Palo Verde National Park tour with River Tempisque cruise

Nourished by the River Tempisque, the fertile lands of Palo Verde National Park provide sanctuary to a mind-boggling line-up of exotic birds and other wildlife. This tour gives you exclusive access to the reserve, world-renowned for its biodiversity and natural beauty. Jose, one of our expert local guides, says "Palo Verde is home to around 280 different species of birds, but the most common are waterfowl and forest birds – there's an estimated 50,000 of them living there."

Your adventure kicks off with a cruise down the Tempisque. And being the only boat out on the river at this time of day means you'll have it all to yourself. What better way to see wild animals in their natural habitat? You'll enjoy unobscured views of a multitude of nesting birds – there's a vast number of heron species – howler monkeys, iguanas and even crocodiles basking on the riverbanks. From here, you'll head to a farm at one of the nearby local communities, where you can see how people in this part of Costa Rica live. You'll learn about the produce they grow and their traditional farming methods.

During your tour of the land, your guide will tell you about the history and traditions of the region. Since this place is nestled in the countryside, there are plenty of sprawling views for you to snap pictures of, too. You'll have plenty of time to fill your phone before starting the return journey back to your accommodation.