Private Naturabenteuertour im Curu Wildlife Refuge

We loved this tour. He picked us up from our villa and was extremely knowledgeable about the surrounding areas and told us so much information about the animals on our hike. We saw so much wildlife. He was extremely kind and went above and beyond. Definitely recommend!

Fantastic hiking tour with Douglas! A wealth of information and knowledge about the area and the flora & fauna. Douglas was very kind and helpful and patient with our many questions. He had answers to every question we could think of! He could spot things that we would have never seen on our own. The length of the hike was perfect for us and the whole time of the visit was great. Very small numbers of other people on the hike during this shoulder season. Very peaceful atmosphere to experience nature! Would be great for couples and families to experience.

We went in the afternoon. We loved it! Douglas has a keen eye and took his time to help us spot as many animals as possible. He was very generous and taught us about the different species and the area. He seemed to be having just as much fun as we were, and it was nice to chat. A wonderful experience!

Phenomenal experience with Ernesto. He’s super gifted at finding and identifying all the various birds and animals in the retreat. Friendly funny and an enjoyable day. Definitely recommend recommended.

Jason was an incredible tour guide through Curu! He picked us up, was so knowledgeable about truly everything and was patient to teach us about Costa Rican wildlife. It was a highlight of our trip!

We booked our tour through Manakin Tours and our guide was Ernesto, one of five certified wildlife guides in the Reserve and who is bilingual; however, we opted to take the tour in Spanish as we enjoy speaking it with locals and we learned the Spanish names for the birds and animals we saw. We walked the Ceiba Trail, which is only 1.5 kilometers, but it took several hours, as we did so at a snail's pace and were astonished at the numbers and variety of birds, reptiles and mammals. Every 50 meters there was a different species, but without Ernesto we would have been blind to see them. He carried a 25-60 Swarovski spotting scope that was razor sharp and would set it up in a nanosecond when he spotted something; he had an uncanny knowledge of where the wildlife would be. He also used our iPhones to take photos through the spotting scope and got some incredible shots. We saw Agoutis, Howler monkeys, including a mother with her baby, White-faced Capuchin monkeys, Basilisk lizards (so called Jesus Christ lizards as they can literally run across water), a female Trogon, a Muscovy duck, a Northern Jacana, and several pairs of Scarlet Macaws. However, the most amazing wildlife habitat and creatures we saw were Tent-making Bats. These mammals bend a large Heliconia plant (often called False Banana) by digging their claws and teeth into the leaf and curling it into a fold. Ernesto knew the area where these creatures liked to nest and while slowly walking down the trail, he suddenly peeled off and quickly motioned us to follow. He had us squat down and look up into a folded Heliconia leaf and there were two bats side by side clinging to the underside of the leaf; it was astounding. The odds of seeing this equal winning a lottery.

Manakin Tours delivered an absolutely top-tier experience, and Douglas in particular made our time in Costa Rica (Nicoya/Santa Teresa/Cabuya) truly unforgettable. His local knowledge is extraordinary — from wildlife and geography to history and culture, he provided insights you simply wouldn’t get without a guide who truly knows the area inside and out. Douglas was professional, punctual, and exceptionally well organized. Every detail was handled smoothly, timing was impeccable, and the day flowed effortlessly. Beyond that, his passion for Costa Rica was evident and contagious. He was attentive, patient, and genuinely invested in making sure we had the best possible experience. If you’re looking for a tour company that is reliable, knowledgeable, and authentic — and a guide who elevates the entire experience — Manakin Tours is the clear choice. Ask for Douglas if you can; he is a true professional and an outstanding ambassador for Costa Rica. Highly recommended without hesitation.

Doug was a fantastic guide, he was very excited when we saw certain animals. Lots of wildlife and fantastic views of the ocean. Highly recommend this adventure!

Douglass was very nice and educated about the animals. His magnifying camera was also a great resources. I do wish I saw more animals, but what can you do. Great experience though, would definitely recommend.

Our hiking and kayaking adventure tour was well planned before we even arrived. Doug was very knowledgeable about all of the wildlife we saw on our hike. Afterwards, we were treated to a snack, water, and lots of delicious fruit. Then he took us kayaking in the bay. He was helpful and accommodating. I highly recommend this tour! It was a highlight of our trip to Costa Rica!!