Crocodile Safari & Carara National Park
Private Tour from San Jose

Book a private Crocodile Safari and Carara National Park tour from San Jose. Combine an exciting wildlife boat cruise with a guided nature hike in one of Costa Rica’s most biodiverse national parks. Cruise the famous Tárcoles River to see giant wild crocodiles, then explore the dense trails of Carara National Park, home to the country’s largest population of wild Scarlet Macaws. Private round-trip transportation, expert naturalist guides, all national park fees, and a traditional lunch are fully included.

Tour Description: Wild Rivers & Rainforest Trails

Your private full-day nature excursion begins with a convenient morning pickup directly from your hotel in San Jose. Traveling in a comfortable, modern, air-conditioned vehicle, you will enjoy a scenic drive as you descend toward the Central Pacific lowlands.

Morning: Guided Hike at Carara National Park

Our first stop is Carara National Park, a unique ecological sanctuary located in a transitional zone between the dry forests of the North Pacific and the humid rainforests of the South Pacific.

Led by your certified bilingual naturalist guide, you will embark on an easy, educational hike along the park’s well-maintained flat trails. Carara is world-renowned among birdwatchers and nature lovers as a primary nesting ground for the iconic Scarlet Macaw (Ara macao). As you walk beneath giant ancient trees, your guide will help you spot and photograph these brilliant red birds, along with toucans, trogons, howler monkeys, white-faced capuchins, poison dart frogs, and iguanas.

Midday: Thrilling Tárcoles Crocodile Boat Safari

After your national park hike, we head to the nearby Tárcoles River pier. You will board a safe, covered motorized boat for a 1.5-hour safari cruise along the river and through surrounding mangrove ecosystems.

The Tárcoles River boasts one of the highest concentrations of American crocodiles in the world. Using high-powered optical gear, your guide will point out massive wild crocodiles—some measuring up to 4 to 5 meters (15 feet) or more in length—swimming near the boat or sunbathing along the muddy banks.

To complete your wild day in nature, this private combo tour includes a delicious Traditional Costa Rican Lunch at a top-rated local restaurant before your comfortable private drive back to San Jose.

What’s Included in This Private Tour

• Private pick-up and drop-off directly at your hotel in San Jose, Alajuela, or Heredia.

• Private transportation in a modern, fully insured vehicle or minibus with A/C.

• Professional, ICT-certified bilingual naturalist tour guide.

• Official admission tickets and guided trail hike at Carara National Park.

• Official admission tickets and private 1.5-hour Safari Boat Tour on the Tárcoles River.

• Use of safety life jackets onboard the boat.

• Delicious, complete traditional Costa Rican lunch.

• Complimentary bottle of water.

Tour Plan & Detailed Itinerary

• 07:00 AM – Hotel Pick-Up: Meet your private guide at your hotel in San Jose and begin the scenic drive toward the Pacific coast.

• 08:30 AM – Carara National Park Guided Hike: Enjoy a 2-hour guided wildlife walk along the flat rainforest trails.

• 11:00 AM – Tárcoles Crocodile Boat Tour: Board your safari boat for an exciting 1.5-hour wildlife cruise along the river.

• 01:00 PM – Traditional Local Lunch: Refuel with a delicious, authentic meal at a local restaurant.

• 02:30 PM – Return Journey: Board your private vehicle for a comfortable drive back to the Central Valley.

• 04:00 PM – Hotel Drop-Off: Safe arrival back at your hotel in San Jose.

Prices and Group Discounts

• 1 Passenger: $350

• 2 – 3 Passengers: $275 per person

• 4 – 6 Passengers: $250 per person

• 7 – 9 Passengers: $225 per person

• 10+ Passengers: $200 per person

• Children Rate (Ages 5-12): $200 per child

Traveling with a photography club, a family group, or an educational travel group? [Contact us directly] for custom private rates.

Essential Tour Information

• Duration: 9 Hours total (Full-Day Tour from San Jose).

• Departure Location: Your hotel in San Jose, Alajuela (SJO Airport area), or Heredia.

• Minimum: 2 Passengers required.

• Physical Level: Easy / Low effort (Flat trails and accessible boat, making it ideal for multi-generational families and senior travelers).

• What to Bring: Comfortable walking shoes or sneakers, lightweight clothing, rain jacket or poncho, insect repellent, sunblock, a cap or sun hat, sunglasses, and a camera with a good zoom lens.

• Emergency Contact: Reach our team instantly via WhatsApp text message at +506-8530-2973.

Why Book With Greenway Nature Tours?

• Certified Tour Operator by the Costa Rica Tourism Board (ICT) since 2003.

• Certified with Essential Costa Rica since July 2024.

• Proud member of the National Tour Association (NTA) in the United States.

• TripAdvisor Travellers’ Choice Award Winner.

Click this link Private Tours from San Jose for check all our great private VIP Tours. For Multiday Vacation Packages please visit: Costa Rica Vacation Packages

Greenway Nature Tours is a certified tour operator founded in 1999
Certified by the Costa Rica Tourism Board since December 2003
Certified with Essential Costa Rica since July 2024
Member of National Tour Association in the United States.
Travellers’ Choice Award Winner by TripAdvisor Click on the link for check what people say about our tours and services.
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