Top Costa Rica Adventure Tours in 2026

This tour is one of the Top River Adventures in Costa Rica. Pacuare River is considered a world class river for the practice of whitewater rafting, even for beginners or professionals who need practice for international tournaments. It is located about 2.5 hours from San Jose. This scenic ride from San Jose is just spectacular, with beautiful views of rainforest and small villages along the way. The lodge, where you will stay overnight is enchanting. It is located right in the middle of a pristine rainforest. The rooms are rustic but have all the comfort for living a deep nature encounter. Paved trails are available to all those who want to explore the area and see the abundant wildlife species of the area such as howler monkeys, toucans, sloths and many more.

Get ready for the ultimate family adventure! Step into a real-life "Jurassic Park" hidden deep within the lush, misty rainforests of Bajos del Toro. Dinoland is an immersive park specifically designed for families with children, where prehistoric magic meets jaw- dropping natural wonders. Walk along scenic trails to discover over 25 life-sized, roaring animatronic dinosaurs. Finally, ascend to the breathtaking Panoramic Viewpoint to capture unforgettable family photos in front of the famous giant colorful wings with the cloud forest as your backdrop. It’s an educational, thrilling, and safe expedition perfect for young explorers and parents alike.

Your breath-taking, adventure begins with a pickup from your hotel and a relaxing private drive through the wonderful Costa Rican countryside. After a 90 minute drive from San Jose, you will arrive to Tarcoles River. The Tarcoles River is home to one of the world’s largest crocodile populations in the wild and they are very easy to admire during our 90 minutes boat tour. Get up close with American crocodiles of all sizes and observe an abundance of beautiful exotic birds! Enjoy spectacular rainforest scenery and cruise through dense mangrove forest canals. Spot jungle wildlife such as iguanas, lizards, and monkeys. After the tour, enjoy a delicious typical lunch and explore the souvenir store. Continuing our tour, a short drive to Carara National Park will allow us to get deep inside the rainforest in this unique ecosystem, where many beautiful wildlife species are common to see such as the Scarlet macaw, monkeys, snakes, armadillos and more.

Get a close-up view of beautiful Poas Volcano without having to hike there on this private scenic helicopter tour. Enjoy bird’s-eye views of the huge crater, the surrounding rainforest, and the blue volcanic lagoon. Witness volcanic activity and learn more about it via headsets that connect you with the pilot. The flight lasts about one hour.

Drive rugged jungle trails in an adventure park outside San Jose on this private tour that’s all about wild nature—and includes a boat trip along the crocodile-filled Tarcoles River. Exploring with a naturalist guide adds fascinating insight. And, with an expert to help scan the forest canopy, it increases your chances of spotting free-roaming wildlife there.

During this 2-hour river safari, you will ride in a comfortable boat down the Sarapiqui River and enjoy the very rich wildlife of this region. In there, it is easy to see Howler Monkeys, White-Faced Capuchin Monkeys, Sloths, Toucans, Crocodiles, giant Iguanas, River Turtles, Otters, many aquatic birds and more. After the boat safari, a short drive will take you to La Tirimbina Biological Reserve. 10% of Tirimbina is accessible for tourist and educational activities, the rest of the reserve is maintained for research and conservation. Within the area open to the public, they have easily accessible trails that will allow you to visit the different microenvironments of the rainforest. Access to the forest is through a 264 m long suspension bridge, which crosses the Sarapiquí River. Additionally, there is a second suspension bridge open to the public between the trails to explore the forest from another perspective.

On a cruise in Costa Rica, stop off at Puntarenas for this jungle and river wagon expedition, with swimming and a boat ride included too. This is a half day excursion, where you’ll have several stops to see different things. First ride in the 24 seater wagon through the Tarcolitos River canyon, stop at the pool, then get to Carara National Park, and finish at El Jardin to buy souvenirs.

Head out from San Jose to explore two quintessential Costa Rican icons: volcanoes and the Sarchi ox carts. On this private tour, you’ll start at the active Poas Volcano, gazing from the edge into the water-filled crater below. Then you’ll head to Sarchi, the most famous craft center in the country, to learn all about the famous painted ox carts, the town’s internationally recognized woodworking scene, and more.

Costa Rica is full of beautiful places to visit, but sorting out hotels and transportation can be a burden. This private package makes exploring the country a breeze and includes hotels, a range of guided activities, and transportation, from the time you arrive at the airport until the end of your trip. Highlights on this customizable experience include Arenal Volcano National Park, Tamarindo Beach, and Fortuna Waterfall.

Enjoy with us some of the best Costa Rica destinations, tours and experiences with this unique vacation package specially designed for nature lovers and adventurous people looking for an unforgettable experience in Costa Rica. This vacation package includes 8 days and 7 night in high quality hotels, exclusive tours, meals listed in itinerary, professional naturalist tour guides, all entrance fees, deluxe transportation service and the visit the beautiful following Costa Rican destinations: San Jose, Fortuna Town and Arenal Volcano, Corcovado National Park, Caño Island.

Travel and Birding want to invite you to have a wild adventure and a unique experiences of nature in the Corcovado National Park. It is one of the most biodiverse places to visit in Costa Rica and is home to 2.5% of all species worldwide. Just think about encountering a tapir or -if we are lucky - a puma while you discover the secret of nature with a naturalist tour guide. An overnight stay in Sirena Station is an unforgettable experience as this is the only ranger station where we have the opportunity to spend the night in the National Park.

