Excursions and Activities from Villa Toucan
Playa Grande Turtles Laying Eggs: Every year from mid-October through April thousands of Ridley Sea Turtles come
ashore to lay their eggs on Costa Rica Pacific beaches. One of these beaches is Playa Granda which is about an hour drive
south of Villa Toucan. During the egg laying season you can arrange to view the turtles coming ashore at night with a Park
Ranger. Individuals are not allowed on the beach at night without being on an official tour. For information contact Playa
Grande Marine Turtle National Park
Palo Verde National Park: Palo Verde National Park is about an hour and a half from Villa Toucan. There you can go on a
boat up the Tempisque River to see the abundant wildlife including monkeys, crocodiles and tons of different birds. There are
two ways to enter the park. One is to the north along the Pan American Highway near Canas. Many of the tours operating in
this area do not go on the Tempisque River but actually stay outside the park on the Beberdero River. You still see all the
wildlife but one thing you do not do is go to the Isla de los Pajaros or Bird Island which is an island with hundreds of nesting
birds. So we recommend accessing this from the south eastern end of the Park, near Puerto Humo or Santa Cruz on the
Nicoya Penninsula, also within an hour and a half drive from the villa. Tours through Ranch Humo are wonderful.
Corobici River Rafting/Las Pumas Animal Rescue Center: This river rafting opportunity is about an hour from Villa Toucan. Don't
expect any serious white water as it's more of a float down the river. But you see tons of wildlife. More serious rafting and Tubing is available
near Volcun Ricon De La Vieja (see above). Practically right next door is the Las Pumas animal rehabilitation center, definitely worth a visit.
This trip is also easily combined with a visit to the llanos de cortez waterfall above. It is also in the same area as the Miravalles volcano
activities below.
Canopy Tours and Activity Centers Near Villa Toucan There are four outfits that offer Canopy Tours (zip lines) within a half hour
drive of Villa Toucan. Some of these also offer other activities such as kyaking, rafting, horseback riding, ATVing, and river floats and
advertise that you can squeeze three activities ito a day.
Matapalo Beach: This wonderful beach is about a half an hour drive from Villa Toucan. It is long and wide and almost always empty.
To get there follow the back road known as the Monkey Trail to the Congo Trail Canopy Tours and Lomos del Mar development (this is a
right hand turn on the main road towards the airport after you leave Coco). (or follow signs to the Riu resort). About 3 k past Lomas del
Mar is a dirt road (the second one I believe) which leads to the beach. Look for sea turtles during nesting season (October to April).
General Coco, Guanacaste and Liberia Activities Links:
Volcun Tenorio Area: This area is about a one and a half to two hour drive from Villa Toucan. In and around
Volcun Tenorio National Park there are lots of opportunities for hiking, horseback riding, bird watching, serious rafting,
and in particular to see the Rio Celeste which is bright blue due to volcanic minerals. Be sure to visit Las Pumas
Rescue Center (above) and/or the llano des cortes waterfall which is on the way.
2-3 Hour Drive Excursions (overnight recommended)
General Costa Rica Links:
Horseback Riding at Lomas Del Mar: You can ride horses on Matapalo beach and up around the coastal hills
through this equestrian center. Call 388-2276 or try lomasdelmar
Kokodrillo Canopy Tours 2667-0943
Llano de Cortes Waterfall: This is a beautiful waterfall about an hour from Villa Toucan near Bagaces (south on the Pan American
Highway). About 4 K before Bagaces you turn right off the highway onto a dirt road. There is a sign reading Catarata Llano des
Cortes right before the turnoff. You MUST have a four wheel drive in the wet season.
Half Day Activites and Excursions (or Shorter)
Santa Rosa National Park/Junquillal Bay Wildlife Refuge. This dry coastal national park is about an hour from Villa
Toucan. It is a surfers' paradise. One place known as Witches Rock is the best surfing around. You can get to Santa
Rosa by land or it is accessible by boat. North Pacific tours
Ricon De La Vieja National Park (Volcano, Rainforest, hiking, hotsprings, canopy tours, rafting, tubing, canyoning):
This National Park surrounds the Ricon De La Vieja Volcano. It is about an hour and a half drive from Villa Toucan. There are
great hiking opportunities (including a great waterfall), bird watching, hot springs and mud baths, and several outfits that
organize canopy tours (zip lines), tubing, rafting, ATVing, horseback riding, and other activities. Try the following links for more
information:
Volcun Miravalles: The Miravalles Volcano is about an hour and a half drive from Villa Toucan. There
are a lot of activities in this area including hot springs, mud baths, hiking, bird watching, canopy tours (zip
lines), horseback riding, river rafting. The llanos des Cortes waterfall (above) is on the way. Go to the
following links for more information:
South of Villa Toucan
North of Villa Toucan
East of Villa Toucan
Barra Honda Caves: This extensive cave network is about an hour and a half drive from Villa Toucan.
