Hacienda El Viejo Wetlands
Hacienda El Viejo Wetlands
5
8:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Monday
8:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Tuesday
8:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Wednesday
8:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Thursday
8:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Friday
8:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Saturday
8:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Sunday
8:00 AM - 5:00 PM
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  • Sue D
    22 contributions
    5.0 of 5 bubbles
    Great Guanacaste Experience!
    We wanted to share some great CR experiences with our visiting friends. We chose the combo of river trip, cultural and rum experiences. What a great day! Excellent staff and guides. It was a full day, but well paced. The lunch was delicious. Especially enjoyed the rum tasting room. The view over the wetlands is spectacular. Our friends loved it!
    Visited December 2023
    Traveled with friends
    Written December 10, 2023
  • Lisa S
    2 contributions
    5.0 of 5 bubbles
    Great Time! Thoroughly Enjoyed!
    This was an awesome excursion! We did the full combo excursion (rum tasting, boat tour, and cultural experience). Saw lots of white faced monkeys, crocodiles, bats, lots of birds on the boat tour! Rum tasting experience was excellent! And loved the food! Definitely worthwhile to take the time to learn more about the Costa Rician culture.
    Visited February 2024
    Traveled as a couple
    Written February 18, 2024
  • Bill B
    23 contributions
    5.0 of 5 bubbles
    Saw A Croc Eat A Bird! Cooked a Corn Tortilla. Tasted CR’s ONLY Home-Grown Rum.
    We did the Cultural Tour, the Rum experience and the boat trip. What is unusual is the high calibre of guides for each experience. These are highly educated affable people who draw you in to their story. Just excellent all around. Done tours globally. These CR’s are first rate.
    Visited March 2024
    Traveled as a couple
    Written March 19, 2024
  • Victoria H
    4 contributions
    5.0 of 5 bubbles
    Fantastic trip
    We had an amazing time, saw lots of wildlife, the monkeys in particular were a great find. Daniel our guide was very informative, kind, friendly, funny and very good at engaging the kids. The lunch that followed was delicious along with fresh juice and locally produced beer. The whole experience from start to finish was brilliant, the staff were attentive, it was clean and well organised, a highlight of our trip.
    Visited April 2024
    Traveled with family
    Written April 7, 2024
  • smcdaniel221
    Hughesville, Maryland17 contributions
    5.0 of 5 bubbles
    Wonderful full day experience on one location!
    We did the full day pass and had a wonderful experience. We did the river cruise, rum tour and tasting, brewery tour and tasting, cultural tour and lunch. We found all of the guides to be extremely knowledgeable and engaging. My husband and I learned a great deal and of course really enjoyed the tastings! We will definitely take family here when they visit us from the United States.
    Visited June 2024
    Traveled as a couple
    Written June 19, 2024
  • mlel1995
    Fort Lauderdale, Florida41 contributions
    5.0 of 5 bubbles
    A Must Do in Costa Rica
    Fabulous day of fun. What a beautiful place. If you have time do the full day tour. It was a very interesting experience to learn about the local culture and history. All the staff was so gracious. We learned about how rum was made from sugar cane from a very knowledgeable guide and then had a tasting in a beautiful building that was made just for that purpose. Then we walked over to the micro brewery, which also is a beautiful building. We had a tasting of the different types of craft beers that they brew which was delicious. We had a fabulous lunch with typical Costa Rican food. After lunch we went on a boat ride on a nearby river that borders the Palo Verde Park. We were so lucky that even though there was a light drizzle, we got to see monkeys, crocodiles, and many beautiful birds. All in all a spectacular day. This trip is a must do for anyone looking for something other than zip lining for a full day of fun! Pura Vida!
    Visited August 2024
    Traveled as a couple
    Written August 8, 2024
These reviews are the subjective opinion of Tripadvisor members and not of TripAdvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.

Most Recent: Reviews ordered by most recent publish date in descending order.

Detailed Reviews: Reviews ordered by recency and descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as wait time, length of visit, general tips, and location information.

