Caño Negro Nature Preserve offers some of the most abundant bird watching opportunities in the world. Located near the small town of Los Chiles, it’s (3 miles) from the Nicaraguan border. The tour begins with a 90 minute drive in an air-conditioned bus through some of Costa Rica’s richest farmland. Your expert bilingual naturalist guide will point out some of Costa Rica’s agricultural bounty, including orange groves, passion fruit, papaya, yucca, cocoa, rice, corn, beans, bananas, plantains, sugar cane and ornamental plants. Following a 15-minute break in Los Chiles, you’ll board a comfortable covered motor launch on the Rio Frio. All seats offer excellent viewing. Frequent sightings include three types of monkeys, bats, and two types of sloth, iguanas, “Jesus Christ” lizards, turtles, caymans, mammals and diverse species of flora and lowland birds. The Tico-style hot lunch (typically chicken and rice, yucca, squash, fresh pineapple and a selection of drinks) is a chance to relax on the river bank. (Vegetarian food is available on request). After lunch, back on the river for more animal viewing. After a quick break in Los Chiles, enjoy a relaxing return ride to La Fortuna.

Departure: 8am or 3pm