SAMASATI: COSTA RICA GUIDED TOURS

In addition to the activities included in your retreat fees, you will be able to pick and choose from these offerings during your stay at the prices listed below by Samasati Retreat Center. As part of the retreat, we will have four full days of touring and holiday... two days will be interspersed into the retreat and two more days will complete our adventure after the retreat itself ends.

Samasati Nature Retreat is located in the Talamanca/Carribean region of Costa Rica. It is completely surrounded by National Parks and protected areas: Cahuita National Park, Tortugero National Park, Gandoca Manzanillo Wildlife Refuse, Hitoy Cerere Biological Reserve, Bri-Bri and Cabacar Indigenous Reserves, to name a few.

We offer the following daily guided activities as well as organized packages that include the most popular excursions which are "must see" before you leave Costa Rica.
Please note that mountain bikes can be rented at Samasati Natutre Retreat. The cost is $ 10.00 per day, $ 60.00 per week.

RAIN FOREST CANOPY ADVENTURE
Ten minutes away from Samasati, eight aerial platforms and 1200 meters of cable are nestled deep into the jungle. After a short walk ...the adventure starts. Our professional guide will take you from one platform to the other explaining facts about the vegetation, the animals, and how the local indigenous use some of the herbs you will see. An incredible opportunity to "dive" into the jungle and enjoy it from up above.
Duration : 4 hours
Departure time: 8:30 AM
$ 45 per person

SURFING LESSONS
Lean to surf the waves of the Caribbean. You don't need to be a professional surfer to experience the thrill of riding a wave. Our instructor is experienced and the Caribbean sea is gentle with first-time surfers. Don't miss the opportunity! We will provide you with a surfing board and promise you the time of your life!
Duration: 2-hour lesson
$ 50 per person

SAMASATI BIOLOGICAL RESERVE: Included in the Retreat!
Samasati's virgin rain forest harbor thousand of known life forms and thousand yet to be described. Resonating with the songs of birds and the screams of the howler monkeys at dawn, the rain forest is quiet in the heat of the day, its stillness punctuated by the insect-like call of poison dart frogs, the rasping of cicadas or the whistled notes of wrens and antbirds. The dark, cool interior of the primary forest is surprisingly free of entangling vegetation. Only where light manages to filter through the interlocking canopy to the forest floor does vegetation proliferate.
Walking into the rain forest is like taking a step back on time. The modern world and all its stresses fade into insignificance.
Duration:2 hours
Departure time: any time before 2 PM
$ 10 per person

BIRD WATCHING GUIDED TOUR
Immerse yourself in the 250 acres of biological reserve of Samasati Nature Retreat. Leaving at 5:30 AM from the restaurant, our experienced guide will take you through the many trails of the property where you will have the opportunity to have a close look at the inhabitants of the forest floor, the middle and the upper layer of the canopy. Slaty-Tailed Togon, Violaceus Togon, Blue-Ray Tanager, White Hawks, Laughing Falcons, Chestnut-Mandibled Toucan, the Daring Collared Aracari and other parrots are some of the birds who will welcome you !
Duration: 5 hours
Minimum 2 people
$ 40 per person

CAHUITA NATIONAL PARK
The coral reef of Cahuita National Park includes approximately 240 habitats. There are 123 different species of fish, 44 species of crustaceans, 140 shellfish and 1281 seaweed species identified. We can also observe 35 different coral species such as the fire coral, the red coral and the black coral which is unique to this area. Miles of white beach and dense tropical jungle. This tour will start with a boat trip to the coral reef where you will be snorkeling. Then will follow a guided walk on the Cahuita National Park's trail, where wild animals are easily spotted in the middle of the abundant and colorful flora. The rest of the day is to be enjoyed lying on the white sand beach or visiting Cahuita Village.
Duration: 5 hours + time on the beach.
Departure time : 8:30 AM
Price per person: $ 45

KEKOLDI INDIGENOUS RESERVE Included in the Retreat!
Guided tour in the Kekoldi Indigenous Reserve . The bilingual guide, Mauricio, will bring you into the Reserve where you will learn which plants the Kekoldi use for medicinal purpose, for building and for food. You will learn about their traditions and their gods. A walk in a different world.
Duration: 4 hours
Departure time: 6:30 AM
$ 75 one person
$ 60 2- 5 people
$ 50 per person 6+ people

