La Paz Waterfall Gardens & Sarapiqui River tour from San Jose

Five waterfalls, jaguars, and a two-hour river float through the Caribbean lowlands

This nine-hour tour from San Jose combines La Paz Waterfall Gardens (a private reserve with five waterfalls, cloud forest trails, and rescued jaguars, pumas, ocelots and over 100 animal species) with a two-hour safari-style float down the Sarapiqui River in the Caribbean lowlands. Hotel pickup and drop-off, a buffet lunch, a professional guide in English or Spanish, and skip-the-line entry to the gardens are included. You travel by air-conditioned minivan and ride in a modern, low-impact boat designed to minimize disturbance to wildlife.

Step-by-step itinerary

Stops and time at each

1. La Paz Waterfall Gardens4h · entry included
2. Sarapiqui River2h · entry included

Visit La Paz Gardens and Sarapiqui River

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

The experience

La Paz Waterfall Gardens sits in the cloud forest near San Jose and holds five waterfalls, multiple trails through rain forest and cloud forest, and a private animal sanctuary. The gardens house over 100 species of rescued wildlife: jaguars, pumas, ocelots, tigrillos, capuchin monkeys, spider monkeys, two-toed sloths, iguanas and crocodiles. You'll walk past a butterfly farm with its own laboratory, a hummingbird garden with 26 documented species where you can feed them by hand in the mornings and afternoons, a serpentarium, an aviary holding 40 bird species, and exhibits of frogs, orchids, heliconias and bromeliads. The reserve also keeps domestic animals and a working ox cart. Skip-the-line entry means you walk straight in without waiting at the gate.

After the gardens, you travel to the Caribbean lowlands to float the Sarapiqui River on a two-hour boat safari. The river crosses humid tropical forests, mountains and pastures, and the guides watch for monkeys, iguanas, sloths, crocodiles, lizards, otters and birds while explaining the ecology of the surrounding area. The boat is modern and comfortable, fitted with a special engine designed to reduce environmental impact. This is a relaxed float through quieter sections of the river, not a whitewater ride.

Hotel pickup and drop-off from San Jose bookend the day. You travel by air-conditioned minivan, and a professional guide who speaks English or Spanish leads both the gardens and the river portion. Lunch is a buffet, and vegetarian options are available if you request them at booking. The full day runs nine hours.

What’s included

• Hotel pickup and drop-off from San Jose.
• skip-the-line entry to La Paz Waterfall Gardens.
• access to all trails, waterfalls and animal exhibits.
• the two-hour Sarapiqui River boat float with a guide.
• a buffet lunch with vegetarian options available.
• transport by air-conditioned minivan.
• a professional guide speaking English or Spanish.
• all national park fees.

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 day involves steady walking through the gardens on multiple trails and a two-hour boat float, so it suits travelers comfortable with moderate activity and several hours on foot. The early morning pickup from San Jose means an early start, but the itinerary packs two distinct ecosystems and wildlife viewing into a single day without rushing either one.

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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 can I actually see at La Paz Waterfall Gardens?

The gardens hold over 100 animal species including jaguars, pumas, ocelots, capuchin and spider monkeys, two-toed sloths, iguanas, crocodiles, toucans and 40 bird species in the aviary. You can hand-feed hummingbirds in the mornings and afternoons and toucans in the palm of your hand.

How much walking is involved at La Paz Waterfall Gardens?

The gardens feature multiple trails through cloud forest and rain forest leading to the five waterfalls and animal exhibits. The operator notes the tour suits all physical fitness levels and is wheelchair accessible, with all areas and surfaces accessible.

What's included in the price?

Hotel pickup and drop-off from San Jose, transport by air-conditioned minivan, skip-the-line entry to La Paz Waterfall Gardens, the two-hour Sarapiqui River boat float, a professional guide in English or Spanish, a buffet lunch, and all national park fees are included.

What time does the tour start and end?

The full tour runs nine hours from San Jose. Hotel pickup is included, so the guide collects you from your accommodation in the morning. The exact pickup time depends on where you're staying in the city.