Golfo Dulce Tour with Wildlife Sanctuary
If you only explore the
This tour takes you on a fabulous ride over 30 miles around the
magnificent Golfo Dulce, including a tour of the Cana Blanca Wildlife
Sanctuary, one of the most special places we have been in Costa Rica (or
anywhere). Only accessible by boat, this is a “must do” for anyone who
loves wildlife and enjoys seeing animals up close and personal! This
remote, non-profit foundation receives injured, orphaned and endangered animals
in order to rehabilitate and release them back into the wild, usually at
Note: No children under six are allowed in the
sanctuary. Parents may trade- off child care in order to visit the
facility.
This tour is conducted by the safest, most informative and most
professional outfit in the area. They have the largest, most comfortable
boats with experienced, English-speaking, lifeguard-trained captains.
Each 25-foot boat features contoured seats, a full canopy for shade and a
shower. If you’re lucky, you’ll swim
with dolphins while plane boarding behind the boat. (These tours encounter
dolphins 80% of the time, but even if you don’t, being towed through the water
is lots of fun). There’s also a good chance you will get to hear dolphin
language through new hydrophones. And you can also sail over the
azure waters on the Dolphin deck and Air Chair, which suspend you out over the
ocean for an optimum view of sea life and the sensation of flying over the
water. Snorkeling (equipment supplied) may also be enjoyed at coral
reefs, home to beautiful tropical fish (depending on conditions).
On this tour guests have seen huge pods of dolphins, whales,
manta rays, sea turtles, schooling fish, sea birds and jungle flora and
fauna. The boats are equipped with new engines, GPS, depth sounders, VHF,
back-up VHF, cellular, pony motor, dolphin hydrophones, life vests for all
sized guests, first aid kits, and fresh water showers. Our guests
consistently rave about this tour, and often say it is a highlight of their
trip.
Tour leaves from Puerto Jimenez pier at 7:30 AM.
Duration: 4 - 5 hours
Prices:
One – five passengers: $350 plus $25/person tax deductible
donation if going to Sanctuary
Includes:
Snacks
Cold drinks
Comfortable,
shaded, safe boat with English-speaking guide
Fresh water
shower on boat
Snorkeling
gear, masks
Life jackets,
adult and child sized
Group discounts:
6
passengers: $390 + Sanctuary donation
7
passengers: $420 + Sanctuary donation
8
passengers: $480 + Sanctuary donation
9
passengers: $540 + Sanctuary donation
Child discounts:
Children five and under: half price (minus Sanctuary fee,
as they can’t go in); under 18 months, free.
Bring:
Sun block
Sport sandals
or water shoes
Swim suit &
towel
Sun glasses
Binoculars are
good
Hat
Camera
We particularly enjoyed the tour. Thanks so much for
suggesting it to us. On that single tour we saw probably about 50 spotted
dolphins, and swam with them, enjoyed the rehabilitation center tour, and
particularly the young monkey that kept pointing where it wanted me to scratch,
and the snorkeling.
Chuck –
For us the highlight was the trip across the gulf to the animal
refuge where we hugged a few spider monkeys, howler monkeys, bottle- fed sloths
and another possum like animal. An experience we won't forget.
Richard –
We all agreed that the Sanctuary tour was the best tour of our
whole trip. We cuddled sloths and a baby howler monkey. The people who run it
could not have been more gracious. I’m so glad you recommended that tour.
Sylvia –
This was the best side trip ever. What a great
experience. One I’ll never forget! It was the most wonderful time I’ve
had in
Sarah –
One of our favorite experiences was the boat ride to the
Debbie, Ron, & Ronnie –
This tour is the most outstanding tour we’ve encountered in
Costa Rica, bar none!
Golfo
Dulce Casa Orquideas Botanical Gardens
Take
the same Gulf Tour as above, but instead of the Sanctuary, stop at these
amazing botanical gardens, where you will see all kinds of plants in one place
that would take hours of hiking in remote locations to view otherwise. We felt like munchkins in a magical land as
we walked the paths among more than 100 species of orchid, 50 varieties of
heliconias, giant palms and other trees,
a cannonball tree, and sampled edibles, miracle fruit and spices. In addition,
you can enjoy the over 100 species of birds attracted to the gardens.
There
are both guided and self-guided tours available every day but Friday
Sail the Gulf
Take an
exhilarating ½-day excursion on the 36-foot sailing vessel Sorrento, manned by
an experienced captain/owner and mate.
If the winds are right, mother nature propels you around the magnificent
gulf, usually without another boat in sight.
Depending on conditions, activities include snorkeling, dive boarding,
swimming, viewing sea life, visits to nearby attractions. Celebration of special occasions can be added
for an unforgettable celebration (extra charge applies). The Sorrento provides a bathroom, shade
bimini, padded seating, stereo system, below deck cabin, safety equipment,
navigational gear and life jackets for all sizes.
Tour leaves from
Canasa harbor at about 11 AM and returns about 4 PM.
Lunch, snacks and
soft drinks provided.
Prices:
1 – 4 people:
$350
5 people: $400
6 people: $450
Deep Sea Fishing
World class fishing is right here on the beautiful Golfo Dulce
and in the deep, blue Pacific. We will
link you up with the best, most professional fishing outfits in the area for a
fishing trip of a lifetime. The
diversity of offshore big game fishing in this area is legendary. Marlin, Sailfish, Dorado and Yellowfin Tuna
are commonly caught. Inshore you can
expect to catch Roosterfish, Snapper and Spanish mackerel.
Fish with William:
from the beach or our kayaks
Catch dinner on the beach, right out front! Jack
Crevalle, Bonito, Spanish mackerel and various species of snapper, are
regularly caught. You might also catch
Snook, Roosterfish and Pompano. Bring whatever tackle you can, ie: hooks,
sinkers, floats to use with the small sardines you will use as live bait.
William, our manager, is an experienced fisherman who knows just what to do and
where to go.
Arrange with William when you get there
Surf Lessons
Surf right in front of Casa Bambu, where there is a dream wave
to learn on with a perfect right point break for beginners and different
sections to match ability levels. . You are guaranteed to stand
up! There is a large selection of boards
(soft tops for easy learning and more advanced hard boards). You go out at
low tide and surf for approximately two hours. It’s a BLAST.
Provided: Lycra shirts to protect
from rashes and sunburn.
Recommended
to bring: booties and lots of sun block. $55/person: 2 hour lesson. Surfboard rentals
available.
The surfing lessons were great. I’d recommend them to anyone.
Michael - Middlesex, VT
Paddle Board tour
Paddle your way around the beautiful Golfo Dulce on beginner
paddle boards and catch a wave or two!
$55/person
Ocean Kayaking
This
open ocean paddle takes you out into the gulf from our coast out at
Matapalo. From here you get a great view of the forested coastline of
$45/person