WATERFALL TREKKING Included in the Retreat!
Guided trekking to a majestic waterfall. Forty minutes to an hour walk in the jungle, in the river, up and down big rocks. Healing and powerful, the waterfall is like a jungle's baptism. Jumping under the strong jets will massage and renew anyone!
Duration: 3 hours minimum
Departure time: 10 AM
$ 33 one person
$ 28 2 to 10 persons
$ 17 per person 11 or more people

DOLPHIN SPOTTING AND SNORKELING
Leaving from the fisherman's village of Manzanillo, Roberto will bring you about one mile off the coast with his motor boat so that you can observe Bottlenose, Atlantic Spotted and Tucuxi Dolphins. The scenic view of Monkey Point and of the Gandoca Manzanillo Wildlife Refuge coastal area is beautiful.
Duration: 5 hours + beach time
Departure time: 6:30 AM
$ 110 one person
$ 66 per person 2-6 people
$ 50 per person 6 or more people

SEA AND RIVER KAYAKING
At the beautiful beach of Punta Uva, with the help of a trained guide, you will kayak in the ocean with a sea kayak. Than you will slide towards the Punta Uva River, that unwinds into the jungle into a paradise of birds, wild animals and tropical plants, leaving behind you nothing but ripples
After the kayaking, the options are: exploring the Punta Uva promontory, snorkeling and sunbathing at the beach either way, this is a day full of adventure and wonders!
Duration: 3 hours + beach time
Departure time: 9:30 AM
$ 93 one person
$ 55 per person 2 -5 people
$ 50 per person 6 or more people

HORSEBACK RIDING AT THE BEACH
Exquisitely trained horses and an expert bilingual guide/teacher will accompany you in this adventurous excursion on the wild beach of Cahuita National Park. At first, in order to make friends and to get used to the horse's pace, you will be taken on a brief horse's walk in the jungle where is also possible to observe animals. You will then come to the beach where the horses can either keep walking, trotting or take you for a breathtaking gallop along the shore. Of course a stop for swimming and resting on the beach is included on the day's program.
Duration: as long as one can take it
Departure time: 10 AM the latest
$ 93 one person
$ 60 per person 2 -3 people
$ 50 per person 4-6 people

BLACK BEACH BOTANICAL GARDEN
The visit at the Black Beach Botanical Garden is a must for nature lovers in order to fully appreciate the bio-diversity of Costa Rica's tropical rain forest. You will be able to observe an incredible quantity of flowers, ornamental and medicinal plants, rare plants, bizarre plants, plants for cosmetic use and plants that we use every day in the kitchen such as black pepper and vanilla. And, of course, all kinds of tropical fruit trees, from the most commonly known to the unknown. You actually will have the opportunity to taste fruits you probably never knew existed and learn about plant's habits that will surprise you!
Duration: 2 1/2 hours
Departure time: no later than 1:00 PM
$ 65 one person
$ 55 per person 2 - 3 people
$ 28 per person 4-10 people
$ 20 per person 11 or more people

ESTRELLA RIVER DELTA
A visit to Aviarios del Caribe, a Bed & Breakfast facility situated right on the Estrella River's Delta. Luis and his wife have dedicated most of their life to the rescue of lost baby animals from the rain forest, especially sloths, taking care of their wellbeing until they are able to go back to
their natural habitat. You'll ride a small boat into the river branches, in between the delta's islands. Wildlife flowers, luxurious vegetation, many birds and other surprises await you in this easy yet adventurous experience during this guided tour into a river's wonders.
Duration: 5 hours
Departure time: 5:30 AM or 10:00 AM or 1:30 PM
$ 99 one person
$ 60 2-5 people
$ 46 6 or more people

WHITE WATER RAFTING
The Pacuare river is world famous for its sheer beauty. A true river gorge, it is flanked by steep, green walls. You will see waterfalls cascade into the river from both sides. Wildlife is abundant, with sloth, toucans, parrots, coatis, morpho butterflies and colorful frogs being common sights. Other inhabitants of this jungle include monkeys, jaguars, peccaries and tapirs, but these animals generally stay more hidden. It is not an overly challenging river, but it has many rapids that will make your adventure very interesting and fun. The 18-mile-one-day-run includes a total of 38 rapids. Few rivers in the world can offer you so many rapids in such a short stretch of water.

