The Front Door of Nicuesa Lodge leads to the Golfo Dulce's 80 degree blue green waters. Kayak the Golfo Dulce (sweet gulf) right off our beach front. Jump in! The water is calm and perfect for swimming. Spend a relaxing hour or a challenging day kayaking or paddle boarding and exploring along the coastline and through nearby mangroves. Stop and snorkel along the way! In-shore and off-shore fishing guarantee a fresh fish dinner. And, from the Golfo Dulce we can also access several mangrove river habitats and the Pacific Ocean leading to a variety of marine environments that make this area so unique.
The Golfo Dulce is among the top 10 deepest gulfs in the world and one of only 4 tropical fjords on Earth - making it home to abundant marine life and a unique marine ecosystem. While out on an ocean adventure, be sure to keep an eye out for dolphins and whales! The Golfo Dulce is the only place on the planet visited by both Northern and Southern Humpback whales and their calves.
Self-Guided Activities
- Paddle Boarding
- Swimming
- Snorkeling Off The Dock
- Snorkeling
Tours
- Golfo Dulce Dolphin Tour
- Kayak / Snorkel Tour
- River Tour
- Sunset Boat Tour
- Paddle Board Tour
- Surfing
Fishing
- Inshore Fishing
- Big Game Sport Fishing
- Fishing from Dock or off Kayaks
There are so many choices! Read below full details about each one of our self-guided ocean activities, and guided adventure tours (with one of our resident naturalist guides.)
Costa Rica Kayaking
The Golfo Dulce is a special place to kayak. Travel along the blue/green waters with the dramatic rainforest canopy in the background. Keep your eyes open for dolphins and other marine life swimming by. There are also several nearby rivers where kayaking offers a great chance to paddle into the jungle and see a variety of sea and jungle birds that live in the area. This is a safe paddling area that is ideal for beginners to spend a relaxing hour paddling, or for the experienced and adventurous to spend a challenging day exploring the coastline and nearby mangroves. Ocean kayaks are available for all guests to use in the vicinity of the lodge at no charge. We also offer guided kayaking adventures to other parts of the gulf. Paddle Boarding
Paddle along the dramatic shorline of the calm waters of the Golfo Dulce. Explore secluded beaches. Keep a look out for wildlife, dolphins and turtles. Swimming
Enjoy the calm waters of the Golfo Dulce right off the dock or kayak to a private beach. Snorkeling Off The Dock
Put on snorkel and fins and jump right off our dock to see multitudes of reef fish! Golfo Dulce Snorkeling
Snorkel right off our beach to see many beautiful tropical fish, or in minutes we can whisk you to a beautiful rocky cove or one of the reefs of the Golfo Dulce for a fun snorkeling trip. The lodge will have a full supply of snorkels and fins for guests to use within the vicinity of the lodge at no charge.
Costa Rica Tours
Golfo Dulce Dolphin Tour & Coastal Adventure
(Easy, 2-4 hours)
This is a wonderful tour of the Golfo Dulce, a spectacular, protected gulf off the Pacific Ocean. You have a great chance to see at least one of the three types of Dolphins most common in the Golfo Dulce (spinner, spotted and bottlenose). You will spend several hours touring the blue, green waters of the Gulf looking for dolphins, sea turtles and marine birds with one of the Nicuesa's guides and boat captains. You will also stop for a snorkel at one of the area's reefs and/or a secluded beach to swim and enjoy fresh coconut and other snacks. Guest will learn about the natural and cultural history of the Gulf, one of the deepest in the world, and one of the few tropical fiords that exist. (This tour is approximately 4 hours). Kayak / Snorkel Tour
(Moderate, 2-3 hours) Paddle along the dramatic shoreline of the calm waters of the Golfo Dulce. Explore secluded beaches. Keep a look out for wildlife, dolphins and turtles. Then, dive into the inviting blue-green water to discover the marine world of fish, eels, corals, and starfish.
Sunset Boat Tour
(Easy, 1.5-2 hours)
Relax and sip a cocktail while tooling around the gulf watching the sunset over the mountains. River Tour
(Easy/Moderate, 4-5 hours)
Spend the day exploring a pristine river. Our guide will describe the interesting bird and marine life and vegetation of the Rio Esquinas, as we wind through the river that flows between the Golfo Dulce and inland jungles.
Paddle Board Tour
(Easy, 1.5-2 hours)
Paddle along the dramatic shoreline of the calm waters of the Golfo Dulce. Explore secluded beaches. Keep a look out for wildlife, dolphins and turtles. Surfing
(All Levels, 5-7 hours)
For those who are avid surfers to those who have never surfed before, Cabo Matapalo and Pavones are awesome places to ride the waves! Costa Rica Fishing
The Golfo Dulce offers tremendous fishing opportunities both in-shore and big game sport fishing. On any given day, you will be able to enjoy: Inshore Fishing
(Easy, 2-4 hours)
Jump on our boat and a few minutes later you can be catching a variety of in-shore fish including red snapper, grouper and countless other fish. We will have a full supply of equipment for fishing in the Golfo Dulce, and local guides that know the best spots. Or, just fish right off the pier. Big Game Sport Fishing
A 30 minute boat ride leads to the best sportfishing that the Pacific Ocean can offer anywhere. The Golfo Dulce area has numerous sportfishing operations that have based themselves here for the great fishing. We have arrangements for trips with the areas best captains that have modern boats equipped with specialized tackle that will help you catch Marlin, Tuna, Sailfish, and Dorado (Mahi Mahi). Charters complete with a professional captain and first class boats range from $750 to $1500 for a full day, depending on boat and number of people. Fishing from Dock or off Kayaks
Our staff can set you up with the proper equipment so you may throw in a line right off the dock or from a kayak. Bring home tonight's dinner! 
Then the forest cleared and for half an hour we scrambled up a rocky river valley before reaching a beautiful waterfall - a rushing stream of white water plunging over a moss-covered cliff into a cool pool. It was deliciously fresh and clean enough to drink. I swam open-mouthed, gulping in the pure rainforest mineral water. The sparkling river and oxygenated air left me feeling 10 years younger. Read the Full Article >
Boat loaded, we set off, bouncing over the morning chop toward the river mouth. Minutes later our captain, Alejandro, pulls back the throttle. A pod of bottlenose dolphins are right in front of us and they aren't shy -breaching in front of the bow, hiding under the hull, racing alongside us like playful pups. Read the Full Article >