Jungle Adventure
You want jungle? We have lots of jungle!
The majority of the District is under some sort of environmental protection – whether a national park, community managed park, forest reserve status, or one of the many private protected areas. Because of the protection levels, many of these areas don’t have trail networks or public footpaths, but there are more than enough accessible spots for you to truly experience the jungle!
More Information:
- Minimum Age: 8 years
- Half Day Trip
- Available Year-round
Rio Blanco
Blue Creek
The Blue Creek 200-acre rainforest preserve and wildlife sanctuary is a short 15-minute hike along a beautifully planted trail leading to the Research Center and a deep pool of clear water perfect for swimming.
It’s a lovely spot to wonder at the rainforest canopy, and laugh at the antics of the iguanas dropping in the river only to clamber ashore and laboriously climb the trees only to repeat the process all over again! The crystal clear waters of the creek are perfect for a refreshing swim, and you will instantly make friends with the small fishes which come to investigate.
The Preserve’s lush rainforest is home to enormous bromeliads, orchids, cohune palms, and heliconias, with vines a-plenty weaving their way through the jungle and a guided hike will reveal numerous medicinal plants. There are hundreds of birds here – including the keel-billed toucan – and the roar of the howler monkeys can be heard nearby.
San Antonio Falls (Noh Sus)
Around a mile west of San Antonio Village, the San Antonio Falls gently cascade 8 feet over a smooth pear shaped limestone rock covered with bright green moss. Watch for the multicoloured dragonflies, and hummingbirds bathing in the spray of the Falls.
It’s a perfect spot for a refreshing dip on a hot day, to enjoy a picnic lunch, or as a gentler alternative if heavy rains mean that Rio Blanco water levels are too high for swimming. There is also a small, if somewhat overgrown, trail network heading upstream.
You’ll see a large parking area on the right-hand side of the paved road, and cement steps leading down to the Falls. There is a small entrance fee, and the area is beautifully maintained by San Antonio village.
Big Falls
Despite its name, there isn’t a waterfall at Big Falls village, but it’s a great place to enjoy some gentle river tubing and introductory ziplining back and forth across the Rio Grande.
The river tubing entry point is about a mile north of the Big Falls bridge, and you can opt to stop about half-way at the small hot springs area. Most of your time will be spent gently floating with the current, but there is the occasional area where you may have to paddle, and a swift section towards the end of your route. The zip‐line has six runs of around 400 feet between landing platforms, crossing the Rio Grande river four times for some lovely scenery and an adrenaline-rush.
Hidden Beauties
Too difficut to find on your own, tour operators offer a variety of tours to special jungle places from hidden waterfalls to crystal rivers.
