
5 Leaf
Sustainability

World´s Best
Hotels Award

Gold List
Awards

Top 50
Ecolodges

Sustainable Standard
Setter Award
Portfolio of Experiences
at the Osa Peninsula
All guided tours in the Lapa Rios Reserve help support the ongoing maintenance and land preservation of the rich Osa Peninsula biodiversity. Choosing to hike and learn about the rain forest interconnectedness with our several trained, experienced local guides provides both you an authentic local interpretation and also the community employees continued economic support. Both staff and guests demonstrate the Lapa Rios mission that No matter how you cut it a tree left standing is worth more. Most hikes involve a vehicle drop off ride.
Meet naturalists at the Guide Hut. Hiking boots with high top socks are recommended, and/or use the supplied rubber boots. Take a walking stick and full water bottle. Long pants, long sleeved shirt and insect repellent, optional. Guidebooks or charts and binoculars are highly recommended. Lapa Rios has a telescope and quality binoculars. Enjoy this huge Reserve exclusively protected for use by Lapa Rios guests.
Onsite Guided Tours
Many of our guests insist on reserving tours before their arrival. We always recommend to arrive first, get a feel for your new environment and then chose your tours.We have 4 to 5 onsite guides at Lapa Rios and can arrange for your tours even last minute. Our experience over the last 20 years has shown that it is best to see how you feel and how the local weather conditions are before signing up for tours way ahead of time.
Tours Offered By Community
These tours are provided by members though NOT a part of Lapa Rios. Most tours require 24 hours
advance notice and charge a cancellation fee, sometimes as much as 100%. Length of time for all
tours is approximate. Tour prices are subject to change without notice. Please note that on occasions
the guide and services may not be available.
Early Birds Tour
Share the cool early morning air with over 319 bird species inhabiting the Osa Peninsula. For keen birders and animal lovers, this guided tour guarantees numerous species of birds, morpho butterflies and other mammals. High quality binoculars included with tour.
Easy, 2 hours.
Check Out the Bird List here

Wild Waterfalls
Hike through the virgin rain forest to pristine waterfalls and splash back along the Carbonera River. A fun rainforest experience with adventurous hiking. For hardy hikers looking for a challenge (wet walking and some climbing involved).
Medium to difficult, 3 hours.
Local Medicine Tour
Follow local guides through the primary rainforest as they explain traditional medicinal uses of plants and seeds. A fascinating tour for all nature lovers interested in indigenous culture and customs of Costa Rica.
Medium hike with hills, 3 hours.
Starfish Walk
Learn about the marine biology of the Golfo Dulce, one of only four tropical fjords in the world, as you tour pristine waters and coconut-shaded beaches. An excellent opportunity to see land crabs starfish and sea cucumbers. Tide dependent tour.
Easy, 2 hours.
Rain Forest Ridge Walk
Hike down along the cool ridges of Lapa Rios’ most impressive primary and secondary forest as your guide highlights the hidden treasures of the rainforest. Filled with enormous trees and breathtaking views of the rainforest, the Ridge Walk is an unforgettable experience for all hardy hikers.
Medium to difficult. 3-3 ½ hours.
The Osa Trail
The complete rain forest experience! This tour descends through the reserve’s most remote and pristine forest and offers you the best opportunity to see rare and unusual flora and fauna. An excellent opportunity to truly immerse yourself in the wonders of the rainforest.
Medium to difficult, some hills. 3 ½-4 hours.
Matapalo Tour
Hike along nearby beaches and secondary forest as your guide points out some of the most lively and active creatures of the rainforest. A great tour for wildlife lovers who also want to explore nearby beaches.
Easy, 2 hours.
Sunset Birds Tour
Walk through an unforgettable sunset as you search for rare and exotic birds. Highly recommended for all wildlife enthusiasts. High quality binoculars available with your tour guide.
Easy, 2 hours.
Night Walk
Experience the magic of the rainforest at night! Use your flashlight, and the help of a guide, to uncover unusual nocturnal creatures and their habitats. A great opportunity to see bats, insects, kinkajous and other wonders of this hidden, nocturnal world. Don’t worry: you’ll make it back before dinner!
Medium walk, some hills. 1 ½ to 2 hours.
Jungle Overnight (temporarily unavailable)
Spend the night in the middle of the rainforest! Have an early dinner and hike to a covered platform where you will fall asleep under the bright equatorial stars to sounds of the surrounding forest. Hike back to the lodge in time for well-deserved breakfast. A once-in-a-lifetime experience you will never forget!
Difficult.
Corcovado National Park Tour
The world-famous Corcovado National Park is one of the most biologically rich places on Earth and provides an excellent opportunity to see extremely rare and beautiful wildlife. Accompanied by one of our guides, the tour includes a charter flight into Sirena Biological Station, lunch and transfers to and from Puerto Jimenez.
This is the REAL jungle. 100,000 acres Corcovado National Park has approximately 375 species of birds, 125 mammals, 50 bats, 131 reptiles and amphibians, 850 trees, 1500 plants and ferns, and more than 6000 insects, bugs and creepy crawlers. Here, you will have excellent chances of seeing tapir, fresh tracks of jaguars, ocelot, marguay and mountain lion! A real chance to see the rainforests of Costa Rica in its most pure and pristine state.
Self-Guided Trail

