Discover the Unspoken Diria
National Park
Explore a hidden tropical dry forest, full of resilience and beauty.
Step into a natural world that few have dared to explore!
Drive through the gravel roads and between the mountains of Santa Cruz and Nicoya Towns to reach these captivating woods. We will unveil the rivers and tropical dry forests of the most important protected area of the region. We walk through the short trails of the Park or hike upstream a river to reach the Brazil Waterfall.
Highlights:
- Learn about the ecology and the diversity of this habitat by the hand of an expert
- Refresh and cool off into crystal-clear water holes of Brazil Creek
-Learn the fascinating regenerating process of Tropical Forests
- Understand the importance of these forests for the local communities
- Visit the 15-meter-high Brazil Waterfall
Inclusions:
- Fruits and Snacks
- Traditional Costa Rican Lunch (included only in the Full Hike)
- $2pp donation to Avellanas Mangrove Conservation Program
- 1% of all sale donated to the NGo Funga Conservation
- Transportation available as an Add-On Service (subject to availability)
Explore Diria National Park: Two Ways to Adventure
Discover the beauty of Diria National Park with two unique tour options to suit your schedule and adventure level:
Quick Getaway (5–6 Hours)
Perfect for those looking for a shorter experience.Choose from 2 Routes: A) Nature Walk & Waterhole: 1 km loop trail (intermediate difficulty) where you can explore lush forest and enjoy a refreshing dip in year-round waterholes at Brazil Creek.
orB) Hike to the Waterfall: For a bit more challenge, trek 1.5 km up and 1.5 km down the creek (intermediate to advanced difficulty, depending on water levels) to reach the seasonal waterfall (available May–January).
Full Hike Adventure (7–8 Hours)
Add more adventure to your day!
Only Available between May and February.
This tour includes both the 1-kilometer loop and the hike to the Brazil Creek waterfall.
It also includes an authentic Costa Rican traditional lunch by the waterfall.
Only Available between May and February.
This tour includes both the 1-kilometer loop and the hike to the Brazil Creek waterfall.
It also includes an authentic Costa Rican traditional lunch by the waterfall.
Meeting Point: Santa Cruz Downtown, your lodging, or an intermediate location depending on where you are staying.
*The standard tour is operated using the clients’ vehicle; so most of the time your guide will meet you and board your transportation at the agreed location.
Sample Itinerary of Quick Getaway Version
- 7:30 AM: Meet your guide at agreed location.
- 8:15 AM: Restaurant stop for optional pastries and use of restrooms (no visitor center or bathrooms are available at the Park).
- 9:00 AM: Arrival at Park Rangers Headquarters. Cross a small river to reach the trailhead. (River may vary from dry in summer to 3 feet deep in rainy season.)
- 9:15 AM: Beginning of the walk on a 3/4 mile loop trail (with a steep section) to discover the local flora biodiversity, and tropical hardwoods, and study the forest regeneration process.
- 10:45 AM: Visit a water hole to cool off and relax.
- 11:15 AM: Drive back to Santa Cruz and have an optional lunch stop at a local restaurant.
- 1:30 PM: Back to your accommodation.
What to bring to the Tour:
- Hiking Shoes that you can wet or Stapped Sandals (Chaco´s, Teva´s, Keen´s, etc)
- Sun Protection
- Light clothes and swimwear
- Reusable Bottle of Water
- Mosquito Repellent
- Towel
- Rain Gear from June until November
Diria National Park
The difference in price between the Half Day and Extended Half Day Tour ranges from $25 to $50, depending on the group size.
Brazil Waterfall might be short of water or dry between late December and May, but the Water Holes stay all year long to cool to enjoy.
Breakfast Stop is not included but can be set if Pick-up is coordinated 45 earlier and stop at a local Restaurant on the way ($6-10pp)
Brazil Waterfall might be short of water or dry between late December and May, but the Water Holes stay all year long to cool to enjoy.
Breakfast Stop is not included but can be set if Pick-up is coordinated 45 earlier and stop at a local Restaurant on the way ($6-10pp)
Posted on Tripadvisor 
fe_pena
25/11/2024
Nice time Sara was amazing and I learned a lot from her.The weather was bad but she managed to show me a lot. I do recommend this tour.
Posted on Tripadvisor
Anitha M
11/11/2024
Amazing experience! Guide was very patient and knowledgeable! The guide was so knowledgeable and passionate about animals and nature and that is so inspiring! We were able to watch many beautiful birds. I did the tour with my 10 year old and she absolutely loved it
Posted on Tripadvisor
Jenn D
09/11/2024
Greta tour, very knowledgeable guide! This was a great tour. It was a slow pace and we saw lots of of beautiful birds. Our guide, Sara, was very knowledgeable and her passion for nature was evident. I really enjoyed this tour and highly recommend it. We saw tons of birds, and 3 teeny sloths. The university grounds are beautiful! Sara had a spotting scope, so we got amazing views of all the animals. This tour is great for all ages and most fitness levels. It wasn’t strenuous and there were lots of areas to sit and observe!
Posted on Tripadvisor
Sara A
03/11/2024
Costa Rica's natural wonders right in San Jose! We loved our tour of the natural wonders on the UCR campus with Sara. What a hidden gem right in the heart of San Jose! Sara was friendly and highly knowledgeable about the colorful array of plants, birds, insects and fungi visible throughout our walk, and she has a knack for spotting sloths (we saw five). Thank you to Oropopo Experience for your science-informed dedication to the well being of the natural world.
Posted on Tripadvisor
Katie
01/11/2024
Not to miss The walking tour was amazing! Our tour guide had a lot of knowledge and was very passionate about all animals and wildlife. We managed to see 3 sloths in total and have great photos.
Posted on Tripadvisor
Erik S
01/11/2024
Witness Nature’s Urban Resilience What a fun, informative tour. Loved the passion, knowledge, and friendliness of the tour guide. Saw many birds, plants, insects, and three sloths! Amazing this is right in the city, even if you plan on venturing out of San Jose, don’t miss this tour and the resilience of nature.
Posted on Tripadvisor
Malina N
01/11/2024
100% recommended it was a really great experience. we were very lucky to have the opportunity to observe wild sloths in motion, many birds (hummingbirds!) and butterflies. Raquel was a wonderful guide. highly recommended!
Posted on Tripadvisor
Anderson17
31/10/2024
Birds bees butterflies and sloths Fantastic tour -lots of interesting wildlife. Bees were fascinating from tiny ones huge ones and gorgeous blue ones. Amazing 4 sloths in university grounds. Melissa was an excellent enthusiastic well informed guide. Would thoroughly recommend this trip.
Posted on Tripadvisor
Jen L
31/10/2024
Book this tour now… you really do see sloths in the city! This was probably the best tour I did in San Jose. Yendry was very knowledgeable and I got to see two different types of sloths, lead cutting ants in action as well as other wildlife all in the city!!!!
Posted on Tripadvisor
Janet O
29/10/2024
Experience nature in the city! Wonderful experience seeing nature in the city. Very knowledgeable guide and we learned so much. If you’re in San Jose and looking for something fun to do, it’s worth it!