Private Costa Rica Ocean Front Villa Rental
At Casa Punta Banco, you can ask our caretaker to accompany you on one of the following adventures. In other locations you would pay anywhere from $25 to $60 a person for such guided additions. Remember our caretaker in your tip. If you are interested in taking a horseback adventure, please reserve horses in advance with the villa rental.
This adventure is simply a walk from the house. There are beautiful waterfalls just a walk through the garden to the south of the house. Once you reach the waterfalls, If you climb the tree ladder, you can soak or cool off in the natural pool at the bottom of the waterfall.
If you walk a short distance up the path toward the jungle, you will find a 40 foot waterfall. As you walk along the path watch for the color poison dart frogs. Wear your bathing suit, or be ready to take your clothes off for a refreshing natural shower. Wade through the pool to get under or behind the cascading water. This is a great photo opportunity. You can lie in the pool and look up at the towering cathedral of rainforest trees as the rays of sunlight pierce the cool mist. If you visit the waterfall at noon, you will a rainbow in the waterfall.
This can be a few hours or a half day depending on the time you spend. It is recommended that you do this trip with our caretaker unless you are very experienced riders. Your guide will lead you along the winding trails, as your sure footed horse climbs and descends the mountain path. Signs mark the way . . . watch for the leaf cutter ant homes. Keep an eye out for the Titi or Howler monkeys on the ride. If you see falling leaves, look up for monkeys may be near. The howler monkeys are often so quiet that you can pass them by. There is plenty of time to relax as you lope along and observe the many species of tropical plants and birds.
This trip needs to be planned in advance and there will be a charge for lunch. Ask the charge in advance. Your guide will take you up and up the mountain road passed the Yoga farm and the local school. Take the time to look back, the views are spectacular. You will continue to a neighboring farm that is typical of local living. Cooking is done on a wood burning stove and will be very simple …probably rice and beans. After lunch you will explore some of the farm lands, venturing along the cow made trail to spectacular 90 degree views of the ocean and surrounding area.
This is the best way to experience and observe some of the unique and beautiful plant and animal species that live in this part of Costa Rica. You will be hiking up the mountain beneath the jungle canopy. As you walk quietly, you will be stopping frequently as your caretaker/guide points out tropical birds such as Toucans, Parrots, and Macaws. Stop and drink from any of the streams throughout the rainforest; the water comes from springs on the property. If you walk the entire loop, it is a good half day and a good amount of exercise. Stop in the Orchard and pick some fruit if any is in season. You will pass pineapples, bananas, tree grapes, prickly pear and many others. Feel free to pick anything that the monkeys have not already had. Bring binoculars, water and a snack. The River walk is shorter and less strenuous and you end up at the waterfall and will be ready for a cooling shower or dip. Stop along the river and just sit for a while and watch. You will be amazed at how much you see when you are quiet. As you walk the jungle, you will be watching for the slow moving Three-Toed Sloth, Leaf Cutter Ants. Monkeys, beautifully colored species of butterfly, colorful poison dart frogs, lizards. You will encounter bromeliads, orchids, walking trees, and many, many more. This adventure is fairly strenuous, but taken at a slow pace it can be done by couch potato.
This ride needs to be coordinated with the tide, as the Burica Coast is impassable at high tide. You can ride in two directions from the house. If you go south, you can ride through Punta Banco and continue on to the Surfing village of Pavones. This ride can be done partly on the beach and partly on the local road. It is a 4-5 mile ride. If you have a group, we like to split the ride with half of the group going one direction and the other the return ride…meeting in Pavones to watch the surfers and enjoy of the local restaurants for lunch.
If you go North, take our caretaker, you are heading toward the Burica Peninsula and Panama. You will notice an area that juts out into the sea and this area is only open a few hours at low tide. Don't get caught on the other side when the tide is coming up. As you travel up this rugged and deserted beach, you will see steep mountains rising up to meet the clouds on your left and the blue Pacific Ocean spreading out to the horizon, on your right. The sounds and power of the surf, the pungent aroma of salty sea and the spectacular beauty of the volcanic cliffs where jungle meets the ocean, will mystify your senses. Stop at the waterfall that flows into the ocean, have a snack and take some pictures.
Saddle up, bring your camera, water and sunscreen and head north. This adventure to Pavones starts with a two hour walking horse ride along the beautiful beach and/or the road. The coast will change from sand to something that looks like California’s Big Sur as you near Pavones. Pavones has several restaurants including vegetarian and an internet café. You can watch the surfers, have lunch and a drink in town. If you bring your saddle bags, you can pick up some supplies at the market. Take a swim in the river or the ocean, don’t forget your suit!
Learn more about the amazing tide pools at Casa Punta Banco. more>>
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Deep Sea Fishing in nearby Golfito
View our complete handbook about your stay, local attractions, transportation, etc. Everything you will need for your next stay at our Casa Punta Banco more>>
Enjoy horse riding on your own private beach in this beautiful coast.
6 bedrooms, 2 bathrooms, a full kitchen and a large living area. Ample room for multiple guests.
Casa Punta Banco and the surrounding area is a photographer’s dream come true.
We provide options to charter local boats to fish off of the Pacific Ocean.
