If your Costa Rica bucket list consists of world class birding, off the beaten path destinations and authentic local connections, then Boca Tapada must be on your Costa Rica itinerary.
Ensconced in the northern lowlands, this tiny village has turned into a top global ecotourism destination, providing intimate nature experiences in the pristine rainforest.
Find out how to visit Boca Tapada in this guide, to create unforgettable memories in one of Costa Rica’s hidden treasures.
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About Boca Tapada
This small rural town’s background begins many years ago with pineapples, one of Costa Rica’s most important exported crops.
Unfortunately, large scale pineapple farming has negative effects on the environment as it destroys forests and creates erosion.
Furthermore, Costa Rica happens to be one of the world’s heaviest pesticide users, mostly due to pineapple farming.
As Costa Rica’s tourism industry grew and the country became known for its sustainability, it became crucial to protect the precious rainforests, which were being devastated by the massive pineapple plantations.
Thus, the Maquenque National Wildlife Refuge was born, protecting 518 sq kilometers (200 sq miles) of rainforest and natural water sources, while simultaneously providing a crucial biological corridor to the Caribbean Coast and Nicaragua.
Although the the region is still heavily dependent on pineapple farming, thanks to the refuge, Boca Tapada is now one of the top birding and nature destinations in Costa Rica.
Nature lovers can see animals such as the endangered Great Green macaw, king vulture, endemic glass frog, Baird’s tapir, toucans, various kingfishers, monkeys and much more in Boca Tapada.
Location
Boca Tapada is in the Alajuela province, near the Nicaraguan border by the San Carlos River.
Boca Tapada is 105 kilometers (65.5 miles) from San Jose International Airport. This drive takes around 3 hours.
Boca Tapada is 227 kilometers (141 miles) from Guanacaste Airport. The drive time is a little over 4 hours.
How to Get There
The best way to get to Boca Tapada is by rental car if you plan to self-drive for your trip.
Driving to Boca Tapada: The route from both SJO and LIR Airports are fully paved. Depending on where else you plan to visit, it may be best to rent a high clearance car in dry season or a 4×4 if it is required for your itinerary.
Get our Costa Rica car rental discount and freebies in the link!
Private shuttle: If you don’t want to drive, the next best option is a private shuttle. Private shuttles offer door to door service and you will have the van all to you and your group. A private shuttle costs around $315 USD for 1-6 people.
Contact us to book your private shuttle!
There is a public bus from Pital – Boca Tapada but we do not recommend traveling via public bus, as it is very difficult to get around.
Recommended Hotels
There are a handful of hotels in Boca Tapada, mostly family run eco-lodges and cabins.
Maquenque Eco Lodge
One of the most incredible hotels we have ever stayed at in Costa Rica.
This local family owned loge has rainforest surrounded tree houses and lake view cabins, spread throughout a 68 hectare (168 acre) property.
We stayed in a deluxe treehouse, which had a balcony, Jaccuzi and open air bathrooms. The treehouses are located in the back of the property, tucked away in the rainforest.
Their cabins are all lakefront, closer to the reception.
Fantastic birdwatching, delicious restaurant, great guides and an overall amazing place. Located on the other side of the San Carlos River so you have to take a boat ride to get to the hotel.
Read our review about Maquenque Eco Lodge and watch our video.
We have a 5% promo code you can use on their website. Save 5% with our promo code “mytanfeet”!
Boca Tapada Lodge: Beautiful lodge along the river and in town with bungalows, outdoor bathrooms, verandas and air conditioning. Breakfast included. Has air conditioning.
La Laguna del Lagarto Eco-Lodge: Nestled in a 500 hectares (1235 acres) property full of lush rainforest, this lodge offers top notch nature and wildlife experiences right outside your front door. Excellent birdwatching with established birding stations. Has air conditioning in rooms, hiking trails and an on-site restaurant.
Iguanitas Lodge: Located right in town, it is not a fancy resort but a modest family run no frills lodge. Has an outdoor pool. Delicious Costa Rican restaurant. Ideal for those on a budget.
