Top Puntarenas Day Trips

Sneak in a tropical island getaway during your Costa Rica vacation on this cruise from Jaco to Tortuga Island. Swim, snorkel, hike, drink, and dine on this all-inclusive tour, with the option to rent even more of your favorite water sports equipment like waverunners and paddleboards. Bookend your tour with a catamaran cruise across the beautiful Gulf of Nicoya.

Explore the vibrant underwater world at Tortuga Island with this full-day snorkeling adventure. Begin with a scenic 50-minute boat ride where you may spot playful dolphins and majestic rays. Once on the island, dive into crystal-clear waters teeming with beautiful marine life, including angelfish and spotted eagle rays. Enjoy a delicious BBQ lunch on the stunning white sand beach before your afternoon of relaxation or adventure. Whether you choose to hike, swim, or rent a kayak, the day promises to be filled with fun under the sun. - Full-day snorkeling tour including transportation from Mal Pais, or Santa Teresa - Bilingual guides and all snorkeling gear provided - Enjoy a BBQ lunch featuring fresh fish, chicken, or veggies - Relax on the beach or engage in various activities after snorkeling - ZumaTours official operator

Embark on an unforgettable 6–8 hour Corcovado Land and Ocean Tour, departing from Uvita’s famous Whale’s Tail in Bahía Ballena. Enjoy a scenic boat ride along the Pacific coast, where you may spot dolphins, turtles, or whales, depending on the season. Upon arrival, our expert guides lead a 1.5–3 hour jungle hike to spot monkeys, scarlet macaws, tapirs, and more. After the hike, enjoy lunch before the scenic return along the Costa Ballena coastline. Corcovado Access Update: Due to conservation rules, park permits have strict daily limits and may sell out. Passport details are required in advance or reservations cannot be made—no exceptions. If the park is full, the tour will visit Campanario Biological Station, a private reserve less than two miles away with the same rainforest, wildlife, and guided hike. By booking, you accept this change without refund.

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.

The lush rainforest and white-sand beaches of Isla Tortuga are part of the Islas Negritos Biological Reserve, and are located along the eastern coast of the Nicoya Peninsula. With this tour, you'll set sail aboard a large cruise ship, admire views of Isla San Lucas and Isla Tortuga from the water, and enjoy time on the island to swim, snorkel, or relax on the beach.

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.

Discover Costa Rica's enchanting Pacific rain forest from the air and water on this combo shore excursion from Puntarenas. Walk through the treetops on a series of hanging bridges at a private biological reserve, and then cruise down the Tarcoles River, home to a famous community of crocodiles. In between the eco adventures, enjoy time to shop and snack at a quaint replica of a Spanish colonial settlement.

Experience six of Costa Rica's top attractions in one unforgettable shore excursion. Walk through a lush rainforest, cross hanging bridges, cruise the famous Tárcoles River in search of giant crocodiles and tropical wildlife, visit the spectacular Crocs Skywalk, enjoy scenic coastal views, and explore the charming city of Puntarenas—all with a professional naturalist guide. This well-balanced experience combines nature, wildlife, sightseeing, and local culture, making it the perfect introduction to Costa Rica's Central Pacific.

Encounter the best of Costa Rica's wildlife, cuisine, and famous natural beauty on a combo shore excursion from Puntarenas. Watch adorable white-faced monkeys playing in the trees, and spot crocs and birdlife on a pontoon cruise down the Tarcoles River. Learn the history of the bustling Puntarenas port, and indulge your taste buds with locally grown fruit and an authentic Costa Rican lunch at a local restaurant, and a chance to buy authentic Costa Rican coffee.

Experience the mist-shrouded treetops and incredible biodiversity of Costa Rica's Monteverde Cloud Forest on a shore excursion from Puntarenas. Travel from the Pacific Coast to the country’s higher altitudes, where you'll explore a vast array of tropical flora and wildlife while hiking across six suspended bridges. Recharge with included lunch, and then learn about the lifecycle of Costa Rica's most famous import on a coffee plantation tour.

Maximize your port day in Puntarenas with this jam-packed combo tour that introduces you to the best of the Gulf of Nicoya. Drive through the Costa Rican countryside to a nature reserve, explore the rain forest canopy on hanging bridges, and spot crocs on a cruise down the Tarcoles River. Check out local culture with shopping stops at a replica Spanish Village and fun souvenir store, and finish with a city sightseeing tour.

