Top Santa Cruz Day Trips

Grab your passport and head over the border for a full-day tour of Nicaragua’s highlights from Costa Rica. Start with a scenic Nicaraguan breakfast and then take in the views from Catarina Volcano. Visit the active Masaya Volcano and stand near the crater. Explore the colonial town of Granada, where you can marvel over the historic architecture and admire views from La Merced Church, followed by a delicious lunch of typical Nicaraguan cuisine. Finally, set sail across Lake Nicaragua for a scenic cruise.

Head to the rainforest from Tamarindo on this private all-day excursion with a naturalist guide. Head to the impressive Rio Celeste waterfall and go tubing down the river, stopping along the way to swim. Feast on a local lunch and then return on a route to spot wildlife, including colored frogs, monkeys, and sloths. Plus, stop to admire the Tree of Peace, which is more than 400 years old.

Explore and swim under the Rio Celeste and Llanos de Cortés waterfalls, without the pressure of getting there on your own, with this group activity package. Enjoy a seamless experience that covers your itinerary, optional transportation, park fees, and lunch, meaning you can relax and immerse yourself in the day's activities. Along with the waterfalls, hike through Tenorio Volcano National Park and visit a sloth sanctuary.

Costa Rice is known for its lush scenery and incredible biodiversity, but you need your own transportation to get off the beaten track and find the most scenic locations. On this multi-stop full-day tour, soak up Guanacaste’s nature as you visit Tenorio Volcano National Park and Celeste River, and get a peek at slow-moving sloths.

Trek deep into the canyons of Rincon de la Vieja Volcano to reach the impressive La Leona waterfall on this private, guided day tour. The tour starts with a convenient pickup, and then you’re on your way. You’ll take an intermediate-level hike along Rio Blanco, where you’ll pass by caves in order to reach your ultimate destination, La Leona waterfall.

Follow a professional team of captains and first mates into the open water where you'll have a chance to fly fish on this catch and release sport fishing tour. Make your way to Flamingo Beach, one of the area's top fishing attractions, then venture further afield, where water depths increase from 360 to 2000 feet. Fish for pacific sailfish, striped marlin, yellowfin and bigeye tuna on this fun-filled half-day on the water.

Experience a more authentic side of Costa Rica beyond the main resort areas on a private excursion through local towns, scenic landscapes, wildlife-rich surroundings, and beautiful beaches. Travel comfortably with your own private group while discovering a mix of coastal and inland scenery, with time to cool off at a refreshing waterfall. With lunch, drinks, and pickup and drop-off included, it’s an easy and personalized way to experience more of the region in a single outing.

Your day starts with pickup in northwest Costa Rica, an early start puts more of Nicaragua within reach. A guide will take care of all the red tape, ensuring you won’t need to deal with passports, visas, or other border-crossing logistics. The first stop in Nicaragua is Catarina Viewpoint (Mirador de Catarina), where you’ll have time to savor views of Lake Apoyo (Laguna de Apoyo), Lake Nicaragua (Lago de Nicaragua), and Mombacho Volcano. Next, do some souvenir shopping and enjoy an included Nicaraguan lunch at Masaya Crafts Market. A stop at Masaya Volcano National Park gives you up-close views of an active volcano before you visit the Granada Cathedral (Catedral de Granada) in the country’s best-preserved historic center. An included sunset boat ride on Lake Nicaragua features a stop at wildlife-filled Monkey Island and is timed to catch beautiful light on the lake’s hundreds of islands. The itinerary order may vary depending on arrival times, and it is not wheelchair accessible.

Our destination is the Tenorio - Miravalles Biological Corridor, part of the Guanacaste Mountain Range, wich is caressed by the winds of the two oceanic slopes of Costa Rica. You will be explore the extensive biodiversity by taking a leisurely hike and observing various wildlife such as two types of sloths. Costa Rican coffee is among the top five coffees in the world, and we will show it's production process - from fruit to a cup of coffee prepared by your hands. Chocolate is part of the culture and economy of this wonderful county and our expert guide will show you the process in an artesanal way. We will enjoy a delicious typical lunch surrounded by butterflies to regain energy, and on the way back, we stop an at exotic waterfall where you can swim and relax your mind, body, and soul.

Experience several of Costa Rica's natural highlights on one private, leisurely-paced excursion—with a comprehensive itinerary saving you the hassle of combining separate tours and logistics. Visit a coffee and chocolate plantation, stroll through a wildlife park, take in the rainforest, and cool off at Llanos de Cortés Waterfall. Along the way, learn about local cultivation, sample local exports, enjoy a meal, and look for wildlife, including sloths, toucans, and butterflies.

Discover the incredible birds and biodiversity of Palo Verde National Park on this boat tour with lunch. Spot native wildlife such as crocodiles, iguanas, monkeys, and a colorful parade of bird species during a 1-hour and 20 minutes cruise down the Tempisque River led by a naturalist guide. Afterward, discuss your sightings with fellow travelers over a traditional Costa Rican lunch at a local restaurant.

