Day Trips from San Jose to Jaco

One-day tour to visit the Carara National Park, Manuel Antonio-style rain forest but more wild. Afternoon free to enjoy the beaches of the Pacific. Departures from any hotel in San José. It includes breakfast. We will pick you up at your hotel in San José to travel to the Pacific. We will stop for breakfast while watching the crocodiles in their natural habitat. In the morning we will do a tour with a local guide through the P.N. Face where we will learn and discover the flora and fauna of the place, we hope to see monkeys and many parrots. Once the National Park tour is over, we will enjoy the beach until the time you want to return to San José. You can choose between beaches with restaurants and cocktails or virgin beaches. During the tour, you can make the stops you need, it is your tour and we will be happy to offer you a dream trip totally adapted to you. In San José, we will leave you again at your hotel.

Enjoy a more complete Costa Rica experience on this full-day tour from San Jose, combining hidden waterfalls, wildlife encounters, and local beach spots along the Central Pacific coast. The journey begins with a hidden waterfall known mostly by locals. A short walk leads to an emerald-colored waterfall full of rocky formations and lush vegetation, perfect to relax, take photos, and enjoy a peaceful off-the-beaten-path setting. We'll stop at the famous Tárcoles River Bridge to observe crocodiles in natural habitat from a safe vantage point. The experience continues at Playa Mantas, a lively local beach with scenic surroundings. If conditions allow, we may also visit nearby Playa Blanca. Later, we explore Jacó town, where you can walk around, enjoy a local meal, or relax with a drink, and visit the iconic Jacó sign viewpoint. Designed for travelers who want to go beyond the typical itinerary, this experience offers a unique mix of nature, culture, and authentic places in one day.

Manuel Antonio National Park is one of Costa Rica's Most beautiful regions but can be difficult to reach from San Jose, As there are essentially zero public transportation options. on this full-day tour let someone else take care of the driving logistics. Highlights include stopping for breakfast and crocodile sightings, hiking with a naturalist guide who helps you identify plants and wild animals in the national park, and relaxing on the white Sands of Playa Espadilla.

Your breath-taking, adventure begins with a pickup from your hotel and a relaxing private drive through the wonderful Costa Rican countryside. After a 90 minute drive from San Jose, you will arrive to Tarcoles River. The Tarcoles River is home to one of the world’s largest crocodile populations in the wild and they are very easy to admire during our 90 minutes boat tour. Get up close with American crocodiles of all sizes and observe an abundance of beautiful exotic birds! Enjoy spectacular rainforest scenery and cruise through dense mangrove forest canals. Spot jungle wildlife such as iguanas, lizards, and monkeys. After the tour, enjoy a delicious typical lunch and explore the souvenir store. Continuing our tour, a short drive to Carara National Park will allow us to get deep inside the rainforest in this unique ecosystem, where many beautiful wildlife species are common to see such as the Scarlet macaw, monkeys, snakes, armadillos and more.

Trade the hustle and bustle of San Jose for a private day on Jaco Beach. Enjoy hotel pickup and a 90-minute drive to the coast, where sun and sand reign supreme. Lunch, afternoon coffee, all-day beach pass, and a private guide come standard, with options to explore the city, shop for souvenirs, or relax by the pool.

To experience true Costa Rican nature, you’ll have to go deep into the backcountry—and that’s what you’ll do on this private tour. You’ll be picked up from your hotel and drive through the countryside to the edges of the Tarcoles River, where you’ll hop in an ATV and begin your exploration. From there, it’s nothing but vistas of jungle trails, private beaches, teak plantations, and more.

Your breath-taking adventure begins with a pickup from your hotel and a relaxing private drive through the wonderful Costa Rican countryside on an air-conditioned deluxe transportation. Destination Vista Los Sueños Adventure Park is 90 minutes away from San Jose. This tour will put you in the driver’s seat of some of the best Honda 4×4 off-road vehicles out there. In our adventure center, you will receive all the driving instructions. Before you begin your journey you will take a test drive on our specially designed private track. From here on, your bilingual guide will lead you along the jungle trails, following rivers and fun muddy dirt paths. Time and trail conditions allowing, you can take a swim in our natural swimming pool. The guides will have cold water along the ride. At the end, we will greet you with fresh fruits and water in addition to a delicious lunch. After this adventure, enjoy a boat river tour in Tarcoles River, where large crocodiles inhabit the ecosystem.

If you only have a short amount of time to discover Costa Rica, a guided tour is a great choice for making the most of it. This guided tour from San Jose includes a taste of everything: see wildlife, try tropical fruits, zipline, cruise down a river, and more. All activities and transportation are included, so you don’t have to book or plan anything extra.

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

Escape from busy San Jose for an action-packed full-day tour in the Jaco Beach region. Stop at the beach, then continue with a zipline tour and ATV tour in the rain forest nearby. You’ll also see crocodiles at the Tarcoles River, and get great views of the Pacific Ocean from the ATV and zipline course. Includes lunch, and all necessary equipment and instruction.

Set out on a private ocean adventure along Costa Rica’s Pacific coast in search of humpback whales, dolphins, and sea turtles — all in their natural habitat. Guided by local experts and supported by small community businesses, this luxury experience offers comfort, insight, and unforgettable wildlife encounters. If the tide allows, you’ll also walk the iconic Whale’s Tail sandbar, revealed only at low tide. Ideal from July to October, this is a meaningful way to witness nature’s wonders in one of the country’s most biodiverse regions.

Enjoy a private tour to Manuel Antonio National Park from San José with a naturalist guide and professional photographer. Includes high-quality photos, drone videos, private transport, and time to relax at Espadilla Beach. Support local businesses and travel stress-free.

Explore the beauty of Manuel Antonio National Park, known for its pristine beaches and vibrant wildlife. Start your day early, crossing lush mountains and stopping for a traditional Costa Rican breakfast along the Tárcoles River. Once at the park, venture through rainforest trails to spot monkeys, sloths, and exotic birds before relaxing on the beach or hiking to Punta Catedral for stunning views. After a day of adventure, enjoy a delicious lunch before returning to San José. - Full-day tour lasting approximately 13 hours - Includes transportation, breakfast, lunch, and park entrance fee - Bilingual guide for enriching insights into the local ecosystem - Ideal for nature lovers, wildlife enthusiasts, and beachgoers alike

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.

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.

This sampler adventure tour from San Jose fits the best of Costa Rica's rivers and rainforests into one action-packed day. En route, go croc-spotting at a famous overlook on the Tarcoles River. Then head to the jungle adventure park where you can choose two activities from a list of thrilling options, including ziplining, horseback riding, surfing lessons, an ATV adventure, and a mountain bike tour.

Discover the heart of adventure in Costa Rica with this exhilarating ATV activity. Explore the lush jungles, picturesque river paths, and pristine beaches, all while taking in the beauty of the landscape from the mountaintop with an unobstructed view of the majestic ocean. This privately guided tour promises a thrilling and unforgettable experience, offering a perfect blend of nature, adrenaline, and fun.