Sierpe River Camp
Ecolodge

Sierpe River Camp
A Nature Lover's Retreat on Costa Rica's Osa Peninsula

Sierpe River Camp is an authentic ecolodge located along the pristine banks of the Sierpe River, one of Costa Rica's most unique wetland habitats. Located on the Osa Peninsula, a region renowned for its staggering biodiversity, this rustic yet comfortable lodge offers ecotourists, herpers, birders, and wildlife photographers an unforgettable escape into one of the most biologically rich areas in the world.

About the Sierpe River Camp

The journey to Sierpe River Camp begins with a scenic 30-minute boat ride from the town of Sierpe. The boat ride itself is a wildlife tour, especially when led by Carlos Daniel, the camp's owner and an expert guide. As you glide through the river’s peaceful waters, you’ll have the opportunity to spot an array of wildlife, including river turtles, crocodiles, green iguanas, tiger herons, egrets, and several species of monkeys—howler, capuchin, squirrel, and spider monkeys—all making their home along the river’s edge. Vibrant scarlet macaws and yellow-throated toucans are often spotted flying overhead.

The camp’s surrounding rainforest and coastal trails offer endless opportunities to encounter wildlife. Whether day or night, visitors can explore the trails on their own or with a guided tour from Carlos Daniel, who offers invaluable insights on the best spots for seeing rare species like tapirs. For herpers, this region is a paradise, with yellow-headed geckos, brown basilisks, and cat eyed snakes frequently seen in the garden areas just outside your cabin doors. You can even watching crocodiles patroling the river and hawksbill sea turtles feeding just offshore, as you eat your meal in the river front dining area.

Additionally, the Sierpe River Camp provides guests with complimentary kayaks, perfect for exploring the surrounding mangrove system—one of the largest in Costa Rica. Paddling through these peaceful waters opens up opportunities to witness countless species of birds, reptiles, and marine life in their natural habitat.

The dining experience at Sierpe River Camp is as immersive as the wildlife tours. Meals, served in the camp’s riverside dining area, offer the chance to enjoy traditional Costa Rican dishes while watching the gentle flow of the Sierpe River and the wildlife that calls it home. Guests can prepare their own meals in the shared kitchen, but for a modest fee, Carlos Daniel and his team will prepare hearty and delicious meals, providing a taste of local culture. From the dining area, you might spot crocodiles drifting by or toucans feeding in the trees above as you enjoy your meal.

Accommodations at Sierpe River Camp are rustic but clean and comfortable, and priced lower than any other lodge you'll find in Costa Rica, leaving you with more money for Corcovado tours, and scuba diving excursions. The camp is a family-run project, with a commitment to sustainability and a deep respect for nature. Although the lodging was still under development as of 2023, it offers guests a simple yet cozy retreat where they can connect with the rhythms of the river and the surrounding jungle. The property also includes peaceful common spaces, including hammocks, where visitors can relax after a day of exploration.

Sierpe River Camp offers a range of guided tours, all starting directly from the property. These include kayaking tours through the mangroves, birdwatching boat tours, and full-day excursions to Caño Island or Corcovado National Park—both iconic destinations for nature enthusiasts. For those interested in underwater exploration, snorkeling and scuba diving tours are available, offering the chance to discover the vibrant marine life of the Pacific Ocean, including sea turtles and sea snakes, just a short boat ride away.

Sierpe River Camp is not a typical resort or commercial eco-lodge. It is a personal project born from the love of a local family, who are passionate about sharing the beauty of the Sierpe River and its surrounding wilderness. This sense of authenticity and personal touch is what makes a stay at the camp truly special. With its off-the-grid location, the camp provides a peaceful escape from modern life, where visitors can focus on the sights and sounds of nature, from the singing of birds at sunrise to the quiet flow of the river at dusk. For herpers, birders, and ecotourists, Sierpe River Camp offers an immersive, off-the-beaten-path experience that combines adventure with relaxation, all while surrounded by one of Costa Rica’s most diverse ecosystems.

