Lapa Rios
Unforgettable adventures in one of the most biodiverse regions on the planet. From guided rainforest hikes teeming with wildlife to tranquil mangrove kayaking tours, every experience connects you to the stunning natural beauty of the Osa Peninsula. Spot scarlet macaws, playful monkeys, and elusive jaguars as you explore this untouched paradise.
Catch the perfect wave while surfing at Playa Matapalo, or dive into the crystal-clear waters of the Pacific for world-class snorkeling and scuba diving. Enjoy boat tours to marvel at dolphins and humpback whales. Whether you’re seeking thrilling exploration or peaceful moments immersed in nature, our curated tours offer something extraordinary for every adventurer.
EARLY BIRDS
Join your fellow birders and naturalist guide at the restaurant deck at 6 a.m. for a spectacular sunrise, coffee, a light snack, and a briefing about the upcoming activity.
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RAINFOREST RIDGE HIKE
The experience begins with a short drive, during which a bilingual guide will brief guests on the activity, including potential obstacles and precautions to take in the rainforest.
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OSA TRAIL
The Osa Trail experience is designed to be less of a physical challenge and more about appreciating the majestic surroundings.
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MATAPALO TOUR
Discover the Matapalo Region’s wild coastline and tropical secondary forests during this approximately two-hour light hike through the Lapa Rios private nature reserve and the nearby beaches of Matapalo, Pan Dulce, Manzanillo, and Backwash.
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WILD WATERFALLS HIKE
Discover Costa Rica’s most splendid natural treasures, its waterfalls, during this unforgettable rainforest river hike.
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SUSTAINABILITY TOUR
Witness sustainable eco-tourism in action while learning about Lapa Rios’ pioneering spirit and efforts to reduce the Lodge’s carbon footprint and incorporate local community members into the Lapa Rios team and sustainability philosophy.
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NIGHT WALK
A whole new world of wildlife wakes up when the sun goes down in the rainforest. This fascinating walk through the Lapa Rios reserve is a great opportunity to see nocturnal creatures in their natural habitats, such as tree frogs, bats, snakes, possums, insects, and even kinkajous.
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PLANT A TREE
Guests will feel they’re part of Lapa Rios’ reforestation efforts during this fun and rewarding activity for the whole family. The experience starts at the Lapa Rios tree nursery, where a staff naturalist explains rainforest regeneration and has guests choose a seedling for planting in an emerging forest area.
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LOCAL MEDICINE TOUR
Discover the rainforest’s profound medicinal and edible bounty and how the region’s first indigenous peoples, local farmers, and gold miners incorporated the forests’ gifts into their cultures and everyday lives to survive and thrive.
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CORCOVADO BY LAND
Witness the profound biodiversity of Corcovado National Park during this full-day hiking excursion to the La Leona Ranger Station on the southern tip of the Osa Peninsula. Corcovado National Park is considered the crown jewel of Costa Rica’s national park system for its massive size, complex ecosystems, multiple life zones, and vast number of plants, trees, birds, reptiles, insects, and animals living within its confines.
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CORCOVADO BY BOAT
Experiencing Corcovado National Park from the water and by land is a great way to understand the vast cornucopia of marine and land species protected within its confines. Four types of sea turtles, humpback whales, dolphins, sharks, and a dazzling array of fish species occupy its coastal waters while tens of thousands of animals, birds, reptiles, and insects inhabit its dynamic interior.
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SURFING
Learn to surf or perfect your technique with the Osa’s best locally-owned surf school. Surf excursions with Lapa Rios include transportation to the beach with the best wave conditions (varies), a two-hour lesson with a maximum of four surfers per instructor, Surf Tech soft-top longboards tailored for beginners and intermediate surfers and the return transfer to the Lodge.
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STAND-UP PADDLE BOARDING
Get a workout while taking in the Golfo Dulce’s epic scenery and marine life. Second to surfing, Stand Up Paddle Boarding is fast becoming one of the region’s most popular water sports. Boarders will be instructed on the best stance and paddling techniques from one of the Osa’s best locally-owned surf & SUP schools.
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WHALE WATCHING
Costa Rica’s Osa Peninsula is home to the longest humpback whale season in the world. These magnificent creatures spend up to eight months in the nutrient-rich waters of the gulf to breed and raise their young.
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RIO ESQUINAS DOLPHIN TOUR
Rio Esquinas originates in the pristine Piedras Blancas National Park before emptying into the Golfo Dulce, one of the world’s few tropical fjords. The gulf waters around the river mouth are teaming with dolphins, manta rays, flying fish, reptiles, and whales if the season is right.
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PIRO RANCH & NATURE RESERVE
Visitors are free to explore the ranch’s various walking trails, great for birdwatching and spotting wildlife, and take a refreshing dip in the Piro River. The highlight of the visit is sharing a traditional Costa Rican lunch with Miguel Sanchez and his family to swap stories and learn about daily life in rural Costa Rica.
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HORSEBACK RIDING & KAYAKING IN PIRU
Explore the vast Hacienda Rio Oro on horseback like one of the locals before kayaking its pristine Laguna Pejeperro Lagoon. Hacienda Rio Oro is comprised of secondary forests and countryside.
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WATERFALL RAPPELLING
You’ll give your vacation an adrenaline boost when you leave your comfort zone and enter the world of Costa Rica’s magnificent waterfalls. This thrilling adventure starts as you walk along a rainforest ridge near Remanso Lodge, just a few minutes from Lapa Rios.
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CANOPY ZIPLINE TOUR
Give your holiday an injection of excitement and raw rainforest splendor as you soar like a bird through the treetops on an Osa canopy zipline tour.
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SPORT FISHING
The Golfo Dulce and Costa Rica’s Pacific coastal waters are renowned for their prolific marine life and big game fish species, including marlin, mahimahi, sailfish, and several types of tuna.
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