Las Catalinas Hotels, Condos, and Houses - 7:00 am ($70 extra per booking, not per customer)
Description
Embark on a captivating 1 hour and 20-minute boat safari through Palo Verde National Park, where you'll encounter Costa Rica's rich wildlife, from crocodiles to monkeys. Following the safari, indulge in a hearty Costa Rican lunch to recharge, before diving into a fascinating presentation on Chorotega pottery, learning about its intricate designs and cultural significance. It's a day filled with adventure, culture, and delicious cuisine, offering a memorable glimpse into the wonders of Costa Rica.
Schedule & prices
Runs
Every day
Start times
7:00 AM
Next available
Thu, Oct 8
Adult (ages 12+)
$130
Child (ages 4–11)
$115
Infant (ages 0–3)
Free
Prices change with the date; the lowest is shown.
Larger groups pay less per person.
From the operator’s live schedule on Viator, checked Oct 7.
Tour Options
Shared Group Tour
Shared Transport & Guide
Pickup included
Private Transport/Guide &Boat
Private : Private Transportation, Boat and Guide
Pickup included
Itinerary
Palo Verde National Park
Admission included360 min
Hotel Pick up
You will be picked up from your hotel journey one hour through the back roads of Guanacaste’s Sabanero (Cowboy Country) Province to Palo Verde National Park.
2 Hour Boat Safari on Tempisque River
After a scenic guided drive, you will then hope into your boat and spend 2 hours on the Tempique River that borders the Palo Verde National Park, best known for its murky water and spectacular wetlands. Your naturalist guide will help to spot wildlife in the dry forest vegetation and mangroves. There are over 600 different species of birds, both local and migratory. Appropriately, this tour is a real treat for bird watchers, as you’ll have the chance of spotting a wide range of fowl that includes storks, egrets, spoonbills, grebes and more. Also be on the lookout for monkeys, iguanas, scarlet macaws, anteaters, crocodiles and caimans, which can often be seen lingering along the banks of the river.
Costa Rica Style Lunch
After your boat safari, you will be taken to eat a plentiful Costa Rican style meal called a Casado with rice, beans, salad, plantains, choice of meat, and more. Dietary restrictions can be accommodated.
Guaitil Pottery Village
Before heading back, we will visit the Guaitil Pottery village that is famous throughout Costa Rica and the rest of Central America for its pre-Columbian Chorotega style. They will show you how they make the pottery and there is an opportunity to buy some if you like!
Playa Conchal
Pass by
7:20 am
Tamarindo
Pass by
7:00 am
Playa Grande
Pass by
Playa Flamingo
Pass by
Pinilla
Pass by
6:30 am
Playas del Coco
Pass by
Playa Hermosa
Pass by
Playa Panama
Pass by
Culebra
Pass by
What's included
Included
Bilingual Tour Guide
Pick up/Drop off from Tamarindo, Langosta, Grande, Conchal, Flamingo
National Park fees
Lunch included
Hotel pick-up and drop off
Pick up/Drop off from Playas del Coco, Playa Hermosa, RIU Hotels, Playa Panama
Not included
Gratuities
Transport from Waldorf Astoria, Catalinas, Andaz, Four Seasons, Planet Hollywood
JW Marriott/Pinilla Pick Up Fee
Pickup Locations & Times
We pick up from the hotels, condos and private residences in the following areas:
Hacienda Pinilla/JW Marriott: 6:30 AM (extra fee)
Langosta/Tamarindo: 7:00 AM
Grande, Conchal, Brasilito, Flamingo, Potrero: 7:00 AM
Las Catalinas - 7:00 am (extra fee)
RIU Guanacaste & RIU Palace MAIN GATE, Not the lobby: 7:00 AM
Playas del Coco: 7:20 AM
Playa Hermosa & Playa Panama (Villas Sol, Condovac, Secrets Papagayo, Occidental Papagayo, Mangroove): 7:30 AM
Liberia Peri Supermarket: 7:00 AM
Waldorf, Andaz, Four Seasons, Planet Hollywood - 7:00 am (extra fee)
Pick up times above are an estimate. We will send you an official pick up time the day before the tour.
Traveller Ratings
Reviews collected by Viator and Tripadvisor
4.6
163 reviews
5
122
4
29
3
5
2
5
1
2
How it compares in Tamarindo
No. 27 by number of reviews among 505 tours in Tamarindo
Starting price $130 is close to the typical $136 for tours of similar length in Tamarindo
Excurgo comparison of 505 Viator tours, recalculated daily.
