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    Arenal VolcanoAttraction in San Carlos, Costa Rica, Costa Rica

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  • Explore San José Province
  • Places to see
  • Things to do
  • Top sights
  • Cities
  • Outside San José Province

River Tarcoles

Hacienda Alsacia Starbucks Coffee Farm

Costa Rica Animal Rescue Center

National Theater of Costa Rica

National Museum of Costa Rica

Parque Nacional, San Jose

Costa Rica's National Stadium

National Theatre of Costa Rica

Pre-Columbian Gold Museum

Museum of Costa Rican Art

San José Central Market

La Sabana Park

San José, Costa Rica

Orosi, Costa Rica

Nearby destinations

Puntarenas Province tours

Alajuela Province tours

Guanacaste tours

Limón Province tours

Isla Tortuga, Costa Rica tours

Cartago Province tours

Nearby sights

Arenal VolcanoAttraction in San Carlos, Costa Rica, Costa Rica

Arenal Volcano National ParkAttraction in San Carlos, Costa Rica, Costa Rica

Panama CanalAttraction in Colón Province, Panama

Manuel Antonio National ParkAttraction in Puntarenas Province, Costa Rica

Tenorio Volcano National ParkAttraction in Alajuela Province, Costa Rica

Monteverde Cloud Forest Biological PreserveAttraction in Monteverde, Costa Rica

  • Top experiences
  • Interests

Volcano tours

Private car tours

Cooking classes

Sightseeing

Extreme sports & adrenaline

Nightlife & bars

Rainy-day activities

From San José: Carara National Park and Tárcoles River Tour

Top rated
4.827586 out of 5 stars
4.8
4.827586 out of 5 stars
29 reviews
From San José: Carara National Park and Tárcoles River Tour
Top rated
4.827586 out of 5 stars
4.8
4.827586 out of 5 stars
29 reviews

Explore the vibrant ecosystems of the Tárcoles River and Carara National Park with top biologists on this exclusive guided tour. Experience the best educational adventure that’s truly worth your time!

About this activity

Free cancellation
Cancel up to 24 hours in advance for a full refund
Reserve now & pay later
Keep your travel plans flexible — book your spot and pay nothing today.
Duration 10 hours
Check availability to see starting times
Live tour guide
Spanish, English
Pickup included
Depending on your hotel's location, please be in your hotel lobby 15 minutes before the activity start time.
Wheelchair accessible
Small group
Limited to 10 participants

Highlighted reviews from other travelers

L
Léa – France

It was a very good tour with Rigo! I was actually the only person participating and it was great because I was able to ask all the questions that I wanted and Rigo gladly answered all of them. Being interested in birds but not knowing much about those found in Costa Rica, Rigo was very knowledgeable about all the species and had a great eye (despite the lack of binoculars 😉) to spot them from afar. Birding with him was like birding with a friend, and I loved hearing scientific facts about local trees, plants, mushrooms and other animals from a fellow biologist. If you are interested in birding, this tour will be great for you and you will likely see a lot of different species, especially during the boat tour on Tárcoles River. Plus the lunch at the beach front was delicious. Rigo is a very nice guy and a great conversationalist so you will not be bored during the drive from and to San José. I highly recommend this tour.

S
Sam – United Kingdom

This was one of best tours I took in my two weeks in Costa Rica. If you love animals and nature this is for you. The guide was a pro, and clearly loves his work. Well worth it!

Select participants and date

Participants

Highlights

  • Be amazed by the large American crocodiles living in the Tárcoles River
  • Admire and learn about the Carara National Park's rainforest's biodiversity
  • Experience the best birdwatching destination just 1.5 hours from San José
  • Enjoy a relaxing boat ride through the mangrove forest
  • Have a private biologist for your experience

Full description

We know this tour comes at a high cost, but there is no better way to experienced a nature tour guided by passionate and expert biologists! This tour with Oropopo experience will be premium. We offer exceptional service to ensure that this journey is not only educational but truly unforgettable and an incredible opportunity to learn from young, passionate naturalists who will make every moment in nature come alive. We are committed to making this the best day you’ve ever had!

We will start your journey by picking you up from your hotel in our 4x4 private car, and going on a scenic 1.5-hour drive along Route 27, making your way to your first stop at Carara National Park.

Head straight out onto some flat walking trails suitable for all fitness levels and wheelchair users, where our expert biologist will lead the way, helping you spot and identify the biodiversity around you. As you admire Carara National Park abundant flora and fauna, look up to the 40-meter high canopy where you might spot bright scarlet macaws, curious agouti rodents, stunning poison dart frogs, playful spider monkeys, and dozens of bird species. Our biologist’s deep knowledge and keen eye will make sure you truly connect with nature. Keep your camera ready to capture the fascinating fungi and huge wild cashew trees along the way!

