Carara National Park
Walk one of Costa Rica's richest bird forests in search of wild scarlet macaws, then watch giant crocodiles from the Tárcoles bridge.
* Rack rates before Costa Rica's 13% VAT. Includes hotel pickup & certified bilingual guide. Book now, pay later.
The experience
Few places pack as much wildlife into one easy morning as Carara National Park. Sitting where the dry forest of the north meets the rainforest of the south, this transition zone shelters close to half of all the bird species in Costa Rica, and it is one of the most reliable places in the country to see wild scarlet macaws flying overhead in flashes of red, blue and yellow.
It is a flat, relaxed walk on well-kept trails, so it suits almost everyone, from serious birders to families who just want a beautiful morning in nature. Your certified bilingual naturalist guide carries a spotting scope and knows exactly where to look, which is the difference between a nice walk and a morning full of sightings.
Your guide leads the group along a roughly two-mile loop through the transition forest, stopping often to scope out scarlet macaws, aracaris, toucans, herons, egrets, tinamous and the many other birds Carara is famous for. Because the trail is flat and well maintained, you can keep your eyes on the canopy instead of your feet.
About halfway, a 20-minute stop at a forest observatory gives you time to rest, take photos and simply listen to the forest. On the way, the bridge over the Tárcoles River is the perfect, safe vantage point to look down on the largest American crocodile population in the country, some of them well over four meters long.
The morning finishes with a hearty home-style lunch at our base camp, where you can swap stories and photos before the drive back to your hotel. To learn more about the park itself, see the official SINAC protected areas information, and if crocodiles are your thing, pair this with our Jungle Crocodile Adventure.
Highlights
- Wild scarlet macaws, often seen and heard overhead
- One of Costa Rica's richest bird habitats, home to roughly 48% of the country's species
- The Tárcoles River bridge, overlooking the largest crocodile population in Costa Rica
- An easy, flat two-mile guided hike with a shaded observatory rest stop
- A home-style lunch at our base camp
- Small groups with a certified bilingual naturalist guide and spotting scope
What's included
- Round-trip hotel pickup and drop-off
- Certified bilingual naturalist guide with spotting scope
- Bottled water and beverages
- A home-style lunch at base camp
What to bring
- Sunscreen and sunglasses
- Hat or visor
- Insect repellent
- Camera or binoculars
- Closed walking or hiking shoes
- A light rain jacket in green season (May to November)
A typical day
- 7:30 AM Hotel pickup in Manuel Antonio or Jacó
- Scenic drive to Carara National Park
- Guided two-mile nature walk with frequent wildlife stops
- 20-minute rest at the forest observatory
- Crocodile viewing from the Tárcoles River bridge
- Home-style lunch at our base camp
- Return drive to your hotel
Departures & pickup
- From Manuel Antonio / Quepos: 7:30 AM pickup, about 6 hours round trip, from $119 per person.
- From Jacó / Herradura / Los Sueños: 7:30 AM pickup, about 4 hours (Carara is closer to Jacó), from $95 per person.
- Minimum of 4 guests to operate the tour. Solo travelers, message us on WhatsApp for availability.
Frequently asked questions
Easy. The trail is flat and well maintained, and we walk at a relaxed pace with frequent stops, so it works for most ages and fitness levels.
Carara is one of the best places in Costa Rica for wild scarlet macaws, and sightings are very common, especially in the morning. Wildlife is wild, so nothing is guaranteed, but your guide knows where to look.
From the bridge over the Tárcoles River, a safe overlook above the largest crocodile population in the country.
Yes, a home-style lunch at our base camp is part of the tour.
Four guests. If you are traveling solo or as a couple, WhatsApp us and we will try to pair you with a departure.
Ready to book Carara National Park?
Free hotel pickup, certified bilingual guides, book now and pay later.
Prefer just your group? Take this tour private →
