Top Costa Rica Adventure Tours in 2026

See some of Costa Rica’s finest natural attractions while having fun on this guided ATV tour to Arenal Volcano. Learn how to drive the two-person vehicles before setting off on trails through farms, forests, and rivers. Admire views of the beautiful volcano along the way, and learn about Costa Rica’s unique biodiversity from your guide.

This experience offers a full day of outdoor adventure in an adventure park near Herradura. Your day includes three adventure sports: start with ziplining down a series of 12 platforms and 10 cables, and continue with an all-terrain vehicle (ATV) ride through the jungle. Finish with horseback rides to waterfalls nearby. This tour includes an option for a typical Costa Rican lunch.

Explore the beaches around El Jobo from aboard an ATV during this private experience. Avoid getting lost and follow your guide so you can enjoy the passing villages, beaches, and maybe even local wildlife. Zip past some of the prettiest beaches in the area, including Coyotera, Ecoplaya, Manzanillo, and Rajada, with the option to stop at a local restaurant or shop.

Visit Carara Adventure Park on an action-packed day tour from Puntarenas. Travel by air-conditioned minivan to the privately owned reserve, which contains lush rain forest and sweeping views of the Pacific Ocean. Experience the rain forest canopy up close as you fly down the zipline course, which features 12 cables and three hanging bridges. Then take a 1-hour boat cruise to look for crocodiles, monkeys, and more.

Experience a more authentic side of Costa Rica beyond the main resort areas on a private excursion through local towns, scenic landscapes, wildlife-rich surroundings, and beautiful beaches. Travel comfortably with your own private group while discovering a mix of coastal and inland scenery, with time to cool off at a refreshing waterfall. With lunch, drinks, and pickup and drop-off included, it’s an easy and personalized way to experience more of the region in a single outing.

The lush cloud forests and wildlife-filled parklands of Selvatura Park lie just north of Monteverde. With this tour, venture to the heart of the rainforest on a thrilling hanging bridge canopy walk. Hike through the forest, climb up to heights of 180 feet (60 meters), and admire the views from the treetops. A traditional Costa Rican breakfast and lunch are included, with optional ziplining and a coffee and chocolate plantation tour.

Escape to a secluded beach paradise on a day cruise to Playa Fantasia, a hidden stretch of sand on the Nicoya Peninsula that's only accessible by boat. Enjoy the 40-minute catamaran ride from Jaco Beach, and spend several hours relaxing on beach hammocks or trying water sports like surfing, snorkeling, and boogie boarding. Stay refreshed with included tropical cocktails and a fresh chef’s lunch prepared right on the beach.

Jaco is known for its beaches and nightlife, but its natural beauty should not be missed. Enjoy a visit to a nearby rainforest via 4x4 vehicle, and learn about the ecosystem from your naturalist guide. Stop by a series of waterfalls for an exhilarating plunge, then relax during lunch while taking in the lush jungle views.

Thrill-seekers will love trying many different activities on a private combo tour near Liberia. Start with an exciting zip-line course through the forest, followed by an epic 1,300-foot (400-meter) water slide. Refuel with a tasty local lunch, so you don’t need to pack boring sandwiches. In the afternoon, ride on horseback to beautiful hot springs in a lush garden, where you can soak any aches away.

Turn your vacation vibes up a notch with this catamaran tour from Jaco to the secluded Fantasia Beach. Relax in a premium catamaran as you sail out on the ocean, and then catch sight of wildlife like turtles and monkeys while eating a lunch prepared by a private chef on a forested beach only accessible by boat. This tour even includes a bar for the ultimate in relaxation.

This three-in-one tour highlights the best of Costa Rica, including a river safari float and volcano hike that's sure to make for a memorable journey. Kick off the day at Penas Blancas River and take off over rushing waters on a two or three hour water safari. You'll see wildlife up close and gain a deeper understanding of Cost Rica's unique biological and environmental resources. Next, visit La Fortuna Waterfall before heading to a picturesque volcano hike. This popular tour is ideal for outdoor adventurers and travelers who prefer to be active on vacation.

