adventurous hiking. Difficult, but great fun. For all hardy hikers looking for a challenge (wet walking and some climbing).

Level/duration: Medium-difficult, 3 hrs.

Price per person: $30

Local Medicine Tour:

This walk follows an old track through primary forest. It's an opportunity to view the cool, primary forest along with fascinating "local" explanations of medicinal uses of barks, leaves, saps. Our guide will teach you the traditional Indian medicines from the rain forest. Transport to trail head.

Level/duration: Medium hike with hills, 3 hours.

Price per person: $30

Starfish Walk:

A walk along the beach and tide pools in front of Lapa Rios and back through one of the rivers teaches you about the marine biology of the area. See various land crabs, starfish, sea cucumbers, etc.

2 hours. Tide dependent tour.

Level/duration: Easy, 2 hrs.

Price per person: $25

Rain Forest Ridge Walk:

Hike down the hills along cool ridges through Lapa Rios' most impressive primary forest. Your guide will introduce the flora and fauna, and highlight features of the forest's immense diversity. Huge trees and wonderful forest views.

Level/duration: Medium-difficult, 3-3 ½ hours.

Price per person: $30

The Osa Trail:

The complete rain forest experience! This tour descends through the reserve's most remote and pristine forest. The 4 km. trail features many different types of rain forest vegetation and offers you the best opportunity to see something rare. Transportation to trail, road permitting.

Level/duration: Medium-difficult, 3 ½-4 hrs.

Price per person: $35

Sunset Birds Tour:

Experience the bird activity in the afternoon. Leave at 2:45PM with a ride to the main road coming from Puerto Jiménez and hike up at around 5:00PM. For keen birders and animal lovers, this guided tour will guarantee numerous species of birds, iguanas and any of the mammals. Binoculars highly recommended. High quality binoculars can be rented.

Level/duration: Easy, 2 hrs.

Price per person: $25

Night Walk:

Departing from the lodge at 6:00 PM., experience the sights and sounds of the rain forest after dark. With flashlights and use of "eye shine" the forest's nocturnal creatures come alive after dark.

Level/duration: Medium, 1 ½-2 hrs., return for dinner.

Price per person: $25

Jungle Overnight:

Spend the night in the middle of the rainforest! Try to have an early dinner, and depart at 8:45 p.m. Do a 1-2 hour night walk, while arriving to a covered platform in the jungle. Sleep or rest in foam mattresses (we'll provide clean linens). Return at 5:30 a.m. after coffee and a snack. Arrive at the hotel by 9:00 a.m. for breakfast. Your guide will be with you at all times. See nocturnal species! More information available at reception.

Level/duration: Difficult. All night.

Price per person: $50

Corcovado National Park Tour:

Go by taxi early AM to Puerto Jiménez and fly into Sirena Station. The park is one of the areas with greater biodiversity in Central America. In a remote, exciting and isolated environment, offers a great opportunity to see larger mammals. Return by late PM. Take binoculars, hiking boots, camera, hat, insect repellent, bathing suit and a waterproof pouch. The cost includes your guide, park entrance fee, picnic lunch, snacks, water, taxi and airplane transfers.

4 people max. Cancellation fee within 72 hours (Nov.-April), or within 24 hours (May-Oct.) is $100.

Price: 4 people $990, 3 people $965, 1-2 people $940

Self-Guided Trail:

Beginning at the main lodge and looping through the prime forest into the secondary forest and lower bungalows, this trail features 18 marked points of interest that correspond with a biologist's guide book available at the reception. Easily learn about the flora of the forest in a short medium walk.

No charge

Plant a Tree in the "Volunteer Rain forest:"

Contribute to sustainable development in the Lapa Rios reforestation program by transplanting a primary rain forest seedling to an area of second growth. Participants will learn about "their tree", its role in the ecosystem and receive a certificate to commemorate their efforts. Gift certificates can be purchased on behalf of others and the trees planted in their honor.

Plan 10-20 minutes, planting is at 7AM or 4:30PM when the soil is cool.

Price per tree: $10

Ramirez Farm and Puerto Jiménez Cultural Tour:

Enjoy a typical Costa Rican breakfast in the Ramirez Agro-Turistic Farm, 2 miles west from Puerto Jimenez. Get a real sense of how local farmers work and subsist in a sustainable way. Milk a cow, work the sugar mill and enjoy a good fresh coffee. Head off to Puerto Jimenez and learn about its culture, its history, and its development. A walk around town will teach all this and at the same time allow you to do some souvenir shopping. Contribute to sustainable development by supporting the local economy.

Half day

Price per person: $35 + $40 round trip transfer

The Carbonera School:

On Tuesday and Thursday, we will be pleased to take guests to our local school for a visit with the children. Any sharing you can contribute - songs, stories, photos, reading - is highly encouraged.

Depart at 8:15AM.

No charge

Sustainability Tour:

Led by our coordinator, this highly recommended tour will take you around the lodges' premises and allow you to see and understand all the daily practices and efforts Lapa Rios does regarding sustainability, from biodegradable building materials to the bio-gas produced by our pigs.

Wednesdays.

Level/duration: Easy, 1-1 1/2 hrs.

No Charge

Soccer Matches with the locals:

Experience what soccer is all about in Costa Rica. Live the passion of soccer and participate in a game with the locals and employees. A guaranteed lifetime experience.

Tuesday or Thursday 1-1:30 hr

No Charge

Tours offered by community members though NOT a part of Lapa Rios:

Please note: Most tours require 24 hours advance notice and all guides charge a cancellation fee, sometimes as much as 100%. Length of time for all tours is approximate. Tour prices are subject to change without notice. Tours and guides are endorsed by Lapa Rios.

