I bet one of the main reasons you`re coming to Costa Rica is to see the wildlife. Well you picked the right place! Costa Rica is the world`s most biodiverse dense country (just one of the reasons why Costa Rica is awesome), and if you are planning a trip here, you cannot miss out on a guided wildlife tour!
We have done many guided wildlife tours around the country, and our #1 favorite pick is:
Hacienda Baru Wildlife Refuge with Freddy
-
Freddy grew up as a groundskeeper at Baru where he learned the art of cultivating coffee and sugar cane. Since he was a kid, he always knew he wanted to be a tour guide, as he had a passion for the wildlife he grew up amongst. At the age of 17, he began dedicating his life to learning everything he could about wildlife. He studied for 4 years at both The National Institute of Learning (INA) and Icetur to become a certified wildlife tour guide. He also taught himself English, and has now been guiding wildlife tours at Hacienda Baru and Manuel Antonio National Park for over 17 years.
The main point is, Freddy is AWESOME! To see his amazing reviews on TripAdvisor, click here.
Why Hacienda Baru is Better than the Manuel Antonio National Park for Tours
More Nature, Less People.
Everyone has heard of the famous Manuel Antonio National Park, and that`s why Manuel Antonio has become such a famous tourist destination. The park is beautiful, but because of it`s popularity has become super crowded almost every day of the year. After guiding tours there for years, Freddy wanted his guests to really be able to focus on the wildlife he was showing them and not seeing other people- so he has switched his focus to Baru. Located in Dominical, it`s only a 35 minute drive from Manuel Antonio, and there are about 90% less people. Totally worth the short drive if you ask me.
Fun Facts About Hacienda Baru
- Hacienda Baru National Wildlife Refuge encompasses a variety of habitats (Primary and Secondary tropical wet forest, swamp forest and mangrove estuary) for a total of 815 acres.
- It is home to over 300 species of birds, sloths, monkeys and many mammals not seen in the Manuel Antonio National Park including otters, ocelot, margay, paca and peccary.
- There are 7 kilometers of walking trails and 3 kilometers of pristine beach.
Tour Rates
- $65 per person (transportation from Manuel Antonio included)
- $55 per person (drive yourself there)
- Entrance fees to the park are paid separately, $15pp
*Minimum of 2 people required. If you are a solo traveler, the rate for a private guided tour for 1 person is $120.
What to Bring
- wear lightweight clothing
- shoes comfortable for light hiking
- water
- snacks
- insect repellent
- sunblock
- camera (you will be able to get awesome pics through the lens of the telescope!)
- money (there`s a restaurant there where you can have lunch after the tour and also a small gift shop)
How to Reserve Your Tour
Please tell us your name, preferred date, Airbnb or hotel name, number of people and kids ages (if applicable). Don`t forget to mention you want the HACIENDA BARU TOUR 🙂
You will receive an email confirmation from us with your tour details within 24 hours. No need to pay in advance.
FREE Costa Rica Trip Planner Checklist
Enter your email to get your Costa Rica Trip Planning Checklist. FREE printable download.
