<h2>Costa Rica: A Paradise for Wildlife Lovers</h2>&nbsp;<img src="https://res.cloudinary.com/vacationscostarica-com/image/upload/v1646782358/nature_sanctuary_expedition_at_cano_blanco_howler_monkey_close_up_arenal_1e8f014a16.jpg" alt="Howler monkey hanging from tree in Nature Sanctuary" srcset="https://res.cloudinary.com/vacationscostarica-com/image/upload/v1646782359/thumbnail_nature_sanctuary_expedition_at_cano_blanco_howler_monkey_close_up_arenal_1e8f014a16.jpg 245w,https://res.cloudinary.com/vacationscostarica-com/image/upload/v1646782360/small_nature_sanctuary_expedition_at_cano_blanco_howler_monkey_close_up_arenal_1e8f014a16.jpg 500w,https://res.cloudinary.com/vacationscostarica-com/image/upload/v1646782359/medium_nature_sanctuary_expedition_at_cano_blanco_howler_monkey_close_up_arenal_1e8f014a16.jpg 750w,https://res.cloudinary.com/vacationscostarica-com/image/upload/v1646782359/large_nature_sanctuary_expedition_at_cano_blanco_howler_monkey_close_up_arenal_1e8f014a16.jpg 1000w," sizes="100vw">&nbsp;Costa Rica has impressive biodiversity. Around 5% of all known species of flora and fauna live in Costa Rica, including 8500 species of plants and 850 species of birds.To maximize your chances to see as many as you can, taking a boat trip is a good choice. It’s an activity suitable for the whole family, with few physical demands. And, most importantly, it gives you many opportunities to <a href="https://www.vacationscostarica.com/nature-wildlife/">explore nature up close</a>.Birdwatchers and wildlife enthusiasts particularly enjoy these trips. The boats travel through wetlands, mangroves, and rivers, providing a variety of sightings and species. It’s also an activity you can do year-round, though depending on location, some months are crucial if you want to spot certain migratory birds.There are many places in Costa Rica where you can explore nature on a boat, but these are our recommendations:<h3>Caño Negro Wetlands, near Arenal Volcano Area</h3>&nbsp;<img src="https://res.cloudinary.com/vacationscostarica-com/image/upload/v1646784367/cave_spelunking_in_barra_honda_jabiru_close_up_nicoya_f76b884f55.jpg" alt="Jabiru stork nest in Guanacaste" srcset="https://res.cloudinary.com/vacationscostarica-com/image/upload/v1646784368/thumbnail_cave_spelunking_in_barra_honda_jabiru_close_up_nicoya_f76b884f55.jpg 245w,https://res.cloudinary.com/vacationscostarica-com/image/upload/v1646784369/small_cave_spelunking_in_barra_honda_jabiru_close_up_nicoya_f76b884f55.jpg 500w,https://res.cloudinary.com/vacationscostarica-com/image/upload/v1646784368/medium_cave_spelunking_in_barra_honda_jabiru_close_up_nicoya_f76b884f55.jpg 750w,https://res.cloudinary.com/vacationscostarica-com/image/upload/v1646784368/large_cave_spelunking_in_barra_honda_jabiru_close_up_nicoya_f76b884f55.jpg 1000w," sizes="100vw">&nbsp;The Caño Negro wetlands are a remote location in northern Costa Rica, near the border with Nicaragua. Visitors usually come from the <a href="https://www.vacationscostarica.com/arenal-volcano/">Arenal Volcano area</a>, also in the northern Costa Rican plains. To explore Caño Negro you travel along Frío River. Frío River has slow, calm waters as it winds through canyons on the way to a lake. During the trip, you find yourself surrounded by rainforests, pastures, and marshlands.Over 200 species of birds live in this area, which makes it a great location for birdwatching. One of the most exciting species is the endangered Jabiru stork, the tallest flying bird in Central and South America. Keep your eyes open and your camera ready! There is also an almost 60-foot-tall tower at the lake where you can watch the scenery and take panoramic shots of the landscape.<h3>Caño Blanco Sanctuary, near Arenal Volcano Area</h3>&nbsp;<img src="https://res.cloudinary.com/vacationscostarica-com/image/upload/v1646782330/nature_sanctuary_expedition_at_cano_blanco_lagoon_aerial_view_arenal_2d63ba1c1a.jpg" alt="Aerial view of Caño Blanco lake" srcset="https://res.cloudinary.com/vacationscostarica-com/image/upload/v1646782331/thumbnail_nature_sanctuary_expedition_at_cano_blanco_lagoon_aerial_view_arenal_2d63ba1c1a.jpg 234w,https://res.cloudinary.com/vacationscostarica-com/image/upload/v1646782332/small_nature_sanctuary_expedition_at_cano_blanco_lagoon_aerial_view_arenal_2d63ba1c1a.jpg 500w,https://res.cloudinary.com/vacationscostarica-com/image/upload/v1646782331/medium_nature_sanctuary_expedition_at_cano_blanco_lagoon_aerial_view_arenal_2d63ba1c1a.jpg 750w,https://res.cloudinary.com/vacationscostarica-com/image/upload/v1646782331/large_nature_sanctuary_expedition_at_cano_blanco_lagoon_aerial_view_arenal_2d63ba1c1a.jpg 1000w," sizes="100vw">&nbsp;Caño Blanco Sanctuary spans 50 acres of private and mainly untouched land. Cruise the main river in the property and learn its role in the complex ecosystem of wetlands, irrigating plains, and forests nearby. Visitors also come most frequently from the Arenal Volcano area.The sanctuary is a crucial nesting site for an array of migratory and nonmigratory birds, both aquatic and non-aquatic. Some of the species you can find include herons, storks, jacanas, ospreys, and more.The sanctuary is also home to sloths, various species of monkeys, lizards, iguanas, and more. The trip ends at Caño Blanco Lake, a peaceful location where you can truly immerse yourself in the nature that surrounds you.