All Costa Rica Tours & Excursions in 2026

According to travelers, the best Costa Rica excursions offer an escape into the jungle or onto the waves. They include:

• Arenal Volcano Full-Day Combo Tour with Lunch and Dinner
• Manuel Antonio Park Nature Guided Tour with a Nature Specialist
• Hacienda Alsacia Starbucks Coffee Tour
• Surf Lessons in Tamarindo, Costa Rica
• Upper Balsa River White Water Rafting Class 3/4 in Costa Rica

The cost of Costa Rica tours depends on the itinerary and what is included. While basic services like airport transfers can be economical, luxurious all-inclusive excursions are naturally pricier, as they visit multiple destinations or include activities. Private group tours—which can cost upwards of US$500—can actually be less expensive than other options on a per-person basis.

On the lower end of the price range, you can book tours such as Arenal Natural Hiking Trails for around US$15 per person; you’ll join a guided hike through the jungle to waterfalls and across hanging bridges, spotting local flora and fauna. Pricier options include 8-Days Costa Rica: Volcano, Tropical Jungles and Cloud Forests (from US$3,500 per person), which includes transport, meals, accommodation, and activities as you travel through the country’s wildest environs.

Costa Rica excursions bring you to the base of volcanoes, onto deserted beaches, and into the deepest reaches of the jungle. You can see highlights such as the Arenal Volcano and La Fortuna Waterfall or indulge your adventurous side by ziplining, whitewater rafting, or cliff jumping.

Consider a tour that visits as many attractions and landscapes as possible with one easy booking. For example, the Arenal Volcano, La Fortuna Waterfall, Hot Springs Full Day Tour covers various natural sights in one full day, including steaming craters, thundering cascades, verdant rainforests, and thermal pools great for a soak.

Many travelers say a week in Costa Rica is enough to see the highlights of either the central region or the Pacific coast; but if you want to explore all aspects of this incredible country, two weeks may be best. It depends how active you want your trip to be and how many destinations within the country you want to see, as travel between points can take longer than distances suggest.

The dry season, between December and April, can be best for both beach and jungle vacations, but that time of year comes with the highest average prices for accommodation. The “green season” between May and August is wetter, but it comes with fewer crowds and a higher chance of spotting wildlife.

Which region is best depends on your interests and goals. You can think of Costa Rica as divided into three general regions: the central region, for jungle excursions, wildlife, and hot springs; the Pacific coast, for surfing and pristine beaches; and the Caribbean side, for Afro-Caribbean culture and fewer tourists.

According to travelers, these are the best attractions in Costa Rica:

• Tamarindo Beach
• Rosario Islands (Islas del Rosario)
• Mistico Arenal Hanging Bridges Park
• La Fortuna Waterfall
• Curi-Cancha Reserve

View Viator’s guide to all the best attractions in Costa Rica.

There are tons of great trips to take in Costa Rica. According to traveler reviews, these are the best day trips to book right now:

• Arenal Volcano Full-Day Combo Tour with Lunch and Dinner
• Upper Balsa River White Water Rafting Class 3/4 in Costa Rica
• Arenal Volcano, La Fortuna Waterfall, Hot Springs Full Day Tour
• Tortuga Island Tour with Costa Cat
• Guachipelin Adventure Volcano Zipline Horseback River Tubing Combo

View all of Viator’s top Costa Rica day trips.

You don’t have to spend a fortune to have a great time in Costa Rica. Here are some of the best Costa Rica activities under US$35:

• Skip-the-Line La Fortuna Waterfall Admission Ticket
• Tortuguero National Park Canal Tour with Canoe
• Beach Day Experience in Manuel Antonio
• Admission Ticket to Las Pumas Rescue Center
• Hiking Tour in Bijagual Waterfall

It’s no secret that Costa Rica is a haven for outdoor enthusiasts. Here are some of the top outdoor tours to book right now:

• Arenal Volcano Full-Day Combo Tour with Lunch and Dinner
• Manuel Antonio Park Nature Guided Tour with a Nature Specialist
• Surf Lessons in Tamarindo, Costa Rica
• Upper Balsa River White Water Rafting Class 3/4 in Costa Rica
• Arenal Volcano, La Fortuna Waterfall, Hot Springs Full Day Tour

View all of Viator’s top outdoor activities in Costa Rica.

According to travelers, these are the top museums and cultural attractions in Costa Rica:

• National Theater (Teatro Nacional)
• Alturas Wildlife Sanctuary
• Hacienda Alsacia Starbucks Coffee Farm
• Jade Museum (Museo del Jade)
• Costa Rican Art Museum (Museo de Arte Costarricense)

View all of Viator’s museum tickets and passes in Costa Rica.

Couples will find plenty of romantic tours in Costa Rica. Here are some of the top activities to book now, according to previous travelers:

• Tortuga Island Tour with Costa Cat
• Blue Dolphin - Public Catamaran Tour
• Sunset Catamaran in Playa Flamingo
• Marlin del Rey Catamaran Snorkel Sunset Cruise from Tamarindo or Playas del Coco
• Horseback Riding to Conchal Beach from Tamarindo & Flamingo

View all of Viator’s top romantic tours in Costa Rica.

Costa Rica has enough activities to entertain every member of your family. Here are some of the top kid-friendly tours to book now, according to previous travelers:

• Manuel Antonio Park Nature Guided Tour with a Nature Specialist
• Costa Rica Sloth Tour in La Fortuna
• Night Jungle Tour with Dinner (Rainmaker Park)
• Skip the Line: Diamante Eco Adventure Park: Animal Sanctuary Discovery Ticket
• 3-Hour ATV Jungle Waterfall Adventure

View all of Viator’s top family-friendly tours in Costa Rica.