Palo Verde National Park
Palo Verde National Park
Palo Verde National Park
4.5
About
The water system in this park sustains the largest population of waterfowl and wading birds in Central America.
Meets animal welfare guidelines
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Most Recent: Reviews ordered by most recent publish date in descending order.
Detailed Reviews: Reviews ordered by recency and descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as waiting time, length of visit, general tips, and location information.
Popular mentions
4.5
454 reviews
Excellent
294
Very good
116
Average
29
Poor
9
Terrible
6
Sreekanth S
13 contributions
Apr 2024 • Family
We had a very disappointing trip sold by Destination Services CR to Palo Verde which was terrible mainly because of our guide. From the moment we transferred from one van to join the guide and 4 other passengers, we were made to feel like we were interrupting his time with his British passengers.
The guide treated us like second class citizens and barely spoke to us. He didn't check to see if we heard him, didn't answer our questions (the only exceptions were when I caught him alone and he didn't have a choice). He went to the extent of putting on a fake British accent so that his British passengers could understand him better, but couldn't be bothered to check if we heard or understood him.
I don't know what the problem was, but we first went to the wrong dock and then had to drive another 15 minutes to get to the correct dock. As a result of this, we ended up on the boat ride for only about an hour instead of the 1.5 hours the Destination Services CR salesperson had mentioned to me.
To make things worse, multiple times during the trip the guide said that mid-afternoon was the worst time to take this trip since all the birds and animals would be resting and not much would be visible. If this is the case, why did Destination Services CR even sell us the afternoon tour?
I have to imagine the guide knew that very little would be visible because he has taken this trip multiple times. If this is truly the case, Destination Services CR is doing a big disservice to customers like me by selling this trip. If it is not true, it just reinforces how little the guide cared about his passengers that he kept telling us we wouldn't see anything after we paid a hefty amount and took a long drive to take this trip.
To continue the terrible experience, as soon as we got on the boat, he told all of us "if you see anything, point it out to me and I'll explain" and stretched out in the back of the boat. While the 2 guides on other Destination Services trips we'd taken were highly engaging, looking for sights and pointing them out to us with a laser pointer, this guide did absolutely nothing. It was either the passengers (our group included) or the driver of the boat who pointed things out to each other. Why did we even need a guide on this trip then?
I'm taking the step of putting all of the above in a Trip Advisor review because no one else should go through an experience like this when they are on vacation to try and enjoy themselves and learn about a new country and its ecology, etc.
Please note that before writing this review, I spoke in person with the salesperson who sold us this tour. He said all the right things, took down my phone number and email and assured me that someone from the Destination Services CR office would contact me about this trip. I have now waited more than a month and have heard nothing from Destination Services CR.
The guide treated us like second class citizens and barely spoke to us. He didn't check to see if we heard him, didn't answer our questions (the only exceptions were when I caught him alone and he didn't have a choice). He went to the extent of putting on a fake British accent so that his British passengers could understand him better, but couldn't be bothered to check if we heard or understood him.
I don't know what the problem was, but we first went to the wrong dock and then had to drive another 15 minutes to get to the correct dock. As a result of this, we ended up on the boat ride for only about an hour instead of the 1.5 hours the Destination Services CR salesperson had mentioned to me.
To make things worse, multiple times during the trip the guide said that mid-afternoon was the worst time to take this trip since all the birds and animals would be resting and not much would be visible. If this is the case, why did Destination Services CR even sell us the afternoon tour?
I have to imagine the guide knew that very little would be visible because he has taken this trip multiple times. If this is truly the case, Destination Services CR is doing a big disservice to customers like me by selling this trip. If it is not true, it just reinforces how little the guide cared about his passengers that he kept telling us we wouldn't see anything after we paid a hefty amount and took a long drive to take this trip.
To continue the terrible experience, as soon as we got on the boat, he told all of us "if you see anything, point it out to me and I'll explain" and stretched out in the back of the boat. While the 2 guides on other Destination Services trips we'd taken were highly engaging, looking for sights and pointing them out to us with a laser pointer, this guide did absolutely nothing. It was either the passengers (our group included) or the driver of the boat who pointed things out to each other. Why did we even need a guide on this trip then?
I'm taking the step of putting all of the above in a Trip Advisor review because no one else should go through an experience like this when they are on vacation to try and enjoy themselves and learn about a new country and its ecology, etc.
