Tarcoles Bridge
Tarcoles Bridge
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Duration: < 1 hour
Meets animal welfare guidelines
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- Ready2gotoparadiseBaton Rouge, Louisiana24 contributionsWorth the stopLike everyone has said, don’t park anywhere shady, don’t leave valuables visible in your car, and be aware of your surroundings. That being said, we had a great experience here. Easy parking right before the bridge. A man guided us to a close parking spot, but didn’t ask for money (we tipped him on our way out). There are people trying to sell things on and around the bridge. The crocodiles were out and basking so the top was definitely worth it. Saw the scarlet macaws flying also. Its. Very short stop (15 minutes) but worth it.Visited January 2024Traveled with familyWritten January 4, 2024
- MKMapmanMilton Keynes, United Kingdom1,742 contributionsWorth a short stopAt times there can apparently be thousands of crocodiles in this stretch of the Rio Grande - but when I went there were just seven visible. It's interesting to see them in the wild, and worth a short stop. There's free parking just West of the Bridge, from where it is a 5 minute walk back to the bridge itself, with a number of souvenir shops and a couple of places to eat, including a useful coffee shop (though it lacked any decent cakes). But as a destination the nearby Parque Nacional de Carera is much more worthy of your time.Visited July 2023Traveled soloWritten June 27, 2024
- TBLJTikiTampa, Florida446 contributionsFun Pit StopQuick stop traveling from the mountains to pacific coast. Our driver stopped and we had quick walk to the bridge. Lower tide was helpful because we could see the crocs laying on the sand. On the way home, water levels were high so no way they could be seen. There are plenty of shops for which I would imagine have bathrooms etc on the north side of the bridge. Only creepy thing, small area between guardrails and cement barrier where cars drive. There certainly is not a lot of protection from one misstep and slipping below to where the crocs are. With two smaller kids, it was pretty unnerving. Be on a look out for iguanas and monkeys in the trees nearby as well as macaws flying over head.Visited July 2024Traveled with familyWritten July 28, 2024
- sbflygal28 contributionsGreat stop along the drive from San Jose to Manuel Antonio!We stopped here along our drive from San Jose to Manuel Antonio. It was a great break for our 7 year old who had already been traveling for many hours. There is an obvious place to park along the right side when driving in this direction. We had read the reviews about car break ins, so out of an abundance of caution, we left an adult in the car and visited the bridge in shifts with our daughter, although I saw others place their items in the trunk and leave the car without incident. The sidewalk is narrow and the gaps in the fence are bigger than you would find in the US as noted by other reviewers, but I didn't find it that unnerving (although maybe would have with younger kids). In the rainy season, expect the river to be brown. It's really only about a 15 min stop, a great place to stretch your legs, and a fun introduction to the wildlife you'll see in CR if you're driving straight from the airport.Visited August 2024Traveled with familyWritten August 18, 2024
- Kevinator21 contributionsFun short stop to see crocsWe stopped here on the way to Carara National Park. We saw several crocodile from the bridge. There is traffic on the bridge but both sides have safe walkways. We parked in a lot near the bridge and walked over. We paid the "guachiman" or informal car watchman a few dollars and our car was safe. It is a tourist destination so there were street vendors but not too pushy. For us, it was a fun short stop.Visited July 2024Traveled with familyWritten August 20, 2024
- janalyn686Stow, Ohio95 contributionsNice place to stop, relax, and have a break with breathtaking viewsCrocodile Bridge is beautiful. The day we stopped all the crocs were in the water and not sunning up on the shore. But the views alone of the scenery and the river are breathtaking. Nice small eateries and gift shops. There are "Watch Men" there who will keep an eye on your car. We were nervous as we had all of our luggage with us. We gave the guy a little tip when we got out of our car and told him we'd give him a little more when we returned. We took all valuables with us in backpacks regardless. Great place to take a break on your drive.Visited August 2024Traveled as a coupleWritten September 1, 2024
These reviews are the subjective opinion of Tripadvisor members and not of TripAdvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
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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.
Popular mentions
4.0
566 reviews
Excellent
225
Very good
210
Average
96
Poor
19
Terrible
16
Priscilla T
Berkeley, CA92 contributions
Jun 2022 • Family
Traveling with two families with teens, this efficient stop had easy parking, 100 yard walk onto bridge to immediately see 3 crocs sunbathing. Bonus of looking up to see pair of Scarlet Macaws brilliantly fluttering in tree overhead. Souvenir shop, tasty “soda” (cafeteria style restaurant) and Pops air conditioned smoothies, milkshakes and ice creams to perk the teens up. In and out in 15 min including ice cream and souvenirs. Just 20 min outside of Jaco. Highly recommend if seeing crocodiles is on your list.
Written June 23, 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.
See Damon T
Houston, TX40 contributions
Jan 2023 • Couples
You’ve probably heard a lot about the bridge and the gators but about 300-500 meters south of the bridge is a hidden gem of a beach and a local restaurant! We spent the entire day at taco Les bridge and beach. I loved this beach so much I posted a short video on YT called “Tacoles Beach, Costa Rica a hidden gem”. If you want an authentic non touristy beach adventure for the whole family I would give this a must try!!
Written January 10, 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.
Pepe
Patras, Greece117 contributions
Feb 2022 • Couples
Everybody should make a small stop to see these magnificent animals!! This is the only way people should see animals —free in their own environment.not in jails called “zoo”. there’s also a very large crocodile over there ,twice the size of the others!
Written February 27, 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.
David
5 contributions
Jun 2023 • Family
I give this a thumbs up for three reasons:
1 - the bridge is the main road! There is no driving out of the way to stop and see the crocs.
2 - it is free!
3 - The crocs are pretty darn cool.
