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THINGS TO DO / Costa Rica

HORSE BACK RIDING

Tocori Waterfalls / Rancho Don Gilberto

Let Don Gilberto and his family show you the real Costa Rica – on horseback! Once they pick you up the adventure in history and nature begins, starting with the Quepos Indians and leads you through the changes of Manuel Antonio today, which includes Iguana Tours. Enjoy learning about Costa Rica’s exotic plants and rare wildlife as you ride through the tropical jungle and private ecological reserve at Tocori, just minutes away from Manuel Antonio.

After a relaxing hour-long ride on horseback through the tropical rain forest – with the pace determined by your comfort level and riding ability – leave your horses on the trail as Don Gilberto or his daughter Dyala guide you through the exotic plant and animal life on a nature walk. They will let you taste, smell, touch and observe first hand the real Costa Rican jungle. After indulging your mind and spirit with expert knowledge, take a refreshing dip in pristine natural mountain waters while being splashed on by two stunning waterfalls at Tocori. And don’t forget to enjoy an unforgettable taste of local fresh fruits and a homemade special tropical drink made exclusively by Doña Eli, Don Gilberto´s wife, all while you relax and cool off next to the waterfalls.

After being refreshed, you are ready for a ride through meandering Tocori streams to the private Rancho where Doña Eli will be your hostess as she shares with you a homemade Costa Rican “casado” – a typical Costa Rican dish or terrific BBQ. Enjoy more of the tastes and flavors of Costa Rica as you sample delicious delicacies of the tropical rain forest and of our fresh, local Costa Rican produce. As Don Gilberto says, “Come and taste the flavors of our country.” Before returning to Manuel Antonio, enjoy one last relaxing experience enjoying the bounty of Costa Rica at the Rancho. Let Don Gilberto or Dayla show you their private herb and plant garden as they help educate locals and visitors alike on how to preserve the indigenous plant and herb varieties of their beautiful country. While you are there, ask how you can help preserve the tropical rain forest and educate others about the true beauty and biodiversity of Costa Rica.

After Don Gilberto and his family have hosted you at their Rancho, you will have grown in your experience and knowledge of our beautiful and unforgettable tropical country, Costa Rica. But as Don Gilberto always says, “When you come back, you will have a friend.”

Time: 8 AM – 1 PM or 1 PM – 5 PM Private Tours Available

Requirements: Make sure you are able to ride at least at an easy pace for about 1 hour. We recommend wearing comfortable clothes and possibly long pants (or bring a towel) while horseback riding, yet bring your bathing suit, bug repellant, sunscreen, camera, hat, towel, and maybe an extra change of clothes to wear after swimming and riding in the Tocori river and waterfalls.

Includes: Round trip transportation, bilingual guides and naturalists, all equipment needed, a hot lunch or dinner, snacks and refreshments.


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Beach Horse Back Riding / Rancho Don Gilberto

Let Don Gilberto and his family show you the beautiful beaches of Costa Rica – on horseback! Once they pick you up the adventure in history, beauty and nature begins, as you learn first hand about Costa Rica’s exotic plants and bio-diverse wildlife while you ride through the tropical jungle and head towards our world-class beaches – just minutes away from Manuel Antonio.

After a relaxing ride on horseback along the warm Pacific Ocean – with the pace determined by your comfort level and riding ability – stop and enjoy our country as Don Gilberto or his daughter Dyala guide you through the exotic plant and animal life on a short nature walk. They will let you taste, smell, touch and observe first hand the real Costa Rica. As Don Gilberto says, “Come and taste the flavors of our country.”

After indulging your mind and spirit with expert knowledge, take a refreshing dip in the warm ocean waters. Yet don´t forget to enjoy more of the tastes and flavors of Costa Rica as you sample delicious delicacies of the tropical rain forest and of our fresh, local Costa Rican produce. If you all are lucky you will be able to enjoy an unforgettable taste of local fresh fruits and a special homemade tropical drink made exclusively by Doña Eli, Don Gilberto´s wife, all while you relax and cool off.

After being refreshed, ride again along the meandering sandy beach framed by the tropical rain forest and mangrove eco-system, enjoy one last relaxing experience enjoying the bounty of Costa Rica before returning to Manuel Antonio.

After letting Don Gilberto and his family host you at one of the most stunning beaches in Costa Rica, you will have grown in your experience and knowledge of our beautiful and unforgettable tropical country, Costa Rica. But as Don Gilberto always says, “When you come back, you will have a friend.”

