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RESERVE
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Two Horseback riders on a beautiful crimson sunset in Costa Rica

Experiences Guide

this is Vayu

Memories to Last a Life Time

A destination in itself - Vayu Retreat Villas is at the doorstep of one of the most biologically diverse areas on the planet! We've developed a list of our top activities here in the southern zone. A lot of the suggested 'experiences' are half or full-day adventures. So whether you're amongst friends, family or perhaps escaping the urban madness on honeymoon, there’s something for everyone.

This is Costa Rica

Connect & Explore

Our connect and explore options bring you closer to nature and allow you to experience the Pura Vida. 

Beach Life

The Marino Ballena coast offers just over 35km of beach front to explore, whether you’re looking for a calm stretch of sand or an active surf, with several unique beaches close by, there are enough options out there to suit everyone. Below is a list of some of the more common beaches. 

Play Uvita/Marino Ballena Park 

Famous for its whales tale formation seen at low tide - you can walk for almost 1 km out into the ocean on this iconic sandbar. Access to the park from many. beaches. Park entry cost $6

Ballena/Playa Arcos 

Located in close proximity to Playa Uvita, and within Ballena National Park - these two secluded beaches are side by side with Arcos only accessible at low tide. Both offer breath-taking coastal landscapes where you can walk for miles without seeing a soul.

Playa Piñuelas 

This pretty pebble beach is great for swimming, especially on the south side, a little discreet and hard to find - it is usually not visited by many tourists. 

Playa Ventanas 

Scenic and beautiful, this beach is surrounded by mountains and gets its name from the ‘windows’ formed by vast rocky caves and tunnels right at the water’s edge at low tide.  This beach has become more popular in recent years with vendors selling food and local artists. 

Playa Hermosa 

Playa Hermosa (meaning ‘beautiful’ in English) provide the perfect spot to catch a gorgeous sunset while watching the local surfers and boogie boarders. Grab an ‘agua de pipa’ (coconut water) and enjoy the people-watching.

Playa Dominical 

With waves for more experienced surfers, this lively little village has an abundance of picturesque beachfront bars and restaurants, as well as colorful stalls selling beachwear and trinkets. Here is the spot to grab a bite or a board, and spend an hour or two exploring.

National Parks

Corcovado

Hiking 

Described by National Geographic as the most biologically intense place on Earth. Five percent of the biodiversity on this side of the planet can be found in Corcovado National Park.

The day tour departs from Punta Uvita at 7:30 AM and arrives approximately 1 1/2 hours later at San Pedrillo Ranger Station, Corcovado National Park. Upon arrival you’ll hike two different trails, the first around 3 hours long followed by lunch, and the second – leading to a waterfall – approximately 1.5 hours long. Both provide a fantastic opportunity to encounter numerous mammals such as howler, spider and white-faced monkeys, sloths, coatis, raccoons and tapirs, as well as a great variety of birds, plants, and endangered trees that have been standing for centuries.

Tour duration: Full Day 

Start Time: 8 am 

Tour includes: Naturalist, bilingual guide, boat transportation, picnic-style lunch, bottled water, entrance fee to Corcovado National Park

What to wear: closed-toed comfortable hiking shoes, long trousers or shorts
What to bring: Small bags to safeguard belonging, sunblock, insect repellent, water, swim suite 

Cost: 150$ pp 

ayu Retreat Villas is a luxurious boutique hotel in Uvita, Costa Rica that offers a variety of adventure activities, including sea turtle watching. Guests can go on a boat tour to see sea turtles swimming in the ocean near the water surface. They can also snorkel or scuba dive to get a closer look at these amazing creatures. Sea turtle watching is a great way to learn about these important animals and to appreciate the beauty of the Costa Rican coastline.
National Parks

Caño Island

Snorkeling  

This small island lies approximately 20km offshore from the Osa Peninsula at Drake Bay.

The tour departs from Punta Uvita at 8 AM and arrives at Caño Island approximately 1 ½ hours later. It is a magical trip where you can observe whales, experience dolphin encounters, and observe other marine animals such as sea turtles, fish and marine birds. Arriving at the island you will be able to appreciate the healthiest coral reefs on this Costa Rica snorkeling adventure and observe a great variety of marine species, many of which are in danger of extinction.

