
Costa Rica Safari Cruise Tours
A must for birdwatchers, safari cruises in Costa Rica will take you down beautiful pristine jungle rivers by pontoon boat for you to view wildlife living in their natural habitat. Piloted by a local guide who knows where to look and what to look for, the quiet comfortable open boat with sun protective roof provides epic photo opportunities. Jungle river cruises can bring you to places unreachable by land where wildlife abounds. In addition to the many birds, amphibians, reptiles, fish and other animal life you may encounter, your knowledgeable guide will point out interesting tropical vegetation along the way. You’ll leisurely scan the banks along the rivers seeking the natural treasures found in a variety of different ecosystems from Mangroves to inland river waterways where an abundance of endemic and migrating birds share the landscape with mammals and other forest creatures.
Tortuguero Canal Tour - Laguna Lodge

This is a morning boat tour following canals carved through the dense rainforest within Tortuguero National Park, one of the best places in Costa Rica to go birding and see a diversity of wildlife. You will go on a 2 - 3-hour riverboat ride through the jungle-lined canals, which are located within the national park. Your boat captain and bilingual guide will point out all the visible forest-dwelling animals, plants and birdlife that live within this unique water and woodland eco-system including, but not limited to: monkeys, sloths, crocodiles, various species of amphibians and reptiles, plus many bird species.
Tortuguero Canal Tour - Mawamba Lodge

Tortuguero Canal Tour - Pachira Lodge

Damas Island Riverboat Wildlife Safari in the Mangroves

Drift into the heart of a mystical wetland sanctuary on the Damas Island Riverboat Safari, a gentle yet wild journey through one of Costa Rica’s most diverse ecosystems! As you glide silently through the emerald mangrove canals, you’ll have a front-row seat to a thriving wildlife theatre: keep your eyes peeled for the prehistoric silhouettes of crocodiles and caimans basking on the banks, while the canopy above teems with playful White-faced Capuchin monkeys, sleepy sloths, and elusive silky anteaters. This protected refuge is also a paradise for birdwatchers, offering chances to spot majestic Herons, Toucans, and vibrant Roseate Spoonbills in their natural habitat. This complete nature expedition includes round-trip transportation, an expert bilingual guide, and a delicious meal; please note that because this unique ecosystem is governed by the rhythm of the ocean, the tour start time and meal service change daily based on the tides, so we will confirm your exact schedule once your booking date is set.
Cano Negro Riverboat in the Rainforest Wildlife Safari & Cultural Tasting

Escape into the wild heart of the rainforest wetlands on the Caño Negro Riverboat Safari, a nature lover’s paradise located a couple of hours from La Fortuna. As you navigate these protected waters, you will encounter one of the country's largest populations of caimans lurking in the shallows, while the canopy above comes alive with the acrobatics of Spider monkeys and the booming calls of Howler (Congo) monkeys. A true sanctuary for birdwatchers, this refuge hosts hundreds of resident and migratory species, offering chances to spot distinct wildlife like Roseate Spoonbills, Toucans, and Trogons in their natural habitat. Your full-day exploration concludes with a cultural flavor at "El Caimán Restaurant," where you will enjoy a delicious lunch alongside tastings of local chocolate, coffee, and sugar cane. This all-inclusive tour provides round-trip transportation and a bilingual naturalist guide; please remember to bring a reusable bottle to fill at our dispenser, as we strictly uphold a sustainable zero-plastic policy to protect this delicate ecosystem.
Palo Verde National Park and Lunch

Today you will go on the Palo Verde National Park tour. Palo Verde is a bird watcher's paradise as it is known to have highest concentration of migratory birds in Central America. You’ll be picked up from your hotel and taken to the park where you will step onboard a covered riverboat that will take you out to Bird Island in the Tempisque River. Your guide will help you spot and identify many species of birds as well as any other visible wildlife on the day of your visit. This tour includes a professional bilingual nature guide, park entrance fee, boat tour, drinks and transportation from Flamingo, Riu, Tamarindo and the Papagayo area. One-way transportation by air-conditioned bus can take between 1 and 2 hours from your hotel to the National Park depending upon your pick-up location. The combined time of this tour with round-trip transportation can take between 5.5 and 7.5 hours. You will likely be most comfortable wearing lightweight clothing plus bring rain gear in the rainy seasons. It is also recommended to bring sunscreen, insect repellent, a camera, and binoculars for up-close viewing.
Safari Float Tour on the Rio Corobici