Getting off the beaten track is even more fun on this rainforest booze bus from Jaco. Rumble through untouched forest and traditional towns far from tourist zones on board a rugged safari vehicle, stopping at village taverns for a drink with the locals. Enjoy an included case of beer and a delicious alcoholic shot along the way, plus a scenic riverside stop with a chance to swim in warm waters.

Paddle out to Capitan Island in Las Baulas National Marine Park on a kayak with this tour from Tamarindo Beach. Once on the island, you'll have plenty of time to explore the varied landscapes, see marine life in tidepools, and spend time swimming and snorkeling in crystalline waters before paddling back to Tamarindo.

Do something different and escape the crowds in Guanacaste with a private tour to the secluded Llanos de Cortez Waterfall, where you can swim in the calm, sandy pools beneath a tropical cascade. After frolicking and bathing in the rain forest, get up close to jaguars and other endangered species at the Las Pumas Rescue Center.

Discover the marine wildlife of Costa Rica's Marino Ballena National Park on this boat tour from Utiva. Look out for humpback whales (during migration season) as well as false-killer whales, bottlenose dolphins, turtles, and various birds including brown boobies, white ibis, and pelicans. In the warmer months, you can also jump off board and go snorkeling in the clear waters.

Adventurous travelers who like to get off the beaten path will enjoy this three-hour private ATV tour to places that you wouldn’t otherwise reach. Ride beside a river to a scenic lookout point. Keep your eyes open for beautiful birds and animals along the way, including macaws, sloths, and monkeys.

Manuel Antonio may best known for its beautiful beaches, but another world comes alive in its jungles at night. Get an up-close look at nocturnal creatures like spiders, frogs, snakes, and bats on a private night hike through a nature reserve. A certified naturalist guide knows just where to find these creepy crawlers and ensures the safety of your group on this educational adventure.

Get on the Pejibaye River totally worry-free with this all-inclusive tour. After pickup from your hotel, you’ll hop into your private car for a ride to the river—and a stop for a traditional Costa Rican breakfast. Once at the water, your guides will set you up for an exciting 3-hour float through the jungle, complete with photos, water, and towels provided.

Meet your gentle horse, put on your provided helmet for safety, then head into the beautiful scenery of Playa Carrillo on horseback with this intimate, small-group tour. Follow your guide as they point out local plants and wildlife and take you from the mountains to the beach. You might make a few new friends on this small-group tour. Hotel pickup is included for added convenience.

When the sun sets across Arenal, discover a different side of the Costa Rican rain forest on a guided night walk through Arenal Natura Ecological Park. Explore the forested trails of this private nature reserve as darkness falls and the jungle comes alive with the activity of nocturnal animals like sloths, armadillos, night birds, and more than 20 species of frogs. Look and listen for animals that remain hidden during the day, and learn how these amazing creatures are adapted for life in the dark.

Wake up bright and early to catch a sighting of Costa Rica’s magnificent avian species during this morning guided bird watching tour on Drake Bay. Your experience will start before the sun rises as you head out onto the water and view these creatures from sea level. See terns, tanagers, and other birds land on Agujitas Beach. Hike through the forest and shoreline to find other species frequenting the Osa Peninsula.

If you’re looking to escape the crowds in Tamarindo, look no further than this fun-filled ATV tour. An ATV allows you to get off the beaten track— ride through small towns, into the jungle, and even across rivers during the rainy season. As you ride, look for wildlife like monkeys and birds that call the area home.

Ideal for travelers searching for outdoor adventures, this zipline experience includes access to hot springs and swimming pools. Your guide picks you up from your Fortuna area hotel, takes you to the Los Cañones Canopy adventure park, and helps holster you up to zipline through the jungle canopy. After soaking in hot springs, choose to visit a butterfly and amphibian conservatory or crocodile farm—perfect for families with children.

Get off the beaten path in Tamarindo on a kayak tour to Las Baulas National Marine Park. Latin America's largest mangrove estuary is only accessible by water, so you're sure to escape the crowds. No kayaking experience is necessary, as a nature guide shows you the basics and leads you on a peaceful paddle and hike to spot native Costa Rican wildlife like howler monkeys, iguanas, and exotic birds.