Top Costa Rica How to Get Around in 2026

Explore the sandy beaches, secluded bays, and jungle-clad shorelines around Playa Hermosa on this afternoon catamaran cruise. Admire the views as you sail along the coast, look out for dolphins and whales, and stop to swim and snorkel in a picturesque bay. While onboard, enjoy a tasty BBQ chicken lunch, grab yourself a drink from the open bar, and watch the sunset as you cruise back to shore.

Many Costa Rican coffee and chocolate experiences require long travel days, but this hands-on tasting experience takes place near Playas del Coco, within easy reach of most hotels. Visit artisan producers, learn about and taste local products, try your hand at traditional grinding methods, and make your own coffee and chocolate.

Feel like a jungle explorer as you venture into the lush rainforest around Arenal Volcano on a horseback ride from La Fortuna. Mount your horse and follow a guide along a scenic trail that hugs a river canyon, stopping to admire the Pino Blanco and La Fortuna waterfalls. Cool off with an optional swim, and learn about Costa Rica’s indigenous culture at the Maleku Village.

Costa Rica’s capital is located inland but you don’t need a weeks-long vacation to enjoy time at the beach. This day trip to Tortuga Island makes it easy to swim and sunbathe directly from San Jose. After a pickup in the capital and transfers in an air-conditioned vehicle, spend the day on a beach featuring clear turquoise water and surrounded by rainforest. Swim, snorkel, and refuel with the provided lunch.

Explore beyond the coast on this Puerto Limon shore excursion to Cahuita National Park. Take a quick look at Puerto Limon from a panoramic viewpoint before sailing down the tropical Tortuguero Canals in a covered boat en route to a banana plantation and Cahuita National Park. Enjoy a nature walk with your guide before returning to your ship at the port.

Spend a full day exploring the beauty of Isla Tortuga on this small-group tour from Jacó. First stop at the Tarcoles River to watch crocodiles from the bridge, then visit Negritos Island to see spider monkeys and dolphins. Enjoy a snorkeling tour at a secluded spot and end the day with a delicious local lunch with fruits.

Explore the delicious side of Monteverde with this coffee,chocolate, and wildlife night tour. You’ll be with a group, so you’ll keep costs down and meet a few new faces, too. First you’ll learn all about the coffee and chocolate production, with tasters. Then you’ll head into the Santa Elena reserve, where you’ll be given a flashlight to spot the critters that only come out at night.

Navigate the trails of Manuel Antonio National Park without having to constantly refer to a map on this hiking tour from Jacó. Well-suited for novice hikers, let your guide lead the way on flat paths. Enjoy taking in a wide variety of environments including coastline and rainforests, with the opportunity to refresh in the sea during a swim stop.

Caño Island is a remote island off the Pacific coast of Costa Rica. Take a boat ride from Rancho Corcovado Lodge in Agujitas (Drake) to the island where you’ll spend time snorkeling with provided equipment, followed by relaxation at San Josecito beach on the mainland. Places on this small-group activity are limited to 12 people.

Kids and adults alike will enjoy this fun and relaxing cruise through the mangroves of Isla Damas. As well as enjoying views of the biodiverse mangrove forest, keep your eyes open for local wildlife, including monkeys, sloths, various birds, and more. Learn about what you see from your knowledgeable guide and take some great photos.

Get onto the Penas Blancas River in La Fortuna with your naturalist guide and kayak for a half day and see all the wildlife you can, and then finish with a local ranch tour and snacks from the garden. You'll be picked up from your hotel, then taken to the river to look for crocodiles, lizards, sloths, and monkeys. Then get to the ranch for coffee, sugar cane, and chocolate.

Soak in the atmosphere of San Jose after dark on this bar crawl package. If you don’t know where to go for a fun night out, this activity is for you. Meet up with your guide as they take you to a selection of popular watering holes found downtown. Meet new people, try local drinks and get into the party spirit. A great way to introduce yourself to a new city.

Costa Rica is renowned for its chocolate production and exports chocolate all around the world. On this tour, go behind-the-scenes at a traditional cocoa plantation, learn how chocolate is made from bean to bar, and sample the cocoa fruit. Get involved as you watch the chocolate-making process, then sample a variety of delicious chocolates and tropical fruits.

