Puntarenas Zipline & River Boat Tour: 10 cables and crocodiles

Ten cables through the canopy, then a river full of crocodiles

A Puntarenas shore excursion combining a canopy zipline tour with 10 cables and a 60-minute wildlife boat tour on Tarcoles River, departing from the cruise pier with professional guide and air-conditioned transport. The zipline descent covers 3.5 kilometers across 12 platforms, including the longest cable in the area at 2,400 feet. The boat tour follows wildlife habitat where American crocodiles, scarlet macaws, howler monkeys and over 320 bird species live. Children from age 6 can join with an adult. Moderate fitness is required.

Step-by-step itinerary

Zipline, boat tour, and skyway visit

• Pickup from the pier
• Drive through Costa Rican countryside
• Ride tractor to mountain top
• Safety briefing for zipline
• Zipline descent on 12 platforms
• Drive to Tarcoles River
• 60-minute eco boat tour
• Visit The Crocs Skyway platform
• Enjoy refreshments and souvenir shopping
• Return to ship

The experience

Puntarenas zipline tours usually mean a shuttle to some inland park and back. This one starts at the cruise pier with a private drive through Costa Rican countryside in an air-conditioned vehicle, so you're already in the landscape before the harness goes on. A tractor carries you up the mountain in 15 minutes, and guides walk through the safety setup step-by-step before you clip in.

The descent is 10 cables strung across 12 platforms, covering 3.5 kilometers total. The longest single cable runs 2,400 feet: long enough that the ground disappears and the canopy becomes the whole view. You control the speed on each line. Guides are positioned at the platforms to help you land and move to the next one. The whole zipline section takes the morning, and by the time you're back at the bottom, the adrenaline has worn off enough to notice how quiet the forest is.

After a short drive, the Tarcoles River boat tour picks up where the canopy left off. A 60-minute ride with a naturalist guide moves slowly through the marshes and channels where American crocodiles sun themselves on the banks, scarlet macaws call from the trees, and howler monkeys sound like something between a chainsaw and a roar. The river is a known habitat for over 320 bird species, so binoculars are worth bringing. Before heading back to the ship, you stop at The Crocs Skyway, a new riverside platform where you can grab iced coffee, browse local crafts, or sample chocolate while the wildlife moves past below.

What’s included

• Pickup and return transport from the cruise pier in air-conditioned vehicle.
• professional guide in English or Spanish.
• tractor ride to the zipline platform.
• 10-cable canopy tour covering 3.5 kilometers.
• 60-minute Tarcoles River boat tour with naturalist guide.
• access to The Crocs Skyway platform with refreshments and souvenir gallery.
• bottled water throughout the day.

Before you book

Days and timesEvery dayDeparts at 08:00

AgesAdult (13 to 75 years) · Child (6 to 12 years) · Under 6: can't be included in the booking

Meeting point and pickupHotel pickup is optional; you can also go straight to the meeting point. Ends back at the starting point.You can choose from 4 pickup points.Operator's directions: “Puntarenas or Caldera Cruise Pier. Main Gate Entrance”

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

Prices and times updated 10 days ago

Good to know

Moderate physical levelNot for pregnant travelersNot for heart conditionsNot for back problems

Operated by Greenway Nature Day Tours

Is this one for you?Book this if you want both zipline and river wildlife viewing in one excursion timed to your cruise departure, with private transport from the pier included.

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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 (6 to 12 years). Under 6: they can't be included in the booking.

How long does the whole Puntarenas zipline and boat tour take?

The tour runs 6 hours total, including pickup from the cruise pier, the tractor ride up the mountain, the 10-cable zipline descent, the drive to Tarcoles River, the 60-minute boat tour, and the stop at The Crocs Skyway before returning to the ship.

What wildlife will I see on the Tarcoles River boat tour?

Tarcoles River is home to American crocodiles, scarlet macaws, howler monkeys, white-faced capuchin monkeys, and over 320 bird species including herons, egrets, kingfishers and rare species like the Agami Heron and Jabiru. The river's marshes and channels are the habitat where these animals live year-round.

What's included in the Puntarenas shore excursion price?

The tour includes pickup and return transport from the cruise pier in an air-conditioned vehicle, the tractor ride to the zipline platform, the 10-cable canopy tour, the 60-minute Tarcoles River boat tour with naturalist guide, bottled water, and access to The Crocs Skyway platform. A professional guide in English or Spanish leads the entire experience.

Do I need to arrange my own transport from the cruise ship?

No, pickup from the pier is included, so you meet the guide at the ship and travel together in an air-conditioned vehicle to Vista Los Sueños Adventure Park and then to Tarcoles River. Return transport to the ship is also included.

What should I bring or wear for the zipline and boat tour?

Wear comfortable clothes you don't mind getting wet on the boat, closed-toe shoes with good grip, and bring sunscreen and a hat. The park provides lockers, showers and changing rooms, so you can secure belongings and rinse off before returning to the ship. Binoculars are useful for spotting birds and monkeys on the river.