La Parcela

Recreational Activities
The Dominical area offers endless activities and adventures at affordable prices. Regardless of the activity (or inactivity) you choose, you are guaranteed a wonderful experience in a spectacular setting. Our concierge can help you plan an individualized experience that fits your unique preferences. • Botanical gardens • Bird watching and photography • Surfing • Snorkeling and diving • Language school		• Latin dance • Ocean or river rafting/kayaking • Canopy tours • Horseback riding • Whale watching • Sportfishing • Mountain biking • Hiking and mountain climbing • Cultural and educational opportunities • National parks (Four national parks, Manual Antonio, Chirripo, Ballena, and Corcovado, are within a few hours drive of Dominical.)

National Parks and Reserves
Manual Antonio National Park – Although this park is small in area (only 1687 acres), it is rich in inhabitants. Over 100 species of animals and nearly 200 species of birds live in the park. All three species of monkey found in Costa Rica reside in the park – the white-throated capuchin monkeys, the endangered squirrel monkeys, and the white-faced monkeys. Trails through the park are well-groomed, however, sandals are recommended, since paths can get muddy, even in the dry season. In addition to monkeys, you can expect to see colorful birds, iguanas, sloths, and other animals. The animals are used to having humans around. Monkeys may approach tourists looking for food and unattended backpacks. Please do not feed or touch the monkeys or other animals. Remember they are protected, wild animals and should be treated with respect and distance. Just off the beaches of Manual Antonio lies another world worth exploring. When the water is clear, snorkeling reveals bright, florescent-colored fish swimming among the corals. Please don’t touch the corals. The best snorkeling sites are located near the rocky sections at the ends of the beaches. Further out, the park encompasses twelve islets just off the coast where it is possible to see dolphins and migrating whales. You can reach Manual Antonio by taking a 20 minute flight from San Jose to Quepos. Direct buses are also available from San Jose (three and one-half hours travel time). If driving in a private car, take the road to Jaco from San Jose and continue for another 40 kilometers. Buses leave Quepos terminal for the park and beach every half hour from 5:00 am to 10:00 pm.		To enter the park, you have to cross a shallow river estuary. At high tide, a boat is available to take visitors across for about 100 colones. The park entrance fee is seven dollars. Try to visit the park in the morning and during the week, if possible. The number of visitors is limited to 600 during the week and 800 on weekends. The park is closed on Mondays. There are a wide array of tours and activities available in the Quepos/Manual Antonio area. Seven Reasons Not to Feed the Monkeys! • Monkeys are highly susceptible to the diseases from human hands. They can die from bacteria transferred off your hand that has no ill effect on you. • Migration to human-populated areas to be fed increases the risk of dog attacks and road accidents. • Irregular feeding leads to an aggressive behavior towards humans and other species. • Contrary to the popular belief, bananas are not the preferred food of monkeys in the wild. Bananas, especially those with pesticides, can upset the monkeys’ delicate digestive system and cause serious dental problems that can lead to death. • Feeding creates a dangerous dependency on humans that diminishes the monkeys’ survival abilities. • Feeding interferes with the monkeys’ natural habits and upset the balance of their lifestyle centered on eating wild fruits, seeds, small animals, and insects. • Contact with humans facilitates poaching and the trade in illegal wildlife. Source: Kids Saving the Rainforest

Chirripo National Park – San Gerardo de Rivas, near San Isidro, is near the entry of Chirripo National Park, which boasts the country’s highest peak (3,820 meters/12,530 feet). No technical climbing is required to hike Chirripo, but altitude and a rugged trail make for a strenuous trek. The hike to Los Crestones base camp takes six to 12 hours, half that time coming down. Most hikers allow two to three days to make the entire trip. Los Crestones base camp shelter is the only permitted lodging in the park (no camping allowed).		Once at the shelter, day hikes to the peak, lakes, and high-altitude meadowlands are available. Call at least a month in advance to reserve a bed at the shelter. Chirripo treks are most popular during December to May. The park may close during rain and pack horses are not permitted on the trail during the rainy season. Park admission is $6.00. Crestones shelter has rooms with bunkbeds, shared ice-water baths, shared kitchen, and solar electricity. Bring your own food and be prepared to dress warmly at the top. Temperatures drop to 20 degrees F. at night.

