Osa Corcovado

Cano Island / Snorkeling & Hiking Duration: 7 Hours’ Time: 7:30 a.m. - 3:00 p.m.. Caño Island is situated just 12 nautical miles from Aguila de Osa Inn, and can be seen just minutes after leaving the protected cove of the hotel. The boat ride to the Park entrance takes approximately 45 minutes to “Sitio Arqueologico” and the second is “El Mirador”, but much depends on weather and sea conditions, as well as the number of passengers in your boat. The Park Ranger Station has an office, public bathrooms, an outdoor, freshwater shower, and storage area. Upon arriving to the Park make sure to sign into the guest book. .Just in front of the Ranger Station there is a beach area, which is most frequently utilized for play, relaxation and snorkeling. The water just in front of the Ranger Station is relatively shallow, and provides snorkelers with an excellent opportunity to familiarize yourself with the underwater terrain and sea life surrounding Caño Island. The dark, volcanic rock is home to numerous species of marine life, much of which you’ll see just a short swim from the beach. There are two walking trails on Caño Island, one which leads to an archeological site at a beautiful lookout on the south side of the island. Both trails share the same common trail up to a designated point before separating into two distinct trails. The leading trail starts just behind the Ranger Station, on the left side, and begins with an uphill climb. While relatively steep, the trail is very manageable, as thick slabs of tree trunk have been thoughtfully placed to assist you with your footing. As well, the trail utilizes the island’s natural mentioned above. The hike from the Ranger Station to this intersection takes approximately 30 minutes, but much depends on your physical condition and interest in the local flora and fauna. Setting such as tree roots and rocks. The trail soon plateaus, at which point you’ll see signs pointing towards the Island’s two main walking trails. Once at the intersection turn left, follow the common trail that points to “Sitio Arqueologico” and “El Mirador”. This portion of the trail is

quite flat, open, bright, and littered with fallen leaves and broken/dead branches. The Island’s undergrowth is not too dense, comprised primarily of small trees, ferns, and a significant number of larger trees, many of which have trunks covered in a thick green moss. The trails winds a bit, but is very well marked and easy to navigate. Due to its openness, this portion of the trail remains relatively dry compared to the latter sections. After hiking for approximately 20 minutes, you’ll come to a second intersection, which time the trail divides into two. If you would like to see the Island’s archeological site, more specifically the perfectly round spheres, then continue straight ahead at the intersection. The hike to the spheres takes approximately 10-15 minutes, on a relatively flat, but winding trail that is wetter than the other sections. Upon reaching the end of the trail you will see two spheres. The first, and smaller of the two, resides on top of smaller stones and can be seen in its entirety. The second, larger stone, is partially submerged in the earth. To visit the “El Mirador”, or Lookout, turn to the right. The hike to the Lookout takes about 12 minutes and is relatively easy and flat, aside from some low-lying areas. Just prior to reaching the Lookout the trail will dip rather quickly and then climb back up, with the steeper portions lined with large slabs of tree trunk to ensure safe passage. In the low-lying areas this trail can get a bit muddy. At the Lookout itself, there is a small bench, where you can rest and/or look for whales and dolphins in the waters just south of Caño Island. at The trails on Caño Island are very well marked and maintained, however, their status at any given time is dependent on current weather conditions. During the wet season muddy trails should be expected, which may make hiking a bit more difficult and more time consuming. Caño Island is not known for an abundance of wildlife. While some species of crab, non-poisonous snake, insects, lizards, and birds do exist, the forest area is much less densely populated with wildlife than Corcovado National Park; monkeys, tapirs, etc. do not inhabit Caño Island. Providing you proceed slowly, you can see many of these animals on the jungle floor and canopy. This tour includes lunch, which comes complete with a variety of tropical fruits and drinks, salad, sandwiches, and snacks, i.e. cookies. Lunch is prepared and served around midday, along the beach, just to the right side of the Ranger Station. There are benches and shaded areas for those who need a reprieve from the hot sun.

CANO ISLAND Hiking boots are recommended, as is an extra t-shirt, which you can wear while snorkeling to prevent sunburn. Drinks will be provided during and after the tour.

DAY 3- Corcovado Rainforest Nature Reserve Tour

National Geo says this “Is the most Bio Intense & Diverse Rainforest in all the Americas”

