Hotel Playa Bejuco

Two tiered pricing system

by Suzanne123

Get to know what the locals pay because there are different rates that taxis like to charge for service. I had one taxi charge 1 million colones for a 10 minute taxi ride to playa hermosa and another one charged 1,000. A difference of $10. If you are charged in American prices, then negotiate hard. In the stores you can bargain down 10% easily. Ask if service is included in the prices at restaurants if it is not stated on the menu. This is not typical for locals, only at places frequented by tourists.

Jungle Crocodile Safari

by BEETLE_VERTE

A sunset cruise on the Rio Grande Tarcoles. An amazing encounter with the avifauna and large crocodile population of this impressive but calm river. The sunset sets the mood for the gorgeous colors and animation of the mangrove and banks. Really something to see and experience.

2 hours boat ride (one guide, one driver, about 20 seated places, covered boat), 30 minutes from Jaco. They can pick you up at your hotel. 40$ per person including transport. They also give you a precious identification guide.

We saw crocodiles by the dozen. At some point, the captain even got out to feed one of their resident with a dead chicken. It was the occasion for some nice pictures!

But we also saw numerous birds: Pelicans, herons, egrets, ducks, stilts, whimbrels, sandpipers, vultures, hawks, ara macao, parrots, kingfishers, motmots, kingbirds, wrens, orioles, tanagers and so on!

And got an amazing view over the area, espacially respledisent at sunset.

The only thing seperating the tour from being one of the best of my life was the lack of experience or preparation or organisation in the boat. The guide would describe birds on only one side of the boat, so if you're seated on the wrong one, you don't get to see much (sit on the side of the guide!). The captain fed the crocodile from shore, but straigt in front of the boat, so anyone sitting beyond the third row wouldn't catch much of the show...

But overall, an amazing experience, a great way to explore the wildlife and make contact with the ecosystem.

Please visit my Jaco Travelogue to see more pics from this tour

peligro lagarto...

by pollon

approaching Jacó there is a bridge, of which I cannot remember the name but you cannot miss it: I passed there twice, also on the way back, and there were always people looking down and stalls selling snacks and drink nearby, and if you look down too, this is what you see...

this sign was at another bridge where you couldn't spot anything... maybe that's why you need it and you don't need a similar sign on the bridge near Jacó ;-)...