A morning on the Tempisque River
A private morning on the Tempisque River, the river that runs along Palo Verde National Park, one of the most important wetlands in Central America.
We leave at 7:00 AM with your own bilingual naturalist guide and private transport, and drive to the boat dock in Bolsón, Santa Cruz. From there, the boat ride on the Tempisque lasts about 1 hour and 45 minutes.
The river is lined with forest and wetlands. Crocodiles rest on the muddy banks, white-faced capuchin and howler monkeys move through the trees, green iguanas sun themselves on the branches, and waterbirds like kingfishers, tiger herons and limpkins feed along the edges. Your guide knows where to look and helps you spot and photograph them.
After the boat ride, we sit down to a typical Costa Rican lunch. Transport, your guide, the boat ride, lunch and bottled water are all included in the price, and you are back at your hotel around 1:00 to 2:00 PM.
Wildlife along the river
Itinerary
- 7:00 AM
Departure
Your guide and private vehicle pick you up at your hotel.
- Arrival
Bolsón boat dock
Board the boat at the dock in Bolsón, Santa Cruz, on the Tempisque River.
- 1 h 45 min
Boat ride on the Tempisque
Cruise the river along Palo Verde National Park, looking for crocodiles, monkeys, iguanas and waterbirds.
- Lunch
Typical Costa Rican lunch
Sit down to a traditional lunch after the boat ride.
- 1:00–2:00 PM
Back at your hotel
Private transport back to your hotel, arriving around 1 to 2 PM.
On the Tempisque River



















The Blue Sky difference
Private & personal
Just your group with a private guide and driver. Your pace, your plan.
Local & expert
Locally owned, with guides who know Guanacaste and where to find the good stuff.
Built around you
Flexible dates, hotel pickup and add-ons. We shape the day to your group.
What's included
- Private tour with your own bilingual naturalist guide
- Private transport from your hotel
- Boat ride on the Tempisque River
- Typical Costa Rican lunch
- Bottled water
What to bring
- Comfortable clothes and shoes
- Hat and sunglasses
- Sunscreen
- Insect repellent
- Camera or binoculars



