Tours and Activities > La Fortuna> Safari float at the Peñas Blancas River
Experience the magic of Costa Rica’s wildlife on a serene safari float down the slow moving Peñas Blancas River, just 25 minutes from La Fortuna.
Duration
4 Hours
Transportation
Included
Certified
Tour Guide
Mytanfeet
Customer Service
Description
Discover Costa Rica's abundant wildlife on this family friendly half day excursion: the safari float down the Peñas Blancas River. Without the disturbance of motorized boats, you will be able to see various animals up close and personal in a tranquil and peaceful environment, for a full experience in nature.
Your friendly and knowledgeable English and Spanish bilingual guide will paddle down the slow moving river and point out various fauna such as caimans, howler monkeys, white face monkeys, iguanas, bats, herons, kingfishers and much more. Afterwards, you'll stop by a local house to try some local snacks and natural fruit juice.
Starting $91.53
per person
Free cancellation
if cancelled before 24 hours of start time
Full cancellation policies below
Safari Float at Peñas Blancas River Experience Highlights
- 4 hour tour. 25 minute drive to river "put in", about 2 hours floating down the river.
- See animals in the wild in their natural habitat
- Learn about the rainforest ecosystem
- Taste local snacks and natural fruit juice
- Easy tour. Little walking, no strenuous activity required.
- Suitable for children with a minimum age of 4
See What the Safari Float at Peñas Blancas River is Like Below
What is included?
Additional Information
- Confirmation will be given upon tour booking.
- Tour must be prepaid in full to book.
- Children must be at least 4 years of age to participate.
- Morning and afternoon tours available.
- These are shared experiences.
- Does not require any paddling.
*Morning tour pick up time is approximately 730 AM. Return is around 11 AM. Afternoon tour pick up time is approximately 2 PM, return around 530 PM. Exact pick up time will be given in the confirmation.*
What to Bring
- Comfortable walking clothes
- Rain jacket in rainy season
- Sunscreen, hat and insect repellent
Cancellation Policy
Cancellation policy: If the tour is cancelled in less than 24 hours of tour time and date, it is a 100% penalty fee. If cancelled outside the 24 hour window, we will give a full refund minus a 5% administration service fee. All cancellation requests must be written to us via email and confirmed in writing via email to be taken into effect. No refunds for no shows. No refunds for cancellations the day of the tour, no refunds if you are late and miss the bus. No refunds if you leave early on the tour. Refunds are given the same way invoices were completed. If cancellation is made 180 days after the initial payment date, refunds are given only via Paypal. For groups of 10+, the cancellation policy is 100% penalty if cancelled in less than 72 hours. If cancelled outside the 72 hour window, we will give a full refund minus a 5% administration service fee.
Booking form
We offer a 7% discount for this tour for adults and children. Below you will see original rates and the rates with our discount. Our prices include all Costa Rican taxes and we never charge booking fees. What you see is exactly what you'll pay. While other websites might show lower initial prices, they often add taxes and fees at the end. At Mytanfeet, we believe in transparent pricing from the start.
If you can't see the booking form below, please try refreshing the page or contact us for assistance.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does the Safari Float at Peñas Blancas River require a lot of walking or exercise?
No. The only walking you will do is from the bus to the raft, which is just a few steps at the start of the tour, then from the raft to the bus at the end.
You will not be paddling on the float. The guide will be doing all the paddling. The guide might ask one person in the boat to assist them with a couple of strokes when needed.
Can I bring my backpack onto the raft?
You can, however it should be waterproof or be covered in a waterproof rain cover. Although there are no rapids on the river, there is always the possibility of getting wet. During rainy season, you should only bring a backpack if it is waterproof or has a rain cover. Neither we nor the tour operators are responsible if you decide to bring your belongings onto the raft and they get wet.
How many people are in one raft?
The max number of adults per raft is 5, plus the guide so a total of 6 people.
Is the morning or afternoon tour better?
Both are excellent to see wildlife. It does get hotter during the afternoon tour, the morning is a bit cooler. Wildlife does tend to be more active in the mornings, but on the river, wildlife can always be seen.
In the rainy season (May through November), we highly recommend the morning tour as it tends to start raining in the late afternoons.
What wildlife can you see?
The most common animals you can see are caimans, crocodiles, tiger herons, aningas, otters, bats, porcupines, two and three toed sloths, white face monkeys, howler monkeys and spider monkeys. Wildlife is not a guarantee but there is great chances to see those ones.
Can I drive to the river to meet the tour group there?
No. Unfortunately it is not possible because the tour starts up river (where the "put in" is) and ends down river (put out). The tour company cannot drive you back to the "put in" spot to get your car. Furthermore, there isn't a dedicated secure parking lot.
If you aren't staying at a hotel in La Fortuna, you can drive to the tour operator office in downtown La Fortuna to meet the group and get on the bus from there.
How long is the drive from La Fortuna to the river?
It is about a 25 minute drive one way.
Are children allowed?
Yes! Children with a minimum of 4 years of age can join the tour.
Is any food provided?
No, meals are not included in the tour. Local snacks are provided after the rafting portion and it changes depending on what local ingredients are in season. Some options are yuca pie and local cheese.
Dave Osika says
Is there one with a boat to walk on and off of. My wife has a trouble maneuvering around
Sammi says
Hi Dave, yes, this tour the Caño Negro Wildlife Refuge by Boat at Los Chiles has a dock and easy to get on and off the boat.
Megan Sneary says
We’ll be in CR in November 2025 and are starting our research for our itinerary. I was wondering if it is advisable to do the Safari Float at the Penas Blancas River in the morning and then go to the Arenal Vida Campesina that same afternoon. We will be renting a 4×4 to drive for the duration of our trip.
Your site is top notch and has been truly helpful!
Sammi says
Hi Megan, you can definitely do the two tours that way.