The Best Safari Float in La Fortuna: Toucans, Monkeys, and Crocodiles Galore!

There’s no shortage of things to do in Costa Rica and the Safari Float in La Fortuna was definitely one of the highlights for me. My goal was to see wildlife and we definitely succeeded.

Costa Rica tends to be a pretty active country – there’s lots of hiking, insane driving, and gorgeous waterfalls everywhere. I’m all for getting out and about, but it’s nice to have an activity that 1) didn’t make me sweat 2) gave me the opportunity to see tons of amazing wildlife.

I absolutely loved my safari float tour and I’m happy to share exactly what to expect and the best tour to book to have an amazing day full of toucans, monkeys and more!

La Fortuna Costa Rica Quick Guide

What to Expect on Your La Fortuna Safari Float Tour

Getting There and Setup

Our guide (shoutout to Mei!) picked us up straight from our hotel in the morning and we drove about 20 minutes to the river. It was a really easy drive and it was nice to see more local neighborhoods of Arenal that we wouldn’t have seen otherwise. 

There were only three other people on the tour with us so it wasn’t crowded at all. I also pretty much always opt for small group tours, so we made friends with the other folks on the tour, including a couple that we ended up seeing again when we moved to our fancy hotel (the Arenal Manoa Hot Springs!)

Our launch point on the Peñas Blancas River was right behind a man’s house, and we started seeing wildlife right away since there was a sloth in the tree out front!

The rafts are inflatable and stable and hold about 6-8 people. It was really comfortable and like every other raft I’ve been on from growing up in Colorado. 

On the Peñas Blancas River

The actual float is incredibly peaceful. You’re literally just drifting with the current while your guide does all the paddling and navigating. 

The Peñas Blancas River flows through some pretty dense rainforest, so you’re surrounded by lush vegetation on both sides.

The time of year you go will also impact how high the river is. When we went in February, it was pretty low, which unfortunately meant more paddling work for our guide (but not for us)!

Speaking of which, the guide was really the best part and completely made our experience!

He had incredible eyes for spotting wildlife that we never would have seen on our own. He knew where animals like to hang out, what sounds to listen for, and exactly where to look in the super dense trees.

The float takes about two hours, which is the perfect amount of time, in my opinion. Long enough to see plenty of wildlife and really soak in the rainforest atmosphere, but not so long that you get restless or uncomfortable.

Wildlife on Safari Float Tours

La Fortuna’s location makes it a wildlife hotspot, and the Peñas Blancas River cuts through protected forest areas where animals feel safe to come out and be active.

While no guide can guarantee you’ll see animals, the success rate for seeing wild animals on these tours is really high. 

The combination of an expert guide, the quiet approach of floating, and the fact that animals come to the river to drink means you’re almost guaranteed to see something amazing.

On our tour, we spotted toucans flying overhead, howler monkeys moving through the trees, lots of iguanas sunbathing on branches, a crocodile on the riverbank, and a ton of birds including a tiny baby owl hidden in a tree hollow (a great example of something I never would have seen on my own!). 

The guide provided binoculars to get closer looks, and honestly, we saw more wildlife in two hours than I’ve seen on full-day hiking tours.

Mammals

• Howler Monkeys are probably the most common mammal you’ll encounter. You’ll hear them before you see them (it sounds scary but it’s not!). When you do spot them, they’re usually high in the trees. Our guide would make their call, and they’d howl right back!
  
  
• White-faced Capuchin Monkeys are smaller and more acrobatic than howlers. They travel in groups and put on quite a show swinging from branch to branch. They’re curious about the boats, so sometimes they’ll come closer to check you out.
  
  
• Sloths are the holy grail of Costa Rican wildlife spotting and also really frickin hard to see 😂 You need to know what you’re looking for. They’re not guaranteed on every tour because they’re masters of camouflage and move so slowly they’re hard to spot. But when you do see one, it’s absolutely magical.

Reptiles

• Green Iguanas are everywhere along this river. They love basking in the sun on branches that hang over the water, so you’ll get some great picture opportunities. Some of the ones we saw were huge – probably ~2-3 feet long.
  
  
• Crocodiles sound scary, but the ones along this stretch of river are pretty small and apparently completely harmless to humans (though I probably wouldn’t risk getting too close). 
  
  The one we saw was just sunning itself on the muddy banks, enjoying its Costa Rican life.

Birds

This is where safari float tours really shine. La Fortuna is incredible for birdwatching, and the slow pace of floating gives you time to really observe different species.

To be honest, I rarely have the patience for birdwatching, and I actually really enjoyed it. Something about seeing them soaring over the river made it feel pretty special.

• Toucans are the star attraction. I honestly can’t believe neon green colors like that exist in nature. 
  
  
• Great Blue Herons are massive wading birds that you’ll often see standing perfectly still in shallow water, waiting to catch fish. They’re impressive up close.
  
  
• Kingfishers are small, colorful birds that are fun to watch because they dive into the water to catch fish. We saw lots of these.
  
  
• Various raptors and other tropical birds are common along the river. I know, I’m not a bird expert, but your guide will be! 
  

Butterflies and Flowers

• The butterfly diversity is incredible. We saw huge blue morpho butterflies with gorgeous wings, plus dozens of other colorful species.
  
