Top San Jose Nature and Wildlife Tours

As one of the most popular parks in Costa Rica, Manuel Antonio National Park is a must for visitors. This guided tour from San Jose makes visiting on a time crunch a cinch—your guide takes the guesswork out of deciding which trails are worth the effort, plus helps you spot wildlife along the way. This tour includes breakfast and lunch, and is specifically timed to avoid the crowds, helping you have the best possible experience exploring.

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.

Get out of San Jose on a day tour to the Arenal Volcano region, where you’ll get a glimpse of Costa Rica’s famous biodiversity and natural beauty. Travel through scenic farmland and villages to reach the volcano. Stop at a coffee plantation, waterfall, and look out for wildlife en route. In the shadow of the volcano, soak in natural hot springs for a refreshing experience, before returning to San Jose.

RSVP to the biggest party in Monteverde with this nocturnal tour of the area's famed wildlife by moonlight, when nearly 80 percent of Monteverde's mammalian residents come out to play. Join a guide who will help you spot animals such as two-toed sloths, reptiles, and more as they come out after dark.

Get a taste of Costa Rica’s famed biodiversity without straying too far from the city with this all-access day pass to La Paz Waterfall Gardens Nature Park. Prebooked entry saves you from waiting around in long ticket lines, so you have even more time to explore its attractions. Choose whether to tackle family-friendly hiking trails through the cloud forest, visit a rescued jungle cat educational program, or spend time at the site's numerous specialty wildlife exhibits.

Explore three levels of lush Costa Rican rainforest from the floor to the canopy on an Aerial Tram tour of Braulio Carrillo National Park. Learn about local flora and fauna as you walk along nature trails, explore specialty gardens, and glide over treetops in an aerial tram for unrivaled views of the natural landscapes.

Enjoy an exciting zipline adventure with incredible views of the Arenal Volcano (if weather permits) at Airtime Zipline Adventure, located just minutes from downtown La Fortuna and next to the famous Sloth Watching Trail. The course features 9 cables (including a practice line) and 10 platforms, built with sustainable and recycled materials. Perfect for families and beginners, this activity offers a thrilling experience without extreme heights children 4 years and older are welcome! Our professional guides will ensure your safety and fun throughout the tour. We operate with all official permits and insurance from the Costa Rican Tourism Board (ICT), giving you total peace of mind. On clear days, you’ll soar with amazing volcano views while enjoying a memorable experience surrounded by nature. The adventure lasts only a couple of hours, so it’s easy to fit into your La Fortuna itinerary.

Home to over 100 species of animals, five waterfalls, and a cloud forest the Wildlife Refuge La Paz Waterfall Gardens is bursting with biodiversity. Visit, explore, learn, and even hike among the sloths, monkeys, tropical birds, pumas, ocelots, and more who call Costa Rica’s most visited private ecological reserve home. Take in the incredible plant life like wild orchids on this full-day tour from San Jose with lunch included.

Get out of the city and experience Costa Rica’s rich wildlife heritage with this half day private tour to the Toucan Rescue Ranch. What started out as a rescue facility for toucans has expanded to include other charismatic species such as sloths, monkeys, parrots, and owls. Learn all about them from the dedicated staff committed to their care.

Discover the beauty of La Fortuna, Costa Rica, on a unique horseback riding adventure operated by a local family-run business. This tour takes you through tropical forest trails, river crossings, and stunning natural landscapes while sharing authentic experiences with visitors from around the world. Led by experienced local guides, enjoy a safe, relaxed, and personalized experience suitable for all ages, including children. Capture unforgettable family moments by the rivers and immerse yourself in the peaceful atmosphere of the rainforest. Duration: Approximately 2 hours, with flexible pacing for breaks and photos Suitable for all skill levels; prior riding experience is not necessary Small group sizes from 2 to 15 travelers for a more personalized experience Includes well-trained horses and all necessary riding equipment Operated by a local family passionate about nature and Costa Rican hospitality

Go birdwatching in the Curi-Cancha Reserve in the Monteverde Cloud Forest on a half-day tour led by a naturalist guide and spot more than you would going alone. Look out for resplendent quetzals, silvery-fronted tapaculo, toucans, hummingbirds, and more—identify up to 60 species. Enjoy exploring the mountainous forest trails without the risk of getting lost. Monteverde-area transfers can be provided for an extra fee.

Discover the beautiful natural attractions of Costa Rica on this all-day tour from San Jose. Fly over the rainforest canopy via a zipline course and rappel down 150 feet (50 meters) at an adventure park. Visit two waterfalls and admire the local wildlife including iguanas. Stop at a coffee plantation where you'll learn how it's cultivated and harvested. Finally, relax in thermal mineral hot springs at the base of Arenal Volcano.