Beginning at the main lodge and looping through the primary and secondary forest, this trail features eighteen marked points of interest that correspond with a biologist's guide book available at the reception. A great way to experience the natural beauty of the Osa Peninsula at your own pace. View Self Guided Trail Map here.
Medium
Plant a Tree
In the "Volunteer Rain forest":
Contribute to the Lapa Rios reforestation program by transplanting a primary rain forest seedling to an area of secondary growth. Participants will learn about their tree, its role in the ecosystem and receive a certificate to commemorate their efforts. Gift certificates can be purchased on behalf of others and the trees can be planted in their honor. Planting usually takes place in the early morning or late afternoons when soil is cool.
Easy, plan 10-20 minutes to plant trees.
The Carbonera School Tour
Join us for a tour of a local primary school built and sponsored by Lapa Rios Ecolodge. An excellent opportunity to share and learn with the local community. Highly recommended for children.
Easy
Twigs, Pigs and Garbage: The Sustainability Tour
Led by our sustainability coordinator, this highly recommended tour will take you around the lodges’ premises and allow you to witness first-hand our commitment to a greener and more sustainable way of life. From biodegradable building materials to the biogas produced by our pigs, this is truly an opportunity you will not want to miss.
Easy
Massage
Enjoy fifty minutes of rainforest bliss surrounded by the sounds of the surrounding jungle and softly breaking waves. We offer four types of massage:
- Zen Shiatsu: This massage works on clearing the body’s energy lines of blockage, allowing you to reach a state of deep relaxation and self-healing.
- Ayurvedic: Based on ancient Indian Yogi wisdom, this massage focuses on relaxing muscles and allowing vital “chi” to renew and repair tired systems.
- Core Integration: This massage brings together postural alignment, movement education and awareness while restoring the body to its natural state of balance.
- Reiki: Reiki is a soft, non-intrusive healing method that allows you to awaken your healing energies and focus on inner awareness.
Hatha Yoga or Chi Kung
Hatha yoga focuses on self-knowledge, acceptance and self-empowerment. An incredible opportunity to balance the mind, body and spirit overlooking one of the most breathtaking views on property.
Chi Kung is an exercise in cultivating the Chi (the vital life force), which energizes the mind, body and spirit. Chi Kung incorporates fluid motions and postures while connecting its practitioners with the earth and its surrounding life forces.
1 hour per session
Golfo Dulce Dolphin Tour
Enjoy snorkeling and exploring the Golfo Dulce and its lush coastline. A great opportunity to see any of the three species of dolphins (common, bottled-nosed or spotted), whales and turtles. Snorkeling equipment included. For more information, please visit them here.
Caña Blanca Sanctuary & Dolphin Tour
Cross the majestic Golfo Dulce by boat and visit the non-profit Wildlife Caña Blanca Foundation. Learn about the rehabilitation programs and participate with the injured and orphaned animals, most of which are endangered species that eventually will be released at Piedras Blanca National Park.
Read the Smile of the Dolphins Story here.
Dolphin Tour and Rio Esquinas Boat Tour