  
• We also saw tons of vibrant flora and fauna throughout the safari float tour. I definitely couldn’t capture all the gorgeous colors that popped up along the riverbank.
  
  

The Best Safari Float Tour in La Fortuna

La Fortuna Wildlife Safari Float Tour (My Top Pick)

This tour through Viator is the exact one I took and I can’t recommend it enough. Our guide was incredibly knowledgeable, our tour group size was small and not crowded, and it was a full, but not too full, half day seeing wildlife.

We ended the day at a local farm where we had a delicious, literally farm-to-table meal. 

The snack spread was honestly incredible: passion fruit juice, tamarind juice, plantains, yucca bread, and fried cheese. 

It was the perfect ending to an already amazing day, and you get to experience real Costa Rican hospitality.

You want to make sure you book at least a week or two in advance (more if you’re visiting during high season!) since the boats have a limited number of seats.

When Should You Take a Safari Float Tour in Costa Rica?

Time of Day

Most safari float tours offer morning departures (around 8 AM) and afternoon options (around 1 PM). I’d strongly recommend the morning tours if possible. Animals are more active in the cooler morning hours, and you’re less likely to roast in the sun.

The afternoon tours can work well too, especially if you have other things to do in La Fortuna in the morning like visiting waterfalls or hiking. Wildlife is still active in the afternoon, though you might see slightly fewer animals than during peak morning activity.

The Best Season for a River Float Tour

Honestly, if you’re in Costa Rica, you know what weather you’re signing up for. Safari float tours run year-round, but there are definitely ideal times to visit:

• Dry Season (December – April): This is peak tourist season for good reason. You’ll have clear skies, better visibility, and animals tend to congregate near water sources during drier periods. The downside is higher prices and more crowded tours.
  
  
• Rainy Season (May – November): The landscape is incredibly lush and green, and there are fewer tourists around. Wildlife viewing can actually be excellent during rainy season. However, heavy rains can occasionally cancel tours, and you might deal with overcast skies for photography.

I visited in February during the dry season and had perfect conditions – calm water, clear skies, and tons of wildlife activity.

Safari Float Tours vs Other La Fortuna Activities

La Fortuna offers so many adventure activities that it can be overwhelming to choose. I personally loved the Mistico Arenal Hanging Bridges and visiting the Arenal waterfall.

Arenal is generally known for its hot springs, and I have a guide to the best spots here!

Costa Rica Family Travel: Why a Safari Float is the Perfect Activity

One of the best things about safari float tours is how accessible they are for families. My friend went with his parents, I went with my boyfriend and someone in our tour group used a cane- they’re really accessible for everyone. 

Unlike many adventure activities in Costa Rica that have age restrictions or fitness requirements, safari floats work for almost everyone.

• No physical demands: Grandparents and young kids can enjoy the experience equally. You’re just sitting in a stable raft while the guide does all the work.
  
  
• High success rate for wildlife: Kids get excited about spotting animals, and these tours have really high success rates. You’re almost guaranteed to see something cool.
  
  
• Educational component: The naturalist guides are great at sharing interesting facts about animals and ecosystems in kid-friendly ways.
  
  
• Perfect duration: Two hours is ideal for kiddo attention spans. Long enough to see lots of wildlife, short enough that kids don’t get restless.
  
  
• Safe environment: Calm water, stable rafts, and experienced guides make this one of the safest adventure activities in Costa Rica.

Tips for Families

Book morning tours when kids are most alert and animals are most active. Bring snacks and extra water, though the included refreshments at the end are usually a big hit with families.

If you have child-friendly binoculars, bring them along! Kids love having their own equipment to spot animals. Also, prepare kids for the possibility of seeing a crocodile – it’s super exciting rather than super scary when they know what to expect.

Sustainable Tourism and Safari Float Tours

What Makes a Tour Sustainable

The tour I recommend works directly with local families, providing economic opportunities for rural communities around La Fortuna. I got to experience this firsthand when we visited the working farm at the end of our tour.

• Local employment: Our naturalist guide was from the local community and had specialized knowledge that clearly came from growing up in the area.
  
  
• Family-owned businesses: The farm where we had snacks is owned and operated by a local family. We were directly supporting their livelihood, and you could feel the authentic hospitality.
  
  
• Wildlife education: Our guide taught us about respecting animals and ecosystems rather than just pointing out wildlife for photos. It felt educational rather than exploitative.
  
  
• Minimal environmental impact: No motors, no trash left behind, and our guide maintained safe distances from all the wildlife we encountered.

The farm visit perfectly exemplified sustainable tourism. We experienced authentic Costa Rican hospitality while supporting a local family’s business. The horse breeder and his wife have been welcoming safari float groups for years, and our guide mentioned it’s become an important part of their income.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is a Safari Float La Fortuna Tour Worth it?

Safari float La Fortuna tours are absolutely worth it, especially if seeing wildlife is something you’re excited about! 

Based on my experience, I’d recommend safari float tours to almost anyone visiting La Fortuna. Whether traveling with family, as a couple, or solo, it’s the kind of uniquely Costa Rican experience that I’m still talking about months later.

Cheers to your next adventure—and Pura Vida!