Tour duration: Full Day 

Start Time: 8 am 

Tour includes: reserve entrance fee, bilingual naturalist guide, equipment, bottled water, picnic lunch and snacks

What to wear: Shorts, hiking shoes/comfortable sandals, swim suit
What to bring: Sun block, insect repellent, water, an extra pair of sandals, camera

What we Love about this tour: Every tour in unique -  you may see manta rays, reef sharks, sea turtles, and all tours use proceeds to support ocean conservation with an emphasis on coral restoration. 

Cost: 150$ pp 

Nauyaca Waterfalls Hike

The impressive waterfalls of Nauyaca are found deep in the jungle just north of Dominical. The highest waterfall is 45 meters (148 ft) and the big natural swimming pool is 6 meters (20 ft) deep, covering 1,000 m2 (10,800 ft2).

Tours Options: 

  • Horseback 
  • Premium or economic 4x4

Tour Duration: Half Day (3.5 hours) 

Tour includes: private bilingual guide, entrance fee, water and towels

What to bring: bathing suit, walking shoes, sunscreen, insect repellent and camera

Cost: 80$ pp 

*Note: A self guided 12km hike option is also available for 10$.

Conservation

Pelagic Experience

Once in a lifetime experience! 

The pelagic experience - or open water dive, is truly immersive. During this special and unique experience, you will look for mega pods and groups of spinner dolphins that can be found on the South Pacific coast of Costa Rica. And then, you will jump in and swim along side wild dolphins in their natural habitat. 

What we like about this tour: Experiences with a Purpose - Conservation efforts will guarantee the future of our oceans - This tour is truly magical, any ocean lover will come away from this tour with an unforgettable memory. 

Tour Duration: Full Day 

Start Time: 7am 

Tour Includes: Certified Biologist or Naturalist, lunch and snacks on the boat, hydrophone to hear the whale’s songs, and material for whale monitoring.

What to Bring: sandals, bathing suit, hat, sunscreen, towel and camera

Cost: 1250$ for 5 people (180$ pp thereafter) 

Conservation

Whale & Dolphin Monitoring

The South Pacific of Costa Rica witnesses an incredible event: every year, 2 different populations of Humpback whales arrive to the tropical warm waters to give birth, raise their babies, and mate. From January to March, we receive the North Population, coming from Alaska, while from July to October we host the curious and friendly South Population. But that’s not all! We can also spot Pilot whales, Bryde’s whales, and more! 

Tour Duration: Full Day 

Start Time: 7am 

Tour Includes: Certified Biologist or Naturalist, lunch and snacks on the boat, hydrophone to hear the whale’s songs, and material for whale monitoring.

 What to Bring: sandals, bathing suit, hat, sunscreen, towel and camera

Cost: 120$ pp 

Two adults ride horses along the beach of Uvita, Costa Rica, as part of their vacation at the Vayu Retreat Villas. The boutique hotel is a luxurious and holistic wellness retreat that offers a variety of activities, including horseback riding, hiking, yoga, and surfing. The couple is enjoying the peace and quiet of the beach, the beauty of the rainforest, and the company of each other. They are looking forward to spending the rest of their vacation exploring Costa Rica's natural beauty and taking advantage of all that Vayu Retreat Villas has to offer.

Horseback Riding

With its scenic pasture land, beautiful rainforest reserve, its mangroves and its waterside setting, the vast 1250-acre Rancho La Merced National Wildlife Refuge makes the ideal spot for an adventure on horseback

Rancho La Merced offers various horse trails: 

  • Day time waterfall horseback ride, 9am and 2pm (dry season)
  • Beachfront horseback ride, daytime or sunset (tide dependent)

Tour Duration: 2.5 - 3 hrs

Tour Includes: bilingual guide, equipment, snack and bottled water

What to Bring: long pants, towel, sunscreen, insect repellent and camera

Cost: 60$ pp 

*Note: we highly recommend the sunset tour - and to book well in advance !

