SIMBIOSIS TOURS

This zone goes from Puntarenas down to the place known as “Dominical de Osa.” Its three main cities: Quepos, Jacó and Puntarenas, are highly developed in terms of tourism. The islands on Golfo de Nicoya can be accesed mainly from Puntarenas. Important wildlife areas can be found in this zone. They are home to a great variety of flora and fauna species.

Even though Isla del Coco is about 600 kilometers away, it is part of this region.

There are many national parks and wildlife refuges that host numerous plant and animal species.  Some of them: Carara National Park (paradise for macaws or limpets), Manuel Antonio National Park offers a magic and incomparable place for scientists and those who love nature. It is important to mention that you can get to most of these parks easily, by car.

For those who prefer water sports like scuba diving, skiing and fishing, Herradura Beach offers the opportunity to practice them combining a peaceful and protected environment.

Due to its closeness to the metropolitan area (Puntarenas an Jacó downtown are 115 km away, or 1 ½ hours), this zone is usually visited by national tourists, that is why the entertainment and fun are so important, compared to other beach zones. It is precisely because of the demand that there is a great amount and categories of lodging options, restaurants, shops and supermarkets, etc. It is perhaps the beach zone with the greatest commercial movement in the country.

Jacó Beach and Hermosa Beach, are known worldwide among great sportspeople and surfers because several competitions have taken place here.  The wave quality, fun and adventure that this zone has, offers the perfect combination for visitors who want to have the best vacation.

TOURIST ATTRACTIONS

MANUEL ANTONIO NATIONAL PARK

Manuel Antonio National Park offers an extraordinary natural treasure, considered one of the most beautiful and popular of the country. Its abundant vegetation, combined with the reefs gives tourists a refreshing and peaceful beach.  Being one of tourists classic destination, Manuel Antonio National Park could not be left aside from the list of places to visit in Costa Rica, for it is in this place where you will be able to see a wide variety of marine, land and bird species. The extensive range of lodging and gastronomic options increase the reasons for not leaving the tour aside.

QUEPOS CITY

Quepos, as one of the three main cities in the zone, offers tourists a wide variety of lodging, food and amusement services.  But it also presents spectacular landscapes of the coastal sector. The dock is important as a starting point for sport fishing and recreational trips.

CARARA BIOLOGIC RESERVE

Carara represents, for all the flora and fauna species found there, a “salvation zone” in the face of the destruction of forest and wildlife resources, which have been destructed in the Central Pacific Region.

There are three important life zones: the Tropical Ra inforest, the Very Humid Tropical Forest and the Very Humid Forest.

This park is known for the constant investigations and scientific research, means by which environmental education is being promoted.

FLORA AND FAUNA IN CARARA

Carara has several ecosystems, such as swamps, a lagoon and gallery forests, primary and secondary. The swamps are formed because of the seasonal floods of Río Grande de Tárcoles, in an area located northeast of the reserve. Estas zonas son ricas en especies de aves zancudas, anfibios y reptiles asociados a esos ambientes.

You can admire diverse reptile species, like crocodiles up to three meters long, which can also be observed in Río Grande de Tárcoles. You can also see aquatic birds such as pink herons, anhingas, jacana spinosas, etc. Crocodiles are also abundant and easy to observe in Río Grande de Tárcoles.

HERRADURA BEACH

Its name is due to the horseshoe shape.  This beach is special because of the exuberant tropical vegetation. This is where the famous Marina (Los Sueños) is found.  A great amount of water sports practitioners get together here. It is very visited by national tourists because of the facilities for camping.

JACÓ CITY

Due to its closeness to San José, it is widely visited by both national and internacional tourists. It is considered to be one of the beach sectors with greatest commercial movement:  restaurants, hotels, fun in general. Surfing is, in general terms, the favorite activity at this beach.  But you can also take walks or cavalcades, as well as renting mountain bikes, mini-cars track (go-karts) and scooters.  From Jacó you can take a boat to Escondida beach, a well known place among sufers.

HERMOSA BEACH

This extensive beach that reaches 10 km, is one of surfers favorite, the open ocean makes strong and continuous waves, excellent for those who love this sport. That is why it is well known, for the national competitions.

SAVEGRE RIVER

An extraordinary option for those who love rafting category III and besides want to be surrounded by abundant vegetation and a great amount of birds.

NARANJO RIVER 

It is another important option for rafting, category III and IV.  Just like Savegre, it is very exciting to go through the forests because of the diversity.

FINCA BARÚ DEL PACÍFICO NATIONAL WILDLIFE REFUGE

Located only 2 km away from Dominical you can find this excellent option for those who love wildlife and enjoy watching species Duch as crocodiles and alligators, birds, herons, “chocuacos” and brown pelicans.  At the beach, which has the same name, is where marine turtles like parrot and carey spawn.

To enjoy all the things this refuge offers, there are kayak and cavalcade tours you can take.

TORTUGA ISLAND

Known for its crystal clear waters, white sand and extraordinary marine landscape, suitable for snorlelling, Turtle Island offers a peaceful and relaxing where you can get an excellent suntan.