Top Costa Rica Day Trips

Visit the Irazú Volcano National Park in just half a day with this excursion from San José. Your driver will pick you up early in the morning and take you to the volcano, where you can see the crater and learn about the history of the area from a local guide. Next, you'll head to the Los Angeles Basilica, a church and museum with a holy water source.

Visit Carara Adventure Park on an action-packed day tour from Puntarenas. Travel by air-conditioned minivan to the privately owned reserve, which contains lush rain forest and sweeping views of the Pacific Ocean. Experience the rain forest canopy up close as you fly down the zipline course, which features 12 cables and three hanging bridges. Then take a 1-hour boat cruise to look for crocodiles, monkeys, and more.

Skip the stress of logistics and visit one of Costa Rica's most popular national parks on this hassle-free day trip from San Jose. See Manuel Antonio National Park's white-sand beaches and tropical rainforest with a guide leading the way so you don't have to navigate, and then make it back to San Jose by nightfall. Breakfast, lunch with drinks, and park entry are included for a seamless experience.

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.

Experience the best of the Costa Rican rainforest on a combination canopy and hanging bridge tour, with entry to delightful butterfly gardens, too. Take a guided tour of the canopy, looking out for birds and wildlife and learning more about the biodiversity as you go. The hanging bridges provide unparalleled views of the canopy. Transfers from Monteverde hotels add extra convenience.

Experience the thrill of hiking near an active volcano on a full-day trip from Guanacaste. Get an up-close view of Costa Rica's Arenal Volcano and the surrounding tropical landscape from a network of hanging bridges at Mistico Park. Rejuvenate after with a dip in volcanic hot springs and enjoy stellar views of the volcano. Round-trip hotel transport from Guanacaste, breakfast, and a Costa Rican lunch are included.

Experience the mist-shrouded treetops and incredible biodiversity of Costa Rica's Monteverde Cloud Forest on a shore excursion from Puntarenas. Travel from the Pacific Coast to the country’s higher altitudes, where you'll explore a vast array of tropical flora and wildlife while hiking across six suspended bridges. Recharge with included lunch, and then learn about the lifecycle of Costa Rica's most famous import on a coffee plantation tour.

Poás hides wonderful traditions and stunning landscapes that captivate every visitor. Start your tour with a cup of freshly brewed coffee on an authentic local estate, where you can enjoy panoramic mountain views and experience the warmth of Costa Rican hospitality. A few minutes away, discover the majestic La Paz Fall, a 35-meter waterfall that rushes through a green-covered canyon, in the middle of a cloud forest full of wildlife. Then head to the imposing Poás Volcano. Its huge crater, one of the largest in the world, reveals a turquoise acid lagoon surrounded by steam and volcanic formations. The views are surreal and the atmosphere transmits the living force of nature. Whether you love nature, culture or are looking for a peaceful getaway, Poás offers the perfect combination of adventure and serenity. Come and explore a place where tradition meets natural wonder.

Look for sloths in their natural habitat, discover Miravalles’ geothermal wonders, and unwind in warm hot springs with a volcanic mud Bath—all in one memorable day. Explore with a local guide who helps you spot sloths, colorful birds, and other wildlife while sharing stories about Costa Rica's nature and local life. At the foot of Miravalles Volcano, discover steaming fumaroles and bubbling mud pots before enjoying a volcanic mud Bath and time to relax in the hot springs. Visita una hermosa cascada tropical para admirar el paisaje y tomar fotos. This stop is for viewing only; swimming is not part of the experience. Support local families with Pure Nature: transport from selected hotels, entrance fees & a traditional Costa Rican lunch included. Highlights: • Guided sloth and wildlife watching. • Miravalles geothermal activity. • Relaxing hot springs and volcanic mud bath. • Scenic waterfall viewing and photo opportunities. • A personal connection with local guides.

Travel beyond the beach on this buggy tour of Papagayo Gulf. After a brief safety training, take off down a winding trail in search of native wildlife, deserted beaches, and rural Costa Rican culture, stopping to take a swim along the way. No prior buggy riding experience is necessary.

Explore two popular attractions in Arenal on this full-day tour from San José. First, take a tour of a nature reserve through suspension bridges located in the middle of the tropical forest and enjoy unique panoramic views. Next, enjoy a thermal bath in a complex with more than 25 different pools, heated by the nearby Arenal Volcano.

Spend an evening enjoying a delicious dinner while taking in panoramic views of San José. As you dine, enjoy typical Costa Rican entertainment, including a folkloric dance and comedy show, and learn about the country's history and culture. The buffet-style dinner includes two alcoholic beverages, such as wine or beer.

San Jose is the cultural capital of Costa Rica and boasts a rich and varied history. Get acquainted with the city’s charms on a private tour, featuring a customizable itinerary of must-see attractions and private transportation through the city’s maze of trafficked avenues.

This three-part tour makes for an excellent shore excursion. First, take a guided city tour as you make your way to Carara National Park, where you’ll enjoy a dune buggy ride through the rainforest and along scenic beaches. Finally, enjoy a eco-boat tour—look for aquatic birds, scarlet macaws, howler monkeys, massive crocodiles and other tropical fauna.

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

Families looking for an adventurous but kid-friendly outdoor activity in Costa Rica will love this float through the jungle along the Sarapiqui River from La Fortuna. Rather than a challenging adrenaline rush, you can enjoy a relaxing yet fun trip down the river, bouncing on the waves and admiring the sights of the jungle and the sounds of the birds and wildlife.

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.

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.

Travelers who are interested in seeing how Costa Rica’s indigenous people live will enjoy visiting the Maleku Indigenous Reserve in northern Costa Rica. Tour three different villages to see traditional ways of life and how indigenous people have adapted to the modern world. Enjoy a tasty local lunch and experience the reserve in an authentic way. You’ll get access to parts of the country that are difficult to visit independently.

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.

Getting off the beaten track is even more fun on this rainforest booze bus from Jaco. Rumble through untouched forest and traditional towns far from tourist zones on board a rugged safari vehicle, stopping at village taverns for a drink with the locals. Enjoy an included case of beer and a delicious alcoholic shot along the way, plus a scenic riverside stop with a chance to swim in warm waters.

If you've been eyeing Costa Rica's national parks like Manuel Antonio, don't skip Rainmaker Conservation Park. 1,500 uncrowded acres, Rainmaker sits in the heart of the Quepos Biological Corridor, with lush views and epic wildlife around every turn. On this guided tour, you'll spot hard-to-find creatures, walk in the treetops, cross suspension bridges, and take a dip in a natural pool, swimming in Costa Rica's unparalleled beauty.

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.

Discover the natural beauty and heritage of Nicaragua with a full-day tour that travels round-trip from northern Costa Rica. Visit the active Masaya Volcano and the extinct Apoyo Volcano, view picturesque Spanish colonial architecture in Granada, watch monkeys in the jungle, and more. You’ll benefit from border-crossing assistance and hassle-free transportation that allows you to make the most of your day.