There is also some touristy shopping at the edge of the bridge. Good coffee shop and some cute little stands.
If you have time the Crocodile Man tours on a boat are VERY cool and worth it (the other company not so much).
1 - the bridge is the main road! There is no driving out of the way to stop and see the crocs.
2 - it is free!
3 - The crocs are pretty darn cool.
There is also some touristy shopping at the edge of the bridge. Good coffee shop and some cute little stands.
If you have time the Crocodile Man tours on a boat are VERY cool and worth it (the other company not so much).
Written June 28, 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.
Georgia M
Lincoln, UK481 contributions
Apr 2023 • Couples
This is on a popular route from Monteverde to Manuel Antonio so you should pass through it. You can park for free at the start (some may offer to watch your car for a small fee, the choice is yours!).
It’s only a 20 minute visit but a great chance to see some crocodiles in their natural habitat but also from a distance and there’s no danger!
It’s only a 20 minute visit but a great chance to see some crocodiles in their natural habitat but also from a distance and there’s no danger!
Written July 28, 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.
myriam_traveltips
Montreal, Canada22 contributions
Nov 2023 • Couples
We stopped 5 minutes at the southern side of this bridge from Jaco to see the crocodiles. We locked the doors of the car and closed the windows. When we got back, my cell and backpack with wallet and camera were gone. There are obviously thives who just wait for cars to stop to rob you, they act fast and they are well organized. We looked for my bags on the side of the road with policemen 10-15 minutes after the robbery and didn't find anything. By the time I canceled my credit card, they had time to spend 1300$ in grocery and online shopping!
On top of that, there wasn't much to see, only 1 tiny crocodile.
If you stop there, make sure you do on the northern side of the bridge, where there is more people and activity. And watch you stuff!
On top of that, there wasn't much to see, only 1 tiny crocodile.
If you stop there, make sure you do on the northern side of the bridge, where there is more people and activity. And watch you stuff!
Written December 29, 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.
Kevinator
Riverside, CA21 contributions
Jul 2024 • Family
We stopped here on the way to Carara National Park. We saw several crocodile from the bridge. There is traffic on the bridge but both sides have safe walkways. We parked in a lot near the bridge and walked over. We paid the "guachiman" or informal car watchman a few dollars and our car was safe. It is a tourist destination so there were street vendors but not too pushy. For us, it was a fun short stop.
Written August 21, 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.
Chris D
Puerto Rico165 contributions
Jul 2021
Sorry, but this is pretty much the king of all cheesy tourist stops. If you've ever seen an alligator or crocodile, skip it. And certainly don't "buy" the accolades about the super Smoothie. It's $6.50 each, without alcohol. Not sure if it's more WITH alcohol, or if they charge the same price in any case. Get a reasonable priced smoothie somewhere else.
The shops are tourist traps, and the guys walking around asking you to buy fake jewelry and crocodile claws are tourist trappers.
If you fall for the chatter and decide to stop anyway, don't spend all your time looking down at the crocodiles. Look up and off in the distance. You may see a toucan, parrot, or macaw.
The concerns about security are probably justified, but likely lessened now. I saw 2-3 guys dressed as officials who were keeping an eye on things. But still, keep an eye on your own stuff. Local criminals know that tourists pass over this bridge with cars full of loot.
Oh, and keep your eye on small kids. The traffic FLIES on this road, and there are many large trucks. There is a pedestrian walkway across the bridge, but there's not much room for error between peds and cars.
The shops are tourist traps, and the guys walking around asking you to buy fake jewelry and crocodile claws are tourist trappers.
If you fall for the chatter and decide to stop anyway, don't spend all your time looking down at the crocodiles. Look up and off in the distance. You may see a toucan, parrot, or macaw.
The concerns about security are probably justified, but likely lessened now. I saw 2-3 guys dressed as officials who were keeping an eye on things. But still, keep an eye on your own stuff. Local criminals know that tourists pass over this bridge with cars full of loot.
Oh, and keep your eye on small kids. The traffic FLIES on this road, and there are many large trucks. There is a pedestrian walkway across the bridge, but there's not much room for error between peds and cars.
Written July 26, 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.
mrpetsaver
Canmore, Canada1,774 contributions
Apr 2023 • Family
Nice for a quick stop to look at the crocodiles. You don’t see much from up on the bridge just a lot of crocodiles relaxing in the river. However, the souvenir shop seemed to have the cheapest t-shirts from our travels $14US.
Written April 11, 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.
Ready2gotoparadise
Baton Rouge, LA24 contributions
Jan 2024 • Family
Like everyone has said, don’t park anywhere shady, don’t leave valuables visible in your car, and be aware of your surroundings. That being said, we had a great experience here. Easy parking right before the bridge. A man guided us to a close parking spot, but didn’t ask for money (we tipped him on our way out). There are people trying to sell things on and around the bridge. The crocodiles were out and basking so the top was definitely worth it. Saw the scarlet macaws flying also. Its. Very short stop (15 minutes) but worth it.
Written January 4, 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.
is this a good spot to see the birds returning from the mangroves in the morning?
Written January 30, 2019
We didn't see any, but Caracara National Park is just down the highway and is supposed to be a great spot to see birds.
Written January 31, 2019
Kommt man von San Jose aus auch mit dem Bus zur BrĂĽcke oder braucht man ein Auto?
Written May 23, 2017
Le pont est sur la route . Vous êtes obligés d y passer . Si vous êtes en voiture c'est mieux car vous restez aussi longtemps que vous voulez , si vous êtes en bus , ils peuvent s arrêter pour le plaisir mais ne rester qu'en dizaine de minutes ( ce qui est suffisant pour prendre vos photos )
Written May 26, 2017
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