What wildlife can I expect to see during the Carara National Park tour?

The tour offers excellent chances to spot vibrant scarlet macaws, giant crocodiles at the Tárcoles River Bridge, white-faced monkeys, sloths, peccaries, trogons, toucans, iguanas, basilisks, and potentially frogs or snakes.

What is included in the Carara National Park Rainforest Hike tour?

The tour includes round-trip transportation from your local hotel, a professional bilingual naturalist guide, the park entrance fee, and a delicious lunch.

How long does the Carara National Park tour last?

The full-day tour is expected to last around 9 hours, including round-trip transfers, if departing from Manuel Antonio. The duration will be shorter for pickups from Jaco or Esterrillos.

Carara National Park Rainforest Hike With a Naturalist Guide

Manuel Antonio ・ Herradura ・ Jaco

From

$159

Per Person

Overall

91%

13 Guest

Ratings

Good to Know

Embark on a full-day guided rainforest hike through Carara National Park, a premier Costa Rican birdwatching destination renowned for its vibrant scarlet macaws. This immersive tour offers exceptional opportunities to witness these magnificent birds and observe giant crocodiles at the Tárcoles River Bridge. Explore a vital transitional forest teeming with diverse wildlife, including monkeys, sloths, and various bird species, all while accompanied by a professional bilingual naturalist guide. The experience includes round-trip transportation, park entrance, and a delicious lunch.

Looking for the best chance to see beautiful Scarlett Macaws and giant crocodiles? If so, look no further as the Carara National Park tour provides your best odds of seeing both.

The tour starts when you are picked up from your local hotel. If you are staying in Manuel Antonio, the drive will take about 1.5 hours to reach the park. If you are staying Jaco or Esterrillos, the drive will take less time. The drive from Manuel Antonio will take you along the scenic Central Pacific coastline. You will pass through local villages between the mountains and coast. There will be African palm plantations, cattle ranches, rice fields and more.

When you arrive at Carara, your naturalist guide will lead the hike through the trails. Different trails are used at different times of the year based on rainfall. You can expect fairly groomed trails, but there will be some inclines and declines. Some trails are more strenuous than others, so please inform your guide of any physical limitations. You should also be aware that there are usually muddy conditions.

Carara National Park is a primary nesting area for the beautiful and boisterous Scarlett Macaws. Sighting these colorful over-sized parrots is a primary goal. While we cannot guaranty anything with nature, the odds are good that you will see one or more of these gorgeous and graceful birds.

Many other species of birds, mammals, reptiles and amphibians call Carara home. You will have a good chance of spotting white faced monkeys, sloths, and peccaries. Trogons, toucans and many other species of birds are all common. You will likely see iguanas, basilisks and possibly frogs or snakes. This truly is an amazing place to observe wildlife!

Following the hike you will be driven to the Rio Tarcoles Bridge to observe giant crocodiles. At times, there can be scores of these enormous carnivores right below you!

After the tour you will be returned to your hotel. If you are staying in Manuel Antonio the tour is expected to last around 9 hours including round trip transfers. The tour takes less time from Jaco or Esterrillos. Of course times may vary due to the nature of the tour. This enlightening tour includes transfers, park entrance, bilingual guide, and lunch.

Highlights

Nature hike through Carara National Park
Stop at the Rio Tarcoles Bridge to see giant crocodiles

What to Bring

Insect repellent, binoculars, camera, sturdy shoes, sun block, and rain gear.

Includes

Transportation, bilingual guide, entrance fee, and lunch.

Location and Availability

Available in: Manuel Antonio, Herradura, Jaco

Tour Times

07:00

Tour Type

Nature
Birding
Wildlife Hike

Location

Lattitude: N 9° 46' 16.74" (9.771318)
Longitude: W 84° 33' 22.59" (-84.556274)

Recent Reviews

Overall

91%

Expectations

89%

Experience

90%

Guides

95%

Logistics

94%

Value

92%

5/20/2025

Saw many more animals, insects at this interesting park. Gerardo went out of his way after we left the park to find scarlet macaws. Stopped by a bridge over a river on the return in order to see crocodiles. Very cool.

2/26/2022

Again a long drive for seeing very little wildlife.

12/30/2015

The guide did a great job trying to show us various birds and animals. She was very patient and tried to customize the tour to our needs.

Frequently Asked Questions

What wildlife can I expect to see during the Carara National Park tour?: The tour offers excellent chances to spot vibrant scarlet macaws, giant crocodiles at the Tárcoles River Bridge, white-faced monkeys, sloths, peccaries, trogons, toucans, iguanas, basilisks, and potentially frogs or snakes.
What is included in the Carara National Park Rainforest Hike tour?: The tour includes round-trip transportation from your local hotel, a professional bilingual naturalist guide, the park entrance fee, and a delicious lunch.
How long does the Carara National Park tour last?: The full-day tour is expected to last around 9 hours, including round-trip transfers, if departing from Manuel Antonio. The duration will be shorter for pickups from Jaco or Esterrillos.