Tempisque River boat safari: Monkeys, crocodiles, birds

Spot monkeys, crocodiles and scarlet macaws from a motorized boat on the Tempisque River

A morning or afternoon motorized boat tour of the Tempisque River toward Palo Verde, departing from Playa Hermosa and nearby Guanacaste beach hotels, with a live guide in English or Spanish. The river is a year-round home to white-faced and howler monkeys, three monkey species, crocodiles, herons, egrets, kingfishers and scarlet macaws. Ground transportation from your hotel is included. The morning tour adds a typical lunch with fresh fruit beverage. The tour runs about six hours total, including the drive and the couple of hours on the water.

Step-by-step itinerary

Tempisque River wildlife boat safari

• Pickup from Guanacaste hotel
• Drive 1.5 hours to river
• Boat tour on Tempisque River
• Observe monkeys, crocodiles, birds
• Take photos of wildlife
• Enjoy typical lunch (AM tour only)
• Return to hotel

The experience

The boat leaves after a ninety-minute drive from your hotel through melon and papaya fields grown for export. Once on the river, you spend a couple of hours looking for wildlife and taking photos. The Tempisque and Palo Verde system is a migratory sanctuary, so the birds and monkeys are there year-round: white-faced and howler monkeys, crocodiles nesting in the banks, herons, egrets, kingfishers and scarlet macaws. A live guide in English or Spanish narrates what you're seeing.

The morning tour includes a typical Costa Rican lunch with natural fruit beverage after you return from the water. If you book the afternoon departure, you skip lunch and head straight back to your hotel. Either way, the tour is suitable for all fitness levels and for families with children, though infants must sit on an adult's lap. The crew reserves the right to cancel if weather doesn't permit, in which case you get a refund or an alternate tour depending on what's available.

Pickup happens from hotels across the northern Guanacaste coast: Playa Hermosa, Playas del Coco, Playa Ocotal, RIU, Playa Conchal, Playa Flamingo, Portrero, Playa Tamarindo, Playa Grande and Playa Langosta. Be ready in your hotel lobby fifteen minutes before the reconfirmed departure time. Drivers won't wait and the tour cost is forfeited if you're not there.

What’s included

• Round-trip ground transportation from your Guanacaste beach hotel.
• motorized boat tour down the Tempisque River toward Palo Verde.
• live guide in English or Spanish.
• and on the morning departure, a typical Costa Rican lunch with natural fruit beverage.

Before you book

Days and timesEvery day

AgesAdult (12 and older) · Child (3 to 11 years) · Infant (under 3): free

GroupUp to 24

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 3 days ago

Operated by Bill Beard Costa Rica

Is this one for you?The guide speaks English or Spanish, so choose the language that fits your comfort level. The morning tour works best if you want lunch included. The afternoon departure suits travelers who prefer to eat on their own schedule or have other plans later in the day.

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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 11 years); Infant (under 3): free.

What monkeys and birds will I actually see on the Tempisque River?

White-faced and howler monkeys live on the river year-round, along with three monkey species total. The birds include herons, egrets, kingfishers and scarlet macaws. Crocodiles nest in the banks and are visible from the boat. The Palo Verde area is a migratory sanctuary, so the wildlife is there throughout the year.

Does the afternoon tour include lunch?

The morning tour includes a typical Costa Rican lunch with natural fruit beverage after the boat ride. The afternoon tour does not include lunch. You return to your hotel after the river portion.

How long is the drive from my hotel to the river?

The drive from your Guanacaste beach hotel to the Tempisque River takes about ninety minutes. You'll pass through melon and papaya fields along the way. The couple of hours on the boat itself is separate from that drive time.

Which hotels have pickup included?

Pickup is included from Playa Hermosa, Playas del Coco, Playa Ocotal, RIU, Playa Conchal, Playa Flamingo, Portrero, Playa Tamarindo, Playa Grande and Playa Langosta. If your hotel is outside this list, ask about transportation options at checkout.