Ballena National Marine Park – This park is 5,400 hectares of mostly ocean. It is the home of the Pacific coast’s largest coral reef. Humpback whale sightings are common at Ballena Island between December and April. Several types of sperm whales are also seen near Tres Hermanas (three sisters) Islands.		Olive Ridley and Hawksbill turtles nest on these beaches during May to November (rainy season). The ranger station is in the small seaside community of Bahia, just south of Uvita. The park is fairly undeveloped. Camping is permitted.

Corcovado National Park – This park, comprising 54,540 hectares on land and 2,400 hectares of sea, is the site of stunning waterfalls and the country’s largest tract of virgin forest. It is widely regarded as one of the world’s most biologically diverse regions. The park is home to at least 400 species of birds, 140 of mammals, 116 of amphibians and reptiles, 500 of trees, and 6,000 of insects.		The park’s six distinct ecosystems shelter scarlet macaws, jaguars, pumas, tapirs, poison-dart and golden frogs, the harpy eagle, and other endangered species. As much of the wildlife is nocturnal, the experience is even more intense after dark. Admission is $6.00 for tourists.

Cano Island Biological Reserve – Located about an hour boat ride from Drake, this uninhabited island is renowned as a diving spot. Trails on the island lead to a pre-Columbian cemetery and several of Costa Rica’s mysterious stone spheres. Mystery shrouds the spheres, which measure from one to two and a half meters in diameter and are found mainly in the Palmar region and on Cano Island.		Some researchers believe the pre-Columbian ancestors of the Boruca Indians made the spheres to represent the earth and the cosmos. Others believe they were ancient navigational markers.

Wilson Botanical Gardens – Located near San Vito, these gardens, covering 10 hectares, have a vast collection of bromeliads, orchids, and more than 700 species of palms. Recognized as the most important tropical gardens in Central America, the gardens provide overnight lodging for a limited number of visitors and scientists.		The town of San Vito (population of approximately 40,000) was settled by Italian immigrants in 1950. The Italian influence is still present.

Water Sports and Activities
Sportfishing – Costa Rica’s Pacific coast is world famous for its sportfishing. Billfishing is very popular, especially from December to June, with world records broken nearly every year. Numerous outfitters offer well-equipped boats and experienced, bilingual captains to provide both the rookie and the experienced angler excellent offshore fishing for marlin, sailfish, tuna, wahoo, and dorado. Offshore fishing in the Dominical area is an excellent economic value. The Dominical area also includes the second largest mangrove system on the Pacific coast of Central America, providing some of the best flyfishing in the world. Inshore action includes roosterfish, snook, snapper, and sea bass. Half-day and full-day charters are available from Quepos, Dominical, Uvita, Drake Bay, Cano Island, and Golfito. Southern Pacific Beaches – Rugged, vegetation-covered mountains form the backdrop to Dominical beach. Mainly a surfer’s beach, Dominical has gained popularity with swimmers due to the new lifeguard force. Punta Uvita and Ballena National Park offer great places to swim near a small rural village.		Beach Safety Tips • Know the area where you are swimming. Ask locally for surf/beach conditions. • Ask about riptides and undertows before you get in the water. If you get caught in a riptide, a strong current that runs parallel to shore, don’t try to fight it. Swim parallel to shore, toward the breaking rip wave. • Know safety and rescue procedures. • Never swim alone. • Don’t swim at night or after drinking alcohol. • If you don’t know how to swim well, stay in very shallow water. • Don’t let children play alone in the water.

Rafting/Kayaking – River rafting tours are available at different rafting levels. The Savegre River, a class III river in the mountains outside of Quepos, runs through the cleanest river in the country. Participants go through class II/III/IV rapids with a chance to enjoy great swimming holes and a large variety of birds in the dense primary jungle surrounding the river. The Naranjo River is a class III and IV river for physically fit, excitement-seeking rafters. The river drops steeply from the mountains about Quepos through a beautiful jungle gorge, taking participants on a wild ride to sea level, passing nearby farmlands and palm plantations. Ocean kayaking is also popular along the southern Pacific coast, where kayakers can travel through shoreline caves (depending on tidal conditions) and view pre-Columbian inscriptions on the walls.		The caves are rumored to hold to treasures of explorer Sir Francis Drake. Age requirements are eight to 12 years, depending on the difficulty of the waters. Rafting/kayaking trips are generally unregulated. Use only reputable operators with skilled guides, good quality and well-maintained equipment, and a history of safe operations. For the participant seeking slow-moving tranquility, other boating experiences are available. Take a ride on a two-story paddlewheel boat up the longest river in Costa Rica. Or, ride a launch through the Rio Terraba mangroves to a beautiful island. Enjoy a private picnic and hike along trails to admire flora and fauna.

