Top Costa Rica How to Get Around in 2026

Costa Rica’s lush jungles have long been a notable area to grow cash crops such as coffee, chocolate, and sugar cane. During this small-group experience, visit a plantation in Manuel Antonio and learn how these three crops are produced. Take a guided tour of a plantation, traditional sugar cane mill, and medicinal plants garden, and see how some of your favorite treats are made. Hotel pickup is included for added convenience.

Navigate Class III-IV rapids under the guidance of an expert during this white-water rafting course down the Pacuare River from San Jose. Paddle your way through one of Costa Rica's most picturesque river gorges, looking out for native wildlife between rapid runs, on an exciting day trip ideal for thrill seekers. Hotel pickup and drop-off, equipment, and lunch are all included, so you can focus on the thrills.

Spend the day on a tropical island on this seamless full-day tour from Jaco to Tortuga Island. Board your boat and cruise across the Gulf of Nicoya, looking for dolphins along the way. On Tortuga Island, enjoy a snorkeling tour (conditions permitting) and free time to relax, sunbathe, engage in other watersports and activities such as kayaks and banana boats (extra expense).

Is the perfect activity for those who wants to discover the natural habitat found in Monteverde, Costa Rica. The idea is to start at 6:00am or 7:00am with an introduction of the Costarican birds and general terms about the tour. During the 4 hours of this tour is possible to spot different species of animals. Costa Rica is well known wordwide about birds, so this is a great experience if you really wants to feel the cloud forest sorrouned by beautiful nature.

If you’re looking for wildlife in Costa Rica, one of the best places to see it is the pristine coastal forests of Manuel Antonio National Park. Get more out of a visit to the famous park on a tour with a certified naturalist guide who knows all the best places to find sloths, monkeys, iguanas, toucans, and many other animals. Learn about the park’s amazing ecosystems along the way, and get a closer look using a provided Swarovski spotting scope.

Get your heart racing on this cloud forest adventure on a private reserve in Monteverde. Ride ziplines over the forest canopy, rappel down to the forest floor, climb inside of a tree, and more, for a family-friendly excursion that brings you closer to nature.

This hassle-free full-day small-group tour visits Quepos’ impressive Nauyaca Waterfall and stops at Portalón waterfall, Playa Linda, and Dominical. Your guide and driver organize all logistics, so you don’t have to arrange transport, lunch, goggles, or snacks. Bring your bathing suit for several chances to swim, jump, or relax in Costa Rican waters and enjoy a traditional casado lunch at a local restaurant.

Take a canoe tour through the Tortuguero wetlands, home to a wide variety of local wildlife, with this small-group tour, led by a professional guide. While it's hard to predict what kind of animals you might see on any given day, monkeys, sloths, alligators, and birds are all possibilities.

Trek deep into the canyons of Rincon de la Vieja Volcano to reach the impressive La Leona waterfall on this private, guided day tour. The tour starts with a convenient pickup, and then you’re on your way. You’ll take an intermediate-level hike along Rio Blanco, where you’ll pass by caves in order to reach your ultimate destination, La Leona waterfall.

Ideal for travelers interested in a day in the rainforest packed with activities, this experience includes a safari and seven adventure park sports. Start with a drive into the rainforest on a 4WD vehicle, exploring the adventure park’s protected land. Afterward, head to the adventure course for rappelling, ziplining, tree climbing, “monkey drops,” and more. Finish the day with a *comida tipica*—a typical Costa Rican meal.

You don’t need to venture deep into the rain forest to see Costa Rica’s spectacular wildlife on this guided nature walk in a La Fortuna nature center. On this tour, a guide accompanies you on an easy, kid-friendly walk through the forest, pointing out wildlife like sloths, birds, and tree frogs along the way.

Get out of the city and experience Costa Rica’s rich wildlife heritage with this half day private tour to the Toucan Rescue Ranch. What started out as a rescue facility for toucans has expanded to include other charismatic species such as sloths, monkeys, parrots, and owls. Learn all about them from the dedicated staff committed to their care.

Travel along the Peñas Blancas River on this relaxed rafting tour. Along the way, spot a variety of flora and fauna such as sloths and monkeys in the surrounding forest that's located in the northern region of Costa Rica. Plus, visit a local farm where you’ll be able to learn about farming practices and enjoy a snack.

More than just a canopy tour, this ultimate Monteverde adventure is designed for adult thrill-seekers who want a fast-paced, adrenaline-fueled romp through the cloud forest. Soar across some of the longest ziplines in Costa Rica, whoosh through the trees on the mega Tarzan swing, rappel down to the forest floor, and test your bravery with a jungle bungee jump.

Walk through the mists and be delighted at the unique birds and other creatures that make their homes in this rainforest ecosystem. Use the provided telescope to spot hundreds of species of colourful orchids, mosses, ferns, and lichens in the forest canopy and understorey. Learn about the biodiversity and the work done to conserve this precious environment.

Get into the cloud forest of Monteverde with this guided morning walk. For 2-3 hours, you will explore the flora, fauna, and history of the area. This isn’t a trekking tour, rather an exploration of the nature of the area. Your guide will be an expert naturalist, and bilingual, so you will have the opportunity to learn in depth about the cloud forest.

See the natural beauty of the jungle after dark, without getting lost, on this small-group guided tour of Rainmaker Park. Your naturalist guide takes you into the jungle to learn about the local ecosystem and spot animals that you won't find during the day, such as lizards, spiders, owls, and colorful tropical frogs.

Monteverde reserve has very well done and clean trails which facilitates the mobility along different sectors of the forest and elevations. The possibility to observe some of the wildlife of this lifezone, like birds; Resplendent Quetzal, Emerald Toucanet, costarican Warbler, Black faced Solitaire, and some others.

Explore Manuel Antonio by night and see creatures that hide away during the day on an evening hike revealing a different side to the biodiverse area. Explore at a relaxed pace in a small group with a guide who increases your chances of spotting nocturnal critters such as frogs, snakes, scorpions, lizards, and tarantulas.

Paquera Bay is one of the few places in the world where you can view bioluminescence year-round. With this tour, experience the natural phenomenon on a night tour, setting out by boat at sunset and enjoying more than an hour at Isla Cedros. See the plankton glowing in the dark waters, jump in to swim and snorkel, and watch as schools of fish swim over to feed.

Manuel Antonio National Park is a must-visit for nature lovers but without a guide you’ll miss many of the local residents, quiet and camouflaged among the trees. On this 2.5-hour private guided tour you’ll explore with a naturalist guide who knows where and how to spot sloths, monkeys, toucans, iguanas, and much more. Watch them through a high-powered spotting scope.

A guided tour ups your chances of seeing turtles nesting and hatching along the Costa Rica coast. Not only does your guide know the best spots for seeing turtle activity during its season, but also provides tons of insight into the turtle life cycle that you might otherwise miss.

Sample some of the best products made in Costa Rica on this group tour in Monteverde. You’ll explore the process of producing coffee, chocolate, and sugar cane on this family-friendly tour. You’ll be able to taste each product, too, while your guide tells you all about how each is made, and how important each product is worldwide.

See some of Costa Rica's most beautiful natural areas on this two-day, small-group tour of the Puntarenas area, led by a professional guide. You will visit the Corcovado and San Pedrillo National Park, where you can see beautiful trees and vegetation, with the opportunity to see all kinds of wild animals and birds in their natural environment.