BIRDING

Due to the abundant fruits, and the diversity of Piedras Blancas National Park, a wide range of birds can be spotted on any given day. The primary rainforest area surrounding Saladero supports hundreds of different species of birds, including the Fiery-billed Aracari and the Blue-crowned Motmot featured to the right as well as the endangered Scarlet Macaws, and a variety of trogons. Toucans and tanagers abound and the delightful "chip-chip" of hummingbirds can be heard in the mornings. Bring your field guide and binoculars and you will surely be delighted by the diversity.  For a complete list of the birds identified in the area, click this link: regenwald

Guests are welcome to use kayaks free of charge.  The waters of the Golfo Dulce are most tranquil here in front of the Punta Saladero and offers a wide range of possibilities to kayakers.

Kayak fishing, birdwatching or hunting for miniscule orchids in the extensive network of mangrove habitat at the Rio Esquinas is only a 10 minute paddle North of Saladero.

Leisurely paddle along the coastline and spot wildlife in and out of the water at your own pace.  Dolphins are a common sight and whales return year after year to use deep gulf waters as a breeding ground.  Kayakers may also be visited by sea turtles or they may spot capuchin monkeys picking fruits from the shoreline trees.

A 15 minute kayak trip South of Saladero is a local cove called Ballenas with a beautiful palm shaded beach. Have a private picnic (we can make you a lunch to go) and snorkel at the crystal clear coral reef just off the beach.

Fancy yourself a fisherman?  Fishing by kayak is the ultimate “roots” fishing experience. World record snook, huge grouper, red snapper, cero mackerel, roosterfish, jacks, barracuda await your lure.

RIVER TOUR

- A relaxing river tour takes you into the maze-like mangrove swamps of the Rio Esquinas. Here the Golfo Dulce is fed by the fresh waters of the tidal river forming a thriving estuary habitat. The mystic mangrove swamp is a paradise for birding and fishermen. Watch for crocodiles and turtles sunbathing on the banks. The Esquinas River is a fishing hotspot hosting red snapper and snook. Want to try your luck for dinner? Ask us about rods, reels and lures. Birders won't miss scores of Whimbrels and White Ibis fishing for lunch. Other birds we've spotted include Laughing Falcon, Yellow-headed Caracara, Squirrel Cuckoo, Northern Jacana, Purple Gallinule, Roseate Spoonbill, four different species of kingfishers and Boat-billed Heron.

Tide dependent. River Tours $50. Per person, 2 person minimum.
duration: 3 hours

CASA ORQUIDEAS

Boat Ride and Botanical Garden Tour

A Garden of Eden with mass plantings of orchids, bromeliads, helaconias, cycads, ornamental palms and flowering gingers, Casa Orquideas is a local botanical gem. The guided garden tour includes touching, tasting, smelling and simply amazing yourself at one of the most awesome private plant collections you've ever seen.  During the scenic 20 minute boat ride to Casa Orquideas it may be possible to see dolphins, sea turtles, rays leaping from the water and sometimes whales. 

Casa Orquideas Tour $40. Per person, 2 person minimum. *
duration: 3-4 hours

CHOCOLATE TOUR

We cruise by boat across the Gulfo Dulce to Playa Blanca, where we board a taxi for the short trip to Finca Kobo to experience the process of growing, drying and making chocolate.
As part of the guided tour of this amazing organic farm you will pass through a “biological corridor” where animals and the farm coexist together. The tour culminates in tastings of wonderful chocolate fondue with fresh fruit and homemade banana bread in the middle of a tropical garden. Chocolate products are available for purchase and make a wonderful souvenir to take home.

