Villas Lapas Eco Reserve by Wagon Tour

Looking for a great family-friendly Costa Rica shore excursion? Want a way to get the quintessential Costa Rica experience, but have just one day in Puerto Caldera? The lush paradise of Villa Lapas beckons! Yes, the very same Villa Lapas: home of the famed Villa Lapas skyway hanging bridges. On this very special excursion from Puntarenas, we'll get to take a ride through one of the most beautiful places in Costa Rica.

Something like an autumn hayride, our rainforest wagon ride covers about 3.2 km in total (2 mi) on a trailer pulled by a slow moving tractor. If you're cruising with small children, older parents, or anyone with mobility issues, this excursion is the perfect way to experience Costa Rica's rainforest. The rainforest wagon ride lasts about one and half hours total. There are a total of 8 river crossings along the Tarcolitos River. Although it is slow moving, the rainforest wagon ride is a perfect way to take in all the gorgeous plant and wildlife here. Trust us, you won't want to miss anything, so the leisurely pace is perfect!

Our guides know all the best spots to find wildlife in the rainforest. We'll stop for photos at all the best photographic spots. Your guide will point out important plant life, tropical birds and other wildlife such as monkeys or sloths. Our trek takes us back and forth along the Tarcolitos River. Tarcolitos River is an offshoot of the famous Tarcoles River that hosts the largest crocodiles in the Americas. Not to worry, there are no crocodiles here. In fact, there is a great (crocodile free) dipping pool, so bring your suit!

The Villa Lapas property shares a border with Carara National Park. Carara is one of the richest biological zones in Costa Rica, yet it's close to everything! Truly, the whole Puntarenas Costa Rica region is a treasure. Carara is just minutes from the best beaches in the Pacific, Jaco, Herradura & Playa Hermosa. And if you keep going you will find the marvelous Manuel Antonio too. This protected area is rich in all manner of wildlife. Actually, Carara National Park in particular is one of the most popular birding destinations in all of South America. There are hundreds of bird species here, each with plumage more gorgeous than the last.

No self-respecting Puntarenas shore excursion would be complete without a stop at the Tarcoles River. So on the way back to your ship, we will make a quick stop at the Tarcoles River Bridge. Here you will have the chance to see some of the largest crocodiles in all of the Americas! Grab your cameras folks, this is some seriously impressive social media fodder!

From here, you have the choice of heading directly back to your ship, or exploring the Puntarenas town. If you love retail therapy, we suggest the latter. We can drop you off on the tourist boardwalk, the Puntarenas Promenade which is just a short walk to the ship. Here you can search for a momento to best capture your Puntarenas shore excursion in Costa Rica.

The Villa Lapas Rainforest Wagon Tour is one of our most popular shore excursions in Costa Rica for multi-generational families. So don't miss out, gather the troops and book your discounted Puntarenas shore excursion with The Real Deal Tours today!