Important Information
Infants and small children can ride in a pram or stroller
Infants are required to sit on an adult’s lap
Specialized infant seats are available
Suitable for all physical fitness levels
Vegetarian option is available, please advise at time of booking if required
Child rate applies only when sharing with 2 paying adults
Children must be accompanied by an adult
2 person minimum - if you are a single traveler, contact us to see which dates are open
Cancellation
For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
1+ days before100% refund
0–1 days before0% refund
Frequently asked questions
How long does Palo Verde Boat Safari take?
Palo Verde Boat Safari lasts about 6 hours. The itinerary has 10 stops.
How much does Palo Verde Boat Safari cost?
Prices start at $130 per person for this Tamarindo experience, booked through Viator with the price shown before checkout. There are 2 booking options, so the final price depends on the option you choose.
What days does Palo Verde Boat Safari run?
According to the operator’s current schedule, it runs every day, starting at 7:00 AM.
How much does Palo Verde Boat Safari cost for children?
Children aged 4–11 pay from $115, adults from $130. Infants go free.
Can I cancel Palo Verde Boat Safari for free?
Yes. Cancel at least 1 day before the start for a full refund. Later cancellations are non-refundable.
Is hotel pickup included?
Yes, pickup is offered. We pick up from the hotels, condos and private residences in the following areas:
Hacienda Pinilla/JW Marriott: 6:30 AM (extra fee)
Langosta/Tamarindo: 7:00 AM
Grande, Conchal, Brasilito, Flamingo, Potrero: 7:00 AM
Las Catalinas - 7:00 am (extra fee)
RIU Guanacaste & RIU Palace MAIN GATE, Not the lobby: 7:00 AM
Playas del Coco: 7:20 AM
Playa Hermosa & Playa Panama (Villas Sol, Condovac, Secrets Papagayo, Occidental Papagayo, Mangroove): 7:30 AM
Liberia Peri Supermarket: 7:00 AM
Waldorf, Andaz, Four Seasons, Planet Hollywood - 7:00 am (extra fee)
Pick up times above are an estimate. We will send you an official pick up time the day before the tour. Pickup points include Hotel Paraje del Diria.
What languages is Palo Verde Boat Safari offered in?
The experience is available in EN, ES.
Is this a private or a group tour?
It is a small-group experience with a maximum of 15 participants.
Is the tour suitable for children?
Infants and small children can ride in a pram or stroller Infants are required to sit on an adult’s lap Specialized infant seats are available
Will my booking be confirmed immediately?
Yes, bookings are confirmed instantly.
Is Palo Verde Boat Safari worth it?
Travellers rate it 4.6 out of 5 across 163 reviews on Viator and Tripadvisor; it is run by Native's Way Costa Rica.
Reviews(163)
Reviews collected by Viator and Tripadvisor
M
Mitchel_S
August 31, 2026 · via Viator
PoloBerde nature trip
Everything was Good but disappointing part was a short trip on the boat that lasted maybe max 45 min. I personally would be willing to skip lunch and pottery to get a chance to have more time with nature .. after all this trip was about that.
Operator response
Thank you for taking the time to share your feedback. We’re glad to hear that overall you enjoyed the experience, but we’re sorry that the boat portion felt too short and did not provide as much time in nature as you had hoped.
We completely understand your perspective, especially since connecting with Costa Rica’s wildlife and natural surroundings is such an important part of the experience. Your suggestion about having the option to spend more time on the boat instead of the lunch or pottery portion is valuable feedback, and we will share it with our team as we continue reviewing and improving our tours.
Thank you again for choosing us, and we hope to have the pleasure of welcoming you back for another adventure in Costa Rica.
Pura Vida,
Native's Way
T
Tourist422446
August 30, 2026 · via Tripadvisor
Amazing private boat tour with monkeys and crocodiles
What an amazing experience! Filipe and Alberto were amazing guides who showed us monkeys and crocodiles as well as amazing beautiful birds! Well worth the money for a private boat tour. Also LUNCH WAS AMAZING!
Operator response
Thank you so much for your wonderful review! We’re thrilled to hear that you had such an amazing experience on your private boat tour.
We’ll be sure to share your kind words with Felipe and Alberto. We’re glad they were able to make the experience special while helping you spot the wildlife.
And we’re especially happy to hear that you enjoyed the lunch as well. It’s wonderful to know that you felt the experience was well worth it.
Thank you again for choosing us, and we hope to have the pleasure of welcoming you back for another adventure in Costa Rica.
Pura Vida,
Native's Way
N
Navigate701096
August 27, 2026 · via Tripadvisor
Fun and informative!
We were well taken care of from our pickup to our drop off. The guide was very knowledgeable and friendly as well as observative, pointing out different animals and sights that we didn't see. The boat driver knew exactly where the crocodiles and other animals were and pulled as close as possible for us to get a good photo. The driver was also helpful and friendly. All in all a great experience!
Operator response
Thank you so much for sharing your experience with us! We’re delighted to hear that you felt well taken care of from pickup to drop-off and that our guide, boat captain, and driver all contributed to making your experience enjoyable.
