Things to do
Discover unique tours and activities
We welcome you to the heart of the Costa Rican rainforest. You can choose to relax in a hammock in the surroundings of the cabin or venture into the dense greenery to observe wildlife.
Enjoy horseback riding or visit neighboring families, providing an opportunity to gain insight into the lives of those living on the rainforest's frontier. Perhaps you'll even learn how to prepare crispy patacones, a local delicacy made from green plantains, cooked over an open fire—a skill the hosts are happy to share with you.
Alternatively, you can embark on an exhilarating day of rafting down the Pacuare River, known as one of the best rivers in the world for this activity.
Contact us in advance to make planning easier. Many of our visitors choose to stay longer, and we recommend a minimum of 3 nights (i.e., 2 full days) to enjoy hiking in the rainforest to the Tapir River and experience local life. For rafting enthusiasts, we suggest adding a third full day (i.e., a fourth night).
Hiking in the Tropical Rainforest
Walking beneath the towering trees of the tropical forest is both humbling and exciting. Hiking is the best way to experience these extraordinary places. Parrots, toucans, and Montezuma oropendolas can be spotted and heard as they forage high in the emergent trees. It's not just about reaching the destination; it's about taking the time to marvel at the endless shades of green and the diverse species that inhabit these complex ecosystems, including the vibrant bursts of color from tropical flowers.
The Barbilla Waterfall tour
Take in the scenery as you stroll along the village road, heading towards its end. The mountains, with Jaguar Mountain as the highest peak, stretch out before you like a vast expanse of deep green sea, enveloping the horizon. These mountains encompass the forest of Barbilla National Park and the indigenous territories of Nairi Awari.
At the road's end lies the Ranger Station for Barbilla National Park. From there, you'll take the main trail down to the Tapir River, bordering the park. You'll start with a 300-meter walk around the ranger station, leading you to the trailhead. The approximate distance between the Ranger Station and the river is 1.3 km. This downhill hike begins through old pasture and then onto a steep and often muddy trail, so make sure to have sturdy hiking shoes. Despite being a rustic trail, it was named by Lonely Planet as one of the 7 most interesting hikes to do in Costa Rica in 2024!
A short detour along the way can be made to see a special ancient giant ceibo tree (family Malvaceae). The vegetation becomes deeper and lusher the further you walk.
Once by the Tapir River, cross to the other side to continue upstream towards one of the two entrances within Barbilla National Park. Here, you'll ascend a creek to explore remote waterfalls. Hopefully, you'll take time to swim in the pools at the base of these natural showers, relaxing in the crystal-clear river water. Visiting both waterfalls totals approximately 2.5 km and represents a full-day tour.
Contact us to book a locally recognized guide, required by the National Park for this trail. These guides are native to the area and possess extensive local knowledge.
Hike to Casas Negras at Rio Dantas
For the more adventurous hiker, there is the option of a longer and thus physically more demanding hike to the Tapir River (however, those weighing under 60 kilograms can rent a horse to ride half of the way). The reward of bathing in the calm, swirling waters of the remote, crystal-clear rainforest river, surrounded by volcanic rock walls covered in lush vegetation, is unparalleled. Additionally, when visitors have the chance to witness the cornflower-blue morpho butterflies gliding past in their graceful floating patterns, the tropics leave a memory for life.
Accompanied by a local neighbor, you embark on this full-day adventure, hiking along a trail through abandoned pastures adorned with towering trees. As you progress, the vegetation becomes denser, with taller trees and a more pronounced tropical forest setting. Your ultimate destination awaits at the Tapir River within the private Wildlife Refuge Rios Dantas, situated along the northern border of Barbilla National Park.
Perched atop the cliff overlooking the river are two quaint and rustic cabins built in the1980:s. From their verandas, you can enjoy panoramic views of the Tapir River.
On clear sunny days, the river's waters shimmer brilliantly. Waterfalls and natural pools are accessible both upstream and downstream, offering opportunities for refreshing swims. We recommend sturdy hiking shoes for the hike and sturdy tennis shoes or similar footwear for walking in the river, as the stones may be sharp and slippery.
The distance for the hike hasn't been accurately measured, but it's estimated to be around 3 km, making it a total of 6 km round trip. However, it's the elevation gain from approximately 550 meters above sea level to around 150-200 meters above sea level, as well as the humidity, temperature, and the rugged and muddy path that make it challenging.
Connect with the community
Experience village life
Activities in the community of Las Brisas de Pacuarito largely depend on what’s going on during your visit. It could be market days or sporting events, like soccer games, which can be a great opportunity to experience village life.
Additionally, there are two community centers (Salón Comunal) where various activities may take place. You might be there on one of the Thursdays each month when the medical team arrives, and you can talk with those who have walked long distances waiting outside the community’s little health station.