Coffee Plantation Experience

Located about 1.5 hours from Vayu Retreat Villas is the stunning lush hills of Fladas del Parque Nacional La Amistad in the small town of Biolley, Coffea Diversa offers a wonderful day out (this tour is self-driven.) This authentic and eye-opening experience offers guests the chance to see one of the world's largest private collection of coffee plants (with around 700 botanical varieties) They also have large variety of coffee equipment and beans for purchase.  

Tour Duration: 4-6 hours 

Tour Includes: Entrance and bilingual guide + cupping (coffee tasting)

What we Love about this tour: with billions of coffee drinkers on the planet - finding out how our daily vice is made is an amazing experience. The people at Coffea Diversa are very passionate and humble with a vast knowledge on the coffee process. 

Cost: 45$ pp 

This is Costa Rica

Adventure

For those who like their travel experiences fast and thrilling, wet and wild, the following selection of exhilarating tours offer you the chance to find your fix of adrenaline .

Rainforest Canopy Tour

Zip Lining

Touring through pristine primary rainforests will give you a whole new appreciation for the southern zone of Costa Rica. It’s inevitable that you’ll get to see a variety of the native wildlife, including things like monkeys (howlers, white-faced capuchins, spider monkeys and squirrel monkeys), sloths, a variety of birds, and more. 

Tour Duration: 3 Hours 

Start Time: 8am or 1pm 

Whats Included: All together you’ll zip 7 different cables (ranging from 200m long to 1.1km), move between 13 platforms, get lowered down 3 rappels, challenge your balance on 2 hanging bridges, and test your nerve with the “Tarzan” swing at the end.  All equipment, guide and a fruit snack. 

What to Bring: closed shoes, comfortable clothes, sunscreen and a small bag to safeguard your belongings

Cost: 80$ pp 

*Note: weight restricted to 105kg (230lbs) 

 

Canyoning

Waterfall Rapelling

Get out of your comfort zone & harness up for thrill therapy! This adventure takes you through Uvita’s hidden canyons and down six of its dramatic waterfalls, the largest standing at an impressive 27m, or 80ft. The final spills out into Uvita River where you’ll be able to cool off, relax and reflect in its pristine pools.

Tour Duration: 3 hours 

Start Time: 9am 

Whats Included:  professional bilingual guide, rappelling equipment, "pure vida picnic" and photos. 

What to Bring: You will be getting  completely soaking wet so please bring the appropriate clothes to wear. NO FLIP FLOPS!  The softer the sole the better the grip on wet rocks. Additionally a towel, sunscreen and insect repellent.

Cost: 120$ pp 

Two surfers soak up the last rays of the sun at Uvita Beach in Costa Rica. They are staying at the Vayu Retreat Villas, a luxurious all-inclusive resort that caters to vegetarians. The resort offers a variety of holistic wellness activities, such as yoga, meditation, and massages. Guests can also enjoy the beach and the infinity pool. To learn more and book, visit vayucostarica.com.

Learn to Surf

Visiting the southern zone of Costa Rica one must try surfing once! Embrace the hip Costa Rican coastal culture and return home with some enviable skills – standing guaranteed!

Duration: 2.5hours 

Start Time: Varies 

Whats Included: equipment and rash guards, professional instructor,  drone footage, snacks and drinks

What to Bring: swimsuit (tight enough to stay on) and sunscreen

Cost: 60$ pp 

 

This is Costa Rica

The Fun Doesn't Stop Here

More adventures and ways to connect

Water

Ocean Kayaking 

SUP

Mangrove Tour

Whitewater Rafting

Air 

Sky Diving/Bungee Jumping

Paragliding 

Parasailing

Aerial Exploration

On the Ground

Bird Watching

Night Jungle Tour

ATV

Nature Hikes

Nature  

Alturas Wildlife Sanctuary 

Turtle Reserve 

Conservation Programs 

Build Your Package

 

Let our team of experts help you custom-curate the Costa Rica vacation of a lifetime for you or your group. Simply fill out the form below with your ideal experiences and dates and we will custom curate your dream adventure. 

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