Rio Tárcoles Crocodile Bridge_
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Crocs Sighting at Rio Tárcoles Crocodile Bridge

Crocodile Bridge Summary_

Rio Tárcoles Crocodile Bridge is a well-known travel stopover along the Costanera Sur highway. It’s a bridge that spans the Rio Grande de Tárcoles and offers an opportunity to see American crocodiles (Crocodylus acutus) in their natural environment. And indeed, these amazing reptiles can often be seen lying near the bridge soaking up sun rays but despite being a favorite among visitors, unfortunately, this river is the most polluted in Costa Rica.

Smalls business near the Crocs Bridge_

Getting to the Crocodile Bridge

To reach Río Tárcoles Crocodile Bridge from San Jose you will need to drive about 72 km (44.7 miles) which takes approximately 1 hour and 20 minutes by car. The bridge is located on Costanera Sur highway – if you are going to Playa Jacó, Punta Leona, Quepos or Manuel Antonio and other popular destinations then this is where you will pass. So it becomes convenient to stop for a couple of minutes take a look at crocodiles and continue your way.

No public bus stops here, so it is not possible to get here by bus. However, if you take private transportation, you can ask the driver for a stop here.

Parking and Amenities

Over the years since its popularity as tourists spot grew there has been some development around with few restaurants and small businesses coming up within the vicinity of The Crocodile Bridge on The Tárcoles River.

On the north side of the bridge there are several stores, restaurants and parking lots available for visitors. There are also restrooms in the area but they may charge a small fee or require purchase before use.

On the south side of the bridge, there is also space to park your car – some people leave their vehicle on the road shoulder though generally it’s not recommended as the place is very lonely and you need to walk longer if one wants to see crocodiles.

As a warning: Care should be taken when parking in these areas (either north or south) as there have been cases of vehicle theft reported here. Though security has improved recently and sometimes police officers can be seen patrolling around but still it’s good practice not leaving anything valuable inside car while making sure everything is properly locked and if possible at least one person should stay with the car. For safety reasons it’s also advisable to park near buses or in front of stores and ice cream parlor.

Rio Tarcoles and Crocs View_

About Tárcoles River

The Tárcoles River rises in the central mountain range of Costa Rica, running through a large part of the country until it flows into the Pacific Ocean. Along this route, several rivers flow into the river, unfortunately, these rivers bring along much garbage and waste thus, making Tárcoles one among most polluted rivers not only in the country but also in the whole Central America.

However, despite its pollution, American crocodiles have found safe haven within this river estimated to be more than 2000 living in its waters thereby making it a important habitat for these reptiles.

Apart from crocodiles, there are various bird species that live on or around the river with approximately 50 different types being recorded within vicinity. This river also feeds the Estero de Guacalillo which is full of mangroves and rich in biodiversity; making it an important place for the conservation of diversity, since such ecosystem plays a significant role towards supporting different forms of life while maintaining ecological equilibrium too.

American crocodiles_

About The Crocs

The American crocodile is one of the largest species of crocodiles, and you can see some that are 2 to 6 meters long at the Tárcoles River Crocodile Bridge. Known for their powerful bite, these crocodiles can be aggressive if disturbed in their habitat. The population of crocodiles in the Tárcoles River has not declined with pollution, despite living in an area with high levels of contamination.

Often locals will name the Crocs after famous people or name them based on characteristics. If you take a tour down the river, you might hear names like Osama, Tyson, Fidel, or even Lady Gaga. These fun names add a local touch to watching these amazing creatures.

Rio Tarcoles Crocs Bridge_

Tips for Visiting Rio Tárcoles Crocodile Bridge

  • The law forbids feeding wild animals in Costa Rica, which includes crocodiles. Do not feed them.
  • To have a better chance of seeing many crocodiles, visit the site in the morning, when they come out to sunbathe and regulate their temperature. Later in the day you will see fewer crocodiles.
  • Be cautious when parking as there have been thefts from vehicles; make sure the car is locked and do not leave valuables visible.
  • On occasion locals may try selling goods or asking for money including selling chicken to feed the crocs; it is best to politely decline and move on.
  • Crocodiles can be seen from either side of the bridge but crossing the road should be done with great care as traffic is often heavy and some drivers are going very fast.
  • Do not climb over bridge railing; if you have children keep a close eye on them; entering the river is extremely dangerous – there have already been several incidents resulting in fatalities.
Rio Tarcoles View_

Rio Tárcoles Crocodile Bridge Tourist Map

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