Costa Rica

Osa Wildlife Sanctuary

Osa Wildlife Sanctuary (Fundacion Santuario Silvestre de Osa), located on the Osa Peninsula in Costa Rica, is a local enterprise wholly committed to providing wildlife rescue and rehabilitation for orphaned, injured, and displaced animals indigenous to the southern zone of Costa Rica.

Working with the local community, local businesses, and government, the Osa Wildlife Sanctuary provides the best care possible for the animals in their care while striving to be an active and valuable member of their local community.

Meet the may animal residents at the sanctuary while learning about their care and assisting the local staff in developing enrichment activities for the residents.

Whale and Dolphin Watching

Drake Bay is a privileged place for marine wealth, including whales and dolphins. (whale watching is seasonal). This tour offers you the opportunity to observe these marine mammals with a better perspective, during the migration of humpback whales, it becomes a very common tour for people that visit us as it is a unique experience. Humpback whales migrate from both hemispheres during the winter, fleeing from the low temperatures to the warm waters of the Osa Peninsula to reproduce.

Corcovado National Park Hike

Explore one of Costa Rica's premiere national parks via hiking along a selection of beautiful trails throughout the park. Led by your personal naturalist, biologist guide; seek out Costa Rica's hidden gems while learning about the many flora and fauna that makes Costa Rica one of the most prolific biodiversity hotspots on earth!

Bioluminescent Kayaking

This is guided evening/night tour into one of the most amazing natural phenomena of the world!

Launching before sunset, we paddle along Puntarenitas beach to view the sunset and usually a few wild bottle nose and spinner dolphins.

Once it is dark enough, watch how every stroke of your paddle leaves behind a glowing swirl of light or swim in glowing warm water from the beach. This adventure can only be described as magical.

Bioluminescence is "life emitting light" is a common occurrence in this region; however, finding an area with high concentrations on a regular basis is something not to be missed.

On land we see bioluminescence in fireflies, glowworms and occasionally glowing fungi. However, in the ocean bioluminescence is much more common but extremely rare to be seen in high concentrations. Tiny microorganisms are responsible for the display.

The bioluminescence is best seen when there is less ambient light from the environment, is best on moonless nights, however this does not mean you cannot see this effect during a full moon. The optimum days for viewing are based not only on the phases of the moon but also the actual rise time of the moon and rain.

No experience necessary, our adventures are for everyone. Our trips are designed to cater to all levels of experience and abilities. Life jackets, paddles, kayaks and a knowledgeable guide are provided.

Golfito Bay Mangroves & Kayaking

Welcome to our guided tour through the Preciosa Platanares Wild Life Refuge, the mangrove is both relaxing and amazing.

The mangroves are small forest with plants and animals adapted to live immerged in brackish water, influenced by the tides, hosting lots of life, this wonderful forest will be explore in the tour.

The trip is guided by an experienced local guide who will briefly interrupt the peace and wild silence with explanations of the interrelationships that exist here between plants and animals at different levels.

The mangrove kayak tour leaves one or two hours before high tide (there is a tour schedule for you to check). This trip explores the mangrove estuaries in Platanares River delta in the the Preciosa Platanares Wild Life Refuge. Your knowledgeable guide will lead you up and down a river under the canopy of 70-foot tall mangrove trees. Learn about the mangroves and look for all types of wildlife -- monkeys, raccoons, iguanas, Jesus Christ lizards, crabs, crocodiles, caimans, snakes, all types of birds, butterflies!

The trip takes 3 hours, and we supply, snacks (tropical seasonal fruits), Kayak with back rest for comfort and dual blade paddle, life jacket , instructions before the trip and a knowledgeable guide. dry bags (for all your gear, even cameras and video gear. No previous experience required.

Night Tour

This 3-hour tour starts at 6 p.m. on a farm in the vicinity of Drake Bay and is the best tour to see amphibians and reptiles and other creatures that are only observed at night. In addition to the wonderful experience of walking at night in the forest, some of the encounters can be red-eyed tree frogs, snakes, poisonous frogs, glass frogs and a lot of insects.

La Tarde Private Reserve

ECOTURÍSTICO LA TARDE is a remote, off-grid Eco-lodge, surrounded by a private reserve of primary rain forest, on Costa Rica's Osa Peninsula. La Tarde is located only five kilometers from the Corcovada National Park's Los Patos Ranger Station; making it the ideal base for exclusive treks into what National Geographic Magazine has called, "one of the most biologically intense places on earth." Dedicated to conservation and sustainability, La Tarde is offers unpresidented access to virgin forest for wildlife photographers, adventure seekers and nature-lovers alike to discover the heart of Costa Rica. Have the opportunity to see some of the Peninsula's rarest inhabitants, including jaguar, puma, birds, reptiles, amphibians, and all four of Costa Rica's monkey species.

