The Southern zone
Well, if you want to go shopping this is not the area for you. But if you like to enjoy the beautiful nature and green surroundings this is absolutly the place for you to be.
The main activities include beach enjoyment and marine resources, such as whales and dolphin’s observation, as well as mangrove swamp’s, landscapes, reptilian, sport fishing, surfing, hiking through the National Park’s paths, professional diving, the energetic walks to the Chirripo’s summit, botanical gardens and protected areas with impressive waterfalls.
The tropical expanse of these retreats creates the idyllic area for a vacation to the southern part of the Central Pacific coast. Apart from swimming or strolling lazily along the sandy coastline, numerous activities are offered. The Nauyaca Waterfalls, described as some of the best in the country, are within a short drive away. Hiking, kayaking, and horseback riding are great ways to experience this naturally stunning area. Sport fishing in the Pacific or a boat tour down the Río Terraba, abundant in mangroves, are excellent ways to see wildlife up close and personal. Scuba diving is a favorite hobby as divers can encounter dolphins, manta rays, whales, sea turtles and plenty of colorful fish.
The area is highlighted by gorgeous sunsets and blue seas which are better for swimming than surfing. The area is also great for bird watching as hundreds of different species are found in the region.
Common for all adventures in the area is that they all are combined with the beautiful nature in Costa Rica. In our webpage we have listed some of the options to give you ideas of what to see and do when staying in Casa Mamaluma. You can find many other companies that offer trips, guided tours and activities in the area – so just feel free to choose the best company for you. The tourist information centers in Uvita and Ojochal are good places to get an overview of all the options in the area.
Osa canopy tour
Experience the thrill of a lifetime taking the Osa Canopy Tour at Osa Mountain Village. If you have always wanted to take a tour of the Costa Rican jungle, the zipline tour offered by the Osa Canopy Tour gives you a breathtaking bird’s eye view of the spectacular southern zone. It is a tour you simply cannot find anywhere else. We are fully insured, professionally staffed, and prepared to give you an education and a ride of a lifetime!
Start your journey on the 800-acre private reserve that includes primary and secondary humid tropical rainforests. Take delight in overlooking the majestic Pacific Ocean while waiting for your tour to begin. Once you begin, your bilingual guides will teach you much about the Osa in a fun and informative manner along the way. You will be able to tell that they are extremely knowledgeable about the area but they also know how to keep you safe with the first-rate gear, climbing methods, and other maneuvers so you can enjoy soaring hundreds of feet above the jungle.
Once your zipline tour is over and you are back on the ground, you will enjoy a local snack of fresh fruit and beverages. You can then enjoy walking through the numerous paths filled with mountain terrain and natural serenity. Be sure to keep your eyes peeled because you will have the opportunity to see all kinds of insects and animals unique to the region, including howler monkeys, sloths, iguanas, scarlet macaws, poison dart frogs and much more!
The best part about the tour is that the ecology of the area is not disturbed in any way. The architect of the platforms and designer of the Osa Canopy Tour – Jose Manuel Pizarro – used a technology that allows the platforms to grow along with the trees. He used an eco-friendly technology that required no screws or nails (into trees) when constructing the tour so everybody can appreciate the natural beauty with a minimum of disruption to the natural surroundings.
It’s definitely a unique experience that you will never forget!
From the website of Bahía Aventuras:
Fight for your catch of the day! Put your sport fishing skills to practice and feel the adrenaline rush of fighting a fierce mahi-mahi, yellow fin tuna, marlin, or sailfish during your sport fishing tour. The waters off of the Osa Peninsula in the South Pacific Ocean of Costa Rica are rich in nutrients and there is a great variety of fish for your sport fishing tour. Our local captains of over 10+ years of experience know the hottest areas for fishing and the best time of year. The Osa Peninsula region continues to produce world record catches year after year.
In the South Pacific Ocean near the Osa Peninsula is where you will find the best blue water fishing anywhere. The Osa Peninsula in Costa Rica is a very special place in the world especially when it comes to Costa Rica fishing.
Situated just 30 miles north of the Panama border, its location between the Pacific Ocean and the Golfo Dulce of Golfito, makes it one of the most nutrient rich coasts, one that offer anglers some of Costa Rica’s best sport fishing. Catch marlin, sails, dorado, wahoo, tuna, rooster fish, tarpon and snook year round.
Trip to Corcavado National Park
From the website of Bahía Aventuras:
Corcavado National Park was called one of the most bio-diverse places on the planet by National Geographic.
Hike lush rain forests, howl with howler monkeys, relax with a sloth, sing with birds, and investigate millions of insects during your tour of Corcovado National Park in the Osa Peninsula! Corcovado National Park is famous for holding 3% of the biodiversity on this side of the planet. (The Corcovado National Park is one of Costa Rica’s best nature spots for eco-tourism! The number of visitors allowed per day is regulated and reservations fill up quickly.)
