Top Costa Rica Eco Tours

Home to over 100 species of animals, five waterfalls, and a cloud forest the Wildlife Refuge La Paz Waterfall Gardens is bursting with biodiversity. Visit, explore, learn, and even hike among the sloths, monkeys, tropical birds, pumas, ocelots, and more who call Costa Rica’s most visited private ecological reserve home. Take in the incredible plant life like wild orchids on this full-day tour from San Jose with lunch included.

Get lost in a lush tropical paradise complete with mineral pools, butterfly gardens, miniature horses, and even dinosaurs on this family-friendly Blue River combo tour. Feel ancient history come to life as you encounter the Jurassic robots of Dino Park, and admire majestic Rincon de la Vieja Volcano on a hike through the rain forest. Stroll among the botanical gardens and turtle ponds of a luxury resort, and soak your cares away in natural hot springs while a freshwater pool and water slide keep the young at heart entertained.

Increase your odds of seeing sloths in the wild with this sloth-spotting tour from Puerto Limon. Head to two natural environments known for their large sloth populations: Cahuita National park and the Tortuguero Canals. Traveling with a guide also provides the benefit of commentary so you can learn about local wildlife as you go.

Combine two of La Fortuna's most popular natural attractions into a single easy day trip on this combo tour of Arenal Volcano and the La Fortuna Hot Springs. Along with your entrance fees and comfortable round-trip transport by air-conditioned minivan, a delicious dinner is provided for you at the hot springs, too.

Discover Costa Rica's Manuel Antonio National Park in the company of a guide who knows it, and its wildlife, best. This small-group tour takes you on a guided walk through the park in search of a diverse array of animals, birds, and plants. Your guide will tell you all about the wildlife you spot, such as howler and capuchin monkeys, sloths, iguanas, turtles, tree frogs, butterflies, dragonflies, and many different types of bird.

Experience one of Costa Rica’s most remarkable wildlife encounters on a guided nighttime expedition to observe sea turtles nesting along the beach. Explore the nesting area in a small group, using red-light technology to minimize disturbance to the turtles and their natural environment. With a strong focus on conservation and responsible wildlife viewing, this is a rare opportunity to witness an important part of the sea turtles’ life cycle in the wild.

Discover the amazing world of sloths on this full-day, guided tour to observe these slow-moving creatures in their natural home. Set off on a hike passing toucans, tree frogs, and other wildlife along the way. Stop when you spot a sloth moving gently through the trees and learn about their life and habitat. Hear about Costa Rica’s biodiversity from your guide and visit a butterfly garden.

Spend the day in the shadow of the massive Arenal Volcano on this full-day, guided tour that includes trekking over the jungle canopy on suspension bridges and a soak in the volcano’s natural hot springs. Witness lava flowing (nighttime only) and see vegetation from the canopy the Mistico Arenal Hanging Bridges Park before settling in for a soak in the thermal hot spring waters.

Traverse the rainforest on a series of hanging bridges during a guided excursion from the Guanacaste coast to the Heliconia Rain Forest reserve in Costa Rica. See tropical flora and fauna in the wild, tour greenhouses and a butterfly garden, and sample farm-fresh coffee on this kid-friendly adventure.

Pamper yourself in a volcanic spa rife with mineral-rich mud baths and hot springs on a private or small-group tour of Miravalles Volcano. Depart from the coast for an adventure in a tropical rain forest full of opportunities to swim, hike, and relax in Costa Rica’s lush wilderness.

Scout for tropical birds, monkeys, crocodiles, and more on a mangrove safari boat ride down the Palo Verde River from Guanacaste. After a scenic drive, sail down the protected waters in Palo Verde National Park, followed by an optional upgrade to include lunch and a visit to a local pottery studio (morning tour only). Round-trip transportation from your lodging on the Guanacaste coast included.

This tour to Irazu Volcano National Park and Cartago is an ideal San Jose day trip. See Costa Rica’s largest volcano and explore the city of Cartago, popular for the Basilica of Our Lady of the Angels, on a tour that is interesting and informative without leaving you exhausted. A sit-down lunch on the banks of Lake Cachi is included as a relaxing final stop.

Navigate the different terrains in La Fortuna with the help of a bilingual guide and safe transportation. Hike on the iconic "68" lava flow trail and enjoy an opportunity to explore the region's natural beauty. Traverse volcanic rock, soak in the tranquility of nature, and marvel at the stunning panoramas of Arenal Volcano, Arenal Lake, and Monteverde mountains. After your adventure, enjoy a delicious, authentic lunch at a local eatery, savoring the fresh flavors of rural life.