<h3>Palo Verde National Park, Guanacaste</h3>&nbsp;<img src="https://res.cloudinary.com/vacationscostarica-com/image/upload/v1646783575/guided_hike_and_boat_ride_through_palo_verde_tiger_heron_flying_guanacaste_6551a62421.jpg" alt="Tiger heron flying away from river in Palo Verde National Park" srcset="https://res.cloudinary.com/vacationscostarica-com/image/upload/v1646783576/thumbnail_guided_hike_and_boat_ride_through_palo_verde_tiger_heron_flying_guanacaste_6551a62421.jpg 234w,https://res.cloudinary.com/vacationscostarica-com/image/upload/v1646783577/small_guided_hike_and_boat_ride_through_palo_verde_tiger_heron_flying_guanacaste_6551a62421.jpg 500w,https://res.cloudinary.com/vacationscostarica-com/image/upload/v1646783577/medium_guided_hike_and_boat_ride_through_palo_verde_tiger_heron_flying_guanacaste_6551a62421.jpg 750w,https://res.cloudinary.com/vacationscostarica-com/image/upload/v1646783576/large_guided_hike_and_boat_ride_through_palo_verde_tiger_heron_flying_guanacaste_6551a62421.jpg 1000w," sizes="100vw">&nbsp;The Palo Verde National Park has 18,400 hectares and it protects at least 12 different habitats. This includes Costa Rica’s most significant tropical dry forest as well as mangroves, swamps, lagoons, marshes, and wetlands. They all surround the Tempisque River in <a href="https://www.vacationscostarica.com/guanacaste/">Guanacaste</a>, which you travel by boat.With so much variety of landscapes, birds abound. Species include storks, spoonbills, herons, and the Jabiru stork, which is the biggest flying bird in this side of the Americas. If you’re a birdwatcher, this is a great opportunity for you. Other species of animals include coatis, anteaters, iguanas, and howler monkeys.<h3>Tortuguero National Park, the Caribbean</h3>&nbsp;<img src="https://res.cloudinary.com/vacationscostarica-com/image/upload/v1649189055/tortuguero_wild_canals_bea4aa5873.jpg" alt="Jungle surrounding Tortuguero canals in the Caribbean" srcset="https://res.cloudinary.com/vacationscostarica-com/image/upload/v1649189056/thumbnail_tortuguero_wild_canals_bea4aa5873.jpg 234w,https://res.cloudinary.com/vacationscostarica-com/image/upload/v1649189057/small_tortuguero_wild_canals_bea4aa5873.jpg 500w,https://res.cloudinary.com/vacationscostarica-com/image/upload/v1649189057/medium_tortuguero_wild_canals_bea4aa5873.jpg 750w,https://res.cloudinary.com/vacationscostarica-com/image/upload/v1649189056/large_tortuguero_wild_canals_bea4aa5873.jpg 1000w," sizes="100vw">&nbsp;<a href="https://www.vacationscostarica.com/tortuguero/">Tortuguero</a> is a secluded national park in the northern part of the Caribbean coast. Lush and teeming with wildlife, Tortuguero is famous for its natural water canals and as an important nesting site for sea turtles. Because of its location, the only way to access the area and travel around is by boat through the canals.Opportunities abound to go into the winding rivers to observe the jungle and everything in it. There are over 400 bird species, more than 100 types of mammals, and amphibians and reptiles hiding everywhere. Tortuguero even protects endangered species such as jaguars, manatees, tapirs, and four species of marine turtles. If you want to stay away from bustling towns and immerse yourself in nature on a boat, Tortuguero is a great choice.<h2>Mix it Up: Crocodiles by Boat</h2>If you want to spot wildlife with a dash of adventure, hop on <a href="https://www.vacationscostarica.com/things-to-do/crocodile-river-cruise/">a boat to go crocodile spotting</a> in the Tárcoles River. It’s an experience safe for the whole family, and it guarantees good chances to watch crocs in their natural habitat.<h2>Make the Most of This Nature Day Trip</h2>If you visit Caño Negro, remember the wetter months (May-December) allow you to visit the lake by boat too. This maximizes your chances to see even more wildlife while on the water. During the other months, the lake dries up, so it’s easier to spot caimans and roseate spoonbills from the shore when you walk around the area.If you want to visit the Palo Verde National Park, the best time is during the dry season (December-April). During this time, migratory birds pass through the area and other species arrive to take advantage of the abundant water sources.<h2>FAQ about Nature by Boat</h2><h3>What animals can you see during these boat trips?</h3>Mammals (like sloths and monkeys), reptiles (like lizards and iguanas), amphibians, other aquatic species (like crocodiles), and many, many birds. One of the most prized sights is the Jabiru stork.<h3>Is there an age limit for this activity?</h3>It depends on the trip, but in general, older kids onwards can participate. These boat trips are perfectly safe for the whole family, but young kids would likely not enjoy sitting on a boat for long without much else to do.<h3>Do I need to be in shape for this activity?</h3>This activity is not physically challenging and is appropriate for everyone who enjoys nature or wildlife spotting.