Get ready for an adrenaline-pumping adventure with our ATV Adventure tour. Explore the picturesque Manuel Antonio countryside areas, unlike any other tourist. Feel the thrill while driving your ATV through the mountains, where you'll witness the lush greenery of the rainforest and an array of wildlife. Not only will you ride through the lush jungles of Costa Rica, but you'll also appreciate excellent views and can take amazing pictures of the beautiful landscapes. After experiencing the amazing ATV adventure, you will enjoy a unique nature experience at Rainmaker Park, a magical corner where lush rainforest meets the thrill of outdoor adventures. This park offers a stunning backdrop that immerses you in the rainforest. The constant murmur of water in Rainmaker Park accompanies you as you walk, creating a relaxing atmosphere and connecting you with the pure essence of nature. You will encounter majestic waterfalls that break the serenity with their comforting roar.

Escape the crowds on land and admire Costa Rica’s stunning Costa Dorada (Gold Coast) from a fresh perspective during a private sailing tour from Playa Flamingo. Discover secluded coves and hidden beaches that are inaccessible by other modes of transport, and relish the undivided attention of your captain and crew.

The Monteverde Cloud Forest is one of Costa Rica’s most memorable natural wonders. With this tour, venture to the heart of the cloud forest on a self-guided trek and enjoy magnificent views of the Arenal, Rincon de la Vieja, Tenorio, and Miravalles volcanoes. Cool off with a swim beneath a waterfall, tuck into a typical Costa Rican lunch, and enjoy a short horseback ride. Hotel pickup and drop-off from Monteverde and Santa Elena are included for convenience.

Sail into the sunset on this Tamarindo catamaran cruise aboard a comfortable 40-foot (12 meter) deck. Swim and snorkel as you enjoy the last rays of the afternoon at Playa Huevo—there’s a good chance you won’t see anyone else at the under-the-radar location—and then head back to Tamarindo while watching the sunset. Plus, an open bar means your cup is never empty.

Learn all about the coffee growing and making process on this private tour of the Starbucks chain’s Hacienda Alsacia Coffee Farm. Explore the farm on a guided tour where you’ll visit the tree nursery, wet mill, drying patio, and roasting machine. Learn about sustainable farming practices, and about the people who produce the coffee you drink every day. An educational tour that travelers with a range of interests will enjoy.

Experience the sights, sounds, and flavors of San Jose on an evening bus tour. Starting from your hotel, board a comfortable double-decker bus with a welcome drink. See over 25 of the city’s landmarks as you take a bus tour, and stop for bilingual guided tours at key locations, including the Costa Rican Art Museum. Enjoy an included dinner of local cuisine before drop-off back at your hotel.

Whether you’re an art collector or enthusiast, you’ll enjoy this tour that explores the contemporary Costa Rican art scene. Visit galleries featuring indigenous works, fashion, paintings, sculptures, furniture, and more, and possibly meet the artists. Along the way, you’ll also catch sight of the local graffiti and learn about the history of the city and its current events.

This experience is perfect for nature lovers and animals. We will have the opportunity to observe an incredible diversity of fauna, including monkeys, snakes and a wide variety of birds, highlighting the majestic scarlet macaw, which has found its home in this place. In addition to the rich wildlife, we will witness a fascinating natural phenomenon: the transition between dry tropical forest and wet tropical forest, a unique display of the ecological diversity of the region.

Get to explore the rainforest of La Fortuna de San Carlos in the Arenal Volcano National Park for one hour in the daylight, and one hour in darkness on this small group night tour. Keep your eyes peeled for sloths, snakes, and all kinds of birds. Your guide will be right there to point the creatures out for you while you see the transition from day to night.

On this guided tour of the Butterfly Conservatory, which is dedicated to the preservation, growth, and study of the rainforest, with a focus on butterflies and other tropical rainforest species, experience a live demonstration of the butterfly life cycle, see poison dart frogs and other species of amphibians from the Arenal rainforest, and explore the botanical gardens and medicinal herb gardens.

Hear the sounds of the rainforest at night during this short, small-group, guided walking tour in Arenal’s wild frog sanctuary. See what nocturnal animals do while the rest of the world sleeps and visit with some of the 28 species of frog who live here. Learn how this private nature reserve is cared for by the Rojas Bonilla family as you hike the trails to chorus of noisy frogs.