Top Things to do in Sarapiqui
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Things to do in Sarapiqui, Province of Heredia: The Best Nature & Wildlife Areas
Discover the best top things to do in Sarapiqui, Costa Rica including Dave & Dave's Costa Rica Nature Park, Pierella Ecological Garden, Tirimbina Biological Reserve, Snake Garden, Centro Campestre Finca Los Laureles.
Restaurants in Sarapiqui
1. Dave & Dave's Costa Rica Nature Park
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 541 reviews
This BBC Wildlife Magazine and National Geographic published destination offers a 2 hour guided tour by the owners. $40 per person.
Reviewed By E8642TXthomass
This was the most amazing experience of bird watching I have seen. It is set up with platforms at the top of a hill next to a valley so that you are at canopy height where the birds hang out. We saw many birds up close and then took a short hike on a trail in the valley where we saw frogs, lizards, and butterflies. Dave Jr. was our guide and was great explaining everything we saw. I would most highly recommend stopping at Dave and Dave's for a couple hours. It will be well worth it.
2. Pierella Ecological Garden
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 54 reviews
It started about 10 years ago as a butterfly farming project for export. Over time it was transforming into an area that offers a diversity of environments allowing for a wide range of niches where there are many species, ceasing to be a simple butterfly to become a true Ecological Garden. Apart from a butterfly and frog garden, we offer bird watching tours, wildlife spotting, and a camping site.
Reviewed By 184chetg - Idaho, United States
From a 20x20 M plot of bare land in 1995 to the lush rainforest it is today, William and Krystal have grown a thriving butterfly operation and the tour they gave us was totally eye opening. How could the vegetation grow this lush in such a short time, with such an abundance of varieties of both flora and the beautiful butterflies?! It’s beautiful. It is obvious this is more than a business to them as their passion for this forest and its residents suffuses all their stories and the excitement they express in their explanations. They are reclaiming the rainforest. Beyond learning the lifecycle of butterflies and seeing so many varieties in their stages of development, William showed us a sloth, and found for us the rare white bats (tiny little white bundles nesting on the underside of a heliconia leaf). Then Krystal took over and pointed out colorful frogs and birds she located by their calls. As if the personal tour wasn’t enough, Krystal showed us how chocolate is made, using cacao pods from the trees growing on their land, then fed us a delicious (and bountiful) typical casado lunch.
3. Tirimbina Biological Reserve
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 333 reviews
Welcome to the Tirimbina Rainforest Center, where education, research and beauty combine to offer you an unforgettable experience with nature. Tirimbina is an educational, scientific and ecotourism destination, located between the forests and rivers of the northern region of Costa Rica. Tirimbina offers education programs for primary schools, high schools and university students, as well as facilities for study groups, volunteers and researchers, highlighting the biodiversity and conservation of the rainforest. Tirimbina’s abundant forest provides great ecotourism activities. Come and explore the trails, discover its flora and fauna, walk on the suspension bridges or discover the secrets of cacao during the popular Chocolate Tour. Visit us and learn about the rainforest.
Reviewed By susankL9511HF
The reserve is fantastic with lots of beautiful trails, the famous suspension bridge over the Siripiqui River and lots of animal sightings. We saw sloths, bullet ants, leaf cutter ants, lots of hummingbirds and other birds, lizards and iguanas. We heard monkeys and toucans as well. The chocolate lour they offer is really special. Lourdes did a great job of walking us through the world of chocolate from its history through to present day, and the process of turning cacao into chocolate. The groups are small and everyone is encouraged to taste each phase of the process. Educational, fun AND delicious! (Sidenote: just a few miles away is another really neat place: an leaf-cutter ant farm that is also really interesting for people of all ages.)
4. Snake Garden
Overall Ratings
3.0 based on 20 reviews
5. Centro Campestre Finca Los Laureles
"Centro Campestre Finca Los Laureles" offers a private retreat to enjoy a beautiful, natural and quiet ambient in the heart of the tropical climate of Costa Rica. To take full advantage of the activities available at Los Laureles and in the area, visitors may choose to spend a single day or check-in for a few nights.
