Top San Jose Tours by Duration

Explore Manuel Antonio National Park on this all-day tour from San Jose. On the way to the park, stop for a traditional Costa Rican breakfast. Then, once you arrive, choose to relax on the scenic beaches or hike one of the many trails throughout the tropical rainforest. Be on the lookout for monkeys, iguanas, birds, and three-toed sloths during your visit.

San José is characterized by its Spanish colonial buildings, Victorian mansions, and rich historical sites. This zero-emission bike tour allows you to see the city up close, avoid car traffic, and cruise through San José’s vibrant neighborhoods—past notable buildings, parks, and squares. Your guide navigates through the city and provides useful background information as you stop to appreciate local highlights.

If you’re short on time in Costa Rica but want to see the country’s famous biodiversity beyond the concrete capital, this day trip to the Tortuguero National Park is ideal. Travel through the canals and lagoons on a boat and look out for toucans, crocodiles, sloths, iguanas, and much more. The highlight, though, is seeing the sea turtle nesting sites on the beaches, which give the park its name.

Relax and unwind with a day at La Fortuna’s famous hot springs at the base of the majestic Arenal Volcano. On this tour, enjoy round-trip transportation from San Jose and relax at either Los Lagos or Baldi Hot Springs (depending on the option you've chosen), enjoying free time to rejuvenate at a pace that suits you. A delicious lunch at the resort is included, so you can focus on relaxing in the soothing thermal waters.

Don’t sleep on this capital of culture, architecture, and food when you’re visiting Costa Rica. On this tour, follow your local guide across the city’s best parks, cafes, local hangouts, iconic landmarks, and more, discovering what makes San Jose the colorful heart of the country. You’ll end in the picturesque Barrio Escalante, one of the city’s best ‘hoods, with a long list of reason to stay longer in San Jose.

Get your heart racing and make the most of your trip to Costa Rica on this jam-packed adventure tour. Traverse rugged mountains and jungle trails on an ATV until you reach a beach, where you can stop and relax. Then head to a crocodile hotspot, the Tarcoles River bridge, and safely observe these reptiles that call the area home.

Discover the best of Arenal on an all-inclusive tour designed for those looking for nature, adventure and relaxation in one day. Start your day by visiting a spectacular waterfall hidden in the middle of the rainforest. Admire the strength of your waterfall and enjoy free time to cool off in your natural pools of crystal clear waters. Then, you will elevate the experience by walking along a network of suspended suspension bridges more than 125 meters high. Accompanied by an expert naturalist guide. Keep your eyes open for monkeys, sloths, reptiles, exotic birds and a variety of tropical plants. To end the day in the best way, you will relax in an exclusive thermal spa of natural volcanic waters, located in front of the majestic Arenal Volcano. Enjoy more than 15 thermal pools at different temperatures, surrounded by nature, ideal to release stress and recharge after an active day.

Immerse yourself in Costa Rican culture and history on this guided tour of the capital city. Highlights include the National Theater, the Pre-Columbian Gold Museum, the University of Costa Rica, the Supreme Court, and Central Market. A bilingual guide is on hand to answer questions and provide insight about what you see along the way.

Visit the impressive crater of Poas Volcano and go behind-the-scenes at a large commercial coffee farm on this full-day tour from San Jose. A guide shares fun facts about one of Costa Rica's most-visited volcanos and biggest exports on a field-to-cup tour of the coffee farm. Plus, private transportation and included lunch make this tour a breeze.

Visiting Monteverde from San Jose in just one day can be challenging on your own, but this guided tour streamlines transportation to make the trip a cinch. Arrive at Monteverde in the morning and head straight to a canopy tour: hike on hanging bridges and learn about the rich cloud forest environment before heading back to San Jose.

San Jose is filled with amazing attractions to see such as the National Theater of Costa Rica and the Metropolitan Cathedral, but if you’re not familiar with San Jose, it could take you ages to see everything on your list. Take this San Jose nighttime city tour and travel with a guide who knows their way around under the city lights. Plus, dinner and round-trip transport are both included.

Spend a day exploring nature and learning about coffee production with this group tour from San Jose, which includes breakfast, lunch, and hotel transfers. You'll start at the Doka Coffee Estate, where you'll learn about the lifecycle of coffee, from bean to cup. You'll then visit Poas Volcano National Park for some hiking, wrapping your tour up with a stop to observe flora and fauna at La Paz Waterfall Gardens.

