Top Costa Rica Tours, Sightseeing & Cruises

Immerse yourself in Costa Rican culture and history on this guided tour of the capital city. Highlights include the National Theater, the Pre-Columbian Gold Museum, the University of Costa Rica, the Supreme Court, and Central Market. A bilingual guide is on hand to answer questions and provide insight about what you see along the way.

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.

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.

If you want an action-packed day of fun that’s all organized for you and your private party, then this is the tour for you. You’ll get to go ziplining through treetops and ride an ATV in the lush jungle. This would be hard to organize on your own in this amount of time. A bonus is that the rest of the day is free for you to do as you like.

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!

Spend the day away from bustling San Jose and see the majestic Rio Celeste, one of the top attractions in Costa Rica. Located inside the Tenorio Volcano National Park, the deep turquoise waters of the river can be explored via a trail, which includes a waterfall, a suspended bridge, and a section of hot springs.

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.

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.

Combine two of La Fortuna's most popular natural attractions into a single easy day trip on this combo tour of Arenal Volcano and the La Fortuna Hot Springs. Along with your entrance fees and comfortable round-trip transport by air-conditioned minivan, a delicious dinner is provided for you at the hot springs, too.

Combine two outdoor activities on this all-day guided tour from La Fortuna. First, fly above the treetops with a ziplining canopy tour through the rainforest. Following that, go on a whitewater rafting trip, navigating Class 3 and 4 rapids. Your guides will choose from several different river runs, depending on the conditions. The tour also includes lunch at an organic farm.

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.

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.

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.

If you’re looking to escape the crowds in Tamarindo, look no further than this fun-filled ATV tour. An ATV allows you to get off the beaten track— ride through small towns, into the jungle, and even across rivers during the rainy season. As you ride, look for wildlife like monkeys and birds that call the area home.

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.

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.

Spend a day exploring nature and learning about coffee production with this group tour from San Jose, which includes breakfast, lunch, and hotel transfers. You'll start at the Doka Coffee Estate, where you'll learn about the lifecycle of coffee, from bean to cup. You'll then visit Poas Volcano National Park for some hiking, wrapping your tour up with a stop to observe flora and fauna at La Paz Waterfall Gardens.

Have some fun zipping through the tropical forest in Tamarindo on this small group tour. Your guide will point out wildlife like monkeys, birds, reptiles, and more that you might not notice on your own. All your safety gear will be provided for you, so you can relax and have a great time with your small group, flying through the treetops.

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.

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.

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.

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.

Disfrute de lo mejor de isla Tortuga en esta excursión privada de día completo. Viaje allí en barco y no se pierda los delfines por el camino. En la isla, disfrute de un espacio privado en la playa, esnórquel, observar monos araña y visitar el espectacular arco de piedra con vistas a la isla y el océano. Será un gran día para familias o grupos de amigos.

If you’re short on time in Costa Rica but want to see the country’s famous biodiversity beyond the concrete capital, this day trip to the Tortuguero National Park is ideal. Travel through the canals and lagoons on a boat and look out for toucans, crocodiles, sloths, iguanas, and much more. The highlight, though, is seeing the sea turtle nesting sites on the beaches, which give the park its name.