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5.0
5.0 of 5 bubbles331 reviews
Excellent
287
Very good
31
Average
9
Poor
3
Terrible
1

RubySlippers
Maryland90 contributions
5.0 of 5 bubbles
Aug 2022
We thoroughly enjoyed our visit here in August. The three of us (couple + teenage son) did the 4.5 hour package which included the boat tour, rum experience, lunch and cultural tour. In addition we added transportation from our lodgings at the coast. Every segment of this tour was seamless and conducted by friendly, knowledgeable tour guides. Our ride arrived promptly at our hotel with a comfortable van. We had a driver and a tour guide so the ride was filled with interesting conversation. When we arrived (just under an hour from the beach) we were treated to coffee and juices. Our guide then gave us a little more history of the Hacienda. Next, the boat tour, which included a driver and again our wonderful tour guide. We saw plenty of wildlife, including crocodiles and sleeping bats, which we had never seen before. Next up, the rum experience. Our tour was conducted by the rum specialist. So very interesting, highly recommend if you have the time (and likely wouldn’t take with little ones – our 15 year old found it very interesting too). We learned how sugar cane becomes rum. At the end we did some mixing and taste testing and bought a bottle of our own blend. Tip: You can take this back home to the states, just pack it in your checked suitcase, not carry on.
We enjoyed a delicious authentic Costa Rican lunch in the beautiful Hacienda. Our final tour was the cultural experience, where we learned how sugar case was processed in the olden days. We made/cooked our own corn tortillas and enjoyed some corn snacks and coffee. We took a few more photos, then our driver and tour guide took us back to our lodgings in time for an afternoon swim.

We were glad we chose the full experience. Each has something interesting to offer. There is a bit of time between each tour so it doesn’t feel rushed at all. We relaxed in the rocking chairs on the terrace while enjoying the nature! The Hacienda and grounds are well kept, the staff extremely nice. We highly recommend a visit!
Written September 5, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

Judyjazo
Israel131 contributions
5.0 of 5 bubbles
Feb 2023 • Couples
We reserved the group River boat ride and lunch. Upon arrival we were greeted warmly and taken to the upper house where we met our guide Daniel. After a brief and interesting explanation about the property we drove out to the river where our boat band captain was waiting for us. The river is brackish water, winding between the National Park and the Hacienda natural reserve. We saw many many crocodiles, some white faced monkeys and howler monkeys. It’s a great place for bird watching too. Both our guide and boat captain knew exactly where to look for the animals and birds. Fabulous experience. We then continued on with a drive through the wetlands which was spectacular. Driving back to the house we were again greeted and taken to our table for lunch. Food was plentiful and very tasty. Typical CR cuisine. We wrapped up the meal with coffee and rice pudding. Of course we couldn’t leave without purchasing locally made chocolate, coffee and a bottle of rum.
This is a great experience for all ages. Great value for your money.
Written February 12, 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

Ellen S
Allentown, PA11 contributions
5.0 of 5 bubbles
Mar 2023 • Couples
The early morning boat tour with Daniel was in formative with lots of unique wildlife including howler and capuchin monkeys, several species of herons, kingfisher, motmot, storks, curassow, iguanas, and lots of crocodiles. Instead of placing my husband and I in with a group tour we were lucky enough to get an individual tour with our own guide and boat captain. The hacienda is very historical with beautiful gardens. The coffee and food were excellent with great Costa Rican service. The roads close to the destination are rough through the sugarcane plantation. If driving on your own, follow the signs to get to your destination.
Written March 6, 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

mlel1995
Fort Lauderdale, FL41 contributions
5.0 of 5 bubbles
Aug 2024 • Couples
Fabulous day of fun. What a beautiful place. If you have time do the full day tour. It was a very interesting experience to learn about the local culture and history. All the staff was so gracious. We learned about how rum was made from sugar cane from a very knowledgeable guide and then had a tasting in a beautiful building that was made just for that purpose. Then we walked over to the micro brewery, which also is a beautiful building. We had a tasting of the different types of craft beers that they brew which was delicious. We had a fabulous lunch with typical Costa Rican food. After lunch we went on a boat ride on a nearby river that borders the Palo Verde Park. We were so lucky that even though there was a light drizzle, we got to see monkeys, crocodiles, and many beautiful birds. All in all a spectacular day. This trip is a must do for anyone looking for something other than zip lining for a full day of fun! Pura Vida!
Written August 8, 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