On occasions the guide and services may not be available.

Therapeutic Massage:

The masseuse offers massage therapy sessions to foster a greater sense of health and relaxation. In a private room which overlooks the forest and the beach.

Price: $50 for 50 min.

Hatha Yoga lesson:

meet at the private yoga deck, next to the massage room, and obtain harmony and balance for body and soul. Cushion mat provided.

Price: 1 hour, per person $20, minimum 2

Horseback Riding:

Gentle but responsive horses follow a forest road through secondary and virgin jungle and finish galloping along the beach. Arrangements must be made by mid afternoon for the next day. A highly recommended tour for horse and nature lovers.

Price: 2 hours cost per horse $30

Pesca Artesanal (local shore fishing):

Walk down to a nearby beach and enjoy a popular artisan fishing tradition with our local guide. Spend a couple of hours learning different shore fishing techniques and maybe catch your dinner.

2 hours. Tide dependent tour. Once a week.

Level/duration: Easy, 2 hrs.

Price per person: $15

Surf Lesson:

Guaranteed to stand up! A perfect right point break for beginners, with different sections to match your level of ability. The learning area is a forgiving wave that makes learning fun and the water is a wonderful 83 degrees. Whether you are 5 or 78 it is a dream wave to learn on. Lycra surfing shirts provided and professional soft top boards.

Price: $50 per person for 2 hours of fun

Sea turtle tour:

After a 20 minute car ride you will get to Piro; the turtle farm has been started and followed by the local community. Enjoy a full explanation about the different turtles that come to nest, while walking through primary forest. Once at the beach, experience the wonder of releasing the baby turtles into the ocean. Perfect for kids!

Offered only twice a week during turtle nesting season.

Price: $35 per person for 3 hrs

Sea and mangrove Kayak tour:

Go to Puerto Jimenez for a wonderful sea kayak mangrove tour in the Golfo Dulce area. Tons of marine wildlife present! No experience necessary and lots of fun.

Tide dependent tour. 3 hrs.

Price: $30 per pers + $40 round trip transfer

Tres Peces Fishing Tour:

17 ft. Boston Whaler, inshore fishing boat. Top of the line electronics and tackle. Large sun roof and live bait tank. Find Yellowfin Tuna, Giant Snappers, Roosterfish, Sailfish and Jacks just 5 minutes from the pick up area. Calm seas make this small boat perfect for catching dinner or catch and release. No need to go to Jimenez. Beach pickup is safety dependent. You must be able to swim/wade out at least 15 feet from shore to the boat. Bring snacks and water.

Minimum 3 hour tour - 2 pers. max

Price: $335.00

Cabo Matapalo Sport fishing with Captain Mike Hennessy:

Boat: "JODARI" New 2005 30 ft. CAROLINA CLASSIC

First class sport fisher. 330hp Turbo Cummins Diesels. Full electronics, refrigerator, CD/stereo, private bathroom, insulated fish boxes, complete safety equipment, large shade cover, U.S. Coast Guard license and IGFA Certified Captain. Penn spinning reels. Shimano 2 speed conventional reels. Billy Pate fly reels.

FULL DAY - Offshore or In-shore:

The waters off Lapa Rios are famous for bill fish, tuna, dorado, rooster fish and snapper. Taxi to Puerto Jimenez for a full day (8 hours) of excitement. Lunch is provided. Also enjoy frequent sightings of many species of whales and hundreds of dolphins. Fly fishing available.

Price: Jodari - $1,200.00 + transfer 1-4 pax

HALF DAY - Fish along the Golfo Dulce, Cabo Matapalo and the Pacific coast to catch world record size snappers, rooster fish, tuna, dorado, jack, sierra, etc. Light tackle and fly fishing available.

4+ hour trip.

Price: Jodari - $950.00 + transfer 1-4 pax

Rio Esquinas Boat Tour:

Taxi and then boat from Pto.Jiménez to see dolphins, flying fish, sea birds, maybe a whale! A spectacular trip, tide dependent, is to float up the Rio Esquinas and explore deep into a tree-covered river alive with shore birds, mangrove swamps and rain forest. 4-5 hours, meal included if necessary. Boat capacity is 750 lbs.

Tide dependent tour, may not be available due to tide changes.

Price: 1-4 pers. $340. (extra pax $50)

Botanical Garden:

Visit a private botanical garden begun over 25 years ago. Hundreds of different species of tropical orchids, ornamental plants and trees. Accessible only by taxi and boat ride on the Golfo Dulce.

Not available on Fridays.

Price: 1-4 pers. $190 (extra pax $35)

"Golfo Dulce" Dolphin Tour:

You will be snorkeling and exploring the gulf and its lush coastline, great opportunity to see any of the three species of dolphins (common, bottled-nosed or spotted). You will be able to listening to dolphin language through our new hydrophones; snorkel equipment available. Whales and turtles occasionally seen.

Price: 1-4 pers. $330/ 5 pers. $365/ 6 pers. $400/ 7 pers. $ 425

Caña Blanca Sanctuary & Dolphin Tour:

Cross the magestic "Golfo Dulce" by boat and visit the non-profit Wildlife Caña Blanca Foundation. Learn about the rehabilitation programs and participate with the injured and orphaned animals, most of them endangered species which eventually will be released at Piedras Blanca National Park. Followed by a relaxing swim in a quiet beach.

Price includes $20/person donation to the sanctuary.

Price: 1-4 pers. $410/ 5 pers. $465/ 6 pers. $520/ 7 pers. $565