Puntarenas Shore Excursion: Rainforest Skywalk & Tarcoles River
When your cruise ship docks at Puntarenas in the morning, meet a waiting driver and guide at the port and hop aboard an air-conditioned minivan for a scenic drive to the Villa Lapas private biological reserve. Here, be surrounded by the majesty of Costa Rica's unspoiled tropical and dry rain forest on the 1.5-mile (2.5-km) SkyWay walking trail. Cross three suspended bridges perched at 180 feet (56 meters) above the forest floor and each stretching an incredible 300 feet (91 meters) in length. The bridges are built with the highest safety standards, and experienced guides will accompany you to ensure your safety and point out highlights of the enchanting jungle. As you trek, take in spectacular views of the Pacific Ocean and keep an eye out for native wildlife like monkeys, anteaters, poison dart frogs, and hundreds of bird species. After completing the SkyWay trail, take a break to relax and shop for unique souvenirs in the nearby village of Santa Lucia, a replica of a Spanish colonial settlement. Enjoy a snack of tropical fruit and iced tea here before transferring to the Tarcoles River, which snakes along the northern border of the Carara Biological Reserve. Take a river cruise along the biodiverse waterway, where you can watch one of the world’s largest wild crocodile populations basking in the sun. Your tour concludes with drop-off back at the cruise terminal, where you can return to your waiting ship or spend some time strolling along the nearby boulevards of Puntarenas.
Highlights
- ✓Combo eco shore excursion from Puntarenas
- ✓Walk through the rain forest canopy on a suspended trail and hanging bridges
- ✓Observe native wildlife like monkeys and exotic birds
- ✓Make a shopping stop in the charming village of Santa Lucia
- ✓Cruise through a biological reserve on the Tarcoles River
- ✓Includes port pickup and drop-off and a fresh fruit snack
- ✓This tour is exclusive for cruise ship passengers. If you are not arriving by cruise ship please do not book this tour
What you'll see & do
- ✓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.
- ✓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.
- ✓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.
- ✓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.
- ✓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.
- ✓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
What's included
- ✓Visit to The Croc Skywalk
- ✓Tarcoles River Boat Tour for enjoy its rich wildlife
- ✓Rainforest Nature walk & hanging bridges
- ✓In-vehicle air conditioning
- ✓Tropical Fruits snack
- ✓Professional naturalist tour guide
Good to know
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
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.
Cancellation policy
- •A full refund will apply if you cancel more than 24 hours before the activity start time.
- •No refund is possible if you cancel less than 24 hours before the activity start time.
Puntarenas Shore Excursion: Rainforest Skywalk & Tarcoles River
When your cruise ship docks at Puntarenas in the morning, meet a waiting driver and guide at the port and hop aboard an air-conditioned minivan for a scenic drive to the Villa Lapas private biological reserve. Here, be surrounded by the majesty of Costa Rica's unspoiled tropical and dry rain forest on the 1.5-mile (2.5-km) SkyWay walking trail. Cross three suspended bridges perched at 180 feet (56 meters) above the forest floor and each stretching an incredible 300 feet (91 meters) in length. The bridges are built with the highest safety standards, and experienced guides will accompany you to ensure your safety and point out highlights of the enchanting jungle. As you trek, take in spectacular views of the Pacific Ocean and keep an eye out for native wildlife like monkeys, anteaters, poison dart frogs, and hundreds of bird species. After completing the SkyWay trail, take a break to relax and shop for unique souvenirs in the nearby village of Santa Lucia, a replica of a Spanish colonial settlement. Enjoy a snack of tropical fruit and iced tea here before transferring to the Tarcoles River, which snakes along the northern border of the Carara Biological Reserve. Take a river cruise along the biodiverse waterway, where you can watch one of the world’s largest wild crocodile populations basking in the sun. Your tour concludes with drop-off back at the cruise terminal, where you can return to your waiting ship or spend some time strolling along the nearby boulevards of Puntarenas.
Highlights
- ✓Combo eco shore excursion from Puntarenas
- ✓Walk through the rain forest canopy on a suspended trail and hanging bridges
- ✓Observe native wildlife like monkeys and exotic birds
- ✓Make a shopping stop in the charming village of Santa Lucia
- ✓Cruise through a biological reserve on the Tarcoles River
- ✓Includes port pickup and drop-off and a fresh fruit snack
- ✓This tour is exclusive for cruise ship passengers. If you are not arriving by cruise ship please do not book this tour
What you'll see & do
- ✓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.
- ✓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.
- ✓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.
- ✓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.
- ✓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.
- ✓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
What's included
- ✓Visit to The Croc Skywalk
- ✓Tarcoles River Boat Tour for enjoy its rich wildlife
- ✓Rainforest Nature walk & hanging bridges
- ✓In-vehicle air conditioning
- ✓Tropical Fruits snack
- ✓Professional naturalist tour guide
Good to know
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
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.
Cancellation policy
- •A full refund will apply if you cancel more than 24 hours before the activity start time.
- •No refund is possible if you cancel less than 24 hours before the activity start time.