There are many adventures to experience that will make your visit to the Osa Peninsula memorable. We can help you plan your excursions so you can truly enjoy all that the Osa has to offer while leaving plenty of time for well deserved relaxation.

• Corcovado National Park
• Waterfall Rappelling
• Tree Climbing
• Fishing
• Horseback Riding
• Dolphins
• Gold Panning
• Surfing
• Jungle Hikes
• Snorkeling
• Birding
• Kayaking
• Yoga
• Biking
• Canas Blancas Animal Reserve
• Botanical Gardens

While the Corcovado National Park is a very special park to visit for the more adventurous traveler, you can visit equally spectacular primary rain forest as one-day trips from our lodge. These hikes can be set up for people of all ages and abilities. In addition, while on the Osa, there are many diverse ways to explore all the natural wonders. Just to name a few, there is boating, biking, kayaking, and horseback ridding. There are also many over night and multi-day adventures exploring the areas vast wilderness. There are jungle hikes within a 45 minute ride from the lodge which can be set up as a gentle half day to a more challenging full day trip which includes lunch or snacks prepared in our kitchen.

These adventures will let you experience lush primary rainforest and the transition to secondary rainforest with plenty of close looks at wildlife and jungle fauna. We have found the best locals that are knowledgeable about all sorts of plant and animal life to be your guides. The Tico guides that we work with are bilingual and truly enjoy sharing with you the wonders of their country. If you wish to go onto the water, which we highly recommend, there are also many boat guides who can be hired for boat rides exploring the shoreline, swimming with the dolphins, snorkeling, and fishing just to name a few of the wonderful experiences to be had on the gulf.

Corcovado National Park

Corcovado National Park is the largest remaining swath of coastal rainforest in Central America. There is wide diversity of animal and plant life within the Park, including all four species of monkeys living in Costa Rica, 350 different bird species as well as jungle cats and species of tapir weighing over 300 pounds.

We can arrange for various tours to the park. You can visit the park for a one day hike during the dry season. Your trip to the park will be a big day involving a 1-1/2 to 2 hour 4x4 taxi ride each way and plenty of hiking. In all cases on the Osa, access sometimes is weather dependant. We work closely with certified local nature guides that can take you to some of the natural delights of the area. Additionally you can get to the parks interior much faster by taking a 15 min flight on a small plane. The flights can take up to 5 people including your tour guide.

If you are planning on having an extended stay at the park, our lodge is a good start and end to your adventures. There is limited lodging at the Ranger Station in the Corcovado - reservations are required and you can request meals (in advance) and you will need to carry in extra water. Otherwise, you can camp at the Ranger Station – and carry in your own food, water and tent. Puerto Jimenez (our near by town) is the main jumping off point for visitors to the park and here you can get supplies. We advise bringing your own tent and backpack for camping in the park. Rain gear is a must while camping in the park. Access to the Corcovado is weather dependant as you will be crossing several rivers on your hike. Know your route before heading in. We can arrange for local reliable guides who will take you in and you can also do it yourself safely with the right information so you do not get stuck between rivers. Access may be blocked completely during heavy rains.

We can help you with your booking when you are here but it is advisable to reserve your time in the park before you arrive, particularly in the high season. There is a low cost Collective that runs daily from Puerto Jimenez to Carate. From there you hike in to the first ranger station at La Leona. Stay there or hike about 15 km to the ranger’s station at Sierena. To keep the park pristine and your experience unique, the number of visitors is limited.

Waterfall Rappelling

The adventure traveler will enjoy a once in a lifetime experience rappelling down side of a water fall, hike along a jungle river, and observe the wildlife all around you. Having the monkeys hollering out heckles at your rappelling is quite an experience. The waterfall rappelling is safe for all ages and the guides are trained and have excellent harnesses and safety equipment so that you can relax and take in all the wonders around you. This adventure is recommended to be done in conjunction with the tree climbing adventure.

 

 

Tree Climbing

Climb up to the canopy of the jungle's gentle giants – the Matapalo tree. You will truly get a birds eye view of the wildlife. The climbs are challenging for all skill levels of climbers. Once at the top, you will take in all the unique life in the treetops then prepare yourself for the fun and challenge of rappelling back down to the jungle floor. The guides have heavy duty harnesses and safety equipment. This adventure is recommended to be done in conjunction with the waterfall rappelling. Not to be missed while on the Osa.

Fishing

Our location is ideal for all types of fishing. This area of Costa Rica is famed for it sports fishing. On the Gulfo de Dulce there is a strong catch and release ethic allowing the natural resources to be preserved and enjoyment to be had by all. Do not forget your camera because you will want to bring home pictures of the big one you got. Mahi mahi, red snapper, rooster fish, and tuna are all commonly caught in these waters. We can arrange various expeditions ranging from in shore fishing to fishing 20 miles off the Pacific coast. Fishing off the beach at the lodge has brought in dinner more than once.

Horseback Riding

Horse lovers will enjoy a ride through the jungle or along the open beach. There are horses for all levels of riding. Explore the town or the wildlife on horseback. We work with the local ranchers that truly care for their horses and the environment. While riding, you will be able to take in all the beauty and feel the tranquility and peace of the area. Horses can be brought to the lodge so you can begin and end your ride at our front door.