Birding Sierpe River Camp

Yellow-throated toucans (Ramphastos ambiguus) are frequent visitors to the shoreline trees, offering prime viewing and photography opportunities right from the dock or dining area. The trees’ open, low branches provide excellent conditions for observing these iconic birds up close. While you’ll see plenty of birdlife around the camp, the best birding experiences often come during the boat tours. The journey to and from the lodge is essentially a birding tour in itself, with Carlos Daniel expertly spotting and guiding the boat for optimal views and photography of various bird species. For a deeper birding experience, guests can arrange extended mangrove tours with Carlos to explore the rich avian diversity of the region.

That said, the pinnacle of birding opportunities comes during tours to Corcovado National Park’s Sirena and San Pedrillo ranger stations. The tour boats, which pick you up directly from Carlos Daniel's dock, offer fantastic birdwatching as you head out into the Pacific. Along the way, you’ll likely see an array of seabirds, especially brown pelicans (Pelecanus occidentalis) and brown boobies (Sula leucogaster). Your bird-in-flight photography skills can also be put to use on flying fish, breaching dolphins on the boat ride, and then on leaping monkeys in Corcovado.

During two short tours to Corcovado, we encountered an exciting variety of bird species, including the common black hawk (Buteogallus anthracinus), yellow-headed caracara (Daptrius chimachima), pale-billed woodpecker (Campephilus guatemalensis), great curassow (Crax rubra), roadside hawk (Rupornis magnirostris), brown booby, brown pelican, and even a crested owl (Lophostrix cristata). The diversity of birds, both along the river and in Corcovado, makes this region a true paradise for birders.

View A Partial Checklist of Birds Recorded at Sierpe River Camp →

Herping Sierpe River Camp

The trails at Sierpe River Camp wind through a mix of well-established secondary forest and patches of primary rainforest, offering varied habitats for herping enthusiasts. During my visit in early June 2023, I anticipated the onset of the wet season, but uncharacteristically dry conditions delayed its arrival, making reptile and amphibian sightings along the Pacific coast more challenging than usual. However, some species were still easy to spot. Brown basilisks (Basiliscus vittatus) and yellow-headed geckos (Gonatodes albogularis) were abundant around the property, while the common ornate cat-eyed snake (Leptodeira ornata) was found in the garden area. Although the herp diversity observed was limited during my three-day stay, the unusual climate and lack of dedicated herping time were likely contributing factors rather than a reflection of the property’s potential.

Carlos Daniel, the owner, while not a dedicated herper, mentioned that fer-de-lance (Bothrops asper) are commonly encountered on the property, granular poison frogs (Oophaga granulifera) and even the elusive bushmaster (Lachesis melanocephala) has been spotted.

A small creek on the eastern (upriver) side of the property appears to offer ideal habitat for frogs and snakes, and is worth exploring for herping opportunities. Additionally, a rugged dirt road that borders the property provides access to miles of roadside rainforest, which can be hiked both day and night, offering further chances to encounter herpetofauna.

American crocodiles (Crocodylus acutus) are frequently seen patrolling the Sierpe River in front of the lodge. At night, we shined for crocodiles from the dock, and they could also be observed at dawn, moving gracefully through the river. A highlight of our stay was spotting a hawksbill sea turtle feeding just offshore during high tide—an incredible sight, which we enjoyed from the dining area during breakfast.

Carlos Daniel also mentioned that tree boas are commonly seen in the nearby mangroves, and he offered to guide us on a mangrove tour to try and find one. Unfortunately, our short stay and focus on Corcovado tours left us without enough time to explore this option. However, the boat rides to and from Sierpe River Camp provided fantastic wildlife encounters, including a large basking crocodile, river turtles, and green iguanas and basilisks along the shore.

