Day Trips from Costa Rica to Central Pacific

Get off the beaten path in the Monteverde Cloud Forest without the risk of getting lost with a private guide. Nature lovers who want to explore deeper into the park will love the chance to travel by four-wheel-drive into parts of the forest that travelers on a quick visit usually miss. This is a customizable private tour so you have the freedom to choose your itinerary.

Leave the crowded streets of San Jose behind and discover the serenity of Manuel Antonio National Park with this day-trip for up to 4 passengers. This beachside protected jungle is home to a variety of monkeys, coatis, boa constrictors, and other diverse wildlife. You can choose which activities to partake in like hiking through the park’s trails or seeing it from above on a zipline tour. End your adventure gazing at the sunset from The Marina in Quepos.

If you've been eyeing Costa Rica's national parks like Manuel Antonio, don't skip Rainmaker Conservation Park. 1,500 uncrowded acres, Rainmaker sits in the heart of the Quepos Biological Corridor, with lush views and epic wildlife around every turn. On this guided tour, you'll spot hard-to-find creatures, walk in the treetops, cross suspension bridges, and take a dip in a natural pool, swimming in Costa Rica's unparalleled beauty.

Enjoy a more complete Costa Rica experience on this full-day tour from San Jose, combining hidden waterfalls, wildlife encounters, and local beach spots along the Central Pacific coast. The journey begins with a hidden waterfall known mostly by locals. A short walk leads to an emerald-colored waterfall full of rocky formations and lush vegetation, perfect to relax, take photos, and enjoy a peaceful off-the-beaten-path setting. We'll stop at the famous Tárcoles River Bridge to observe crocodiles in natural habitat from a safe vantage point. The experience continues at Playa Mantas, a lively local beach with scenic surroundings. If conditions allow, we may also visit nearby Playa Blanca. Later, we explore Jacó town, where you can walk around, enjoy a local meal, or relax with a drink, and visit the iconic Jacó sign viewpoint. Designed for travelers who want to go beyond the typical itinerary, this experience offers a unique mix of nature, culture, and authentic places in one day.

Experience Costa Rica’s Central Pacific from the forest floor, the treetops, and the water—all in one port day. Walk beneath the rainforest canopy, cross hanging bridges for a different perspective over the forest, and cruise the Tárcoles River in search of American crocodiles, scarlet macaws, monkeys, and other wildlife. Then observe the river from above at the Crocs Skywalk while your naturalist guide connects each landscape to the region’s remarkable ecosystem. By combining active exploration, wildlife viewing, and scenic discovery, this 6-in-1 shore excursion offers a remarkably complete introduction to Costa Rica’s wild Central Pacific coast.

Experience Costa Rica’s Central Pacific from the rainforest floor, among the treetops, and along the wildlife-rich Tárcoles River—all in one five-hour shore excursion. Follow a naturalist guide through the tropical forest and across three hanging bridges, then board a boat to search the riverbanks and mangroves for American crocodiles, scarlet macaws, monkeys, iguanas, and tropical birds. Finish at the Crocs Skywalk for one final elevated perspective over the river. Together, the rainforest walk and river cruise offer a closer look at two remarkable ecosystems—and several distinct perspectives on Costa Rica’s biodiversity—in a single port day.

Experience one of Costa Rica's most iconic traditions with a visit to the renowned COOPEATENAS Coffee Cooperative. Learn the fascinating journey from bean to cup, discover the country's sustainable coffee culture, and enjoy a guided tasting of world-famous Costa Rican coffee. Complete your adventure with panoramic views from the Crocs Skywalk overlooking the Tárcoles River, creating the perfect combination of local culture, breathtaking scenery, and authentic Costa Rican hospitality.

Grab your passport and head over the border for a full-day tour of Nicaragua’s highlights from Costa Rica. Start with a scenic Nicaraguan breakfast and then take in the views from Catarina Volcano. Visit the active Masaya Volcano and stand near the crater. Explore the colonial town of Granada, where you can marvel over the historic architecture and admire views from La Merced Church, followed by a delicious lunch of typical Nicaraguan cuisine. Finally, set sail across Lake Nicaragua for a scenic cruise.

Enjoy this full day out and live the pura vida, having fun on an ATV driving to Mal Pais, then ziplining through the canopy, and then walking to Montezuma and visiting the waterfall. You'll depart at 7:30am, and then get on the ATV and drive to the jungle. After this you'll get back on the ATV and visit several more towns, beaches, and then the waterfall.

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.

Escape the crowds and discover Isla Tortuga. While others go straight to the island, we take you on a wildlife adventure to spot Spider Monkeys, magnificent frages birds and dolphins before relaxing on exclusive private beach spot on Isla Tortuga. Includes a gourmet lunch, unlimited refreshments! Spend 5 hours on the island with one hour of snorkeling tour. Zero Stress: From the lighthouse to the lunch table, everything is handled by the expert crew.

