Caribbean Coast - Costa Rica - page 340

Playa Blanca BEACH
( GOOGLE MAP )
At the entrance to the national park. A good option for swimming.

Tree of Life GARDENS
( MAP GOOGLE MAP ; 2755-0014, 8610-0490; www.treeoflifecostarica.com ; adult/child US$12/

6, guided tour US$15-20; 9am-3pm Tue-Sun Nov-mid-Apr, daily tour 11am Jul & Aug, closed mid-

Apr-Jun & Sep-Oct)
This lovingly maintained wildlife center and botanical garden 3km northwest of town on
the Playa Negra road rescues and rehabilitates animals while also promoting conservation
through education. The rotating cast of residents typically includes kinkajous, peccaries,
sloths, monkeys and toucans. There's excellent English-language signage throughout. It's
also possible to volunteer here; see the website for information.

Sloth Sanctuary of Costa Rica WILDLIFE RESERVE
(formerly Aviarios del Caribe; 2750-0775; www.slothsanctuary.com ; 2hr group tour adult/child
5-11yr US$25/15, private half-day tour per person US$150; 8am-2pm Tue-Sun)
About 10km northwest of Cahuita, bordering the Río Estrella, the Arroyo family runs this
private 88-hectare wildlife sanctuary dedicated to caring for injured and orphaned sloths.
Visitors can observe these unique animals up close on group or private tours. (Irrefutable
fact: there is nothing cuter than a baby sloth.) Though many of the reserve's rehabilitated
sloths lack the skills to return to the wild, the Arroyos have successfully released more
than 100 of them back into area forests.

Tours

Snorkeling, horseback riding, chocolate tours and visits to nearby indigenous territories
are standard offerings.

Willie's Tours TOUR
( MAP GOOGLE MAP ; 8917-6982, 2755-1024; www.williestourscostarica.com ; 8am-noon &

2-7pm Mon-Sat, 5-7pm Sun)