We offer three suggested stays that begin with the experience at the farm and extend toward the Indio-Maíz Biological Reserve and rivers in the region. All include personalized attention and differ in length, pace and the range of environments visited.
1. Essential Río San Juan
4 days · 3 nights
An active, compact stay for visitors who want an authentic nature experience within a shorter itinerary.
What is included
Cabin accommodation
Excursion to Indio-Maíz
Birding at the farm
Boat outing on the Santa Cruz River
Night walk at the farm
Meals as listed in the itinerary
Itinerary
Day 1Arrival
Welcome, first birds and a night walk
Arrival and welcome at La Mariola.
Free time to watch birds from the cabin or walk around the farm, depending on the remaining daylight.
Dinner at La Mariola.
Night walk at the farm.
Day 2Indio-Maíz
Tropical rainforest and return to the farm
Early breakfast at La Mariola.
Departure toward the surroundings of the Indio-Maíz Biological Reserve.
River travel along the San Juan and Bartola, with birding opportunities along the way.
Hike on a reserve trail.
Lunch at Basecamp Bartola, return to La Mariola, free afternoon and dinner.
Day 3Birds and river
Birding at La Mariola and an outing on the Santa Cruz River
Early-morning birding at La Mariola.
Breakfast upon returning.
Free time to explore El Castillo at your own pace.
Late-afternoon boat outing on the Santa Cruz River and dinner at La Mariola.
Day 4Departure
Breakfast and departure for El Castillo
Breakfast at La Mariola.
Coordinated transfer from the farm to El Castillo.
2. In search of Río San Juan’s birds
5 days · 4 nights
A more immersive Río San Juan birding experience across different environments and at a slower pace.
What is included
Cabin accommodation
Night walk at the farm
2-day, 1-night exploration in Indio-Maíz
Boat outings on the San Juan, Bartola and Santa Cruz rivers
Nighttime caiman observation
Birding at the farm
Meals as listed in the itinerary
Itinerary
Day 1Arrival
Welcome, first birds and a night walk
Arrival and welcome at La Mariola.
Free time to watch birds from the cabin or walk around the farm.
Dinner at La Mariola.
Night walk at the farm.
Day 2Basecamp
Birding journey toward Indio-Maíz
Early breakfast at La Mariola.
Birding journey along the San Juan and Bartola rivers toward the surroundings of Indio-Maíz.
Arrival at Basecamp Bartola and settling into tents.
Lunch, an afternoon birding walk and dinner at Basecamp.
Day 3Return
Early birding and return to the farm
Morning birding walk in the surroundings of Indio-Maíz.
Breakfast at Basecamp Bartola.
Return journey by river.
Lunch at La Mariola and a free afternoon.
Dinner at the farm.
Day 4Rivers
Santa Cruz, El Castillo and caimans
Morning birding on the Santa Cruz River.
Breakfast at La Mariola upon returning.
Free time to visit El Castillo at your own pace.
Nighttime caiman outing, with dinner timed around the activity.
Day 5Departure
Breakfast and departure for El Castillo
Breakfast at La Mariola.
Coordinated transfer from the farm to El Castillo.
3. Living farm and biodiversity
6 days · 5 nights
A more complete, unhurried experience across the different environments of Río San Juan, with time to learn about cacao and agroecological life at the farm.
What is included
Cabin accommodation
Night walk at the farm
2-day, 1-night exploration in Indio-Maíz
Boat outings on the San Juan, Bartola, Pocosol and Santa Cruz rivers
Nighttime caiman observation
Birding at the farm
Meals as listed in the itinerary
Agroecology talk and farm walk
Itinerary
Day 1Arrival
Welcome, first birds and a night walk
Arrival and welcome at La Mariola.
Free time to watch birds from the cabin or walk around the farm.
Dinner at La Mariola.
Night walk at the farm.
Day 2Basecamp
Birding journey toward Indio-Maíz
Early breakfast at La Mariola.
Birding journey along the San Juan and Bartola rivers toward the surroundings of Indio-Maíz.
Arrival at Basecamp Bartola and settling into tents.
Lunch, an afternoon birding walk and dinner at Basecamp.
Day 3Return
Early birding and return to the farm
Morning birding walk in the surroundings of Indio-Maíz.
Breakfast at Basecamp Bartola.
Return journey by river.
Lunch at La Mariola and a free afternoon.
Dinner at the farm.
Day 4Farm / El Castillo
Birding at La Mariola and free time in El Castillo
Early-morning birding at the farm.
Breakfast upon returning.
Free time to visit El Castillo at your own pace.
Dinner at La Mariola.
Day 5Rivers
Pocosol, Santa Cruz and agroecology
Morning birding on the Pocosol and Santa Cruz rivers.
Breakfast upon returning and free time at the farm.
Afternoon agroecology talk and farm walk.
Nighttime caiman outing, with dinner timed around the activity.
Day 6Departure
Breakfast and departure for El Castillo
Breakfast at La Mariola.
Coordinated transfer from the farm to El Castillo.
Plan your own stay
If you would like to adjust the length, pace, activities or places visited, contact us. We will gladly prepare an option suited to your interests.
Included with every option
Personalized attention
We coordinate your stay directly and provide personal attention before and during your visit.
Flexible pace
The pace of activities and outings can be adapted to visitors’ interests and local weather conditions.
Boots and transportation
We provide transportation between El Castillo and the farm at the beginning and end of every stay. We also provide rubber boots for each visitor.
Additional services
Any services or activities beyond those included in a stay must be requested and agreed in advance.
