Top Costa Rica Half-day Tours

Zip over the rugged beach and mountain terrain of northern Costa Rica’s Pacific coast on this private half-day ATV tour from Playa Brasilito. Look for wildlife like monkeys and iguanas, experience local life in towns along the way, view the Pacific Ocean from the hills, and pass beaches such as Playa Flamingo, Playa Conchal, and Bahia de Los Pirates where you can opt to take a dip.

Encounter Costa Rican wildlife on a jungle safari cruise along the Tempisque River. A nature guide is on board to help you spot monkeys, coatis, crocodiles, and many species of migratory birds that make their home on this waterway bordering Palo Verde National Park. You'll also learn about Costa Rican culture on a drive through sugar cane fields and traditional villages, plus get a taste of local cuisine with included lunch.

Today, get into the Monteverde Cloud Forest for this private birdwatching and photography tour. Your professional guide will take you to three areas to observe birds like quetzal, trogons, toucans, and black-bellied hummingbirds. This is a small group experience, lasting around six hours. Use the telescope provided by your guide to take closeups of the wildlife on your cell phone.

Explore Nosara and the surrounding mountains by ATV, stop at several viewpoints, and then get to Naranjal where you’ll visit a family farm and have a farm-to-table dinner. Tour around the farm and see all the fruit trees, coffee plants, and other vegetables that grow there. Then at lunch you will sit down to eat them.

Panama City offers exciting nightlife and beautiful after-dark views, but it can be daunting to get around on your own at night. Whether you’re traveling solo, as a couple, or with friends, let a local guide show you around and keep you safe. Visit the Amador Causeway for great views, admire the buildings in Casco Viejo, and visit some of the city’s top bars.

Discover the lush jungle, mighty waterfalls, and natural caves of Corcovado National Park on this action-packed full-day tour. Venture into the heart of the rainforest in a 4x4, then set out on a thrilling canyoning experience. Hike jungle trails, rappel down waterfalls, and swim in natural pools before enjoying a picnic-style lunch in a scenic natural setting. Hotel pickup is included for added convenience.

Thrill-seeking travelers who are short on time will enjoy this half-day white-water rafting adventure on the Naranjo River. This river is near Quepos and the Manuel Antonio National Park, so visitors to this area won’t have to spend hours in a bus. Bounce and splash down class III and IV rapids while enjoying the views of the surrounding rainforest and listening out for birdsong.

Hike through a cacao forest and learn all about sustainably-produced chocolate from bean to bar on this chocolate tour from Limon. Taste single-origin chocolates from around Costa Rica, try cacao in its pure ceremonial form, and even make your own bar in the “Chocolate Creation Lab.” At the end of the tour, you have the chance to purchase ethically-produced chocolate at a discounted price.

A specialized tour for bird lovers. A walk to the birding hot spots in Monteverde, one of the best places for this activity. The biodiversity found in this area allow us to spot quetzals, toucans, umbrellabirds, and many other species.

Float down the Frio River to look for some of Costa Rica’s diverse animals and bird life on this half-day wildlife tour from La Fortuna. Your guide shares commentary about the creatures you might see along the calm river, such as monkeys, iguanas, sloths, and colorful birds. Afterward, stop for snacks prepared by a local family before you are returned to your hotel.

Get deep inside Venado Caves at Arenal Volcano National Park, which are 15-20 million years old! This 1.5 hour tour of the caves takes you to an underground river where you’ll see stalactites, stalagmites, marine fossils, bats, spiders, and crickets! You’ll get wet and muddy when you explore, so keep that in mind!

Mountain bike along one of the best routes in Costa Rica with this Pedal and Paddle Adventure near Lake Arenal. You’ll see the Volcano, go through rainforest, and see the amazing wildlife living along this route. The duration is about 6 hours, the path is dirt and gravel, and bikes, guides and lunch are included on this ride.

Explore the natural beauty of Costa Rica’s Guanacaste Region by ATV during this high-octane adventure. Get to know your machine and build your confidence on sandy beaches, then head into the jungle to weave your way across streams and through tropical forest on your way up and down a mountain featuring spectacular views of the landscape stretching out below.

Get closer to nature while still experiencing thrills during a fun-filled day in the jungle at the Rainforest Adventures Costa Rica Atlantic eco-reserve. Your multi-pass gives you access to six different activities, so you can ride an aerial tram, encounter native critters at a butterfly and frog garden, cross a hanging bridge, and explore the jungle on a nature hike at your own pace. Get your adrenaline pumping as you soar through the treetops on ziplines, including one of the longest and fastest in the country.

Experience the scenic beauty and wildlife of Costa Rica’s Sarapiqui River on this half-day excursion. After a convenient hotel pickup, get outfitted with all the necessary equipment and begin paddling through lush rainforest. Learn about the region’s biodiversity from a knowledgeable local guide while searching for amphibians, birds, otters, sloths, and other native animals. Enjoy a delicious complimentary lunch before returning to your hotel.

Learn all about the Macaws on Punta Islita on this half day tour from Playa Samara. You’ll visit the Macaw Recover Network which is a conservation area. Visit the Macaw Refuge and Breeding Center and hear about the wonderful research, including how the once extinct Scarlet Macaw is now back in Guanacaste, and about the numbers of Macaws being bred and released into the wild.

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.

Improve your chances of seeing wildlife at the Curi-Cancha Reserve with this small-group guided hike. Follow your guide as you explore primary and secondary rainforests, learning about natural history, bird watching and spotting mammals. Well-suited for wildlife lovers and nature enthusiasts who want an intimate experience when exploring this reserve.

When your cruise ship docks in Limon, spend the day exploring highlights of Costa Rica's Caribbean side on this combo shore excursion. Taste farm-fresh tropical fruit and learn about the region's sweetest export and see a banana plantation. You'll also get an up-close look at Costa Rican wildlife like birds, monkeys, and frogs on a rainforest boat safari tour down the biodiverse Tortuguero Canals. Swim or sun at a local beach and take a tour of the bustling port city of Limon before getting back on your ship.

Explore Central America's largest mangrove on this popular kayaking tour that puts travelers up close to Costa Rica's diverse landscapes. Navigate the waters surrounding Damas Island and see hundreds of different animals, birds and reptiles up close. This is the perfect way to experience this diverse nation's incredible wildlife and learn more from your expert local guide.

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.

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.

Coffee lovers, get your fix on a tour of the Café Britt plantation including private transfers from your San Jose hotel. Learn the history of this famous Costa Rican export, and see firsthand how coffee beans are cultivated, roasted, and transformed into fragrant elixir with a behind-the-scenes look at the farm and processing facilities. Browse products at the Britt factory store, order a freshly brewed drink from the coffee bar, and enjoy a buffet lunch from the plantation’s own restaurant.

Make the most of your day at Puerto Limon with this jam-packed shore excursion that gives you a memorable taste of Costa Rica's Caribbean highlights. Spot wildlife on a rain forest trek, visit a working banana plantation, and cruise down the biodiverse Tortuguero Canal. You’ll also take a scenic drive along the coast, explore the region’s diverse culture on a Limon city tour, and hunt for souvenirs at local shops.