Tours Papagayo

There is no better place to stay than the Papagayo area if you are planning to do tours.  It is not a secret that Costa Rica is a place for adventure and wildlife.  There are three different types of tours that will please anyone.  Since adventure is what Costa Rica visitors crave then it is no surprise that the most popular tours are combo tours.  These tours combine many activities including the famous canopy tour all in one day and take place near Rincon de la Vieja National Park.

People wanting to see the wild life of Costa Rica should choose a river tour.  This is the best way to see both land and water animals as wildlife tends to congregate around bodies of fresh water.  Ocean tours offer a whole other world of excitement.  Climb aboard a fishing yacht and reel in a beautiful prize sailfish, or cruise around the bay on a sail boat taking in the fresh sea breeze and different and lovely point of view.  There is something for everyone in and around the Papagayo area.  Whatever tour you decide on it will definitely create memories for a lifetime. 

Combo tours are the most popular tours to take when staying in the Papagayo area.  They offer a chance to do many activities all in one day and in one location including the canopy tour, hot springs, and horseback riding.  The main aspect of the tours is the famous canopy tour or zip line that originated here in Costa Rica. 

The canopy tour puts people up in the high canopy of the tropical forest giving them the point of view of the different kinds of wild life that live in the trees.  Suspended cables are placed between trees and the guest is harnessed in and connected to each cable by a pulley.  Guides are there to help each person get on and off each cable, leaving the guest to enjoy the wonderful views and excitement of gliding through the high tropical canopy of Costa Rica.  The Rincon Volcano has many natural hot lakes, hot springs, and bubbling furmoles.  Some call it the Yellow Stone of Costa Rica. 

Tour locations have built pools that are filled with the heated natural spring water.  The warm mineral mud is also harvested for the guest to apply to their whole bodies.  The high content of sulfur in the mud is excellent for cleaning out toxins and tightening pores.  This outdoor spa so to speak is a favorite experience of tourists.  Guanacaste is cowboy country and horse riding is very popular.  The tour locations use horses as a means to get from one activity to another as well as a fun and enjoyable experience for both new and experienced riders.  These main activities that make up the majority of the combo tours make them the most exciting and popular tour choice for the Papagayo area.

River tours are the perfect way to see an abundance of wildlife in their natural habitat.  These tours are very popular with animal lovers and photographers.  The best river tour takes place in Palo Verde National Park which is only about a one hour drive from the Papagayo area.  The tour includes a two hour cruise on the Tempisque River on a covered river boat. 

The water is very calm and it is easy to get up close and personal with white face monkeys, howler monkeys, American crocodiles, boat billed herons, blue herons, wood storks, whistle ducks, scarlet macaws, egrets, spoonbills, white ibis, wood peckers, and more.  Many of the birds make their nests on the banks of the Tempisque making it the perfect location for bird watching.  The boat captains are all locals who grew up on the river and know how to spot even the hardest to see animal.  The bottle nosed bats are tiny and are perfectly camouflaged on the bark of trees, yet the boat captains know right where to spot them.  Spotting certain kinds of owls and other birds of prey are a possibility on this trip as well. 

The river tours always include a typical Costa Rican meal after the boat cruise that consists of rice, beans, grilled meats, salad, and an assortment of other authentic side dishes.  River tours will please anyone who is excited about seeing the wildlife of Costa Rica.

Ocean tours are an obvious choice when staying on the beach.  The Papagayo area is famous for sport fishing and snorkeling trips are popular as well.  Being out on the ocean gives such a different perspective than being on land.  Just seeing all the secluded beaches, caves, and other land formations from the sea is amazing.  There are many different types of fish up for catch in the Papagayo Bay. 

Fisherman hope to reel in sailfish, marlin, and roosterfish which are the larger more impressive looking catches.  Tasty fish for eating include mahi mahi, wahoo, yellow fin tuna, grouper, mackerel and more.  A fishing trip is the perfect ocean tour while staying in the Papagayo area.  Snorkeling tours are very popular as well.  Even though the Pacific Ocean is not as clear as the Caribbean, clear waters can be found if you take a guided snorkel trip on a boat. 

Many people choose to hop aboard a sail boat on an all inclusive snorkel tour around the bay.  These tours include food, drinks and snorkel equipment.  They often have a morning snorkel option and a sunset option.  Either tour is an excellent choice for an ocean adventure.  You can’t stay on the beach without doing at least one of these ocean tour options in the Papagayo area.

These three categories of tours will offer something for everyone staying in the Papagayo area.  Combo tours, river tours, and ocean tours have their own unique qualities that make them popular past times while in paradise.  For the adventurous the combo tour is a perfect fit, for the animal lover its river tours, and for the traveler with sea legs its ocean tours.  Whether choosing just one or all three types of tours an experience of a life time will be had.

Special Note:  It is not recommended to take day tours from the Papagayo area to Arenal or Monetverde.  Most of the day is spent driving as both locations are about 3 to 4 hours away from the coast.  Consider staying at least one night, and if visiting both areas one night at each location.

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