Waterfall Hike

If you prefer a relaxed day this is the recommended tour. With only two hours of walking or 25 minutes by car you can reach the waterfalls of the Agujitas river where you can immerse yourself in the refreshing waters and spend a day of relaxation surrounded by nature.

Rio Claro - Beaches, Hike, & Snorkeling

The perfect tour to relax on the best beach in Drake Bay. These off the beaten path beaches offer a combination of snorkeling and hiking to the stunning Rio Claro river.

Chocolate Tour

Visit a local farm to experience the marvelous manufacturing process of Cocoa.

Visit an area of a “traditional cacao plantation”, an untouched and mystical area, where we can have first impressions of the “cacao forest”, the flowers, and fruit. The history and culture of this tropical crop is highly interesting, reaching back to the Mayas. You will get information about the origin of the cacao tree, the history, the first contact with Europeans, and the principal disease called “Monilia”.

On the way to the organic cacao plantation we will pass a “biological corridor” where your guide can teach you about its purpose and its benefit to the animals living near the farm, like monkeys, coatis, sloths, and many more. These corridors allow them to linger and move from one farm to another safely and without interference. We will also pass the secondary forest with its pioneer plants and its typical flora and fauna.

After learning about the history of the cacao plantations and their impact on local fauna we will learn about the various steps of making good chocolate. First visiting the fermentation area, then passing the drying area, and later observing the transformation of a roasted cacao-bean into pure chocolate. Last but not least we'll enjoy a tasting of the wonderful, local chocolate via fondue with fresh fruit and homemade banana bread.

Horseback Riding

Our Horseback Riding tour, rather than just a horseback ride, is an ecological tour where you can see a lot of wildlife through the local areas of Drake Bay. The group rides through rivers, forests or pristine beaches. The tour always end in a beautiful beach or in a waterfall where you can take a refreshing swim.

Drake Bay Safari

Easy, different and anyone can do it! The tour is done in 4×4 in the surroundings of Drake Bay, passing through beautiful views, and enjoying a huge amount of wildlife that is found during the way at the end of the crossing you can observe the sunset from strategic points.

San Josecito Beach Sunset

By boat we take you to experience a sunset at one of the most beautiful beaches in Drake Bay. The sunset from San Josecito beach is considered among the 10 best in the world.

Other Mammals: Jaguar & other cats, Tapir, Porcupine, Silky Anteater, Grey Fox, Olingo, Paca, Grison
Reptiles: Caiman, Fleishman's Glass Frogs (see-through), Leatherback Turtles, Green Turtles, Hercules Beetles
Birds: Ornate Hawk-Eagle, Harpy Eagle, Great Green Macaw, King Vulture, White Hawk, Great Potoo, Scissor-Tailed Flycatcher, Royal Flycatcher, and many more

Wild Planet's wildlife eco-tours are designed for nature lovers and wildlife enthusiasts. Our "Ultimate Wildlife" eco-adventures are specially designed for maximum wildlife viewing. We take care to seek out wildlife that is rare, off the beaten path, and in greater numbers than you will see on conventional tours. Our expert naturalist guides will educate you in the field so your experience is intimate and unparalleled. Still, wildlife viewing can unpredictable and requires patience and sensory awareness. A partial list of some of the animals you are likely to see is below.

Primates: Howler Monkeys, White-Faced Capuchin Monkeys
Other Mammals: Three-Toed Sloth, Two-Toed Sloth, Coatimundi, Bats
Reptiles & Insects: Crocodiles, Caiman, Blue Morpho Butterflies, Basilisk (Jesus Christ Lizards), Poison Arrow Frogs
Birds: 600 species including Parrots, Trogons, Mot-Mots, Tanagers, Montezuma's Oropendolas, Hawks, Squirrel Cuckoos, Owls, Herons, Kingfishers, 60 species of Hummingbirds and much more.

Primates: Squirrel Monkeys
Other Mammals: Tamandua (Anteater), Kinkajou, Agouti, Dolphins, Tayra, Peccaries (collared & white-liped)
Reptiles, Amphibians & Insects: Red-Eyed Tree Frogs, Walking Sticks, Eyelash Pitviper, Fer-de-lance, Leaf-Cutter Ants
Birds: Resplendent Quetzals, Scarlet Macaws, Lovely Cotingas, Scarlet-thighed Dacnis, Green Honeycreepers, Roseate Spoonbill, Woodstorks, Crested Caracara, Purple Gallinule, Northern Jacanas, Great Curassow