Tamarindo

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Tamarindo Estuary Boat Safari

Name: Tamarindo Estuary Boat Safari
Brand: Native's Way Costa Rica
SKU: 17279P30
Price: 49 USD
Rating: 4.5 (387 reviews)

Recommended by 90% of travelersBadge of ExcellenceTamarindo, Costa Rica

From $49.00

Select Date and Travelers

up to 24 hours before the experience starts (local time)

2 hours (approx.)
Pickup offered
Mobile ticket
Offered in: English

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Overview

Just outside the crowded beaches of Tamarindo, Las Baulas National Park offers an often-overlooked natural getaway. This tour takes you through the park’s vast network of mangrove forests on a relaxing boat trip. As you float down the river, your guide points out wildlife like howler monkeys, crocodiles, and tropical birds that you might not see on your own.

Mangrove tour in Las Baulas National Park from Tamarindo
Escape the crowds without having to travel far from Tamarindo
Get the chance to see the rich diversity of the mangrove forest with a guide
Shade-covered boat is a cool and comfortable way to spend a day

What's Included

Hotel pickup and drop-off in Tamarindo/Langosta area
National Park fees
Bottled water
Local guide

Gratuities
Transportation from Playa Brasilito, Flamingo, Potrero, Las Catalinas
Transportation from JW Marriott/Hacienda Pinilla
Transportation from RIU Hotels/Playas del Coco/Hermosa/Panama

Meeting and Pickup

You can head directly to your preferred meeting point, or request pickup.

Pickup points

Select a pickup point

Pickup details

We include transportation from hotels, condos and private residences in the following areas: - Langosta - Be ready 30 MINUTES before the start time of the tour - Tamarindo - Be ready 20 MINUTES before the start time of the tour Pick up times above are an estimate. Please be ready outside 5 minutes before your scheduled pick up time, but it can take up to 10 minutes longer depending on the day's pick up schedule and traffic. If you need transportation from another location, contact us for more information.

Meeting points

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End point

This activity ends back at the meeting point.

What To Expect

Immerse yourself in nature on this boat safari through the mangroves of Las Baulas National Park. Escape the crowds with a small group tour and see wildlife you might miss on your own.

Your day starts with pickup from your Tamarindo or Langosta area hotel or accommodations and convenient transfer to Tamarindo Estuary. Board the shaded boat for an approximately 2-hour boat tour through the mangrove forests.

During the boat safari, your guide will point out wildlife such as crocodiles, howler monkeys, and tropical birds, while providing more insights on the flora and fauna of the area. Stay refreshed and cool under the shade and with the provided bottled water. The tour ends back in Tamarindo.

Las Baulas National Marine Park

10 minutes • Admission Ticket Free

Playa Langosta (Pass By)

Tamarindo (Pass By)

Tamarindo Beach (Pass By)

Additional Info

Confirmation will be received at time of booking
Not wheelchair accessible
Please wear comfortable clothes, sunscreen, insect repellent

Infants must sit on laps
Most travelers can participate
This tour/activity will have a maximum of 15 travelers

Operated by Native's Way Costa Rica

Cancellation Policy

You can cancel up to 24 hours in advance of the experience for a full refund.

Traveler Photos

Featured review

LILLIAN_M

Ivan, the guide was very knowledgeable. He was patient, friendly and answered all questions. He carefully, and skillfully guided the boat up the river, while stopping to allow pictures and give information about the wildlife. I felt safe. There was cool water and fresh pineapple for everyone who wanted. We had the chance to leave the boat take pictures of the howler monkeys. He made sure to tell everyone to put on bug spray. He even provided for those who didn't have. I would highly recommend this tour. The company kept in touch via email with reminders and time change due to tide conditions. Hotel pick up was ontime. Suggestions to anyone going. Wear tights. It protects you from the bugs when you leave the boat. Use sunscreen and bring bug spray and wet wipes, and definitely wear footwear that can get wet. Relax and and enjoy the tour.

Reviews

4.5

387 reviews

Total review count and overall rating based on Viator and Tripadvisor reviews

Reviews by Viator travelers.

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Showing 1-10 of 387 reviews

Fun time

Kerry_W, Dec 2024

Really enjoyed the trip with Iban today. We saw crocs, howler monkeys, and lots of birds. He was helpful with getting everyone in the group to spot things and shared good natural history info.

Fun for the all ages.

Caleb_C, Nov 2024

Great activity for all ages, we were able to see crocodiles, birds if all sorts, and mangrove raccoon. The deeper into the mangrove you get the better the experience. It's a slow paced activity which is great to change things up from all our hikes.

We had a wonderful tour!...