View A Partial Checklist of Reptiles Recorded at Sierpe River Camp →

Mammals of Sierpe River Camp

Mammal sightings begin as soon as you embark on your boat journey from Sierpe to the lodge. All four species of monkeys found in Costa Rica—howler, capuchin, spider, and squirrel monkeys—thrive along the Sierpe River, and your guide, Carlos Daniel, has a remarkable ability to spot them in their natural habitat. Raccoons are also commonly seen foraging along the riverbank, even in daylight hours.

At the lodge, howler monkeys are frequent visitors, often seen high in the treetops along the trails, their iconic calls echoing through the forest. The elusive Baird's tapir is another fascinating resident of the property, with clear evidence of their presence seen in the form of tracks, wallows, and the unmistakable scent trails they leave behind.

The Osa Peninsula is one of the most biologically diverse regions on Earth, and any of the mammals that inhabit the Osa can potentially be spotted on or near the Sierpe River Camp property. Night hikes with a strong flashlight offer an exciting opportunity to observe nocturnal mammals, such as the kinkajou (Potos flavus) and various species of opossum, whose eyes reflect brightly from the trees above. However, for those seeking even more diverse mammal encounters, guided tours to the Sirena and San Pedrillo ranger stations in Corcovado National Park are highly recommended. Corcovado is renowned for its rich mammalian fauna, with common sightings that include dolphins and other cetaceans during the boat ride, all four monkey species, northern tamandua, Baird's tapir, roosting bats, sloths, coatimundi and more. Puma (Puma concolor) sightings, while rare elsewhere, are not uncommon in Corcovado.

Accommodations

Trails of the Sierpe River Camp

As of 2023, the trails of Sierpe River Camp were primitive and narrow, but easy to follow. Carlos Daniel gave us a tour of the trails when we arrived, which was enough to familiarize us with trails for later use at night. A rough dirt access road bordering the property can also be used as a trail, through lush rainforest.

Wildlife Tours:
Sierpe River Camp and Corcovado NP

Sierpe River Camp offers a variety of guided tours that immerse guests in the rich biodiversity of the Osa Peninsula. Whether you’re a wildlife enthusiast, birder, herper, or someone looking to experience Costa Rica’s natural wonders, these tours offer a unique, up-close encounter with the region’s flora and fauna. Mangrove tours are led by the knowledgeable and personable Carlos Daniel, who brings years of local experience to every adventure. Corcovado Tours are lead by a team of knowledgeable, experienced and licenced tour guides. Below is an overview of the available tours, many of which can be customized to fit your interests and schedule. In order to schedule a tour, after booking your stay with Sierpe River Camp, let Carlos Daniel know what tours you want to go on and on what dates, and he'll take care of the rest. On tours led by Carlos, let him know what your interests and target species are, and he'll do his best to accommodate you.

1. Mangrove and Wildlife Boat Tour

The mangrove systems surrounding Sierpe River are some of the largest and most ecologically important in Costa Rica. This tour takes guests through the winding waterways, allowing them to explore the mangroves’ hidden secrets. Carlos Daniel, an expert at spotting elusive wildlife, will guide the boat as you search for tree boas, American crocodiles, river turtles, basilisks, and green iguanas. The mangroves are also a haven for birdlife, with chances to see species like herons, egrets, and kingfishers.

This tour is ideal for birders, herpers, and general wildlife lovers who want to explore one of Costa Rica’s most vibrant and pristine wetland ecosystems.

Duration: 2-4 hours
Highlights: Mangrove wildlife, birds, crocodiles, lizards

2. Sierpe River Mangrove, Wildlife, and Beach Boat Tour

This tour builds on the Mangrove and Wildlife Tour by extending your journey to the Pacific coast. After exploring the mangroves, you’ll head toward the open ocean, where you’ll have a chance to see seabirds, marine life, and visit remote, pristine beaches. This tour provides an incredible opportunity for relaxation, wildlife photography, and coastal exploration. Dolphins are often spotted along this route, and Carlos will take you to a peaceful, secluded beach where you can swim, sunbathe, or simply enjoy the coastal scenery.