Please note that before writing this review, I spoke in person with the salesperson who sold us this tour. He said all the right things, took down my phone number and email and assured me that someone from the Destination Services CR office would contact me about this trip. I have now waited more than a month and have heard nothing from Destination Services CR.
Written 27 May 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Gill-1959
Smithville, Canada74 contributions
Apr 2022
We did a boat tour with Costour Plenty of wildlife to see. Our guide Felix, AKA, eagle eye, spotted so many things and pointed them out to us that just looking on our own would have missed.
The boat tour is approx. 1.5 hours long. Followed by a beautiful typical Costa Rican lunch.
The boat tour is approx. 1.5 hours long. Followed by a beautiful typical Costa Rican lunch.
Written 27 April 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Cheryl P
Stamford, UK53 contributions
Apr 2022 • Couples
Fantastic trip highly recommend the river boat trip...can't believe how many 🐊 we saw plus other fascinating wildlife. We opted to organise this trip via Randy at Costa Rica Excursions ..super private tour with driver Emilio and Oscar who was a great chap totally engaged with their environent and the animals and their tour guide. We saw the raw Costa Rica . Finished off with a relaxing hot spring at the MiraValles volcanoe . Pura Vida !@
Written 23 April 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Linda M
Lincoln, NE16 contributions
Nov 2022
We are saying at the "W" Costa Rica Playa Conchal and booked a private tour with Swiss Travel for this area. Our tour guide, Hernan Bolanos, was wonderful. His knowledge of wildlife, the history and the culture of Costa Rica was very informative. Between he and the boat driver, with their eagle eyes, we identified many new birds and animals. Our tour also included time at El Viejo, a cultural center where we ate, learned about making rum (and had tastings) as well as made tortillas. An educationalabd fun day. We were already enthralled with CR, but his enthusiasm for his country heightened our appreciation. Thank-you Swiss Travel and Hernan
Written 1 December 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Mandy R
Crediton, UK417 contributions
Dec 2019
Very pleasant trip with local guide. Very educational. Lovely relaxing boat ride up the river spotting crocodiles and iguanas on the river bank and some amazing birds. The surroundings are amazing!
The sugar cane and coffee experience was very well done and again very educational but fun, delicious coffee!
Half day $95 per adult $71 for children, well worth the cost.
The sugar cane and coffee experience was very well done and again very educational but fun, delicious coffee!
Half day $95 per adult $71 for children, well worth the cost.
Written 24 February 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Travelforbirds
Saskatoon, Canada125 contributions
Jan 2020
Great spot! I stayed right in the park for three nights, and saw a ton of wildlife. It is quite different from much of Costa Rica because of the dry forest. I highly recommend staying at the research center. The staff are great, and can advise you on some of the best trails for wildlife watching.
Written 16 September 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Dan S
1 contribution
Jan 2020
We made a last minute booking and they were able to fit us in the following day. We drove to their location in Ortega from Liberia. The drive is easy but GPS is recommended. From their location we followed a guy on his motorcycle to the river, he turned out to be our guide on the river cruise. We saw a large family of white faced capuchin monkeys foraging along the river bank, loads of crocodiles (best seen at low tide), countless birds, iguanas and more. It was a wonderful cruise and lunch was provided back in Ortega afterwards. The boat ride was suitable for my 75 yr old father and 6 yr old son.
Written 20 January 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
frandockery
Playas del Coco, Costa Rica3 contributions
Jan 2023
Another fabulous trip to the Palo Verde National Park with Mardigi Tours. I have brought all my guests on this adventure to see crocodiles, monkeys, iguanas and so many birds. Marvin has such an eagle eye to find all these natural inhabitants. This had to be at least my fifth time visiting the park with Marvin and I have enjoyed it every time!
Written 8 February 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Where_to_travel_next
Vancouver, Canada6 703 contributions
Dec 2022 • Friends
We used Get Lost in Costa Rica to enjoy a private boat tour. It was wonderful to have a terrific guide share the wonders of the animals who live by the water. We saw bats, crocodiles, birds, monkeys. The captain of the boat was great to get up close to the wildlife for us to take pictures. The road to the park is mainly unpaved. The boats are in fairly good condition, and open air.