Snorkeling/Diving – Pristine coral reefs, together with an abundance of spectacular tropical sea life make for some of the best scuba diving in the world. Twelve miles west of Drake Bay, Cano Island offers some of the most exciting diving within reach of the mainland. Porpoises, schools of rays, and white-tip reef sharks are commonly seen on most dives.		Water temperatures in the Pacific are typically in the upper seventies to low eighties throughout the year.

Surfing – Dominical is known as a surfer’s mecca, with the second longest left wave in Costa Rica. Surfers enjoy good waves year-round. Further south near Golfo Dulce, Pavones and Matapalo, are excellent surfing locations. Pavones, near the Panama border, has one of the longest left waves in the world. Several surf schools provide lessons, which include equipment.		Although some rentals are available, experienced surfers bring their own equipment. Don’t forget rashguard, sunscreen, and wax. Be prepared to pay extra for shipping boards on airlines.

Land Activities and Tours

Bicycling – An adventurous alternative way to see the country, mountain biking has experienced a boom in popularity in recent years. Most tour companies offer biking trips as part of their regular packages. Rental equipment is excellent. Cyclists will encounter a huge variety of breathing terrain – leisure country paths, grueling mountain trails, and open beaches. Cyclists from Costa Rica have excelled on the international cycling circuit, and top cyclists from around the world gather here annually for two major races. Driving Tips: Costa Ricans are very polite in person, but behind the wheel they blindly dart in and out of lanes and fly past red lights, making for some grim traffic statistics.		Also, there are potholes big enough to swallow your car, even on paved roads. When driving, take it easy. It makes for a much more enjoyable and safer trip. If you are pulled over by the transit police, don’t sweat it. The best policy is to accept the ticket and turn it over to the rental company. The rental company will apply the ticket to your bill. And, if you are involved in an accident, do not move your car until the police give permission, regardless of how much others might honk. Also, stay with your vehicle until the police arrive to protect your personal property.

Horsebackriding – One of the best ways to enjoy the natural beauty of Costa Rica is on horseback. Guided horseback riding tours may be scheduled from several locations. You can choose tours that take you along beaches and jungle trails and through river crossings to experience waterfalls, mineral pools, and spectacular mountain views.		Costa Rican horses are fit and sure-footed. Stables rents horses by the hour, day, or week. Avoid steep, rocky trails during the rainy season. Excessive mud makes trails dangerous for both horse and rider.

Canopy Tours – Adventurous participants may enter the forest canopy and see jungle life from a unique and different perspective. Many canopy or “tree-top” tours exist throughout the country. Go with a professional canopy guide to a tree platform or along a suspended footbridge high above the floor of the forest. You can also zip from platform to platform – the adrenaline rush is an unforgettable experience.		Beware! Faulty equipment has caused tragedy in the past. Government regulations are improving, and operators are now doing a better job caring for their systems. But, before taking flight, check the company’s safety record, scrutinize your harness and make sure you have a back-up line connecting you to the zip line.

Birdwatching – Few countries in the world offer as many different species of birds in such a small area as Costa Rica. For someone planning a birding trip to Costa Rica, the best way of seeing as many species as possible is to plan to spend some time in each of the five major climatic zones: the dry forests of the northwest, the wet forests of the southwest, the Caribbean lowlands, the middle elevation rainforests of the Caribbean slope, and the highlands. Additionally, different habitat types within each of these areas should be explored (mature forests, second growth, open areas, rivers, ponds, marshes, etc.).		An experienced field guide who knows the area and also the bird calls is essential for anyone who is seriously interested in seeing birds. A Guide to the Birds of Costa Rica by F. Gary Stiles and Alexander F. Skutch, is an important resource for visiting birders. Remember, however, that although birds are abundant, it is not always easy to see them. Try your best, but be content with and enjoy all the natural beauty that you experience.

Hiking – There is an abundance of hiking opportunities in Costa Rica. Excursions vary in the time required and difficulty level. Constantly changing weather conditions necessitate carrying rain gear, plenty of water, and something to eat.		Bug repellent and sturdy boats are also recommended for most hikes. Never hike alone and always tell a friend or neighbor where you’re going and when you’ll be back.

Waterfalls – Ride a horse or hike to a waterfall. Swim, float, or snorkel in the white waters.		A choice of three spectacular waterfalls are available in the Dominical area.