Caño Negro Wildlife Refuge Boat Tour along Rio Frio
Take a nice drive from La Fortuna through the Costa Rican countryside to one of the most-remote and ecologically-sacred parts of Costa Rica called Caño Negro along the Rio Frio! The Caño Negro Wildlife Refuge encompasses an area of about 10,000 hectares near the border with Nicaragua. The wildlife in this area is truly spectacular, especially the birds! This is one of the best place for birding in Costa Rica. It's one of the few places in Costa Rica where you can catch a glimpse of the exotic Jabiru Stork, the tallest flying bird found in Central and South America. You may see wood storks, cormorants, and other varieties of birds -- this is a must-do tour for avid birdwatchers! Plus, everyone loves to spot sloths, howler monkeys, and caimans (like mini-crocodiles) that inhabit this lush area.
The travel time from La Fortuna to the Caño Negro area is about 1.5 hours where you will board the boat with your nature guide at the Los Chiles dock. It is a comfortable ride with a covered top on the boat that provides shade, but it is important to bring a hat and sunscreen -- of course you will also want to bring your camera and binoculars! We will travel by boat along the edge of the Caño Negro Wildlife refuge on Rio Frio for about 2 hours and return to the same dock. Along the way, you'll get a chance to get a photo op at one of the entry points to Costa Rica's neighboring country to the North: Nicaragua.
We will then stop along the way to stretch our legs and climb ashore to enjoy a delicious picnic riverside in the shade of the trees that align this picturesque river.
We'll return to the boat and continue back to the Los Chiles dock.
You then get back into the van to head back to La Fortuna. This is sure to be an unforgettable trip with memories and great photos to share with everyone!
Your passport or a copy of your passport and Costa Rica entrance stamp is required for the tour.
Due to border control restrictions, it is MANDATORY that all tourists participating in the Caño Negro or One Day Nicaragua tour carry with them their original passport or a copy of their passport with a copy of the entrance stamp they received in immigration upon entering Costa Rica. Under NO circumstances will any other type of identification -- such as state ID, driver's license, etc. -- be accepted.
The Caño Negro Wildlife Refuge Boat Tour is a perfect activity for families and birdwatchers. We can also arrange hotel accommodations and fishing expeditions in the Los Chiles and Caño Negro area near the Nicaragua Boarder.
Have a look at our Adventure Waiver if you have questions about our Costa Rica adventure tour policies.
For reasons beyond our control (climate, river levels, etc.), we may change to a more-suitable tour with an equal or similar adventure-appeal or offer other tour options so you don't miss out on a fun day in Costa Rica. We reserve the right to cancel a trip due to unfavorable conditions & will only run a tour according to our policies. Full refund is given if (on rare occasion) no tour is run. This adventure involves some inherent risk and physical exertion, so you must be in good physical condition!
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