Duration: 4-6 hours
Highlights: Mangroves, coastal wildlife, dolphins, secluded beach
Lunch: included

3. Kayak Tour Through the Mangroves

For a more intimate and active way to explore the mangroves, the kayak tour allows you to glide quietly through the waterways, offering a closer connection to nature. Paddling at your own pace, you’ll move through narrow channels that larger boats can’t access, giving you an up-close view of the wildlife that thrives here. The stillness of the kayak allows you to spot shy wildlife along the banks. Kayaks allow photographers to capture professional, eye-level shots of turtles, crocodiles, birds, and other wildlife species found at water level.

Duration: 2-3 hours
Highlights: Quiet exploration, and opportunities for eye-level wildlife photography

4. Birdwatching Tour by Boat

The Sierpe River and surrounding mangroves are a birdwatcher’s paradise. This boat tour is specifically tailored for birding enthusiasts, offering the chance to see a wide variety of species from the comfort of a boat. Carlos Daniel, an experienced guide, will help you identify both common and rare species, from colorful toucans and parrots to black hawks and kingfishers. The boat can move quietly along the river’s edge, providing great opportunities for photography and close encounters with the local birdlife.

Duration: 4 hours
Highlights: Birdwatching, toucans, raptors, photography

5. Corcovado National Park Tour (San Pedrillo or Sirena Station)

Corcovado National Park is one of the crown jewels of Costa Rica’s national park system, home to some of the most diverse wildlife on the planet. This full-day tour takes you into the heart of the park, either to the San Pedrillo or Sirena ranger stations, where you can explore Corcovado’s incredible biodiversity. You’ll have the opportunity to spot a range of wildlife, including Baird’s tapir, all four Costa Rican monkey species, sloths, and possibly even big cats like pumas. The boat ride to and from the park offers more chances to see seabirds, dolphins, and other marine life.

This tour is a must for wildlife lovers and is one of the best ways to experience the Osa Peninsula’s unparalleled natural beauty. No other place in Costa Rica can rival the diversity and abundance of mammal and other wildlife sightings.

The Sirena Station tour is the longer and more expensive tour, but often has a greater diversity and abundance of wildlife sightings than San Pedrillo. San Pedrillo ranger station is closer to the Sierpe River Camp and is therefore a cheaper tour. If your target species is Baird's tapir, Sirena is probably your best option, whereas, if you're looking to spot a puma (a very difficult task), San Pedrillo station might be one of the best places (outside of Patagonia) to try your luck.

Duration: Full day
Highlights: Monkeys, tapirs, dolphins, sea birds, and more. Professional, licenced, English and Spanish speaking guides.
Lunch: Included

6. Caño Island Snorkeling Tour

For those who want to experience the underwater wonders of Costa Rica, the Caño Island Snorkeling Tour is a fantastic option. This tour takes you to the marine reserve surrounding Caño Island, and possibly some time on the island. You’ll snorkel among colorful coral reefs, encountering a variety of tropical fish, sea turtles, rays, sharks, and possibly even yellow-bellied sea snakes. The boat ride to Caño Island also provides opportunities to see dolphins, sea birds, and the occasional whale.

Duration: Full day
Highlights: Snorkeling, tropical fish, sea turtles, coral reefs
Lunch: Included

7. Waterfall Tour

This tour takes you deeper into the rainforest to visit hidden waterfalls that few travelers ever see. After a scenic boat ride, you’ll hike through dense jungle, led by Carlos, to reach these secluded waterfalls. The trek itself offers plenty of opportunities to encounter wildlife, from monkeys to colorful frogs. Once you arrive, you can swim in the cool, refreshing pools at the base of the falls or simply relax and enjoy the surrounding nature.

