The Bonanza waterfall at Bolita
Enjoy our field guide library while hanging out at the hostel.
15 KILOMETERS OF TRAILS!
The trails are what will make your visit to BOLITA unforgettable. The 15 kilometers of trails that meander through 61 plus hectares of rain forest, will take you through various elevations of primary and secondary forest. You pass by four creeks that run through the property, numerous waterfalls, various spots with fantastic ocean views, as well as the beautiful Rio Tigre, which skirts BOLITA for two kilometers. Because of the diversity of habitat, it's a great area for spotting much of the flora and fauna that exist in this amazing place.
We've been careful to make the paths comfortable for walking by keeping each as horizontal as possible, and adding steps where necessary. One of our most important ongoing projects is to replace the old stairs with used tires.
DAY HIKING:
Even if you're not staying at Bolita, day hikers are welcome to come and enjoy the Bolita self guided trails for the day at $10 US per person. For day hikers, please stop in at the Bolita office in Dos Brazos, for a map and instructions. Also, guided tours can be arranged upon request.
We've been careful to make the paths comfortable for walking by keeping each as horizontal as possible, and adding steps where necessary. One of our most important ongoing projects is to replace the old stairs with used tires.
DAY HIKING:
Even if you're not staying at Bolita, day hikers are welcome to come and enjoy the Bolita self guided trails for the day at $10 US per person. For day hikers, please stop in at the Bolita office in Dos Brazos, for a map and instructions. Also, guided tours can be arranged upon request.
Trail Highlights
Rio Tigre
A LA CASA: The first you'll encounter. It's the path to the house, and it's lush with life as you wind through the Bruja creek valley. We often spot Spider or Capuchin monkeys foraging here, and you'll definitely hear from the howlers.
BANANA: This trail is the main route to access most other trails and locations. It takes you through the old banana plantation, and a patch of mango trees, plentiful in May and June.
CHIQUITA: As the name indicates, this is a rather short path across a hillside, just above former pasture. Here you will see the beginnings of forest re-growth in the form of Balsa and Capuline trees. Leads out to MATA JAMBRE.
BONANZA: is the crown jewel of our trail system, taking you deep into primary forest, and ultimately leading to the two largest waterfalls at Bolita. From the waterfalls you can turn back and follow a slightly different route back, or continue a 2 hour (minimum) breathtaking hike down Rio Tigre, back to the entrance of the property.
CASIQUE UPPER AND LOWER: This is a relatively quick and easy walk to a smaller three-tiered waterfall. It's great before breakfast, or if you have an hour before settling in to make dinner. Follow the lower trail to see the waterfall from the bottom, and take the upper trail to end up at the top. This is a great close up look at the Casique valley, which is seen from far above on the VALLE FRIJOL trail.
BANANA: This trail is the main route to access most other trails and locations. It takes you through the old banana plantation, and a patch of mango trees, plentiful in May and June.
CHIQUITA: As the name indicates, this is a rather short path across a hillside, just above former pasture. Here you will see the beginnings of forest re-growth in the form of Balsa and Capuline trees. Leads out to MATA JAMBRE.
BONANZA: is the crown jewel of our trail system, taking you deep into primary forest, and ultimately leading to the two largest waterfalls at Bolita. From the waterfalls you can turn back and follow a slightly different route back, or continue a 2 hour (minimum) breathtaking hike down Rio Tigre, back to the entrance of the property.
CASIQUE UPPER AND LOWER: This is a relatively quick and easy walk to a smaller three-tiered waterfall. It's great before breakfast, or if you have an hour before settling in to make dinner. Follow the lower trail to see the waterfall from the bottom, and take the upper trail to end up at the top. This is a great close up look at the Casique valley, which is seen from far above on the VALLE FRIJOL trail.
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VALLE FRIJOL: You will be walking a mostly horizontal path cut into the hillside over looking the Cacique valley. You are at a high enough elevation to get views of the Golfo Dulce and Puerto Jimenez in The distance.
FILA QUEMADA: At an even higher elevation, this ridge overlooks the VALLE FRIJOL trail and the cacique valley, as it menders in and out of old and second growth forest. Stop and sit for a rest with a view along the way looking down at the treetops and the Golfo Dulce. It was once on fire! This was the typical way to clear land for farming. Now, happily it is in the process of re-growth.
RIO TIGRE: This is a breathtakingly beautiful way to come back to Bolita after your hike to the Bonanza. Explore a whole new habitat, in a scenic river ankle to knee deep, with a few chest deep crossings along the way. You may even meet a gold miner or two, as panning river gold is still the main source of income for many of the towns' people. Expect to use the better part of a day if you do the Bonanza/Rio Tigre hike.
THE GOTTOGO LOOKOUT: The highest point at Bolita, and is one of the best views you'll see of the Golfo Dulce anywhere. For a special treat, walk up just before dawn, and watch the sunrise over the gulf. It's a spectacular site!
QUEBRADA BRUJA LEFT AND RIGHT: Walking up the creeks is an opportunity for the adventurous to do some "off-roading" by walking without a trail. Both Bruja creeks (left and right) initiate on the Bolita property, and Bruja left is the source of the drinking water at Bolita. The A LA CASA trail crosses the two Bruja creeks where they join together. Walk downstream from the entry trail and you'll end up at the top of a waterfall about 7 meters above Rio Tigre. Walk the other way to explore the stream, and its tributaries, and to see some waterfalls not located on the map. The old owner named the stream for her reluctance to give up his gold.
QUEBRADA CACIQUE: Walk up the creek and you will end up below the VALLE FRIJOL trail where the creek begins. Walk downstream, and out to RIO TIGRE. If you like, continue downstream in RIO TIGRE, and back up to the entry trail to get back to the house. This is a good way to explore some of the RIO TIGRE if you do not wish to walk the full length.
FILA QUEMADA: At an even higher elevation, this ridge overlooks the VALLE FRIJOL trail and the cacique valley, as it menders in and out of old and second growth forest. Stop and sit for a rest with a view along the way looking down at the treetops and the Golfo Dulce. It was once on fire! This was the typical way to clear land for farming. Now, happily it is in the process of re-growth.
RIO TIGRE: This is a breathtakingly beautiful way to come back to Bolita after your hike to the Bonanza. Explore a whole new habitat, in a scenic river ankle to knee deep, with a few chest deep crossings along the way. You may even meet a gold miner or two, as panning river gold is still the main source of income for many of the towns' people. Expect to use the better part of a day if you do the Bonanza/Rio Tigre hike.
THE GOTTOGO LOOKOUT: The highest point at Bolita, and is one of the best views you'll see of the Golfo Dulce anywhere. For a special treat, walk up just before dawn, and watch the sunrise over the gulf. It's a spectacular site!
QUEBRADA BRUJA LEFT AND RIGHT: Walking up the creeks is an opportunity for the adventurous to do some "off-roading" by walking without a trail. Both Bruja creeks (left and right) initiate on the Bolita property, and Bruja left is the source of the drinking water at Bolita. The A LA CASA trail crosses the two Bruja creeks where they join together. Walk downstream from the entry trail and you'll end up at the top of a waterfall about 7 meters above Rio Tigre. Walk the other way to explore the stream, and its tributaries, and to see some waterfalls not located on the map. The old owner named the stream for her reluctance to give up his gold.
QUEBRADA CACIQUE: Walk up the creek and you will end up below the VALLE FRIJOL trail where the creek begins. Walk downstream, and out to RIO TIGRE. If you like, continue downstream in RIO TIGRE, and back up to the entry trail to get back to the house. This is a good way to explore some of the RIO TIGRE if you do not wish to walk the full length.