Heredia · Caribbean lowland rainforest
Sarapiquí, Costa Rica: rainforest, rivers and hanging bridges
A rainforest canton of Heredia on the Caribbean slope, crossed by the Sarapiquí River: hanging bridges, night walks, river floats, birds and cacao and coffee farms, an hour from Venecia.
Sarapiquí at a glance
Why Sarapiquí
Lowland rainforest full of life
Rainforest wildlife
Sarapiquí borders Braulio Carrillo National Park and is home to the La Selva biological reserve.
The Sarapiquí River
Once Costa Rica’s first route to Europe, today it is perfect for a calm wildlife float.
Farm culture
Cacao, coffee and pineapple farms open their doors to show how they work.
Bridges and night walks
Walk a 390-metre hanging bridge by day and look for frogs on a guided night walk.
Good to know
- Humid tropical climate, with rain in any month
- Bring a rain jacket and insect repellent
- Tours meet at each site; we send the location
- Easy to combine two tours in one day
Tours in Sarapiquí
Rainforest tours in Sarapiquí
Sarapiquí hanging bridges
A 390-metre hanging bridge above the canopy and three rainforest trails. Choose a day pass, a guided nature walk or birdwatching.
Night walk in the rainforest
Frogs, insects and nocturnal wildlife on trails and hanging bridges after dark, with a local naturalist guide. Minimum age 8.
Sarapiquí River safari float
A calm float on the Sarapiquí River to spot monkeys, birds, iguanas and otters with a naturalist guide. Suitable for all ages.
Horseback riding at Hacienda Pozo Azul
Ride through jungle, pastures and streams beside the Sarapiquí River on well-trained horses, with a bilingual guide.
Birdwatching in Sarapiquí
Trogons, toucans, motmots and hummingbirds on private trails, with a specialist guide and spotting scope.
Chocolate tour in Sarapiquí
Follow cacao from bean to bar on a working farm in Puerto Viejo de Sarapiquí, with tastings of artisanal chocolate.
Community coffee tour
The full seed-to-cup process on a cooperative farm in San Miguel de Sarapiquí, a walk to El Congo Waterfall and a typical lunch.
Before you book
Frequently asked questions
Sarapiquí is the tenth canton of Heredia province, on the Caribbean slope of Costa Rica. Its main town is Puerto Viejo, and it covers about 2,140 km², making it the largest canton in Heredia.
Walk the hanging bridges, join a night walk to find frogs, float the Sarapiquí River to spot wildlife, go birdwatching, ride horses at Hacienda Pozo Azul and visit cacao and coffee farms.
About 1 hour by car from our base in Venecia de San Carlos, so you can stay in either area and visit the other on a day trip.
Any time of year. It is a rainforest, so rain is part of the experience and keeps the wildlife active. Mornings are best for birds, and nights for frogs.
The river safari float is suitable for all ages, the hanging bridges have a 1 km trail suitable for wheelchairs, the chocolate tour is a family favourite and the night walk starts at age 8.
Send us a message on WhatsApp with the tours, date and number of people. We confirm availability, rates and the location of each tour, and help you combine them in one day.
Book on WhatsApp
Tell us your dates and we will plan the day
One message on WhatsApp is enough. We reply with availability, rates and what to bring.