Boating in Caño Negro Wildlife Refuge, Arenal/La Fortuna
Explore Caño Negro Wildlife Refuge, a biodiverse reserve in far-northern Costa Rica, from the waters of the Río Frio
Overview
Spot rare birds, sloths, monkeys, crocodiles, and more on a boat tour around the Caño Negro Wildlife Refuge. Located in the far north of the country, nearly a two-hour drive from La Fortuna, this ecologically diverse refuge is home to abundant wildlife. After a drive through the Costa Rican countryside, you'll board a covered boat and cruise down the Río Frio. You can expect to see avian varieties, including spoonbills, jabiru storks, ibises, northern jacanas, ducks, and egrets. You'll also see other wildlife, including caimans, three species of monkeys, and turtles. Be sure to keep an eye out for sloths hanging from the treetops during a stop for lunch on the riverbanks.
Highlights
- Enjoy a boat ride down the Río Frio river in the Caño Negro Wildlife Refuge
- Spot storks, ibises, and other rare birds along the journey
- Have a picnic lunch on the riverside while looking for sloths lounging in the treetops
- Look for monkeys and caimans in their natural habitat
Know before you go
8 hours
2 years old & up
Small group
Lunch Included. In addition to lunch, a small snack is included
What you'll do
You'll board a covered boat with your nature guide at the dock and begin your journey along the Rio Frio. Along the trip, you might catch a glimpse of the jabiru stork, the tallest flying bird found in Central and South America, as well as wood storks, cormorants, and many other varieties of birds. Keep your eyes open for howler monkeys and sloths in the trees along the river. Caimans — a smaller cousin of the crocodile — are also easy to spot on the riverbanks.
Your guide will point out an entry point to Nicaragua, Costa Rica's northern neighbor. Then you'll be invited to disembark, stretch your legs, and enjoy a picnic lunch on the riverside. Don't forget to look up — you might see sloths in the trees overhead! Get back on the boat to finish the return journey to the Los Chiles dock, where the two-hour boat trip ends. You'll transfer back to La Fortuna to complete the adventure.
Start times
-
Daily7:30 am
What's included
- Transport
- Guide
- Snack
- Lunch
- Covered boat
- Professional nature guide
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