Famous for being–the Amazon of Costa Rica—the Corcovado National Park is the largest stronghold of primary forest on a Pacific coastline, and is famous for being “the most biologically intense place on Earth”. Be prepared for a thrilling tour as you explore some of Mother Natures most amazing works of art. The area holds thousands of species of flora and fauna, many unique to the area and others which have disappeared from other regions, or are in danger of extinction. Approximately, 6,000 insects (including the 123 different butterflies discovered so far), 500 trees (a fourth of all the tree species that exist in Costa Rica), 367 birds, 140 mammals, 117 amphibian and reptiles, and 40 freshwater fish species live here in coexistence. Immerse yourself in life’s wonders with the BEST Costa Rica Nature Tour.
The Corcovado National Park Full Day Nature Tour departs from Punta Uvita at 7:00 AM and arrives approximately 1 ½ hours later at San Pedrillo Ranger Station in the Corcovado National Park. Upon arrival you will prepare for two guided nature tour hikes along two different trails and observe beautiful flora and fauna. Each hike takes around 2 hours. During the hikes you will be able to see many mammals such as spider, howler, and white-faced monkeys, sloths, coatis, raccoons, and tapirs as well as a great variety of birds, plants, and trees with over one hundred years of existence and in danger of extinction. After the first hike, we serve a picnic lunch near the San Pedrillo ranger station and then we begin the second trek. During boat transit from Punta Uvita beach to Corcovado National Park you may observe whales, dolphins, turtles, marine birds and fantastic views of the southern pacific Osa coastline. The boat returns from Corcovado National park at 2.00 pm and arrives to Punta Uvita at 4:00 p.m.
Eduins hike to a secluded waterfall
Eduin makes a 2-3 hours hike in the area to a secluded waterfall. He charges $30 per person if you are 4 persons – and $40 per person if you are less than 4 persons. This includes drinks and some food as well. All the money goes to Eduin and his family.
The walk is about 1 hour and if you want to take a swim at the waterfall he will of cause wait for you while you enjoy the refreshing water. You need hiking boots and a swimsuit and you might to bring a towel.
This is a small description of the tour/hike written by one of our guests who did the tour in December 2019:
“We started our hike at 9:30 am from the bridge. We walked on stones to get across the first creek. We then started to climb up the wide trail on nice even ground. Eduin stopped below a lime tree and used his machete to cut us off one lime to enjoy with our rum later (it was delicious).
We crossed another creek by stepping on stones. I would recommend wearing hiking boots that you don’t mind getting wet. We did get wet up to our ankles and even though our boots got wet we were comfortable.
We saw so many birds, frogs, lizards, and insects! Not to mention the flora. Even though we do not speak Spanish, we had fun learning with Eduin. He was very patient with us. We continued to climb higher and the path narrowed.
Eduin gave us an ice-cold bottle of water which we both appreciated. We crossed over a washed-out path with a pretty deep crevice. Easily navigated with hiking boots. Then we started to hear the waterfall! The path started to descend to the falls and our first view of them was breathtaking! This part of the trail is tricker to navigate and required some scrambling (holding rocks and trees with your hands to help you down the rugged trail) but so worth it! The falls are very tall and cascade down the rock face. The spray from the falls can be felt 20 feet away.
We quickly took our boots off and slithered into the pool of water beneath the falls. Best to wear your swimsuit, but it you want to change into it up there you could change privately behind the huge boulder in the middle of the creek. We had our swimsuits on. The entry into the water has boulders you need to navigate. We went slow and had no troubles. The water was cool and refreshing. We both swam under the falls and enjoyed feeling the power of the water falling on our heads. The pool of water is deep in parts, but you can stand up in many parts. Eduin shared some fresh fruit and food as well as juice with us. He brought Ensaladas that we’re very delicious and warm like they just came out of the oven!
Eduin did not join us in this swim, he said it was too cold for him!! He was very patient and encouraged us to stay longer. My husband went back in for a second swim! We toweled off (yes bring a towel with you).
We started our trip back home stopping to take photographs of course. The trip back is mostly downhill.
We were almost back to the vehicle when Eduin pointed out a Cacao plant. “
Watch a small video of the waterfall here:
Nauyaca waterfalls
From the website of Cataratas Nauyaca:
The Nauyaca Waterfalls are located in a canyon approximately eight meters wide. One of the falls is forty-five meters high in free fall and the other, twenty meters high with a tiered fall, forming at the bottom a 1,000-square meter and six-meter-deep pool. There are also other smaller natural pools where visitors can seize the opportunity and enjoy the waters with their families or friends.
