Top Costa Rica Tours by Duration

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.

Step inside a nature documentary with this private tour of some of Costa Rica’s most spectacular attractions. First you will visit the Místico Arenal Hanging Bridges, surrounded by lush rainforest and colourful wildlife. Next be whisked by air-conditioned vehicle to La Fortuna Waterfall, be prepared to get wet! After lunch, hike across lava fields and through regenerating forest, among animals uniquely able to make homes in this environment.

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.

Get to know the Peñas Blancas River ecosystem with a naturalist boat captain. Glide through the tranquil forest and spot arboreal and aquatic animals like monkeys, sloths, iguanas, turtles, and alligators, along with birds such as herons, cormorants, American darters, and passerines. Keep an eye out for the basilisk lizard, known for walking on water. Drift beneath ficus, luehea, and kapok trees, where dense foliage creates shaded tunnels rich with lianas and epiphytes.

Live a day full of adventure in the Gulf of Nicoya with a committed local agency that has all the navigation permits, our boats have very powerful engines, the tour includes a certified guide in English and Spanish, we start with a safety talk, the tour starts with the possible sighting of bottlenose dolphins in their natural habitation, possible sighting of humpback whales (depending on the season), in our tour you can find the island of spider monkeys, some of the different islands of the Gulf of Nicoya, the arrival to the turtle island is at 10 am (approx), the first activity to do is the snorkeling tour including the equipment with a duration of 30 min to 40 min, our company has an exclusive area for our clients in the island, we include a delicious lunch prepared on the island, dessert, coffee or tea with accompaniments, if your group is more than 7 passengers could be made private

Experience a thrilling day out on the Sarapiqui River with this half-day guided whitewater rafting adventure. Make your way to the base camp, then get transported to the river, where you’ll tackle more than 10 class II and III rapids with a certified rafting guide.

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.

Visit the impressive crater of Poas Volcano and go behind-the-scenes at a large commercial coffee farm on this full-day tour from San Jose. A guide shares fun facts about one of Costa Rica's most-visited volcanos and biggest exports on a field-to-cup tour of the coffee farm. Plus, private transportation and included lunch make this tour a breeze.

Voyage through the rich wetlands ecosystem of Palo Verde National Park on this full-day tour from Tamarindo or Papagayo Bay. Look for monkeys, crocodiles, iguanas, and other wildlife on a cruise down the Tempisque River — also a birdwatcher’s paradise. Later, explore the area’s culture and cuisine with a homemade lunch and handicraft demo in the artisan town of Bolson.

Travel from Guanacaste to the Liberia International Airport in style and comfort, without breaking the bank, by booking a shared transfer service from your hotel. Your driver will pick you up at your hotel and take you and your luggage straight to the airport in a comfortable, air-conditioned mini-van.

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.

Explore Costa Rica’s Tortuguero National Park by kayak and discover the tropical haven on this excursion. Join a small group and paddle through the calm waters to get a better look at the flora and fauna of the park. As you explore, your guide sheds light on the local ecosystem and conservation efforts.

Zip over the rugged beach and mountain terrain of northern Costa Rica’s Pacific coast on this private half-day ATV tour from Playa Brasilito. Look for wildlife like monkeys and iguanas, experience local life in towns along the way, view the Pacific Ocean from the hills, and pass beaches such as Playa Flamingo, Playa Conchal, and Bahia de Los Pirates where you can opt to take a dip.

Soar through Costa Rica’s pristine Braulio Carrillo rainforest on a zipline tour featuring 10 cables, 14 platforms, and a hanging bridge. Enjoy trekking, terrarium, butterfly, and orchid gardens while spotting native wildlife with expert guides. This moderate adventure offers thrilling canopy views and peaceful jungle sounds away from crowds. Upgrade to a complete package to include a tour, sloth center, and lunch.

If you’re short on time in Central Costa Rica and want to see a lot in a day, this small-group tour is for you. From the capital you’ll visit a number of impressive natural and cultural sites. See two of Costa Rica’s most impressive volcanoes - Irazu and Turrialba - and visit the communities that live in their shadows. See how coffee is grown and harvested, and perhaps even sample a fresh brew.

Explore Arenal’s rainforest three ways on a combo tour that has something for everyone. Get a good view of exotic birds and waterfalls on the Sky Walk’s suspended bridges, then glide up a mountain reserve on the Sky Tram. From there, fly back down on a thrilling Sky Trek zipline course. In between bursts of adrenaline, enjoy fantastic views over the treetops of Arenal Volcano and Lake.

Experience a small group guided hike through the lava flows formed by volcanic activity at the Arenal Volcano. The hike is just under a mile, and is easy to moderate level. Learn the history of when the volcano erupted in 1968, and hear how the town was rebuilt afterwards, out of almost total destruction. You can visit the hot springs at the end if you wish.

Admire views of Costa Rica’s Pacific Coast from the water as you cruise past golden beaches and scenic bays. Set sail in the afternoon on a private catamaran, swim and snorkel in an area known for diverse marine life, or try kayaking. Relax on board with unlimited drinks and snacks as you watch the sunset over the ocean.

Get your pulse racing on an exhilarating 5-hour ATV tour from Playa Flamingo, then cool off along the coast. Learn how to operate your ATV, then set off on a fun route, weaving through forest trails, juddering down rainforest tracks and squelching through muddy streams. Then, dive into the warm waters of Costa Rica’s Pacific coast to swim and snorkel among the colourful corals and tropical fish of Flamingo and Brasilito beaches.

Improve your chances of seeing wildlife at the Curi-Cancha Reserve with this small-group guided hike. Follow your guide as you explore primary and secondary rainforests, learning about natural history, bird watching and spotting mammals. Well-suited for wildlife lovers and nature enthusiasts who want an intimate experience when exploring this reserve.

When it comes to your perfect Costa Rican adventure, this tour from Manuel Antonio to Quebrada de Arroyo, has it all. Ride a 4x4 into the Costa Rican rain forest,visit a waterfall, walk across a swinging bridge, and swim in natural pools, all on a hassle-free guided excursion. Complete the tour with a fresh lunch at a farm in the countryside before returning to your hotel.

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.

Float down the Frio River to look for some of Costa Rica’s diverse animals and bird life on this half-day wildlife tour from La Fortuna. Your guide shares commentary about the creatures you might see along the calm river, such as monkeys, iguanas, sloths, and colorful birds. Afterward, stop for snacks prepared by a local family before you are returned to your hotel.

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.