hiking itinerary - 4 DAYS / 3 NIGHTS
QUETZAL HIKE
- San Gerardo de Dota to Londres Quepos
- Difficulty: High
Important: Hike is unavailable during September and October (till mid-November) due to the rainy season. From 1 to 4, people include a bilingual guide, and more than five people consist of a bilingual guide and an assistant.
Recommend minimum age: 12 years – 3 of 5 boots
Los Santos Forest Reserve: It comprises some 63,000 hectares of primary, secondary, coffee and pasture cloud forests. The characteristic landscape of this space shows us a mosaic where natural and cultural ecosystems coexist, nuanced by a high biological diversity, which encompasses a natural flavor along its many routes.
All visitors will be able to explore the different paths of the Savegre, a set of attractions, ranging from the clear and sonorous waters of the mountain torrents, the peaceful and majestic woods. There are also daily activities in the picturesque rural communities’ married to the forest. This area includes one of the most biologically diverse places in the country, and constitutes, among other functions, a key link between Manuel Antonio and Tapantí national park. The trails are narrow, with slippery stretches or those that require attention for the abundance of obstacles such as rocks, mud, dense vegetation, as well as precipices or ravines.
The land is scarred. It is likely that the guide will wield his machete to clear the path a bit. Several shallow but flowing streams cross our paths; generally, this difficulty is chore rewarded by the abundance of multiple waterfalls. This area is literally an oasis of great importance for the conservation of hydrographic basins and preservation of biodiversity. It is a habitat for the quetzal and other beautiful birds like the trogon. Also for hummingbirds, turkeys, multicolored butterflies, frogs, white and red monkeys, peccaries, foxes, raccoons, coyotes, coatis, mountain mice and felines such as jaguars, cauceles and breeding lions also abound. Tapirs whose footprints attest for their search for the so-called tapir culantrillo, an omnipresent plant in this area. There are also snakes such as the Toboba, the Kera and the coral.
As to flora, the reserve contains very tall trees and many epiphytic plants (orchids, bromeliads and ferns).
Here you will find deer and trees such as oak, myrtle, magnolia and jaul. There are also species such as murta, tirrá, guaba, quina, bacillus, papayillo, cucaracho, quizarrá, duraznillo, picarillo, palm hearts, straw stick, arborescent ferns, taco de mico, copey, cirrí cañuela, parrot, cypress, poor parasol, cedrillo, arrayancillo, candelillo and male nance. The forest is characterized by high humidity and cool temperatures, and by being frequently covered with clouds.
Itinerary:
Individual arrival to San Gerardo de Dota (optional transfer from San Jose). At 08.30 am, meet the guide in the lobby of the recommended hotel restaurant Sueños del Bosque (or Lauraceas Lodge), where the excitement begins towards the rural community of Providencia de Dota. Your guide, with their extensive knowledge of the area, will ensure a confident and secure start to your journey.
You will walk approximately 12 kilometers between two communities surrounded by nature and beautiful landscapes. The trail is easily passable due to its excellent condition and the presence of a suspension bridge over the Savegre River. You can observe secondary and primary forests at different elevations, making this a route with ample possibilities to see wildlife. There will be times to pause and chat with your guide. A late lunch will be ready for you at the rustic Rivera Lodge or the family home (individual preference), where you will spend the night after an included dinner.
Difficulty of hike: It is considered moderate, from 2,200 meters above sea level to 1,700 meters, and has a cool and pleasant mountain climate. Accommodation: Cabaña Colibri or family homes
Breakfast is served by 5:30 a.m. in Providencia de Dota, followed by your departure around 06:30 a.m. A scheduled transport takes you up to the community Cerro Vueltas, where your today’s hike begins. The 14 km (approximately 8 miles to hike) are dominated by primary and secondary forests, mostly oak trees, allowing breathtaking views onto the close Central Pacific Coast, always accompanied by one of America’s most pristine rivers. Your lunch will be served on banana paper.
Today’s hike will take around 7 – 8 hours (14km). Altitude around 1745m – 900m above sea level.
Betania lies at an altitude of 900m above sea level, and the temperatures vary between 18 and 25 degrees Celsius. It is a two-story house in a pasture in the middle of the forest, surrounded by mountains. At dawn, the view of the local flora is spectacular, and the birds around are noisy!
