The 12 Best Wildlife Safaris in Costa Rica

1.Corcovado and Drake Bay 2-Day Small-Group Safari Guided Tour

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 102 reviews · 2 days (approx.) · from $460Our pick

Travel from Drake Bay to Sirena Ranger Station with a maximum of eight people, then spend two days tracking wildlife through Corcovado National Park. Guides such as Jorge, Erick, Brayner, Andre, and Richie have led trips here. Expect early starts, simple open-air bunk beds, fresh meals, wet boat landings, and serious jungle walking.

“Such a great experience! We thought 1 night (2 days) was a great amount of time! The ranger station we stayed at was a lot cleaner than we were originally expecting and our guide, Jorge, was amazing! He was so passionate about wildlife and it was contagious! The boat ride to the park was really bumpy so if you’re one to get motion sick, make sure to take meds beforehand. We do wish we had gotten a packing list sooner than the day before our trip so here are some things I would recommend packing. Keep in mind, everything you bring should be able to go in your backpack since…”

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2.Full Day Tour with Safari Float, Waterfall and Volcano Hike

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 89 reviews · 9 hours 30 minutes (approx.) · from $210

Start near La Fortuna with a calm safari float on the Peñas Blancas River, where guides such as Tony, Pepe, or Isaac may point out sloths, monkeys, iguanas, and toucans. Swim at La Fortuna Waterfall, eat a home-cooked Costa Rican lunch at a family ranch, then walk old lava trails near Arenal Volcano. Hotel transport, park fees, snacks, and lunch are included.

“Learned how to howl at the monkeys ! Had a nature loving guide who showed us the habitat of many local animals.”

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3.Wildlife Safari Float by Kayak in Peñas Blancas River from Arenal

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 79 reviews · 4 hours (approx.) · from $88

Spend about four hours kayaking the Peñas Blancas River with a naturalist guide such as Christopher, Beto, or David. Watch for monkeys, crocodiles, sloths, toucans, bats, and iguanas, then visit La Cocina de Tita Yolanda for coffee, cacao, sugar cane, and a typical snack.

“The guides were knowledgeable about the animals in the area and kept an eye out for us to stop and take pictures. They were cautious about keeping us safe and they were very fun and kept us laughing. This was one of the highlights of our trip!”

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4.Ebano Waterfalls and Rainforest Safari Tour

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 70 reviews · 4 hours (approx.) · from $85

Follow César or Juan Carlos through Hacienda Ébano’s rainforest reserve near Quepos on a 1.6-kilometer trail past five streams, two bridges, wildlife, and a double waterfall. Swim in two pools, learn about Costa Rica’s plants and animals, and ask about the possible lunch served beside the falls.

“Cesar was very knowledgeable and patient. He was funny and humble. I will definitely recommend this breathe taking experience!”

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5.Pure Nature Safari River Float

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 58 reviews · 4 hours (approx.) · from $101

Float quietly along the Frio River near La Fortuna with a naturalist captain, watching for monkeys, sloths, caimans, turtles, iguanas, and birds. Guides such as Cesar and Nelson have led trips, adding facts about wildlife, farming, and local life. Hotel pickup is provided, and the river trip ends with homemade food at a Costa Rican family farm.

“The trip down the river is incredibly peaceful; just your raft and nature. It’s a nice break from the more crowded trails and sites in Fortuna. On our trip, we saw howler monkeys, sloths, caimans, iguanas, and many birds. A nice lunch at the termination point.”

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6.Half-Day Tour with Safari Float and La Fortuna Waterfall

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 51 reviews · 7 hours (approx.) · from $170

Start with a gentle wildlife float on the Peñas Blancas River, then visit La Fortuna Waterfall and swim beneath its mountain-fed cascade. Guides such as Pepe, Isaac, Carlos, and Marco are known for spotting sloths, monkeys, birds, and reptiles. A family ranch lunch, snacks, equipment, park fees, and La Fortuna-area hotel transfers are included.

