Costa Rican Rentals

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Costa Rican Rentals

About Playa Dominical

Playa Dominical Activities, Tours, Excursions

It is nearly impossible to experience all there is to do here in this tropical paradise. We have listed many of the available activities, along with additional information to help you schedule each of your adventures during your visit.

The following tours below are offered through Dominical Surf & Adventures. Dominical Surf & Adventures offers unique outdoor adventures in some of Costa Rica’s most beautiful locations. Costa Rican Rentals can arrange to have a representative come to your villa to discuss the tours with you.

 

White Water Rafting:

GUABO RIVER: Class III. The descent starts on the valley San Juan de Dios and it ends at Dominical beach. This river offers a half day adventure. The Guabo River has a lot to offer, such as exuberant vegetation, mystical canyons and an exciting descent. During the run of 8 miles (13 km) you will have the chance to hike waterfalls, enjoy its richness in wildlife and unique scenery. You will have the opportunity to feel the rush and adrenaline that whitewater rivers offer. Along the river we will make a stop where you will have lunch and a chance to enjoy the beauty of the canyon.

Requirements: Ages 12 and over. Participants must know how to swim, have the abilities to walk in slippery or unstable places and paddle.

Tour is from 8am – 2pm.

Coto Brus River: 

Class III and IV. The Coto Brus River is known for its beautiful scenery, the greenness that surrounds it and the diversity of wildlife that you can find on it. Since other boaters are rarely found there, it is a virgin river for rafting. It is simply an unforgettable adventure. Along the river we will make a stop where you will have lunch and have a chance to rest so you can be ready for more action.

Requirements: Ages 14 and over. Participants must know how to swim, have the abilities to walk in slippery or unstable places and paddle.

Tour is from 6:30am – 5pm.

Surfing:

Surfing is a great sport that everybody wants to try. Our surf school makes sure that you learn the basics of surfing on a smooth way. Our surf instructors will teach you how to ride the waves depending on your capability. There are lots of spots at Costa Ballena where we can choose the right place for our lessons.

We offer private lessons as well as group lessons for beginners and intermediate. You can pick from one-day classes, multi-day classes or a “surfari” at many beaches of our country. You can also combine these with other adventure expeditions. DSA rents surfboards. We guarantee that you will learn how to surf.

The starting time for the lessons works according to the tides. The duration of the lesson is two hours long. We provide the equipment, certified instructor and snacks.

Floats and Tubing:

Tubing & float in the Rio Baru is a perfect experience for those who like to enjoy the nature mixed with adventure. There is lots of nature and beautiful scenery that the river has to offer. This is a nice activity for everyone in the group. Each person will be in their own individual tube and also we have bigger inflatable for those who feel more comfortable doing the descent with the guide. Along the river we will stop for a picnic. The section that we at Costa Rican Rentals would be running has small and fun rapids; ideal for all ages.

Includes: Professional equipment, expert guides with safety certifications standards and years of experience, snacks, transportation and lots of fun.

Requirements: Ages 5 and over. Participants must know how to swim.

Tour is from 9am – 12noon

Hike to the Nauyaca Waterfall:

Hike to Baru Waterfall, also known as Nauyaca Waterfalls. Definitely a must see! Here you will find the beautiful waterfalls of Baru, formed by two waterfalls of 60 and 120 feet. The hike is about 1 to 1 ½ hours down to the waterfall. Along the way your guide will explain about the plants, animals and the interactions of the ecosystem. You will have a chance to enjoy the scenery and the tropical forest. Once we get to the waterfall a nice pool will be waiting for you where you can swim, jump and rest. We will have lunch by the pool and then hike back up.

Safari to the Mangroves:

Come and enjoy the beauty and importance of the mangroves, a magical place that is home to one of the most important ecosystems of the South Pacific coastline. The mangroves are full of flora and fauna. Your guide will explain you about the importance of the mangroves, the interaction of animals, plants and people and the different types of mangroves. Along the tour we will stop at a secluded beach and have lunch with a local fisherman family. This is an ecological and cultural trip. Perfect for all ages.

