Jungle Crocodile Safari in Costa Rica

Are you planning on visiting Costa Rica on your vacation? If you are you should definitely plan to visit one of the most unique tourist attractions that Costa Rica has to offer. Jungle Crocodile Safari, located only 2 hours from San Jose, has tours that are safe for the whole family yet very exciting as you view one of the world’s largest crocodile populations in addition to over fifty different kinds of birds for the avid bird watcher. Read on for more information on the multiple activities and sites to see in this remarkable jungle through a well known river.

Check out our other day trips from San Jose.

About the Tour

The Jungle Crocodile Safari was created in 1993 by veterinarian doctor Mario Fernando Orjuela Castro who specialized in raising crocodiles. Castro wanted to share the biodiversity of the area and to educate visitors to conservation issues as well as provide a beautiful backdrop for vacations.

Some of the facts of this long running company are main offices in San José and Tárcoles, fifteen thousand square meter lot on the edge of the river, irrigated landscape and flower gardens, souvenir shop with a large selection of gifts and collectibles, bathroom facilities, 1 hall for events with a 200 person capacity, one hundred square meter kiosk by the river edge, 40 foot catamaran boat for 60 people, 40 foot catamaran pontoon type boat for 46 people, 30 foot catamaran pontoon type boat for 36 people, 40 foot boat for 46 people, 20 foot boat for 20 people, four boat landings with additional boarding facilities for those that are handicapped.

What to Expect

All of the boats are safe proof, completely insured, have appropriate on board radio systems, life jackets and fire extinguishers. All boats have a microphone and speaker system so everyone on board can easily hear the tour guide. A specially designed boat for handicapped is also available.

You will begin your adventure on the Tarcoles River which is home to a very rare scarlet macaw, iguanas and Jesus Cristo lizards in addition to the crocodiles, which some are up to 15 feet long. There are 3 other rivers besides the Tarcoles River that empty into the Nicoya Peninsula, where the crocodiles live. Tarcoles River is located in the Central region of Costa Rica and close to the Carara National Park.

The Carara National Park has over 50 species of coastal birds, native and migratory as well. The previously mentioned rare Scarlet Macaw lives in the mangroves, which the tour travels through. It is entirely possible that you will catch sight of the American Pygmy Kingfisher, Mangrove Warbler, the vireo and the Panama Flycatcher, just to name a few.

Tips for the Tour

Tours begin at 7 am and will include a hike through the forest where you can view white faced monkeys frolicking in the trees and then lunch on the bank of the Tarcoles river. The boat ride will take approximately 2 hours after which you will return somewhere around 6 pm in the evening. An afternoon snack will also be offered.

Transportation is also available for pickup anywhere in San Jose. You will want to allow 24 hours advance notice with reservations since they are very popular but the tours run 365 days a week. Shuttle services are available from Puntarenas which is one hour, Caldera and Jaco which are 30 minutes each, Esterillos and Playa Hermosa which are both 40 minutes each, and Los Suenos Marriot Hotel which is only twenty minutes.

Be sure to wear light clothing, sunglasses, comfortable walking shoes and cap with plenty of bottled water handy in order to combat the heat and stay safe. Although it is not necessary, you may also want to wear some sort of bug repellent as you will be in a rain forest. It is highly recommended and encouraged to bring cameras, video cameras and binoculars. You will have some fantastic pictures to show everyone when you get home.

The Jungle Crocodile Safari can also customize tours for large parties as well as private tours. With so many options available and the low cost of a fantastic day, your next step is to contact them either through their website or give them a call and get your vacation activities planned. You certainly don’t want to leave Costa Rica without visiting this unique experience in the jungles of the rain forest!