Puntarenas Shore Excursion: Rainforest Skywalk & Tarcoles River

Overview

This is a premium 5-6-hour shore excursion meticulously designed for cruise passengers. It combines exploring Costa Rica's lush rainforest canopy from above with witnessing the incredible wildlife of the Tárcoles River below. Itinerario & Experience 1. The Journey Begins: Seamless pickup in a deluxe, air-conditioned vehicle. 2. The Hanging Bridges: A 60 minute gentle, guided nature walk through a rainforest sanctuary. You will cross three majestic hanging bridges for a bird's-eye view of canopy wildlife (Note: Features gravel paths and stairs; may be challenging for guests with limited mobility). 3. Tárcoles River Crocodile Safari: A 45-to-60-minute private jungle boat tour through Pacific wetlands. Get up close with massive American Crocodiles 4. The Crocs Skyway Finale: A sophisticated 20-minute stop at a brand-new complex. Enjoy spectacular views from an elevated aerial platform, grab a refreshing iced coffee or local snack, and shop for high-quality Costa Rican crafts.

Itinerary

1. Puntarenas

   Puntarenas is one of the most important tourism regions in Costa Rica. Its coastline is full of islands, inlets, beaches, and very beautiful natural treasures, all which make it an excellent tourist destination. There is a multitude of attractions based around the beaches, as well as protected areas, both land based and around its islands. The area’s center is located at Puntarenas which acts as a place for lodging, distribution, port of call, and excursions. The city of Puntarenas is rich in history, traditions and customs. Historically, it was the most important port in the Costa Rican Pacific, through which the main exports that allowed the development of the country during the 19th century and part of the 20th century took place. Due to its coastal position, it was an important center for the arrival of immigrants towards the middle of the 20th century. Its boom as a tourist destination dates back to 1940.

   · 30 min

2. Tarcoles

   árcoles is a picturesque coastal village located in the canton of Garabito, Puntarenas, world-renowned as the gateway to the Central Pacific and home to the impressive river that shares its name. Traditionally a fishing and artisanal community, this town has transformed into a strategic hub for ecological tourism thanks to its proximity to Carara National Park and the spectacular presence of massive American crocodiles easily observed from its famous bridge. With an authentic, laid-back atmosphere, Tárcoles beautifully combines the scenic charm of its mangroves and beaches—perfect for capturing memorable sunsets—with a rich local biodiversity, establishing itself as an essential and adventurous stop for travelers exploring the Costa Rican coast.

   · 30 min

3. Parc National Carara

   Carara National Park is an extraordinary ecological gem where the dry tropical forest of the north meets the lush rainforest of the South Pacific, creating a unique transition zone brimming with incredible biodiversity. World-renowned as a vital sanctuary for one of the last remaining wild populations of the brilliant scarlet macaw, the park is an absolute paradise for birdwatchers and nature photographers alike. Furthermore, its highly accessible trail system and its proximity to the famous Tárcoles River—home to massive American crocodiles—make it an essential, captivating destination for anyone looking to experience Costa Rica’s rich wildlife in a single, convenient stop.

   · Non-stop passage

4. The Crocs Skyway: A Modern Finale Before returning to your ship, we make a sophisticated final stop at the brand-new The Crocs Skyway. This premier tourist complex offers an elevated aerial platform providing a safe and spectacular vantage point over the river’s wildlife. During this 30-minute interlude, you can: • Enjoy a refreshing iced coffee or a cold local beverage. • Browse the Grand Souvenir Gallery for high-quality Costa Rican crafts. • Sample authentic local flavors at the snack bar or chocolatier.

   · 30 min· Admission included

5. The Hanging Bridges of Villa San Lucia Our journey begins with an ascent into the emerald heart of Villa San Lucia. Here, you will embark on a half-mile guided exploration through a lush rainforest sanctuary. The highlight of this trail is the crossing of three majestic hanging bridges that soar above the treetops. This "bird’s-eye view" allows you to peer into the secret life of the canopy, where orchids bloom and tropical birds nest far above the forest floor. Note on Accessibility: To ensure your comfort, please be advised that the trail consists of gravel paths and involves navigating several sets of stairs. The walk is conducted at a gentle, leisurely pace (taking approximately 60 to 90 minutes) but may be challenging for guests with limited mobility. During the summer months, the tropical climate can be quite warm, so light clothing is recommended.

   · 1 h 30 min· Admission included

6. Enjoy a pleasant boat tour with a professional naturalist tour guide and enjoy its rich and abundant wildlife. It is a habitat for American crocodiles, while the marshes located at the river's mouth have many waterfowl and wading birds. Among the many herons and egrets are the boatbill and bare-throated tiger heron, and other birds found here include double-striped thick-knee, mangrove warbler and American pygmy kingfisher. The total list known of birds well exceeds 320 species including the little known Guacalillo Canals. The avian biodiversity is substantial including rare birds such as Agami Heron, Rufous-necked Woodrail, Jabiru, Yellow-billed Cotinga and recently found an Orinoco Goose. It's also home of Howler and White-faced Capuchin Monkeys. Less commonly seen are Silky Anteater, Sloths, Grinson, Jaguarundi, River Otter and Northern Tamandua

   · 1 h 30 min· Admission included

Pickup

Pickup or meet at the departure point.

Tour Meeting Time: 08:00 AM OR 30 minutes after ship arrival. Meeting Point: Main entrance of the pier. It is a very short walking distance from the cruise ship. Once at the entrance of the pier, you will see a Greenway Tours Guide holding a sign with your name. Important Note: This tour is exclusive for cruise ship passengers. If you are not arriving by cruise ship please do not book this tour. Tour operate only when we have cruise ships in port.

How to use your ticket

PLEASE READ the following instructions regarding PICKUP TIME and MEETING LOCATION for your shore excursion. It is your responsibility to have this information clear for avoid any inconvenience the day of the tour and don´t miss your tour. Tour Meeting Time: 8:30 AM for early ship arrivals only / 11:30 AM for ships arriving after 8:30 AM Meeting Point: Main entrance of the pier. It is a very short walking distance from the cruise ship. Once at the entrance of the pier, you will see a Greenway Tours Guide holding a sign with your name. Important Note: This tour is exclusive for cruise ship passengers. If you are not arriving by cruise ship please do not book this tour. Tour operate only when we have cruise ships in port. Meeting Places by arrival port: Main Entrance of the pier. If you need assistance, call Greenway Tours at (506) 8530-2973 (office) or send a WhatsApp message.

Meeting point

What to know before you go

• Infants are required to sit on an adult’s lap
• Travelers should have at least a moderate level of physical fitness
• Children must be accompanied by an adult
• At time of booking, Cruise ship passengers must provide the following information at time of booking: ship name, docking time, disembarkation time and re-boarding time
• This tour is exclusive for cruise ship passengers. If you are not arriving by cruise ship please do not book this tour. No refunds if you book it and will not arrives by cruise ship

Travelers

Cancellation policy

For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.

• From 1 days before : 100% refunded
• From 0 days before : 0% refunded

This activity can be canceled if there aren't enough participants.

Reviews

Product code: 26853P8

Activity offered by Greenway Nature Day Tours via Viator.