The 12 Best Safari Floats in Costa Rica

1.Corcovado and Drake Bay 2-Day Small-Group Safari Guided Tour

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 102 reviews · 2 days (approx.) · from $460Our pick

Leave Drake Bay by boat for two full days around Sirena Ranger Station in Corcovado National Park. Guides such as Jorge, Erick, Brayner, Richie, and Andre lead small groups of up to eight on wildlife walks, forest trails, and a swim in the Río Claro. Meals, bunk bedding, and mosquito nets are included.

“Malheureusement, il a plu sans interruption. Le trajet en bateau a été très inconfortable en raison d'une tempête. Nous sommes arrivés complètement trempés, y compris nos sacs et les vêtements de rechange qui étaient à l'intérieur. Aucune possibilité de se sécher à la station Sirena, ce qui a rendu l'expérience assez pénible. Par contre notre guide, Richie était fantastique, beaucoup de connaissances de la faune et de la flore, très pro, très enthousiaste et convivial malgré les conditions très difficiles. Nous avons énormément apprécié être avec lui.”

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2.Full Day Tour with Safari Float, Waterfall and Volcano Hike

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 89 reviews · 9 hours 30 minutes (approx.) · from $210

You’ll combine four La Fortuna highlights in one small-group day: a gentle safari float on the Peñas Blancas River, La Fortuna Waterfall, a traditional lunch with the Rodríguez family, and a slow hike around Arenal Volcano. Guides such as Tony, Pepe, Oscar, and Carlos are known for spotting wildlife and explaining local nature and culture.

“Edgar and Tony were great! The family restaurants food was amazing and all staff was just so nice. Finished super tired and weather wasn’t ideal but overall great time. :)”

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3.Wildlife Safari Float by Kayak in Peñas Blancas River from Arenal

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 79 reviews · 4 hours (approx.) · from $88

Paddle or gently float the Peñas Blancas River with a naturalist guide such as Christopher, Beto, David, or Marco. Watch for monkeys, crocodiles, toucans, sloths, iguanas, and birds, then visit La Cocina de Tita Yolanda for coffee, sugar cane, chocolate, and a typical snack.

“An absolutely wonderful kayak experience!!! We met at the office and were taken to the river via shuttle. We had a wonderful time in our kayak and got to see a lot of wildlife! Our guide David was great! We never felt rushed going down the river and experiencing the wildlife. In the end, we even got a nice snack and a chocolate-making demonstration with tasting! We would absolutely recommend Canoa Adventure for the Wildlife Safari Float by Kayak!”

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4.Ebano Waterfalls and Rainforest Safari Tour

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 70 reviews · 4 hours (approx.) · from $85

From Hacienda Ebano near Quepos, you’ll follow a 1.6-kilometer rainforest trail across streams and bridges to twin waterfalls. Guides such as César and Juan Carlos point out frogs, birds, monkeys, plants, and huge trees. Swimming is possible in both pools, with a deep pool for confident jumpers and a shallow one for families.

“Juan Carlo was a wonderful guide! Very knowledgeable about the environment of Costa Rica. I would definitely recommend this tour to anyone.”

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5.Pure Nature Safari River Float

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 58 reviews · 4 hours (approx.) · from $101

Join Jacamar Naturalist Tours for a relaxed four-hour float on the Frio River near La Fortuna. Your captain-guide points out monkeys, sloths, caimans, turtles, iguanas, and birds, then you visit a Costa Rican family farm for homemade food. Guides named Cesar and Nelson have led this experience.

“Cesar was a friendly and informative guide. We saw a wonderful variety of animals he pointed out to us. The float was peaceful and relaxing. Just the sounds of nature and the farmers around us. Accompanied by the sound of the water splashed by the oars.”

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6.Half-Day Tour with Safari Float and La Fortuna Waterfall

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 51 reviews · 7 hours (approx.) · from $170

Start with a gentle wildlife float on the Peñas Blancas River, then visit La Fortuna Waterfall and share a traditional lunch at the Rodríguez family ranch. Guides such as Isaac, Pepe, Marco, Carlos, and Oscar have led this tour, which includes hotel pickup in La Fortuna, equipment, park fees, snacks, coffee, and a maximum of eight people.

“We booked this tour as part of our anniversary trip to Costa Rica. We were fortunate to get Carlos as our guide. He knew so much about Costa Rica, and not just the wildlife either. We spoke about everything from the flora and fauna, to the culture, economy, and much more. We were treated to a full history lesson as well as the beauty of the river. The tour ended with a marvelous local lunch and even a sloth sighting.”

