Sarapiqui River safari float: 2-hour wildlife paddle tour

Two hours floating past sloths, howler monkeys and great green macaws

A two-hour guided float down the lower Sarapiqui River from La Fortuna, where a bilingual nature guide steers the raft and points out wildlife including monkeys, sloths, river otters, tropical birds and insects. The tour includes pickup, lunch at the Red Eye Frog Restaurant, snacks and all equipment. Children from age 6 are welcome, and the smooth water makes it suitable for families and anyone wanting an easy pace.

Step-by-step itinerary

Jungle Safari Float on Sarapiqui River

• Start at Red Eye Frog restaurant
• Float down Sarapiqui River
• Observe wildlife with guide
• Optional swim in river
• Return to Red Eye Frog restaurant
• Enjoy traditional Casado lunch

The experience

The day starts with pickup from your La Fortuna hotel and a drive to the Red Eye Frog Restaurant in El Roble de Sarapiqui, where your bilingual guide meets you at the water. You'll spend two hours paddling down the quiet, lower section of the Sarapiqui River. The guide handles steering while you sit back and watch. The river runs through the Mesoamerican Biological Corridor, a stretch where sloths, howler monkeys, black river otters and iguanas move through the trees and along the banks. Your guide points out what's moving in the canopy and the water, naming the species as they appear.

The bird life here is what draws repeat visitors: ospreys, boat-billed herons, kingfishers, parrots and the great green macaw, which is on the endangered species list. Because the water is calm and the raft moves slowly, you'll have time to spot them without rushing. If you want to cool off, you can step out of the raft into the river during the float. The whole pace is built around seeing things, not covering distance.

When you reach Jacare at the end of the paddle, you head back to the Red Eye Frog Restaurant for a traditional Costa Rican lunch (a casado with rice, beans, plantains and protein), plus gourmet Costa Rican coffee. The full outing runs about six hours from pickup to return, with the paddle itself taking two of those.

What’s included

• Pickup from your La Fortuna hotel in an air-conditioned vehicle.
• helmet, life jacket, raft and paddle.
• snacks during the float.
• a traditional Costa Rican casado lunch with gourmet coffee at the Red Eye Frog Restaurant.
• bilingual nature guide who steers the raft and points out wildlife.

Before you book

Days and timesEvery dayDepartures at 08:30 and 12:00

Book up to3h before

AgesAdult (13 to 64 years) · Senior (65 to 85 years) · Child (6 to 12 years) · Under 6: can't be booked

GroupUp to 30

Live guideEnglish and Spanish

Meeting point and pickupHotel pickup included.You can choose from 45 pickup points.

Cancellation and refundsFree cancellation up to 24 h before the start. After that, no refund.It may be canceled due to bad weather or if the minimum number of travelers isn't reached. If that happens, you're offered another date or a refund.

Prices and times updated 5 days ago

Good to know

Low physical effortNot recommended during pregnancyNot recommended with back problems

Operated by Desafio Adventure Company

Is this one for you?Choose this float if you want to see wildlife without paddling yourself or managing a raft. The guide handles both, leaving you free to watch the river and the canopy. It's built for families with children from age 6 and anyone who wants a relaxed morning on the water.

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Top questions

What languages is the tour guided in?

Live guide in English and Spanish.

Can children come?

Yes. Ticket types: Child (6 to 12 years). Children under 6 can't be included in the booking.

What happens if it rains?

It may be canceled due to bad weather. If that happens, you're offered another date or a refund. Free cancellation up to 24 h before the start.

What kind of wildlife will I actually see on the Sarapiqui River float?

The Sarapiqui River runs through the Mesoamerican Biological Corridor, where sloths, howler monkeys, black river otters, iguanas and a wide range of tropical birds (including ospreys, boat-billed herons, kingfishers, parrots and the endangered great green macaw) move through the trees and along the banks. Your guide points them out as you float.

Do I need paddling experience or fitness for this tour?

No. The guide steers and paddles the raft while you sit and watch the wildlife. The water is smooth and the pace is easy, making it suitable for all fitness levels, including children from age 6.

What's included in the price?

The tour includes pickup from your hotel, all paddling equipment (helmet, life jacket, raft and paddle), snacks during the float, a traditional Costa Rican lunch at the Red Eye Frog Restaurant, and a bilingual nature guide.

How long is the whole experience?

The full outing is about six hours from hotel pickup to return, with the paddle itself lasting two hours on the river.