Werner Sauter Biological Reserve
Werner Sauter Biological Reserve
Werner Sauter Biological Reserve
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75 reviews
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Weerobbie
Kingston, Canada934 contributions
Feb 2020
The site is very close to Samara and has a beautiful jungle walk. Before the walk, our guide gave very good explanations on how settlers used to live, the main trees and how the jungle provided food and medicine. The walk, however, was very slow. Although we appreciated our guide's efforts to find exotic birds, we spent a lot of time just standing on the trail; at times it was a bit uncomfortable and boring. We did, however, see some very beautiful birds and a glancing glimpse of Coatimundi. The trail is moderate in difficulty so if you have difficulties walking up and down slopes, this trip is not for you. Overall, we found this excursion okay but not "oh wow."
Written 8 February 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
ImmerLost
Boston, MA6 contributions
Feb 2023
Our guide Christopher was knowledgeable, but not interested in sharing his knowledge. You had to ask specific questions, and even then the answers were minimal. We didn't see a lot, which I understand happens, but he was not capable of keeping up a running description of the plants and animals at the Reserve. Even if he had just talked about bananas plants and the national bird, it would have improved the walk. He didn't seem to understand that people are actually anxious to learn on a guided tour.
Written 28 February 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Jerome S
Pittsburgh, PA46 contributions
Jun 2018 • Couples
If you are spending multiple days in Samara, you need to book this tour! Our guide, Berny, did a great job providing information about the Tropical Dry Forest and had a great eye and ear for the local wildlife. The lookouts were magnificent. Well worth the $40 per person.
A few things to keep in mind, though:
1.) The hike is above-average in difficulty. During the dry season it gets hot, and during the wet season (when we went) the trails get slippery. There's a steep uphill climb and a lot of downhill as well. My wife has a bad knee and it was a bit tough for her. Had it been hotter or actively raining (making the trails more slippery) then she may not have been able to do the hike.
2.) Plan for the tour to take 3.5 hours. It might get done quicker, but Berny loves to share info and look for all kinds of wildlife. We had some people on our tour who were late for their next activity because their website says to plan for 2.5 hours.
3.) There are no restrooms. Be prepared to pee in the forest.
4.) Don't buy the pictures at the end. They cost $10, and while they are great quality, you only get about 40 pictures, and half of ours we highly suspect were taken on other tours (a few definitely are because they show bare trees - during the wet season the trees are lush and full)
A few things to keep in mind, though:
1.) The hike is above-average in difficulty. During the dry season it gets hot, and during the wet season (when we went) the trails get slippery. There's a steep uphill climb and a lot of downhill as well. My wife has a bad knee and it was a bit tough for her. Had it been hotter or actively raining (making the trails more slippery) then she may not have been able to do the hike.
2.) Plan for the tour to take 3.5 hours. It might get done quicker, but Berny loves to share info and look for all kinds of wildlife. We had some people on our tour who were late for their next activity because their website says to plan for 2.5 hours.
3.) There are no restrooms. Be prepared to pee in the forest.
4.) Don't buy the pictures at the end. They cost $10, and while they are great quality, you only get about 40 pictures, and half of ours we highly suspect were taken on other tours (a few definitely are because they show bare trees - during the wet season the trees are lush and full)
Written 4 July 2018
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Slynke72
Missouri14 contributions
Mar 2015 • Couples
If you like to walk, and enjoy nature this is a must! Well worth the $. The tour guide speaks excellent English. He picked us up in his truck at our resort in Samara, gave us the tour, provided a snack, and took us back. On the tour we saw howler monkeys, a tarantula nest, an ant lion, the forest, great views, learned history, touched, smelled, and tasted the rainforest. If you aren't a bit of a hiker, this isn't for you. Wear your insect repellent and tennis shoes.
Written 3 June 2015
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
ElanBlair
2 contributions
Mar 2015
Alvaro is very knowledgeable on plants and animals and showishh genuine passion for the tour and his grandfathers reserve. We saw beautiful birds, insects and monkeys, and the lookout point had an excellent view of the beach and ocean....
My 7 year old loved the experience so much she collected seeds and flowers to show her class when she returns to school.
My 7 year old loved the experience so much she collected seeds and flowers to show her class when she returns to school.
Written 1 April 2015
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
rkeren
Toronto, Canada69 contributions
Dec 2014 • Family
Our family of 11, ages 1-60, had a wonderful hiking experience in the Werner Sauter Biological Reserve. Alvaro's enthusiasm, knowledge and personality made the hike enjoyable for everyone. His understanding of ecosystems and how uninformed human intrusions can adversely impact on them was very interesting. The hike peaks with a spectacular view of the coast accompanied by fresh fruit and cookies. I would highly recommend this excursion to anyone of any age.
Written 29 December 2014
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
fiona b
Vancouver, Canada28 contributions
Feb 2014 • Friends
Alvaro is an informed and amicable guide. the trials are beautiful, the vista at the summit outstanding and the snacks refreshing. We saw lots of birds, monkeys and learned so much about the local flora and fauna. Highly recommended!
Written 10 March 2014
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
debilynsmith
Vancouver, British Columbia11 contributions
Apr 2011
We recently enjoyed this very interesting hike behind samara beach up into the biological reserve owned by Alvaro's family. Alvaro picked us up at our rental place and drove us to where the trail begins. He has done a lot of hard work making the path accommodating for the people he brings through. He supplied a refreshing snack for when we reached the summit and the spectacular view of both Carrillo and Samara beaches. It was well worth the time and cost, just meeting someone so passionate about what they do was refreshing. We wish him all the luck in the world with this endeavour and his plans to extend the hiking trails.
Barry and Deb Smith
Barry and Deb Smith
Written 6 May 2011
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
time4me64
British Columbia, Canada61 contributions
Jan 2020
Our guide was Mirjana, who was an excellent guide and highly knowledgeable about the biodiversity in this area. We loved this nature hike and enjoyed seeing the wildlife, which consisted of birds, a tarantula, bats, and the amazing flora indigenous to Costa Rica. This hike was much different from the nature preserve we took in the rain forest where we saw sloths and monkeys, so, for us, we were grateful to go on this hike and experience the rich diversity of Costa Rica. It is a tranquil experience, not an adrenaline rush, and was a good speed for our group ranging from 30 to 65 years-old. We took the morning hike, as we thought it might be too hot in the afternoon. At the end of our hike we enjoyed freshly cut pineapple. So happy we did this tour!
Written 11 February 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
katmat1997
Darmstadt, Germany25 contributions
Jan 2018 • Family
Pick of from the hotel and ride to the parc was about 10-15 min. We have seen a lot of interesting trees and plants. Not a lot of birds...I assume due to the wind.
Written 13 February 2018
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Fred G
Antioch, California
Is the only way to visit this area through a guided tour? Is it possible to visit at any other time?
Written 8 May 2016
I agree with the previous respondent. The guide was extremely knowledgeable and a lot would be missed without his guidance and knowledge. The pace is slow enough to catch your breath and get good photos. You wouldn't want it it faster or slower or without the guide. Cheers
Written 10 May 2016
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