Explore the wonders of the Southern Caribbean Coast of Costa Rica
Utopia caribe Vacation Rentals wants you to enjoy your time in the Costa Rica's southern Caribbean Coast to the fullest. We encourage you to explore the area, get to know the beaches, the town, the people. While there are plenty of leisure activities you can experience on your own, the southern caribbean coast offers some of the best cultural, nature and adventure tours you can find in Costa Rica.
The iconic Cahuita National Park, Gandoca Manzanillo National Park in the southern tip of the coast bordering with Panama, perhaps adrenaline filled adventures like Rafting on the Pacuare river, ocean and river kayaking or challenge yourself on a fun filled canopy zip line adventure, flying over the rainforest.
These are just a few of the many tours and activities available. Let us help you make the best use of your vacation time in our wonderful southern Caribbean Coast.
BIKE RENTAL
Enjoy the freedom and unique experience of renting your own Banana bike to move around town.
The town of Puerto Viejo and surrounding beaches are easily accessible by bike, which is rapidly becoming a popular mode of transportation.
Though there are no designed bike lanes, the wide paved main road that lines the beaches, has proven to be one of the best ways to move around.
The bikes will be conveniently delivered to and picked up from your vacation rental.
RATE: $9.00 USD per bike-per day
Full day rental (minimum 2 days)
Minimum age: 8 yrs. old.
Included: Drop off and pick up of bikes at the house
CAHUITA SNORKELING & RAINFOREST HIKE
Cahuita National Park has the largest system of Coral Reefs in Costa Rica, including 6 species of coral, and a wide range of colorful tropical fish. This beach has a horseshoe shape, with the entrance of the park at one end and beautiful Punta Cahuita at the other end. We start with a scenic 20-minute boat ride for a snorkeling session. Then we get dropped off at the Punta to enjoy a delicious fruit and snacks break at the beach, followed by a 1 hour guided hike in this wonderful coastal forest.
RATE: $67.00 USD per person
Departure time: 6:30-7:00 a.m.
Return time: 12:00 - 1:00 p.m.
Tour time: 3-4 hours
Minimum age: 5 yrs. old.
Included: Transportation, service of professional guide, lifejacket, snorkeling equipment, all entrance fees, fruits, snacks.
What to Bring: swimsuit, sunscreen, hat, long sleeve shirt/rash guard to cover your back, camera (ideally waterproof), water bottle, change of clothes, towel, comfortable walking shoes, insect repellent, binoculars, raincoat and a bit of cash.
CANOPY ZIPLINE TOUR
Fly through the jungle and take your adrenaline to the fullest with this Zipline tour!
Journey through 18 platforms, covering a total of 2.400 meters (7,874 feet) through the wonderful trails filled with flora and fauna.
All the platforms were built on the treetops, conscious of causing the least impact possible to the surrounding forest. All our platforms and bridges are made of recycled plastic or harvested wood harvested, zipline cables are carbon fiber for safety and less noise pollution.
RATE:
Adults $70.00 USD per person
Child (4-11) $40.00 per child
Departure time: 8:30 a.m. & 1:30 p.m.
Tour time: 3-4 hours
Minimum age: 4 yrs. old (minimum height 1.20 mts or 3.9 feet)
Included: Transportation from Operation Center in Hone Creek, service of professional guide.
What to Bring: Comfortable closed toed shoes, sunscreen, insect repellent.
Recommendations: Not suitable for pregnant women, people weighing over 120 kilos (264 pounds), people who are not in moderate to good physical condition.
Important Note: Please ask cost for added on cost to include pick up from your Vacation Rental or Hotel. It varies depending on Hotel/Vacation Rental location.
CHOCOLATE TOUR
Ever wonder how chocolate is made? Our Chocolate Forest Experience is the best cacao farm and chocolate factory tour in Puerto Viejo, Limon, Costa Rica. Our local guide will teach you everything you need to know about cacao, chocolate history, tropical wildlife and of course chocolate making. We grow our own cacao and make the chocolate right here amongst the cacao trees. A truly tree to bar chocolate tour.
RATE: $35.00 USD per person
Tour times: 10:00 a.m. & 2:00 p.m. (except Sundays)
Tour time: 2 hours
Minimum age: no minimum age.
Included: Hiking our sustainable cacao forest (some physical exertion over hilly terrain), tasting the fruit of the cacao tree from our cacao farm, seeing the bean to bar process at our chocolate workshop, chocolate tasting.
What to Bring: Sturdy shoes are recommended but not required (flip flops are fine if you like to walk in them), sunscreen, hat, insect repellent, camera.
