Tempisque River Boat Ride & Rum or Beer Tour
Starting at $223
Experience a wildlife-filled boat ride along the Tempisque River, where you’ll spot tropical birds, monkeys, and more. Afterward, choose between a rum tour, craft beer experience, or a hands-on cultural activity, all showcasing Costa Rica’s rich traditions. This half-day adventure includes private transportation, a bilingual guide, and a traditional lunch at the historic Hacienda El Viejo. Perfect for nature lovers and culture enthusiasts alike.
Explore the Tempisque River and Savor Local Rum or Beer
Discover the beauty of Costa Rica’s wildlife and cultural heritage on this immersive half-day excursion. Start your journey with a relaxing boat ride along the Tempisque River, offering up-close views of tropical wildlife, including birds, monkeys, and crocodiles. Afterward, personalize your adventure by choosing between three unique experiences: a rum tour, a craft beer tasting, or a hands-on cultural activity where you’ll learn traditional cooking techniques. With private transportation, a dedicated bilingual guide, and a traditional lunch at the historic Hacienda El Viejo, this tour is designed for those seeking both nature and cultural immersion.
Specifics:
- 🕒 Pick Up Time: 7 am (or earlier for optimal bird-watching/animal-spotting experience).
- 📍 Meeting Point: At your door or hotel’s main lobby
- ⏳ Duration: Half-day experience. You’ll return around 3 pm.
- 🚙 Driving Time: 1 hour and 15 minutes each way.
- 🙋♂️ Minimum Amount of People: 2 people
- 👶 Minimum Age: 18 years and older (for rum or beer experiences); all ages welcome for the safari boat tour and optional cultural experience.
- 💲 Price Includes: Private transportation, dedicated bilingual guide, traditional lunch, all taxes and fees, access to boat ride, and 1 additional experience.
- 💡 Price Note: The listed price applies to groups of 4 or more travelers. For groups of 2, the price is $321 per person, and for groups of 3, it’s $256 per person. If your group includes more than 9 people, please contact us for a customized quote.
- 🛑 Not included in the price: Breakfast, gratuities, or any items and services not mentioned in the “Included” section.
Why You Should Consider This Activity:
- ✔️ Explore Hard-to-Reach Forest Areas: This relaxing experience gives you access to remote sections of the forest that are otherwise difficult to explore.
- ✔️ Prime Wildlife Spotting: Enjoy excellent opportunities to observe a variety of wildlife, including crocodiles, iguanas, monkeys, bats, and a wide array of birds.
- ✔️ Early Morning Advantage: For the best nature experience, choose the early 8am tour on the Tempisque River. You’ll enjoy fresher air, fewer disturbances, and heightened wildlife activity. If you prefer to start earlier, please let us know in advance, as the standard schedule currently includes a 9am boat ride.
- ✔️ Tailored Extra Activity: Choose one additional experience—either a rum tour or a beer tour—both of which showcase Costa Rican ingredients and offer a tasting experience of these unique flavors.
- ✔️ Family-Friendly Option: This excursion can be customized for families by replacing the rum or beer tour with a cultural activity, making it suitable for all ages. Children ages 7 to 11 receive a $24 discount, and those under 7 enjoy a $56 discount. If you’d prefer to include the rum or beer tour, that’s fine, but please note that alcoholic beverages will only be served to guests 18 and older.
What To Expect:
- 7:00 AM – Pick-Up: Your day begins with a pick-up from your hotel or vacation rental in a comfortable, air-conditioned private vehicle. During the 1 hour and 15-minute drive, your tour guide will occasionally point out interesting landmarks and share insights about the surroundings. You’ll travel through the pampa Guanacasteca, a region known for its rich cattle ranching and agricultural lands.
- Arrival & Reception: Upon arrival at the reception office, you’ll have a chance to use the restroom and browse local souvenirs while we prepare for the next leg of the journey. From here, we’ll continue along a dirt road that leads us to the Tempisque River, one of Costa Rica’s three most important water systems.
- Tempisque River Boat Tour: Once at the river, your guide will help you board the boat for a 1.5-hour journey along the riverbanks. Keep an eye out for fascinating species of tropical flora and fauna. Your guide will share interesting information about the diverse wildlife and the surrounding ecosystem.
- Return to Main Facilities & Choose Your Tour: After the boat tour, your transportation will be waiting by the river to take you back to the main facilities. Here, you can choose one of three optional tours:
- Rum Experience: Delve into the world of Costa Rican rum. This tour takes you through four key stages of rum production, from sugarcane cultivation to molasses transformation, fermentation, distillation, and the final art of aging. The experience ends with a tasting session of premium aged rum.
- Craft Beer Experience: Explore the art and science of craft beer making. Led by a master brewer, this one-hour tour highlights the unique role of Costa Rica’s Blue Zone spring water and other high-quality ingredients. It concludes with a tasting of a selection of distinctive craft beers.
- Cultural Experience: Immerse yourself in Costa Rican tradition with a visit to a traditional trapiche (ox-operated sugar mill), followed by a hands-on tortilla-making session in a local kitchen. Learn the art of preparing Guanacastecan appetizers that celebrate the versatility of corn. This one-hour tour runs every hour from 8 AM to 3 PM, making it a perfect activity for all ages.
- Traditional Lunch at La Casona de Hacienda El Viejo: After enjoying your chosen activity, you’ll sit down for a traditional Costa Rican lunch in La Casona de Hacienda El Viejo, a historic and architectural heritage site. This early 20th-century house, restored to preserve its vernacular architecture, is a symbol of Guanacaste’s cultural landscape, offering a glimpse into the region’s cattle ranching history.
- Return to Your Hotel: Once you’ve enjoyed your lunch, we’ll head back to your hotel or vacation rental. Restroom facilities will be available before departure.
What to Bring:
Essentials:
Recommended:
Additional Info:
- Age Requirement: All ages welcome
- Accessibility: Not wheelchair accessible.
- Languages: Available in Spanish and English
- Physical Rating: Leisurely
- Group Size: Suitable for all group sizes
- Surroundings: Land and Freshwater Adventures
Essential Considerations
Explore, Taste, and Learn
Make your trip unforgettable with this perfect mix of wildlife, culture, and fun!
Book Today!Cancellation Policy:
We understand that plans can change. Cancellations made at least 72 hours before the scheduled excursion will receive a full refund, minus any applicable bank or financial service fees. Cancellations made between 72 and 48 hours before the excursion will receive an 80% refund, minus any applicable bank or financial service fees. Cancellations made within 48 hours of the excursion are non-refundable, and no-shows will incur a 100% penalty charge.
All changes and cancellations must be submitted in writing via email to hello@linkexpeditions.com and must be confirmed by us to take effect. Please note that tours, excursions, activities, and field trips must be prepaid in full to secure your booking. All prices are quoted in USD.
Some experiences we offer are facilitated by trusted vendors we have carefully selected to align with our values. For these specific activities, the cancellation policy will be subject to the vendor’s terms and conditions. For example, fishing and private catamaran tours typically have a 50% penalty charge if canceled within 21 days.
While we strive to accommodate everyone, our cancellation policies are in place to help us continue providing you with the best possible service. Late cancellations not only affect our operations but also limit opportunities for other travelers who may have wished to book. By adhering to these policies, we can ensure your excursions and transportation are secure, offering you a smooth and hassle-free experience.
We appreciate your understanding and cooperation.
