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Adventure

From San José: Carara National Park and Tárcoles River Tour

4.9  / 5
15 reviews
Activity provider:Oropopo Experience
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Adventure

From San José: Carara National Park and Tárcoles River Tour

Activity provider:Oropopo Experience
4.9  / 5
15 reviews

From US$ 202 per person

Discover the wildlife, waterways, and luscious jungle of the Tárcoles River, and the Carara National Park on a small-group or private full-day guided walking and boat journey.

About this activity

Free cancellation
Cancel up to 24 hours in advance for a full refund
Reserve now & pay later
Keep your travel plans flexible — book your spot and pay nothing today.
Covid-19 precautions
Special health and safety measures are in place. Check your activity voucher once you book for full details.
Duration 11 hours
Check availability to see starting times.
Live tour guide
Spanish, English
Pickup included
Depending on your hotel's location, please be in your hotel lobby 15 minutes before the activity start time.
Wheelchair accessible
Private or small groups available

Experience

Highlights
  • Be amazed by the large American crocodiles living in the Tárcoles River
  • Admire and learn about the Carara National Park's rainforest's biodiversity
  • Experience the best birdwatching destination just 1.5 hours from San José
  • Enjoy a relaxing boat ride through the mangrove forest
  • Enjoy the soothing sound of waves and dip your feet in the Pacific
Full description
We will start your journey by picking you up from your hotel in our 4x4 private car, and going on a scenic 1.5-hour drive along Route 27, making your way to your first stop at Carara National Park. Head straight out onto some flat walking trails suitable for all fitness levels and wheelchair users, and admire the biological reserve's abundant jungle life in person. Look up to the 40-meter high canopy, and keep an eye out for bright scarlet macaws, agouti rodents, stunning poison dart frogs, spider monkeys, dozens of birds, fantastic fungi, and huge wild cashew trees. Next, enjoy lunch like a local and eat at a traditional soda diner, where you have the option of eating fresh fish or seafood. Re-energized, lower your gears and enjoy a relaxing boat ride for some birdwatching on the Tárcoles River. Admire the river's mangroves, which are some of the most unique and scarce ecosystems of the world, and considered to be biodiversity hotspots. Keep a lookout for the 6-meter-long American crocodiles — the largest of the continent.
Includes
  • Small-group tour
  • Biologist or naturalist-certified guide
  • Optical equipment (binoculars or telescope)
  • Hotel pickup and drop-off
  • Transportation to the destination
  • Entrance fee to the Carara National Park (about $12 per adult)
  • Lunch (around $8 - $13 per person)
  • Boat ride ($28)

Select participants and date

Participants

Date

Important information

What to bring

  • Credit card
  • Hiking shoes
  • Sunscreen
  • Water
  • Insect repellent
  • Cash
  • Weather-appropriate clothing

Know before you go

  • The tour takes place rain or shine

From US$ 202 per person

Reserve now & pay later to book your spot and pay nothing today
Reserve now & pay later to book your spot and pay nothing today
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Customer reviews

Overall rating

4.9 /5

based on 15 reviews

Review summary

  • Guide
    5/5
  • Transportation
    4.6/5
  • Value for money
    4.4/5

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The trip was excellent and I can recommend it to everyone. Our guide Rigo was amazing - he is so passionate about the nature, especially birds, that he conveys a lot of information on plants and animals encountered both in the National Park Carara and the River Tarcoles. If I ever return to Costa Rica, I will join this tour again!

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May 14, 2023

G
GetYourGuide traveler Verified booking

Helpful?

Cello, our amazing guide From Oropopo Experience Tour Co. promptly picked us up at the hotel in a very comfy van. There were only three people on the tour which was great because it made us feel like we were on a private tour. Previously, we had tours from a different company where they jammed 16-18 people on a small bus. Cello was very patient, knowledgeable, and passionate about his job. During our tour of the Carara National Park, Cello pinpointed monkeys, toucans, and various species of insects. Next, he took us to Tarcoles River for a boat tour. In this relaxing cruise on the river, we encountered multiple crocodiles, a wide variety of bird species including hundreds of pelicans on tree tops. After the boat ride, Cello took us to a small family-owned restaurant by the beach for an excellent lunch. After lunch, he drove us to a secluded beach taking a short trail to the beach enjoying beautiful scenery, huge rock formations, and surrounding mountain greenery. Amazing day!

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January 1, 2023

R
Robert Verified booking

Helpful?

Excellent day tour from San jose, the tour starts with the crocodile boat ride, it is an experience that will stay with you for years. You get to see many crocodiles in the Tarcoles river along with a very knowledgeable guide that thoroughly explains the different habitats, crocodiles and birds that live in and near the river. Rigo then takes you to Carara National park and slowly guides you through the park pointing out various insects, lizards, toads and monkeys that you will encounter overall this was one of the best tours from San Jose that I took during my time in Costa Rica

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August 28, 2022

G
GetYourGuide traveler – Costa RicaVerified booking

Helpful?

Product ID: 344696

  • Costa Rica
  • Central Pacific
  • River Tarcoles

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