Upon arrival to the river you will get geared you up with a life jacket, helmet and paddle and then briefed with a full safety orientation talk by our expert guides. The first 4 miles consist of class II-III rapids, a great time to test your new river skills, gain confidence in your team, and have fun. Here you will find very beautiful pockets of secondary forest. After about 40 minutes we will enter the Pacuare River Gorge, which is 5 miles of some of the best white water Costa Rica has to offer. After the gorge the river opens up to another 5 mile stretch called"Valle del Pacuare." The river here changes and becomes wide open, giving you the opportunity to rest a bit and watch the varied wildlife. The final 3 miles are filled with class III rapids which carry you all the way to the end.
Duration, including transfers : 8 hours
Departure time: 6:30 AM
$ 88.00 one person
$ 80 per person more than 15 people

SCUBA DIVING
An all-day excursion, from 9:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m., you will be scuba diving with two air tanks. From Puerto Viejo village, near Samasati, you will take a boat to Manzanillo and Punta Uva, two of the most beautiful beaches of the area. PADI certification is required.
Duration: as long as you like
Departure: 9:00 AM
$ 132 one person
$ 60 per person 2 people
$ 45 per person 3 people

TORTUGERO NATIONAL PARK
Gracefully slide into the canals of one of the most famous protected area of Costa Rica, the Tortuguero National Park. Extremely rich flora and fauna abound in the Park where you can observe orchids, birds, monkeys, crocodiles, sloths and toucans in a unique system of natural canals that serve as waterways for transportation and exploration. A one day tour which includes meals.
Duration: 10 hours
Departure: 7:30 AM
$ 125 one person
$ 93 per person 5 to 8 people

During the sea turtle nesting season, lucky visitors can witness one of the nature's
ageless miracles, as these prehistoric looking creatures return to the same beach from which they were hatched to laboriously dig their nests and lay the eggs from which the next generation of turtles will emerge.

Turtle season:
Baula Turtles season: from April to June
Green Turtle season: from June to October

Included:

Round trip by car to Puerto Astua pier
Boat ride to Tortugero National Park and village with bi lingual guide
1 night in Mawamba Lodge
Meals
Tour in the Tortugero National Park (entrance fee of $ 7.00, not included) again
with bilingual guide.
During the turtle season, for an extra $ 15 one can book a night tour to the beach, to see the turtle nesting.
Duration: 2 days, 1 night.
$4 253 one person
$ 165 per person 2 people

Duration: 3 days 2 nights
$ 306 one person
$ 262 per person 2 people

BEACHES NEAR SAMASATI: At least one is included in the retreat!

Puerto Viejo Village/Beach

4 miles away from Samasati, Puero Viejo beach is a black sand volcanic beach with none to mild waves. Also North of Puerto Viejo, you will find the best surfing beaches on the Caribbean Coast.
Transport is $ 5.00 per person, minimum 4 pax. Less than 4 pax, $ 20.00 total

Cahuita National Park Beach

Cahuita National park consist of several miles of white beach and dense tropical jungle. Nearby you will find Cahuita village, which is a small typically Caribbean settlement. The coral reef of Cahuita National Park includes approximately 240 habitats. There are 123 different species of fishes, 44 species of crustaceans, 140 shellfish and 1281 seaweed species identified. We can also observe 35 different coral species such as the fire coral, the red coral and the black coral which is unique to this area.
Transportation: $ 6.00 per person, minimum 5 pax. Less than 5 pax, $ 25.00 total.
Punta Uva (Grape Point) Beach

The editorial in 2001 Outside Magazine Travel Guide called Punta Uva beach "one of the best seven beaches in the world". A white sand beach located at the entrance of the Gandoca Manzanillo Wildlife Refuge, Punta Uva is a "must" destination for people visiting the Caribbean Coast. Emerald waters, lots of coconut trees, very secluded.
Transportation: $ 6.00 per person, minimum 5 pax. Less than 5 pax, $ 25.00 total.

Manzanillo Beach

In the heart of the Gandoca-Manzanillo Wildlife Refuge, Manzanillo white beach extends for few miles south all the way to the Panama border. Manzanillo village is a very small Caribbean settlement.
$ 8.00 per person. Less than 5 people: $ 40.00 per mini van