Time: Call for Times – depends on Ocean Tides Private Tours Available

Requirements: Make sure you are able to ride at least at an easy pace for about 2 hours. Wear comfortable clothes and possibly long pants (or bring a towel) while horseback riding, yet bring your bathing suit, bug repellant, sunscreen, camera, hat, towel, and maybe an extra change of clothes to wear after swimming and riding.

Includes: Round trip transportation, bilingual guides and naturalists, all equipment needed, security,

NATURAL HISTORY

Manuel Antonio National Park

What can we say about someone experiencing Costa Rica’s number one visitors’ spot for the first time with THE Manuel Antonio specialist – at Manuel Antonio National Park. It’s just like experiencing Costa Rica for the first time -- absolutely unforgettable. Take a leisurely stroll or an intense hike (it’s your choice, since it’s your tour) with a highly trained, well-educated Costa Rican naturalist guide through our exotic, bio-diverse tropical rain forest preserved in our 33 year old national treasure, Manuel Antonio National Park.

The pace of this adventure is determined by your group’s abilities and interests, and the abundance of wildlife you want to stop and observe (or learn about) – all in its natural and breathtaking habitat. Watch sloths and numerous species of monkeys travel through the tree canopy, hunt for nocturnal silky anteaters and several types of non-poisonous snakes resting in the tropical rain forest, and listen to the songs of the various birds as they glide above your group, curiously looking for adventure.

See how many different kinds of flora and fauna you can spot just in the span of a 2 ½ hour nature walk or hike. And whenever you are ready, stop and enjoy some local fresh fruits and refreshments as you pause to savor your adventure thus far. If you so desire, hike additionally through the trails and enjoy unspoiled, un-crowded, pristine beaches after your guided educational adventure ends. Learn about the history of the Quepoa Indians and Costa Rica’s past in regard to this stunningly beautiful Manuel Antonio area, and come back with ideas as to how to help preserve this priceless ecosystem and national treasure for generations to come.

Help us preserve Costa Rica’s tropical rain forests by learning about one of our most valuable national treasures, Manuel Antonio National Park. Enjoy the unforgettably unique experience, but leave changed. And leave to possibly help change this rare and delicate ecosystem for the better.

Includes National Park entrance fee Private Tours Available
Time: 7 AM – 12 PM or 12 PM – 5 PM
Ask your guide if you want to stay at the Park after the Tour

Requirements: Easy walk or hike, depending upon your abilities and self-paced tour. You might want to bring water, a camera, sunscreen, bug spray, and your binoculars while you hike in the Park, and if you so desire bring your bathing suit and towel for a relaxing afternoon at the beach after your hike and guided adventure.

Includes: Transportation, bilingual guides and certified naturalists, entrance fee, snacks and drinks. snacks and refreshments.


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Mangrove / Damas Island Boat Tour

One of our most popular tours is almost one of Iguana Tours’ most treasured secrets. If you think the Damas Island Estuary and Mangrove Boat Tour is sedentary, then let our “interactive” tropical rainforest and delicate mangrove ecosystem knock you out of your seat in your boat – literally. This adventure of Costa Rican natural history – it’s exotic flora and fauna -- is highly recommended for any naturalist, young or old, who wants to experience first hand the pulse of the mangrove ecosystem.

Let our world-class, highly trained, bilingual guides and naturalists steer you peacefully and comfortably in our high-tech, ultra-quiet estuary boats as the wildlife comes to you – sometimes right into the boat! Experience curious families of monkeys as they migrate across the mangrove ecosystem – which includes your boat – in search of food and adventure. And discover the secret ways different exotic trees of Costa Rica replenish the environment worldwide, yet sustain themselves for decades of growth.

Wind through acres of a protected, pristine Costa Rican estuary as your experienced guides educate you on the secrets – both past and present – of the mangrove eco-structure so vital to Costa Rica and the world as well. And don’t forget to point out the caimans, sloths, crocodiles, boas, white face monkeys, egrets, and so many more species of wildlife, as your boat leisurely winds its way through the mangrove channels along the gentle currents of the coastal tides. And finally, end your adventure with a relaxing yet rewarding meal in typical Costa Rican flavor at a local “hot spot” restaurant before you return to your hotel.

Don’t expect to come experience this adventure as it slowly fades away on the international landscape of extinct ecosystems. Come, learn, and experience a delicate treasure Costa Ricans are so desperately trying (and successfully) working to preserve – the mangroves. And maybe you will become a part of preserving not only a Costa Rican treasure, but a needed intricate ecosystem necessary for the world’s habitat balance as well. Enjoy, but leave changed, and leave to possibly help change this delicate ecosystem for the better.