Taxi and then boat from Puerto Jiménez to see dolphins, flying fish, sea birds, and maybe a seasonal whale! From the Golfo Dulce (depending on the tide), float up the Rio Esquinas and explore deep into a tree-covered river brimming with shore birds, mangrove swamps and the surrounding rain forest.
4 - 5 hours
Surf Lesson
Guaranteed to stand up! A perfect right point break for beginners, with different sections to match your level of ability and incredible 83-degree water. Whether you are 8 or 70, this is truly a dream wave to learn on. Lycra surfing shirts and professional soft-top boards provided. For more information, please visit them here.
2 hours
Sea And Mangrove Kayak Tour
Experience an incredible sea kayak mangrove tour in the Golfo Dulce area full of marine life! No experience necessary and lots of fun.
3 hours.
Tide Dependant
Kayaking Tour at Bijagual Farm
Floating in calm water you will see a different type of forest with a spectacular variety of wildlife and explore the wonderful world of mangroves at the Pejeperro Lagoon. No experience necessary and lots of fun.
2 hours
Horseback Riding at Bijagual Farm
Gentle horses first take you through this beautifully maintained farm, and then follow a forest road through secondary forest before ending up at Piro beach to finish galloping along the desolated beach. A highly recommended tour for all horse and nature lovers.
2 hours
Bijagual Farm
Enjoy a fresh, typical Costa Rican breakfast on the Bijagual Farm located 30 minutes East from Lapa Rios. Get a true sense of how local farmers work and live in a sustainable way, milk cows, and cheese preparation and enjoy a cup of incredibly fresh coffee. Additionally, explore the pastures and primary forest, where you will be able to see birds, monkeys and butterflies. An excellent introduction to the ‘pura vida’ lifestyle.
2 hours
Botanical Garden
Visit a private botanical garden started over 25 years ago filled with hundreds of different species of tropical orchids, ornamental plants and trees. Accessible only by taxi and boat ride on the Golfo Dulce.
3 hours.
Waterfall Rapelling
Enjoy four waterfalls and four hours of adventure in a truly beautiful deep forest setting. Challenge yourself and enjoy an extraordinary day. Rappelling (also known as abseiling or canyoning) takes you into the heart of the jungle through a wild river canyon at El Remanso, a 15 minute ride from Lapa Rios. Most reasonably fit people with a good sense of balance can do this tour. After rappelling the first waterfall, you follow the river to the second, then third waterfall. The best is saved for last as the fourth waterfall is a 70-foot high beauty. Bring your cameras for this one, as the photo opportunities are marvelous. Wear a swimsuit underneath, and bring a hat and sunscreen.
Time: 3 – 4 hours
Canopy Zip Line
If you prefer to tour the rain forest at high speed, the thrilling Miramar Canopy is the first zip-line canopy tour on this side of the Peninsula. Five lines stretch between five platforms, winding 600m through primary forest, enjoy the adrenaline. This activity is low-impact, easy to control your velocity and exciting for its participants. It's located about 30 minutes away from Lapa Rios, on the road back to Puerto Jimenez.
Time: 3 – 4 hours
What Our Guests
Have To Say
"He who creates a garden, works hand in hand with God" How true for you and your
team!! thank you, humbly thank you! Only through this place, we can enjoy the beauty
of our planet. We willsurelybe back!"
Julie Baker