Written 9 December 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
William B
St. Catharines, Canada101 contributions
Jan 2020
This trip through Swiss Travel had 2 parts. First a tour of a former sugar plantation to experience plantation life a century or two ago. Then off to Palo Verde to see the crocs and birds along the river. Then back to the plantation for a late lunch
Written 9 February 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Is there any company that will pick us up in La Fortuna, take us to Palo Verde for the tour and deliver us to a coastal town like Potrero afterwards.
Written 2 March 2022
Hi guys. Help me
So. It is possible to drive to the park. You pay 9 dollars entrance fee.
After that. Can you walk around yourself? Or is a guide mandatory?
Regards
Schliek
Written 25 July 2019
We were on a prepaid organised trip so I wouldn't have a clue , sorry .
Written 25 July 2019
Hi Janice,
I read your review of Palo Verde Park/River cruise, but I think you have the wrong park name. There are no mud pots there? Can you please verify? Thank you.
Written 28 March 2019
Hola, recomendación para ir a Palo Verde, objetivo: hacer una pequeña investigación de la biodiversidad del lugar.
Recomendación de que llevar, dónde quedarse, tour para estudiantes universitarios, precios.
Gracias
Written 14 February 2019
What I would like to know is what happens about breakfast with the tui palo verde trip especially when pick up time is earlier than 6am??? What time do you return to the hotel as well?
Written 15 January 2019
Hi if you are staying in th Riu Palace they have 24 hour food but if not the first stop on the tour is for breakfast in a beautiful peaceful setting.Amazing day out we loved it.We were back in the hotel early afternoon
Written 30 January 2019
Hi,
We are going to drive to the park like what you did. If I understand you correctly, you paid $9 to enter the park, additionally, you paid 56000 colones to do a boat tour includes lunch afterwards? This tour is like a boat tour along the river to see animals etc which last an hour to two? I assume I will pay & join the tour right at the park entrance at the same time I pay the $9, am I right?
Thank you very much.
Written 21 April 2018
Yes, there is a place where you pay the $9 park entrance fee at the place where the tour starts. You cannot book the tour there.
Written 9 July 2018
We are thinking of touring this park on our own without a tour. Is this advisable?
Written 17 March 2018
Yes, if you have a car you can drive there yourself. If you want to take the river cruise you can have the gentleman at the ranger station call the dock and arrange for it. I wrote a review recently.
Written 18 March 2018
Is the parc worth to go there without doing a boat trip ?
Written 11 March 2018
I will be flying into Liberia on January 26 and would love to take a river tour of Palo Verde National Park with my boyfriend on January 27. We'd like to stay close to the park so we can take a tour early in the morning and see as many animals as possible. We are looking into either staying at the Ranger Station the night before although we haven't heard back from them, or taking a tour through another company. Which do you all suggest?
PV Ranger Station option:
1) How much does it cost to stay there and how do you book this?
2) Can you arrange tours when you get there or do you need to do this in advance. How much are private or group tours and how long are they?
Independent Tour Operator option:
I read great things about Thomson Excursions on TripAdvisor. It looks like they've changed names to TUI and I haven't been able to submit an inquiry through their online form.
1) What email should I use to contact them?
2) Are they actually authorized to start as early as 5am? What other tour operators do that? Did this really help see more animals?
3) How much is the tour? We don't mind if it's with a group as opposed to private. We are traveling on a budget and love bird-watching.
4) Where does it pick up from?
5) Can they help arrange lodging at the ranger station, and do they pick up from there?
5) If we don't hear from the ranger station, is there other lodging nearby that they pick up from so we can start at 5am?
Thanks!
Written 17 January 2018
There is no lodging at the ranger station. Did you mean by the entrance? That's where we paid to get inside the park which I think opens at 8am. There was a research station in the middle of the park I don't know if you can stay there as a tourist.
You can arrange the boat ride when you get to the entrance. The ranger will call the boat dock for you. We did that on our own and the drive from the entrance to the dock was about 40 mins. Pack a lunch or snacks and most importantly enough water as there is no place where you can buy those from inside the park. The boat ride is about 2 hours, $20/adult $10/child under 10.
Written 19 January 2018
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*Likely to sell out: Based on Viator’s booking data and information from the provider from the past 30 days, it seems likely this experience will sell out through Viator, a Tripadvisor company.
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