It’s also interesting to get a glimpse into everyday life, such as when children, teenagers, and in some cases even adults, come from their often remote homes in different directions to head toward the primary and secondary schools, and since 2021, also to "El Liceo," equivalent to Junior High.
Visit a neighbouring family
Sharing a cup of coffee or a snack at a local family’s home can be a unique opportunity to gain insight into daily life in rural Costa Rica. Most people in the area have small plantations around their homes, along with dogs, chickens, pigs, and other pets. Showing interest in the different crops can be both educational and fascinating. Why not cook dinner together? You will likely use ingredients like corn flour, as well as plantains, malanga, coconuts, or other tropical crops that are typically grown in gardens, preparing them according to local recipes.
Some of the families are also artisans, and you’ll have the chance to experience their craft.
By visiting a family in the village, you support entrepreneurial initiatives and contribute to the local economy. Families who benefit from your visit often return the kindness by sharing their lives and culture, leading to meaningful conversations and a rewarding experience. We aim to create encounters that move from mere observation to active engagement, broadening perspectives for everyone involved.
Explore our scenic trails on horseback
You can choose to rent a horse for most tours. Accompanied by an experienced horse trainer, you can swap the hike – or part of it – for a delightful horseback ride.
In Las Brisas de Pacuarito, as in other rural areas of Costa Rica, horseback riding was not long ago an important part of transportation and an integral aspect of daily life. Today, fewer people own horses in our village, but there are still enough to hold the popular "carreras de cintas" (horseband races) every few years. In this traditional event, skilled riders try to grab ribbons hanging from poles as they gallop at full speed. It’s an exciting display of horsemanship and agility.
Don’t miss the chance to add another experience to your hike or tour. Contact us to discuss your interest in horseback riding! Currently, we offer horses for riders with a maximum weight of 60 kg.
Birdwatching
The Barbilla National Park and its surroundings are very rich in bird species, for example on a 3-kilometer stretch (about 2 miles) of trail, more than 200 species of birds have been observed and noted down by biologist students from Mid-Sweden University, making it a birders paradise.
Exotic species such as Montezuma Oropendulas, Chestnut Mandible and Keel-billed Toucans, Scarlet-rumped Tanager, motmot, parrot and parakeet species are easily observed by visitors.
The best way to see birds, of course, is to take your time, stroll around the farm or its surrounding areas with binoculars, and exercise patience, all while enjoying yourself.
Rafting the Pacuare river
Rafting on the Pacuare River is an experience that combines adventure with breathtaking natural beauty. Located on the Caribbean slope, the Pacuare River winds its way through the rainforest just north of Barbilla and runs through the heart of Costa Rica's lush rainforest.
The river is renowned for its world-class rapids, ranging from class III to class IV, making it a popular destination for both novice and experienced rafters.
As you navigate the turbulent waters, you'll be surrounded by steep gorges, cascading waterfalls, and diverse wildlife, including howler monkeys, toucans, and vibrant tropical plants.
Contact us to book this tour. For ages 12 and up.
Linger around the cabin
Our guests enjoy sitting on the cabin's veranda or porch, birdwatching with binoculars, watching butterflies or hummingbirds near flowers. You can, of course, read a book, relax, or simply listen to the sounds of the forest and let nature transmit tranquility. Visitors describe being away from any disturbances and the view of the rainforest as ideal for relaxation. Its location on a farm, surrounded by farm animals, makes it a truly natural environment. Many find it to be the ideal place for meditation and yoga.
As night falls, and with so little light pollution, a clear starlit sky reveals wonders. At certain times of the year, the gentle glow of fireflies can be enjoyed, an almost magical backdrop to the scenery. Nights are usually moderately cool, and you will get the best sleep, immersed in the sounds and scents of the rainforest, or perhaps with heavy raindrops on the cabin's roof.
Photography
Many of our visitors enjoy exploring and record the rich diversity of plants, animals and wildlife in general and you spend time within or near the forest.
'El Camino de Costa Rica' hike
Stay with us on your "El Camino de Costa Rica" hike. The 280-kilometer-long hiking trail between Quepos on the Pacific Ocean and Parismina on the Caribbean Sea typically takes about 12-14 days to complete. As reported by The Tico Times on January 15, 2024, the trail has earned the designation of a must-visit after being featured on the New York Times list of 52 places to visit in 2024.
At the end of session 2, hikers stay in our community, Las Brisas de Pacuarito. We, at Barbilla Rainforest Lodge, can provide you with a comfortable bed and a pleasant rest before you continue the next day to the communities of Tsinikicha and Tsiobata. However, why not treat yourself to an extra day to explore life in our village? For instance, spending time with a local family provides a unique opportunity to gain a better insight into the lives of those residing on the outskirts of the Costa Rican rainforest.
In the nearby Barbilla National Park, there is a challenging half-day hike to do, listed by Lonely Planet as on of the best hikes in Costa Rica.
Contact Barbilla Rainforest Lodge if you are interested.
