Ecogarden Arenal — Local services in Peñas Blancas

This evening we went on their night tour. The tour was about 1:45 long, and our tour guide (José) did a great job finding creatures and pointing out various plants. We were provided flashlights (one of ours died early into the tour!), and we saw a few different frogs, caimen, a couple birds, lizards, a spider, and an armadillo. There were a few insects, but not enough to spoil the experience. We enjoyed a bean empanada and a hot beverage at the end of the tour. There are two reasons why I'm only giving the tour 3 stars. First, the group size was too big. We were 9 people, which doesn't seem like a lot until everyone tries crowding around to look at a frog that is about an inch long. A maximum group size of 6 would have been better. Second, the tour was way, way overpriced. The advertised rate is US$60 per person. We paid cash and received a discounted rate of US$50 each. Realistically, the tour would be fairly priced at US$20-25. In other words, we didn't feel we received value for the price we paid. Other night tours in the area are similarly priced, and there were two groups that ran at this location tonight, so it seems enough people are paying US$50-60 that the tour operators are able to get away with charging as much as they do. Based on our experience, I recommend giving this (and all) night tours a pass unless the price is significantly reduced. If you don't mind paying what they're asking, this place did...

Comparing several different night-tours across Costa Rica, the Ecogarden Arenal Family Project was definitely the best experience we had! Not only did we see a lot of beautiful animals, the strength of this tour is it's personal, fun and serene touch.

Located nearby La Fortuna, the owners live in an eco-farm with an amazing jungle-park as their backyard. The owner (Jose) is so passionate about the flora and fauna, he never stops amazing you with his knowledge and enthousiasm. The whole tour even becomes a fun 'bingo-game' where you actively participate in spotting the wildlife.

And that is exactly what I loved about it. This isn't a tour where you feel like a boyscout, following the leader towards animals, look, take a photo, and start following the guide again. Nope, this tour involves active participation and it is amazing! The whole experience does not feel rushed, Jose takes his time to let the rainforest positively overwhelm you.

Afterwards, Jose's wife will make some lovely dinner snacks for you, so you can refuel while processing the amazing experience you just had. This tour is highly, highly HIGHLY recommended!! We...

I did the 2 hour night tour and was incredibly disappointed after having done an incredible tour up in Monteverde during the daytime (which was the same price and three hours long).

This tour guide was far less informed than what I experienced in Monteverde and did some questionable things. First he took a live ant and threw it into a spider web so we could see the spider wrap that ant up in silk. He then also picked up a toad and held it out for us to touch. If you are looking for ethical tourism, this is NOT the place.

We also did not get a two hours tour. At 1.5 hours they walked us out of the (very small) park and used the last 30 minutes of this tour to give us an empanada and a drive home.

I saw some lovely frogs and we did spot things I would not have seen without a guide. However I left feeling really gross about the pracitces and...