Top San Jose Wildlife Encounters

Embark on a scenic full-day adventure from San José to Manuel Antonio National Park, one of the most stunning natural sanctuaries in the world. Start your day with a delicious Costa Rican breakfast, then stop at the Tárcoles River Bridge to observe giant wild crocodiles in their natural habitat—an iconic Costa Rica experience. Continue to Manuel Antonio, where your certified naturalist guide will lead you on rainforest trails in search of wildlife such as sloths, monkeys, toucans, iguanas, and colorful tropical birds. Enjoy approximately four hours inside the park, combining wildlife viewing with free time to relax on Playa Espadilla, famous for its soft white sand and turquoise waters, often ranked among the world’s best beaches. After your beach and wildlife experience, savor a traditional coastal lunch before returning to San José with breathtaking Pacific views at sunset. This tour perfectly blends nature, wildlife, and pure relaxation—an unforgettable day of Pura Vida!

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.

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.

You will be able to walk in the habitat of different mammals that inhabit our forests, such as the puma, tapir, mountain goat, among others. Our abundant vegetation will dazzle you and with luck you will have the experience of walking among the clouds. All this accompanied by expert guides who will ensure an unforgettable experience. We are located in the mountains of Coronado, San José, just 50 minutes from the center of the capital.

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.

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.

Soar above the treetops and experience the thrill of Costa Rica’s rainforest from a bird’s-eye view on this unforgettable canopy and zipline adventure at San Luis Adventure Park. Fly safely along high-quality cable systems that carry you deep into pristine cloud forest, surrounded by lush vegetation, vibrant wildlife, and sweeping mountain views. Feel the adrenaline as you glide across cables ranging from 50 to 550 meters, crossing dramatic landscapes and soaring high above the Cataraticas River. Platforms sit between 3 and 106 meters above ground, expertly built both in sturdy trees and on reinforced platforms for maximum safety and excitement. With professional guides, top-standard equipment, and breathtaking natural scenery, this canopy experience blends adventure, nature, and pure adrenaline — an essential Costa Rican adventure you’ll never forget.

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.

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.

This combined Hanging Bridges and Night Walk tour in the Monteverde Cloud Forest allows you to discover one of Costa Rica’s most iconic ecosystems—by both day and night—in a single experience designed to maximize your connection with nature. During the daytime portion, you will walk across hanging bridges suspended above the cloud forest, enjoying panoramic views perfect for spotting birds, tropical flora, and the unique natural landscapes of Monteverde. As night falls, you will embark on a guided night walk; the forest transforms, giving you the chance to observe frogs, insects, reptiles, and other nocturnal species in their natural habitat. Accompanied by a local naturalist guide specializing in the cloud forest, you will learn about the biodiversity, behaviors, and survival strategies of the local wildlife. This tour is ideal for enthusiasts of ecotourism, wildlife, photography, and authentic Monteverde experiences.

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.

We will enjoy the beautiful landscapes of Heredia and a nature tour with beautiful Fauna and viewpoints in the morning. You will be able to keep this trip as a beautiful memory in Costa Rica, and also be able to take as much as pictures that you want. A delicious typical breakfast in the restaurant will also be included. Transportation is also included. Departure/Arrival Heredia Fatima. Join me and let’s live this unique experience.

It is a place with a lot of nature and wildlife with a large number of species of birds and flora that you cannot miss. In addition, due to its geographical location, we are very close to the international airport and GAM with easy access to visit in a day with little time.... It also has a history of the 70s, how some towns began to form in rural areas and how lived the upper class of Costa Rica

This tour is truly unique because it pairs two completely distinct yet authentic Costa Rican experiences into one seamless, sensory-rich day trip from San José. By combining a hands-on, cultural dive into the artisanal history of cacao with an exhilarating river boat safari among wild American crocodiles, it engages both your taste buds and your sense of adventure in a single 10-hour itinerary. Rather than sticking to standard nature walks, travelers enjoy an engaging mix of local culture, gastronomy, and up-close wildlife encounters—from tasting fresh chocolate to spotting scarlet macaws and howler monkeys in the mangroves—all with the comfort of private transportation and expert naturalist guidance.