Want to escape your routine and try something out of the ordinary while traveling in Costa Rica? Then this trip is for you! Tour an authentic Costa Rican farm, sample local moonshine and enjoy a savory BBQ with a Costa Rican family. Learn about customs and traditions while you get up close to daily life and leave with new stories and friends that will last a lifetime.

Visit two different waterfalls in just one morning with this hiking tour. You'll start with a short hike out to Oropendola Waterfall, where you'll take a refreshing swim before continuing to La Leona, accessible via a 1.7-mile-long trail. You'll then head into the town of Curubande for a typical Costa Rican lunch before returning to your hotel.

On a guided walk through the Jurassic jungle, you will explore the multiple waterfalls of Baja del Toro and learn all about the volcanoes of the region. Your guides are locals, so they know all the secret spots, and can point out the vegetation and wildlife in the jungle. Enjoy water therapy as you enjoy the multi-colored waterfalls along this trek.

Explore the vibrant mangrove ecosystem of Curú on this immersive 3-hour kayak tour. Paddle through serene jungle estuaries, where the tranquility of your surroundings allows for exceptional wildlife sightings—far beyond what a boat cruise can offer. As a wildlife refuge, Curú provides a protected habitat for diverse marine life, making this tour an ideal choice for nature lovers and adventure seekers alike. With expert guidance, you’ll receive comprehensive instruction on kayak usage and safety, ensuring a fun and secure experience for all skill levels. - Discover the unique wildlife of Curú's mangrove ecosystem by kayak - Paddle through quiet estuaries for optimal animal sightings - Enjoy a fully guided experience with safety and kayak instruction - Ideal for nature enthusiasts and adventure seekers of all skill levels

Learn all about the Celeste River in the Tenorio Volcano National Park on this private, guided tour. See where it starts, where the colors change, and even where volcanic sulfur bubbles rise up due to the volcano. Your guide helps you to spot native wildlife too, which you might miss if you were exploring alone. Hike the trails, go for a swim, and also enjoy a provided typical Costa Rican lunch.

In the grandest canyon of the Balsa River, experience the excitement, serenity, joy and enchanting beauty of the Balsa River as it transforms this divine chasm and those who venture down it. Upon arrival at the river, we will gear you up with a life jacket, helmet, and paddle and then brief you with a full safety orientation talk. Then it will be time to take off down the rapids! Expert river guides and safety kayakers will accompany you as you pass through exciting rapids and admire the beauty of nature in calmer sections of the river. As with every trip, there will be one stop for locally grown, organic fruits and another stop for an authentic Costa Rican Organic lunch. You’ll also learn about the growing, harvesting, and production of chocolate, medicinal plants, fruits, and sugar cane. Please note that towels are included with this trip.

Abundant white water and the promise of adventure draw travelers from around the world to Costa Rica’s raging rivers. Experience the thrill of white-water rafting through the tropics for yourself on this tour of the Tenorio River from the Guanacaste coast. After pickup from your coastal hotel, ride a 4x4 deep into the Guanacaste countryside and paddle down 12 miles (20 kilometers) of white water with your guide before completing your tour with a local lunch while you wind down.

Discover Snake Bay and the Gulf of Papagayo on a full-day, private tour that explores remote beaches, wildlife, and scenic hiking trails. This customizable boat tour includes a gourmet grilled lunch on the beach, and accommodates your private group of between four and eight people. You can go where you want and enjoy Costa Rica's Gulf of Papagayo beyond the tourist resorts.

Cruising down the Tempisque River in Palo Verde National Park gives you the opportunity to see wildlife like macaws, storks, monkeys, and more in the wild. Going as part of a guided tour from the Guanacaste area makes it easy to visit in a day—no need to arrange your own transport or book a hotel. This tour also includes lunch and a guide for a convenient way to sightsee.

Get your adrenaline fix and connect with Costa Rica's famous biodiversity on this combo ATV and animal sanctuary tour. Take control of an off-road buggy for a rugged ride through Guanacaste’s mountains, river trails, and beaches, stopping to swim and snorkel on the shore. You’ll also make a pit stop to visit the Eco Adventure Park, where dozens of native species including sloths, spider monkeys, jaguars, and frogs are rescued and rehabilitated.

Experience a variety of activities in once convenient and scenic location on this family-friendly tour. Drive all-terrain vehicles, go horseback riding to the top of a mountain, and zipline through the rain forest canopy. You’ll also visit a monkey sanctuary which has a snake exhibit and a petting zoo. A professional guide is with you the whole way to ensure safety, especially for the little ones.

Walk into an enveloping cool mist covering mossy trails on this guided private tour of the Monteverde Cloud Forest Reserve. Hike along a series of hanging bridges and go birding, spotting the rare Resplendent Quetzal. At the butterfly garden, observe more than 14 different species of hummingbirds, and complete a ziplining tour of the forest and enjoy a unique vantage point.

Spend a full day, 12-14 hours, on a guided tour of the Arenal volcano, exploring the hanging bridges, and experience a sloth encounter tour. You’ll get a chance to learn about Costa Rica’s biodiversity in the rainforest, and have amazing views of the Arenal Volcano. You’ll meander along trails where you’ll see butterflies, sloths, and other beautiful birds.