Starting time is decided according to the low tide of the day.

Mountain Biking:

We have different routes and levels of difficulty. All of Costa Rican Rentals tours take place in the area of Dominical. Along the routes we will have the chance to see stunning views and waterfalls.
The tour includes transportation, snacks and equipment. The trails and routes are customized according to the clients’ capabilities, interests, and experience.

 

The following tours below are offered through Southern Expeditions. We can arrange to have a representative come to your villa to discuss the tours with you.

Corcovado National Park Tour:

Corcovado National Park ranks third in the top five national parks of the world. It holds 4% of the entire world’s biodiversity. It is home to almost 400 species of birds, 140 species of mammals and 116 species of amphibians and reptiles, as well as 6000 species of insects.

We begin early in the morning and drive along the Pacific Coast for about an hour and a half to the town of Sierpe. Here we will board a covered boat that will take us through the greatest concentration of mangrove swamps of Central America. We then cruise for 90 minutes where we often see dolphins and whales. We then arrive at San Pedrillo Ranger Station in Corcovado National Park and we go on a 3-hour hike.

Whale and Dolphin Watching:

The Southern Pacific Coast of Costa Rica offers you the opportunity to see up to 5 species of dolphins (Spotted, Spinner, Bottlenose, Common, and even Orcas) and up to 3 different species of whales (False Killer, Pilot and Humpback). We will drive along the Pacific Coast Highway for about an hour and a half to the town of Sierpe and from there we will board a covered boat and we will begin our search for the dolphins and whales. Some sea turtles may also show up during our scenic tour!

Waves and Caves in Ballena (Whale) Marine National Park:

The Ballena (Whale) Marine National Park has the largest coral reef on the Pacific coast of Central America. There are beautiful and scenic beaches along the coastline such as Playa Ventanas, Playa Pinuelas, Playa Ballena, Playa Hermosa and Playa Bahia. We will drive along the Pacific Coast for about a half-hour to Pinuelas Beach where we will get into our kayaks. During the 23 kilometer tour we will make some stops where you can spot birds, monkeys and sloths while observing some of the most beautiful scenery and vegetation of the Pacific Coast. We will also paddle to the site where the caves are by Ventanas Beach. The views are breathtaking!

Snorkeling on Cano Island:

Cano Island Biological Reserve is located in the Pacific Ocean, 15kms off the coast of Osa Peninsula. The border of the island has white sandy beaches and a well protected inshore reef that makes it great for scuba diving and snorkeling. It offers snorkelers and divers about 20 meters (65 feet) of visibility where you can see many species of fish, turtles, manta rays, dolphins and whales.

We begin early in the morning and drive along the Pacific Coast for about an hour and a half to the town of Sierpe. Here we will board a covered boat that will take us through the greatest concentration of mangrove swamps of Central America. We then go out into open ocean to arrive at Cano Island. Full day tour.

Crocodile Night Safari:

Did you know that 70% of wildlife is more active when the sun starts to go down? Night time is the perfect time to go and see these creatures. There is no better place to see them than in mangrove swamp, where the environment is full of life! The Grand Terraba River is the longest in Costa Rica and the one that carries the largest volume of water. This tour will highlight some of the inhabitants of this environment such as bats, opossums, sloths, owls, snakes, raccoons, frogs and of course the American Crocodile.

Kayaking in the Mangroves:

Share an adventure in a natural environment of great scenic beauty. The mangrove are the only vegetation that can live in salt water. Here you will see a great variety of birds such as the Bare-Throated Tiger-Heron, the Little Blue Heron, the Brown Pelican, and the Royal Tern. You can also find the white-faced Capuchin monkey, the three and two-toed sloth, raccoons, the Green Iguana, Jesus Lizards, boa constrictor snakes as well as six different species of crabs. You will paddle through the canals for about 3 hours as you discover the beauty and great variety of the fauna.

