Adventure
Experience the real Costa Rica in Sarapiquí
El Lugar displays unrivaled beauty in generous spaces and untouched lands to explore. Whether you want to sit and read a book while enjoying the immense space in silence, ride majestic horses, or bird watch, we invite you to experience everything that El Lugar has to offer.
On-site Experiences
Horseback Riding
At El Lugar, our horse ranch is integral to our concept, making the horses a central focal point of the experience. As part of our equine family, we are proud to have the high-stepping Costa Rican Saddle Horses, also known as Costarricense de Paso, one of the finest breeds first brought to the country in 1850. Their grand stature, rhythmic movement, and friendly demeanor make them ideal for leisurely treks through our vast land.
Expert Trails
Feel the athletic thrill of galloping across this gorgeous land and connect with the unrivaled energetic beauty of the space. During this guided tour, you will ride on the main trail and cross through rivers and large sections of the rainforest, where you will have the opportunity to spot some exotic wildlife that calls this place home, including howling monkeys, toucans, reptiles, and frogs.
Beginner Trails
Our guided horseback riding tour for beginners will take you along simple trails that follow a scenic route. Novice riders will ride at a pace that feels comfortable. During this tour, you can take in all the natural beauty surrounding this unique place and connect with the land, the animals, and yourself.
Birdwatching
Go on a morning quest and discover El Lugar´s bustling bird activity. Sarapiqui, Costa Rica, is a stop along the migratory route of many species of birds, including toucans, macaws, and wrens. Our expert guides will take you along an easy trail through the rainforest and hike a distance of approximately one mile (1.5 km) as you identify the vibrant species that enrich Costa Rica’s biodiversity.
Nature Hikes
Uncover Costa Rica's sublime natural beauty on a morning nature hike along misty rainforest trails. Follow a guided path through the property, where you will learn about the ecosystems that thrive on this untouched land, including the reforestation section of our property. During this tour, your guide will explain the flora and fauna native to the area giving you a complete picture of El Lugar's uniqueness.
*Please note: All activities mentioned above include an expert tour guide who must accompany you during the tour.
Off-site Experiences
Experience nature-infused adventures as you explore the rich biodiversity in Sarapiquí, Costa Rica. There’s so much to do and experience in this thriving location. Recommended off-resort activities include: visiting Cahuita National Park, taking an adrenaline-filled rafting excursion through the jungle, visiting a coffee plantation and gaining insights about the Costa Rican coffee culture, hiking through Arenal Volcano National Park, and much more! El Lugar conveniently offers tours to nearby attractions to help you discover the Pura Vida experience.
Cable Car Tour
See Costa Rica from the sky! Take a cable car tour and enjoy an aerial view of the lush rainforest. Soar above the gorgeous landscape and learn fascinating information about the local ecosystem from a narrated guide. This tour also includes an easy hike where you can observe native wildlife, including toucans, tanagers, and hummingbirds.
Cahuita National Park Tour - Costa Rica's Southern Caribbean
Cahuita National Park is one of Costa Rica's first national parks dedicated to the conservation of nature. Since its creation in 1978 to protect the coral reef and ecological systems, the park's committee and the government have worked together towards sustainable development.
Motorboat Tour
Discover a different view of Costa Rica from the water. Navigating the Sarapiqui river, one of the country's largest, you will see bustling wildlife, such as herons, sloths, different species of monkeys, and crocodiles, for an exciting jungle adventure.
Chocolate Tour
Have you ever wondered how chocolate is made? The ancient process of producing chocolate takes us on a journey of connection with the soil, the seeds, the fruits, and how they transform within a balanced conservation program. This experience will take you through a cacao plantation in the forest, then to a ranch where you will witness the process from fruit to fermentation to grinding the cacao into powder, all while sampling this delicious treat of nature.
Coffee tour
Coffee production in Costa Rica is a driving force of its economy. The combination of fertile soils, high altitude, and cool climate create ideal conditions to reap the best quality coffee beans. Come find out why it is named ¨Grano de Oro¨, meaning Golden Grain, as you follow the production line from the plantation to the process of collecting the coffee bean, separating it from its shell, and drying it. And learn how the distinctive notes of flavors denote Costa Rica's famous award-winning coffee.
Arenal Volcano Tour
The Arenal Volcano is one of Costa Rica's most famous volcanoes. At the height of 5,437 feet (1,657 meters), it towers over La Fortuna, a town important for the country's agricultural activity with plantations that produce pineapple, yucca, and bananas, to name a few. The Arenal Volcano is one of the region's most visited natural attractions, and the volcano activity is constantly monitored for the safety of all its visitors.
Rafting Tour
This notorious adrenaline-filled activity is a classic favorite. The exciting expedition takes place on an inflatable raft, where a certified professional guide will take you on a heart-pumping 2-hour ride through 5 miles (8 km) of rapid river waters. A lifejacket, helmet, and paddles will be provided, and each group will have its own expert guide and safety kayaker. This tour includes a stop for a fruit snack halfway through.