Nauyaca Waterfalls is the ideal place for nature and adventure lovers, where tourists can walk, swim, climb, jump, take photographs and spend a marvelous day in the warm waters of Rio Barucito, enjoying one of the most beautiful places in Costa Rica’s South Pacific.These waterfalls are a reference point for adventure ecotourism, as they are recognized worldwide for their beauty and the excellent services offered.
Nauyaca Waterfalls is a totally Costa Rican owned family tourism company, dedicated for several years to tour operations. These are horseback riding tours, traveling through the farm that border with two impressive waterfalls from Río Barucito. These majestic waterfalls are one of the main attractions of the southern region in Costa Rica, not only for their natural scenic beauty, which offers the tourist moments of recreation and fun, but also to participate in different activities such as horseback ridign tours, swimming, climbing, jumping and to observe much of the beauty of the tropical rainforest, among others. Nauyaca Waterfalls is the ideal place, not only for those in search of tranquility and nature, but also for adventure and excitement lovers. They are a reference point for adventure ecotourism as they are recognized worldwide for their beauty and the excellent services they provide. Details about the Nauyaca waterfalls can be found here
Manual Antonio national park
This park is just south of Quepos which is 90 km away from Casa Mamaluma – 1,5 hours. Perhaps Manual Antonio is so popular because of its expansive white sand beaches backed by an evergreen forest that grows right up to the high tide line. The principal habitants are primary forest, secondary forest, mangrove swamps, lagoons and beach vegetation. There is quite a varied fauna with 109 species of mammals and 184 of birds. The park includes 12 little isles just off the coast; these often visited by several dolphins and, at times, migrating whales can be observed. You must pay a fee for entry to the National Park.
Read more – click here
The Caño Island
When you stay at Casa Mamaluma you can see the island from the terraces. Cano Island (or Isla de Caño) is designated as one of the two best snorkel and scuba diving site in Costa Rica. This biological reserve is home to a copious amount of marine wildlife such as sharks, eagle rays, fish and turtles. On any given day, visibility is fairly good and visitors have the chance to see all sorts of wildlife. On the boat ride over, you will often see dolphins and turtles. Sometimes you can even see humpback whales if it’s the right time of year!
If you want to go diving CAÑO ISLAND have some different diving sites
From the website of Mystic Dives:
EL BAJO DEL DIABLO (THE DEPTH OF THE DEVIL) El Bajo Del Diablo known as the Depth of the Devil is the best site by far which consist of a huge area sub-divided into many secluded sites. The towering rock pinnacles range from over 150 ft to just under 20 ft which provides one of the best sites to encounter Moray eel, Mantas, Spotted Eagle Rays and more than 4 different species of eels. Its incredible maze of peaks and valleys is the home of Groupers, Snappers and Amberjack reaching 70lb and gives divers a chance to swim amongst enormous schools of tuna, barracuda, reef sharks and scores of tropical fish.
CUEVA DEL TIBURON (SHARK CAVE) Cueva Del Tiburon known as the Shark Cave is surrounded by beautiful white tip reef sharks. Other inhabitants of the area include angels, butterfly, damsels, parrot fish, moorish idols, lobsters, puffers, sturgeon fish. Occasional visitors like the mantas and stingrays can also be found in this area which adds to a lifetime experience for any diver.
LOS ARCOS (THE ARCHES) Los Arcos or The Arches are made up of unique rock formations formed in the shape of arches. Divers can swim through these towering underwater arches and see fish life similar to the Shark Cave due to its close proximity.
EL BARCO (THE WRECK) El Barco has no wreck here but is referred as the wreck. It is made up of a variety of rock formations with areas with the most plentiful hard corals. The large array of fish life provides divers opportunities to encounter white tip reef sharks, manta rays and occasional sea turtles.
PARAISO (PARADISE) Paraiso or Paradise is famous for its abundant marine life which offers divers the experience to encounter whitetip sharks, schools of big groupers, snappers, tuna and its many smaller species of tropical fish.
Marino Ballena National Park
From the website of Bahía Aventuras:
The Marino Ballena National Park is located in the south pacific coast at the footsteps of the community’s of Uvita – Bahia Ballena, in the province of Puntarenas, Osa, Costa Rica. The park pertains to the Area of Conservation for the Osa region and was officially declared as a Marine National Park in 1989. The park covers an extension of 110 land hectares and 5,375 sea hectares and is named after the humpback whales that migrate from mid July and October, and again in December through March from feeding and mating grounds in the north and south hemispheres to the warm tropical waters of Costa Rica. The objective of the park is to conserve the rich marine ecosystems that are found inside the park boundaries. The Marino Ballena National Park forms part of the 1% of Costa Rica’s protected marine territory; a country which has 11 times more marine territory than land, and contains at least 85 species that are endemic to its’ waters.
