Corcovado National Park Guided Tour – San Pedrillo Ranger Station
Explore the stunningly beautiful primary rainforest adjacent to Corcovado’s northernmost ranger station. This jungle excursion provides an unparalleled opportunity to see many of the diverse species dwelling around the trails during your first 2.5-hour hike. The trails are clearly marked and easy to navigate, ascending and descending through the verdant rainforest. After a break for lunch at the beach, you can hike to a beautiful Corcovado waterfall and enjoy a swim under the smaller falls nearby. Full Tour Description
Includes: Greentique certified guide, boat transportation, park fees, picnic lunch
Departure Time/Place: 6:30 AM Águila de Osa dock
Duration: Full Day
Ages: 6+
Activity level: Easy to Moderate
Recommend: Hiking shoes/sneakers/trail shoes, short pants and bathing suit, plus shoes/clothes to wear for a wet landing (hiking sandals or water shoes recommended), lightweight waterproof jacket, hat, water bottle, camera, binoculars
Corcovado National Park Guided Tour – Sirena Ranger Station
Corcovado’s Sirena Ranger Station is the gateway to Corcovado National Park’s pristine interior, where the most abundant wildlife dwells. Located about halfway down the park’s Pacific coast, the one-hour boat ride from Águila to the station is a marine adventure all its own. Typically some mix of dolphins, sea turtles, and rays are seen, and during whale migration, spotting a leviathan or two is possible. In the park, you’ll hike flat trails for about three hours through primary and secondary growth rainforest, then down on to the beach for a fantastic lunch. After lunch, it’s on to explore nearby trails for another hour before heading back to the hotel. Full Tour Description
Includes: Greentique Certified Guide, boat transportation, park fees, picnic lunch
Departure Time/Place: 6:00 AM from the Águila de Osa dock
Duration: Full Day
Ages: 6+
Activity level: Easy to Moderate
Recommend: Hiking shoes/sneakers/trail shoes, short pants and bathing suit, plus shoes/clothes to wear for a wet landing (hiking sandals or water shoes recommended), lightweight waterproof jacket, hat, water bottle, camera, binoculars
Corcovado National Park Private VIP Tour — via Plane
Soar like a Harpy Eagle over vast, undisturbed expanses of the Corcovado National Park to the Sirena Biological Station. The Osa Peninsula, which harbors the park, is estimated to have 2.5% percent of the world’s bio-diversity, which is truly amazing given its size. From the plane’s windows, an extraordinary aerial showcase unfolds, a tapestry of pristine, emerald rainforest, sparkling blue ocean water, and golden sand beaches of this treasured part of Costa Rica’s natural heritage. The flight path covers the majority of the Park and includes a flyover of the Corcovado Lagoon. Once on the ground, you’ll traverse sloping jungle terrain with your Greentique Certified Guide, crossing streams and rivers as you explore one the most biologically intense places on Earth. It’s a fascinating journey into a realm of rainforest flora and fauna that make this Osa adventure a truly exceptional Costa Rica experience. On your flight back to Drake Bay after lunch, you’ll take off for another eagle’s-eye view of the dense, lush rainforest you’ve just experienced. Full Tour Description
Includes: Greentique Certified Guide, boat and car transportation, park fees, airplane flight, and picnic lunch
Departure Time/Place: Breakfast at 6:30 a.m. in The Great Room, depart from the dock at 7:00 a.m.
Duration: 7 hours
Ages: 6+
Activity level: Easy to Moderate
Recommend: Hiking shoes/sneakers/trail shoes, short pants and bathing suit, plus shoes/clothes for a wet landing (hiking sandals recommended), lightweight waterproof jacket, hat, water bottle, camera, binoculars
Osa Peninsula – Águila de Osa Property and Surrounding Area
Guided Night Tour
Venture into the dramatic night world that awakens only after sundown. With so many rainforest inhabitants being nocturnal, a night walk makes you part of a jungle transformation as a myriad of exotic creatures start their “day.” Your guide will explain the intricacies of this complex ecosystem and some of the distinctive characteristics — sounds, sights, and smells — of its nocturnal residents. This is your chance to see all kinds in our little section of Drake Bay: the exotic, the bizarre, and the amazing.