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7.Sloths in the Rain Forest and Safari by the River

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 51 reviews · 5 to 6 hours (approx.) · from $165

Travel from Liberia to a private rainforest reserve near Bijagua, where a local guide helps you find sloths, frogs, snakes, and toucans. Then float the Corobici River by guided rafting boat to spot crocodiles, monkeys, iguanas, bats, and birds. Marlene and guides such as Walter, Marco, and Brian are often part of this relaxed, family-friendly day, which includes transport, snacks, lunch, and all entry fees.

“1) not worth $660 for a family of 4 2) the “Natural reserve in rain forest….” is ACTUALLY someone’s private property 3) 45 min walk (not 2 hours as advertised). 4) 1 hour raft boat ride (not motor) does not allow to get closer to any sightings as the river controls the raft 5) Lunch is NOT buffet style like other excursions (remember $165/person!) 6) 11 hour excursion for 3 hour activity (pick up 715am; drop off 6pm). This should be advertised! 7) Marlene (tour lady) & Orlando (driver) are great.”

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8.PRIVATE Palo Verde Boat Safari: Wildlife + Lunch Included

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 46 reviews · 6 hours (approx.) · from $190

From Tamarindo, you’ll take a private six-hour trip to Palo Verde National Park for a two-hour riverboat safari. Guides such as Eugene, Eliel, and Eduardo have helped guests spot crocodiles, monkeys, iguanas, herons, egrets, and owls. Lunch at a local family restaurant is included, along with park fees and hotel pickup.

“The tour was fine. The driver and guide were excellent. I encountered a problem dealing with the tour company, though. I was charged an additional $155 for hotel pick up even though the ad says free hotel pick up. When booking, the self drive button was already checked and I couldn’t remove it, so I requested hotel pick up in the paragraph below. The tour company, xplorecostarica, was unwilling to accept this explanation and charged an additional $155 to pick us up. So beware. I won’t use this tour company again.”

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9.Guanacaste Rainforest Safari with Meal

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 40 reviews · 6 hours (approx.) · from $190

Start at 9:00 a.m. near Coco and visit Llanos del Cortés waterfall before a short tropical-forest walk. With a guide such as Manny, you may spot toucans, birds, monkeys, sloths, frogs, and butterflies, then finish with a traditional Costa Rican meal. The six-hour outing returns to the meeting point and takes up to 24 people.

“manny was our guide and he was awesome and super chill never felt like we were being rushed and he had so much knowledge about costa rica.”

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10.Special Private Waterfalls and Jungle Safari Tour

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 40 reviews · 4 to 5 hours (approx.) · from $120

Join César and Carolina at Hacienda Ébano for a private 4 to 5-hour outing through rainforest trails, five streams, two bridges, and the double Ebano Waterfalls. Swim, spot possible wildlife, ride to the Big Mango Lookout, then enjoy Jade Waterfall and a Costa Rican lunch wrapped in banana leaves.

“Cesar knew the hills and paths like a pro! It was such a wonderful and educational trip. We were so impressed by the waterfalls and the hike itself. Having lunch home cooked at the end of the trip was a nice treat, too! So delicious!!”

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11.4×4 Jungle Safari to Waterfall & Delicious Rainforest Lunch

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 34 reviews · 4 hours 30 minutes (approx.) · from $99

Take a bilingual 4x4 ride from Jaco into the Agujitas mountains and Carara National Park. You’ll reach a waterfall with natural pools, then eat a traditional Costa Rican meal at Paz del Campo. Guides such as Juan, Mike, Jordan, and Wilmer have earned praise for safe driving and lively nature stops. Expect rough roads, changing routes, and about 4.5 hours on the move.

“I had a great time on this tour with Jordan. He was a great guide and lots of fun. The views and waterfalls were breath taking!”

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12.Peñas Blancas River: Wildlife Safari Experience by Raft

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 34 reviews · 4 hours (approx.) · from $84Best value

You’ll ride a raft or double kayak down the quiet Peñas Blancas River with a certified guide, watching for howler and capuchin monkeys, sloths, iguanas, caimans, and birds. Calypso Adventures provides transport from La Fortuna, safety gear, water, pineapple, insurance, and a small-group setting of up to 20 people.

“Amazing experience by Calypso Tours- owned and operated by a woman, Bethshive, who went above and beyond to make our experience special and memorable. you were able to see a lot of animals on the river, including a sloth!! We had a great time and highly recommend other families to take this tour!”

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