Crocodile Tours near Jacó Beach: The Tárcoles River Safari

Already coming to snorkel the clear cove at Playa Mantas with us? Add another unforgettable wildlife half-day while you're here: a crocodile tour on the Río Tárcoles, just a short drive north of Jacó Beach. The Tárcoles is home to some of the largest wild American crocodiles in Costa Rica — and you get to see them up close from a boat.

Crocodile Tours near Jacó Beach are $55 per person.

Each tour is a 1.5-hour boat safari, leaving from the Tárcoles Beach area a short drive north of Jacó.

Crocodile Tours near Jacó Beach — a large wild American crocodile basking on the bank of the Tárcoles River, Costa Rica — A wild American crocodile on the Tárcoles River, just north of Jacó Beach.

What a Tárcoles River crocodile tour is like

Most crocodile tours near Jacó are relaxed boat safaris up the Tárcoles River and its mangroves. A local captain cruises the calm water while a guide points out the big crocs sunning themselves on the muddy banks — some of them seriously large. It's wild, it's close, and it's all from the comfort of the boat.

Crocodile Tours near Jacó Beach — $55 per person, 1.5-hour Tárcoles River boat safari, Jaco Beach Costa Rica — Crocodile Tour Jacó Beach — $55 per person, 1.5-hour boat safari leaving from the Tárcoles Beach area.

A birdwatcher's paradise, too

The Tárcoles isn't just about crocodiles. The river and its mangroves are one of the richest birding areas in the country, and the boat is one of the easiest ways to see it. Look for herons, egrets, roseate spoonbills, kingfishers and royal terns along the banks and sandbars — and because Carara National Park is right there, you'll often spot scarlet macaws flying overhead in pairs.

Crocodile Tours near Jacó Beach — royal terns on a sandbar in the Tárcoles River, Costa Rica — The Tárcoles is a birding hotspot — royal terns, herons and spoonbills share the river with the crocs.

Don't miss the free Crocodile Bridge

If you're driving the coastal highway (Route 34) toward the Central Valley, stop at the famous Tárcoles Crocodile Bridge. Walk out onto the pedestrian walkway, look down, and you'll usually see a handful of huge crocodiles basking on the sandbanks below. It's free, it's quick, and it's an easy add-on before or after a boat tour.

Crocodile Tour Jacó Beach — wild crocodiles, monkeys, iguanas and macaws on a Tárcoles River boat safari, $55 per person — Crocodiles, monkeys, iguanas and macaws — a real wild adventure on the Tárcoles River.

Snorkel the reef, then meet the crocs

It makes a perfect pairing. Spend a calm morning snorkeling the clear, reef-filled cove at Playa Mantas with Snorkel Jaco — where guests regularly see fish, iguanas, monkeys in the trees and the occasional sea turtle — then head up the Tárcoles for the crocodiles and birds. Two of the best wildlife experiences near Jacó in one trip. See what our snorkel guests say, then plan your crocodile day around it.

Make the most of your Jacó wildlife day

$55 per person · 1.5-hour Tárcoles River boat safari. Book your snorkel day first, or ask us about the crocodile tour.

Book your snorkel tour Ask about a crocodile tour

More reading: see what guests say, our guide to surf lessons in Jacó, or head back to Snorkel Jaco to plan your day in the water.

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