Kris_W, Oct 2024

We had a wonderful tour! We saw crocodiles, howler monkeys and a variety of birds. Our guide Ivan was knowledgeable and happy to educate us about this beautiful place. He was adamant we see a big crocodile and he delivered! I would highly recommend.

Fun, relaxing tour.

Shaun_E, Oct 2024

We saw numerous crocodiles! The boat ride was very slow paced, but interesting. The further back into the estuary we went the more beautiful the surroundings. We went on a hike looking for monkeys. We did not find monkeys but we found a lot of mosquitos! Bring bug spray!

Nice ride on the River.

VA_D, Oct 2024

Nice relaxing boat ride. We saw birds, crocs, crabs and trees. Our guide was very informative. It was nice they picked us up at our condo.

Good Time

Steven_C, Sep 2024

Saw lots of flora and fauna. Water and fresh pineapple. Ivan was van driver, boat captain and narrator. Good sense of humor. Even got off boat to see some monkeys.

Amazing

Cortnie_L, Sep 2024

Loved this experience! Ivan was a great guide and taught us so much about the estuary. We were able to see different kinds of birds and get up close and personal with a crocodile. 10/10

CR in September tour

Sandra_N, Sep 2024

Ivan is extremely knowledgeable about the estuary ecosystem and loves to share his knowledge. We saw many different fowl, monkeys and 1 crocodile. It was a peaceful boat ride.

Chill tour

MARIAREGINATRICIA_D, Sep 2024

The guide was informative, and we were able to see a bunch of animals during the tour. The meeting place was easy to spot as well.

What a great way to celebrate my dad's birthday!!

Krystle_D, Aug 2024

The boat ride with our tour guide/captain. He was so friendly, funny and knowledgeable. Took his time and explained what we can expect and helped us to see a lot of animals! The best part was when he howled at the howler monkey and we got to hear it howl back at us!

Great early morning activity

Abe_S, Aug 2024

We saw so many animals! The guide was great at spotting and naming the different native species, and we got some great pics

Beautiful tour!

Sandra_V, Aug 2024

This was such a peaceful and beautiful excursion. Definitely recommend! We saw a few crocodiles and monkeys in the rainforest area. Ithe tour guide was great!

Mangrove boat tour with wildlife

Benedikt_H, Jul 2024

You‘ll see lots of mangroves but also crocodiles, monkeys and maybe raccoons. Friendly boat driver, enthusiastic guide. Use a lot of insect repellent!!

Mellow and fun for the family

Julie_O, Jul 2024

This was a fun, mellow tour. Ivan told us about the history of the reserve and the flora and fauna we encountered. We see some crocodiles, various birds, and some monkeys. A nice family experience for a chill day.

Very relaxing and informative

Samantha_L, Jul 2024

The tour was great! Ivan took his time and made sure to turn back when we had passed a crocodile. Very relaxing and informational.

Sticky in the swamp

Chris_K, Jul 2024

Guide was ok…better than others I saw out in the water but repeated himself. Lucky to see howlers🤣👍

Money and time well spent.

LILLIAN_M, Jul 2024

Great Adventure

lori_B, Jul 2024

The guides were no nice and taught us so much about the river and Tamarindo. So fun. Would go again.

If you want a relaxing cruise with minimal expectations to see wildlife than this is the excursion for you

Mark_M, Jul 2024

Boat driver was very friendly Boat itself was fine Main feedback is that we really did not see any wildlife with the exception of monkeys which required getting off the boat. That part was not a problem and in fact the highlight of the trip. Otherwise we really did not see much

Response from Host, Jul 2024

Hello Mark! We hope you understand that no matter the time of the tour, we cannot control the number of animals due to the fact that it is pure nature. We do see animals at all times of the day and every day is going to be different. Pura vida!

“Sus”

Susan_S, Jun 2024

Be cautious. Even though I have a screen shot of the advertisement showing our resort as a pickup location, they wanted to charge me two hundred fifty dollars for transportation. They would not give us any portion back of our prepaid cost even though they made us aware of the additional fee at the twenty four hour deadline. I would recommend waiting to book any excursions from the resort you are staying.

Response from Host, Jul 2024

This is completely false. Susan booked this tour on April 5th at 4:25pm and we sent her a quote from her hotel in Papagayo to Tamarindo on the same day at 5:43pm. She did not get back to us until the day before on June 26th, almost 3 months later. In the Pick up details we explain the following before booking: We include transportation from hotels, condos and private residences in the following areas: - Langosta - Be ready 30 MINUTES before the start time of the tour - Tamarindo - Be ready 20 MINUTES before the start time of the tour. Pick up times above are an estimate. If you need transportation from another location, contact us for more information.

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