Please install Flash and turn on Javascript. |
Eco-Tours & Activities
| All tours require a 12-24 hour notice **Weather conditions and time of year may affect tour times and Tour availability** |
| Wildlife Sanctuary This is a wonderful opportunity to witness the rehabilitation and reintroduction of our treasured injured critters. Macaws, Parakeets, Toucans, Sloth’s, White-Faced Capuchins, Mantled Howlers, and Central American Spider Monkeys are just a few of the many tropical creatures that are enjoying a second chance at this sanctuary. It is the ultimate up close and interactive animal experience for all ages. All profits of your visit are directed towards the sustenance of the sanctuary |
| Casa Orquidias Botanical Gardens Begin your day with a scenic boat ride along the “Golfo Dulce” to Casa Orquidias, known as the largest botanical garden in the southern coastal area. The beautiful privately owned manicured grounds contain one of the most diverse Orchid collections in the gulf. In addition to the many floral varieties, there are numerous organic edibles grown such as Mangoes, Chocolate, Cashews, Vanilla, Ginger and Citrus. The gardens are located on the edge of the “Piedras Blancas” National Park and this ideal location affords our guest a unique opportunity to view the various indigenous species which thrive in this paradise. |
| Los Mogos Islands Snorkeling Picnic Plan your day to cruise the gulf in search of Spotted, Tuxedo and Bottle-Nose Dolphins. At the western point of the gulf, on an uninhabited island, guest will enjoy a gourmet picnic lunch, catered by the lodge. Your afternoon will be spent relaxing on the beach and snorkeling in our warm water which is home to the many species that southern Costa Rica is notorious for. |
| Rio Coto Tidal River Tour Ever pet a Crocodile and a Caiman the same morning? Aside from those toothy critters, you’ll have a chance to see any of four varieties of monkeys, lots and lots of birds and in general enjoy a perspective of our mangrove’s that can only be experienced boat. Adventure up the river right from our dock and explore the many estuaries and channels filed with wildlife. All the excitement can be enjoyed from the comfort and safety of the lodge’s boats. |
| Rio Esquinas Tidal River Tour Cruise along the coast of the National Park to the Northwest corner of the gulf and explore the tidal access, “Rio Esquinas”. Witness the metamorphosis of the landscape as guest will experience the colorful mangroves filled with Herons, to dense jungle of Trogons and Fiery-Billed Aracari and finally to scattered cattle farms with the Tropical Rat-Snake and Bird-Eating Snake preparing to shed their skin in the river edge trees. |
| Kayak Mangrove Tour Explore the Rio Coto and its many treasured channels during a guided kayak adventure. Spectacled Caiman, American Crocodile, Basilisk, Roseate Spoon-Bills and White Ibis are just a sample of the many critters that will meet and greet you as you maneuver through the river of serene and breathtaking vistas. |
| Night Kayak Ride Feeling adventurous? Glowing eyes and crazy sounds will keep you attentive and alert on this surprise bound adventure. |
| Snorkeling the Golfo Dulce Cruise the gulf and dive in eighty degree waters over brain oral reefs, rock pinnacles and shoreline rocks. During the dive, we will encounter many colorful fish like the Butterfly, Angel, Parrot, Sergeant Majors, Big Eye Jacks, several types of Snappers and many more. In addition to the fish species, there are Moray Eels, Octopi, Manta Rays, Sting-Rays, Nursing sharks and often even a whale shark |
| Golfo Dulce Excursion From the comfort of our lodge’s private boat, travel along one of the most pristine tropical coastlines known as the Sweet Water Gulf. Situated along the coast of “Corcovado” and “Piedras Blancas” National Park, this region is comprised of a verdant rainforest, scattered Mangrove wetlands and serene virgin beaches. |
| Local Horseback Riding Raoul, a local guide who has entertained many of our clients, will come and pick up our guests by car and drive them to a location 6 miles from the Lodge. Guests will wind up on a casual ride through the morning jungle and see an incredible variety of birds, monkeys, perhaps a sloth, an ant eater and a variety of other critters. The tour winds through prime jungle and usually descends upon the Zancudo beach for that last stretch. A great outing and a great way to spend your morning. |
| Jungle Horseback Riding Cruise up the coast to “San Josesito” beach saddle up and get started on a guided tour of the “Piedras Blancas” National Park. This location has a variety of trails and offers you the ability to create your plan, of extensive jungle or a medium ride then a refreshing water fall to cool down. Once you’re back from the jungle enjoy a fresh fruit drink and even cruise the beach on horseback depending on the tide or simple enjoy the large flat landscaped area. |
| Ceibo Tree This is a quick and easy wildlife introductory trip. A short van ride and easy walk will lead you to this giant tree where you will enjoy observing multiple species of birds and monkeys which are indigenous to the southern zone of Costa Rica |
| Canopy Zip-line After a short boat ride across the golf we are greeted by a 4x4 taxi that takes us on a 15min ride into the jungle where we prepare for the ride. Once there we get a quick briefing and are on our way into the canopy. The tour consist of about 2 hours of zip-lines in between eight platforms where you will have a chance on getting pictures of the “Titi” or Squirrel monkeys swinging bellow along with any number of other critters living in the diverse canopy. |
| Surfing Trips Located in close proximity to The Zancudo Lodge, suffers of all levels of expertise will enjoy our wide range of waves. “Pavones”, located just south of the lodge is famous for its left-curl wave accompanied by a ride of almost 3 minutes long. “Matapalo”, located right across the gulf, has a nice right-curl wave which challenges all intermediate to expert surfers. |
| Rainforest Trails Having several Natural Reserves and National Parks in our area, our guest will have an opportunity to explore the second most biologically diverse region in the world. Many of these areas require a private boat ride to nearby towns or beaches. Depending on your requested physical levels, the lodge can design hikes of all levels, from a short beginners’ walk to a rigorous advance exploration of our rainforest. |
| Inland Car Excursion and Wilson Botanical Gardens By far the most popular day tour is a trip to San Vito and back. Think of it as a tour that affords a representative cross section of nearly all Costa Rica has to offer. Start at sea level, wind your way up to 4,500 feet through some of the most spectacular scenery, and see what a 21st century jungle frontier town looks like. The Wilson Botanical Garden noted for its extensive collection of palms, bromeliads, and endangered plants from Costa Rica and elsewhere and its mosaic of fragmented premontane rain forests, is a wonderful garden to walk self guided or with a paid onsite guide. |