If you only explore the Osa Peninsula by land, you are missing half of it. An enormous and glorious part of this magical place is the Golfo Dulce (Sweet Gulf), which Jacques Cousteau called the most pristine of the world’s four tropical fjords. Proximity to one of the world’s greatest natural fisheries and some of the most bio-diverse National Parks in the world, make this body of water unique. Only by water can you visit much of the Golfo Dulce’s jungle shoreline, rivers, tropical beaches and mangrove estuaries that serve up a tremendous variety of unique flora and fauna. And simply being on this fabulous gulf is a rejuvenating, inspiring experience.

We recommend Changing Tides Tours because they are the safest, most informative and most professional outfit in the area. They have the newest, largest, most stable and most comfortable boats with experienced, English-speaking, lifeguard trained captains and crew. Each boat is equipped with new engines, GPS, depth sounders, VHF, back-up VHF, cellular, pony motor, dolphin hydrophones, life vests for all sized guests, first aid kits, and fresh water showers. Our guests consistently rave about these tours, and have found (as have we) that it is a highlight of their trip.

Dolphin Watch and Gulf Tour with Wildlife Sanctuary

Changing Tides Tours takes you on a fabulous ride of over 30 miles around the magnificent Golfo Dulce (Sweet Gulf), including a tour of the Cana Blanca Wildlife Sanctuary, one of the most special places we have been in Costa Rica (or anywhere). Only accessible by boat, this is a “must do” for anyone who loves wildlife and enjoys seeing animals up close and personal! This remote, non-profit foundation receives injured, orphaned and endangered animals in order to rehabilitate and release them back into the wild, usually at Piedra Blanca National Park, which borders the facility. Carol and Earl, the dedicated heroes of this amazing place, will give you a tour and introduce you to their charges. When we visited, we were greeted by several monkeys (and held a baby), petted baby sloths, a kinkajou, a jaguarundi, and saw a magnificent eagle and other recovering creatures. It was an unforgettable highlight for us, and we’ve been coming to the Osa for 15 years! Caution: hold onto your glasses and hats, as the monkeys enjoy grabbing them!

Note: No children under six are allowed in the sanctuary. Parents may trade- off child care in order to visit the facility.

Equally as wonderful is the exhilarating and informative guided tour of the fabulous Golfo Dulce in a comfortable, safe, shaded, 25-foot tour boat. The boats have English-speaking captains and are equipped with contoured seats and a full canopy for plenty of shade. If you’re lucky, you’ll have a swim with dolphins while plane boarding behind the boat. (These tours encounter dolphins 70% of the time, but even if you don’t, being towed through the water is lots of fun). There’s also a good chance you will get to hear dolphin language through new hydrophones. And now you can also sail over the azure waters on the Dolphin deck and Air Chair, which suspend you out over the ocean for an optimum view. On this tour guests have also seen whales, manta rays, sea turtles, schooling fish, sea birds and jungle flora and fauna. Snorkeling (equipment supplied) may also be enjoyed at coral reefs, home to beautiful tropical fish (depending on conditions). Once back at the boat, you can rinse off under a fresh water shower, for a comfortable ride back across the gulf.

Tour leaves from Puerto Jimenez pier at 7:30 AM. Duration: 4 - 5 hours

Tour includes:

Visit to the amazing Cana Blanca Wildlife Rehabilitation Center;

Swimming and snorkeling at a remote, tropical reef;

Plane boarding, if conditions are right;

An exhilarating trip across the great, blue waters of the Gulf;

Wildlife viewing

Prices:

(Subtract $25/person if NOT going to Cana Blanca Sanctuary)

One – five passengers: $475

Includes:

$25/person donation to Cana Blanca Wildlife Rehabilitation Center

Snacks

Cold drinks

Comfortable, shaded, safe boat with English-speaking guide

Fresh water shower on boat

Snorkeling gear, masks

Life jackets, adult and child sized

Group discounts:

6 passengers: $540

7 passengers: $595

8 passengers: $680

9 passengers: $765

Child discounts:

Children five and under: half price (minus Sanctuary fee, as they can’t go in); under 18 months, free.

Bring:

Sun block

Sport sandals or water shoes

Swim suit & towel

Sun glasses

Binoculars are good

Hat

Camera

We particularly enjoyed the tour. Thanks so much for suggesting it to us. On that single tour we saw probably about 50 spotted dolphins, and swam with them, enjoyed the rehabilitation center tour, and particularly the young monkey that kept pointing where it wanted me to scratch, and the snorkeling.

Chuck – Salt Lake City, UT

For us the highlight was the trip across the gulf to the animal refuge where we hugged a few spider monkeys, howler monkeys, bottle- fed sloths and another possum like animal. An experience we won't forget.

Richard – North Canterbury, New Zealand

We all agreed that the Sanctuary tour was the best tour of our whole trip. We cuddled sloths and a baby howler monkey. The people who run it could not have been more gracious. I’m so glad you recommended that tour.

Sylvia – Austin, TX

This was the best side trip ever. What a great experience. One I’ll never forget! It was the most wonderful time I’ve had in Costa Rica.

Sarah – Grosse Isle, MI

One of our favorite experiences was the boat ride to the Cana Blanca wildlife sanctuary.  My husband and I had a boat for years (before kids) and I just loved being on the water. Cana Blanca was really neat in that you got to touch and hold the monkeys - that was really worth it.  The gentleman that took us was pretty entertaining and was American, so language wasn't a problem.

Debbie, Ron, & Ronnie – Pittsburgh, PA

This tour is the most outstanding tour we’ve encountered in Costa Rica, bar none!

Karen & Ron

Arrange with Lyn in advance

Surf Lessons

Surf right in front of Casa Bambu, where there is a dream wave to learn on with a perfect right point break for beginners and different sections to match ability levels. . You are guaranteed to stand up! There is a large selection of boards (soft tops for easy learning and more advanced hard boards). You go out at low tide and surf for approximately two hours. It’s a BLAST.

Provided: Lycra shirts to protect from rashes and sunburn.

Recommended to bring: booties and lots of sun block. $40/person

The surfing lessons were great. I’d recommend them to anyone.

Michael -  Middlesex, VT

Arrange when you get there

Ocean Kayaking

This open ocean paddle takes you out into the gulf from our coast out at Matapalo. From here you get a great view of the forested coastline of Corcovado and Matapalo. You can “shoot the arch” (a pyramidal rock eroded by waves to create a large arch to kayak through). You can also climb the arch. This tour depends on surf and wind conditions.

$45/person

Arrange when you get there