Nature by Boat

Tenorio Volcano & Rio Celeste

Rio Celeste

National Parks

Nature & Wildlife

Waterfalls

Adrenaline

Volcano

National Park

Rainforest

Conchal Beach

Beach Fun

Relaxing

Beach

Arenal Volcano and La Fortuna

Arenal Volcano

Culture

Countryside

We visited Arenal and Guanacaste with my family. Emma Lasiuk created the best itinerary based on what we were interested in. Everything she recommended was exactly what we wanted and went so smoothly. All transfers from airport to different hotels were on time and very professional. The travel experience team answered our questions right away during our stay. I highly recommend Costa Rican Vacations.

May A - Emma Lasiuk

We had such an incredible honeymoon! Thanks for customizing our package to cater to our requests and for always being so available whenever we had questions. We truly came back with memories to last a lifetime.

Moira & Dan - Marjeri Smith

I reached out to Costa Rican Vacations because they have an amazing reputation online and exceptional reviews. It was the best trip we've ever had! Anastasia was amazing and coordinated everything perfectly. I'd definitely book another trip &amp; she'll be my first call!

Amanda Farris Shook - Anastasia

My family and I spent 7 glorious days in Costa Rica. Rachel Peck put together a perfect itinerary. She was absolutely amazing! Very attentive to details and arranged unforgettable experiences for us. Many wonderful memories were made!

Marleen Chiaravalloti - Rachel Peck

I worked with Caitlin Summer to plan and book our Costa Rican vacation. She asked what we liked, wanted to see &amp; do and then sent us a proposal. We made a few changes and then booked our trip. Caitlin did a fantastic job meeting our expectations-booking a great hotel with a beautiful view in La Fortuna and an awesome bungalow in Puerto Viejo that made us feel like we were in the jungle.

Sharon Sagastume - Caitlin Summer

Wow!!! All I can say is that this trip was amazing. It was an incredible experience from beginning to end. The scenery in this country is beautiful and breathtaking. So much to learn about the continental divide and diversity of the plant and tree life in this beautiful lush rainforest. The volcano in Arenal was amazing. The scenery changed every minute literally. Emma Lasiuk was the reason we decided to take this vacation. I told her what I was looking for and she gave me and my wife everything I wanted and more.

Indiana Jones returns to Paradise

I would like to thank Costa Rican Vacations and Felipe Martinez, my consultant. For advising, assisting and planning my dream vacation to Costa Rica. He was patient, experienced, pleasant, warm, friendly, professional and always responded to my messages.

Savi Persad - Felipe Martinez

Our 35th anniversary and bucket list completed and met all of our expectations. Jake and his team help set up the perfect trip with a seamless transition from location to location. Highly recommend these guys!

John Childers - Jake

Anastasia made our honeymoon so special in so many ways! I can’t appreciate enough how stress-free she has made this process and fun along the way. She was always available even during our trip when I was feeling unwell the first few days and had multiple recommendations which had me feeling better in no time.&nbsp;

Cheyenne P - Anastasia

Perfectly executed 10 days of fun! Emilie helped us coordinate the trip and the execution was flawless. The activities were perfect for our family. Our experience in Costa Rica was made amazing because of Costa Rican Vacations and Emilie!