Time: Call – Tour Times depend on the Ocean Tides and lasts about 5 hours
Private & Combination Tours Available

Requirements: Casual yet comfortable clothes and shoes for tropical weather, good for all ages, individuals, families or even large groups, and don’t forget your camera

Includes: Round trip transportation, bilingual guides and naturalists, high-tech ultra-quiet estuary boats, a terrific hot meal, security, snacks and refreshments.

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Night Mangrove Boat Tour

One of our most popular tours is almost one of Iguana Tours’ most treasured secrets. If you think the Damas Island Estuary and Mangrove Boat Tour is sedentary, then let our “interactive” tropical rainforest and delicate mangrove ecosystem knock you out of your seat in your boat – literally. This adventure of Costa Rican natural history – it’s exotic flora and fauna -- is highly recommended for any naturalist, young or old, who wants to experience first hand the pulse of the mangrove ecosystem.

Let our world-class, highly trained, bilingual guides and naturalists steer you peacefully and comfortably in our high-tech, ultra-quiet estuary boats as the wildlife comes to you – sometimes right into the boat! Experience curious families of monkeys as they migrate across the mangrove ecosystem – which includes your boat – in search of food and adventure. And discover the secret ways different exotic trees of Costa Rica replenish the environment worldwide, yet sustain themselves for decades of growth.

Wind through acres of a protected, pristine Costa Rican estuary as your experienced guides educate you on the secrets – both past and present – of the mangrove eco-structure so vital to Costa Rica and the world as well. And don’t forget to point out the caimans, sloths, crocodiles, boas, white face monkeys, egrets, and so many more species of wildlife, as your boat leisurely winds its way through the mangrove channels along the gentle currents of the coastal tides. And finally, end your adventure with a relaxing yet rewarding meal in typical Costa Rican flavor at a local “hot spot” restaurant before you return to your hotel.

Don’t expect to come experience this adventure as it slowly fades away on the international landscape of extinct ecosystems. Come, learn, and experience a delicate treasure Costa Ricans are so desperately trying (and successfully) working to preserve – the mangroves. And maybe you will become a part of preserving not only a Costa Rican treasure, but a needed intricate ecosystem necessary for the world’s habitat balance as well. Enjoy, but leave changed, and leave to possibly help change this delicate ecosystem for the better.

Time: Call – Tour Times depend on the Ocean Tides and lasts about 5 hours

Private & Combination Tours Available

Requirements: Casual yet comfortable clothes and shoes, good for all ages, individuals, families or even large groups, and don’t forget your camera

Includes: Round trip transportation, bilingual guides and naturalists, high-tech ultra-quiet estuary boats and eco-friendly night equipment, a terrific hot meal, security, snacks and refreshments.

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Carara National Park Tour

Once you’ve satiated yourself with Manuel Antonio National Park and its beaches, try something new located only about 1 hour away – Carara National Park. Although located very close to Manuel Antonio and near the Jaco area, this hiking tour and natural sanctuary adventure in a bio-diverse reserve is dramatically different in terms of wildlife and plant species than our “other” national park in Manuel Antonio. Enjoy a relaxing hike for a few hours through the tropical rain forest with our highly educated, very well educated, bilingual naturalists and guides. On your Carara experience, unlike in Manuel Antonio National Park, you will spot unforgettable giant red Macaws and extraordinary crocodiles lying below the Tárcoles River Bridge adjacent to the Carara Park.

This hiking, naturalist, full-day adventure allows visitors, families, and large groups who haven’t driven to Manuel Antonio from San Jose a chance to observe first hand the interesting, unique topography of Costa Rica’s Pacific Coast. Thus, your drive to and from Carara will be an experience itself as you wind through African Palm Oil Plantations, rice fields, cattle ranches, and local villages along the way.

If you, your family, or intimate groups have a chance, discover another Costa Rican treasure just outside Manuel Antonio’s backyard. And once again, come to discover the bio-diversity and delicate balance between preservation and eco-tourism with the Manuel Antonio specialist, yet leave with new knowledge of how you can extend the experience to others when you return home. But bottom line, come back to Costa Rica, and come back to share our home.

Time: 7 AM – 5 PM

Requirements: Good for all ages, individuals, families or even large groups, and don’t forget your camera. We recommend sturdy walking shoes, comfortable hiking clothes for the tropical rain forest, mosquito repellent, sunscreen, hat or visor, camera, and binoculars

Minimum 4 people per Tour

Includes: Round trip transportation, entrance fees, bilingual guides and naturalists, a great hot breakfast and lunch, security, snacks and refreshments.

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