Top Puntarenas Outdoor Activities

Hike through Monteverde Wildlife Refuge after dark on a guided walking tour that reveals how nighttime transforms the tropical forest. Since dusk brings out a mix of diurnal and nocturnal animals, you might see completely different creatures than in a day time visit. Provided flashlights and the guide’s powerful spotting scope are great for finding wildlife you might otherwise miss, from tree frogs to sloths and jewel-toned birds.

Monteverde reserve has very well done and clean trails which facilitates the mobility along different sectors of the forest and elevations. The possibility to observe some of the wildlife of this lifezone, like birds; Resplendent Quetzal, Emerald Toucanet, costarican Warbler, Black faced Solitaire, and some others.

We are more than glad to provide a lifetime time experience at the Gulf of Nicoya Paquera, This is a bay so the water is very calm which makes it perfect for Kayaking. We normally get to enjoy an amazing sunset, while paddling 800 meters, where we can appreciate the ferry, and some islands as Isla Chiquita and Isla Jesucitas. We will take you to the biggest concentration of bioluminescence, where you will be able to see and touch it. It is just amazing, we have not found words to describe this unique experience. The kayaking tour will be from 5:45 pm to 7:30 pm when we get back

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.

Travelers wanting to experience the highlights of Puntarenas won’t want to miss this comprehensive tour. Over the course of the day you’ll visit or drive past wildlife-viewing spots, rainforest parks, beaches, markets and plantations, churches, town attractions, and more. If you’re short on time but don’t want to miss Puntarenas’ must-see spots, this is the tour for you.

Explore the cloud forest in Monteverde after the sun sets on this guided nighttime tour. AFter dark, explore the biodiverse forest at Ficus Trails, spotting the nocturnal animals that inhabit the area. See tropical birds sleeping as well as the nighttime habits of other wildlife like scorpions, tarantulas, bats, and more. You’ll see different things than on a day tour.

Bioluminescence is one of the things you should experience during your holiday in Costa Rica. We will kayak through the bay of Paquera and pass some islands. As we start our tour before sunset, we often experience some incredible views in the sky what gives an extra addition to our tour and we go on shore to one of the small beaches where you are able to take a swim if you like. As we operate in small groups, we can give a more personal attention to our clients.

Our tour begins at the Curú Wildlife Refuge, a place where you can observe a large number of wild animals before departure time or after the tour. We are local people who know the coast and the behavior of cetaceans and marine animals very well, which allows us to provide a quality service without affecting the marine life of the place, with more than twenty years of experience. We carried out the sightings in the Paquera Responsible Fishing Marine Area, a place that Humpback whales visit to have their calves and take care of them for 2 or 3 months.

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.

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.

This night hike in Monteverde is designed for travelers seeking authentic wildlife viewing in small groups, with an educational focus and personalized attention. During the tour, you may have the opportunity to observe: Red-eyed tree frogs Glass frogs Sloths Tarantulas Snakes Sleeping hummingbirds Tropical insects Nocturnal birds Each tour is unique, making this a true nature adventure in Costa Rica. Why choose us? Small groups for a better experience. Extensive local naturalist guide. Professional optical equipment. Safe and family-friendly tour. Authentic and educational experience.

We are an authentic and family tour, not commercial. Come, enjoy and learn about our coffee, with specialized guides. In our tour you will be able to walk inside the coffee plantation, really knowing our place. When you do the Coffee Tour, during your stay at the farm you can also taste the different roasts, accompanying this with a delicious snack that can be normal, vegan or vegetarian. On our tour we also have trees with different fruits, which you can eat and enjoy, such as mango, oranges, mandarins (seasonal fruits) and of course our delicious sugar cane.

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.

Switch up your daily routine with this enchanting night walk tour that takes you on a journey into the forest after dark. Discover the vibrant nocturnal wildlife in action during this 2-hour tour through a transitional forest. Led by a private guide, stop to spot a variety of mammals, birds, and insects that exhibit unique behaviors at night. Ideal for families seeking adventure, explore the area and observe everything from sleeping birds to creepy crawlers.

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

Guided Night Walk  This walk takes around 2 hours, where we'll walk on the trails of this private reserve looking for all kind of criatures, most of those active at night time, but being able to possibly spot some day time active fauna sleeping too.

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.

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.

The Night Tour Refuge is a 2-hour light hike in search of the creatures of the night, recommended for anyone who wants to see wildlife such as sloths, armadillos, porcupines, opossums, coatis, olingos, and kinkajous, as well as sleeping birds and a wide variety of insects, among others. El Refugio is a privileged place to see bird species such as sleeping toucans, mot-mots, and black guans; treetop animals such as monkeys, coatis, olingos, sloths, frogs, snakes, and a wide variety of insects. On a typical tour, you will see 3-5 species of mammals, 5–10 species of birds, a couple of snakes or frogs, and many types of insects. This is the widest variety of animals you will see on any other night tour in the area. You will join a group of four to six people with a local tour guide, who will give you an introduction and flashlights before starting the walk through the trails of El Refugio. Places are limited, so you must reserve in advance.

Get on an ATV and explore the Costa Rican countryside as you follow a guide around the area, and get to the river to splash around in and have some fun. You will have a bilingual guide, who will have your safety and security as the top priority, while making sure that you have a fantastic time riding through the countryside, stopping at a bridge, and splashing through the river.

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.

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.

Feel the adrenaline rush of soaring over 11 different waterfalls on this Costa Rican canopy tour. Enjoy stunning views over the ocean, mountains, and rainforest on 18 zipline cables. Challenge yourself by tackling two rappelling maneuvers and a swing over a hanging bridge, then cool off with a refreshing dip in a waterfall.