$85 per person for 2 people, 3 or more $65 person. Two person minimum.
duration: 3-4 hours

GUIDED RAINFOREST TOURS

Tour 1:
Explore and experience Mangroves, Beach, Secondary forest and Primary Forest

Interested in learning about the rich flora and fauna in these thriving biological corridors? This tour is hosted by a native naturalist who grew up in the primary rainforest and she will point out things we would otherwise miss.
 We walk the beach and mangroves for about 2 kilometers, enter secondary forest with many fruit trees and arrive at her very basic and simple home. Learn names and uses of some of the many medicinal plants. From there we enter primary forest and trek up a small river. Try your luck with catching river shrimp under the rocks with just your hands. Wet and muddy terrain may be encountered and proper footwear is recommended. Mild difficulty

Guided Rainforest Tour 1: $35. Per person, 2 person minimum. *
duration: 3 Hours

Tour 2:
Piedras Blancas National Park - Explore Primary Rainforest

Hike through a series of three trails at Saladero. See huge hardwood trees with massive root support structures entwined with vines. Learn about the different levels of primary rainforest. Look for animals, insects and birds. Emphasis is on the importance of the primary rainforest, diversity, symbiotic relationships between plants and animals, mini-ecosystems within the rainforest and medicinal plants. One trail is next to a creek, one is in low hills and the more difficult one goes to the ridge of a hill. Mild to medium difficulty.

Guided Rainforest Tour 2: $35. Per person, 2 person minimum. *

Corcovado National Park

Corcovado National Park is on the other side of the Osa Penninsula. We can help you make arrangements for transportation and can recommend a lodge close to the entrance. If you want to go to Sirena Station you are required to obtain a ticket to enter the park from MINAE (the park service) in Pto Jimenez. We will be happy to answer any questions you might have to do this.
If you want to enter for the day you can obtain day passes (and a guide at the lodge). Check our Package page for our 6 day Saladero/Corcovado Package.

FISHING

From the beach, in the river or deep sea fishing

Fishing opportunities abound at Saladero. Excursions in the Rio Esquinas or Golfo Dulce are available and deep sea trips arranged upon request. We have caught bonita, spanish mackerel, barracuda and grouper in the gulf while the river is known for red snapper and snook populations.

Inshore/River Fishing – Guided inshore fishing in the Golfo Dulce and the Rio Esquinas. Tide dependent for fishing the river. 19’ boat with fiberglass roof, all rods, lures and fishing equipment included.

River/ Gulf Fishing Excursion $50. Per person, 2 person minimum.*

Offshore Fishing – Fish with local certified Captains either inshore for Red Snapper, Roosterfish or Mackerel or offshore for Marlin, Sailfish, Tuna or Dolphin. Prices range from $800 to $1,350 dependent on ½ day, full day, inshore or offshore. With most captains prices for ½ day charter include water, soft drinks and beer. Full day includes water, soft drinks, beer and lunch. Contact us for quotes. Please schedule in advance of your trip to guarantee the booking. A 50% deposit is required.

CANOPY TOUR IN THE OSA PENNINSULA

Exciting adventure tour with a bird’s eye view of the canopy

6 hours
Includes boat transfer to Pto Jimenez, taxi to and from the canopy tour and boat transfer back to Saladero. Exciting adventure tour with a bird’s eye view of the canopy. In secondary and primary rain forest.

4 or more persons $110 per person. 2 to 3 persons $125 per person.

HORSEBACK RIDING

miles of trails

After a scenic 20 minute boat trip to a finca (farm) at San Josecito Beach you will be provided with docile, sure footed and sturdy Costa Rican horses to traverse the rainforest trails and rivers. The halfway mark is a waterfall to cool down in. Often seen, or smelled, are wild peccaries (pigs) as well as Tucans and Scarlet Macaws.

Before returning to the beach we stop at a small waterfall to cool off and relax. Long pants and water type shoes are needed.

Horseback riding excursion: Duration 4 hours. 2-3 persons, $85 per person. 4 or more persons, $80 per person.

RELAXING

Feel like doing nothing? We get it. It's your vacation and your time to do what you want to; just relax, breathe the fragrant tropical air and nourish the soul. Read a book on the beach. Take a nap in the hammock. Hang out and scan the gulf for dolphins. The beauty of relaxing at Saladero is there's still plenty to experience while just taking it easy.