If you want to go see some big crocodiles in Costa Rica, the Rio Tarcoles is the one you will visit. This river is one of the most well known in the country, not just for the crocodiles but for other various reasons as well since about half of all of Costa Rica’s population lives along the river’s basins.
Rio Tarcoles (Tarcoles River)
Location
When you are driving to Playa Jaco from San Jose, you will pass a bridge where you can get out and walk onto to see the river. This area has become a big tourist attraction because of the immense population of crocodiles that live just several meters below the bridge. You can see them easily with the naked eye, they look like giant logs!
The entire river watershed covers over 2000 kilometers and it is one of the most contaminated and polluted rivers in Costa Rica. Despite the contamination, an abundance of wildlife thrives and depends on the river for survival.
Emptying into the Pacific Ocean, Rio Tarcoles begins at the point where two different rivers meet creating the border of the Carara National Park.
Additionally, the river also helps irrigate agricultural lands and generates electricity. However the pollution derives from a combination of sewage, industrial waste and in 2000, a petroleum refinery accidentally leaked nearly 400 liters of fuel into the river.
It is considered an unsafe place to swim in. Obviously. There have been some freak moments when someone either fell or jumped over and well, their fate wasn’t pretty. Let’s just say the crocodiles were a bit heavier when they discovered what was left of the body.
Wildlife
Some wildlife that can be seen in Rio Tarcoles are migratory and native birds, iguanas, basilisk and macaws but the prize creature to see are most definitely the crocodiles.
The amount of American crocodiles in this river is simply astounding. So much so that it’s considered to have the highest population of crocodiles in the world.
If you have a keen interest in seeing these big reptiles up close and personal, there are several river cruises you can take that showcase these spectacular beasts.
You take a nice safari ride on the river and at certain points near the mudflats, the guides will get out and feed the crocodiles just a couple feet away from you and you will see a great display of the strength and power of these creatures.
Rio Tarcoles’ main attraction is the crocodiles. Along the river are some hikes and waterfalls in the valley but other than that, there is not much else to enjoy at the Tarcoles River. There is the small Tarcoles town nearby if you want to explore a small Costa Rican community.
It’s a nice place to stop, stretch your legs and see some huge crocs on the way to Jaco or Manuel Antonio. At the entrance of the bridge, you will see a restaurant, a hotel and several souvenir shops taking advantage of people stopping. It is quite the sight to see with so many crocodiles congregated in one area!
More posts on beaches/attractions in the area:
Connie Hough says
February 9, 2018 at 2:46 PMWhat a ride! We saw beautiful birds, but the amount and size of the crocodiles was amazing! Keep your hands in the boat!!!
Micky says
February 13, 2017 at 3:15 PMI am in Monteverde and want to go to the beaches (Manuel Antonio etc) next. I also would love to see these crocs. They offer a shuttle including the tarcolis for $159,- That is 109,- more then the just the shuttle to Manuel.
I figured it might be cheaper to go from Manuel to the crocs myself. Do you have any suggestion?
Thanks!
Sammi says
February 13, 2017 at 8:30 PMIs that with a tour down the Tarcoles river? Or you just want to stop at the bridge and see the crocs because an extra $109 just to stop and see the crocodiles is a lot. The river boat tour down Tarcoles river is $55 with transportation when you book the tour with the company like Jose’s Crocodile Tour. You could take the bus instead which is cheaper and take the bus from Monteverde to Puntarenas, Puntarenas to Jaco and then take the crocodile river tour from Jaco. And then you can take a bus from Jaco to Manuel Antonio easily.
Jim Wei says
May 2, 2014 at 8:41 PMI read in the news that someone fell( or jump) off the bridge and was met with the unthinkable fate of eaten alive by the crocs. Not a place I want to hang out for long. Sorry to hear about this person’s misfortune.
yeison says
May 3, 2014 at 9:23 AMHi Mr Wei,
Yes it was a Nicaraguan that was very drunk, very sad news but honestly I don’t know what what this guy had in his mind. Swim with crocs humm not a good idea.
Ashley @ A Southern Gypsy says
April 21, 2014 at 9:14 AMI’d love to see all these crocodiles in the wild! They always *seem* harmless because they hardly move…yes, i really just said that haha
Sammi says
April 23, 2014 at 3:32 PMHaha I agree, they are cool to look at… from a distance lol
Globalmouse says
April 21, 2014 at 3:42 AMOh my goodness they are SO scary!!! I would love to see them in the wild like this but I would be so scared….those terrible little teeth!! Your photos are brilliant.
Sammi says
April 23, 2014 at 3:32 PMThanks! I know the upclose picture of the one with all their teeth hanging out… I would not want to be in between those!
Marysia @ My Travel Affairs says
April 19, 2014 at 2:45 PMWow, the crocodiles! So many in one place! Would love to see that!
Sammi says
April 23, 2014 at 3:34 PMIt’s pretty cool!
Katie @ From Shores to Skylines says
April 18, 2014 at 8:01 AMI love that picture of the croc walking – it looks so awkward, but you know its deadly! The rest kind of remind of one of those Indiana Jones movies with all the crocodiles waiting at the bottom of the river to gobble you up. I can’t believe the guides get out and feed them – that sounds about as safe as a swim would be.
Sammi says
April 23, 2014 at 3:05 PMI know right? They are crazy! But I guess they love it and it does give a great thrill. No thank you for me though, I will be watching several (hundred) feet away!
Erin says
April 17, 2014 at 9:43 AMScary, scary, SCARY. Amazing that they have endured since prehistoric times.
Sammi says
April 17, 2014 at 6:13 PMI know isn’t that crazy? All those teeth… scary!
Jim says
April 16, 2014 at 7:18 PMI hate to pick on your number but I have to say 25/mxm is not possible but more like 25/kmxkm. They sure look big in your photo. Each is probably over 2 meters long and weighs more than 100 kilos. Amazing sight to see so many crocs in one place. I am glad I was not there to do bridge survey when the bridge was built.
Sammi says
April 16, 2014 at 11:17 PMThanks Dad 🙂