Includes: Greentique Certified Guide, flashlights
Departure Time/Place: Immediately after dinner; The Great Room
Duration: 2-2.5 hours
Ages: 6+
Activity level: Easy
Recommend: Hiking shoes/sneakers/trail shoes, short or lightweight long pants, lightweight waterproof jacket, water bottle, camera
Unleash your adventurous spirit as you soar through the rainforest treetops on our Canopy Zipline Tour. Traverse the rainforest across 13 elevated platforms, some with spans of up to 400 meters (1,312 ft.) apart! This Canopy Tour is one of the longest in Costa Rica. Full Tour Description
Includes: Transportation, zipline equipment and helmet
Departure Time/Place: 7:30 AM, 10:30 AM, 1:30 PM; The Great Room
Duration: 3 hours
Ages: 8+
Activity level: Moderate
Recommend: Hiking shoes/sneakers/trail shoes, short pants or lightweight long pants, water bottle
"Corcovado National Park is amazing. Our guide Tony went out of his way to make sure we saw animals. We started at the Sirena Ranger Station. We were able to see a tapir, birds, monkeys, crocodile, and several insects along our hike."
– May 2015
Birding
Osa Peninsula – Águila de Osa Property and Surrounding Area
Drake Bay Area Birding Tour
Águila de Osa is a one-of-a-kind destination for birding enthusiasts, with more than 350 species residing in the region. Our Greentique Certified Guides are avian specialists, drawing from a lifetime of knowledge of the vast community of resident and migratory birds that occupy the Osa. Their ability to help you spot rare and endemic species is nothing short of remarkable, making this quick two-hour tour a twitcher’s dream and perfect for travelers wanting a low-impact trip in search of some of the Osa Peninsula’s most magnificent birds. Full Tour Description
Includes: Greentique Certified Guide
Departure Time/Place: Mornings starting at 5:30 AM Afternoons at 3:30 PM
Duration: 2 hours
Ages: 6+
Activity level: Easy, however terrain is not flat
Recommend: Hiking shoes/sneakers/trail shoes, T-shirt or lightweight long-sleeved shirt, short pants or lightweight long pants, hat, water bottle, camera, binoculars
"Carlos Gonzalez's is a Svengali-like naturalist and guide who opened the splendor of the hidden world of the forest flora and fauna to our senses. A remarkable man who provided a remarkable experience."
– June 2014
Beaches
Osa Peninsula – Drake Bay Area
San Josecito Beach – Guided or Self-guided Tour
Enjoy one of the Osa’s most acclaimed beaches, beautiful Playa San Josecito. It’s the ideal place to kick back, work on your tan, or read a book. Or be adventurous and explore the coastal rainforest. Hike to the magnificent Rio Claro for a refreshing dip in this pristine river. At San Josecito, the rainforest comes right to the beach, allowing you to watch the wildlife from right from your beach towel. The wildlife doesn’t stop at the beach, though! Love the water? Then don your mask, snorkel and fins (provided by the hotel), slip into the clear waters, and swim with brilliantly colorful tropical fish.
Departure Time/Place: Your preference, and even sunset can be arranged; from the Águila de Osa dock
Duration: As long as you like. Set a pick up time with our concierge for your boat ride back
Ages: All ages
Activity level: Easy
Recommend: T-shirt, shorts, bathing suit, hat, sunglasses, sandals with straps, sun screen, water bottle; if you’re walking back to the hotel we recommend hiking shoes or sneakers
Cost: $60 round trip; $30 for drop-off and walk back
"The stop at San Josecito beach... was beautiful. Lunch was served picnic style, and we had time to relax."
Horseback Riding
Osa Peninsula – Drake Bay Area
Guided Horseback Riding Tours
An amazing adventure along deserted beaches, primary rainforest and lush hilltops with sweeping views of the Pacific Ocean. You’ll also ride to the thundering waterfalls hidden deep in the verdant jungle and see the extraordinary abundance of life supported by the mesmerizing tropical treasure that covers the Osa. On this guided half-day horseback riding tour, you’ll ride strong, well-trained horses that will effortlessly take you through some of Costa Rica’s most beautiful scenery. Whether you’re an expert horseback rider or just a beginner, this tour is a fantastic way to spend a few hours of your stay on the Osa. Full Tour Description
Includes: Bilingual professional guide, horse, water, towel for a waterfall swim
Departure Time/Place: Your choice; mornings are cooler; from The Great Room
Duration: 3-4 hours
Ages: 6+, must be 4 feet tall
Activity level: Moderate
Recommend: T-shirt or long-sleeved lightweight shirt, long pants, hat, sunglasses, sun screen, shoes or sneakers
Each hotel has a Greentique Certified Master Guide (GCMG) and a team of Greentique Certified Guides (GCG), each a specialist in the flora and fauna of their respective regions. They work hand-in-hand with our Concierges to accommodate any special requirements you have, make the logistics clear and easy, and get you sorted on what you need to bring and wear.
