COSTA RICA NEWS – The unexpected invasion of their habitat is the reason for the attacks by crocodiles in the rivers, mangroves, estuaries and beaches of Costa Rica. Water Safety in Costa Rica - Beware of Riptides. But when it comes to feeding-time, you can see that this 1000-pound mammoth can still move pretty quickly. In recent years, I've seen reports of this at (ta && ta.queueForLoad ? The announcement comes two years after SINAC promised to crack down on crocodile … I had no idea this bridge and its crocodiles even existed before this. – Keep your hands inside at all times:  Crocodiles and Caimans usually stay clear of boats but sometimes they stick around. Crocodiles are in Costa Rica’s Rivers so beware before you dive in! Were you planning on staying in 1 place for the entire time? A friend fought off the croc with his bare hands. They tend to frequent river beds and can lay in the sun for hours to get their body temperature back under control after hunting in the cold waters. Answer 1 of 14: My husband works remotely for a software company. This river is on the road to Manuel Antonio not far past Jaco. First Time Costa Rica Travelers - Help Please! Make sure you keep your hands and feet inside the boat at all times. Like we said, the crocodile can resist salt waters and so has no problem hanging out at the beach. if you're on a beach with an estuary, stay away from the estuary. But even if you decide to pre-tan, you must wear a sunscreen and apply that sunscreen often. I walked the famous Crocodile Bridge in Costa Rica the other day. Good luck with your trip -- it should be memorable! more. It is so helpful, especially to know I am not the only one with worries about crocodiles and other unknowns when going to a country I haven't traveled to before. – Always use a guide: The best way to spot them in full safety is to use a licensed guide. It was on my mind too because I read a few articles about attacks. Related: What are the most popular tours in Costa Rica? Answer 1 of 5: Where can you go on the crocodile boat tour and how much is it? I am the anxious one and am worried about the crocodiles and caiman. Costa Rica is a great country for children as the culture is so family-orientated. We like to get a pool and ceiling fans. Use hats and always bring cover-ups to the beach. Costa Rica has a long-standing law that prohibits feeding crocodiles, but MINAE officials tolerated the Tárcoles tours for years because they were not perceived as a threat. Make sure you keep your hands and feet inside the boat at all times. This is about as much a reason not to go to (ta && ta.queueForLoad ? The American crocodile’s eyes, ears and nostrils are located on the top of its head, giving the croc a low profile while swimming through the water. We can help with that! On August 1, Costa Rica’s National Tourism Chamber (Canatur), announced it would not support any tours that feature wildlife feeding, and asked visitors to avoid taking such tours. Chances are you are in for a bit of fun that doesn’t involve you seeing a giant crocodile. Many communities have lots of activities for kids, so they can make friends and have stuff to keep them busy. Crocodiles and caimans are dangerous to humans. To learn more about how to visit Costa Rica’s cities and natural wonders safely, visit our sections on general tips to avoid problems, how to have a beach day without issues, what to do if you have a problem while in Costa Rica, what driving in Costa Rica is like, and how to behave when you find yourself face to face with an animal. What 5 items are indispensable to you when traveling in Costa Rica? It has a long, strong tail, a scaly suit of armor and a very powerful set of jaws. Should I worry? And there are certain places in Costa Rica where you won’t really expect to see them and where you should take extra care. ta.queueForLoad : function(f, g){document.addEventListener('DOMContentLoaded', f);})(function(){ta.trackEventOnPage('postLinkInline', 'impression', 'postLinks-77594063', '');}, 'log_autolink_impression');Montezuma and just outside Samara, we've always just relied on taxis and occasionally the bus. By Carla Herreria Russo. We are avid birdwatchers. Crocodile warning signs in Costa Rica have decreased bad encounters with tourists, Environment Ministry reports L. Arias - June 19, 2015. Any Helpful tips? Because issues with hunting, loss of habitat and pollution, the crocodile population had been dwindling. In Costa Rica, most coastal attacks are by those mid-sized crocs, and fatal attacks are rare.