Get closer to nature while still experiencing thrills during a fun-filled day in the jungle at the Rainforest Adventures Costa Rica Atlantic eco-reserve. Your multi-pass gives you access to six different activities, so you can ride an aerial tram, encounter native critters at a butterfly and frog garden, cross a hanging bridge, and explore the jungle on a nature hike at your own pace. Get your adrenaline pumping as you soar through the treetops on ziplines, including one of the longest and fastest in the country.

Visit Costa Rica’s highest active volcano on a full-day trip from San Jose to Irazu Volcano, the historic Orosi church, and Jardin Botanico Lankester (Lankester Botanical Gardens). There are just a few places in Costa Rica where it's possible to stand at the summit of an active volcano, but you can at Irazu Volcano National Park, with views from the rim into the massive crater.

Discover some of the most lush and unspoiled coastal landscapes in Costa Rica on this 3-day excursion to Tortuguero National Park. The first day you will leave your hotel in San José. After a tour of the city of Tortuguero and an overnight stay at the hotel, you will spend the second day exploring the national park, as well as its fauna and flora. On the third day you will make one last boat trip on the canals before departure.

Costa Rica’s capital is located inland but you don’t need a weeks-long vacation to enjoy time at the beach. This day trip to Tortuga Island makes it easy to swim and sunbathe directly from San Jose. After a pickup in the capital and transfers in an air-conditioned vehicle, spend the day on a beach featuring clear turquoise water and surrounded by rainforest. Swim, snorkel, and refuel with the provided lunch.

Costa Rica is famed for its lush coffee plantations and rugged volcanoes—but seeing one of each in the same day requires serious planning, and often your own rental car. Ideal for travelers who like leaving the complicated logistics to someone else, this small-group excursion takes in a behind-the-scenes tour at Hacienda Daka and a visit to Poas Volcano National Park, home to an active crater.

Jungle Crocodile Safari on the Tarcoles River Cruise along the Tarcoles River, one of the best places in Costa Rica to safely observe massive American crocodiles in their natural habitat. ✔ See crocodiles, iguanas, and exotic birds like scarlet macaws and herons ✔ Safe, comfortable covered boat with bilingual naturalist guide ✔ Perfect for wildlife photography and birdwatching Carara National Park Nature Walk Explore the transition zone between dry and humid tropical forest — a hotspot for biodiversity. ✔ Easy guided walk through the forest trails ✔ Opportunities to spot monkeys, toucans, coatis, butterflies, and more ✔ Learn about the unique flora and fauna of this ecological bridge Puntarenas Coastal Highlights Enjoy a relaxed scenic drive through Puntarenas town, including: ✔ Lighthouse & Paseo de los Turistas ✔ Local fruit stands or souvenir shops ✔ Photo stops at panoramic viewpoints

Explore the Orosi Valley and the Lankester Botanical Gardens on this guided combination half-day tour from San José. The gardens, which are located outside of Cartago, serve as a center for orchid research, including more than 800 species of orchids, bromeliads, and other plants. Following the gardens, head to the town of Orosi to view the 18th-century Iglesia de San José de Orosi and colonial churches.

Leave the hustle and bustle of the city behind and spend the day exploring Manuel Antonio National Park on a group tour. Walk jungle trails, observe wildlife like macaws and crocodiles, and relax on the beach. This guided tour helps you avoid crowded areas and includes hotel pickup and drop-off for convenience.

At the end of your trip you don’t want to worry about missing your flight due to delayed buses or unreliable taxis. Relax with this private transfer from La Fortuna to San Jose Airport, or hotels in San Jose if you prefer. You can stop en route for a meal break, for the bathroom, or to take pictures of the views.

Escape the city for a day in the wild without the stress of navigating unfamiliar roads on your own on this full-day tour from the San Jose area. Set off directly from your hotel and enjoy an action-packed day with a cruise down the Sarapiqui River, visits to various animal sanctuaries at the Black Madero private wildlife reserve, and a traditional buffet lunch. Make it easy to see Costa Rica’s famous wildlife on this inclusive tour featuring a sample of popular rainforest and river activities in and around Braulio Carrillo National Forest.

Spend the day away from bustling San Jose and see the majestic Rio Celeste, one of the top attractions in Costa Rica. Located inside the Tenorio Volcano National Park, the deep turquoise waters of the river can be explored via a trail, which includes a waterfall, a suspended bridge, and a section of hot springs.

With its cascading waterfalls and abundant wildlife, the Pacuare River is rightfully famous for its natural beauty. Paddle through the river gorge, navigating 52 Class II-IV rapids as you go, on this 12-hour trip from San Jose. Take in views of the tropical rain forest and wildlife such as sloths, parrots, and toucans as you ride the river (and your adrenaline rush) over the course of the day.