“What an amazing day. Our guides were Andres and Tom. Absolutely perfect day. Wonderful experience. Just can't say enough about our day. The guides were knowledgeable a d very respectful. So many exotic animals. We had snacks and nice late lunch right on the company's property. The owner was so pleasant they had a sloth 🦥 on the property and was so cool. Taught us about chocolate that is really a fruit. We felt like family in their presence and just at home. The waterfall was well worth all the steps, the river tour was relaxing and exciting all at the same time. If you are in the LA Fortuna…”

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7.Sloths in the Rain Forest and Safari by the River

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 51 reviews · 5 to 6 hours (approx.) · from $165

Travel from Liberia with a private guide such as Marlene, float the Corobici River with a wildlife guide, enjoy a traditional Costa Rican lunch, then walk a private rainforest reserve near Bijagua de Upala for sloths, frogs, snakes, toucans, and more. The tour runs about 5 to 6 hours from Liberia, though distant hotel pickups can make the day much longer.

“Had a great experience. Drive a little long but worth it. Marlene very knowledgeable and told us a lot about the area, economy and wildlife in the area. We got to see a baby sloth! It was amazing! Highly recommend!”

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8.PRIVATE Palo Verde Boat Safari: Wildlife + Lunch Included

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 46 reviews · 6 hours (approx.) · from $190

From Tamarindo, you’ll spend about six hours exploring Palo Verde National Park with your own group, a local guide, and a two-hour riverboat safari. Guides such as Eugene, Eliel, and Eduardo focus on crocodiles, monkeys, iguanas, and birds. Lunch at a family-run home or restaurant is included, along with park fees and hotel pickup.

“I would highly recommend this tour! Our guide Eugene was fantastic and so knowledgeable. He made sure we had close up views of monkeys, crocodiles, and many birds. Lunch was also delicious. Thank you Eugene for such a great tour!!!”

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9.Guanacaste Rainforest Safari with Meal

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 40 reviews · 6 hours (approx.) · from $190

Start at 9:00 am near Coco and visit Llanos del Cortés waterfall before a short tropical-forest walk. Look for white-faced and howler monkeys, toucans, sloths, colorful frogs, butterflies, and birds. A traditional Costa Rican meal finishes the six-hour outing. Manny may guide your group.

“manny was our guide and he was awesome and super chill never felt like we were being rushed and he had so much knowledge about costa rica.”

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10.Special Private Waterfalls and Jungle Safari Tour

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 40 reviews · 4 to 5 hours (approx.) · from $120

Join Carolina and Cesar at Hacienda Ébano for a private 4 to 5 hour outing through rainforest trails, waterfall pools, and mountain views. You’ll cross two bridges, look for frogs, birds, and monkeys, swim at Ebano and Jade waterfalls, ride to the Big Mango Lookout, and finish with a Costa Rican lunch wrapped in banana leaves.

“Cesar knew the hills and paths like a pro! It was such a wonderful and educational trip. We were so impressed by the waterfalls and the hike itself. Having lunch home cooked at the end of the trip was a nice treat, too! So delicious!!”

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11.4×4 Jungle Safari to Waterfall & Delicious Rainforest Lunch

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 34 reviews · 4 hours 30 minutes (approx.) · from $99

Take a bilingual 4x4 ride from Jacó into the Agujitas mountains and Carara National Park. Stop at Catarata Bijagual for photos and a swim, then eat a traditional meal at Paz del Campo Restaurant. Guides such as Juan, Mike, Jordan, and Wilmer are known for safe driving and lively nature stops.

“The staff is incredible, informative and fro Friendly. Really enjoyed the waterfall, the “rope jump” was fun. The view at lunch was wonderful as was the food. I could have done with 15/20 minutes at the “Jaco Sign”, deducted from the Fall time. A little more openness on the “commute” to and fro.”

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12.Peñas Blancas River: Wildlife Safari Experience by Raft

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 34 reviews · 4 hours (approx.) · from $84Best value

Join Calypso Adventures for a gentle wildlife safari on the Peñas Blancas River near La Fortuna. A certified guide leads you by raft or double kayak past forest banks where you may spot howler and capuchin monkeys, sloths, caimans, iguanas, and many birds. Transport, safety gear, water, pineapple, and insurance are included.

“Amazing experience by Calypso Tours- owned and operated by a woman, Bethshive, who went above and beyond to make our experience special and memorable. you were able to see a lot of animals on the river, including a sloth!! We had a great time and highly recommend other families to take this tour!”

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