Greentique Wildlife Refuge Sí Como No
Jimmy Mata, Resident Biologist Specialist, Central Pacific Coastal Wet Forest
Biologist and Herpetologist Greentique Wildlife Refuge, Sí Como No
Born in Cartago, Jimmy Mata joined the Greentique Wildlife Refuge (WLR) in 2002 as its resident biologist. Jimmy’s idea for the Wildlife Refuge was to create a natural habitat and living laboratory to help the native frog populations of the Manuel Antonio area recover without any requirements for enclosures. He subsequently assumed the management and development of the WLR Nature Exhibits, including the Butterfly Atrium, and the Amphibian Gardens and Reptile Lagoons adjacent to Si Como No Resort. Jimmy’s education includes a Masters in Natural Resources Management from the Institute of Technology of Costa Rica, plus a Bachelor of Science degree in Biology from the Latin University of Costa Rica. He is an official consultant for the research of the ecology of the frog species of Costa Rica, focusing on vanishing frog species over the last 25 yeas in Costa Rica. He also works in recording vocalizations of the frogs with Mark Wainwrith and Alexander Villegas, and works with Fabio Hidalgo photographing the herpetofauna of Costa Rica. Previously, Jimmy was the Advisor Biologist for tour projects in La Selavtura Park in Monteverde, Parque Arenal Natura, Arenal Oasis, ant the Botanical Garden of Monteverde and Veragua Rain Forest. Jimmy consultants for new conservation and research program on amphibians and reptiles and supports the Cloudmaker Nature Reserve in Santa Juana.
Greentique Certified Master Guide (GCMG) Osa Peninsula, Águila de Osa
Carlos is a bilingual naturalist guide and the resident Greentique Certified Master Gudie for Aguila de Osa. Born on the Osa Peninsula, he’s been guiding across the region for 18 years. During his career, Carlos has earned a combined 12 certificates from the Instituto Nacional de Aprendizaje (INA), Instituto de Biodiversidad (Inbio), the Organization for Tropical Studies (OTS), and the Asociacion Ornitológica de Costa Rica (AOCR). Working with Aguila de Osa since 2005, he is the lead guide for Osa birding, the Mangrove Estuary Tour, and the Night Walk. His deep knowledge, incredible passion, and amazing eagle eyes make every tour an exceptional experience in the coastal lowland rainforests of the Osa Peninsula.
Greentique Certified Master Guide (GCMG) Los Angeles Cloud Forest Private Reserve, Villa Blanca
Born in San José, Costa Rica. Roy was raised in San Ramón, surrounded by nature, rolling farmland, and the mountain cloud forest. Working at the Villa Blanca Cloud Forest Hotel & Nature Reserve for more than seven years, he is the resident Greentique Certified Master Guide and the Director of the José Miguel Alfaro Research Station, guiding and conducting research in the Los Angeles Cloud Forest Biological Reserve. A bilingual naturalist guide, Roy specializes in birding, amphibians and reptiles, and tours that focus on the natural history of the different ecosystems, particularly the nightlife of the mountain cloud forest. His education includes the National Technical University in Alajuela, where he studied Tour Guiding. In addition, he studies Sustainable Tourism at the State University, and over the past several years, has completed courses in Volcanology, Biology for the Conservation of Ecosystems, Birds of Costa Rica, and Photography. Roy is a skilled photographer and his nature photography is exceptional.
Greentique Certified Guide (GCG) Greentique Wildlife Refuge, Sí Como No; Cloudmaker Nature Reserve, Santa Juana
Henry Sequeirach grew up in Costa Rica’s Central Pacific Region in the pueblo of Esperanza, which means “hope.” There that he began his quest for a deeper understanding of the extraordinary range of the species that were so much a part of his childhood. That intellectual curiosity sparked Henry’s to become a naturalist guide. He studied in Canada to learn English, part of his preparation to fulfill that dream, and later returned to Costa Rica to the National Learning Academy (INA) to become a licensed guide. After six years guiding in the Monteverde cloud forest, he joined Greentique Hotels in 2013, quickly advancing to become a Greentique Certified Guide. An expert in the flora and fauna of the Central Pacific Coastal and Mountain Wet Forests, Henry leads day and night tours in the Wildlife Refuge, tours into Manuel Antonio National Park, as well as into Greentique’s Cloudmaker Nature Reserve at Santa Juana. He is the senior Greentique guide for the Santa Juana Rural Mountain Adventure Tour, and Wet Forest birding tours.
Executive Chef, Greentique Hotels Executive Chef, El Sendero Restaurant, Villa Blanca Could Forest Hotel
Chef Hannia Campos Orozco, affectionately known as Hannita, was born in Costa Rica’s Central Highlands in Piedades Sur, just outside of San Ramón. Trained in French and Italian cuisine at the Escoffier Gastronomic Institute in Alajuela City, and the Culinary Pan-American Forum, her culinary career began its meteoric rise working with some of the great chefs at the National Association of Chefs in San José. In Korea and Guatemala, she won critical international young chef challenges in 2013, as well as silver and bronze medals at the 2015 Culinary Championship Cup in Costa Rica.
