The Ultimate Costa Rica Summer Adventure: 20+ Unforgettable Tours in One Epic Destination

If you’re planning the perfect Costa Rica summer adventure, there’s one place that offers more excitement, more biodiversity, and more variety than anywhere else—Botánika Osa Peninsula, Curio Collection by Hilton with ecotours by Crocodile Bay Expeditions.

Located in Costa Rica’s most biologically intense region (The Osa Peninsula), this Costa Ricca luxury eco-resort is the launching point for over 20 thrilling, educational, and immersive tours. Whether you’re into rainforest hikes, wildlife photography, offshore fishing, snorkeling, kayaking, gourmet or authentic cultural experiences—you’ll find it all here in one extraordinary destination.

🌿 Rainforest Tours & Wildlife Encounters

1. Osa Rainforest Tour (Half or Full Day)

Set off on a guided safari-style adventure through Matapalo, where you’ll explore diverse ecosystems and observe monkeys, sloths, macaws, toucans, and reptiles. Your naturalist guide uses a high-powered telescope to help you spot wildlife and understand the rainforest’s secrets. The full-day option includes an hour-long hike to delve deeper into the jungle canopy and observe native trees and insects up close. This is an east way to see LOTS of wildlife up close (on most occasions) without hiking for hours in an open forest.

2. Jungle Night Walk

After sunset, the rainforest transforms. This slow-paced tour offers a flashlight-guided walk near a freshwater lagoon. It reveals rare night species like red-eyed tree frogs, exotic insects, owls, and lizards. You’ll explore the nocturnal side of the jungle in an unforgettable sensory experience that’s equal parts eerie and magical.

3. Crocodile Lagoon & Introductory Rainforest Tour

This easy, on-property tour is perfect for your first day at Botánika. Learn about the local ecosystems, spot tropical birds like scarlet macaws and toucans, and explore trails that surround your resort home. It’s a perfect way to connect with nature from the moment you arrive.

4. BioSur Rainforest Hike

Looking for a deeper immersion into the wild? This challenging hike through the Río Nuevo Nature Reserve includes river crossings, elevation climbs, and a refreshing swim in a crystal-clear jungle river. A true off-the-beaten-path experience for nature lovers and adventure seekers.

🦥 Wildlife Specialty Tours

5. Sloth Garden Tour

Embark on a half-day journey through a 30-acre sanctuary where spotting sloths is guaranteed. The Valverde Quiros family’s lush forest is also home to a wide variety of plants and wildlife, making this tour an up-close encounter with one of Costa Rica’s most iconic creatures—complete with a money-back sighting guarantee!

6. Bird Watching Tour (Half or Full Day)

With over 920 bird species in Costa Rica, the Osa Peninsula is a birdwatcher’s paradise. This safari-style tour combines trail walking and vehicle exploration, maximizing your chances to spot toucans, macaws, trogons, hummingbirds, and more. Guides will help identify species and deepen your appreciation for the avian world.

7. Reptile & Amphibian Tour

Ideal for herpetology fans, this full-day tour provides a deep dive into the habitats of frogs, snakes, lizards, and other reptiles. From iconic red-eyed tree frogs to camouflaged jungle snakes, you’ll learn about their behavior, adaptations, and role in the ecosystem.

8. Wildlife Photography Tour

This tour is tailored for photography enthusiasts. Whether you’re using a phone or a DSLR, expert guides will help you find and photograph monkeys, macaws, frogs, butterflies, and other rainforest residents, while also teaching you about animal behavior and composition tips.

🌊 Water, River & Gulf Adventures

9. Mangrove Kayak Tour

Navigate a tranquil river estuary in Ocean Kayak-brand single or double kayaks. Paddle through mangrove tunnels while spotting aquatic birds, Jesus lizards, monkeys, and crabs. Life vests and dry bags are provided for safety and comfort during this peaceful exploration.

10. Sierpe River Tour

Cruise along the Sierpe River aboard a stable pontoon-style boat. This 3-hour ride offers fantastic wildlife viewing opportunities: iguanas, monkeys, turtles, herons, and more inhabit the winding tidal channels. A naturalist guide will help spot and interpret every sighting.

11. Golfo Dulce Tour

Board a boat and explore the breathtaking Golfo Dulce, one of only four tropical fjords in the world. This 30-mile sanctuary teems with dolphins, sea turtles, and marine birds. It’s a relaxing cruise perfect for wildlife watching and soaking in the dramatic coastal scenery.

🎣 World-Class Sport Fishing

12. Inshore & Offshore Fishing (Half or Full Day)

Fish with top-tier gear and expert captains from Crocodile Bay Marina. Offshore excursions target marlin, sailfish, tuna, dorado, and wahoo. Inshore trips focus on roosterfish, snapper, jacks, and grouper. Whether you’re casting poppers or jigging live bait, it’s an unforgettable day on the water.

🏄 Active Adventure & Thrills

13. Surfing at Matapalo

One of Costa Rica’s most scenic breaks awaits just a short drive away. Lessons and guided sessions are available for all levels, with equipment included. With palm-lined beaches, rolling sets, and warm Pacific waters, this is surfing paradise.

14. Canopy Zipline Tour

Fly through the treetops on a network of high-speed ziplines. Some platforms rise up to 140 feet, and you can reach speeds of up to 50 mph. A night ziplining option is available for even more adrenaline beneath the stars.

15. Horseback Riding Tour

Traverse jungle trails and mountain ridges on horseback. This peaceful ride offers breathtaking views of the ocean and surrounding forest, with plenty of opportunities to dismount, take photos, and connect with nature on foot.

16. E-Bike & Conventional Bike Rentals

Explore Puerto Jiménez and its scenic surroundings at your own pace with an electric or conventional bike. Rent by the hour or by the week—perfect for light adventurers or those who want to blend nature with convenience.

🥾 National Park Expeditions

17. Corcovado National Park by Boat (Sirena Station)

Board a boat before sunrise and cross Golfo Dulce to reach Sirena Station. After a short hike inland, you’ll explore forest trails teeming with rare species. This park is home to jaguars, tapirs, scarlet macaws, and hundreds of amphibians and insects. Includes a local-style lunch.

18. Corcovado National Park by Car (Carate Entrance)

Take a scenic drive to Carate, then hike into the jungle with expert guides. This route offers a different look at the park’s interior and its dense flora and fauna. Be prepared for a sensory-rich and physically engaging day.

🍫 Cultural & Culinary Immersions

19. Chocolate Farm Tour

Visit a local agroecological farm and stroll through orchards of pineapple, banana, papaya, and sugarcane. Learn about traditional medicinal plants and experience the bean-to-bar chocolate process—complete with samples!

20. Gourmet Lunch at the Sanctuary

Take a boat ride to a secluded black sand beach where you’ll be greeted by Carol, a wildlife rescuer turned chef. Enjoy a blind-tasting lunch featuring garlic rosemary chicken, fresh vegetables, and Costa Rican desserts. Add this experience to a fishing or Gulf tour for a perfect blend of flavor and nature.

🌟 One Destination, Every Adventure

What makes this the ultimate Costa Rica summer adventure? You don’t have to travel across the country to experience it all. At Botánika, you can explore the jungle, the ocean, the rivers, the culture—and return to luxury at day’s end.