Top Costa Rica How to Get Around in 2026

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.

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.

A visit to Costa Rica is not fulfilled without experiencing Corcovado National Park, the Amazonia of Costa Rica. There is so much to explore in Corcovado, taking a day tour is definitely not enough! Corcovado is one of National Geographic biologists, botanists, photographers, and videographers’ favorite place on Earth. Its jungle paradise offers thrilling moments at every footstep of incredible wildlife in action.

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.

Get up close to turtles in this intimate, nighttime experience at Las Baulas Marine National Park. Starting before the sunsets, meet up with your guide and learn about the 3-species found in this particular location. As night rolls in, quietly watch turtles in their natural habitat. If you’re lucky, you may see some laying eggs, or even some hatchlings. Perfect for nature-lovers, and those wanting to see local conservation schemes in action.

The Tamarindo estuary is a long, vast river mouth with mangrove forest. It is located between Tamarindo and Playa Grande. The labyrinth of meanders, streams and lagoons is vast and rarely explored. It is a perfect 2.5 hour trip for nature lovers. You can paddle through the calm waters of the estuary, between Playa Tamarindo and Playa Grande. On sunny days you can see a wide variety of bird species, crocodiles, iguanas and other animals. Enjoying the heart of the Las Baulas National Marine Park

Chocolate and coffee come together on this small-group tour in La Fortuna. Visit the plantation to learn how cocoa and coffee are harvested, taste 70% chocolate with spices, make chocolate bonbons, and prepare your own mocca. You’ll also package a 50-gram coffee bag as a gift or for yourself.

Set off on horseback through the mountains and trails around beautiful Manuel Antonio on this full-day, guided tour with lunch included. After a safety briefing and riding instructions, hop on your horse and follow your guide into the mountains to an altitude of 1,900-feet (600-meters) taking in amazing views, wildlife, and vegetation along the way. Enjoy a swimming break on the way down and a local lunch at the ranch.

Go deep into the rain forest surrounding the Arenal volcano on a 2-in-1 combo tour that includes a safari float, canopy walk, and the scenic La Fortuna waterfall. Watch for monkeys, sloths, iguanas, and caimans while navigating a gentle river, then get a bird’s-eye view of the forest as you walk between treetops on a series of narrow suspension bridges. Continue to a jungle waterfall, slip into clear water fringed with lush foliage, then enjoy a traditional Costa Rican lunch and locally grown coffee before returning to your hotel.

Make the most of limited time and visit two Arenal Volcano area highlights—La Fortuna Waterfall and another attraction of your choosing—during a half-day excursion from La Fortuna. Opt for a rainforest hike with hanging bridges, a volcano tour on old lava flows, a safari river float, or a chocolate tour, and customize your itinerary to your preferences. Plus, lunch and hotel pickup are included for a seamless experience.

Experience Carara National Park, the Tárcoles River, and Ajugas Beach all in one day, without the hassle of booking separate excursions, on this small-group day trip from San José. Hike through the tropical forest of Carara National Park with a naturalist guide and look for birds. Then enjoy a boat ride along the Tárcoles River, before finishing with time on the beach at Ajugas. Private tour upgrade available.

Make sure you make the most of your Costa Rican vacation—don’t just stay on land while you’re visiting. Let a skipper sail you to Isla Tortuga to enjoy a day of swimming, snorkeling, and, most importantly, relaxing. And with lunch included, too, the whole experience is seamless from start to finish.

San José can sometimes feel overwhelming to first-time visitors. Take the mystery out of your visit by exploring with a local on a private walking tour. This personalized tour allows you to discover the exterior of monuments, including museums, while learning about the city’s history and culture. If you wish to include a museum visit, your guide can adapt the itinerary—just let us know in advance. Your guide contacts you beforehand to understand your interests, ensuring a meaningful experience. Ideal for families, solo travelers, or couples, this tour reveals hidden gems and authentic local life.

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.

Experience the Monteverde cloud forest after dark on a small-group night walk through Finca Lantana. Explore a private biological corridor where frogs, insects, snakes, sloths and other native wildlife are often active after sunset. Discover the forest's nocturnal ecosystem while enjoying a more intimate nature experience and gaining a deeper appreciation of one of Costa Rica's richest wildlife habitats.

