Palo Verde National Park river safari: wildlife and lunch

Crocodiles close enough to photograph, cooked on wood stoves instead of gas

A half-day river boat safari through Palo Verde National Park in Costa Rica where you navigate the River Tempisque spotting white-faced monkeys, howler monkeys, spider monkeys, iguanas over one meter long, crocodiles, roseate spoonbills, storks, hawks and macaws. The tour includes a typical lunch prepared on wood stoves, a demonstration of Chorotega handicraft, coffee tasting, and free time in Coco Beach Town. A live guide speaks English, Spanish or French.

Step-by-step itinerary

Palo Verde National Park River Safari and Cultural Tour

• Navigate River Tempisque in boat
• Observe wildlife in Palo Verde Park
• Eat typical Costa Rican lunch
• Watch handicraft chorotega demonstration
• Enjoy coffee tasting
• Free time at Coco Beach town

The Experience

The boat leaves the River Tempisque inside Palo Verde National Park, a protected wetland in Guanacaste Province where wildlife moves through the water and trees without barriers. Over two hours on the river you watch for white-faced monkeys, howler monkeys and spider monkeys in the canopy, iguanas stretching over one meter along the banks, and crocodiles close enough to photograph. The birds include roseate spoonbills, storks, hawks, jaribus, parrots, macaws and tiger herons — the guide knows where they nest and feed, and the boat pace lets you linger when something moves.

After the boat ride, lunch happens at a local kitchen where the women cook on wood stoves, not gas or electric heat. You taste the authentic flavor of Costa Rican food prepared that way, then watch a demonstration of Chorotega handicraft — the artisans show how they keep the style of the Indians Chorotegas alive, working clay by hand. Coffee tasting rounds out the afternoon before the tour moves to Coco Beach Town, where you have free time to walk the local markets or explore on your own.

What’s included

• Lunch cooked on wood stoves.
• a two-hour river boat ride through Palo Verde National Park.
• a live guide in English, Spanish or French.
• a demonstration of Chorotega handicraft.
• coffee tasting.
• free time in Coco Beach Town.

Good to know

Easy physical levelWheelchair accessibleAccessible transportStroller friendlyInfant seats available

Operated by Alex On The Beach Tours

Is this one for you?Book this if you want a guided boat tour through protected wetlands where wildlife viewing and a traditional lunch are bundled together, rather than booking activities separately.

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Top questions

What wildlife will I actually see on the River Tempisque boat ride?

The River Tempisque in Palo Verde National Park is home to white-faced monkeys, howler monkeys, spider monkeys, iguanas over one meter long, crocodiles, roseate spoonbills, storks, hawks, jaribus, parrots, macaws and tiger herons. The two-hour boat ride gives you time to spot them in the water and trees, and crocodiles stay close enough to photograph.

Is lunch included, and what kind of food do they serve?

Lunch is included and cooked on wood stoves by local women, so you taste the authentic flavor of typical Costa Rican food. A vegetarian option is available if you let the operator know at the time of booking.

How long is this tour, and what happens after the boat ride?

The tour runs six to seven hours total. After the two-hour boat ride, you eat lunch, watch a demonstration of Chorotega handicraft and artisans working clay by hand, enjoy coffee tasting, then have free time to shop or explore Coco Beach Town.

What language does the guide speak?

The guide is live and speaks English, Spanish or French, so you can choose the language that works for you.

Is this tour wheelchair accessible?

Yes, all areas and surfaces are wheelchair accessible, and transportation options are wheelchair accessible. Specialized infant seats are available if you are traveling with small children.