Rio Nuevo Wildlife Tours

Easy level
Estimated duration: 6 hours

This expedition will take you through rivers, ravines, and mountains where you will admire and contemplate the natural wealth of Río Nuevo Nature Reserve. Visitors are accompanied by a certified naturalist guide who will help them identify and photograph the hidden animals within the tropical rainforest. During the expedition, you will see ancient trees and plants and the forest floor and canopy will be teaming with wildlife and astonishing creatures. At the end of the expedition, you can relax in the refreshing waters of the New River and take a blue clay bath. This expedition is for all ages.

Medium level
Estimated duration: 5 hours

The night expedition consists of experiencing and enjoying the transformation the tropical forest undergoes at night and discovering many animals who could not be seen during the day. Walking through Río Nuevo Nature Reserve at night will be a unique and wonderful experience. With rubber boots and a flashlight in hand, the guide will help you search for and photograph the beautiful red-eyed tree frog (Agalychnis callidryas) and the spectacular glass frogs (Centrolenidae). You may see salamanders, poisonous snakes such as the beautiful bocaracá (Bothriechis schlegelii), the emblematic terciopelo (Bothrops asper), the Coral and other non-venomous forest dwellers such as the common bejuquilla (Imantodes cenchoa) or the colorful striped tree snake (Siphlophis compressus). You will also see nocturnal insects such as hope crickets, walking stick bugs, beetles, and praying mantises, all very well camouflaged. While walking along the river bank you may be fortunate enough to see the majestic caiman (Caiman crocodilus) and many other water dwellers.

Easy level
Estimated duration: 6 hours

Costa Rica is one of the most essential destinations in the world for birds with more than 900 species, representing 9% of all known species worldwide. The Osa Peninsula is home to some 375 species of birds, of which 18 are endemic. Visitors will be awed by the colors, sounds, and behaviors of the many amazing tropical birds.

Some of the most representative species in the area are the Scarlet Macaw (Ara macao), Fiery-billed Aracari (Pteroglossus frantzii), Red-lored Parrot (Amazona autummalis), and the Rufous-tailed Jacamar (Galbula ruficauda), Turquoise Cotinga (Cotinga ridgwayi). On the banks of the river, a large number of aquatic birds can be seen, such as the Roseate Spoonbill (Platalea ajaja), the Bald-headed Stork (Mycteria americana), the Bare-throated Tiger Heron (Tigrisoma mexicanum) and the White Ibis (Eudocimus albus).

This tour will take you to observe and compare the different birds that are found in each layer of the forest. Frequently on the forest floor, it is possible to see the Great Curassow (Crax rubra) or the ancient Little Tinamu (Crypturellus soui). Among the plants that decorate the undergrowth, it is possible to find a large number of birds in search of insects, such as the Black-Cheeked Ant-Tanager (Había atrimaxillaris) endemic to Golfo Dulce, the Bicolor Antbird (Gymnopithys bicolor olivascens), and the White-whiskered Puffbird (Malacoptila panamensis) that usually chases predatory army ants (Eciton sp).

Easy level
Estimated duration: 6 hours

The Osa Peninsula is home to approximately 8,000 to 10,000 species of insects of which 600 species are diurnal butterflies. During this expedition, your guide will help you identify and photograph beautiful and exotic species of butterflies and insects within the unique ecosystems of the rainforest. Visitors are encouraged to bring a telescope or binoculars and a camera.

Medium level
Estimated duration: 6 hours

On this expedition you will experience an ascent and descent trek through one of the great mountains of the Osa Peninsula approximately 400 meters above sea level. Several stops will be made at viewpoints of the majestic Golfo Dulce and the Pacific Ocean. Your guide will help you search for and photograph wildlife such as sloths, monkeys, king vultures, and white sparrow hawks, among other emblematic animals. And as if that were not enough, this area was inhabited by pre-Columbian civilization, so on the way, you may see archaeological remains that have survived the passage of time.