HORSE RIDING JUNGLE & BEACH
This tour combines both beach and jungle for a complete experience, the best way to explore the beauty of the Caribbean! We ride along the beach, where you will get to see breathtaking scenery of white sand beaches. Then, we head into the jungle, where you explore the rich wildlife of the tropical rainforest. Your guide will help you spot animals, like howler monkeys, sloths, toucans, parrots are among the viewing possibilities.
RATE:
Adults $97.00 USD per person
Child (5-11) $ 80.00 USD per child
Departure time: 8:30 a.m. & 2:00 p.m.
Tour time: 3 hours
Minimum age: 5 yrs. old.
Included: Transportation, horses, bilingual guide, helmets.
What to Bring: You will be more comfortable wearing long pants, close comfortable shoes that can get wet, sunscreen, long sleeve shirt, camera (waterproof case), water bottle, insect repellent.
INDIGENOUS CHOCOLATE, MEDICINAL PLANTS & WATERFALL
Visit an indigenous family in Watsy, Talamanca, where a local family will show and teach you the process of making handcrafted chocolate with traditional indigenous techniques. Then you will learn about medicinal plants, prepare natural dyes and create your own art which you will be invited to take home with you. This cultural adventure ends with a visit to the nearby Bribri waterfall which offers wonderful views and if the conditions are right, enjoy a quick dip in the fresh river waters.
RATE: $102.00 USD per person
Departure time: 8:00 a.m. // 1:00 p.m.
Return time: 12:00 // 5:00 p.m.
Tour time: 3-4 hours
Minimum age: 5 yrs. old.
Included: Transportation, service of professional guide, water, fruits snack.
What to Bring: swimsuit, sunscreen, hat, camera (ideally waterproof), water bottle, change of clothes, towel, comfortable walking shoes, insect repellent, binoculars, raincoat, and a bit of cash.
JUNGLE ADVENTURE CANOPY & RAPELLING
The tour includes ziplining, hiking, rappelling, suspension bridges, tree climbing, Tarzan swing and Superman cable, truly an adrenaline filled jungle adventure!
Start with exploring the canopy gliding on the ziplines thru the rainforest, including the 16-meter (52 feet) high Tarzan Swing. Hike through rivers, pools, and the natural obstacles that the Costa Rican jungle hast to offer. Experience rappelling on beautiful waterfalls, cross our suspension bridge and climb a majestic for an unparalleled view of the southern Caribbean. End with a horizontal position flight on the SUPERMAN zipline.
Tour ends with a hearty lunch at a typical Costa Rican restaurant.
RATE: $103.00 USD per person
Departure time: 8:30 a.m.
Tour time: 5 hours
Minimum age: 12 yrs. old
Included: Transportation from Operation Center in Hone Creek, service of professional guide, lunch.
What to Bring: Comfortable closed toed shoes that can get wet, swimsuit, towel, change of clothes sunscreen, insect repellent.
Recommendations: Not suitable for pregnant women, people weighing over 120 kilos (264 pounds), people who are not in good physical condition.
Important Note: Please ask cost for added on cost to include pick up from your Vacation Rental or Hotel. It varies depending on Hotel/Vacation Rental location.
Manzanillo Ocean & River Kayak
Start with a 15–20-minute transfer to the small town of Manzanillo, located next to the Gandoca Manzanillo National Park. After a safety briefing, embark in a magical kayaking journey starting down river to enjoy the views and sounds of the Rainforest, with a chance to see wildlife such as monkeys, slots, green macaws, toucans, and others. Continue to the ocean paralleling a coast with the most amazing views and most of the time with clear waters. Back in the beach we will take a nice break to relax, swim and enjoy some nicely presented fresh fruit.
Note: If the sea kayak is cancelled due to unsafe conditions, we will offer a longer hike in the jungle. NO REFUND APPLIES.
RATE: $108.00 USD per person
Departure time: 8:00-1:00 p.m.
Return time: 11:30-4:30 p.m.
Ocean/River time: 2 hours
Minimum age: 8 yrs. old.
Included: Transportation, service of professional guide, Kayak, life jacket, fruits, water.
What to bring: swimsuit, sunscreen, hat, long sleeve shirt/rash guard to cover your back, waterproof camera (or waterproof pouch for your phone), water bottle, change of clothes, towel, water shoes or sandals with straps, insect repellent and a bit of cash.
PACUARE RIVER RAFTING
The Pacuare River is one of the best choices for your adventurous rafting trip in Costa Rica. No other trip in the country exists that offers you a perfect blend of wilderness exposure and excitement, all in one day. Pacuare is world famous for its sheer beauty, a true river gorge, it is flanked by steep, green walls. You see waterfalls cascade into the river from both sides as colorful, tropical birds fly right over your head. The white water, equally exciting, not an overly challenging river, but it has lots of rapids, 52 in all during the 18-mile one day run.
