Tours

Heliconia Island is a naturalist's paradise. The visual impact is stunning as you cross the rustic bridge and enter into the lush tropical beauty of the Botanical Garden. Tourists are surrounded with an incredible display of exotic tropical flowers, palms, bamboo, bananas, and native tree species. The 5 acre Island/Botanical Garden is located in the Puerto viejo river 8 kilometre from the town of Puerto Viejo of Sarapiquí in the province of Heredia. The Sarapiquí region is in the North East sector of Costa Rica. It is an area well known for it's great bio-diversity Tourists can reach the island by car or public bus. It is an easy 1 hr drive from the capital city of San José.


The Sarapiquí tropical rain forest is home to more than 100 species of mammals. A short list includes: The Howler, Spider, and White-faced Monkey, Peccary, Agouti, Coati, Sloth (two species), Jaguar, Tapir, Pacas, Anteater, Bracket Deer, Ocelot, Weasel, River Otter, Armadillos, Kinkajou, Raccoons, Iguanas, Lizards, Three frogs, Poison dart frog, Turtles and Crocodiles...

ACTIVITIES
We are proud to offer you some tours that haven’t been discovered by mass tourism, so often you are the only guests, who can enjoy the beauty of the environment. We know what you want when you look for pure nature!

HELICONIA ISLAND GARDEN TOUR
Walk around the island with Carolien who shall explain you everything about the plants in the garden and discover with her the birds and other animals. The guided tour is for free for people who stay overnight.

BOATTRIP FROM HELICONIA ISLAND
Float downstream with a guide on an inflatable boat for a 3 hour tour through nature. You will paddle while seeing iguanas, monkeys and a lot of birds. It is possible to see crocodiles.
The tour goes towards Puerto Viejo de Sarapiqui, where you will be picked up by car.

DAYTOUR TO THE FAMOUS TORTUGUERO CANALS
Make a tour by private boat with a naturalist guide through the beautiful, jungle surrounded waterways of Tortuguero. Stop for lunch in a typical Costa Rican restaurant and make a short hike through the village of Tortuguero. Great trip for birdwatchers and nature lovers!

HIKING IN BRAULIO CARILLO NATIONAL PARK
Braulio Carillo is a 44.000 hectares national park of virgin rainforest. Coming into the park is like entering a new world. A walk in the park is an adventure. You can visit the park yourself or find the secrets of the rainforest with a naturalist guide.

LAGOJALAPA, JUNGLE HIKE AND BOAT TOUR ON THE LAKE
Walk with the guide through a beautiful piece of jungle and relax on the silent boattrip on the 7 hectare lake, which is surrounded by a wall of rainforest. Just 45 minutes drive from Heliconia Island.

RAFTING ON THE SARAPIQUI RIVER
Discover the beautiful river while admiring the rainforest. Challenge the rapids in different classes, together with the bilingual and professional guides.

AERIAL TRAM
The world famous experience in which you discover the rainforest of Braulio Carillo national park, from a different perspective. The tram takes you for a flight over the canopy tree tops. You also get a guided nature walk and it is possible to visit the snake farm, butterfly- or frog garden.

SARAPIQUI CANOPY
To do a canopy tour is an amazing experience. It consist a 14 zip-line adventure from which you can enjoy incredible passages through the rainforest. You will cross the Sarapiquí River two times! The guides are experienced and the equipment has the highest quality.

HORSEBACK RIDES
You can discover different parts of the area from the back of a horse. You will ride through dense rainforest, pastures and rivers.

SARAPIQUI RIVER FLOATING
A 2 or 3 hour relaxing tour down the scenic and historic Puerto Viejo River by boat with motor. A must for birdwatchers. Big chance to see monkeys, sloth’s, iguanas and crocodiles.

ADVENTUROUS HIKING IN THE MOUNTAINS
Find all the facets of real jungle: immense trees, waterfalls, birds, frogs, butterflies and flowers. At one and a half hour drive, the road has breathtaking views, you can find the private rainforest Aguas Silvestres. It is owned by just one man, Edgar, who lives here primitive and wants to protect and preserve all the natural beauty around him. You can admire his butterfly garden here.
The tour, given by an English speaking guide, takes about three and a half hour. You need to have a good physical condition, a 4x4 car and you must have no fear of water and mud to make the hike successful.

PIERELLA GARDEN
Close to Heliconia Island you can find an other botanical garden. The garden is just 1 hectare but there is a lot to see: frogs, butterflies, insect (laboratorial), birds and nice vegetation.
There are some animals in captivity, that are taken care of.
You can visit the garden yourself or go with a guide, who can also show you a typical Costa Rican (heart of palm) farm after the garden visit.

COFFEE TOUR
Close to San Miguel, you can enjoy the coffee tour experience in harmony with nature. Share with the coffee farmers the history and production of coffee. This company is a fair trade cooperative. Included in the tour is a typical lunch with coffee and a visit to a waterfall.

TIRIMBINA RAINFOREST
Visit the suspension bridges and observe wildlife. You can look around yourself or make a hike with a guide.

CHOCOLATE TOUR
Make the combination of enjoying the rainforest at Tirimbina, with a tour to learn the history of transforming cacao fruit into chocolate. Interesting for people of every age.
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PINE APPLE TOUR
Visit a pineapple farm, learn about the history, eat fresh pineapple and see the pine apples being packed.

CATARATA DEL TORO WATERFALL
100 meter high waterfall, which throws itself into and old crater. You can enjoy the rappel experience or walk the trails to the water. Possibilities for lunch by the waterfall. One and a half hour drive from Heliconia Island.

VOLCANO POAS
Discover the biggest crater of the Poás volcano and see the beautiful lake.
(temporary not reachable from Sarapiquí)

LA PAZ WATERFALLGARDENS
Discover the Costa Rica wildlife in the gardens and trails which lead you to the 5 waterfalls.
You shall have a complete vacation day.
(temporary not reachable from Sarapiquí)