Bogarin Trail — Attraction in La Fortuna

This was an unethical experience and a tourist trap. I believe our guide was named Alex.

It may be possible that other guides offer entirely different experiences than ours.

The first warning we missed was that this is a "nature trail" with wild animals in the middle of town. What animals would want to naturally live so close to humans?

The second warning was that at the start of the trail, there is a little bird pond with fruit strung up on the trees to attract birds. This is baiting the animals and unacceptable for a "nature walk".

Our guide moved very fast and loud and was all about getting photos for us, almost aggressively. Once on the trail, he took us straight to a sloth and immediately started shining a laser pointer on it so we could see, which made us uncomfortable that it would bother the sloth. The sloth was actively climbing through the trees, which was cool to see but he was constantly complaining about how she was moving too much to easily see, but we had no problem. We really wanted to just watch the sloth in peace but he was so loud and obnoxious. He kept setting up the scope and demanding our phones to get photos for us and the other couple. I cannot put into words how uncomfortable and annoying it was. He spent more time trying to get photos than just letting us watch.

He gave the other couple a hard time for having a phone that he wasn't familiar with, to the point of shaming them. I can only imagine how they felt about that. Not everyone has a brand new iPhone.

He also told us that in one tree, there is a toucan with its nest in the hollow. This was early afternoon so the toucan was sleeping, but he assured us that he could get us a good view by simply knocking on the tree base to wake it up. Sure enough, the toucan, now even more annoyed than we were, popped out and glared down at us. This was not the experience I was hoping for.

Alex did not offer any facts about the wildlife except that sloths are nearly blind and deaf. I am not sure if that's true or simply justification that his actions weren't really bothering them.

After all this, we made up a reason to leave after about 25 minutes into the 2 hour walk, and complained to the front desk. We have deleted our photos because we can't look at them without being reminded of how they were obtained.

If you are looking for a calming way to see animals undisturbed in their natural habitat from a respectful distance, this checks none of those boxes. Do NOT go here.

We instead really enjoyed our time at the Mistico Hanging Bridges with the park guide. Lots of information, beautiful scenery, and kind,...

My recent journey along the Bogarin Trail in La Fortuna was an absolute revelation, and I can't help but attribute much of the experience to our incredible guide, Alex. If you're considering a visit to this stunning natural wonder, I can't recommend strongly enough that you do so with an expert like Alex by your side.

From the moment we set foot on the trail, it was clear that Alex was passionate about the flora and fauna of this remarkable ecosystem. His knowledge was nothing short of impressive, and it truly added a layer of depth to our exploration that we wouldn't have had on our own.

Now, let's talk about the wildlife. It's difficult to put into words just how much we saw during our adventure. Alex seemed to have a sixth sense when it came to spotting the most elusive creatures. We were lucky enough to encounter a whopping 12 sloths, including an adorable baby sloth making its way down for its weekly toilet visit. It was a heartwarming sight that I'll cherish forever.

But it didn't stop there! The birdwatching was out of this world. Alex's keen eye and expert knowledge allowed us to spot a variety of beautiful birds, including a family of toucans. Their vibrant plumage and playful interactions left us in awe. We also encountered amphibians, reptiles, and insects, each one more fascinating than the last.

One of the most remarkable things about having Alex as our guide was his ability to tell us the stories behind the creatures we encountered. Whether it was the quirky habits of sloths, the intricate songs of the birds, or the hidden world of amphibians, his explanations added a whole new layer of appreciation for the wonders of nature.

The Bogarin Trail itself is a pristine slice of paradise, with lush greenery and bubbling streams at every turn. But having an expert like Alex to lead the way transformed it into an unforgettable journey through a living, breathing masterpiece of biodiversity.

In conclusion, our adventure along the Bogarin Trail in La Fortuna was a life-changing experience, and it wouldn't have been the same without the incredible guidance of Alex. If you're looking to connect with nature, see wildlife up close, and gain a deeper understanding of this magnificent ecosystem, I strongly urge you to book a tour with a guide rather than on your own, it's more money but so worth it for the experience and photographs. It's an experience that will leave you with lasting memories and a profound appreciation for the natural world....

A MUST IN COSTA RICA. first off, let me preface this by saying that you must get a guide. you won’t be able to see much without a guide because they know exactly where the animals hide. We first arrived at about 10:30am hoping to put our names down for the 12pm tour. the guy at the desk said the owner is ready to leave his breakfast to come give us a tour. we didn’t ask for that but that’s an example of how welcoming they are. giovanni was our tour guide and he explained how it was his dream to create a refuge for animals to come to and for people of all types to visit. he said how the trail is flat without rocks or an invalid so it is accessible for those with disabilities. he pointed out all the trees he planted himself. we could really see how proud he is. he showed us a baby coconut tree that he hopes will one day give coconuts so he can give free coconut water to his guests. i told him i would love to see sloths and that was his mission. he worked so hard to find sloths and we saw quite a bit! giovanni was also doing bird calls and the birds were actually talking back to him. at the end of the tour, he offered us fresh pineapples. this was my favorite part of my costa rica trip and it is a must do for anyone. don’t pay attention to the negative reviews. most of the negative reviewers probably didn’t get a guide and zoomed...