Get your heart racing on this cloud forest adventure on a private reserve in Monteverde. Ride ziplines over the forest canopy, rappel down to the forest floor, climb inside of a tree, and more, for a family-friendly excursion that brings you closer to nature.

This three-part tour makes for an excellent shore excursion. First, take a guided city tour as you make your way to Carara National Park, where you’ll enjoy a dune buggy ride through the rainforest and along scenic beaches. Finally, enjoy a eco-boat tour—look for aquatic birds, scarlet macaws, howler monkeys, massive crocodiles and other tropical fauna.

Witness the enchanting beauty of Costa Rica's coastline on the Sunset and Bioluminescence Tour. As the sun sets over the Pacific, embark on a magical evening where shimmering waters come alive with bioluminescent organisms. This tour combines natural wonder with a serene atmosphere, perfect for nature lovers and those seeking a unique experience. Enjoy knowledgeable insights from expert guides, ensuring a memorable adventure as you explore the vibrant marine ecosystem. - Experience a stunning sunset followed by a captivating bioluminescence display - Ideal for nature enthusiasts and couples looking for a romantic outing - Led by experienced guides providing insights into local ecology - Tour duration includes both sunset viewing and nighttime exploration

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.

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.

An ATV tour of Carara National Park lets you explore off-the-beaten-path of this Costa Rican gem. After a safety and instructional briefing, take your ATV on a guided tour along rugged jungle trails, past teak plantations, and over 14 river crossings, stopping to admire views and beaches along the way. Then, head down the Tarcoles River on a boat tour for a chance to spot crocodiles, monkeys, and more.

Explore the magnificent Monteverde Cloud Forest across six spectacular hanging bridges. Then visit our Sloth Sanctuary, created with the Sloth Sanctuary of Costa Rica, featuring rescued sloths in a natural habitat. These gentle creatures, saved from poaching, habitat loss, illness, and accidents, now have a safe haven. Enjoy a guided tour to learn about these iconic mammals and their unhurried lifestyle. Observe them from a respectful distance as they move leisurely through the trees, offering a rare glimpse into their world where time slows down. This conservation-focused experience combines education with the opportunity to appreciate Costa Rica's beloved wildlife in their element.

Explore the Nicoya Península and Curu National Wildlife Refuge with this private guided tour from Santa Teresa. Visit secluded beaches and walk along nature trails to see all manner of wildlife that calls the reserve home. Your naturalist guide is there to help you spot creatures that range from howler monkeys and scarlet macaws to iguanas and coati. This private tour requires a minimum of two people.

Avoid the crowded boat tours with our full day tour to Isla tortuga with lunch from San Jose, travel on a small group limited to 15 people on the tour for the thrilling ride out to the island, including a stop to see Costa Rica wildlife and the snorkeling tour. Upon reaching tortuga island spend 5 hours on the most beautiful Island of the zone, enjoying as a local. You'll travel from your hotel or airbnb on san jose City by private ground vehicle. This is all included tour: snorkeling tour, unlimited soft drinks, fruits, a tico lunch and coffe with a dessert is included.

If you're planning a port day at Puntarenas, explore Costa Rica’s famously fertile rain forest with this combo zipline and aerial tram adventure. Fly through the canopy on eight thrilling zipline cables, plus cross two hanging bridges for an Indiana Jones–style walk through the treetops. Return to base camp via an aerial tram ride for a slower look at the amazing plant and animal life surrounding the Tarcoles River. Round-trip transport from the cruise pier is included.

This exceptional activity allows you to fully customize your birdwatching experience in the remarkable Tilara mountain range. Thanks to its unique geographical location, this area has many bird species, many of which are endemic or native to this region. This adds a magical and distinctive flair to your adventure and enhances your opportunity to observe unique species from the enchanting, humid tropical forest, also known as the cloud forest.

Experience two of Costa Rica’s impressive natural wonders in one day with this private full-day tour from San Jose. Enjoy a scenic hike through the Poas Volcano National Park, admire magnificent views of the crater, and look out for hummingbirds and quetzals in the cloud forest. After lunch, explore the La Paz Waterfall Gardens, where you can spot wildlife such as white face and spider monkeys, wildcats, snakes, and butterflies. Finally, visit a coffee farm to learn about its production process.