If you’re looking for adventure in the Costa Rican rainforest you’ll love this full-day adventure in the Tenorio National Park. Wear some comfy shoes as you’ll be hiking for around 2–3 hours to reach the Rio Celeste Waterfall. Look out for birds and animals along the way, and learn about Costa Rica’s biodiversity from your guide. End with a rejuvenating local lunch at a butterfly farm and sloth sanctuary visit.

Combine zipline adventure, horseback riding, and hot springs relaxation into one tour with this private excursion, which includes transportation from your Tamarindo hotel. Head to the Guanacaste area for ziplining through the jungle, visit the Rincón de la Vieja volcano, sample local coffee and cuisine, go horseback riding, try your hand at pottery, and relax in hot springs, all in just one action-packed day.

Get the ultimate adrenaline fix with this action-filled combo tour and spend a full day exploring the foothills of the Rincon de la Vieja Volcano. First, take to the treetops for an exhilarating canopy tour, complete with high-speed zip-lines, a Tarzan Swing and a climbing wall, then float down the Rio Colorado on a tube. After lunch (included), saddle up to complete your adventure with a scenic horseback ride through the forest, then finish with a relaxing mud wrap and soak in the hot springs.

WHITE WATER RAFT III & IV LEVEL CLASS Small groups A beautiful river that rises at Guanacaste volcanoes mountain range, it’s pure and white water makes it the best river on Guanacaste area for rafting. You can combine almost 7 miles of rapids with magnificent landscapes surrounded by tropical forest. No experience required but good effort needed it on this world famous class III and IV white water rafting. This challenging river will take the energy out of you, that's why we have a lunch on the river. Our staff will make you feel confident and our modern and certified equipment will let you mount the rapids smoothly. *** CHILDREN MUST BE 12 YEARS OLD TO DO THE TOUR*** *** SMALL GROUPS RAFTING TOUR*** What to bring: Passport copy, tennis shoes or strap sandals (No flip flops), towels, extra clothes, bug spray, sun block, hat, waterproof camera and cash for extras. Included: guide, a/c van, bottle water, fruit juice, lunch on the river as chicken sandwich, turkey.

Learn more about the good work being done at the Diamante Sanctuary for rescued wildlife during a small-group walking tour. See many species it’s hard to find in the wild, including jaguars and pumas, as well as popular favorites such as sloths. After the sanctuary tour, get close-up demos of two of Costa Rica’s most important crops—coffee and chocolate—for a great overview of the Central American country’s highlights.

Explore a landscape of waterfalls, hot springs, and mud baths on a full-day, private tour from Tamarindo that takes you across hanging bridges and into steaming water. The private format means you’ll never be rushed—you set the pace for a day that’s all about natural wonders. Door-to-door transport makes planning a breeze, too, so you can simply enjoy the day.

Walk into an enveloping cool mist covering mossy trails on this guided private tour of the Monteverde Cloud Forest Reserve. Hike along a series of hanging bridges and go birding, spotting the rare Resplendent Quetzal. At the butterfly garden, observe more than 14 different species of hummingbirds, and complete a ziplining tour of the forest and enjoy a unique vantage point.

Explore the wild jungles of Guanacaste without the worry of getting lost on this private excursion. Start with a rainforest trek through Tenorio Volcano National Park, famous for the bright-blue Rio Celeste Waterfall. Then experience the excitement of spotting wild sloths in their natural environment at a private property where the adorable creatures congregate. Finally, visit a family farm where you can learn about Costa Rica's rich coffee- and chocolate-making traditions.

Rappel down through the majestic Victoria Waterfall, then splash into the pool below for a refreshing swim. You we’ll do a guided climb back up the wall of the cascade, as well you be able to enjoy the rappel, tarzan swing over the waterfall. What to bring: Light clothes, sneakers or water shoes (NO flip flops), extra clothes, sun block, insect repellent and camera. * Please note: CHILDREN MUST BE AT LEAST 10 YEARS OLD TO DO WATERFALL CANYONING TOUR. Also have to measure 1 and a half meter tall (5 ft).

ZIP LINE TOUR: The zip line is the best in the area including rappel, tarzan swing or bounce in a rope, and rock climbing wall. Tour combine 8 different cables of pure adrenaline. Tour duration: 1 and a half hour ***IMPORTANT: MINIMUM AGE TO DO ZIP LINE ARE 4 YEARS OLD AND UP*** RIVER TUBING II & III LEVEL CLASS TOUR: River ride are 3 kilometers or 2 miles and has a great mix of rapids and ‘lazy’ parts where you can float and admire the scenery like a gorgeous waterfall at the beginning. Tour duration: 1 hour and a half IMPORTANT: MINIMUM AGE TO DO TUBING TOUR ARE 8 YEARS OLD AND UP. Hot springs tour & volcanic mud bath natural origin from an active volcano near by make you soak your skin and exfoliate into the minerals waters. Tour duration: 1 hour What to bring: Bathing suit, tennis shoes, water shoes (NO FLIP FOPS), bug spray, extra dry clothes and cash for extras.