9 Wildlife Tours in Costa Rica Worth Booking

1.Skip the Line:Day Ticket-La Paz Waterfall Gardens Nature Park & Wildlife Refuge

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 226 reviews · 2 to 3 hours (approx.) · from $63Our pick

La Paz Waterfall Gardens gives you a flexible day pass to explore five waterfalls, rainforest and cloud forest trails, orchids, birds, butterflies, hummingbirds, monkeys, snakes, and rescued cats. Plan on at least two hours, though four to five hours lets you slow down. You will need your own transport, and the waterfall trail includes many stairs.

“Awesome. Beautiful grounds. Beautiful up close experience with the animals. Gorgeous waterfalls. Was uncrowded.”

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2.Rio Celeste Waterfall Plus Sloths and wildlife Sanctuary

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 110 reviews · 7 to 11 hours (approx.) · from $220Top rated

Leave Tamarindo at 6:30 a.m. for a private, air-conditioned ride to Rio Celeste and Tenorio National Park. Walk 2 to 3 hours to the blue waterfall, then visit Spring Paradise Bijagua Tours, where sloths are guaranteed, followed by lunch at Doña Carmen and its butterfly sanctuary. Guides may include Verny, Hernan, Allan, or Eric.

“Hernan was amazing. The tour was great! We got to see a baby sloth up close, which was worth the price of admission by itself!”

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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.Damas Island Mangrove Boat Tour with Wildlife from Manuel Antonio

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 75 reviews · 4 hours (approx.) · from $95

Cruise the mangroves of Isla Damas for about two hours with a certified naturalist guide. Guides such as Raul, Maria, Stephanie, Alvin, and Danny explain wildlife and local history while you watch for capuchin monkeys, birds, and bats. Hotel pickup, safety gear, bottled water, and a typical Costa Rican meal are included.

“What a great tour! Raul explained everything to us but there were times when we were able to just peacefully enjoy the ride. It was such a nice look into nature. Raul was able to spot animals that seemed completely hidden. The monkeys put on quite a show for us! Don’t expect an adventure tour. This is a peaceful boat ride through nature followed by a delicious typical Costa Rican breakfast.”

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5.Monteverde Wildlife Walk & Hummingbird Encounter

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 52 reviews · from $45Best value

Walk Monteverde’s cloud forest for 2 to 2.5 hours with guides such as George, Roy, or Vinny. Use a telescope to spot birds, mammals, orchids, mosses, and ferns, then visit the Hummingbird Sanctuary. A Costa Rican snack, insurance, and a small group of up to 10 are included, but reserve entry is extra.

“George is incredibly knowledgeable, patient and kind. We saw a quetzal, many other birds, and a bat, all while learning so much information about the environment and animals. This was a highlight of our trip! He went over and above and even let us take his SUV for a slight medical emergency for a child. Book with George- you will not regret it!”

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6.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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7.Private Nature Adventure Tour in Curu Wildlife Refuge

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 42 reviews · 4 to 5 hours (approx.) · from $150

Visit Curu National Wildlife Refuge with a private local guide such as Douglas, Jose, or Ernesto. Over four to five hours, you may spot capuchin, howler, and spider monkeys, scarlet macaws, deer, crocodiles, iguanas, and tropical birds. Hotel pickup from Santa Teresa or Montezuma is available, and the outing can be adjusted for your group.

“Our guide answered all our questions, he was very knowledgeable about Costa Rican wildlife. Ee really enjoyed our tour! Really thanks to Jose!”

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8.Day Trip from San Jose to Sloths & other wildlife Rescue Center

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 41 reviews · 4 hours (approx.) · from $150

Travel from San Jose to Toucan Rescue Ranch with a private driver and a small group guide. Expect about two hours among rescued sloths, toucans, parrots, macaws, owls, monkeys, and other wildlife. Guides such as Jos, Natasha, and Joci explain each animal’s story, rehabilitation, and Costa Rica’s conservation rules.

“The rescue center was very Intersting. Very informative and educational experience about the rescue process and the animals Our driver Nelson was personable and careful. Our guide was the vet at the center.”

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9.Peñas Blancas River: Wildlife Safari Experience by Raft

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

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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