Top Costa Rica Full-day Tours

Explore more of the dramatic landscape around Arenal Volcano on a day tour than you could going independently. This small-group tour from La Fortuna offers a blend of active time and relaxation. Hike the hanging bridge trail, swim at scenic La Fortuna Waterfall, and visit Arenal Volcano around sunset. Spend the evening soaking in the hot springs, where you’ll refuel with dinner.

Combine Costa Rica’s best sensations into one with this private full-day tour. First, you’ll sink deep into the wild rainforest, where you’ll learn all about the country’s obsession with chocolate—and you’ll taste some of the best, too. After your time on land, you’ll soak in Baldi Hot Springs, heated by the Arenal volcano, taking in the views and that Costa Rica feeling. Hotel pickup is included for your convenience.

deal for travelers short on time, this full-day tour visits both Manuel Antonio National Park and a chocolate plantation in one day from Quepos—and has the added bonus of including a break for lunch (own expense) or beach time in between. Check out wildlife and resident sloths at the national park in the morning, take a scheduled break, and learn all about the process of transforming cacao beans to chocolate in the afternoon.

Visit the Irazú Volcano National Park and Lankester Botanical Garden on this all-day tour from San Jose. First, head to Irazú Volcano, the highest active volcano in Costa Rica at 11,260 feet (3,400 meters) tall and see its most popular attraction, the giant Diego de la Haya crater. On the return trip, stop at the Lankester Garden, which was established to protect types of flora.

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.

Get away from the city and into a world of magic, relaxation, and beauty. After pickup from your San Jose hotel, you’ll travel via private, air-conditioned vehicle across the countryside to beautiful Arenal Lake. Here you’ll enjoy a private boat tour, take in views of the volcano, and grab lunch at Baldi Hot Springs. Then it’s time for a soak in Arenal’s thermal pools—and soaking in Mother Nature’s luxury.

Trade the hustle and bustle of San Jose for a private day on Jaco Beach. Enjoy hotel pickup and a 90-minute drive to the coast, where sun and sand reign supreme. Lunch, afternoon coffee, all-day beach pass, and a private guide come standard, with options to explore the city, shop for souvenirs, or relax by the pool.

The Rain Forest Aerial Tram is an unique rain forest experience where you can admire the jungle from the same perspective of the birds. With the narration of your guide, learn all about the ecosystem and wildlife species present at this pristine forest. The cable car, built in the 90s by a biologist and researcher of the flora and fauna of the treetops, allows a 1-mile journey over the tropical rain forest. The beauty of nature is impressive and with the narration of the local naturalist guides, it becomes a true educational experience. The park is located at less than one hour from San Jose and besides the tram, you can enjoy diverse ecological experiences such a butterfly garden, nature walks, souvenir store and a restaurant. Our tour is operated in a 100% private basis, with high quality transportation services and a professional naturalist tour guide that will pick you up directly from your hotel.

Learn about the chocolate industry in Costa Rica on this private 7-hour tour from San Jose. You'll visit Tirimbina, a private biological reserve in the rain forest and take a guided hike across a suspension bridge to a cacao plantation. Get an intimate look at the chocolate-making process, from fruit to chocolate bar. Lunch is included.

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.

LA FORTUNA WATERFALL: To observe this splendid 70 meters high waterfall, you hike a path of 530 steps, rest and hydration through a forest with native trees of the area. Taking pictures and finally take a refreshing swim in the clear waters. Tour duration: 1 hour and 30 minutes. After finish this activity we enjoy a typical costarrican food. Hot springs tour: This tour start relaxing into the health mineral pools surround of naturally heated pool temperatures from 96°F-100°F (36°C – 38°C). Tour duration: 1 hour

This Tenorio Volcano National Park hiking tour from La Fortuna includes round-trip transport to guarantee your visit to the park during your Costa Rica trip without the hassle of planning your own rides or renting a car. Once you arrive at the park, hike through the tropical rainforest while a guide points out animals, birds, and plants. This hike also includes highlights such as seeing the Celeste River waterfall, as well as an included lunch.

