Jungle and Mangrove: Carara National Park and Tárcoles River.

Macaws, poisonous frogs, the largest crocodiles in the continent and world-class bird watching.

Discover the diversity of Costa Rica’s Pacific coast with a biology expert. Visit the transitional forest, a unique ecosystem that hosts a wide variety of native fauna and flora. Navigate the Tárcoles River in search of crocodiles and other birds, and understand the importance of mangroves and the ecosystem benefits they provide.

Begin this one-day tour from your hotel in San José, where we will pick you up early in the morning to make the most of the day. We will drive approximately 1 hour and 30 minutes along Route 27 to reach our first stop of the day, Carara National Park. This park is the first in the country to have a universal trail that allows wheelchair access. Here, together with one of our biologist-guides, you will discover the uniqueness of the transitional forest, a combination of dry and wet forest that, due to its characteristics, hosts a large number of birds such as the beautiful scarlet macaws (Ara macao), toucans, monkeys, and other mammals, amphibians, and various species of fungi. We will learn to appreciate and interpret nature and take time to listen to the sounds of the forest.

After this short walk, we will take an entertaining boat tour in conjunction with Jungle Crocodile Safari on one of the longest rivers in Costa Rica. The Tárcoles River, which is over 100 km long, originates in the high mountains of San José and flows into the Pacific coast. Here, we will search for one of the most prehistoric reptiles that inhabit the earth, the crocodile. Identify different species of herons and learn about the great importance of mangrove forests and the ecosystem services they provide to wildlife and humans. At the end of the day, before returning to San José, you will enjoy a delicious traditional lunch at a local restaurant.

 
 

Highlights

  • Discover the biodiversity of Costa Rica's Pacific coast
  • Identify the flora and fauna present in Carara National Park
  • Take a boat tour on the river with the largest crocodile population
  • Support scientific research: A percentage of the profits goes to Funga Conservation, a non-profit foundation

Inclusions

  • General liability insurance
  • Entrance to Carara National Park
  • Boat tour
  • Professional biologist guide
  • Transport from San José
  • EXCLUSIONS
  • Snacks

Details

  • Suitable for all ages (mostly for adults)
  • Wheelchair accessible
  • Duration: 8-10 hours
  • 2-3 km walk

Recommendations

  • Binoculars
  • Rain jacket
  • Insect repellent
  • Closed shoes
  • Water

Jungle and Mangrove: Carara National Park and Tárcoles River.

Price from $117 - $225 per person (depends on group size)

Pick-up in San José Centro In the metropolitan area of San José, you can specify your pick-up address when booking

Pick-up time: 6:30 am (may vary)

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