Hotel Pedacito de Cielo: Has wood cabins and balconies situated along the riverbank. Nice gardens. No frills, no air conditioning. A little bit outside of the village, about 12 minute drive. Budget friendly.
Things to Do in Boca Tapada
There isn’t a ton of things to do in Boca Tapada but what there are, are unique experiences without all the tourist crowds.
San Carlos River Boat Ride
This 3 hour boat ride down the San Carlos River offers guests more opportunities to see wildlife such as monkeys, crocodiles and herons.
But the most interesting part of this excursion is that it stops in Boca San Carlos, a tiny town right on the border between Costa Rica and Nicaragua.
The boat docks in town, so you can get out and walk to the border, with Nicaragua in front of you on the other side of the river.
Night Walk
Maquenque Eco Lodge offers their own night walk. Our guide found us lots of frogs, sleeping birds and a fer de lance snake!
Birding
If there any reason why tourists go to Boca Tapada, it is for the birding.
In Boca Tapada, you can see an incredibly enormous variety of birds, thanks to the river, wetlands and location between the Caribbean and Pacific coasts.
In fact, it was a group of ornithologists who first proposed creating a national park to protect the endangered Great Green Macaw population, before the refuge existed.
Boca Tapada Birding Tours
Maquenque Eco Lodge offers their own on-site birding tours. Don’t forget to save 5% with our promo code “mytanfeet” on their website!
We saw a lot of birds at the lodge including the Scarlet Macaw, White-collared Manakin, Keel billed toucan, Yellow throated toucan, Brown chinned parrot, Great Green Macaw, Muscovy Duck, Long-billed hermit, Ringed kingfisher, Black cheeked Woodpecker, honeycreepers, tanagers and many more.
Besides the Great Green Macaw, another prized bird to see in Boca Tapada is the King Vulture. Pizote Tours runs a specific King Vulture birding tour, as they have observation stations set up to see this magnificent vulture.
La Laguna del Lagarto Eco Lodge has stations and observations platforms set up specifically for birding and bird photography.
How to Visit Boca Tapada
The best way to visit Boca Tapada is to stay a hotel, especially if you don’t have a rental car. The hotel can help you arrange excursions and the ones in Boca Tapada have an on-site restaurant.
Since the village is basically a couple blocks with a bar, restaurant, mini market and church, even with a car, you will need to drive 45 minutes to PItal which is a bigger town with all the services.
Sample Itineraries
Not sure how to fit Boca Tapada into your itinerary? Here are some examples for those renting a car. You can also get around by private shuttle.
Get our Costa Rica car rental discount here or contact us to book your private shuttles.
Birding Focus 2 Weeks
Fly into SJO (1 night) – Selva Verde Lodge in Sarapiqui (2 nights) – Boca Tapada (3 nights) – Arenal Observatory Lodge (3 nights) – Cloud Forest Lodge in Monteverde (2 nights) – Villa Lapas Jungle Village (2 nights) – Fly out of SJO Airport.
For hotels near SJO Airport, you can check our recommendations in the link.
Nature, Lodges and Beach 2 Weeks
Fly into SJO (1 night) – Boca Tapada (3 nights) – Arenal Observatory Lodge (3 nights) – La Carolina Lodge in Bijagua (2 nights) – Potrero beach (4 nights) – Fly out of LIR Airport.
Costa Rica Vacation Checklist
- First time to Costa Rica? Read our First Time in Costa Rica guide.
- Not sure how to move around Costa Rica? Read our How to Get Around Costa Rica guide to find the best transportation method for you.
- Click the link to get our detailed Costa Rica Packing List so you know what essential items to bring.
- Check our Costa Rica destinations map and Costa Rica restaurant map
- Do not forget to purchase Travel Insurance for your trip to Costa Rica.
- Stay connected by purchasing a prepaid SIM Card in Costa Rica.
- Save money with Mytanfeet Deals for tours and hotels and our Costa Rica Car Rental Discount.
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