2010  Land Sea Tours - Golfito, Costa Rica

Caña Blanca Wildlife Refuge    Rainforest Canopy Tour    Paradise Tropical Garden Tour    Easy Waterfall Adventure Hike    Zancudo Beach Day    Sport Fishing on the Pacific

1 - Casa Orchideas Botanical Garden (3h): We believe the best day to make your visit to this incredible private garden is Sunday, when the owners will act as your hosts and guide you through, sharing a wealth of fascinating information as you stroll along the trails. Beginning at 7:30 a.m. and finishing just about midday.

If you are fascinated with the idea of a visit to the gardens but can’t make it on a Sunday, a taxi boat can be arranged to suit your schedule. For a slightly reduced fee, the trails will be open for your self-exploration and enjoyment. This adventure should not be missed by photographers. On shore of the Golfo Dulce and located within the Piedras Blancas National Forest- there is a vivid and exotic array of colors, sights and textures!

Description: Located at the beach called “San Josecito” a surprising delight awaits you - One of the areas most popular and enjoyable tours! You can only arrive by boat across the Golfo Dulce.....so start your morning early with a tranquil cruise along Golfito's rainforest coast of the Piedras Blancas National Forest. Search for dolphins, turtles or whales in route. 30 minutes to the remote palm studded beach you will find the exotic paradise home of the McAllister Family. With 20 years invested in this botanical wonder, the Casa Orquideas farm is an awesome half day adventure for the whole family. Self taught botany enthusiasts with a true expertise in tropical species, Ron and Trudy will escort you through their magnificent gardens, spotlighting the incredible diversity.
This is not just a looking at the "flowers" tour. Touch, taste and smell the plants and fruits. When you come across the ‘Ylang-ylang’, instantly recognize the famous scent of Channel #5 and a base for numerous perfumes......There is nothing like the fresh smells of vanilla beans or ginger root. You will get a chance to taste some of the unusual exotic fruits such as star fruit, the sweet pulp around the chocolate seeds, and the pulp around the magic seed which transforms the taste of lemons from sour to sweet. You will learn about the unique and various ways tropical plants compete and reproduce. Practical and useful plants and medicinal plants ~ comic and fascinating information and folklore.

$160 for "Up to 4 Guests" (Includes Round Trip Boat Transfer) ~ Additional Guests Only $8/each

With advance notice in tour pax, we might arrange a bigger boat

2 - Caña Blanca Wildlife Refuge (3h): in this tour you'll be able to see 3 or 4 kinds of monkeys, macaws, toucans, I actually think you'll be able to see jaguars (I heard they have a couple before, not sure if they have them by now) and other kinds of animals. The animals were rescued from bad people/illegal owners among other people that were taking away their freedom. All you can take it's your camera, the rest of the stuff will stay in the boat, the place is located 45 minutes from Golfito approx.

More Information & Video About Cana Blanca Wildlife Refuge

Tours are offered twice per day, 9:00 a.m. and 11:00 a.m., but we might schedule a different hour with advance notice from you and number of pax.

$250 for “Up to 4 Guests” (Includes Round Trip Boat Transfer) Additional Guests only $25 each
With advance notice in tour pax, we might arrange a bigger boat

3- Fishing Local Style "for the table": half a day of fishing all around the gulf, between mangroves and other hot spots known by "Bolita", your captain, he will take you where the fish is (Rooster, Snapper, Mackerel, among others)

Prices:  $160 up to 4 pax - $150 up to 3 pax - $140 up to 2 pax

4- Sport Fishing: The Golfito area provides a world class sportfishing experience. The waters are perfect for off-shore and in-shore fishing. Blue Marlin, Sailfish, Yellow fin Tuna, Dorado, Wahoo and Grouper - all put up a good fight! Snapper, Roosterfish, Amber Jack, Snook and Yellow Tail are inshore favorites. You will be fishing with some of Golfito’s finest English speaking captains. Boat capacity of 1 to 3 fishermen. Tour includes local fishing license. Chartered Boats with full gear and Professional Captain. Lunch, snacks and cold beverages.  Full Days Start at $700.00

5- Canopy Zip-Line - A Rainforest Canopy Tour - Golfito Reserve (2.5h): An exhilarating way to get to know the Primary Forest - from the true perspective of a canopy dweller! See it as the sloth, monkeys and toucans do - from 100 feet up 'flying' from tree to tree! 11 platform stations wind through the exuberant forested mountains over Golfito Bay exposing expansive views over the Pacific and close up looks at the canopy habitat inside and out. Under the care of a professional trained guide you will strap on your patented security harness and hook up to the network of cables and go! Price: $75 per pax ~ Includes Transportation from our Tour Center, Please notice that in order to include the taxi in the $75, (5 pax) must sign in for the tour.

6- Avellan hike to the Waterfall & Swimming hole: This family owned and operated eco-trail tour is located on the Avellan Ranches surrounded by the Piedras Blancas National Park and the Golfito Wildlife Refuge.  Your guide will accompany you on a loop hike of about 2 ½ hours total through the peaceful rainforest - ending at a
crystalline waterfall. There are several refreshing natural pools to swim in.  The morning winds up at the family's outdoor dining area where you are treated to a "typical" full plate Costa Rican lunch prepared by the family.  They are great cooks and sure to please your palate with meats, fruits and vegetables- many of which have been grown or raised on the farm.

7- The Paradise Tropical Garden (2.5h): the Beatham Family invites you to visit their tropical garden.  The garden  was started in 2001 where African Oil Palm Trees were once planted.  The trail through the garden has wide, clean paths and plant species are well labeled.  You will see many tropical plants and flowers in the garden such as:  heliconias, bromeliads, gingers, orchids, palms, bananas, bamboos, exotic vegetables, fruits, spices and medicinal plants.  It is a short walk to where there are African oil palms growing and the workers will show you how the bunches of fruit are harvested from the tall palms.  We return from our walk to a table set up with an exposition of tropical fruits and remedies.  You will get to see and try many different tropical fruits; such as, South American zapote, bread nut, peach palm, cassava, sugar cane, cacao, etc., and will be shown many remedies made from tropical plants.  Normally we give a short talk covering a little history of the United Fruit Company in Costa Rica (from Limon to Quepos and to Golfito), why the palm oil was planted and why the company closed the banana operation in Costa Rica.

With advance notice we might arrange a mini van - up to 12 pax

8- Zancudo Beach: A fun Day Destination: A 30 minute boat ride from Golfito, this corner of paradise has a small established beach community ready to host you with cabinas, cantinas and many choices for good food in a casual and “Pura Vida” atmosphere. This detour off the typical tourist route is a good destination for anyone seeking a quick day retreat for refreshment of body and soul with a smile.

Playa Zancudo is a favorite for those who love long walks and beach exploration along the shore. Also a winner for those who are looking for a safe swimming and body surfing beach. The warm currents are typically gentle and predictable. The far, protected end of the beach is calm enough for childs play on the shore – and the waves increase in size as you work your way up the beach, eventually to areas where beginner surfers can enjoy board play. The long expansive sandy shore goes on for more than 6 kilometers….

Contacts:

• David Mora Céspedes – landseaservices@yahoo.com

• Katie Ann Duncan – landsea@racsa.co.cr

(506) 2775 1614 / (506) 2775 1300 Fax