La Paz Waterfall Gardens & Sarapiqui River Day Trip

Five waterfalls and a river safari in one day from San Jose

A full-day tour from San Jose combines La Paz Waterfall Gardens (a private reserve with five waterfalls, rescued jaguars, pumas, ocelots and over 100 animal species) with a two-hour Sarapiqui River safari where you float past monkeys, sloths, crocodiles and birds. Hotel pickup at 7 am, bilingual guide, air-conditioned transport, buffet lunch and all entry fees are included. The tour runs ten hours and returns you to your hotel by evening.

Step-by-step itinerary

Stops and time at each

1. La Paz Waterfall Gardens4h · entry included
2. Sarapiqui River3h · entry included

Visit La Paz Gardens and Sarapiqui River

• Travel from San Jose to La Paz Gardens
• Explore waterfalls and wildlife sanctuary
• Walk trails and visit aviary
• Feed toucans and hummingbirds
• See jaguars, monkeys, and sloths
• Travel to Sarapiqui River
• Take a relaxed boat safari on river
• Observe wildlife along the riverbanks
• Return to San Jose

The experience

La Paz Waterfall Gardens sits about an hour north of San Jose and functions as both a nature reserve and a wildlife sanctuary. The reserve holds five waterfalls, cloud forest and rain forest trails, and over 100 rescued animal species. You walk through gardens where you can feed toucans and hummingbirds by hand, see jaguars, pumas, ocelots and tigrillos in secure habitats, watch 2-toed sloths move through the canopy, and visit a butterfly farm with its own laboratory. An aviary holds 40 bird species. A serpentarium, frog display, orchid garden and hummingbird garden round out the exhibits. The trails are designed to educate visitors about the animals and the ecosystems they depend on.

After the gardens, the tour moves to the Sarapiqui River in the Caribbean lowlands for a two-hour boat safari. The river crosses humid tropical forest, mountains and pastures, and the boat (modern and fitted with an engine designed to minimize environmental impact) floats through both rapid sections and calm stretches. Your guide watches for monkeys, iguanas, sloths, crocodiles, lizards, otters and bird species along the banks and in the water, and explains the ecological role of the river and its surroundings. The pace is relaxed, built for spotting wildlife rather than adrenaline.

The day starts with hotel pickup at 7 am from San Jose hotels. Transport is by air-conditioned minivan with a bilingual guide who speaks English and Spanish. Buffet lunch, bottled water, a rain coat, and all park entrance fees are included. You return to your hotel by late afternoon or early evening after ten hours out. Bring comfortable walking shoes, light clothing and a camera. The park's main trails to the waterfalls are not wheelchair accessible, though other areas are.

What’s included

• Hotel pickup and drop-off from San Jose.
• air-conditioned minivan transport.
• professional bilingual guide in English and Spanish.
• buffet lunch.
• bottled water and rain coat.
• entrance fees to La Paz Waterfall Gardens and the Sarapiqui River.
• two-hour guided river safari by boat.

Before you book

Days and timesEvery dayDeparts at 07:00

Book up to12h before

AgesAdult (11 to 65 years) · Senior (66 to 90 years) · Child (3 to 10 years) · Infant (under 3)

GroupUp to 30

Live guideEnglish and Spanish

Meeting point and pickupHotel pickup included.

Cancellation and refundsFree cancellation up to 24 h before the start. After that, no refund.

Prices and times updated today

Good to know

Easy physical levelWheelchair accessibleAccessible transportStroller friendlyInfant seats availablePets welcomePublic transport nearbyInfants must sit on laps

Operated by Destiny Travel Costa Rica

Is this one for you?The ten-hour commitment means you leave San Jose early and return by evening, which works for a full day dedicated to wildlife and waterfalls but rules out combining this with other major attractions in the Central Valley the same day.

Traveler reviews

5.00★★★★★★★★★★

13 verified traveler reviews

Read all the reviews ›

Top questions

What languages is the guide in?

Live guide in English and Spanish.

Can children come?

Yes. Ticket types: Child (3 to 10 years); Infant (under 3).

What animals will I actually see at La Paz Waterfall Gardens?

La Paz holds rescued jaguars, pumas, ocelots, tigrillos and other big cats in secure habitats, plus 2-toed sloths, capuchin and spider monkeys, iguanas, crocodiles, and over 100 species total. You can hand-feed toucans and hummingbirds in designated areas, and visit a butterfly farm with its laboratory and a serpentarium.

How much time do I spend on the Sarapiqui River?

The river safari lasts two hours and takes place in a comfortable modern boat. It's a relaxed float designed for wildlife spotting rather than rapids, though the river does have both calm and faster sections.

What's included in the tour price?

Hotel pickup and drop-off from San Jose, air-conditioned transport, a bilingual guide, buffet lunch, bottled water, a rain coat, and all entrance fees to both La Paz Waterfall Gardens and the Sarapiqui River boat ride are included.

How early does the tour start and when will I be back?

Pickup from San Jose hotels begins at 7 am. The full tour runs ten hours, so you return to your hotel by late afternoon or early evening.

Can I feed the animals at La Paz?

Yes. You can hand-feed toucans and hummingbirds in the palm of your hand in designated areas of the gardens during morning and afternoon sessions.