Meeting Point: This experience begins at a private rainforest trail located just 10 minutes from downtown La Fortuna. Guests arrive directly at the trail entrance; transportation is not included. Private Night Walk Experience: Step into the rainforest after dark for an intimate, guided exploration of Costa Rica’s nocturnal world. This fully private experience is designed for those seeking a deeper, more personal connection with nature, far from the crowds. As night falls, the forest comes alive. With your expert guide leading the way, you’ll uncover the hidden rhythms of the jungle and encounter an incredible variety of wildlife, from vibrant frogs, camouflaged reptiles, fascinating insects, and other elusive nocturnal species. No two walks are ever the same. Each evening reveals something entirely unique, offering a sense of discovery, wonder, and exclusivity that makes this experience truly unforgettable.

We will visit the sanctuary of the white-faced capuchin monkeys, the most intelligent species of monkeys in the new world. Our visit will be safe and informative for everyone, from children to adults. We’ll learn about their family organization, alphas, and betas, and how to calculate their age. During these tours people are not allowed to touch the animals, but animals if they feel comfortable allowed to touch people. They are still wild animals and we are not violating their habitat. We don't allowed to feed them as well We’ll then see the crocodiles of Rio Grande de Tarcoles and enjoy the local souvenir sale and a buffet-style restaurant. We can choose to admire the crocodiles from the bridge or take a boat tour for an extra $43. The boat tour lasts approximately 1:40 minutes and includes bird watching and a naturalist guide. We’ll then go to a hidden beach in Jaco to see the sloths. We’ll sit on chairs, have a table, and I’ll serve drinks and snacks.

Adventure seekers will love this full-day tour that combines a variety of outdoor activities. Go tubing down class II and III rapids on the Rio Negro, zipline through the forest canopy, swing like Tarzan on thrilling swings, scale and rappel down rock faces, and ride on horseback through the jungle. After all this excitement, unwind in a natural volcanic spring with beautiful views.

Voyage through the rich wetlands ecosystem of Palo Verde National Park on this full-day tour from Tamarindo or Papagayo Bay. Look for monkeys, crocodiles, iguanas, and other wildlife on a cruise down the Tempisque River — also a birdwatcher’s paradise. Later, explore the area’s culture and cuisine with a homemade lunch and handicraft demo in the artisan town of Bolson.

Learn more about Costa Rica’s indigenous people and culture on this half-day small-group tour to the Bribri Indigenous Reserve from Puerto Viejo. Meet an indigenous family, learn about their medicinal plants, and have a go at making your own tasty cacao paste. Continue to a beautiful waterfall in the mountains where you can cool off with a swim.

With a guided tour, a leisurely walk in the Monteverde Cloud Forest Reserve or Curi Cancha Reserve is transformed into an educational outing with plenty of opportunities to see plants, birds, and other wildlife you might miss on your own. This tour is led by a naturalist guide who can answer any of your questions about the cloud forest, animals, or Costa Rica in general—a small-group tour means you’ll have lots of chances to ask.

Head to La Fortuna, home to the Arenal Volcano, on this guided all-day tour from San Jose. Sit back and relax as you travel through diverse plantations and cattle ranches on the roughly 3.5-hour drive. After arriving, enjoy lunch with a view of the volcano. Then, take a dip in the area’s thermal waters and indulge in an optional massage or other treatment.

Experience some of Costa Rica’s most beautiful natural attractions on this full-day group tour around Arenal. Enjoy the rainforest and volcano views from the Mistico Hanging Bridges, swim in La Fortuna Waterfall, and get closer to the mountain on a Volcan Arenal walk. This tour includes hotel pickup and combines these highlights in one easy day tour.

Walking through Costa Rica in one of the tours which is one of the most beautiful in CR called Cloud Forest Night Tour, watching nocturnal animals, insects, frogs, mammals and more! Discover the fascinating night walk, where nature becomes the protagonist of an unforgettable experience. We are proud to offer responsible animal watching, a practice that distinguishes us and makes us unique. We have expert guides who will welcome you with a smile and will be happy to show you Monteverde and its nocturnal wildlife. Come with your friends, family, everybody can enjoy of a different and nocturnal experience here in Costa Rica with us!