Although there are several tour operators for these Tarcoles River cruises, only one caters to birders.  It’s called Mangrove Birding Tour but the hotels such as Villa Lapas will know it better if you tell them you want Luis Campos.  He is a specialist in birding cruises and knows all the local species quite well.  His boat is smaller than the main ones that cater to tourist groups so he can get into smaller inlets and closer to shore.  You will see the difference in the photos below.  If you don’t have a car, he will send someone to pick you up.  The driver took us down to the beach beforehand to see Scarlet Macaws and fishing boats (what fishing boats, LOL).  You will be picked up around 7am-ish and it’s about a 2 hour cruise.

I’ll let the photos tell the rest of the story!