Dolphins

This is one of the few places that you can swim with pods of wild dolphins. The dolphin tour guides have created a unique experience so that you can actually be in the water and swim with the dolphins and the dolphins swim with you. A specialized board is the key to this adventure. The dolphins are located, guests enter the water and are gently pulled behind the boat holding the board which allows you to swim - dolphin fashion, and the dolphins respond at times by swimming in circles around you. Hard to describe, incredible to experience. In addition, the trip on the boat is an exploration of the gulf - you have an opportunity to view the other wonders of this unique body of water, the Gulfo de Dulce.

Gold Panning

The Rio Tigre is one of the great gold panning rivers in the world. During the 1970's and 80's there was a minor gold rush here on the Osa Peninsula. Most of the activity was centered around the Rio Tigre. The damaging practices of the gold miners endangered the land and wildlife. Fortunately, the government stepped in with protective measures. You can still enjoy the pleasures of standing in the cool waters and trying your luck and then visiting Dos Brasos, the nearby village, where it is still possible to buy things at the store with gold dust.

Surfing

For the beginner, our surfing teacher has a 100% success rate. You will stand up on your board during your first lesson. This is one of the more pleasurable places to learn to surf. The water is warm, the people friendly and the waves gentle. For the more experienced surfer, the same beach holds challenges when a swell is in and offers an exceptionally long right hand break. In the morning or near sunset, the howler monkeys can be heard calling across the water. Amazing.

Jungle Hikes

What have you envisioned when dreaming of the jungle? You can experience it here and it is even more lush and beautiful than you have ever imagined. There are treks for all levels and our guides know where to find the animals that you have always wanted to see in the wild. Flocks of macaw parrots, troops of monkeys, toucans, dart frogs and sloths are regularly seen on these treks. One to four day trips are available. We recommend that you take full advantage of this opportunity. It is our hope that when people experience these wonders, they will become more aware of the necessity of preserving this most precious region.

Snorkeling

Snorkeling is a great adventure to combine with some of your other water adventures. Close to the lodge and in the Gulfo Dulce, there are shallow reefs perfect for snorkeling. You'll see schools of tropical fish and learn about this habitat from local guides with first hand knowledge of this tropical fiord. For the more adventurous and strong swimmer, there is a reef off our beach perfect for a 150 yards swim.

Birding

Add another page to your book. You may need another journal before you leave the Osa. Merely sitting on the porch of your cabina, you will sight a myriad species. It is said that over 300 species inhabit this area and we welcome you to verify this for yourself. Of course the birds that you spot are dependent on the season, but there are always plenty.

Kayaking

This is a do not miss adventure. You can arrange for many different tours. Sunset dolphin tour is a great one. The most popular is a 3 hour tour starting in the mangroves- experiencing the unique wild life then crossing a narrow part of the beach and ending your tour on the bay. You can use a single or tandem kayak. Dry bags are also provided so remember to bring your camera.

Yoga

Our private lodge, situated on the beach at the edge of the rainforest, complete with yoga studio, beach platform and accommodations is the perfect location for your next group retreat. Our lodge hosts 8-20 guests guaranteeing your group's privacy. Three meals daily are included in all lodging. We can assist with your local flight arrangements and tour bookings. We have adventures available for guests of all ages and abilities.

Teachers or Studios - if you would like to host a retreat at Black Turtle Lodge.- E- mail to: info@blackturtlelodge.com subject= "Yoga Retreat Request" for more information.

Please visit our Yoga Page for more information.

Biking

Biking On The Osa : You will find that you can have a great experience traveling to town, around town, or even riding to your next Osa adventure. We have mountain bikes for rent at the lodge and for those who want to do long distance biking or extreme jungle mountain biking, we can arrange a special tour with a biking tour guide.

Biking is a wonderful experience on the Osa, in fact, you'll see more people traveling by bike, on foot, or on horse than by car. Biking is wonderful on the Osa, the terrain is level if you stay on the roads near the coast and everyone you meet will be calling out to you, "Pura Vida".

Canas Blancas Animal Reserve

One of the wonders of the Osa is the diversity of life and the type of people who come to the area and settle down. One such wonder is Canas Blancas, where they take in all kinds of injured animals needing special care. They work only on donations and have dedicated themselves in the rehabilitation of the local animals. The sanctuary is a half day tour across the gulf that is a wonderful place to see these creatures of the jungle up close and help out a good cause. Kids have wonderful tales to tell after this adventure.

Botanical Gardens

Those of you who love the flora can enjoy it all around you while staying at the lodge and for those of you who are curious about what it would be like to have a garden in the jungle, we recommend seeing our friends at the Casa Orquideas Jardin Botanico which is across the golfo and only accessible by boat. Looking to see the local garden just down the road, we can arrange tours at our friend's Tom & Kathryn's botanical garden. These tours last a couple of hours and you will be able to get some wonderful photos of flowers and other plants that you might spend days looking for in the jungle.