Osa Expeditions^Featured

Corcovado National Park Hiking Tour: Referred to by National Geographic as “one of the most biologically intense places on earth,” the renowned Corcovado National Park is situated just forty minutes from the mouth of the Rio Sierpe. The wildlife refuge covers one-third of the Osa Peninsula and contains some of the only primary jungle of Costa Rica, one of the reasons the entire park is protected specifically for scientific research. It is home to over 350 known species of birds, countless reptiles, rodents, and amphibians, the four species of monkey, and is the only place in Costa Rica where you can find the five species of wild cats, including the Jaguar. Other animal sightings in include Sloth, Peccaries, and a diverse range of insects, and plants. A long-time guide specialized in jungle plant and animal life will lead your tour. The Corcovado day tours are divided into two jungle hikes with an included relaxing lunch on the beach or at the Ranger Station. These posts offer shaded resting areas, public bathrooms, a cool freshwater outdoor shower, and storage rooms.

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Tour to Caño Island (Diving and Snorkeling): After experiencing up to two dives on our eight-hour tour, any scuba lover is guaranteed to surpass his or her conception of the underwater world. The warm clear water surrounding Caño Island is considered one of the best diving spots in Costa Rica and the world. Skin Diver Magazine contributes to Caño Island “the best diving of all the costal Pacific.” Shelter provided by the underwater rock formations is the base of a colourful tropical ecosystem that offers an extraordinary variety of sea life, including Reef Sharks, Porpoises, Sea Turtles, Crustaceans, Eels, Octopus, Large Pelagic, and four types of Rays. Barracuda, Trumpet Fish, Grunts, Groupers, Snappers, Amberjack, Tuna, Guitarfish, Puffers, Surgeonfish, Moorish Idols, Angles, Butterfly, Damsels, Parrotfish, Roosterfish, and Horse-Eye Jack create a panorama for you that extends as far as the eye can see, with up to 100 ft visibility in our waters. Your certified Dive Master Guide, who also specializes in marine biodiversity, will lead you amongst these species and many more. The trip is broken into two dives with a picnic in between on the pristine beach of Caño Island. The tour is for anybody with at least the minimum scuba diving licence, Open Water, and includes a full set of name-brand scuba equipment, refreshments, and lunch.

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Mangrove and Beach Tour (Terraba-Sierpe): Weave through the labyrinth of canals in the middle of the protected Pacific Central America's largest Mangrove forest. The branches above create a canopy over the narrow waterways that provide the only access to the soaring trees. The sprouting roots reach down into the water and curve under the boat as if to bring you closer to the heart of the tree. Traveling through this private tunnel in the comfort of the seat of your boat, your guide specialized in animal and plant life will identify the birds you encounter of the nearly 360 species of birds found in the forest, including the mangrove hummingbird that is found nowhere else in the world! The canals are also home to an abundance of Caimans, Crocodiles, Boas, Iguanas, Turtles, Raccoons, Crabs, and Tree Frogs. In the tree tops, look for sloth and monkeys including the Howlers, White Faced Capuchins, and Squirrels. Approaching noon, your captain will head to the secluded beach of Playa Blanca. This is where lunch is served and you may pass the rest of the day relaxing in the sun or bathing in the water during this day-long tour.

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Whale and Dolphin Encounters Tour: Watch the whales play and swim with dolphins all year round! This day-long tour takes place some fifteen miles beyond Caño Island, where the water is warm and crystal clear blue and the dolphins and whales ecstatic. Dolphin species found in the area are Spinner, Bottlenose, Common, Rough Tooth and Spotted Dolphins, and whales include Humpback, Pilot, Orca, Sei, Bryde's and Pseudo Orca Whales. Groups of dolphins, sometimes approaching up to 500 members, are almost always found in these waters. In such case, your experienced boat captain and marine guide, both experts with dolphin and whales, will work together to maneuver the boat into the middle of the school. Surrounded by dolphins, you may observe from the boat or even swim with the friendly animals, using snorkeling equipment to watch them play as far as 20 meters under your feet! These lively creatures frequently jump into the air and ride the waves at the bow of the boat, showing off their graceful bodies just feet from your eyes. A picnic lunch will be served on the boat around noon, perhaps with a view of migrating humpback whales jumping in the background. When all are ready, your captain will quietly pursue whales sited to bring you so close that you feel as if you are riding on their backs. As the whales surface, they expel an incredible amount of vapor, creating an intense boom that you can feel vibrating inside of your body. Certain times of the year, the whales travel with their calves creating a most precious sight. The tour includes snorkeling equipment, refreshments, and lunch.

