Top Costa Rica Bus Tours

Get to explore the rainforest of La Fortuna de San Carlos in the Arenal Volcano National Park for one hour in the daylight, and one hour in darkness on this small group night tour. Keep your eyes peeled for sloths, snakes, and all kinds of birds. Your guide will be right there to point the creatures out for you while you see the transition from day to night.

Touring the Manuel Antonio National Park with a guide means you’ll see and hear things that it’s easy to overlook when visiting independently. On this two-hour small-group tour your guide will look out for slow-moving sloth, bright green frogs, tropical birds, and more. See for yourself with the provided telescope. Learn all about Costa Rica’s incredible biodiversity and even spend some relaxing time on the beach.

This Tortuguero Canals tour is a Limon classic. Drive along the coast, visit a fruit stand and banana plantation, and take a quick stop at the beach on your way to the Tortuguero Canals, a popular wildlife destination full of tropical plants and animals. Going with a guided tour keeps you on-time and organized for easy sightseeing.

The mangrove-lined waterways around Tamarindo are home to some remarkable wildlife, but it can be easy to miss when exploring alone. This small-group boat tour takes you across the estuary's calm waters and through the protected mangroves, with a local guide who helps you spot monkeys, crocodiles, iguanas, birds, and other wildlife, while providing insight into the estuary’s ecosystem.

Get out of the city and experience Costa Rica’s rich wildlife heritage with this half day private tour to the Toucan Rescue Ranch. What started out as a rescue facility for toucans has expanded to include other charismatic species such as sloths, monkeys, parrots, and owls. Learn all about them from the dedicated staff committed to their care.

Check out the critters that come alive at night on this small–group tour of Manuel Antonio National Park. You’ll get to use provided flashlights and high definition telescopes to see sloths, kinkajous, snakes, frogs, and much more doing their thing under the cover of darkness. You’ll keep costs down with this small, intimate group, too.

Navigate the trails of Manuel Antonio National Park without having to constantly refer to a map on this hiking tour from Jacó. Well-suited for novice hikers, let your guide lead the way on flat paths. Enjoy taking in a wide variety of environments including coastline and rainforests, with the opportunity to refresh in the sea during a swim stop.

See the highlights of Limon on a full-day tour. Set off from your meeting point and visit a local fruit stand. Then, head to the rainforest to learn more about the area’s biodiversity. You’ll also see a banana plantation and explore the Tortuguero Canals, which teem with wildlife and vegetation. Finally, take a city tour of Limon with a stop at Playa Bonita.

Spend the day on a tropical island on this seamless full-day tour from Jaco to Tortuga Island. Board your boat and cruise across the Gulf of Nicoya, looking for dolphins along the way. On Tortuga Island, enjoy a snorkeling tour (conditions permitting) and free time to relax, sunbathe, engage in other watersports and activities such as kayaks and banana boats (extra expense).

Soar over 11 waterfalls on this thrilling zipline adventure, less than one hour from the Puntarenas cruise port. Experience 18 zipline cables, a Tibetan bridge crossing, waterfall rappelling, and a refreshing dip in a natural pool. With stunning views of the Gulf of Nicoya, blends of adrenaline and nature in a short time frame that's ideal for cruise ship passengers.

Spend a half day touring the Arenal Volcano with a guide, learning the history of the volcano from its first eruption in 1968. You’ll have a moderate walk of about 1.5k to the viewpoint, where you’ll have views of the Green Lagoon and Lake Arenal. Along the way you’ll see the wildlife of the rainforest, including turkeys, toucans, monkeys, orioles, and snakes!

Lake Arenal and the Arenal Volcano are among the most scenic places in Costa Rica. With this small-group tour, see them both from the water and easy hiking trails. Explore the lake’s bays and peninsulas surrounded by mountains, volcanoes, and islands, and hike a mostly flat, 2-mile (3.2 kilometers) trail to sighting towers with panoramic views of the lake and volcano. Hotel pickup is included for convenience.