Characteristics of the Marino Ballena National Park
The Marino Ballena National Park is comprised of golden sandy beaches (playa uvita, playa arco, playa ballena, and playa pinuelas), rocky shorelines, cliffs, islands, mangrove ecosystems, rock and coral reefs. The parks’ northern boundary starts from river Morete (Rio Morete) and extends south to Pinuela point (Punta Pinuela), covering approximately 9 miles (15km). The most prominent land formation found within the park is the Punta Uvita Whale Tail (Punta Uvita Tombolo), a sand bar that extends 1 kilometer into the pacific ocean. During low tide visitors can enjoy a walk out to the Punta Uvita Tombolo where rock reef stretches out forming the shape of a whale tail. The park also contains a large stretch of coral reef, the most common species being the Stony Coral – (Porites lobata), and forms a crescent necklace with the small rock island of La Viuda (the Widow), one large island called Isla Ballena (Whale Island) and three small rocky islands known as Las Tres Hermanas (Three Sisters).
Coral Reefs of Marino Ballena National Park
The Marino Ballena National Park contains a total of 18 coral species making it one of the best snorkeling places to observe corals of the central-south pacific of Costa Rica, second to Cano Island Reserve. Inside the park boundaries visitors can snorkel and dive to observe eight coral community’s and two coral reefs with the majority of three different species of corals; Stony Coral (Porites Lobata), Star Column Coral (Pavona clavus), Cauliflower Coral (Pocillopora elegans). Together, Marino Ballena National Park and Cano Island Reserve make for the best Costa Rica snorkeling and diving destinations.
Snorkeling at Marino Ballena
Snorkel the ocean floor and observe parrot fish, sea turtles, coral reef and more during your Costa Rica Snorkeling Tour to the Marino Ballena National Park, Punta Uvita better known as Whale’s Tail, Isla Ballena and Tres Hermanas!
Marino Ballena National Park is second to Cano Island with great coral reef and fish diversity along the South Pacific Coast of Costa Rica. Join us on this half day Snorkeling Tour, as we depart from Punta Uvita and visit the best snorkeling treasures of the Marino Ballena National Park: reefs of Ballena Island, Tres Hermanas Islets and the Punta Uvita Whale tale. Discover underwater treasures such as, parrotfish, butterfly fish, blue surgeonfish, and a great number of starfish at a depth that ranges from 1 to 3 meters. Observe the land formations of Ballena Island and Tres Hermanas Islets and their local inhabitants, the brown booby and green iguana.
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Surfing, Kayaking or Stand Up Paddle Boarding at Marino Ballena National Park
From the website of Uvita 360 – water tours:
Costa Rica is famous for its surf. Both the Caribbean and Pacific Coasts offer great waves. The ocean is clean and warm. The view of land is incredible, with scarlet macaws flying by and howler monkey calls echoing out of the forest. Because the breaks are inside the gulf, glassy conditions almost always persist. The good waves combined with lush vistas of the rainforest make this one of the most beautiful places you can surf.
Ocean and river kayaking are easy and relaxing, an excellent way to discover nature and explore the coast with its deep mangrove forests, coral reefs, and jungle rivers abundant with tropical wildlife. Paddle through the jungle and glimpse monkeys, parrots, toucans and iguanas. Carry on out to sea and encounter dolphins, sea turtles, and coral reefs.
Stand Up Paddle Boarding is one of the fastest growing watersport on the planet today. Why? because it is easy, healthy and a great work out and activity that the whole family can enjoy together. The feeling of walking on water, snorkeling or wildlife watching are just some of highlights of this sport. Paddling on a board to Punta Uvita Whales Tail or Terraba-Sierpe mangroves (the biggest in Central America) is possible now in the place where we call the paradise for Stand up Paddlers in Costa Rica!
Whale watching
Most whale watching tours depart Drake or Carate on the seaward shores of the Osa peninsula or from the central Pacific coast along the beaches of Ballena Park near Uvita. The best dates are from December through April for the California Humpbacks and starting again in July when the Antarctic whales arrive to stay until about November.
The Bahia Aventuras Combo Tour is the best option to see the most of the Marino Ballena National Park. The Boat departs from Punta Uvita Beach and visits the famous Punta Uvita Whale’s Tail, Ballena Island, Tres Hermanas Islets and Ventana Sea Caves. During the tour we search for and two different species of resident *Dolphins. When granted the opportunity you might see and hear the song of the Humpback Whales and or observe the acrobatic displays of the dolphins making this trip the best Whale watching tour of Costa Rica. Others species that are seeing occasionally during this are : Bryde’s Whales , Pilot whales, False Killer whales and other marine life.
Mangrove Tours
10-15 minutes’ drive from Casa MamaLuma you can experience the mangrove tour together with Eduin – our housekeeper. The tour will take you through the Mangrove forest and you can spend some time on a private beach.
