Escondido Trex Adventures

Escondido Trex was started in 1992 to let people explore the Osa Peninsula and the Gulf of Dulce with a knowledgeable and entertaining guide who will lead you to the most magical spots the area has to offer. We cater to everyone, Super Deluxe to Budget. We work with all the lodges on the Osa, and can help you arrange accommodations, and provide you with a guide while you are here. We design each trip based on your wants and desires. We use Aquaterra sit on top kayaks (the singles are 14 ft. and very sturdy) and you have the option of singles or doubles. We supply dry bags so you can bring your camera or other valuables.

We also do private guiding out of all the lodges on the Osa Peninsula, for people who want to stay someplace nice and have a personal guide who has lived in the area for years and can plan the perfect vacation based on your groups desires, expectations, and physical ability. This is ideal for families or large groups. Please contact us for a list of the local lodges and B&B, we can also help you with making reservations.                                              


Mata Palo Rain Forest Hike 

Explore and lear in the most surreal tract of rain forest left in Costa Rica. half day hike you will enjoy of pools under waterffalls, enjoying tidal pools and beatiful beaches with the rain forest as a backdrop. the bird watching is world class,with scarlet macaws,toucans,trogons, 4 species of monkeys, sloth, poison dart frog, snakes and a lot of more.
                                                                                                                 

Kayaking

Mangrove Paddle

We are exploring the mangrove looking for all types of wildlife (monkeys, raccoons, river otters, iguanas, Jesus Christ lizards, crabs, crocodiles, caimans, snakes, all types of birds, butterflies, and much more). The mangroves are a very amazing area to explore with their incredible root systems that grow above the water and spread out as if by walking. Find yourself in the shade of 80 foot mangrove trees that are a host to so much bio-diversity. The mangrove is an important area because it acts as a filter for reefs, and it is where the land meets the ocean (making it home or the seasonal home of so many crabs, birds, lizards and all types of animals and insects). This is a very easy paddle because we are going up river with the tide and then turning around to paddle back down with the tide. We stop and traverse over to the Gulf of Dulce to go enjoy the nicest swimming beach on the Osa Peninsula (miles of deserted beach, no rocks, and a thatched roof to get out of the sun and to enjoy snacks under). We have snacks (seasonal fruits, cookies, and peanuts) before a little more swimming or beach combing. After the beach, we return down river for the last leg of our adventure. The trip takes 3-4 hours, and we supply dry bags (for all your gear, even cameras and video gear), water bottles, snacks, kayak and paddle, life jacket (if you want), and a knowledgeable guide.

Sunset Dolphin Watch Tour

This is an easy paddle out into the gulf looking for Spotted, Spinner, and Bottlenose Dolphins. We always see a great variety of birds, and have a good chance of seeing turtles, rays, sea snakes, and for half the year a small chance of seeing whales. We stop and go swimming on the nicest beach on the Osa Peninsula, where we have snacks and look for turtle tracks on the beach. 

We then paddle out, looking for Dolphins again and then sit for sunset; the 360 degree view from the water gives you a perfect place to see all the colors as the sun sets over the peninsula. We then paddle back in the photoluminescence, watch as the water comes to life with colors. Every paddle sends a ball of light into the water, watch as the fish swimming under the boats light up and look like fireworks under the water. 
We stop on the beach and swim in the photoluminescence right before we finish the trip. Your guide can provide a cooler with ice if you would like wine, beer, or cold drinks for this adventure. This trip leaves every day at 3:30.

Sunset Dolphin Watch Tour by Boat

2 hours cruising the gulf looking for dolphins and then sitting to enjoy the sunset. We bring along a cooler with cold drinks. Leaves at 4:30 pm every day.

Mangrove & Sunset Dolphin Watch Tour

This tour combines the two trips into a 5-6 hour adventure. It is only possible when the tide is in the afternoon, we have tide charts so just ask for availability.

Snorkelling by Kayak or Boat

3 Hours. We leave 2 hours before low tide (different every day). Use the boat to explore a large section of the only living reef in the gulf. You can see lots of colourful Pacific Reef fish, but it is not a world class reef (actually it is a dying reef). It is also a great time to see dolphins, rays, and turtles.

Snorkelling Tour (by car or bike)

2 1/2 - 4 hours. We explore the only living reef left in the gulf looking for pacific reef fish, rays, eels, and so much more. We can drive to our destination or for the more adventurous we will ride Mt. bikes or classic 1 speed beach cruisers.

Full Day Snorkelling & Coastal Exploration

This trip is a full day of paddling and the best possible way to explore the magical coastline of the Gulf of Dulce and its estuaries. The day starts with a taxi ride north of town where we will start our adventure by snorkelling and exploring the only large piece of living reef left in the gulf, two miles long and 1/4 mile wide. We will be snorkelling with an assortment of tropical pacific reef fish, and have the chance of seeing sea turtles, manta and stingrays, eels, starfish and so much more.

