Samara Trails in Werner Sauter Biological Reserve
Recommended by 93% of travelers
Sámara, Costa Rica
+7
- 2 hours 30 minutes (approx.)
- Pickup offered
- Mobile ticket
- Offered in: English
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Overview
Guanacaste’s tropical dry forest is one of Central America’s most vulnerable ecosystems, home to a rich variety of wildlife including howler monkeys, deer, and parrots. On this guided hiking tour, stroll through Werner Sauter Biological Reserve while your guide teaches you about the region’s wildlife and the history of indigenous people who once called these forests home. Your guide navigates, leaving you free to enjoy the scenery and spot native wildlife.
- Experience Central America’s threatened tropical dry forest
- Escape crowds and see native wildlife up close
- Small-group tour size for a personalized experience
- Easy round-trip transportation from Samara hotels
What's Included
- All taxes, fees and handling charges
- Driver/guide
- Professional guide
- Hotel pickup and drop-off (selected hotels only)
- Drinks
- Gratuities
- Pictures
Meeting and Pickup
Pickup points
Select a pickup point
Itinerary
1
Werner Sauter Biological Reserve
Admission Ticket Free
2
Samara Trails
Admission Ticket Free
Additional Info
- Confirmation will be received within 48 hours of booking, subject to availability
- No heart problems or other serious medical conditions
- Not recommended for pregnant travelers
- Not wheelchair accessible
- Not recommended for travelers with back problems
- Children must be accompanied by an adult
- Travelers should have a moderate physical fitness level
- This tour/activity will have a maximum of 10 travelers
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Cancellation Policy
You can cancel up to 24 hours in advance of the experience for a full refund.
Traveler Photos
Featured review
We really enjoyed this hike. Our guide was very knowledgeable and friendly, and more than willing to answer any questions. Unfortunately it was a very windy day so most of the wildlife was hunkered down, but the Reserve itself was beautiful, the view of Samara and Carillo beach was stunning, and there were plenty of butterflies. The fruit at the end was an added plus!
Reviews
4.7
based on 122 reviews
Sort by: Most insightful
It was great. We saw 2 types of monkeys and birds. It was great to get all the information about the animals from our tour guide and he got us so many wonderful pics and videos of the animals.
Response from Host, Aug 2026
Thank you for sharing your experience! We’re so happy you enjoyed exploring the reserve and seeing two different species of monkeys and so many birds. 🐒🦜
It’s wonderful to hear that our guide helped you learn more about the wildlife and captured some great photos and videos along the way. We hope you take home many beautiful memories from Sámara!
Very nice expedition. We did not see a lot of animals, but the hike with the view was worth all of it. Our guide gave us a lot of explanations on the nature around Samara area. Very interesting.
Louis is an awesome guide, he was knowledgeable about the local flora and fauna and is an engaging person sharing his knowledge. Hike was worth doing and would highly recommend
Our guide was very friendly and knowledgeable. However, there didn't seem to be too much wildlife to see when we were on our tour. I fully recognize that it would have been the season, day or the fact that part of our group was talking the entire time. It was a nice morning, the lookout we walked up to was pretty and they provided good snacks. Also the ride in the open bus/truck was fun.
Response from Host, Jan 2026
Thank you very much for taking the time to share your experience with us. We’re so glad to hear you enjoyed your morning, the lookout walk, the snacks, and especially the ride in our open vehicle. We’re also happy to know that your guide made a positive impression with their friendliness and knowledge. As you mentioned, wildlife sightings can vary depending on the season, time of day, and group dynamics, and we truly appreciate your understanding of that. While we can never guarantee animal encounters, we always strive to make the tour enjoyable and informative regardless, and we’re pleased that other aspects of the experience stood out to you. Thank you again for joining us. We hope to welcome you back for another adventure in the future!
The tour of the reserve was very educational. We learned about the species of plants and trees that are both native to the area and that were i products educational and can cause challenges. We also saw a variety of the local birds in Costa Rica like the pygmy owl, woodpeckers and the turquoise browed motmot. Very cool. Our guide Luis was very knowledgeable and for a plant and animal nerd I enjoyed it.
Before booking we should have known that actually is no mango season! Although we were promised to get mangos on the tour, there was none.
Response from Host, Feb 2025
Hello Cornelia, I am really sorry we didn’t have Mangos, as you mentioned there was not the season. What something is worth is very subjective to each person and area. We consider the price to be the right one base on our cost for a small group operation. We leave tourist area where things can be more pricey and that will affect the final price as well. Also the price already includes taxes.
Great hike with an amazing view. We loved seeing the wildlife! Christopher was a great guide and we highly recommend the tour.
Response from Host, Aug 2024
Byron, thank you for your comments to Christopher. We hope your experience on the tour has been amazing. Thank you for choosing us.
We saw howler monkeys up close, a Pygmy owl, and other birds, bats, spiders. Our guide was very knowledgeable about the flora and fauna of the area. It was a fascinating tour.
Hearing and seeing the Howler Monkeys. The history of the area being a cattle ranch and grassland was interesting too.
