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Caño Negro and Río Frío Boat Tour

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Find yourself deep into nature at The Caño Negro Wildlife Refuge and the Frío River two amazing biological humid areas considered to be two of the richest in terms of biological diversity in Costa Rica.

The tour starts with 1½ hour drive Los Chiles, a culturally mixed village only 4-km from the Nicaraguan border, after that, we arrive for a 2 ½ hour floating safari through a tropical rain forest and pastures until we arrive at the marsh in which you will be able to find a great variety of resident and migratory birds like the Anhinga or snake-bird and the Jabiru, that besides being an endangered species its considered until the date the largest bird in Central America, plus three different species of monkeys (spider, howler, white-faced), iguanas, the Jesus Christ Lizard, sloths, turtles and caymans as you go on the river road In this adventure full of wildlife.

What to expect

The Caño Negro Wildlife Refuge and the Rio Frío are biological humid areas considered to be one of the richest in biological diversity in Costa Rica.

Here you can find a great variety of resident and migratory birds plus three different species of monkeys, also iguanas, sloths, turtles, and caymans. The tour starts when we pick up all “Nature Lovers” from the hotel in a very comfortable bus for the 1-½ hour Transfer to Los Chiles, a culturally mixed village only 4-km from the Nicaraguan border. Here your boat waits for your river adventure, at that time we begin our 2 ½ hour floating safari through Tropical Rain Forest and pastures until we arrive at the marsh. An experienced English – Spanish speaking guide leads the tour.

Some birds are residents in the area and it is possible to see hundreds of them especially during the dry season. Some of them are Anhinga or Snakebird, Roseate Spoonbill, it is possible to see little groups of this bird eating in the surroundings of the river. Wood Storks, the Jabiru, the largest bird in Central America and very endangered. Also the Olivaceous Cormorant, that makes its nest in the area, it is also the most popular bird in the refuge. Caño Negro has the largest colony of cormorants in Costa Rica. Along the river, we can see howler monkeys, spider monkeys, white-faced monkeys, also the three-toed sloth and some reptiles like caimans, Jesus Christ lizard, and turtles.

  • Roundtrip transportation
  • Bilingual guide
  • Boat tour
  • Typical lunch
  • Natural juices
  • Bottled water
  • Cookies

Pick-up Time: From 7:05 a.m. to 7:50 a.m. approx.

Departure Point and Hotels:

  • Arenal Country Inn
  • Casa Luna
  • Los Lagos
  • Volcano Lodge
  • Volcano Inn
  • Arenal Springs
  • Arenal Manoa
  • Arenal Paraíso
  • Montaña de Fuego
  • Kokoro
  • Tacotal
  • Kioro
  • Tabacón
  • Mountain Paradise
  • Nayara
  • The Springs
  • Arenal Lodge
  • Lost Iguana

We will pick you up from other hotels in the area, however, an extra charge per person will be applied.  Please consult with our agents.

If your hotel is not listed please go to any of the hotels in this list 15 minutes before the time of departure.

Return Details

Returns to original departure point

  • Light clothing
  • Boat shoes or sandals
  • Sunscreen
  • Hat
  • Binoculars
  • Camera

  • All ages
  • Good mobility

For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours in advance of the start date of the tour.

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