Eloise Moodie - Emilie Witham

Flamingo Beach

We spent the second half of the trip in Playa Flamingo with an all-inclusive package and it was fantastic. Sunsets on the beach were amazing and we really enjoyed the relaxation! I will never visit Costa Rica without Costa Rican Vacations!

Brent G - Vanessa Nichols

This was the favorite place for the rest of my family. They all enjoyed the beach and boogie boarding here. The beach location was wonderful! It was very family oriented and much quieter and isolated. While here we did a snorkel boating trip... We even saw a howler monkey as we were leaving. The planned excursions and included transportation throughout our trip in Costa Rica made our trip so much easier to relax as we didn’t have to think about the planning for that.

Misty B - Flamingo Beach

As soon as we landed we were in great hands! Very pleased with our excursions and accommodations. Our driver “Marlon Brando” was awesome. Planning and checking in on us throughout our vacation was appreciated. Thanks, Rachel, our trip was SO enjoyable!

Cindy - Rachel

Papagayo

Tamarindo

We just came back from a trip to Costa Rica. Shelly suggested the activities she thought we would enjoy and made all arrangements before we left for our trip. She was always available to answer our questions and was very accommodating when we revised our itinerary!

Rita A - Shelly Huff

Tortuguero

We traveled to three locations over 9 days. Our trip exceeded expectations and was so simple with the help of Costa Rican Vacations. We highly recommend Luke Angus to coordinate your travel.

Sharon - Luke Angus

What a seamless experience! I've never used a travel agency to plan my whole vacation, so this was a joy. It was so nice not to worry about any of the arrangements. All of the tours that Daniel chose for us were perfect.&nbsp;

Audrey C - Daniel Fonseca

Bagaces and Rio Perdido

Rio Perdido

Upala aka "Middle of Nowhere" Costa Rica

Upala

Jungle Meditation: San Ramón and Celeste River

Jungle Meditation

Cloud Forest

Trail Less Traveled: Tenorio Volcano, Rio Celeste and Tamarindo

Trail Less Traveled

Oasis Vacation: Isla Chiquita and Rio Celeste

Oasis Vacation

Island

Rumble in the Jungle: Rincon de la Vieja Volcano  and Rio Celeste

Rumble in the Jungle

Unique Waterfalls of Costa Rica: Bajos del Toro Valley & Rio Celeste

Unique Waterfalls of Costa Rica

Paradise in Your Palm: Puerto Viejo and Rio Celeste

Paradise in Your Palm

Unique Waterfall Adventure: Rio Celeste and Rio Perdido

Unique Waterfall Adventure

Monteverde and Tenorio Volcano & Rio Celeste

Monteverde and Rio Celeste

Tenorio Volcano & Rio Celeste and Conchal Beach

Rio Celeste and Conchal Beach

Turquoise Oasis: Rio Celeste and Hermosa Beach

Turquoise Oasis

Savegre Valley and Tenorio Volcano & Rio Celeste

Savegre Valley and Rio Celeste

Colors of Costa Rica: Celeste River and Jaco

Colors of Costa Rica

Monkeys and Waterfalls: Arenal Volcano and Rio Celeste

Monkeys and Waterfalls

No City Noise: Rio Celeste and Playa Panamá

No City Noise

Lovin' Costa Rica: Rio Celeste and Flamingo Beach

Lovin' Costa Rica

Rise and Shine! Celeste River and Coco Beach Combo

Rise and Shine!

Destination: Self-Care: Celeste River and Nosara

Destination: Self-Care

Jungle Rivers and Waterfalls: Tortuguero and Rio Celeste

Jungle Rivers and Waterfalls

Jungle Yoga and Beach Retreat: Rio Celeste and Santa Teresa

Jungle Yoga and Beach Retreat

Enchanting Waterfalls: San Gerardo de Dota and Rio Celeste

Enchanting Waterfalls

Swanky Costa Rica: Rio Celeste and Papagayo

Swanky Costa Rica

Tenorio Volcano & Rio Celeste and Manuel Antonio

Rio Celeste and Manuel Antonio

Fun in the Sun: Perdido River Canyon and Conchal Beach

Fun in the Sun

Royal Slothcation: Conchal Beach and Las Catalinas

Royal Slothcation

Rincon de la Vieja Volcano Adventure and Conchal Beach

Volcano Adventure and Conchal Beach

Classic Family Fishing Vacation: Conchal Beach & Los Sueños

Classic Family Fishing Vacation

Marina

Santa Teresa and Conchal Beach

Monteverde and Conchal Beach

Bajos del Toro and Conchal Beach

Cloud Forest and Conchal Beach

Vitamin Sea: Isla Chiquita and Conchal Beach

Vitamin Sea

Waterfalls and Beachfront Costa Rica: La Paz - Vara Blanca Cloud Forest and Conchal Beach