Top Costa Rica Sightseeing Tours

Experience the natural beauty of Costa Rica, and get an up-close look at some of the nation's most colorful birds. Enjoy scenic transfer to Caño Negro from La Fortuna, where you cruise by boat into the Rio Frio. Search for native birds, mammals, and flora before heading back to land for an authentic lunch.

Encounter the best of Costa Rica's wildlife, cuisine, and famous natural beauty on a combo shore excursion from Puntarenas. Watch adorable white-faced monkeys playing in the trees, and spot crocs and birdlife on a pontoon cruise down the Tarcoles River. Learn the history of the bustling Puntarenas port, and indulge your taste buds with locally grown fruit and an authentic Costa Rican lunch at a local restaurant, and a chance to buy authentic Costa Rican coffee.

Get out of San Jose on a day tour to the Arenal Volcano region, where you’ll get a glimpse of Costa Rica’s famous biodiversity and natural beauty. Travel through scenic farmland and villages to reach the volcano. Stop at a coffee plantation, waterfall, and look out for wildlife en route. In the shadow of the volcano, soak in natural hot springs for a refreshing experience, before returning to San Jose.

Explore Irazú Volcano, the highest volcano in the area, reaching 11,000 feet (3,432 meters) above sea level, on this full-day combo tour. After visiting the volcano, descend to the city of Cartago, the former capital of Costa Rica, where you will stop at the Basilica of the Angels. Also see the Orosi Valley, known for its diversity of crops, such as coffee and sugar cane. Next, explore the ruins of one of the oldest ruined churches in Costa Rica in Cartago.

Learn how to navigate Tamarindo’s waves during this roughly 1.5 hour surf lesson. Choose the group size that works for your budget, with private, small-group, and larger group options. Practice paddling, popping up, and riding with guidance from your instructor. More experienced surfers can also practice their technique by surfing alongside an instructor.

When your cruise ship docks in Limon, spend the day exploring highlights of Costa Rica's Caribbean side on this combo shore excursion. Taste farm-fresh tropical fruit and learn about the region's sweetest export and see a banana plantation. You'll also get an up-close look at Costa Rican wildlife like birds, monkeys, and frogs on a rainforest boat safari tour down the biodiverse Tortuguero Canals. Swim or sun at a local beach and take a tour of the bustling port city of Limon before getting back on your ship.

Spend your day on a hiking adventure through the Arenal Volcano National Park with a small group. Experience the natural beauty of La Fortuna as you navigate the trails and passes that wind through its stunning landscapes. When the day is done, relax and unwind with a dip in a natural hot water river before returning to your hotel.

Remote Tortuguero is difficult to reach independently, meaning some people put it in the “too hard” category. Simplify your trip to this off-the-beaten-track eco-tourism destination during a convenient 3-day tour from San Jose. Two nights’ accommodation in a 4-star lodge plus all meals are included, so you don’t need to make extra bookings. Learn about the local wildlife and ecosystem during a guided tour of Tortuguero National Park.

Enjoy the convenience of a small-group transfer from Liberia Airport to your hotel in Guanacaste. Whatever time your flight arrives, save yourself the hassle of navigating public transport or haggling with taxi drivers. Your driver will meet you just outside the airport and will be holding a sign with your name on it. Relax in comfort on the way to Guanacaste.

Follow underground trails into a series of remarkable grottoes and chambers on this Venado Caves tour from La Fortuna. Gear up and follow your flashlight along an ancient seabed as you explore the caves with your guide, checking out formations and bristling stalactites and stalagmites. Visit a bat colony that thrives in the cool, dark cave system, then return to the surface to enjoy a snack of tropical fruits.

Get a taste of authentic Costa Rican life and cuisine as you join a local family for a cooking class and home-style meal. Along with a guide, visit the home of your hosts outside of La Fortuna and learn about household customs and cooking techniques for a cultural experience that takes you well beyond just dining out. Join in the preparation of a typical meal, and then savor the fruits of your labor alongside new friends.

