Top Costa Rica Half-day Tours

Explore the Santa Elena Cloud Forest Reserve with your private guided tour. You’ll easily meet your guide at the reserve, then head into the tropical cloud forest. There’s no need to deal with large tour groups, and you can feel free to walk at your own pace. This is a private tour for you and your group, so take your time and focus on what interests you.

Paddle past the giant twisted root systems that characterize mangrove forests on this kayak tour of the largest mangrove ecosystem in Central America at Damas Island. This biodiversity hotspot is home to tons of birds, reptiles, and aquatic animals that you can spot easily with the help of your guide. This tour includes round-trip transportation from your Manuel Antonio or Quepos lodging as well as lunch or dinner.

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.

Take home frame-worthy photos of Costa Rica’s sublime rain forest and its inhabitants with a photography tour at Arenal Natura Ecological Park in La Fortuna. Bring your camera and snap away among the unspoiled natural setting of this private reserve, where a naturalist guide will lead you along jungle trails and though diverse wildlife habitats. Capture all the details of incredible animals like crocodiles, red-eyed tree frogs, snakes, and butterflies, plus delicate orchids and other tropical flora.

Escape the crowds and go off the beaten path in Costa Rica. This small-group tour of the Ebano Natural Reserve is ideal for active travelers who want to spend time in scenic nature. You'll take a short hike through the rainforest, spotting wildlife such as colorful frogs, birds, and monkeys along the way, before arriving at a double waterfall where you can cool off with a swim.

Spend an evening enjoying a delicious dinner while taking in panoramic views of San José. As you dine, enjoy typical Costa Rican entertainment, including a folkloric dance and comedy show, and learn about the country's history and culture. The buffet-style dinner includes two alcoholic beverages, such as wine or beer.

A fascinating experience for foodies and culture lovers alike, this chocolate experience takes you into an indigenous village where you’ll learn about Bribri culture. You’ll learn all about their community and lifestyle from your guide. A tasty part of the visit includes an overview of the chocolate making process during which you’ll also have the opportunity to make your own chocolate pieces. End your tour with a swim at a nearby waterfall.

Discover the incredible birds and biodiversity of Palo Verde National Park on this boat tour with lunch. Spot native wildlife such as crocodiles, iguanas, monkeys, and a colorful parade of bird species during a 1-hour and 20 minutes cruise down the Tempisque River led by a naturalist guide. Afterward, discuss your sightings with fellow travelers over a traditional Costa Rican lunch at a local restaurant.

Sea-lovers will enjoy this sailing ship cruise. Whether you’re a morning person or would prefer a sunset jaunt, you’ll find the Brisa Elegante comfortable and spacious. Sailing into the open sea keep a lookout for turtles, rays, and dolphins, and near the coastline listen to the raucous calls of the birds. We’ll anchor for a chance to swim, snorkel, and kayak, and then it’s time to eat!

Explore the Nicoya Península and Curu National Wildlife Refuge with this private guided tour from Santa Teresa. Visit secluded beaches and walk along nature trails to see all manner of wildlife that calls the reserve home. Your naturalist guide is there to help you spot creatures that range from howler monkeys and scarlet macaws to iguanas and coati. This private tour requires a minimum of two people.

Embark on a delightful food tour, where you will deliberately engage in the rich local culture. Leisurely stroll through the charming streets of Jaco and explore traditional gastronomy in bars and restaurants. This experience presents a unique opportunity to gain profound insights into Costa Rican culture, delving into stories and anecdotes surrounding some of the region's most beloved and delectable traditional dishes. Amidst the captivating fusion of culture and natural landscapes at Jaco Beach, you will find yourself in a relaxing setting, creating the perfect ambiance for an enjoyable afternoon in the city.

Experience a small group guided hike through the lava flows formed by volcanic activity at the Arenal Volcano. The hike is just under a mile, and is easy to moderate level. Learn the history of when the volcano erupted in 1968, and hear how the town was rebuilt afterwards, out of almost total destruction. You can visit the hot springs at the end if you wish.

Learn about one of Costa Rica’s indigenous populations first-hand with this tour to the largest Bribri community in the country. See how traditions like plant medicine and cacao ceremonies still thrive today—you can even taste handmade chocolate for yourself. Then, take a dip in a local waterfall before returning to your hotel.

When staying in Manuel Antonio, take time to visit the private nature reserve of Rainmaker Conservation Park. Get different perspectives on the tropical rainforest and its wonderful wildlife as you cross long hanging bridges through the forest canopy. You will also be able to cool off with a swim in natural waterfall pools. Choose from a few different departure times of this handy half-day tour.

Explore the forests of Arenal Volcano National Park on a half-day walking tour, with the option to soak away the afternoon in the park’s nearby thermal springs. Follow your guide between towering trees, and discover the devastation left by the powerful lava slides and volcanic activity. Enjoy views of Arenal volcano and the Tilarán Range, and learn about the area’s nature, wildlife, and history. Return to your hotel or visit the hot pools of your choice, where Costa Rica’s simmering geology creates a stunning natural spa.

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.

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.

Thrill-seekers will love white-water rafting on the class III and IV rapids on the Arenal River. Suitable for adventurous beginners and those who have been rafting before, the 8-mile (13-kilometer) stretch of river offers plenty of chances to paddle hard, get wet, and enjoy views of the surrounding jungle. Refuel after with lunch at a monkey park.

La Fortuna is undoubtedly one of the best places in the world to spot sloths in the wild, but these well-camouflaged creatures can be difficult to see on your own. On this tour, follow your guide on a 1-mile (1,500 meter) stroll through the forest to an area where sloths are known to frequent, picking up local expertise on a favorite Costa Rica sight along the way.

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.

Appease your appetite for adventure during an exhilarating 3-hour rafting session on the Sarapiqui River from Puerto Viejo de Sarapiqui . With an experienced guide, conquer the Class II and III rapids on the river’s most intense section and feel your adrenaline levels surge. During calmer periods, marvel at the abundance of exotic wildlife on the banks of the Sarapiqui River and listen to fascinating commentary from your guide.

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.

Explore Arenal’s famous hanging bridges on a 4-hour tour from La Fortuna, and get panoramic views of the dramatic Arenal volcano. Follow your guide along an easy, 1.9-mile (3.1-km) trail through a lushly forested reserve, and cross a series of six suspension bridges and nine fixed bridges for a bird’s-eye perspective of the forest floor. Watch for bright feathers and monkey tails as you walk through the jungle, and take in the sights and sounds of Costa Rica’s thriving wilderness.