quite flat, open, bright, and littered with fallen leaves and broken/dead branches. The Island’s undergrowth is not too dense, comprised primarily of small trees, ferns, and a significant number of larger trees, many of which have trunks covered in a thick green moss. The trails winds a bit, but is very well marked and easy to navigate. Due to its openness, this portion of the trail remains relatively dry compared to the latter sections. After hiking for approximately 20 minutes, you’ll come to a second intersection, which time the trail divides into two. If you would like to see the Island’s archeological site, more specifically the perfectly round spheres, then continue straight ahead at the intersection. The hike to the spheres takes approximately 10-15 minutes, on a relatively flat, but winding trail that is wetter than the other sections. Upon reaching the end of the trail you will see two spheres. The first, and smaller of the two, resides on top of smaller stones and can be seen in its entirety. The second, larger stone, is partially submerged in the earth. To visit the “El Mirador”, or Lookout, turn to the right. The hike to the Lookout takes about 12 minutes and is relatively easy and flat, aside from some low-lying areas. Just prior to reaching the Lookout the trail will dip rather quickly and then climb back up, with the steeper portions lined with large slabs of tree trunk to ensure safe passage. In the low-lying areas this trail can get a bit muddy. At the Lookout itself, there is a small bench, where you can rest and/or look for whales and dolphins in the waters just south of Caño Island. at The trails on Caño Island are very well marked and maintained, however, their status at any given time is dependent on current weather conditions. During the wet season muddy trails should be expected, which may make hiking a bit more difficult and more time consuming. Caño Island is not known for an abundance of wildlife. While some species of crab, non-poisonous snake, insects, lizards, and birds do exist, the forest area is much less densely populated with wildlife than Corcovado National Park; monkeys, tapirs, etc. do not inhabit Caño Island. Providing you proceed slowly, you can see many of these animals on the jungle floor and canopy. This tour includes lunch, which comes complete with a variety of tropical fruits and drinks, salad, sandwiches, and snacks, i.e. cookies. Lunch is prepared and served around midday, along the beach, just to the right side of the Ranger Station. There are benches and shaded areas for those who need a reprieve from the hot sun.

CANO ISLAND Hiking boots are recommended, as is an extra t-shirt, which you can wear while snorkeling to prevent sunburn. Drinks will be provided during and after the tour.

San Pedrillo Ranger Station - Corcovado National Park

Duration: 6 Hours-Time: 7:30 a.m. / 8:00. - 2:30 p.m. (for an earlier departure please consult with the tour guide the evening before)

Aguila de Osa offers tours to the San Pedrillo Ranger Station, the closest of the four ranger stations inside Corcovado National Park. This is a wonderful opportunity to see both primary and secondary rainforest, as well as a wide variety of plant and animal life.

The boat ride to the San Pedrillo Ranger Station lasts approximately 30 minutes, but much depends on weather and sea conditions. Whenever possible, while en route to the Park entrance, your guide will survey the ocean for whale and dolphins sightings.

Situated just offshore, a short distance after the entrance to the Ranger Station is Piqueros Island, which serves as a refuge for several species of marine birds including the Brown Boobie, Blue Heron and Brown Pelican. See marine birds up close. You are not permitted to physically go onto the island. Shortly thereafter, strategically placed on the ground to assist you with your footing. Just before reaching the plateau, on your left side, there is a lookout area, with views of the ranger station and Pacific Ocean. This is a good spot for a brief rest, photos, or whale and dolphin watching. Moving forward, entering primary rainforest, the trail remains relatively flat, weaving through the forest, often around and/or over fallen trees and broken branches. Your hike along the first portion of the trail will last approximately 1 1/2 hours, and will bring you to the National Park boundary just north of the Ranger Station. Beyond that point the rainforest is no longer considered part of the National Park, but rather a reserve. After reaching the National Park border your tour will retrace back towards the Ranger Station along a portion of the same trail before veering left onto another trail en route to the San Pedrillo river and waterfalls. The hike to the river takes approximately 45 minutes, with the latter portion of the trail being a rather steep downhill section over some slippery terrain if the ground is wet. Once again, large slabs of tree trunk have been thoughtfully positioned to help you with your footing. Upon reaching the upper portion of the river you will need to cross over it in order to pick up the same trail on the other side, which descends rather quickly, running parallel to the large waterfall that sits just off to the right side.

If, when crossing the river, you need assistance, please do not hesitate to consult with your guide. When you reach the base of the waterfall it is not recommended that you swim under it due to its immense size. Further down river, there are other opportunities to swim under smaller waterfalls.

The remaining portion of the trail is relatively flat and hugs the river, initially along the left side, and later along the right side en route to the San Pedrillo ranger station. The water level of the river varies depending on the time of year, but you should expect to get wet here, perhaps knee deep. If you are really adventurous, you can even follow the river all the way to the ranger station, walking chest high in some locations. The hike will bring you back to the ranger station about 12:30 p.m., at which time you’ll have lunch and prepare for the boat ride back to the hotel, which leaves the ranger station at about 1:30 p.m. Throughout the tour your guide will point out items of interest, as well as bring to your attention interesting facts and information about the surrounding rainforest. The animal life in this section of the National Park is quite vibrant, with frequent sighting of monkeys, coatimundis, squirrels, spiders, macaws, bats, leaf cutting ants, and other animal species. As well, much will be mentioned about the plant and tree species, which is lush, and felled with life.

TIPS

DAY 4- Last full day can go on Mangrove Tour in morning

OPTIONAL To go in shore fishing OR after lunch Horseback tour in rainforest and on beach

Afternoons can add on while there to do ziplines or a night nature tour

(You tell them which tour you want to do next day at dinner night before)

Day 5 –Depart to go to Quepos, Manuel Antonio, elsewhere or fly home on afternoon flight