Swap the glittering Pacific waters of Playa Flamingo for the wild waters of the Tempisque River on this half-day tour of the Palo Verde National Park. Hop on-board a riverboat for a 2-hour cruise through the scenic wetlands and sprawling dry forests of Palo Verde. Along the way, keep a lookout for native wildlife, from crocodiles and iguanas lazing on the riverbanks, to monkeys and colorful birds flitting through the treetops.

Pamper yourself in a volcanic spa rife with mineral-rich mud baths and hot springs on a private or small-group tour of Miravalles Volcano. Depart from Tamarindo for a 7-hour adventure in a tropical rain forest full of opportunities to swim, hike, and relax in Costa Rica’s lush wilderness.

This small group tour takes you on a peaceful float down the Penas Blancas River where you’ll end up reaching the impressive La Fortuna Waterfall Reserve. The tour starts with a convenient hotel pickup (from selected hotels), then you’ll float, paddle, take an optional hike, and enjoy an included lunch, all organized by your guide, so you can just enjoy the day out.

Go beyond the city of San José and discover its beautiful surroundings on this full-day tour. Start your day with a Costa Rican breakfast at a local coffee plantation, then learn about the coffee-making process on a farm tour. Afterward, head to the active Poas volcano to explore its massive crater before heading to a nature park to see an animal sanctuary and picturesque waterfalls.

See the best of Costa Rica in a single day on this 4-in-1 tour that's perfect for outdoor adventurers. Cross the famous hanging bridges, where you'll experience the beauty of walking high above the jungle floor. Take in the incredible wonder of La Fortuna Waterfall and hike to the top of a nearby volcano where you'll capture incredible views of Costa Rican countryside. This tour includes a stop at Eco Termales Hot Springs and a traditional meal of regional cuisine prepared in the home of a warm and welcoming local. It's the perfect way to experience the beauty, excitement and adventure of Costa Rica in a single day.

Discover one of La Fortuna’s most complete adventure combos with zipline, a volcano hike, hanging bridges, and a natural thermal river all in one day. A full day of adventure, nature, and relaxation awaits in La Fortuna with this exciting combo tour. Soar through the treetops on a zipline adventure featuring 9 cables and 10 platforms, with stunning views of Arenal Volcano and Cerro Chato. Continue with a moderate 3 km hike at Parque Ecológico Volcán Arenal, where you’ll explore scenic volcanic landscapes with a guide. Then discover the beauty of Mistico Hanging Bridges Park on a guided walk of approximately 2.5 hours through the rainforest. End the day relaxing in a natural thermal river, where you can soak in warm waters and enjoy a volcanic mud mask. This full-day experience includes transportation, lunch, and expert guides throughout the tour.

Visiting Arenal Volcano on a guided tour makes transportation a cinch as you hit area highlights such as the Baldi Hot Springs, Sarchi craft market, and downtown La Fortuna—all in a day. In addition to a guide to take you to all of the activities on the itinerary, this tour also includes lunch and dinner so you don’t run into unexpected expenses.

Escape the city and experience San Jose’s surrounding nature in the most relaxing way possible—with this private, full-day tour to waterfalls, gardens, and hot springs. Picked up from your hotel, you’ll traverse the countryside until you reach the rainforest, where you’ll explore gardens, spot sloths, and get misted by waterfalls. Then you’ll head to nearby hot springs for lunch, a soak under the Arenal Volcano, optional spa treatments, and more.

Discover the highlights of La Fortuna on this guided half-day tour. Head to Mirador El Silencio, located outside La Fortuna, where you’ll be able to take in stunning views of the Arenal Volcano. Then, travel to Mistico Park Arenal Hanging Bridges where you’ll explore the various layers of the rainforest—from the treetops to the forest floor. Hotel pickup is included for added convenience.

Visit two of the most popular attractions near La Fortuna with this full-day excursion to the Arenal Mistico Park and La Fortuna Waterfall. After pickup from select hotels in La Fortuna, take a roughly 3-hour walk along rainforest hanging bridges equipped with nature-spotting gear. Afterward, swim and relax at La Fortuna Waterfall before having a typical Costa Rican lunch and returning to La Fortuna.

This tour is the easiest way to see Costa Rica's Arenal highlights in one day, without having to worry about planning transport. Visit the hanging bridges, waterfall, volcano, and hot springs, traveling between attractions with ease in an air-conditioned minivan. No detail is overlooked: your full-day tour includes entrance fees, bottled water, meals, snacks, and convenient hotel pickup and drop-off in La Fortuna.