Wildlife Rescue Center Private Tour from San Jose

Meet rescued wildlife across 125 species in botanical gardens designed for animal care

A private tour of the Wildlife Rescue Center near San Jose with hotel pickup, naturalist guide and entrance fee included. The center rehabilitates Costa Rican wildlife that cannot return to the wild, housing birds, mammals and reptiles across naturally designed enclosures. Your visit supports the foundation's conservation work and habitat preservation.

Step-by-step itinerary

Private tour of wildlife rescue center

• Hotel pickup in San Jose
• Drive to Wildlife Rescue Center
• Explore botanical gardens
• Visit animal enclosures with guide
• Learn about rescued wildlife species
• Return to hotel

The experience

The Wildlife Rescue Center sits just outside San Jose and operates as a Costa Rican non-profit foundation with over 30 years of experience rehabilitating and caring for native wildlife. Unlike a typical zoo, every animal here has a rescue story: injured, orphaned or behaviorally unable to survive in the wild. You'll walk through botanical gardens with a naturalist guide who explains each species and the center's conservation mission, and your entrance fee goes directly to the animals' care and the foundation's habitat protection work.

The tour covers more than 125 species of birds, mammals and reptiles across large, naturally designed enclosures built to give the animals enrichment and quality of life. A professional naturalist picks you up from your hotel and handles all transportation, so you arrive without navigating on your own. Bottled water is provided throughout the five-hour visit, and the grounds are wheelchair accessible with paved surfaces throughout.

What’s included

• Private transportation from your hotel.
• Wildlife Rescue Center entrance fee.
• a professional naturalist guide.
• bottled water during the tour.

Before you book

Days and timesEvery dayDeparts at 08:00

Book up to18h before

AgesAdult (13 to 80 years) · Child (4 to 12 years) · Infant (under 4): free

GroupPrivate

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.It may be canceled due to bad weather. If that happens, you're offered another date or a refund.

Prices and times updated 2 days ago

Good to know

Easy physical levelWheelchair accessibleStroller friendlyInfant seats availableInfants must sit on laps

Operated by Greenway Nature Day Tours

Is this one for you?Book this private tour if you want a naturalist guide explaining each animal's story and the center's conservation work: the guide transforms a walk through the enclosures into an education about Costa Rican wildlife rescue and habitat protection.

Traveler reviews

5.00★★★★★★★★★★

2 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 (4 to 12 years); Infant (under 4): free.

What happens if it rains?

It may be canceled due to bad weather. If that happens, you're offered another date or a refund. Free cancellation up to 24 h before the start.

How many animals and species will I see at the Wildlife Rescue Center?

The center houses more than 125 species of birds, mammals and reptiles, each one rescued and unable to return to the wild due to injury, health issues or behavioral reasons.

What does my entrance fee support?

Your admission directly funds the center's wildlife rehabilitation programs, habitat preservation and lifetime care for animals that cannot be released into their natural environment.

What's included in the five-hour tour?

Hotel pickup and return transportation, Wildlife Rescue Center entrance, a private naturalist guide in English or Spanish, and bottled water throughout the visit.