Jungle Crocodile Safari
Parks & Wildlife · Jacó & Herradura · Nature tours
A relaxed boat ride on the Tarcoles River, home to one of Costa Rica's largest crocodile populations, out through the mangroves to the river mouth. Reviewers rave about huge crocodiles at close range, scarlet macaws and waterbirds, and guides who know the river well, with no feeding of the animals.
- Start times
- 08:30, 10:30, 13:30, 15:30
- Days
- Daily
- Takes
- 1.5 h
- Best time
- morning
- Booking
- Book ahead
- Ratings
- 4.7 on Google (840) · 4.6 on Tripadvisor (503)
Highlights
- Large American crocodiles seen from a covered boat at close range
- Mangroves and river mouth rich in birds, including macaws, herons and raptors
- Bilingual guides praised as knowledgeable and funny; colour species handouts
- Easy add-ons: Carara National Park, zipline, tram, ATV or horseback combos
Tips
- Check the tide: fewer crocodiles show at high tide
- Early departures can be quieter, with small groups
- Bring binoculars and a camera with zoom for the birds
- Allow extra time for traffic around the Tarcoles bridge
- Combine with Carara National Park nearby for a half-day of wildlife
- Low tide = more crocs
- Bring a zoom lens
- Prices + 13% tax
Good to know
- Wildlife sightings are not guaranteed
- Tour ends at a large gift shop; buying is optional and prices are high
- Prices on the operator site are listed before 13% tax
- Feeding wild crocodiles is illegal in Costa Rica; this operator says it follows that law
Prices (as published)
| Jungle Crocodile Safari (1.5 hrs) — per adult + 13% tax · kids $35 + tax | $40 USD |
| Birdwatching & Photography Tour (2 hrs) — per adult + 13% tax · kids $55 + tax | $65 USD |
| Jungle Crocodile Tour + Owl observation — per adult + 13% tax · kids $70 + tax | $90 USD |
| Pack 6: Jungle Crocodile + Carara National Park — per adult + 13% tax · kids $79 + tax | $99 USD |
| Pack 1: Jungle Crocodile + Aerial Tram — per adult + 13% tax · kids $99 + tax · 6 h | $125 USD |
| Pack 2: Jungle Crocodile + Zipline — per adult + 13% tax · kids $110 + tax · 5 h | $120 USD |
Contact & directions
- Website: https://junglecrocodilesafari.com/
- Phone: +506 8385-6591
- WhatsApp: https://wa.me/50689935348
- Location: 9.7599833, -84.6264602 — Google Maps · Waze
Secret spots nearby
- Playa TárcolesBeach · Free · hidden gemThe beach of Tárcoles village, a short drive from the crocodile bridge and the river mouth.
- Crocodile Statue, TárcolesLandmark · FreeA crocodile sculpture by the coastal highway at the fishing village of Tárcoles — a fun photo stop that goes with the real crocs under the Tárcoles bridge a few minutes north.
- Playa PógeresBeach · Free · hidden gemA low-key beach between Tárcoles and Punta Leona, popular with Costa Rican families but rarely crowded, with local seafood spots nearby.
- Playa Azul & Tárcoles River MouthNature spot · Free · hidden gemWhere the Tárcoles River pours into the Gulf of Nicoya: a wide estuary beach with flocks of gulls, pelicans and frigatebirds, fishing boats, and at dusk, pairs of scarlet macaws flying out to roost in the mangroves.
- Carara National ParkTrail · about $11A transition forest where Costa Rica's dry north meets the humid south, famous for wild scarlet macaws plus trogons, monkeys and agoutis.
- Playa BochincheBeach · Free · hidden gemA small, almost empty beach just north of Playa Agujas, on the quiet stretch between Punta Leona and Tárcoles.
Sources: https://junglecrocodilesafari.com/ · https://junglecrocodilesafari.com/ · 0014_jaco.sql · intel-C.json · traveler reviews checked 2026-10-10