Tropical Safari
By Dagmar Reinhard
Hotel Natuga invited us to one of their favorite adventures: the Tropical Safari Tour on board a customized high-decked Toyota 4×4. The same day, Channel 6 (Repretel) was shooting for their show “Informe 11.” Together we left Platanillo, which is 10 km from Playa Dominical;we drove towards the Natural Reserve owned by the González family.
After crossing a suspension bridge over the Barú River, we continued on the road and discovered several streams that originate in the natural reserve. We left the car and started a short hike to the Hidden Falls where we enjoyed the natural pools under those waterfalls, and experienced direct contact with the incredible biodiversity.
We continued in the 4×4 all the way to the top of the coastal range in order to appreciate the incredible 360-degree view, which includes Punta Dominical, Caño Island, and the Diamond Waterfall. A big mango tree is right at the dividing line between the two cantons, Osa and San José; the former overlooking the ocean, and the latter, overlooking the vastness of the valleys and hills to the north.
Read more about Mr. Regulo
We enjoyed a typical lunch wrapped in banana leaves, sitting by the creek, where the sound of crystal-clear waters resembled a musical background.
The Channel 6 team interviewed Mr. Regulo, owner of the Reserve. He started a program to protect and reforest the land 20 years ago which until then, was used for grazing cattle. He transformed the pastureland into a lush rainforest.
