Birding

Due to the abundant fruits, and the diversity of Piedras Blancas National Park, a wide range of birds can be spotted on any given day. The primary rainforest area surrounding Saladero supports hundreds of different species of birds, including the Fiery-billed Aracari and the Blue-crowned Motmot featured to the right as well as the endangered Scarlet Macaws, and a variety of trogons. Toucans and tanagers abound and the delightful "chip-chip" of hummingbirds can be heard in the mornings. Bring your field guide and binoculars and you will surely be delighted by the diversity.  For a complete list of the birds identified in the area, click this link: regenwald

The area of Los Mogos is a natural biological corridor connecting the Osa Peninsula and the Rio Esquinas area. A 20 minute boat ride from Finca Saladero will take you to the calm shallow waters of Los Mogos located at the north end of the Golfo Dulce. Here you can explore one of the larger reefs in the area hosting a wide range of tropical sea life in the calm waters of the sweet gulf.

Los Mogos Snorkeling Tour - $40. Per person, 2 person minimum*

Ballinas is a beautiful cove with a private sandy beach a short distance from Finca Saladero. This is a popular area for tourists and locals alike. Playa Ballinas allows for a relaxing snorkel dive with minimal current and wave action. Brain coral, moray eels, triggerfish, sergeant majors and angelfish are a few of the inhabitants of the reef.

Ballinas Snorkeling Tour $30. Per person, 2 person minimum*

River Tours

- A relaxing river tour takes you into the maze-like mangrove swamps of the Rio Esquinas. Here the Golfo Dulce is fed by the fresh waters of the tidal river forming a thriving estuary habitat. The mystic mangrove swamp is a paradise for birding and fishermen. Watch for crocodiles and turtles sunbathing on the banks. The Esquinas River is a fishing hotspot hosting red snapper and snook. Want to try your luck for dinner? Ask us about rods, reels and lures. Birders won't miss scores of Whimbrels and White Ibis fishing for lunch. Other birds we've spotted include Laughing Falcon, Yellow-headed Caracara, Squirrel Cuckoo, Northern Jacana, Purple Gallinule, Roseate Spoonbill, four different species of kingfishers and Boat-billed Heron.

- Optional guided river tour by kayak. Kayaks are towed up the river just before high tide and released for your return with the outgoing tide and the natural river current. A quiet and relaxing way to enjoy the sights and sounds of the river, explore deeper into the mangrove estuary and its various coves and tunnels. Same price as the Rio Esquinas boat tour.

River Tours $50. Per person, 2 person minimum.

Casa Orquideas

Boat Ride and Botanical Garden Tour

A Garden of Eden with mass plantings of orchids, bromeliads, helaconias, cycads, ornamental palms and flowering gingers, Casa Orquideas is a local botanical gem. The guided garden tour includes touching, tasting, smelling and simply amazing yourself at one of the most awesome private plant collections you've ever seen.  During the scenic 20 minute boat ride to Casa Orquideas it may be possible to see dolphins, sea turtles, rays leaping from the water and sometimes whales. 

Casa Orquideas Tour $40. Per person, 2 person minimum. *

Relaxing

Feel like doing nothing? We get it. It's your vacation and your time to do what you want to; just relax, breathe the fragrant tropical air and nourish the soul. Read a book on the beach. Take a nap in the hammock. Hang out and scan the gulf for dolphins. The beauty of relaxing at Saladero is there's still plenty to experience while just taking it easy.

Native-Guided Jungle Tour

Discover the richness of the jungle

Interested in learning about the rich flora and fauna in this thriving biological corridor? Take a tour with a local naturalist who will point out things you might otherwise miss. Visit her home and experience first hand how the life of the local is tune with nature. Trek up a small river into the primary rainforest and try your luck catching river shrimp hiding under rocks with just your hands. Pick tasty exotic local fruits right from the tree. Learn names and uses of some of the medicinal plants found in the area. Wet and muddy terrain may be encountered and proper footwear is recommended.

Native-Guided Jungle Tour $20. Per person, 2 person minimum. *

Fishing

From the beach, in the river or deep sea fishing

Fishing opportunities abound at Saladero. Excursions in the Rio Esquinas or Golfo Dulce are available and deep sea trips arranged upon request. We have caught bonita, spanish mackerel, barracuda and grouper in the gulf while the river is known for red snapper and snook populations.

Inshore/River Fishing – Guided inshore fishing in the Golfo Dulce and the Rio Esquinas. Tide dependent for fishing the river. 21’ boat with fiberglass roof, all rods, lures and fishing equipment included.

River/ Gulf Fishing Excursion $50. Per person, 2 person minimum.*

Offshore Fishing – Offshore fishing is through local professional fishing charter companies out of Golfito or Puerto Jimenez. Our staff will be happy to coordinate your trip with some of the best captains in the area.  Costs range from $900 to $1500 for a full day charter.

Hiking

piedras blancas or corcovado national park

The rainforests surrounding Saladero Lodge are primary forests - meaning they've never been cut or logged. Forests of this type are increasingly rare and support a vast diversity of life. The trees found on the property are towering giants, rivaling the redwoods of northern California. Saladero hosts 450 acres of primary rainforest, 15 acres of tropical fruits and garden and miles of pristine beachfront to explore. Guests are invited to experience the diversity of the rainforest on one of our two nature trails:

easy trail - a 3/4 of mile loop trail starts near the beach house, follows a small creek and passes from secondary to primary rainforest.

difficult trail - ascends to the ridge of the nearest mountain and provides a sense of higher regions of the rainforest canopy. 

Before or after visiting Saladero we highly recommend a visit to the Corcovado National Park on the Osa Peninsula.
A permit is required to enter the park and tour operators in Pto Jimenez can organize your trip and make all the necessary arrangements prior to your arrival.

Kayaking

Explore the thriving local wilderness

Guests are welcome to use kayaks free of charge.  The waters of the Golfo Dulce are most tranquil here in front of the Punta Saladero and offers a wide range of possibilities to kayakers.

Kayak fishing, birdwatching or hunting for miniscule orchids in the extensive network of mangrove habitat at the Rio Esquinas is only a 10 minute paddle North of Saladero.

Leisurely paddle along the coastline and spot wildlife in and out of the water at your own pace.  Dolphins are a common sight and whales return year after year to use deep gulf waters as a breeding ground.  Kayakers may also be visited by sea turtles or they may spot capuchin monkeys picking fruits from the shoreline trees.

A 15 minute kayak trip South of Saladero is a local cove called Ballenas with a beautiful palm shaded beach. Have a private picnic (we can make you a lunch to go) and snorkel at the crystal clear coral reef just off the beach.

Fancy yourself a fisherman?  Fishing by kayak is the ultimate “roots” fishing experience. World record snook, huge grouper, red snapper, cero mackerel, roosterfish, jacks, barracuda await your lure.

HORSEBACK RIDING

miles of trails

After a scenic 20 minute boat trip to a finca (farm) at San Josecito Beach you will be provided with docile, sure footed and sturdy Costa Rican horses to traverse the rainforest trails and rivers. The halfway mark is a waterfall to cool down in. Often seen, or smelled, are wild peccaries (pigs) as well as Tucans and Scarlet Macaws.

Before returning to the beach we stop at a small waterfall to cool off and relax. Duration 4 hours. $75.00 per person. Two person minimum

Horseback riding excursion: Duration 4 hours. $75.00 Per person. 2 person minimum.*