Duration: 4 hours
Highlights: Jungle hike, waterfalls, swimming
Lunch: Included

8. Custom Tours

If you have a specific adventure in mind, Carlos Daniel is happy to work with you to create a custom tour tailored to your interests. Whether it’s night herping, a multi-day jungle trek, or a combination of wildlife and relaxation, Sierpe River Camp can craft a unique experience that suits your desires. Carlos is highly flexible and knowledgeable, ensuring that your personalized tour will be both memorable and rewarding.

Sierpe River Camp Videos Playlist

3 YouTube videos about Sierpe River Camp and the tours. Press play, then press (or Shift+N) on the video player to move to next video and (or Shif+P) to move back to the previous video. Click the icon in the top right corner of the player to view list of all videos.

Travel Guide to Sierpe River Camp, Costa Rica

*Caution: Use this section as a starting point for your transportation research, but be sure to confirm accuracy with a second reliable and up to date source. Additional travel information can be found in the Costa Rica Travel Guide or from an outside source such as My Tan Feet blog.

To get to Sierpe River Camp, you need to travel by road (via taxi, bus, or car rental) to first get to the town of Sierpe. The quickest route from downtown San José is to take highway 27 west to the highway 34 exit and then take highway 34 south to Palmar Norte. After passing through town, you will cross a large bridge across a large river (Rio Grande de Terraba). After crossing the bridge, you will turn right onto route 222. Follow this road until its terminus in Sierpe. Once in Sierpe, follow the directions given to you by Carlos Daniel. I was instructed to meet him at the Restaurante Las Vegas at the Marina. To get to the Marina, as you enter Sierpe from route 222, you will notice the Sierpe Central Park (with large stone spheres) on your left. After the park, turn left onto C. Jimenez. Turn right onto the very next street, and the marina and restaurant will be on your left.

After meeting Carlos Daniel he had a parking attendent open the gate to the parking lot across the street, who directed us to our parking spot. We then gathered our bags and gear and Carlos led us through the restaurant to his boat.

San Jose to Sierpe

Car Rental: From Juan Santamaria International Airport (SJO), proceed past the luggage carousel to a car rental booth, where the attendant will direct you to your shuttle to the car rental office in Alajuela. From Alajuela, the fastest route will be to take highway 1 to highway 27, and follow the directions given at the beginning of this section.

Taxi: After exiting Juan Santamaria International Airport (SJO), finding a taxi is easy. Taxi drivers or their scouts will likely approach you as you leave the airport. Look for red taxis, or orange ones (orange denotes airport taxis), usually marked with a yellow triangle on the door. Instruct your driver to head toward Sierpe (Puntarenas provence), use a navigation app, such as Maps.me to ensure he follows the most direct route (explained above)

Once in Sierpe, follow the directions at the beginning of this section to locate the marina/restaurante Las Vegas.

Bus: From Juan Santamaria international airport (SJO), you need to get to the Terminal Tracopa San José bus station. This is most easily accomplished by hailing a cab ($20-30) immediately outside the airport exit and instructing your driver to go to the Terminal Tracopa San José (the driver should know how to get there). Alternatively, you can take a bus from the airport to the Tuasa terminal in San José, and then a short taxi ride to the Terminal Tracopa.

Once at the Terminal Tracopa, purchase a bus ticket (at the Boletería) to Sierpe. It's helpful to have a map app on your phone, such as Maps.me, with a downloaded map that can work even if you don't have cell service. With a map app, you can track your location so you know where to get off (the bus route will likely have many stops, as the route passes through many coastal towns). The bus will likely stop near the central park in Sierpe, but regardless of where it stops, Sierpe is a very small town and everywhere is walking distance. Make your way to the Marina/restaurante Las Vegas described in the beginning of this section or follow the directions given to you by Carlos Daniel after you booked your stay.

Additional Bus Resources

For more information on the San Jose bus terminals, please visit San Jose Bus Terminals. For information on bus routes, Rio 2 Rome is an invaluable resource. Just type in your starting point and destination, and then select the bus option. Use Rio 2 Rome to find the bus route, the terminal name, and its location on a map.

❓Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) About Sierpe River Camp