FAQs

As for transport, there are a few ways to go:
1. The drive from San Jose Airport to the villas in Dominicalito takes approximately 2.5 hours. We can arrange to pick you up, or you can rent a car at the airport and we will provide you with directions.

2. Fly to San Jose, then catch a flight to Quepos, which is about 45 minutes away.

3. Fly to San Jose, then catch a flight from San Jose to Palmar Sur and we can arrange pickup which is about 50 minutes on a scenic highway.

4. Lastly, you can take a 20-minute helicopter ride from San Jose directly to the villas.

You definitely want to rent a four-wheel drive SUV when driving to the villas in Dominical!

All visitors to Costa Rica must possess a passport valid for at least three months from the date of arrival (including babies and young children).

We advise you to bring a photocopy of your passport as well (in case you lose your original).

Both US Dollars and Costa Rican Colones are generally accepted at most establishments.

Yes, the closest ATM is right in Dominical, then there are 2 others in Uvita, approximately 20 minutes from the villas.

There are a number of wonderful restaurants offering a wide selection of cuisine, such as native Costa Rican fare, French, Italian, and much more. We can provide a full list of restaurants upon request.

A small grocery store is located minutes from the villa in Dominical, while a larger, fully stocked grocery can be found in Uvita, approximately 20 minutes from the villas.

There are numerous beautiful beaches within short driving distance of the villas:

  • Playa Dominicito is a great beach for snorkeling and is a quick 5 minute drive from the villa.
  • Playa Dominical is also a short drive away and is known as a wonderful surfing destination.
  • Hermosa Beach, a ten minute drive, is normally unpopulated and is a great destination for beginning surfers as well.
  • Uvita Beach, south of Hermosa Beach, is essentially a long sand bar with gently lapping waves on either side. Here you’ll find an impressive array of layered coral rock formations.

Yes, our Costa Rica all inclusive villas do. Please let us know in advance and we will have it set up and waiting for you.

Yes. The closest Doctor is in Dominical (speaks English), another one is in Uvita (speaks English also), and the nearest clinic (24-hour emergency services) is in San Isidro (40 min from villas).

What are they are saying?

A wonderful gathering place for a family. The view each morning is spectacular – the food is incredible – and the the margaritas and pina coladas are the best! We have zipped through the trees, floated down a river, and sailed to a secret beach! We have talked to monkeys and wandered along a black sand beach! What a wonderful moment in time for our family – thanks from all of us!

T.B. & C.B.

Be prepared to gain weight! The food, service, and ambiance were incredible. The weather couldn’t have been better and I enjoyed everything about the villa. Thanks.

G.F. Los Angeles, CA

Just wanted to tell you how much I loved your villa and Costa Rica! I can’t wait to go back! I’ve given my family & friends your website to plan their own vacations. Your staff is excellent; Olmon, Tamaris, Carlos, Allen, Tomato, Guarnar…all professional. All I can say is “wow!” And thanks for your help with the church; the mass was in Spanish but very interesting. I met some people who sat behind me in church from Rock Hill, SC whose son’s at Clemson–small world. Anyway, I could go on but I won’t bore you. I definitely want to make Costa Rica a regular vacation destination! Thanks.

A.G. Atlanta, GA

Oh my—We have just returned from the vacation of a lifetime. We were treated like Kings and Queens by the staff at the villa and Doug and Carlos. We drank pina colata at 10:00 in the morning and decided that we didn’t want to drive all over Costa Rica when we had a view like the one at Villa Allamanda. We really want to stress how much we like Noel, Demaris and Lillete (I’m sure that I didn’t spell the names correctly) but because of them our trip was perfect. We think that Ocotal is paradise and we loved every minute of our vacation. We will be planning our next on soon.Thank you for everything.

D. D. Jackson, MS