After snorkelling, we will explore the mangroves looking for monkeys, raccoons, boa constrictors, lizards, crocodiles and various other animals. This guided trip includes all gear and lunch. The trip can be early morning returning around 4 pm, or we can leave between 9 and 10 am, sit out for the sunset, and paddle in the photoluminescence after the sun sets.

Fishing by Kayak

3-4 Hours. Coastal or mangrove paddling as we troll for all kinds of fish. Hook a baitfish and then troll with it to catch something big! You can actually get pulled by a big rooster fish if you are really lucky. We use hand-lines but bring your own pole (our kayaks are rigged with fishing pole holders).

Drive & Hike

Full day. See some of the nicest places the Osa has to offer. We cater this tour to what you want to see the most. We always see lots of monkeys, macaws, toucans, kingfishers, and so much more. We have the  option of stopping at Lapa Rios lodge for a drink and to enjoy their view. Beautiful beaches await us, and waterfalls are possible for the more adventurous. This can be simply a sightseeing by car tour. (2 person minimum).

Bird Watching

2 hours. We take you walking to see a large variety of birds. We walk along mangroves, and open fields surrounded by large trees. Your guide will explain the history of Puerto Jimenez, and the Osa Peninsula, and you will visit a small orchid, flower and fruit garden during your tour. A bird rookery is possible as a stop!

Beach Exploration

3-4 hours. Explore secluded beaches, and enjoy a day in the sun. Beautiful sandy shores to walk on, perfect swimming beaches, and a picnic lunch under the shade of palm trees (or you can have lunch at small bar/restaurant in the middle of nowhere).

Matapalo Paddle

Kayaking around Matapalo (the point of the peninsula) is always a great experience because of the virgin rain forest as a back drop and the opportunity to paddle to the end of the world. We leave at 6 am on the "colectivo" for Matapalo. We have a half-hour hike after our ride where we almost always see monkeys.

We launch our kayaks from Backwash Bay and paddle to the end of the Osa Peninsula. From there you can see all the way to Corcovado National Park. If the tide is right, we might even be able to paddle through the Matapalo Arch. If the swell is down, we can paddle around some rocks near shore. This off shore paddle is a good opportunity to see dolphins, whales, turtles, rays, sea snakes, and a variety of birds.
We always have time to do a little swimming before or after kayaking. When we land, you can take a shower at a beach house where the kayaks are launched. We then walk back to the main road to meet our ride back to Puerto Jimenez. Another option is a day on the
beach and you hitch hike back on your own or arrange a taxi for later in the day. You can also bring your own lunch, and have lunch on the beach before you head back to Jimenez. (minimum 2 people).

Matapalo Paddle & Rainforest Trex

Kayaking around Matapalo is always a great experience because of the virgin rain forest as a back drop and the opportunity to paddle to the end of the world. We launch our kayaks from Backwash Bay and paddle to the end of the Osa Peninsula. From there you can see all the way to Corcovado National Park. If the tide is right, we might even be able to paddle through the Matapalo Arch. If the swell is down, we can paddle around some rocks near shore. This off shore paddle is a good opportunity to see dolphins, whales, turtles, rays, sea snakes, and a variety of birds.

We have lunch on the beach then we head out hiking through the forest looking for animals and birds on our way to sit under waterfalls. After cooling off in the pools below the waterfalls we will hike some more through virgin rainforest. We then have a drink at the only bar at Matapalo while we wait for our taxi. (minimum 2 people).

Night Paddle

We have an adventure for you night people, kayaking in the mangroves and out in the Gulf of Dulce at night. We will enjoy the photoluminescence as they light up the water. The fish darting away from the kayak light up and look like fireworks under the water. It is possible to go swimming in the photoluminescence; you almost look like a glowing angel in the water at night.

?Enjoy the amazing view of the moon and the stars without the light from civilization. We can leave at 4:30 or 5:00 p.m. to enjoy all the colors of the sunset. And maybe get to see dolphins or turtles. Or for you real night owls, we can leave between 7:00 and 10:00 at night. We have headlights for everyone to see where you are going and what’s around you. We supply dry bags, flashlights, water bottles, and snacks. This adventure runs for 3 to 4 hours, but can be extended during the meteor showers.

Forest Horseback Riding

1/2 day. Take a half-hour ride to Dos Brazos, a small gold mining community on the backside of Corcovado National Park. Horseback ride in the rivers and forests. Amazing bird watching, a chance to see monkeys, and so much more. Swimming in the river and enjoying a waterfall are part of the tour. Includes snacks and homemade bread and fruit juice after the tour.