River boat safari · Costa Rica
Tarcoles
The Tárcoles river — giant American crocodiles and a wealth of waterbirds, from a boat.
Getting there
~1.5 hr from San José, beside Carara on the central Pacific
Best for
American crocodiles, river boat safari, roseate spoonbills, shorebirds, scarlet macaws
The land
A tidal river and mangroves on the central Pacific coast
Good to know
The Tárcoles is famous for its large American crocodiles and superb birdlife
What it is
The Tárcoles river boat safari delivers giant American crocodiles and a wealth of waterbirds — a perfect pairing with Carara's macaws.
The tidal Tárcoles river and its mangroves are best explored by boat: large American crocodiles bask on the banks, while roseate spoonbills, herons, boat-billed herons and shorebirds crowd the shallows, and scarlet macaws fly overhead from neighbouring Carara.
The reason to come
Crocodiles and waterbirds
The Tárcoles boat safari combines big crocodiles with rich birdlife.
American crocodiles
Large crocodiles along the riverbanks, from the boat.
Waterbirds
Roseate spoonbills, herons and shorebirds in the shallows.
Mangrove birding
Boat-billed herons and mangrove species along the channels.
Worth knowing
Giants on the river
The Tárcoles' big American crocodiles, seen from the boat, are a thrilling counterpoint to the birds.
When to come — honestly
A year-round river safari.
December – April
Best
The dry season — easy boat conditions and concentrated birds.
May – November
Good
The green season — high water and abundant birdlife.
Year-round
Good
Crocodiles and waterbirds are present all year.
Usually a half-day boat safari, often combined with Carara; it is hot on the open river.
Context
The Pacific river
The Tárcoles boat safari adds crocodiles and waterbirds beside Carara's macaws.
The two are almost always visited together.
We run the Tárcoles boat safari alongside Carara, sharing a base between them.
Beyond the obvious
More to Tarcoles.
Crocodile boat safari
Giant crocodiles on the banks.
Spoonbills & herons
Waterbirds in the shallows.
Mangrove channels
Boat-billed herons and shorebirds.
Why Wild Voyager
We pack the wildlife in.
Costa Rica's habitats sit close together but each needs the right base and guide. We sequence them so you see the most — quetzals, macaws, tapirs — with no wasted miles.
Handpicked lodges
We choose the lodge and guides that fit your goals, not whatever is left.
We time it right
We build your visit around the season and the wildlife that delivers.
Where to stay
Where you’ll stay in Tarcoles
Classic Collection
Wildlife you may see
Plan your Tarcoles trip.
Cruise the river for crocodiles and waterbirds. Tell us your dates and we will build the route around it.
Plan a Tarcoles trip