Can be combined with a Palo Verde visit (south entrance -- see above)
Palo Verde National Park: Palo Verde National Park is about an hour and a half from Villa Toucan. There you can go
on a boat up the Tempisque River to see the abundant wildlife including monkeys, crocodiles and tons of different birds.
There are two ways to enter the park. One is to the north along the Pan American Highway near Canas. Many of the
tours operating in this area do not go on the Tempisque River but actually stay outside the park on the Beberdero River.
You still see all the wildlife but one thing you do not do is go to the Isla de los Pajaros or Bird Island which is an island with
hundreds of nesting birds. So we recommend accessing this from the south eastern end of the Park, near Puerto Humo
or Santa Cruz on the Nicoya Penninsula, also within an hour and a half drive from the villa. Tours through Ranch Humo
are wonderful .
Surfing and Surf Lessons: Playa Tamarindo: Playa Tamarindo is about an hour from Villa Toucan. It,
along with Witches Rock (See Northern area) is known for surfing. Surf lessons are available there.
Salinas Bay (Windsurfing and Kite Surfing: This bay about an hour and 20 minutes north
of Villa Toucan is renown for kite surfing and wind surfing. Lessons are available and even if
you don't partake its a nice beach and fun to watch.
Witch's Rock Surfing: This is a renown place located in Santa Rosa National
Park or expert surfers, accessible only by boat from Playa del Coco.
Full Day Excursions from Villa Tucan
Congo Trail Canopy Tours and Animal Rehabilitation Center: Small animal rehabilitation center located at the Congo Trail Canopy
Tours. They have monkeys, raccoons, snakes and a frog aquarium. They let you go into the monkey cage and the monkeys clim b on
you. It's a primal experience. Right on the way to Matapalo beach (below). They also offer canopy tours and ATV tours.
Water Activities (diving, snorkeling, sailing, fishing, surfing, kyaking, jet skiing, boat tours, banana boating, parasailing, Bat
Island tours, etc): The opportunity for these water activites around Playa Ocotal, Playa Coco and Playa Hermosa are virtually unlimited.
You can actually just to go the beach at Ocotal or Coco or Hermosa and pick what you want. Many operators don't have websites or even
phones. Here are a few links to operators that do. Some will pick you up by boat from the Pez Vela beach.
For Fishing, Snorkeling, Cave and Beach exploring
near Bahia Pez Vela we recommend Alonzo.
Golf:
Coco Watersports (tel. 506/670-1743
Walk to Playa Ocotal: and Explore the Tide Pools: Don't miss this easy adventure. At low tide walk around the point to Playa
Ocotal. It takes about 15-20 minutes and you see really cool sea critters trapped in the tide pools. There's also a small but cool blow
hole. You can even have lunch at Father Rooster's there and walk back the same way or on the road (a half hour). Must wear
shoes. You know it's low tide when you can see the big rock on the left side of the beach out of the water (or ask at the restaurant).
You can access Ocotal by this route for about 6 hours (3 before low tide and 3 after).
Walk to the top of the mountain behind Pez Vela: A rigorous walk, best early morning but great views. Go out the Pez Vela
gate and take the first right up the hill. When you get to the top you can turn right to go further up to see the Azul Paradiso
complex and/or turn right which will take you along a high road parallel to the road into Pez Vela and come down at the Ocotal Gate,
near the beach. Watch for monkeys, parrots and mot mots in the early morning or late afternoon.
Activities at Pez Vela (no getting into a car or boat)
Fish and Snorkel from the Beach: The best snorkeling in the CoCo area is off of the Pez Vela Beach. Also there seems to be
good fishing by looking at the locals we see. You can buy poles and bait cheaply in town.
Shop for Handmade Indigenous Pottery in Village of Guaitil: About an hour drive south from the villa is the village of Guaitil (just by
Santa Cruz) where they are known for hand made pottery. Rumor has it there's even a place there where you can make your own pottery
with their assistance. Let us know if you find it. About Guaitil
Visit some of Guanacaste's dozens of beaches: There are soooo many beaches. The closest ones and our favorites are the beach at Pez
Vela ("quiet" and serene, not many waves) Ocotal (a short walk, busier and wavier but still sedate), Hermosa (like Ocotal) and Matapalo (see
below). For further beaches see guanacastecostarica.com/beaches/Beaches.html