Brooke M
Campbell River, Canada54 contributions
3.0 of 5 bubbles
Dec 2023 • Family
After all the glowing reviews I was expecting much more; we found it to be of poor value for the price.
The tour was advertised as a 2 hour tour. We were barely 1 hour in the boat. The guide was great though we didn't see much variety of wildlife. Lunch was quite good. It wasn't worth the almost $500 cad we paid. The hacienda itself is beautiful, but we have had just as good of a lunch for about $12-15 cad in many sodas and have been on better boat tours for around $50 cad each (so a tour of $300 would be justified not $480)
Written December 16, 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

shadow59
South London3 contributions
5.0 of 5 bubbles
Dec 2021
Visited on 12 Dec 2021.
We booked ahead and traveled their under our own steam. First we had the cultural tour which was entertaining and informative, we were then whisked through the sugar cane fields for our river trip where the vistas and wildlife exceeded our expectations, the guide had good knowledge of the birds and animals we saw and was able to identify them in English for us. We were then treated to a drive round a marshy area where we saw more birds including the jabiru stork and rose spoonbills. The lunch that followed was excellent. The day was finished off with a demonstration of the old rum making process and a tasting. All in all excellent value for money and a day that created lots of memories.
Written December 28, 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

Anne
Arlington, VA34 contributions
5.0 of 5 bubbles
Mar 2023 • Family
The wetlands boat and cultural experience were both informative and interactive, perfect for families with young children. The guides are knowledgeable and friendly. The hacienda itself is beautifully maintained, a must see. Included lunch has a lot of options and satisfied all the picky eaters in our family. Highly recommend if you are in Guanacaste to get an immersive experience in traditional culture and native animals!
Written March 5, 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

Emily K
70 contributions
5.0 of 5 bubbles
Jun 2023 • Family
What a delight! We booked a boat tour and lunch. As soon as we arrived it was like the staff had been waiting for our arrival with friendly smiles and welcomes. Started with some juice, coffee, water and fruits. Then off to the boat tour where our tour guide, Daniel and boat captain, Donald took us for 1.5 hr tour to see lots of crocodiles (some eating fish and some babies), iguanas, lizards, herons, egrets and other wildlife. Then went back to the Hacienda for a casado lunch of chicken, beef or fish and local beer. Was wonderful and would recommend to anyone visiting Costa Rica.
Written June 18, 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

Tiana H
12 contributions
5.0 of 5 bubbles
Jul 2023 • Friends
My group did the full private tour; which included the safari boat ride, the cultural tour, and the rum experience. We had such an amazing time!! On the safari we saw howler monkeys, white faced monkeys, a number of crocodiles, bats, and various bird species. Our guide was very knowledgeable about the area and its wildlife!! The rum experience was also very engaging, as we learned about how the rum is made, and also got a chance to infuse our very own bottle with natural fruits and other herbs. The cultural tour gave us a glimpse into a traditional casita and also we had a chance to make our own tortillas by hand. The lunch they provided was amazing, the best Costa Rican food we had throughout our entire stay!! The staff were friendly, helpful, and had a wealth of knowledge to share with us about this beautiful hacienda! I give this excursion a 20/10, and highly recommend the full private experience, it is a must do!!
Written July 12, 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

Katie P
Chicago, IL26 contributions
5.0 of 5 bubbles
Feb 2023 • Family
We originally booked this tour because it was on the way from Tamarindo to Liberia, so we weren’t expecting much. The boat tour and lunch completely exceeded our expectations and more! Our boat driver and tour guide were very knowledgeable and we saw all kinds of birds, crocs, monkeys, etc. One side of the river is Palo Verde National Park land, the other side is private & conservation land owned by Hacienda. The buffet lunch was in an old big house with beautiful gardens around it and the food was delicious. We also got to try the rum made on site and it was so good we are bringing some home. Do not miss this tour!
Written February 25, 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

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Hacienda El Viejo Wetlands - All You Need to Know BEFORE You Go (2024)

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