Experience the thrill of rafting down Costa Rica’s Balsa River on this small-group white-water adventure. Following the lead of an experienced guide, navigate Class II and III rapids as you pass through a lush rainforest landscape for a safe and unforgettable journey. After working up an appetite paddling down the river, enjoy a delicious buffet-style lunch at our private restaurant located next to the famous El Salto swimming hole. Round-trip transport from your La Fortuna hotel is included.

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.

Get a taste of San Jose’s culture and cuisine on this walking tour that includes snacks. Explore Costa Rica’s capital alongside a guide who alleviates the hassle of navigating, and learn about the city’s history, architecture as you taste. Explore the produce stalls of two traditional markets and discover what makes Costa Rican coffee so delicious as you sample some local brews.

For a taste of adventure while visiting Jaco, check out this bite-sized ATV tour to explore the surrounding landscapes. After a brief safety training, perfect your new skills on specially designed jungle trails that wind along muddy rivers. Enjoy the horsepower-fueled adrenaline rush that comes from riding ATVs combined with the peacefulness of the rainforest for a truly memorable experience.

Explore Costa Rica’s wild side on a 2-hour guided ATV tour in the Guanacaste region. Venture through forests, forge rivers, and comb the beach in search of wildlife sightings and a dose of adventure.

If simply looking at waterfalls from afar is too tame for you, join this half-day guided tour to Nauyaca Waterfall. Your friendly guides will show you how and where to climb the waterfall safely, and where to jump from for a refreshing swim. Make new friends on a small-group tour, and learn about the biodiversity of this beautiful area.

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.

To enjoy this experience in the most affordable way the reservation must be done with minimum 2 people policy. This unique and adventurous one of a kind experience goes beyond to a single walk to see a waterfall, instead, you will feel that you are exploring the tropical and dense forest at the river canyon passing through caves, reaching wooded ladders holding on ropes to travel it and getting into crystal blue waters river pools to enter the canyon where the marvelous turquoise LEONA waterall awaits for you to be discovered. This experience requires a minimum of 2 travelers per booking. Reservations with fewer than 2 travelers are subject to cancellation with a full refund.

Fit in two of Costa Rica's top adventures in one day on this combo ATV and zipline tour that lets you escape the crowds and explore secluded shores of Brasilito, Flamingo, Tamarindo, and other beautiful Guanacaste beaches. After beach hopping and looking for wildlife, take to the skies on a thrilling zip line course through the jungle that will get your adrenaline pumping. Note that gratuities are not included.

A visit to Costa Rica is not fulfilled without experiencing Corcovado National Park, the Amazonia of Costa Rica. There is so much to explore in Corcovado, taking a day tour is definitely not enough! Corcovado is one of National Geographic biologists, botanists, photographers, and videographers’ favorite place on Earth. Its jungle paradise offers thrilling moments at every footstep of incredible wildlife in action.

Instead of juggling multiple tours and reservations, combine coffee, a volcano, and wildlife on this full-day combo tour from San Jose. Travel to San Isidro to learn about coffee production at a coffee plantation. At Poas Volcano, admire the main crater, then hike to Botos Lagoon. Afterward, see the animals and waterfalls at La Paz Waterfall Gardens.

Panama City offers exciting nightlife and beautiful after-dark views, but it can be daunting to get around on your own at night. Whether you’re traveling solo, as a couple, or with friends, let a local guide show you around and keep you safe. Visit the Amador Causeway for great views, admire the buildings in Casco Viejo, and visit some of the city’s top bars.

This quick off-road ATV tour is a great way to away from the crowds and onto the open road without investing a full day to the excursion. Get a taste of what the Guanacaste region is like off the beaten track as your guide leads you through tropical forests and to beautiful vista points. High-quality ATVs ensure that the ride goes smoothly the whole way through.