Next, we will visit Tarcoles river where we can admire the mangrove forest, which are some of the most unique and scarce ecosystems of the world, and considered to be biodiversity hotspots. Keep a lookout for the 6-meter-long American crocodiles — the largest of the continent.

Finally, enjoy lunch like a local and eat at a traditional soda diner, where you have the option of eating fresh fish or seafood. Re-energized, lower your gears and enjoy the drive back to your hotel.

Includes

  • Small-group tour
  • Biologist or naturalist-certified guide
  • Entrance fee to the Carara National Park
  • Boat tour
  • Hotel pickup and drop-off
  • Optical equipment (binoculars or telescope)
  • Lunch (around $8 - $13 per person)

Important information

What to bring

  • Credit card
  • Hiking shoes
  • Sunscreen
  • Water
  • Insect repellent
  • Cash
  • Weather-appropriate clothing

Know before you go

  • The tour takes place rain or shine

From $213 per person

Reserve now & pay later to book your spot and pay nothing today
Reserve now & pay later to book your spot and pay nothing today

Customer reviews

Overall rating

4.8 /5

based on 29 reviews

Review summary

  • Guide
    5/5
  • Transportation
    4.7/5
  • Value for money
    4.4/5

Customer photos

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L
Léa – FranceJanuary 13, 2025 – Verified booking
It was a very good tour with Rigo! I was actually the only person participating and it was great because I was able to ask all the questions that I wanted and Rigo gladly answered all of them. Being interested in birds but not knowing much about those found in Costa Rica, Rigo was very knowledgeable about all the species and had a great eye (despite the lack of binoculars 😉) to spot them from afar. Birding with him was like birding with a friend, and I loved hearing scientific facts about local trees, plants, mushrooms and other animals from a fellow biologist. If you are interested in birding, this tour will be great for you and you will likely see a lot of different species, especially during the boat tour on Tárcoles River. Plus the lunch at the beach front was delicious. Rigo is a very nice guy and a great conversationalist so you will not be bored during the drive from and to San José. I highly recommend this tour.
S
Sam – United KingdomSeptember 10, 2024 – Verified booking
This was one of best tours I took in my two weeks in Costa Rica. If you love animals and nature this is for you. The guide was a pro, and clearly loves his work. Well worth it!
K
Kathy – United StatesJune 7, 2024 – Verified booking
Excellent! Rigo was a knowledgeable guide. He knew the local fauna. We saw 4 mammals in the park including monkeys and deer. The leaf cutter ant discovery and conversation aided us on a subsequent tour on coffee plantation. On the river cruise and his ability to point the local birds and answer questions was phenomenal. The restaurant for lunch was excellent views and fare. We would recommend this company for all tours.

Product ID: 344696

Activity provider:Oropopo Experience
  • Costa Rica
  • San José Province
  • River Tarcoles

Top Attractions in San José Province

  • 1Hacienda Alsacia Starbucks Coffee Farm
  • 2Juan Santamaría International Airport
  • 3Costa Rica's National Stadium
  • 4National Theatre of Costa Rica
  • 5National Theater of Costa Rica
  • 6Copey Vinicola Tour de Vino - Golden Rush
  • 7San José Central Market
  • 8La Sabana Park
  • 9Pre-Columbian Gold Museum
  • 10National Museum of Costa Rica
  • 11Los Quetzales National Park
  • 12Los Quetzales National park
  • 13Jade Museum
  • 14Teatro Popular Melico Salazar
  • 15Supreme Court of Justice
  • 16Parque Nacional, San Jose
  • 17Plaza de La Cultura, San Jose
  • 18Museum of Costa Rican Art
  • 19Costa Rica Animal Rescue Center
  • 20San José Central Park

Experiences in San José Province

  • 1San José Province Walking tours
  • 2San José Province Nightlife & bars
  • 3San José Province Waterfall rappelling experiences
  • 4San José Province Air & helicopter tours
  • 5San José Province Waterfalls tours
  • 6San José Province Extreme sports & adrenaline
  • 7San José Province Day trips
  • 8San José Province Rainy-day activities
  • 9San José Province Airport transfers
  • 10San José Province Butterfly experiences
  • 11San José Province National parks
  • 12San José Province Nature & adventure
  • 13San José Province Zoos
  • 14San José Province Museums & exhibitions
  • 15San José Province River rafting
  • 16San José Province Landmarks & monuments
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  • 18San José Province Hiking

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  • River Tarcoles
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