Thanks to its warm waters and lushly forested shores, the Pacuare River is widely considered one of the most beautiful rivers in Costa Rica. This white-water rafting tour from San Jose is a fun and exciting way to experience the river in just one day. Go up against class III and IV rapids along with a guide who helps you spot wildlife like blue morpho butterflies, sloths, and toucans along the way. Then, enjoy lunch at a local restaurant before heading back to San Jose.

Rafting day in one of the best rivers to practice this sport, the Pacuare. Valid for any level, if you have not done it before, you will learn and if you have already done so you will enjoy it again. Departures from any hotel in San José. Includes breakfast and picnic lunch on the river. We will pick you up at your hotel in San José to travel to the Pacuare River. Upon arriving at the operations center we will wait for you with a delicious breakfast to gain strength. Once equipped and after the safety talk, we will launch in 6-person rafts for 4 hours along the river sailing class III and IV rapids. Halfway we will have a picnic to eat and continue to the operations center again. Once finished, we can change before returning to San José, we will leave you again in your hotel

La Paz Waterfall Gardens showcases Costa Rican wilderness at its most picturesque, with lush tropical rain forest, thundering cascades, white rivers, and a rich variety of wildlife. This tour provides round-trip transportation from San José and allows you to see the highlights of La Paz in a single day. Your guide navigates through the park’s many trails and takes you to White Magic Waterfall, the butterfly observatory, and other attractions.

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.

Discover one of Costa Rica’s best kept secrets: the Eco Chontales waterfall. Take a scenic drive along the coastline, admiring the landscape and preparing for your adventure. You’ll hike to the river where you’ll find the 150-foot waterfall. Learn about the different features as you and your guide hike to swimming holes. The unique features created by the waterfall allow you to waterslide and even leap into the water from rocks.

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.

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.

Escape into Costa Rica’s majestic nature—and get away from the crowds—on this multi-activity tour. After pickup from your hotel, you’ll head for lunch beneath the active Arenal volcano. From there, you’ll kayak the country’s largest lake (always keeping an eye out for exotic creatures), working toward a relaxing dip into nearby hot springs, all heated by the volcano you’re getting to know and love.

The Children’s Eternal Rainforest is Costa Rica’s largest private reserve and home to an incredible variety of wildlife. On this guided jungle expedition, set out from the Pocosol Station, and enjoy a thrilling 4.5-mile (7-kilometer) hike to the Pocosol Waterfall. Along the way, hike around a volcanic lagoon and look out for howler monkeys, wild boar, and rare birds such as the Bare-necked Umbrellabird.

Rio Celeste and Guanacaste's rainforest are the focus of this private full-day tour from Playa Flamingo, with a guided walk through primary and secondary forest to the waterfall, wildlife viewing at a local sanctuary, and lunch before a visit to Mariposario Rio Celeste. Look for birds, frogs, sloths, monkeys, and other species while your guide shares information about Guanacaste and Costa Rica. A coffee-and-chocolate tasting stop follows on the return.

When it comes to touring active volcanoes, always travel with a local. You’ll do just that on this tour: First, you’ll get whisked off to Irazu Volcano National Park, home to the highest volcano in the country. After some exploring, you’ll move to the Turrialba Volcano, likely spewing gases and ash. Not only will your guide will lead you safely—they’ll keep you from going home with those awkward selfies.

Connect with two key pieces of Costa Rican life: coffee and wilderness on this combination tour to La Paz Waterfall Gardens and the Doka Coffee Estate plantation. This full-day, guided tour kicks off with a tour of plantation where you’ll learn how your cups gets from bean to breakfast. Afterwards, hike over volcanic terrain, under waterfalls, and into the rainforest during a challenging hike in the nature reserve.