Enjoy a safe and family-friendly horseback riding tour through the beautiful landscapes of Arenal. Ride calm, well-cared-for horses along rainforest trails, open fields, and across the Arenal River. Small groups allow for a relaxed pace and personal attention, making this tour perfect for both beginners and experienced riders, including children. Along the way, enjoy nature, possible wildlife sightings, and views of Arenal Volcano on clear days. The tour includes a fun photo shoot to capture memories and share on social media, a visit to a small farm with cute animals like pigs and sheep, and a relaxing riverside stop with fresh tropical fruits.

Soar through Costa Rica’s pristine Braulio Carrillo rainforest on a zipline tour featuring 10 cables, 14 platforms, and a hanging bridge. Enjoy trekking, terrarium, butterfly, and orchid gardens while spotting native wildlife with expert guides. This moderate adventure offers thrilling canopy views and peaceful jungle sounds away from crowds. Upgrade to a complete package to include a tour, sloth center, and lunch.

Visit three Costa Rican highlights in one day on this guided tour from San José. First explore a Starbucks-owned coffee farm, learning all about how your morning brew is grown, harvested, and roasted. Next, visit the Poas Volcano Crater and marvel at its powerful geysers and bubbling lake of aquamarine water. Then, experience La Paz Waterfall Garden–a lush rainforest that boasts spectacular waterfalls and exotic wildlife. Finally, stop by another coffee plantation and enjoy a lunch of traditional Costa Rican fare.

Visit one of the top beaches in Costa Rica even if you have limited time with the convenience of a full-day tour from San Jose. Manuel Antonio National Park encompasses a rain forest that is home to monkeys, sloths, and other wildlife, and white-sand beaches on the Pacific Ocean. Get an early start to make the most of the day on a tour that includes two meals and transportation.

Experience San Jose like never before with our walking tour, tailored just for you. Our knowledgeable guides will lead you through the city's most iconic spots, sharing fascinating stories and historical insights. Marvel at the grandeur of the National Theater, with its stunning neoclassical architecture and opulent interiors. Stroll through the vibrant Central Market, where the colors, scents, and sounds create an unforgettable sensory experience. Enjoy a relaxing break at the Edificio Steinvorth, savoring the finest coffee Costa Rica has to offer. Explore the historic Parque Nacional and uncover the significance of the National Monument and the old train station. This tour offers a perfect blend of history, culture, and culinary delights.

Discover La Paz Waterfall Gardens near San José on a nature-focused tour showcasing waterfalls, rainforest trails, and native wildlife in one destination. Explore butterfly, hummingbird, orchid, and frog gardens, visit wildlife-focused exhibits, and admire five waterfalls surrounded by a lush cloud forest. Complete with transfers and a buffet lunch, this experience offers a convenient way to experience Costa Rica's lush biodiversity in a single day.

The tour consists of an experiential activity in Finca Agropecuaria Queveri. It consists of going to the paddocks of the farm, and herding the cattle (with the support of Queveri staff) all the way to the old dairy. While doing it, you can enjoy the views and learn about the importance of the place. If the weather let us do so, the tour is going be completed with a visit to the viewpoint, where you can see the volcanic mountain range of Costa Rica (Poás Volcano, Barva Volcano, Irazú Volcano, and Turrialba Volcano) and Tapanti National Park. At the viewpoint, you can visit the Piedras del Alto and mark them with your name to remember that you were there.

Head to La Fortuna, home to the Arenal Volcano, on this guided all-day tour from San Jose. Sit back and relax as you travel through diverse plantations and cattle ranches on the roughly 3.5-hour drive. After arriving, enjoy lunch with a view of the volcano. Then, take a dip in the area’s thermal waters and indulge in an optional massage or other treatment.

The best views of the cloud forest near Monteverde are undoubtedly from above—if you can get high enough. On this easy tour, take a guided nature walk along hanging bridges through the forest canopy in search of wildlife and beautiful plants. Follow your naturalist guide carrying professional optical equipment to the best viewpoints for observing the rich biodiversity, including orchids, epiphytes, and seasonal birds like the Resplendent Quetzal and Black-faced Solitaire.

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.

Serious bird-watchers will delight in this day trip to a private nature reserve that’s home to more than 365 native bird species. You don't have to spend hours traveling from San Jose to enjoy the lush Costa Rican rainforest. A naturalist guide helps you spot an amazing diversity of feathered creatures, including hummingbirds, toucans, macaws, and more. Glide through the canopy on an aerial tram for an up-close sighting of birds not often seen from the ground. Upgrade to include a hearty breakfast and round-trip transportation from San Jose.