Around Dominical

RECOMMENDED DAY TOURS AROUND DOMINICAL

Corcovado National Park

The National Geographic Society has defined the Corcovado National Park as the most biologically diverse area on the planet, protecting 41,788 hectares of lagoons, marshes, mangrove-swamps, rivers, rainforests and low altitude cloud forests in the Osa Peninsula. In addition, 46 km of sandy coastline is under the park’s protection. Within the park, scientists have identified about 6000 insect species, 500 tree species, 367 bird species, 140 mammal species, 117 amphibian and reptile species, and 40 freshwater fish species that exist in its streams and rivers.

You will take a van to Rio Sierpe and the guide will explain to you the itinerary. After 30 minutes you arrive in Palmar Sur and your guide will tell you something about the historic sculptures found in that area and some of the theories about them. Once in Sierpe you will have a Tico breakfast in Las Vegas restaurant (not included); which includes fruits, pinto, scrambled eggs, cheese, jam, orange juice and coffee. After that, you travel by boat to the mouth of the river and then the guide will provide you with life jackets. The trip will take you through the open sea and after 30 minutes you arrive at Corcovado National Park. The hiking takes 3 hours, and the guide will point different kind of plants and explain how they are used as medicine, tools, weapons, etc. You will learn something about the animals and insects you see along the way. Once back to the park offices, take a healthy lunch which will include vegetables, fruits, jam, cheese, fruit juice, water and some cookies. The boat will take you to Sierpe and the van will be waiting for you to return to Dominical.

This tour is for everybody who wants to get into the tropical forest and learn about our natural treasures.

Kayaking in the Hatillo Mangrove Swamps

7 kilometers north of Dominical is the Hatillo Mangrove Swamps, next to Guapil Beach. The mangroves adventure starts at the moment you got in the van, where you learn about the area and its history and at the same time observe the plants and animals along the road.

When you get to Hatillo Mangroves, the guide will teach you how to kayak, and then introduce you to the mangrove world and all its secrets. In the beginning you will soft paddle, later, stronger paddling is required when crossing river mouth, where the ocean comes together with the river. In this educational tour you will learn the importance of the mangroves and how the plants purify the water and function as a natural filter.

You can see different kinds of animals like raccoons, black falcon, different kind of crabs and fisher birds. During this entire trip, you can ask any question about animals, plants and mangroves. The experience of kayaking adds to the day’s enjoyment.

Snorkeling or Kayaking at Ballena Marine National Park

A short 20 minute drive south you can enjoy an easy 1½ hour paddle to Ballena Island. They offer a lunch of fruit and cold drinks while you snorkel around the island taking in the marine life of the area. If this sounds like too much effort just chill out on the beach or explore the caves. You will receive short classes on how to kayak against the waves, and a guide will tell you some history about the caves and the area.

Cano Island Reserve

Caño Island Biological Reserve is 15 km off the Osa Peninsula. Its white sandy beaches are protected by reefs which make the island a great spot for scuba diving and snorkeling. Most times of the year you have good visibility, about 60 feet, so there is not much that you do not see. Tropical fish, turtles, manta rays, dolphins and whales for example. Apparently the island was once the site for the local burial grounds, used by ancient indigenous people living along the southern coast, and you can see mysterious spherical stones that have been found around the island. The day tours offer lunch and other than scuba or snorkeling you can hike to the archaeological cemetery where a guide will explain the significance of the area. Professional Dive Masters are available if you go scuba diving, who know the area well.

Watch Whales and Dolphins

There are 5 species of Dolphins living here, Spotted, Spinner, Bottlenose (Flipper), Common Dolphin and some Orcas, and 3 species of Whales, False Killer, Pilot & Humpback, most can be sighted nearly all year round. The Humpback gives birth in these waters. You may also see Sea Turtles. Enjoy the views of Drakes Bay and the islands on this day trip.

Hacienda Baru Wildlife Refuge

This is a must for everyone who visits Dominical. Established by Jack Ewing since 1970s, Hacienda Barú is an excellent spot to enjoy bird watching and local wildlife in a natural rain forest reserve. The reserve is recognized as a Wildlife Refuge and offers a variety of day tours and trips led by local experienced guides. The Wildlife Refuge is about 815 acres in size, where Baru beach meets the ocean and between two estuaries, where you get to experience tropical rainforest, mangrove, wetlands, river bank, and beach front environment all at once. Given the variety of ecosystems it has attracted over 350 species of birds, all formally recorded.

The management offers nine varied guided tours and has prepared seven kilometers of trails ideal for self-guided walk. Through the dedication of Jack Ewing and his team, this has become a delightful and educational place to visit. The reception area hosts a library and gift shop where you will find all kinds of information about the Reserve, which supports the community with the income from sales. There are many kinds of arts and crafts by local artisans.

Take a mangrove walk and you will enjoy what is described as secondary forest. The area has a variety of terrain with the north-eastern part being hilly and therefore covered with primary rainforest. They offer canopy tours and zip line tours here. The Rainforest Zipline Tour is created around the natural flight of the chestnut-mandible toucan, as it launches from a tree and swoops down and around before gliding up into another tree.

The lower lowlands and mangroves meet the beautiful and peaceful Baru beach. You can even stay over night on the beach and get a nocturnal view of life here.

Spend a night in the Hacienda Barú Wildlife Refuge in a rainforest jungle camp. You will hike up to the camp in time to witness sunset, enjoy nature’s symphony from the camp’s veranda, and head out after dinner to look at nocturnal creatures. This tour begins in the mid afternoon and ends around mid morning the next day.

Don Lulo’s waterfalls and horseback ride through a Finca

On horseback with a guide you take the path into the hills until you reach the ranch. Here a Tico breakfast is served. 20 minutes after setting off from the ranch you arrive at the waterfalls. The highest waterfalls is about forty five meters, others twenty meters or so. The large pool is a fantastic swimming spot and being 18 feet deep and 10,000 sq ft in surface it is one of the largest in the region. You can swim, dive and enjoy the butterflies, birds and the peaceful natural setting.

Diamante Falls

Whether you seek high adventure soaked with pure adrenaline, or peaceful hiking through the rainforests, you get it when you visit the 600ft Diamante falls. You can stay overnight perched in a cave. Fully trained guides offer rappelling down the falls. The area has over 15 waterfalls of different sizes and pools to dip into; true Dominical-style enjoyment at its best.

Tubing and floating on the Baru River

A great activity for those who love a bit of adventure in braving small rapids; you can use your own tube or join the inflatable with a guide. Picnic lunch on the river bank included.

Self-guided Tours

The waterfall behind the Pozo Azul village opposite Playa Dominicalito (4 km south of Dominical) has a large natural pool for a nice swim. Ask the locals in the area for direction.

There are endless beaches on the south Pacific coast for private enjoyment; shell-picking, hiking, photo-taking, relaxing, swimming and suntanning. We strongly recommend against surfing alone, unless there are beach life guards on duty, such as on Playa Dominical.

For a self-guided holiday, read up on our comprehensive information about Dominical, take a virtual tour of Dominical downtown area to get a feel of what it has to offer. 

If you have decided to use Dominical as the vacation base for all your tours and activities, you will find a wide selection of Dominical villas rentals here.