During your stay with us, you can take and enjoy one of our different daily tours available at an extra cost. Please coordinate this directly at the front desk of the Lodge. All tours have a minimum of operation of 2 people. Tours can be booked directly at the Lodge
We offer several tours and activities for you to choose from.
Quetzal Quest
Our signature tour! San Gerardo de Dota is home to a large population of one of the most beautiful birds in the Americas, the Resplendent Quetzal. From the Trogoniade Family and sacred bird to the ancient indigenous cultures, Quetzals have a peaceful and tranquil living in the area and reside here year round. The climate and good amount of food (Aguacatillo tree) provide a great habitat for these birds.
Join our local guide for coffee, before departing at 6:00 am on a quest to find Quetzals. Our guide, will lead the tour to try and spot one/some Quetzal (s) for you. With its metallic green plumage, crimson breast and bell and its incredible streamer-like feathers, watching a male Quetzal in its magical fly, is a unique, breathtaking experience.
Depending on season, tour may depart directly from the Lodge or may require transportation to a nearby location. (Transportation included in price).
Return to the Lodge for breakfast.
Difficulty: Low
What to bring: Make sure to bring a good jacket, raingear, walking/comfortable shoes and camera and binoculars.
Birdwatching Tour
San Gerardo de Dota offers excellent opportunities for bird watching. More than 170 bird species have been identified in the area so far, including Tanagers, Black Guans, Flycatchers, Hummingbirds (Colibri), Trogons, Emerald Toucanet and Sparrows, among many others. Tour can be arranged in the morning or in the afternoon, depending on guides availability and guests preferences.
Depending on season and weather conditions, tour may depart either from the Lodge or may require transportation to a departure point. Tour is available with our without transportation (in case clients have their own method of transportation).
Difficulty: Low
What to bring: Comfortable walking shoes, light jacket/windbreaker, hat, sun block, raingear, camera and binoculars.
Paramo Tour
The “Paramo” is a unique highland area that develops in altitudes higher than 3,000 meters above sea level (9,840 feet approx.); an ecosystem that develops in the summits with its singular flora and fauna. In Costa Rica, the Paramo is located mainly along the Talamanca Mountain Range, especially Cerro de la Muerte, Chirripo, Kamuk, Buena Vista and Cerro Vueltas. This tour will take you to the Paramo at Cerro de la Muerte, at an altitude of 3,300 meters above sea level (10,800 ft) to discover, with your tour guide, the variety of birds and plants that reside here.
Departure is from the Lodge, and transportation is required as drive will be up to the summit, where the tour will develop. In case customer has his own car, tour can be offered without transportation costs.
Difficulty: Intermediate
Good physical conditions required.
Birdwatching and Páramo Hike
A Unique Experience in the Heart of the Costa Rican Mountains
The "Páramo and Birdwatching Tour" is an opportunity to discover Cerro Buena Vista, the third highest mountain in the country, and allows you to explore the majestic páramo ecosystem and the cloud forest. During the hike, you'll enjoy breathtaking panoramic views, learn about local biodiversity, and observe endemic birds in their natural habitat. It’s a perfect tour for nature and adventure lovers.
This activity begins with a vehicle ride to the starting point of the hike in the Cerro Buena Vista area, where you'll be amazed by the most spectacular views of the region.
From the summit of the mountain, weather permitting, we can enjoy panoramic views of the Pacific Coast, Cerro Chirripó, Irazú Volcano, Turrialba Volcano, and on special occasions, even the Caribbean Coast. This is one of the best opportunities to appreciate the natural beauty surrounding the area.
The hike is a descent from the mountain to San Gerardo. Along the way, we’ll observe how the vegetation changes and how the landscape transforms as we cross different altitudinal zones. We'll descend to the upper edge of the oak cloud forests, a unique ecosystem home to a wide variety of flora and fauna. We then ascend back to the location where we left the vehicle and return to San Gerardo.
What to bring: Good walking shoes, light jacket/windbreaker, hat, sunblock, walking stick, binoculars and camera.
Notes
Use of the trails without a guide is free for Lodge Guests. (Reinitia Trail: 1km, Candelita Trail: 3km).