Today, you can accommodate yourself at Betania Lodge, where the staff will serve dinner and breakfast during your stay.
Lodging tonight means resting on indoor mattresses, a platform, and shared bathrooms. Hospedaje: Betania Lodge.
Altitude: 1745 – 1100m above sea level. Duration of today’s hike: 7-8 hours
Included meals: breakfast, lunch snack on route & dinner
Breakfast starts at 05:30. Then, at 07:00, you will begin with the walk to San Isidro de Dota. This route has a distance of 7 kilometers, an approximate duration of 4 to 5 hours, and altitudes between 1010m and 600m above sea level. The arrival in San Isidro de Dota is scheduled at 11:30. Lodging, lunch, and dinner at Rancho Tinamú, where you will share with Parra´s family and lovely local people. If you are lucky, Mr Santiago Parra will enchant you with some Costa Rican songs on his guitar!
Lodging is offered with NO electric light; nevertheless, private bathrooms with a cold water shower are available. Extra blankets and towels are provided on the spot. Here, breakfast, lunch, and dinner are included.
Lodging at Rancho Tinamú
Breakfast is ready at 05:30. With renewed energy and enthusiasm, start walking at 06:30 towards Londres de Quepos. Today’s route has a distance of 18 kilometers, with a duration of 7 to 8 hours and an altitude between 830m to 250m above sea level. Arrive at Quebrada Arroyo, where you can enjoy your lunch and relax by a large suspension bridge and a beautiful cascade! From there, it is close to this fantastic hike’s final point. The end of the hike is a moment of accomplishment and satisfaction. At around 3pm an included transfer takes you further to Quepos/Manuel Antonio where all services end.
So that you know, accommodation today is optional based on your preference and request. Included meals today: breakfast & lunch.
Duration of hike: 7-8 hours (18km) 830 – 250m above sea level
More information:
- Bilingual guide with experience in mountain hikes
- Luggage porter
- Rural Accommodations
- Full board, based on prior description
- Included transportation till Quepos/Manuel Antonio.
- voluntary tipping
- alcoholic beverages
Please note that each hiker should carry its own backpack with all necessary belongings throughout the complete hike. Recommended weight 8kg. In case there is rest-luggage to transport, please consider the extra cost mentioned above.
You should bring in your backpack:
- rain coat
- Insect repellent
- flash-light
- hat
- comfortable clothing (dry fit) and already worn hiking shoes
- Sun Block
- Water bottle & filter
Map & Location:
Tariff period: 01st December 2024 to 30th November 2025
Net Rates per person – included 13 % IVA.
- Room category:
Standard (rural lodge)
- Occupancy:
- 1 pax
- 2 - 4 pax
- 5 - 6 pax
- 7 - 8 pax
- 9 - 11 pax
- 12 - 14 pax
- 15 - 16 pax
- Rates:
- $1,157
- $738.00
- $525.00
- $467.00
- $438.00
- $409.00
- $387.00
- Cancellation policy:
Until 15 days prior: no charge
After: 50% of total costs
Cancellations made in less than seven days have a penalty of 100%.
No-Show: 100%
Extra services:
- Transportation P.N. Los Quetzales (entrance) – Providencia de Dota – suitcases: $ 22.00
- Transportation San Gerardo de Dota – Providencia de Dota – suitcases: $ 56.00
- Transportation Providencia – Manuel Antonio Hotel X – suitcases: $ 162.00
- Luggage transportation from San Gerardo de Dota-Providencia de Dota-Rancho Tinamú- Manuel Antonio or Quepos (Betania excluded! not accessible): $438.00 US$ divided through participants.
Those who prefer to carry their complete luggage should be at most 8-10kg p.p. (our recommendation). If you arrive with more luggage, you must pay the abovementioned fee of 162.00 USD directly on the spot.
Important notes:
- Please note that each hiker should carry a backpack with all necessary belongings throughout the hike. The recommended weight is 8-9kg. If there is a rest of the luggage to transport, please consider the abovementioned extra cost.
- Experience in hiking and good physical condition are required. 3 / 5 boots.
- This hike is recommended year-round except for September and October due to the peak of the rainy season.
- The package rates include all sales taxes.
- Private transportation from Londres de Quepos to Manuel Antonio (to your optionally booked hotel)
Additional information: Check in at 14.00h / Check out at 12.00 hours