Experience the Magic of Costa Rica’s Glowing Waters! Join us for an unforgettable night under the stars as we explore bioluminescence. Departing from Puntarenas, the boat tour takes you into the calm, dark waters of the Gulf of Nicoya, where millions of tiny organisms light up the sea with every movement. The tour begins at 3:30 PM, featuring a scenic boat ride and free time on the beach. Discover the exclusive Escondida Beach Club and enjoy a delicious BBQ dinner with local flavors, included in your tour.

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.

Spend the day white water rafting on the Savegre River today with your guide, crew, and group in Manuel Antonio Quepos. This is family friendly, where safety is important. You’ll be taught how to paddle, and then take on the white water. Safety kayaks will accompany you, just in case. Have a great day out and enjoy the beautiful river scenery.

Con Iguana Tours tendrán una experiencia muy diferente por nuestra visión de desarrollar tours con contenido natural por supuesto, pero también con valores, servicio y mucha información sobre la naturaleza e información relevante del área que visitamos. Nos caracterizan guías con mucha experiencia y conocimiento. Vas a encontrar con Iguana Tours el balance entre la aventura y la experiencia de aprender mucho sobre Costa Rica.

Its a hike at a very unique and virgin Cloudforest, with great views and many beautifull Waterfalls, the songs of the tropical birds mixed up with the sound of the water makes the experience unique and unforgettable.

Discover the biodiversity of Costa Rica on a day trip from San Jose to the Monteverde Cloud Forest. The massive ecological park maintains six different climate zones and is home to more than 400 species of birds, 2,500 plant species, and hundreds of animal species. Take a stroll along the SkyWalk, standing at 130 feet, for an aerial view of the forest. This tour includes breakfast, lunch, and entrance fees.

Explore Manuel Antonio National Park on this all-day tour from San Jose. On the way to the park, stop for a traditional Costa Rican breakfast. Then, once you arrive, choose to relax on the scenic beaches or hike one of the many trails throughout the tropical rainforest. Be on the lookout for monkeys, iguanas, birds, and three-toed sloths during your visit.

Experience Costa Rica’s natural beauty on a full-day waterfall and beach adventure with Chasing Adventures Costa Rica, a locally owned company founded by two brothers with over 22 years of guiding experience. Explore Portalón Waterfall, Pozo Azul, and Cascada Verde in Uvita. Swim in refreshing natural pools, discover lush tropical surroundings, and enjoy natural waterslides, with activities adapted to the day’s conditions and your comfort level. Visit Playa Hermosa in Uvita to enjoy the Pacific scenery and savor a traditional Costa Rican lunch along the way. Transportation, snacks, and experienced local guides are included. Your personal attention, local knowledge, and commitment to safety make this more than a sightseeing tour: it’s a chance to connect with Costa Rica through adventure, nature, and genuine local hospitality.

Discover Costa Rica’s natural beauty on a Savegre River rafting tour from Manuel Antonio with Chasing Adventures Costa Rica. Enjoy a scenic drive to the river, where the expert local guides provide rafting equipment, a safety briefing, and paddling instructions. Paddle 11 km down the Savegre River, navigating exciting Class II–III rapids and calmer stretches surrounded by lush tropical rainforest. Expert guides lead the adventure, while a dedicated safety kayaker accompanies the group to provide additional support. Along the way, stop to admire a beautiful waterfall and enjoy a refreshing snack. After rafting, savor a traditional Costa Rican lunch before your return journey. This tour combines adventure, spectacular scenery, and authentic local hospitality, with personalized attention and a strong focus on safety throughout the experience.

Explore the largest mangrove ecosystem in Central America on this Damas Island boat tour from Jaco. Venture into the diverse landscapes and hidden natural wonders of this incredible destination and see indigenous wildlife, birds, reptiles and fish from the comfort of your boat.

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.

By joining us on this unique adventure in Costa Rica you will be part of an enriching tour led by your Certified Guide and constantly updated to give you the best of experiences. In this wonderful place we can find a great variety of bird species (+200), 4 species of monkeys, wild pigs, tapiers, snakes, an infinite number of plants and trees that will keep us busy throughout the tour.

After picking you up or meeting you at Hacienda Baru, it’s when our experience will start. We will walk for 2 hours or so through the rainforest looking for the amazing wildlife there, sloths, monkeys, peccaries, and birds among others. Trails are flat and shady and it’s also way less crowded than Manuel Antonio Park. After the walk, we will get into our cars and drive to Nauyacas waterfall, after paying our entrance fee they’re going to take us in their 4x4 vehicle for 30 minutes drop us off for 2 hours, and pick us up at the same point they drop us off. 30 minutes driving back to our cars, afterward, if customers are hungry we will go to a restaurant where the seafood is amazing, they have all kinds of local food with local ingredients. After lunch, we go back to our hotels, after a great day and great experience we have to say good bye or see you soon because we hope this can be the first time of many more, muchas gracias and pura vida.