We really enjoyed this hike. Our guide was very knowledgeable and friendly, and more than willing to answer any questions. Unfortunately it was a very windy day so most of the wildlife was hunkered down, but the Reserve itself was beautiful, the view of Samara and Carillo beach was stunning, and there were plenty of butterflies. The fruit at the end was an added plus!
The guides were very friendly and informative. Very enjoyable experience. Would definitely recommend. Breathtaking views at the top of the hill
We had a fantastic hike and tour with Christopher. Beautiful reserve, and a great experience overall.
Francisco is great and really knowledgeable about all birds and trees and fruits and flowers and history and if you want to be educated on nature you will love this. We wanted more of a heart-pumping nature hike (since the description said you should be in good health) but it was a leisurely stroll with narration of everything in the forest. Beautiful scenery just a little slow-paced.
Response from Host, Mar 2022
It was a pleasure serving you. I really appreciate you taking the time to share your feedback and being so open with us. The guides (Francisco) work hard to provide as much as possible information and details during each activity that we do. your review reaffirms it.. So, we try to open the tour for all the people and share as much as possible, next time we will try to do more harder for you and train at the same time that you enjoy the scenery. Thanks for your kind words and we look forward to seeing you again.
Pura Vida
The hike was very informative as the guide really knew his stuff. The flora changed as we proceeded up and the fauna various colorful birds and howler monkeys added to the feel of being in the jungle. So many tree species and the hanging vines brought back memories of Edgar Rice Buroughs Tarzan novels as a kid. The final overlook stop of Playa Samara at sunset was a plus.
C'est un "must" a Samara de visiter une forêt tropicale sèche. Un milieu de vie unique ppur la faune et la flore. Nous avons vu plusieurs singes hurleurs, des papillons colorés (dont un malachite), oiseaux, araignées, chauve-souris, sauterelle géante, fourmis soldats, plusieurs types de palmiers, des lianes, des plantes médicinales, etc. Le tout dans une randonnée de deux heures sur un sentier facile d'accès. Notre guide avec sa lunette d'approche sur trepied nous montrait toute la diversité de ce sentier. Je recommande cette excursion matinale.
Response from Host, Sep 2026
Merci beaucoup pour ce magnifique commentaire ! 🌿🦋 Nous sommes ravis que vous ayez apprécié la découverte de notre forêt tropicale sèche et toute la biodiversité qu’elle abrite. C’est exactement ce que nous aimons partager avec nos visiteurs : une expérience immersive, accessible et pleine de belles surprises ! 🐒🌴
Nous sommes également heureux que les explications de notre guide et la lunette d’approche aient permis d’observer la faune et la flore d’aussi près. Merci pour votre recommandation de notre excursion matinale et au plaisir de vous accueillir à nouveau à Sámara !
Le guide était parfait! C’est un passionné avec beaucoup d’expériences. Nous avons adoré! Nous recommandons vivement
Partis tôt le matin : notre guide Christopher est plein de ressources et répond à tous nos questionnements. Ballade dans une belle nature protégée, vu qq specimens (arbres, oiseaux, chauve souris, singe) Bien entendu, on ne peut contrôler ce qu’on voit ou non. Tres pres d’Azara. Expedition intéressante!
Die tour mit Alex war einfach super. Er kennt sich unglaublich gut mit Flora und Fauna aus und hat so viel Zeit und Mühe aufgewendet um uns das absolut beste Erlebnis zu ermöglichen. Vielen dank für die tolle Zeit wir können es sehr empfehlen.
Response from Host, Oct 2025
We’re so happy to read your comment! 🌿✨
We’re thrilled that you enjoyed the excursion with Alex — he truly loves what he does, and it shows on every tour. Thank you so much for recommending us and for taking the time to share your experience. We hope to see you again soon for more nature adventures! 💚
Sehr interessante kurze Wanderung. Toller Aussichtspunkt und super informierter Guide (Christopher). Sehr zu empfehlen.
Response from Host, Oct 2025
Thank you so much for your comment! 🌿😊
We’re very happy to hear that you enjoyed the walk, the views, and Christopher’s guiding. He truly puts a lot of effort into making each experience informative and enjoyable. We really appreciate your recommendation and hope to see you again soon for another adventure! 💚
Unser Führer Ricardo war wahnsinnig nett und hat uns mit viel Fachwissen und spürbarer Leidenschaft für die Natur durch das Trockenwaldreservat geführt.
Zwar gab es keine Mango, da keine Saison war, für einen kleinen Imbiss und Getränke war aber dennoch gesorgt.
Vielen Dank für das schöne Erlebnis!
Notre guide fut très attentionné. Nous n’étions que deux personnes pour cette visite. Très bonne connaissance de la faune et de la flore. Avons même vus des singes, tout cela trot près de Samara
Le professionnalisme du guide, très attentionné au gens et il connaît la forêt, il voyait tout et nous en informait
Member Pricing
From
$44.65
per personWas $47.00(-5%)
up to 24 hours before the experience starts (local time)
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Samara Trails in Werner Sauter Biological Reserve
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