8-Day Lodge-to-Lodge Golfo Dulce Sea Kayaking Trip

DAY 3. EXPLORING THE OTHER SIDE OF THE GULF

It is yet another beautiful morning on the Golfo Dulce, with its many tropical birds and sunrise over the water just a few steps from your cabin. Today, you will explore the Esquinas River on the other side of the Gulf. Our motorboat will take us up the river and drop us off. Then, with the help of the gentle currents, you'll float/paddle out again to the river mouth, from where we ride the motorboat back to the lodge. After this full day, we will enjoy well-deserved cold drinks on the boat ride. This afternoon, you'll visit a local family's forest property, famous for its abundance of sloths. We will walk for 2 hours on their forest trails, looking for these iconic creatures and other wildlife. This evening, we will have a delicious dinner after sunset.

DAY 4. PADDLE TO OUR NEXT LODGE, STOPPING ALONG THE WAY

After another glorious breakfast at our host's home this morning, we'll pack up to circumnavigate the northwest portion of the Sweet Gulf, the calmest and most beautiful of this body of water. We will put on the water paddling out of Rincon Bay, following the coast south around Punta Palmas, and reach the village of Playa Blanca. This 12 Km (7 miles) paddle will take us by the Mangroves Forest of the Rincon River. Along our route, we will stop on deserted beaches for a rest, snack, or swim. This water trail is perfect for observing sea turtles and avian wildlife, mainly vast colonies of beach-dwelling scarlet macaws. At Playa Blanca, we'll stay at Lapamar Ecolodge, a family-owned and operated property offering spacious wooden cabins, each with a private bathroom. Our host will serve our meals at the centrally located open rancho, starting with a freshly prepared lunch. Depending on the tides, we'll paddle out again in the afternoon, visiting the nearby mangrove of Barrigones Creek. This is a prime location for spotting wildlife, including coatis, monkeys, squirrels, and sloths. If the tide is not right, we will walk in the nearby rainforest and village. Dinner is prepared with fresh local ingredients and is served right after sunset.

DAY 5. DAY VISIT TO CORCOVADO NATIONAL PARK

On this special day, we will take a break from paddling and embark on a unique journey to Corcovado National Park, the crown jewel of the Costa Rican National Park System.

After a 20-minute drive to Puerto Jimenes, we will embark on a 25-minute boat ride that will have us exit the Golfo Dulce. Upon entering the open Pacific Ocean, you will travel another excellent hour along the shores of the Osa Peninsula until we reach the heart of Corcovado National Park. Once at the Sirena Ranger Station, your knowledgeable naturalist guide will lead you on one of the six wildlife trails surrounding Sirena Station. Your guide's expertise will help you spot as much flora & fauna as possible while explaining about the animals, plants, and trees you see. At noon, you'll return to the station for a delicious lunch and rest on the beautiful wooden deck looking over grassy fields, the jungle, and the ocean in the background. After lunch, you will continue the guided hiking, exploring the other trails for more natural encounters.

We will head to Sirena Beach early in the afternoon to board our boat, ride back to Puerto Jimenez, and then drive back to Lapamar Lodge. In the late afternoon, you can enjoy the beach or relax in your private cabin; dinner is served after sunset.

6. SET OFF IN OUR KAYAKS TO REACH THE MOGOS ISLES

Early this morning, our host, Don Alvaro, will brew fresh coffee for us and prepare a hearty breakfast to fuel our 15 km-long (9-mile) stretch to the Mogos Isles. This journey is one of the prime opportunities to spot dolphins and other marine life. This is also the final and longest paddling stretch of the trip. On this journey, you will paddle emerald-green waters along a rainforest-lined coast. On route, you will stop on beautiful deserted beaches.

After a well-deserved break at the Isles, we'll continue crossing the Golfo Dulce, surrounding Punta Rincón, and reaching the familiar El Chontal Ecolodge. After today's amazing last and longest paddling stretch, we'll wash up and enjoy the last homemade lunch at El Chontal.

After lunch, we will visit a local organic farm to learn about their sustainable practices and crops. The visit, however, will focus on the farm's organic cacao crop, and we will learn about the stages of the traditional production of delicious high-percentage chocolate. The best part of the tour is tasting the organic fruit and chocolate fondue!

DAY 7. TAKE A SCENIC FLIGHT BACK TO SAN JOSE

This morning, after breakfast, we will head for the airstrip in Puerto Jimenez, where your pilot will fly back to the Central Valley on a 50-minute scenic flight along the Pacific Coast. Upon landing in San Jose, a Sea Kayaking Costa Rica representative will meet you at the airport and provide transportation to a nearby hotel. The rest of the afternoon is designated for leisure, where you can relax, take advantage of the hotel's amenities and nearby restaurants, or explore downtown San Jose on your own.

DAY 8. DEPARTURE DAY OR EXTEND YOUR STAY IN COSTA RICA

We have arranged for your transportation to the airport so that you will be on time for your flight home. All good things must come to an end. Over the past seven days, you've experienced some of the best paddling adventures Costa Rica offers. You will take home great memories, amazing photographs, likely some coffee and a huge Tico smile!