Villas Lapas Eco Reserve by Wagon + Tarcoles River Eco Cruise

Since so many multi-generational families are cruising to Costa Rica these days, we put a twist on one of our most popular shore excursions in Costa Rica. Now a visit to Villas Lapas Eco Reserve is more accessible for the whole family! Instead of traversing the hanging bridges, you can now explore the rainforest by a tractor pulled wagon! Top off your day with an eco-cruise on the Tarcoles River seeking out crocodiles and other wildlife, and you have a super eco-combo that is sure to be the highlight of your Costa Rica cruise.

Villa Lapas Rainforest Wagon Tour

If you are a nature lover or an avid birder, you have probably already heard of the Villas Lapas Sky Way and its famous hanging bridges. For those timid of heights, or maybe have trouble walking the distance, you can now explore this incredible eco-reserve from the vantage of a tractor pulled wagon. No traversing, no heights to be afraid of, just pure nature trails in the rainforest.

The 200 hectares that makes up the Villa Lapas Eco Reserve is located on the border of the Carara National Park. Birders know that Carara National Park is the best place to find Scarlett Macaws in Costa Rica. So by proximity, Villa Lapas is full of the same species of birds, monkeys, sloths and other wildlife that can be found in Carara National Park. So grab your binoculars and keep your cameras ready. Your naturalist guides at Villa Lapas know exactly where to look and find wildlife around every turn.

The Villas Lapas rainforest wagon tour will take you on a 3.2 km journey through the Tarcolitos River canyon that is part of the Hotel Villas Lapas reserve. Pulled by a tractor, your rainforest wagon tour will take you deep into the lush jungle at a low speed. They take their time and make several stops whenever they encounter wildlife or any other interesting flora or fauna special to this region of Costa Rica. Villa Lapas wagon trails also traverses the Tarcolitos River 8 different times! After exploring Villa Lapas by wagon, we will head to Tarcoles River for more bird watching and wildlife encounters.

Tarcoles River Crocodile Safari

Next stop, Tarcoles River for Costa Rica's most famous crocodile tour. This safari style eco cruise brings you right into the action. Just sit back and relax as you glide past these giant beasts just lazing about on shore. You will have the chance to get up close to some of the largest crocodiles in the Americas! Sounds scary? Well we are not going to let you get in the water with the crocodiles. You will learn some interesting facts about the crocodiles in Costa Rica while your naturalist guides keep you safely on board.

Souvenir Shopping at El Jardin

No Costa Rica shore excursion would be complete without finding the perfect souvenir to remember it by. El Jardin is the perfect stop and along the way back to the cruise ports. Beautiful gardens, traditional Costa Rica food, art, and the largest selection of souvenirs. El Jardin has it all. You can spend time shopping, or purchase some lunch or snacks from the restaurant before heading back to port.

Book your Villas Lapas rainforest wagon and crocodile safari tour today and check exploring Costa Rica's rainforest and embarking on a crocodile safari off your Bucket List. Your Puntarenas shore excursion to Villas Lapas and Tarcoles River is sure to be the highlight of your Costa Rica cruise vacation.