Immerse yourself in the verdant beauty of Guanacaste on this serene 2-hour Safari Float down the Corobicí or Tenorio River (depending on water levels), where you will drift through a towering "Dry Gallery Forest" shaded by massive Kapok, Fig, and Rubber trees. As you glide along the water, your professional naturalist guide will help you spot an abundance of wildlife inhabiting this special ecosystem, including monkeys, roosting bats, iguanas, and tropical birds, all while keeping a sharp lookout for the river's most famous residents: a thriving population of American Crocodiles. This journey perfectly blends deep relaxation with a splash of fun as you navigate safe Class I and II rapids, and comes complete with round-trip transportation, a delicious lunch, fruit juice, bottled water, and expert guiding for a stress-free day in nature.
Sarapiqui Riverboat Tour

Tortuguero Canal Boat Tour - Valverde

Palo Verde National Park Tour

Tortuguero Canal Tour - Turtle Beach Lodge

Tortuguero Canal Tour - Manatus Hotel

This is a morning boat tour following canals carved through the dense rainforest within Tortuguero National Park, one of the best places in Costa Rica to go birding and see a diversity of wildlife. You will go on a 2 - 3-hour riverboat ride by covered pontoon boat through the jungle-lined canals, which are located within the national park. Your boat captain and bilingual guide will point out all the visible forest-dwelling animals, plants and birdlife that live within this unique water and woodland eco-system including, but not limited to: monkeys, sloths, crocodiles, various species of amphibians and reptiles, plus many bird species. All visitors to the region must pay the entrance fee to the national park, which is $17 per adult, $5 per child between the ages of 5 - 11, and free for children 4 years or less. The entrance fee must be paid in person upon arrival to Tortuguero and is not included in your stay at the lodge.
Carara National Park and Crocodile River Cruise

Tarcoles Crocodile River Safari Cruise

PRIVATE Cano Negro Riverboat Safari

The PRIVATE Cano Negro Riverboat Safari is an amazing experience and opportunity to see numerous species of wildlife. The refuge which is located a little over two hours away from La Fortuna, is a home to one of the largest populations of caimans, which can be observed at nearly every turn! It’s not only reptiles though as the area is also home to both spider monkeys and congo monkeys which can be heard howling from miles away. Birdwatchers will delight as hundreds of species either live here or migrate through including toucans, roseate spoonbills and trogons. Afterwards, you will visit "El Corral" to taste chocolate, coffee and sugar cane. This fun filled full day safari includes transportation, bilingual naturalist guide, and lunch.
This supplier maintains a zero-plastic policy, so no water bottles will be offered, only a refrigerated water dispenser for visitors to refill their own reusable bottles.
Tortuguero Canal Tour - Ilan Ilan Lodge

Tour to the Mangroves of Terraba

Today you will go on by riverboat to cruise through the Mangrove trees in the Terraba Forest Reserve. You’ll learn the unique contribution Mangroves make to marine and bird life and the fascinating adaptation they have made to survive with above ground breathing roots. Your guide will point out wildlife and bring you up close to take photos. Along the way, fresh fruit and cold water will be provided as refreshments. This tour includes a bilingual naturalist guide, park entrance fee, snack, water, and transportation included. One way transport to the Terraba Forest Reserve can take from 45 minutes to 1.5 hours depending on where you are picked up from your hotel and local traffic conditions. The time of the Mangrove riverboat tour usually takes from 2.5 to 3.5 hours. NOTE: Tour requires a minimum of 6 participants. Also, the departure time varies as it is tide dependent. Please bring sunscreen, hat, rain jacket, binoculars and your camera.