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We will drive through back roads, sugar cane fields, local towns, see the locals digging up the sand used for the concrete… An unforgettable cultural experience. Next stop we will visit an elderly “Casona" a beautiful old house that belonged to 3 former presidents of Costa Rica… This venerable construction will tell the story of the Guanacaste cowboys or "sabaneros" who lived way before cars, cell phones or internet by the midst of the 1800s in a faraway era of colonial Costa Rica. We will then get in a covered motor boat through the Tempisque River and will cruise Palo Verde National Park looking for wildlife such as monkeys, crocodiles, iguanas, all kind of exotic birds, bats. Enjoy of some of our most precious traditions such as the “oxoperated sugar mill” (trapiche) where they grind the cane with oxen. Freshly cane juice will be offered to you to taste.
Wheelchair accessible
Service animals allowed
Specialized infant seats are available
Suitable for all physical fitness levels
For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
Palo Verde National Park
White-face monkeys, howler monkeys, birds, crocodiles
Fruits
Lunch
Air-conditioned vehicle
Select a pickup point
cultural tour
Duration: 7 hours
lunch
Pickup included
9 reviews
Total reviews and rating from Viator & Tripadvisor
333robynh,,Mar 3, 2025
- Review from Tripadvisor
We recently joined Walter for a full day tour at Hacienda El Viejo. The tour was booked through our resort but day of Walter took care of everything. Walter was great and full of knowledge. We participated in the cultural tour, wetlands cruise and the beer experience. Highly recommend doing all three. Be sure to arrive with empty stomachs, we had welcome fruits, snacks on the cultural tour, a large lunch and food pairings with the beer tasting!





affordabledryerventa,,Apr 15, 2024
- Review from Tripadvisor
My 14 year old son and I did 4 tours & excursions with Tico Tours and each one was better then the next! David Bello was our guide for most of the tours and he was the BEST! He was knowledgeable, kind, patient and really cared about providing an incredible experience. I highly recommend these guys! Everything was amazing, even the Customer service. I can’t thank you guys enough for truly making our time in Costa Rica a memorable one!
Edwina N,,May 6, 2022
- Review from Tripadvisor
My husband and I loved the cultural experience, the fascinating Tampisque River tour, the delicious lunch at the Hacienda El Viejo, and most especially, our fabulous tour guide, Jose! He was super informative and accommodating, very pleasant to be around, and made us feel comfortable.








Maria Marta A,,Jul 2, 2021
- Review from Tripadvisor
Tico Tours Guanacaste's Cultural & Safari Boat is a half day treat. Our very educated guide picked us up in the morning and made us feel happy and relaxed immediately. We drove past Filadelfia and learnt about this city's history and relationship to the Tempisque River. On your way to the 100+ year old hacienda, stopping for a picture at the Space Radar is a must. Costa Rica is a delightful mixture of hight tech and nature conservancy. We felt at home enjoying the coffee, rum, sugar cane and tortillas cultural experience. The church owl was the cherry on top. On the boat safari the exuberant vegetation and peace of the Tempisque River would have been enough treat and we saw monkeys, birds, basilisks, crocodiles in many stages of life and even bats! Back at the hacienda for lunch we had traditional costarrican casado with beans made with love and sweet ripe plantains that melt in your mouth...

cpcarello,,Jan 19, 2021
- Review from Tripadvisor
What a fun trip! We got to see the 'natural' side of Costa Rica traveling through the sugar cane fields and small villages. Trip down the Tempisque was awesome, teeming with wildlife (unnerving if you don't like crocodiles as there were A LOT of crocodiles). But our boat captain, Manual had it all under control and was able to get us around and helped point out a number of different types of birds, monkeys , bats etc. Then it was off to lunch at the Coyote Ranch which was awesome. Good food and atmosphere. Got lessons on local pottery and the extraction of sugar cane juice! Our driver, Christian was excellent. Strongly recommend.





TrainToronto,,Mar 16, 2020
- Review from Tripadvisor
Excellent tour of the culture and the Tempisque river that flows through Palo Verde. The tour was longer than expected and our guide was warm, patient and friendly and very knowledgeable especially about the wildlife on the river. A great way to spend 6 hours!







sandraatthelake,,Feb 26, 2020
- Review from Tripadvisor
We can not emphasize enough how great our experience with this organization has been right from the start. We have done four tours so far and look forward to having Luigi customize another great trip before we leave. Special thanks to Marco, Big Marco, Mario, Yuon Carlos and all the special people who have shared your country’s history with generosity and laughter. Luigi again you’re the best. There is not a tour that will disappoint.

Miko Bartosik,,Jan 10, 2020
- Review from Tripadvisor
This trip was really good because Marco our guide was very kind and funny. He was also very good at explaining things such as the sugarcane factories or how they grow cantaloupes. Once we were on the river we got onto some decently sized boats and left for the river. We saw all kinds of beautiful creatures such as a white faced monkey dip it’s tail in the water it was amazing.
malena13b,,Nov 26, 2019
- Review from Tripadvisor
Service is excellent. Attention is a 10. From the coordination of services (we were helped by Cintia), the cars / buses in excellent condition, and the guide Mario a genius!! Super attentive to the needs and preferences of each, with much knowledge of the places we visit. Super recommended!!
Operated by Tico Tours Guanacaste