Navigate Class III-IV rapids under the guidance of an expert during this white-water rafting course down the Pacuare River from San Jose. Paddle your way through one of Costa Rica's most picturesque river gorges, looking out for native wildlife between rapid runs, on an exciting day trip ideal for thrill seekers. Hotel pickup and drop-off, equipment, and lunch are all included, so you can focus on the thrills.

Ideal for travelers interested in a day in the rainforest packed with activities, this experience includes a safari and seven adventure park sports. Start with a drive into the rainforest on a 4WD vehicle, exploring the adventure park’s protected land. Afterward, head to the adventure course for rappelling, ziplining, tree climbing, “monkey drops,” and more. Finish the day with a *comida tipica*—a typical Costa Rican meal.

Get your heart racing on this cloud forest adventure on a private reserve in Monteverde. Ride ziplines over the forest canopy, rappel down to the forest floor, climb inside of a tree, and more, for a family-friendly excursion that brings you closer to nature.

Arenal Volcano National Park’s massive size and unique natural setting can make it an easy place to get lost in, if you don’t already know the area. This Arenal Volcano National Park Hiking Tour from La Fortuna allows you to explore one of the park’s beautiful trails with a guide who can navigate the steep slopes and volcanic landscape well. Plus, take in views of Lake Arenal, while your guide talks about the volcano’s history and forest formation processes.

Take in the beauty of the majestic Rio Celeste in Alajuela province, the canton of Guatuso, inside of the Tenorio Volcano National Park. Your guide will take all the hassle out of the day, allowing you to enjoy a walk along the trails, observe the Celeste River Waterfall, and enjoy the commentary along the way. Breakfast and lunch are also included.

The Costa Rican province of Puerto Limon is known for its rich biodiversity, local food culture, and sandy Caribbean beaches. Experience Puerto Limon’s highlights in just a few hours during this shore excursion, which allows you to easily tour the city and see top attractions such as the Tortuguero Canals, a Banana Plantation, and Playa Bonita. Along the way, your guide provides helpful commentary.

Enjoy a ride across the slopes of Arenal Volcano, following a route that moves from lower pastures to elevated viewpoints. This guided horseback experience includes a professional bilingual guide, helmet and safety gear, and air-conditioned vehicle transportation with hotel pickup and drop-off at selected La Fortuna hotels. The gradual ascent provides wide views of the volcano when weather permits, making it a practical way to experience the landscape beyond roadside lookouts.

This hassle-free full-day small-group tour visits Quepos’ impressive Nauyaca Waterfall and stops at Portalón waterfall, Playa Linda, and Dominical. Your guide and driver organize all logistics, so you don’t have to arrange transport, lunch, goggles, or snacks. Bring your bathing suit for several chances to swim, jump, or relax in Costa Rican waters and enjoy a traditional casado lunch at a local restaurant.

A guided tour ups your chances of seeing turtles nesting and hatching along the Costa Rica coast. Not only does your guide know the best spots for seeing turtle activity during its season, but also provides tons of insight into the turtle life cycle that you might otherwise miss.

Visit the impressive crater of Poas Volcano and go behind-the-scenes at a large commercial coffee farm on this full-day tour from San Jose. A guide shares fun facts about one of Costa Rica's most-visited volcanos and biggest exports on a field-to-cup tour of the coffee farm. Plus, private transportation and included lunch make this tour a breeze.

Feel like a jungle explorer as you venture into the lush rainforest around Arenal Volcano on a horseback ride from La Fortuna. Mount your horse and follow a guide along a scenic trail that hugs a river canyon, stopping to admire the Pino Blanco and La Fortuna waterfalls. Cool off with an optional swim, and learn about Costa Rica’s indigenous culture at the Maleku Village.

Costa Rica’s capital is located inland but you don’t need a weeks-long vacation to enjoy time at the beach. This day trip to Tortuga Island makes it easy to swim and sunbathe directly from San Jose. After a pickup in the capital and transfers in an air-conditioned vehicle, spend the day on a beach featuring clear turquoise water and surrounded by rainforest. Swim, snorkel, and refuel with the provided lunch.