It’s wonderful to know that you appreciated the guide’s knowledge and attention to detail, as well as the boat captain’s ability to spot the wildlife. We’ll be sure to share your kind words with our team!
We truly appreciate your kind words and recommendation. We look forward to having the opportunity to share another memorable Costa Rican experience with you in the future.
Pura Vida!
Native’s Way
P
PSUEmily
July 26, 2026 · via Tripadvisor
Educational & Interesting Tour in Costa Rica!
I will be honest and say that I didn't go in to this tour expecting a lot. I had read mixed reviews. However, I found it to be exceptional. We had Frank as a driver and Kevin as a guide and they were both amazing. Kevin gave us so much helpful information about Costa Rica, and even stopped to buy us fruit at a stand when my MIL asked what it was! One caution: If you experience motion sickness, be sure to take your medicine and/or bring it along. The final road to the park is essentially a rocky riverbed and is really bumpy! They do provide lunch and it was fine. The pottery demonstration was fine too--I knew to expect it. It was an enjoyable way to spend the day and learn a lot. We also got to see crocodiles (babies and adults), monkeys (also babies and adults), lots of birds, bats and more.
Operator response
Thank you for sharing such an honest and detailed review! We’re especially happy to hear that the experience exceeded your expectations and turned into an exceptional day.
We’re delighted that Frank and Kevin helped make the tour so enjoyable. We’ll be sure to share your kind words with both of them, especially Kevin. It’s wonderful to hear that his knowledge about Costa Rica, along with the little extra stop, added to your experience.
It also sounds like you had some great wildlife encounters! We appreciate you sharing the helpful tip about the road conditions as well, as it gives future guests a better idea of what to expect.
Thank you for choosing to explore Costa Rica with us and for taking the time to share your experience. We hope to welcome you back for another adventure!
Pura Vida,
Native's Way
A
Amanda_B
June 20, 2026 · via Viator
The tour was really well....
The tour was really well. The boat captain did everything he could to see us the most wildlife possible and he allowed me to come up front to get pictures. Our guide was great with calling a local man to explain how the original tribe made pottery.
Operator response
Thank you for sharing your experience with us!
We are delighted to hear that you enjoyed your tour and had the opportunity to observe Costa Rica’s incredible wildlife. It is wonderful to know that our boat captain went above and beyond to help you have the best possible experience.
We are also glad that you appreciated the cultural aspect of the tour and the opportunity to learn about traditional pottery from a local community member. These authentic experiences are an important part of sharing the beauty and heritage of Costa Rica with our guests.
We truly appreciate your kind words and hope to welcome you back for more unforgettable adventures in the future.
Pura Vida!
Native's Way
P
Passport565043
April 28, 2026 · via Tripadvisor
Wildlife nature boat experience
The experience was fantastic. I highly recommend. We saw about 30 crocodiles, 15 monkeys and many different birds. The monkey almost jumped in our boat! My 2.5 year old loved it too! Defintely possible for all ages 0-100. No fitness levels needed. Bring your camera!
I
ID_Sun_Chaser
April 27, 2026 · via Tripadvisor
Ok Tour
Early start for the long drive to this location from our hotel. Driver was friendly and safe. Once arrived at the boat safari and loaded, our trip was somewhat chaos due to other tours getting on and off our boat after we had already left and done a portion of the tour on the river. We did see birds and monkeys and maybe that is why the boat driver only had us out for 45 minutes. We were expecting a longer boat ride of at least double that. Lunch was good. Very local food and cooked well. Return trip to hotel went as planned.
C
Canadian905
April 25, 2026 · via Tripadvisor
Palo Verde National Park River tour
Local company to Tamarindo. Kevin our tour guide and Alberto our driver were great, stopping to see some interesting spots off the beaten track. Very informative. Boat driver knew all the spots for birds and wildlife along the way. Very authentic lunch, cooked by lovely local women. We thoroughly enjoyed our day.
B
bengO849DT
February 21, 2026 · via Tripadvisor
A+ Experience with Natives Way for our Costa Rica vacation
Absolutely A+ experience. We booked 2 tours with them (a private sailing trip for a day and a day trip to Palo Verde National forest) as well as all of our Airport Transfers. All the tours were great, with really friendly staff and punctual drivers. The Palo Verde river cruise was particularly excellent, we saw tons of wild life and the whole family had a great time. They also were great at handling our changing itinerary with flights. Absolutely recommend them!
H
Holly_N
February 7, 2026 · via Viator
Great wildlife and plenty...
Great wildlife and plenty of birds and monkeys to see :) and the crocodiles and the lunch was very good! And Carlos was awesome! Very nice and had alot of good information and great guide :)
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