Hannia’s exquisite creations reflect a keen understanding of the extraordinary quality of food and ingredients produced by local farms across the region, as well as in Villa Blanca’s own organic gardens. The essence that these locally sourced essentials add to the dishes she prepares can be tasted in every meal she creates. One of the country’s new generation of culinary professionals, Hannia was recently named the Executive Chef for Greentique Hotels, as well as the Executive Chef at El Sendero Restaurant at Villa Blanca. She is already delighting guests from around the world with truly inspired food that is taking Costa Rican cuisine to a new level of excellence.
José Miguel is proudly 100% Quepeño, which explains something of his commitment to using the best ingredients, sourced as close to his kitchen at the Rico Tico Grill as possible. His commitment to authenticity in traditional Costa Rican recipes, and in expanding relationships with local sustainable sources, makes his food a vital extension of the culture and heritage of the Quepos and greater Central Pacific Coastal Region. For over 18 years, José Miguel and his teams have been the vanguard for sustainability and customer satisfaction, continuously elevating the dining experience at the Rico Tico, Sí Como No’s original restaurant. A graduate of the Professional Technical College of Quepos, José Miguel earned his “A” Cook Certification at INA, and continues his culinary education with INA courses, and in concert with Greentique Executive Chef Daniel Rodriquez and with Reimy Cruz of the Claro Que Sí. Under José Miguel’s leadership, the Rico Tico has made lasting impressions on tens of thousands of guest palates, recognized year after year through top customer ratings and Awards of Excellence from TripAdvisor.
Reimy Cruz was born in Cartago, Costa Rica and has lived in the Manuel Antonio area for over 12 years. A key member of the culinary team at Greentique’s Sí Como No Resort, he spent his first year at the Rico Tico Jungle Grill and the past three years at Claro Que Sí. He achieved the senior cook position in 2015. Reimy is a graduate of the Professional Technical College in Quepos, where he studied food and beverage before continuing his culinary education, receiving his Class A certification from INA. His passion for cooking focuses on becoming one of the leaders of the emerging Costa Rican style of “sustainable gastronomy,” with its commitment to healthy, fresh, locally sourced products shaped by a combination of traditional technics and bold, inventive new approaches and recipes that are already transforming the Manuel Antonio restaurants experience for guests at Claro Que Sí.
Greentique Chef Olmos Dixon Cererino, affectionately known as Chef Dixon, was born in Panama into a family that came over from England and France. Trained at the Culinary School Academy in Panama City and at the Culinary Institute of America, he began his now 20-plus-year cooking career working for some of the great chefs in San Francisco and Seattle. In the Caribbean, he worked at restaurants in Barbados, St. Lucia, Antiqua, and St. Martin. As Executive Chef of The Great Room at Águila de Osa for the past seven years, Dixon has created a truly exceptional Costa Rica dining experience for guests from around the world. His passion for vibrant and flavorful food reflects his love of Caribbean, Indian, Italian, Thai, and vegetarian food, each an influence on his cooking style. A fierce advocate of the “closer is better” Greentique Sustainable Gastronomy philosophy, Dixon’s great tasting food starts with his hand selecting the freshest ingredients from farms around the Osa. He and his staff grow vegetables, herbs, and pinto beans in a hydroponic garden. They also make farmer’s white cheese and bake the breads and pastries on premise. And then there’s the seafood — caught locally by artisan fisherman, as well as hotel guest sport fishermen. Incredible fish make their way from the boat to your plate – with just a brief stop in Chef Dixon’s amazing kitchen in between.
Julia Solis is a member of one of the areas first families, her grandparents having settled in the Fila Chonta region when she was a young girl. She raised two sons, putting both of them through high school, then moved to Santa Juana where she joined Roxana as a Greentique Hotels employee in 2010. She is now the second cook at El Mirador and Head Housekeeper for Lodge operations. Her eldest son, Allan, also works for Greentique and helps with the family farm chores, which include raising much of the produce and other ingredients used in Julia’s recipes.
Roxana Vindas was born in San Marcos de Terrazu, and moved to Santa Juana as young girl to help her brothers and sisters run the family farm. It was there that she learned traditional cooking on a wood-burning stove. In 2008, she became the head cook at El Mirador, using local ingredients to create amazing “platos typicos” for the lunches on the Santa Juana Rural Mountain Adventure Tour. Roxana raises her own hens and chickens, which she uses in many of the authentic Campesino meals that delight tour and lodging guests alike. She teaches the Campesino cooking class, making tortillas from scratch, along with other guest favorites, including her pumpkin squash deserts, which are flavored with local sugar cane and seasonal tropical fruit juices.
