This day tour is offered from most Guanacaste beach destinations. It is the perfect way to explore the region’s wildlife and culture. 

With a knowledgeable bilingual naturalist guide, you will explore the wetland ecosystem of the Tempisque River. This pristine river is located inside Palo Verde National Park. The boat portion of the tour is about 2 hours. (The drive to the tour starting point is about 1.5 hours from most beach towns in Guanacaste.)

From inside the sturdy covered boat, you will see some of the wildlife that Costa Rica is famous for. Animals that are typically seen include crocodiles, monkeys, and iguanas.

This is also an excellent tour for birding. Jabiru, osprey, white ibis, tiger herons, and scarlet macaw parrots are just some of the many species that can be spotted. 

After the boat portion, you will go to a farm in the country. Here, locals will prepare you a traditional Costa Rican lunch cooked over a wood stove. Your delicious meal will end with coffee prepared using a chorreador, a rustic drip brewing method that has been used for generations.

You’ll also learn about some local customs and history, and the workings of the farm itself. You will even have the chance to grind sugar cane into juice by hand.

We use an excellent operator for this tour. They have knowledgeable, bilingual naturalist guides and safe, reliable drivers.

You can read about our experience on the tour and view more photos with our post: Palo Verde National Park: A Wildlife Tour Through Guanacaste’s Wetlands. 

Age Category: No minimum age, suitable for anyone.

Offered: Monday, Wednesday, or Sunday at 7:30 a.m. (exact pick up time varies depending on location)

Duration: 7 hours door-to-door from your hotel (approximate)

Includes: Bilingual naturalist guide, traditional lunch, water, park entrance fee, and round-trip transportation from your hotel or vacation rental in Guanacaste.