Avellanas Wildlife Walk
Overview
Available languages
2 hours 30 minutes
Mobile ticket
Join us for a 2.5-hour walk through the forests and paths of Avellanas, discovering the amazing wildlife and unique plants of our coastal neighborhood.
We’ll explore a 2-mile loop, revealing hidden trails and spots unfamiliar even to locals. Expect sightings of vocal monkeys, colorful tropical birds, and tiny crustaceans nestled between the tides
- Walk through 4 different ecosystems: forest edge, mangroves, estuary, and intertidal beach
- Spot fascinating wildlife that lives in the area
- Learn the story behind Avellanas' iconic landmark bridge
- Discover why the mangrove forests are one the richest ecosystems of planet earth
- Help protect these habitats with a quick trail clean-up during our tour.
Additional Info
Public transportation options are available nearby
Not recommended for travelers with spinal injuries
Not recommended for pregnant travelers
Not recommended for travelers with poor cardiovascular health
Travelers should have at least a moderate level of physical fitness
Swimwear or Light Clothes
Strap Sandals (Teva´s, Chaco´s, Keen´s, etc. we may walk in muddy trails and cross the estuary
Sun Protection
Cancellation Policy
For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
What To Expect
Begin exploring the Tropical Dry Forest, spotting birds, mammals, and reptiles.
Playa Avellanas
Enter the Mangrove Forest and estuary, where freshwater meets saltwater, creating a rich habitat for diverse wildlife.
What‘s Included
$2pp donation to the Mangrove Consevation Program
Full Access to the Avellanas Mangrove Bridge
Naturalist or Biologist Guide
1% of sales in go to the NGO Funga Conservation
Optical Equipment (Spotting Scope or Binoculars)
Snacks
Bottled water
Options
Avellanas Wildlife Walk
Reviews
30 reviews
Total reviews and rating from Viator & Tripadvisor
Interesting and Fun!
Nancy N,,Jan 29, 2026
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00Very informative, enlightening. Casiana was extremely knowledgeable. She has a broad understanding of the ecology and diversity of the earth and the critters living among the tropical trees, river and ocean.
The tour was wonderful!
430yanal,,Jan 26, 2026
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00Cassiana (Cassie} is a wonderful person and so pleasant to be around! She studied biology back in Argentina and is very passionate about nature. The tour was wonderful! Cathy pointed our different plants and birds. She taught us about ecosystem and the importance of mangroves. Very good tour! Thank you, Cassie!
What a Wonderful Wildlife Walk!
N6955KCamyl,,Jan 24, 2026
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00Wow, just wow! Marcelo took us on the most gorgeous adventure in Avellanas! Cello is a truly talented biologist and engaging nature guide, whose team also focuses on being stellar stewards to the wellbeing of the environment here and at large... Just one part of this experience that will stick with me and carry home to my real life! Our group traversed the mangrove, estuary, and wound up on the beautiful beach at sunset, before crossing the very long, old, cool bridge through the wetlands. We saw howler monkey, iguanas, tarantulas, many types of birds, sea creatures, trees, flora, and even tasted invasive sea purslane! Yum! Avellanas is incredibly gorgeous and this tour was a lovely look into the life of the area. Highly recommend this wildlife walk! It is a wonderful core memory of mine now. Muchas gracias, Marcelo! Pura vida a todo!
Pick this one
B5973JVjamala,,Jan 17, 2026
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00If you only have time for one tour on your vacation, make it this one. We saw wild monkeys, tarantulas, an assortment of birds, crabs, a lush mangrove forest, even a crocodile! Marcelo is an excellent guide and helped my family and I to develop a deeper understanding of the land and connect with its many native non-human inhabitants. You will learn a lot and it will be worth it and super fun! Enjoy!
A Must Do in Guanacaste! for all ages
Culture45758433068,,Jan 15, 2026
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00If anyone’s in the Guanacaste area of Costa Rica, check out Oropopo experiences, dedicated to sharing about and preserving the mangroves and other ecosystems in the area Wonderful experience with incredible Naturalist guide Marcelo who runs Oropopo Experience Marcelo brings a wealth of knowledge about the animals, plants, and a true love of the local environment. The tour is enjoyable, stopping to view what we notice, learning about the land and the importance of these ecosystems. Recommend for all ages - I say a must do to get oriented to Guanacaste!
Best Day Ever
abbyrT5555EM,,Jan 7, 2026
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00Marcelo was an incredible, knowledgeable, funny, warm, and kind host!!! We were so lucky to leave this tour with new things learned, hope for what this foundation is bringing to the community and the world, and feeling like we gained a friend in Celo & our fellow nature walkers. It was a truly perfect experience!! So many cool wildlife moments, beautiful views, meaningful conversations, and adventures! I'm grateful for the opportunity to bring the Oropopo meaning into my daily life and into the lives of the students I work with <3 <3 <3 thank you thank you thank you!!!!
A tour for true nature enthusiasts
Science Guys N,,Jan 7, 2026
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00Marcelo is a brilliant tour guide! If you're looking for a biology focused tour with an experienced local guide, this is the tour for you! Great for small groups who want to get an in-depth experience in 4 different biomes. We learned so much, had a true adventure, and trusted Marcelo to show us a safe and exciting time. Highly recommend!
Flora & Fauna Odyssey
mazzyb2026,,Jan 7, 2026
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00Marcello was a fantastic and knowledgeable biologist that happens to also be a tour guide! We learned all about the local flora and fauna. We got to see monkeys, iguanas, snails, tarantulas, fish, and so much more! He taught us about delicious edible plants in the area, like sea parsley that was impeccable. He also encouraged us to eat a termite (not required!!!). The views were otherworldly. One of the most memorable walks I’ve ever been on! He also has an amazing telescope that can capture fantastic photos of the wildlife! A must do if you’re visiting Costa Rica!
Magical tour!
989noellea,,Dec 29, 2025
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00This was such a special tour. Marcelo opened our eyes to all the beauty that is constantly around us. You can feel his love and respect for the land. He had so much information and stories to share. My mom who has a bad hip was able to do the tour and enjoy. It was our favourite tour we did in Costa Rica, the land he walked us through was incredible. Highly suggest!
Great combination of ecological, social and historic lenses of estuary near Tamarindo
Scenic42167694464,,Dec 23, 2025
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00Our guide, Casiana, was excellent. Out of the five tours we took in Costa Rica, this one felt the most personal and the least commercial. Casiana made the experience feel less like a guided tour and more like a walk with a knowledgeable and passionate friend. She did a wonderful job introducing the estuary ecosystem while integrating important historical events (both natural and colonial history) that has shaped the landscape, as well as the ongoing tensions between conservation and development. In terms of wildlife, we spotted several species of waterbirds and even howler monkeys, which was unique to the mosic of mangrove forests and dry forests. Casiana is also incredibly skilled at plant identification and shared insights of the ecological and cultural significance of local flora along the way. The tour was about 2.5 hours long, and we were the only two people that morning, which made the tour very private. Marcelo reached out several days ahead of tour start date and was very accomendating, client-centered and organized, unlike many other tour runners in the region. We thoroughly enjoyed the tour and would highly recommend it to anyone looking for a thoughtful, enriching experience near Tamarindo.
Related Experiences
Operated by Oropopo Experience