Top Puntarenas Day Trips

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

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.

Instead of dealing with the hassle of planning your own day trip to Tortuga Island, booking this tour means an expert has sorted everything out for you—from what you’re eating to the best local spots for swimming to how you’re getting from A to B and back again. But your day isn’t micro-managed—there’s plenty of time to relax on the island too.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

Marvel at one of Costa Rica's most impressive volcanoes and get close to its enchanting wildlife on this 2-in-1 combo tour. Stand above the steaming fumaroles and lake-filled crater of Poas Volcano with direct summit access, and then admire smaller-scale natural wonders at the La Paz Waterfall Gardens, a beautifully landscaped animal sanctuary. A typical Costa Rican lunch and hotel pickup complete this all-inclusive tour.

Begin your experience exploring the jungle where you will be surprised by the monkeys' mischief in their natural habitat. You will be able to observe his family dynamics, agility and incredible wit. Then, the tour continues with an exciting boat ride through the mangroves and rivers where you will meet majestic crocodiles. You’ll see these impressive reptiles in their natural surroundings, while the expert guide tells you all about their behavior. Don’t miss the chance to experience this unique combination of wildlife and breathtaking scenery! Book now and be amazed by nature at its finest.

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

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.

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.

Spend a day out in the natural beauty of Monteverde, and see how many types of plants, birds, and other animals that you come across. You’ll visit several places today, all organized by your guide, so you just need to enjoy being out in the cloud forest. You’ll visit the Biological Reserve, Treetopia Park (Sky Adventures), and the Wildlife Refuge all in one day’s tour.

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.

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.

Spend a day exploring Costa Rica’s beauty away from the beach on this guided shore excursion from Punta Arenas. Head out with a guide and a small group of 15 people or fewer to discover the region’s highlights, including the tropical fruits grown in nearby “fruit towns,” a wildlife area known for its population of white-faced monkeys, and a sail down the lush Tarcoles River. Tour includes entrance fees and all transportation with port or hotel pickup and drop-off.

Visit Carara Adventure Park on an action-packed day tour from Puntarenas. Travel by air-conditioned minivan to the privately owned reserve, which contains lush rain forest and sweeping views of the Pacific Ocean. Experience the rain forest canopy up close as you fly down the zipline course, which features 12 cables and three hanging bridges. Then take a 1-hour boat cruise to look for crocodiles, monkeys, and more.

This combination gives us the beautiful opportunity to explore the highlands of Tilaran, where we can find Tropical Cloud Forest home of many endemic species specializing in the habitat and active by day or night. The tour consists of two Natural Walk tours in the Forest, one by day and the other at night with a Naturalist Local tour guide, where you will explore the ecosystem of these highlands by day and night. During the day we use the trails of the Monteverde Cloud Forest Reserve, a good option to observe a large part of our birds such as Quetzal, also Colibris toucans, in addition to the many species of plants such as orchideas, bromeliads, and fungi. During the night we find ourselves in the Refugio de Vida Silvestre where we look for Mammals like Olingos, Sloths, Red-eyed riverside frogs, incestes, and much more.

Join us for an incredible birdwatching adventure in a stunning private reserve cared for by a dedicated local family committed to sustainability and conservation. As we explore the beautiful trails, you’ll have the chance to witness an array of wildlife, from the joyful Clay-colored Thrush and colorful Blue Morpho Butterfly to the elusive Black-faced Solitaire. Keep an eye out for the dazzling Emerald Toucanet, elegant Grey-headed Chachalaca, and cheerful Brown Jay, among others. This journey is not just about observing wildlife; it’s an invitation to immerse yourself in the rich biodiversity around us. Together, we’ll celebrate the wild beauty of nature and learn about ecotourism in this pristine environment. We invite you to join us on this unforgettable journey, where we can explore and appreciate our natural world together. Prepare for a transformative experience that will deepen your connection to nature and fuel your passion for wildlife!