Upon arrival to the river, we will gear you up with a life jacket, helmet, and paddle, then brief you with a full safety orientation talk. Finally, it is time to take off down the rapids! We finish in Siquirres, at our own private Exploration Center where you can take a shower, change, enjoy the gardens and terrace while having a beer or two and reflecting with your new friends about the great adventure you just shared.
RATE: $112.00 USD per person
Departure time: 5:30 – 6:00 a.m.
Return time: 5:00 - 6:00 p.m.
River time: 2-3 hours
Minimum age: 12 yrs. old.
Included: Breakfast, lunch, River Guides, helmet, life jacket, transportation to/from Puerto Viejo
What to Bring: Come with rafting cloths on (light shoes that strap on), swimsuit, shorts, nylon shirt, towel, change of clothes, sunscreen, insect repellent, and a credit card to buy photos, souvenirs, or drinks. All luggage will be kept in lockers.
PUNTA UVA KAYAK & RAIN FOREST HIKE
Start with a short drive to Punta Uva, one of the most beautiful beaches of the area. After a safety briefing, embark in a magical sea kayaking journey paralleling a coast full of cliffs, caves, and the most amazing rainforest. We then paddle our way upriver though gorgeous rainforest where you can expect to spot abundant wildlife. Back in the beach we will take a nice break to relax, swim and enjoy some nicely presented fresh fruit and snacks before hiking to the great overview at Grape Point.
Note: If the sea kayak is cancelled due to unsafe conditions, we will offer a longer hike in the jungle. NO REFUND APPLIES.
RATE: $67.00 USD per person
Departure time: 9:30-10:00 a.m.
Return time: 2:30-3:00 p.m.
Ocean/River time: 2 hours
Minimum age: 5 yrs. old.
Included: Transport, service of professional guide, Kayak, life jacket, all entrance fees, fruits, snacks.
What to bring: swimsuit, sunscreen, hat, long sleeve shirt/rash guard to cover your back, camera (ideally waterproof), water bottle, change of clothes, towel, comfortable walking shoes, insect repellent, binoculars, raincoat and a bit of cash.
SURF LESSON
A perfect class for beginners, this introductory surf lesson is designed for someone who has never surfed but is ready to learn, or those at a beginner level! This lesson begins with a thorough introduction of the sport beginning on the beach where we review the basic techniques of paddling, standing up, and important ocean safety. We will spend approximately 1.5 hours in the water perfecting your surf skills with an instructor in the waves. We personalize each class to fit you and improve your skills.
RATE: $74.00 USD per person
Departure time: Depending on tides.
Return time: n/a
Tour time: 3-4 hours
Minimum age: 5 yrs. old.
Included: Transportation, Bilingual instructor, surfboard, rash guard, 15 minutes beach instruction, 1.5-2-hour lesson in the water, technical surf coaching for all ages and experience levels.
What to Bring: swimsuit, sunscreen, hat, long sleeve shirt/rash guard to cover your back, camera, water bottle, change of clothes, towel, comfortable walking shoes, insect repellent.
Explore the Nocturnal Magic of the Caribbean Jungle
Venture into the beating heart of the Gandoca-Manzanillo Wildlife Refuge on a fascinating night tour, where nature unveils its best-kept secrets under the moon’s silver glow. Led by local experts, you’ll discover a hidden world that awakens as the sun sets and the jungle comes alive.
During this unforgettable experience, you’ll walk along trails surrounded by dense tropical vegetation, accompanied by the symphony of the night: the melodic croak of frogs, the whisper of the wind through the leaves, and the murmur of life pulsing in every corner.
You’ll encounter creatures that emerge in the dark, such as vibrantly colored frogs, insects that glow like tiny stars, and majestic snakes gliding silently through the branches. With a bit of luck, you might spot nocturnal sloths, armadillos, and other jungle dwellers as your guide shares fascinating stories and secrets about this unique ecosystem.
RATE:
$55 per person (regular tour)
$65 per person (private tour)
DEPARTURE TIME:
6 PM at the Refuge entrance.
MINIMUM AGE: 6 years old
INCLUDES:
- Bilingual guide
- 3 to 4-hour tour through the Refuge
- Refuge entrance (voluntary contribution)
Duration: Approximately 3-4 hours
What to Bring: Light, comfortable clothing, water, closed-toe shoes, insect repellent, and a flashlight.
Difficulty Level: Moderate, suitable for the whole family
Immerse yourself in this magical experience and discover the wild soul of the Costa Rican Caribbean, where nature dances beneath a starry sky and the jungle whispers tales of life and mystery.
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