Jaco Highlights Tour: Carara Forest, River Cruise & Lunch

Rainforest canopy, river wildlife and a beachfront meal in one morning

A full-day guided tour of Jaco combines rainforest sightseeing in Carara, a river cruise for bird and crocodile watching, and lunch at beachfront Vista Mar restaurant. You'll drive through the forest to a hilltop terrace with ocean views, then cruise the river before returning to town and marina sights. The tour runs eight hours with an English-speaking guide, air-conditioned transport, and hotel pickup included.

Step-by-step itinerary

Explore Jaco highlights and nature

• Tour Carara rainforest area
• Enjoy river cruise bird watching
• Have lunch at beach front restaurant
• Visit town and countryside sights
• Relax at beach and Los Suenos marina

The experience

Your first stop is Carara rainforest, where you'll drive through the forest canopy and stop at a hilltop terrace that opens onto ocean views from above the trees. The route takes you through habitat where monkeys and macaws live. The guide points them out as you move. You won't hike inside the national park itself: the tour stays on the driving route and the scenic overlook, so the pace suits all fitness levels.

After the forest, you board a river cruise to watch birds and spot crocodiles in their habitat. The boat moves slowly enough for photos, and binoculars help catch the smaller species. Lunch follows at Vista Mar, a beachfront restaurant where you eat with views of the water. The afternoon includes driving through Jaco's town and countryside, then a stop at Los Suenos marina before heading back.

The vehicle is air-conditioned and carries bottled water and WiFi on board. Your guide speaks English throughout the day. Hotel pickup is included, so you don't arrange transport to the meeting point. Children from age three are welcome, and infant seats are available if you're traveling with a baby.

What’s included

• Air-conditioned vehicle.
• bottled water and WiFi on board.
• river cruise boat fees and photo equipment.
• lunch at Vista Mar restaurant.
• English-speaking guide.
• hotel pickup.

Before you book

Days and timesTuesday, Thursday and Friday

AgesAdult (12 to 60 years) · Senior (61 and older) · Child (3 to 11 years) · Under 3: can't be booked

GroupUp to 60

Live guideEnglish

Meeting point and pickupHotel pickup included.You can choose from 39 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 today

Good to know

Low physical effortInfant seats available

Operated by Odyssey Day Tours

Is this one for you?Book this if you want rainforest, river, and coast in one day: the loop combines driving through wildlife habitat with a boat section, plus lunch at a beachfront restaurant.

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Top questions

Can children come?

Yes. Ticket types: Child (3 to 11 years). Children under 3 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 wildlife will I actually see on the Carara part of the tour?

Monkeys and macaws are common in Carara rainforest, and the guide stops at spots where they're likely to appear. The river cruise afterward is where you'll see crocodiles and a wider range of birds, since the waterway is their habitat.

Is there hiking involved in this Jaco tour?

No hiking inside Carara National Park is part of this tour. You drive through the forest and stop at a hilltop terrace for the ocean view, then return to the vehicle. The pace is set for all fitness levels.

How much time do I spend on the river cruise?

The river cruise is one segment of the eight-hour day, though the exact duration isn't specified separately. It's long enough for bird watching and crocodile spotting with time for photos.

Does the tour include lunch, or do I pay separately at the restaurant?

Lunch at Vista Mar beachfront restaurant is included in the tour price. You eat there as part of the itinerary before the afternoon town and marina stops.

What time does the tour start and end?

The tour runs eight hours total. Your hotel pickup is included, so the guide will collect you from your accommodation. The exact start time depends on where you're staying in Jaco.