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San Josecito and Rio Claro Beach Tour: In a word: bliss. This beautiful secluded cove is the perfect beach that comes to mind when you imagine tropical paradise. Palm trees shade the pure sand at the water's edge. Crystal clear chest-deep water blankets the soft ocean floor. A coral arch encloses and protects the bay from incoming waves. San Josecito is just than half an hour from the mouth of the Rio Sierpe. Pass the morning gently swaying in a hammock under the shade of the palms. Perhaps you wish to snorkel before lunch; your guide can take you, or you may go on your own. Have a picnic on one of the tables out of the sun while looking for whales playing on the horizon. Take a dip in the temperate bay, and later you may go for a walk on any of the trails of the area. Maybe you would like to visit the cool Rio Claro, which gets its name from the incredibly transparent quality of its gently flowing waters. Take a refreshing swim or canoe trip up the river to its waterfall. Available for your use in San Josecito are shaded resting areas, public bathrooms, a cool freshwater outdoor shower, and storage rooms. The day tour
includes snorkeling equipment and lunch.

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Sport Fishing (Ocean & River): Costa Rica is internationally known for its thrilling and challenging deep sea fishing, and the area around the Osa Peninsula is nationally known as one of the best spots of the country. Over forty I.G.F.A. sport fishing world records have been earned within an eighty-five mile radius of the mouth of the Rio Sierpe. The half or full day adventure is led by a local captain and at least one mate, both experienced anglers with a thorough knowledge of the local waters, and most importantly, exclusive fishing spots. Common ocean catches include: Yellow Fin Tuna, Wahoo, Dolphin Fish, Spanish and Sierra Mackerel, Sailfish, Cubera Snapper, Roosterfish, and Black, Blue, and Striped Marlin, to name a few. If you are more interested in fishing along the extensive and sufficiently wide Rio Sierpe, you are likely to find: Red Snapper, Snoop, Roosterfish, Grouper, Jack, and many more. Any legal catches may be saved or released, depending on your preference. The tour includes all professional sport fishing equipment, refreshments, and lunch.

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Kayaking on Sierpe River: Begin your tour up river in Finca 12 amidst the indigenous esferas remains, only found in Osa, Costa Rica. The ancient use and significance of these large perfectly spherical stones remain mysteries to archeologists still to this day. After observing the different artifacts, your local guide will lead you kayaking on a discovery of the treasures of the tranquil Rio Sierpe. So physically close to the water in your kayak, you literally become a part of this flourishing ecosystem. Caimans and crocodiles glide into the river, eye to eye with you as you drift along. Try and catch a Jesus Christ Lizard on film, running effortlessly across the water. Geckos, Frogs, Crabs, River Snakes, Egrets, Hawks, Parrots, Kingfishers, Woodpeckers, Sloth, and Monkeys including Howlers, White Faced Capuchins, and Squirrels frequently show their faces. Paddle calmly along the bank under the constant shade of the dense canopy overhead or let go on the mid-river current. The choice is yours! The tour lasts about three hours and includes all kayaking equipment, snacks, and water. We also have kayaks available for rent if you would like to paddle on your own.

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Poison Dart Frog and Bird Exploration at Sierpe´s Waterfall: The lush tropical environment of the Osa Peninsula provides an incredibly fertile breeding ground for innumerable species of birdlife and different types of poison dart frogs. This is a two-hour tour that you may take at any time of the day you wish, although best bird watching occurs in the morning hours. It all begins crossing the Rio Sierpe with your knowledgeable local guide who specializes in bird observation, frog location, and plant identification. The one-hour walk into the forest is an ideal place to spot birds such as Hummingbirds, Scarlet Macaws, Parrots, Toucans, Flycatchers, Egrets, Trogons, Hawks, Vultures, Robins, Flycatchers, and Woodpeckers. It is not uncommon to encounter other animal life like monkeys and coatis while on your journey. Once into the core of the local jungle, your guide will begin pointing out the different poison dart frogs. The last stop is a small waterfall where you may bathe if you wish. Make your way back to the boat, and cross the river to return to Sierpe. This tour includes snacks and refreshments. We recommend that you bring binoculars if you are able.

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Crocodile Night Tour : Unveil these wild creatures in their night habitat along the Rio Sierpe. This boat tour departs from the docks just after nightfall and lasts for two hours. Your captain will quietly maneuver the boat along the riverbank, while your experienced guide spots lurking crocodiles out for a night catch. The guide then uses a light bright enough to illuminate the animals but not so bright as to scare them into submerging, giving you a picture perfect image. Not plagued by the hot day sun, this is by far the most certain way to make a decent number of crocodile sightings.

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Horseback Riding Tour: Take the short canoe trip to the opposite bank from town of the Rio Sierpe. There your horse will be waiting for you and off you go! Your naturalist and experienced riding guide will lead you back into the mountains on a small trail. On the trip you are bound to encounter a wide range of wildlife from monkeys and sloth, to birds, snakes, and frogs, to rare plants and trees, all of which your guide will identify for you. After about an hour and a half, the remote Sierpe Waterfall will reveal its natural beauty to you. Dismount and take a swim under the falls, recessing into the serene cove created by the rock of the falls and the water falling over the entrance. There is plenty of time to snap some photos and have a snack and refreshments before making your way back to Sierpe.

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Bird Watching Tour

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