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 to receive a full refund
Covid-19 precautions: Special health and safety measures apply. Learn more
Reserve now & pay later: Reserve now & pay later to book your spot without any charges today. Learn more
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

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

Begin your journey by being picked up from your hotel, 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 optional 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. Finally, dig your toes into the white sand of a peaceful beach at your last stop, where you will relax with the sound of the waves before heading back to your accommodation.

Includes

Small-group or private 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)

Covid-19 precautions

Safety measures in place

All areas that customers touch are frequently cleaned

Traveler requirements

You are required to bring and wear a mask

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

Customer reviews

Overall rating

5 /5

based on 4 reviews

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This is an amazing tour and I would highly recommend!! :) Carara National Park and the Tarcoles River are both incredible places that are close to each other and not too far from San Jose. It was really nice to visit the Tarcoles bridge and the beach too! :) Rigo was a fantastic and kind guide. As a trained and experienced biologist he was passionate to share his brilliant knowledge to help me fully understand the fauna and flora of the forests and the Tarcoles wetlands and mangrove forests. In Carara I saw many birds including Toucans, Maccaws and Hummingbirds. I also saw frogs, agouti and other awesome wildlife and Rigo helped me observe with a great camera! :) The Tarcoles River Tour is fantastic. There are many crocodiles there and so many different birds, including Kingfishers, Pelicans and other sea-birds and birds of prey. The guides there help you to observe everything with their expertise. The mangroves and coast are beautiful!! I had a brilliant day! :)

March 22, 2022

This was an AMAZING adventure with my guide YEPO (Jose Pablo), he was extremely knowledgeable, had a great instict for spotting wildlife and went completely out of the way to provide us a unique experience. First time in the morning we bought some seasonal fruits at a local market, then we went hiking to CARARA NATIONAL PARK where we saw monkeys, frogs, lizards, dozens of plants and mushrooms and for every organism Yepo had a wonderful story to tell. Then we had a small picninc at the beach where we finally ate the fruits he got for us (god bless the tropics!) And finally after having lunch we went for a very calm but informative and scenic boat ride through the Tarcole River where Yepo showed us a handful of colorful birds and HUGE crocodiles. My favorite was Shakira! Thank you Yepo for this wonderful day, god bless

July 17, 2021

From San José: Carara National Park and Tárcoles River Tour

From San José: Carara National Park and Tárcoles River Tour

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