Top Costa Rica Tours, Sightseeing & Cruises

Costa Rica’s famous wilderness can’t be seen from the side of the road. Get off the beaten track to access little-known waterfalls, patches of rainforest, tropical beaches, and more on this private full-day ATV tour from central Jaco, which includes select commentary from your guide for adventurous sightseeing. The tour includes a filling and tasty lunch.

Visiting Monteverde from San Jose in just one day can be challenging on your own, but this guided tour streamlines transportation to make the trip a cinch. Arrive at Monteverde in the morning and head straight to a canopy tour: hike on hanging bridges and learn about the rich cloud forest environment before heading back to San Jose.

Go river rafting on the Pacuare River on a full-day tour from Turrialba that showcases some of the gorgeous scenery in Costa Rica. Expect to spend about four hours on the river as you raft about 18 miles (29 km) on large and small rapids, with lunch provided during a break along the way. This whitewater river rafting experience is suitable for active people that enjoy an outdoor challenge.

Some of Costa Rica's most spectacular sights are best seen from the water, but many visitors stick to land and miss the chance to cruise along the Pacific coastline. Relax on a spacious catamaran and take in the views from an uncrowded vantage point. Cruise along the coast, jump off the boat to snorkel and explore local marine life, and have fun on the waterslide and jump platform. Cap off the day with a grilled gourmet meal and tropical cocktails.

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.

A 4-hour hike gets you off the beaten track and closer to the stunning natural attractions that make Costa Rica so special. As you hike to Rio Celeste Waterfall with a guide, stop to admire a picturesque lagoon and the multi-colored waters of Los Tenideros. Lunch is included to fuel this adventure.

This excursion is an excellent opportunity to observe a large amount of biodiversity since 87 percent of the fauna is active at night, confident in the poor visibility that darkness offers them. In a normal visit there is the possibility of observing; two-toed sloths, nine-banded armadillo, owls, rain frogs and on some occasions we can observe a kinkajou or a green palm viper in addition to a large number of very interesting insects such as, for example, a stick insect, leaf insect; Sometimes we can find scorpions, tarantulas and much more. Throughout the tour you will be accompanied by a naturalist guide ready to share with visitors many of the secrets of the forest.

Go rafting on the intense ‘Chorro’ section of the Naranjo River in this half-day whitewater rafting tour from Manuel Antonio or Quepos. Experience the thrills of class IV and V rapids as your guide leads you down technical routes with steep drops, narrow canyons, and cascading waterfalls. Suitable for participants in strong physical condition, this rafting tour spends about 1.5 hours on the water, and includes breakfast and lunch.

Hiking on Arenal Volcano is the best way to appreciate the volcano’s power and beauty alike. This guided tour takes you down a network of paths ranging from easy to difficult—talk to your guide to choose the path that’s right for you. No matter what you pick, your guide shares stories and information about the volcano throughout the hike and points out features like wildlife and dried lava flows that you might miss on your own.

Discover the amazing world of sloths on this full-day, guided tour to observe these slow-moving creatures in their natural home. Set off on a hike passing toucans, tree frogs, and other wildlife along the way. Stop when you spot a sloth moving gently through the trees and learn about their life and habitat. Hear about Costa Rica’s biodiversity from your guide and visit a butterfly garden.

Discover the beautiful cascading waterfalls of Nauyaca, deep in the Costa Rican jungle, during this full-day tour from Quepos. Join a small group and head to the park where you must embark on a short hike to reach the falls. Enjoy time to take a refreshing dip in the natural pools and capture photos of your surroundings before heading back.

Get off the beach for a view of Costa Rica's coastline that most visitors miss. This catamaran cruise packs plenty of action into one easy afternoon on Pacific coast. Snorkel among marine life using provided equipment, then enjoy a freshly prepared grilled meal while anchored in a secluded bay, complemented by tropical cocktails from the open bar. A waterslide adds extra fun, while the return sail is timed for sunset.

Home to over 100 species of animals, five waterfalls, and a cloud forest the Wildlife Refuge La Paz Waterfall Gardens is bursting with biodiversity. Visit, explore, learn, and even hike among the sloths, monkeys, tropical birds, pumas, ocelots, and more who call Costa Rica’s most visited private ecological reserve home. Take in the incredible plant life like wild orchids on this full-day tour from San Jose with lunch included.

Experience high-flying thrills on a zipline course surrounded by rain forest during this full-day tour from Manuel Antonio or Quepos. Upon arrival at the adventure park, ride by 4-wheel drive to the base camp where your guide provides instruction and gear for the course. Expect to zipline, rappel, and discover waterfall pools during a nature walk. Snacks, and lunch are provided, along with round-trip transfers.

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.

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.

Head into the rain forest of Costa Rica and discover the Arenal Volcano on a half-day tour. Trek past lava formations, swim in a lake created by the volcano, and take a dip in the warm hot springs of the Tabacon River. Enjoy a delicious Costa Rican lunch while taking in the views of the volcano and enjoy your day in the rain forest.

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.

Explore more of the dramatic landscape around Arenal Volcano on a day tour than you could going independently. This small-group tour from La Fortuna offers a blend of active time and relaxation. Hike the hanging bridge trail, swim at scenic La Fortuna Waterfall, and visit Arenal Volcano around sunset. Spend the evening soaking in the hot springs, where you’ll refuel with dinner.

Sail out to Tortuga Island in the Gulf of Nicoya from Puntarenas on this all-day boat trip. Hop aboard a catamaran boat and head towards the island, which boasts a protected forest and clear waters that are ideal for swimming. There, you’ll be able to relax and enjoy a day away from the Costa Rican mainland.

Learn about the chocolate industry in Costa Rica on this private 7-hour tour from San Jose. You'll visit Tirimbina, a private biological reserve in the rain forest and take a guided hike across a suspension bridge to a cacao plantation. Get an intimate look at the chocolate-making process, from fruit to chocolate bar. Lunch is included.

Connect with two key pieces of Costa Rican life: coffee and wilderness on this combination tour to La Paz Waterfall Gardens and the Doka Coffee Estate plantation. This full-day, guided tour kicks off with a tour of plantation where you’ll learn how your cups gets from bean to breakfast. Afterwards, hike over volcanic terrain, under waterfalls, and into the rainforest during a challenging hike in the nature reserve.

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.