Along the banks of the San Carlos River, which are interspersed with numerous lagoons, there are several private protected areas that resist the pressure of agricultural use and offer visitors an insight into the rich flora and fauna of the tropical lowlands.
This biodiversity is particularly evident in bird life, reptiles and amphibians: The specimens of the endangered green macaws and the equally rare poison dart frogs deserve special attention. If you want to see one of the red-eyed tree frogs that have become Costa Rica’s trademark, you should take part in a guided night hike offered by the lodges around Boca Tapada.
Hummingbirds, toucans and other colorful birds can be seen from your own veranda.
If you do not want to paddle on the lagoon yourself, you can take a boat trip on the Río San Carlos to its mouth into the Río San Juan at the Nicaraguan border near Boca de San Carlos.
The place Boca Tapada itself is so small that it can hardly be found on any map.