All Central Valley Tours & Excursions in 2026

Head off the beaten path and discover the Poás Volcano on this exciting adventure from San Jose. Alongside a private guide, visit the active stratovolcano and discover the unique ecosystem that surrounds it. Then, choose from a few attractions to visit such as the La Paz Waterfall and Gardens, the Rescate Wildlife Rescue Center, and the Alsacia Starbucks Coffee Plantation.

Get a taste of Costa Rica’s famed biodiversity without straying too far from the city with this all-access day pass to La Paz Waterfall Gardens Nature Park. Prebooked entry saves you from waiting around in long ticket lines, so you have even more time to explore its attractions. Choose whether to tackle family-friendly hiking trails through the cloud forest, visit a rescued jungle cat educational program, or spend time at the site's numerous specialty wildlife exhibits.

I experienced the adrenaline of the 1968 Arenal ATV tour! Explore rainforest, impact craters and enjoy unforgettable views of the majestic Arenal Volcano. Our ATV Tour stands out for being an accessible and exciting experience, touring some of the largest craters originated by the great eruption of 1968, entering the jungle in search of wildlife and spectacular views of the volcano. All this with a special touch of adrenaline on certain sections of a 10-kilometer trail, specially designed to offer an exclusive and unforgettable experience. During the tour we will offer you a bottle of water and make a strategic stop for you to enjoy a tropical fruit dish while you take in some of the best views of the area.

This experience stands out by offering three adventure activities in the air near Arenal Volcano National Park. Take your pick of thy high activities: They include hiking through the forest canopy on the “Sky Walk,” riding an air gondola to a lookout point over the volcano on the “Sky Tram,” or soaring above the forest on the “Sky Trek” ziplines —a course of seven ziplines up to 650 feet (200 meters) above the ground and almost half a mile (750 meters) long.

Take a half-day food and walking tour in San Jose that highlights innovative chefs who are updating traditional Costa Rican recipes with a modern twist. Stroll between four locations in the Escalante district to enjoy a 6-course tasting menu, seven drinks, Costa Rican coffee tastings, and a cocktail mixing demonstration with locally made liquor. Your guide shares insightful commentary along the way on a tour that can be scheduled for lunch or dinner.

You don't need to travel far from San Jose to enjoy a rain forest adventure with your family. This tour includes hotel pickup and drop-off and takes you straight to the wilderness for a thrilling canopy tour: fly down 10 zipline cables, cross two hanging bridges, and free-fall on a Tarzan swing, all while looking out for wildlife like birds, monkeys, and sloths.

Enjoy incredible views of Costa Rica’s most famous peak, Arenal Volcano, as you take part in two thrilling outdoor adventures. First, take the wheel for an exhilarating ATV ride along private farm tracks. After lunch, head into the rainforest for an adrenaline-pumping ziplining experience, including eight different ziplines, reaching up to 300 feet (90 meters) high.

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.

Escape the city for a hike in the hills with a private guide. With this guided hike, trek to the 7,451-foot (2,271-meter) peak of Pico Blanco, following a scenic 3-4 mile (5-7 kilometer) route along mountain and rainforest trails. Stop along the way to refuel with water and snacks, and admire the views before hiking back down.

Visit Poás Volcano's massive crater and stop at Starbucks' Hacienda Alsacia coffee farm for an included coffee tasting. Includes an expert guide and transport from San José. Perfect for nature and coffee lovers. Discover Costa Rica's most iconic natural wonder and world-class coffee culture in one unforgettable day. Journey from San José to Poás Volcano National Park, home to one of Earth's largest active volcanic craters at 2,708 meters above sea level. Begin your journey venturing into the mystical cloud forest, where trails lead to breathtaking viewpoints of the turquoise acidic lagoon and steaming fumaroles. Visit serene Botos Lagoon, a pristine crater lake surrounded by lush vegetation. Your expert bilingual guide shares fascinating insights about volcanic geology, coffee cultivation, and local biodiversity throughout the journey. With comfortable round-trip transportation and small group sizes, this tour perfectly balances adventure, education, and authentic Costa Rican culture.

Exploring riverside areas by yourself can be dangerous, especially in an unknown area. This Celeste River Tubing Experience lets you float down the river in a group with a guide who knows the river well. You’ll catch sight of the beautiful landscape as you tube. Plus, a helmet is provided for safety.

With us, your trip will be a safe, economical and extremely comfortable experience in our modern vehicle. Our driver will take you safely to your destination, allowing you to enjoy the breathtaking mountain and lush forest views along the way.

Chocolate lovers flock to this incredible tour from La Fortuna that includes the sweetest rainforest experience and unearths the hidden secretes of local chocolate production. Visit a farm where cocoa is grown, processed and produced. This hands-on experience lets travelers eat as much chocolate as they want while learning about history, culture and traditions of this popular Costa Rican sweet.

Venture near the Nicaraguan border and cruise through the extraordinary wetlands of the Caño Negro Wildlife Refuge on this full-day tour from La Fortuna. As you float down the Río Frío with a guide, observe migratory birds like herons and cormorants, and keep an eye out for monkeys and sloths lurking in the trees and caimans lounging on the riverbanks. Chat about your wildlife sightings with fellow travelers over a delicious lunch on the way back to your hotel.

Discover the hidden nightlife of Costa Rica on the La Fortuna, a guided tour through a private rainforest reserve near Arenal Volcano. Led by ICT-certified naturalist guides, this adventure reveals the vibrant world of nocturnal wildlife, including red-eyed tree frogs, sloths, snakes, and kinkajous. Each walk offers unique encounters as the rainforest comes alive at dusk, providing a memorable experience for families, couples, and wildlife enthusiasts. Enjoy comfortable trails and expert guidance while observing fascinating animal behaviors in their natural habitat. Explore a private rainforest reserve with expert naturalist guides Observe a variety of nocturnal creatures, including frogs and sloths Small group sizes ensure personalized attention and uncrowded encounters Tours available at 6:00 PM, 8:00 PM and 10:00PM lasting 1.5 to 2 hours

Enjoy a comfortable and convenient private transfer from the SJO airport to your accommodation in San José City. Relax in a comfortable, air-conditioned vehicle and get assistance with your luggage. • Your Time is Secure: We start your 60 mins free waiting time as per your selected time slot. • Choose Your Direction: Select a pickup from SJO to San José, or San José to SJO. • Transparent Coverage: Service to San José city center is included. For other zones outside the city center, a small extra fee applies.

Animal lovers will enjoy exploring Costa Rica’s landscapes on horseback during this private, customizable half-day tour. Trek along jungle trails, through rivers, and across open pastures between hills, admiring views and learning about Costa Rica from your bilingual naturalist guide. Riding on horseback lets you visit places that would be hard to reach any other way while having fun.

Head into the rain forest of Costa Rica and discover the Arenal Volcano on a half-day tour. Trek past lava formations, swim in a lake created by the volcano, and take a dip in the warm hot springs of the Tabacon River. Enjoy a delicious Costa Rican lunch while taking in the views of the volcano and enjoy your day in the rain forest.

Spend a full day exploring Costa Rica’s notoriously active crater on this 3-in-1 Arenal combo adventure. Hike through the jungle surrounding Arenal Volcano on a series of nature trails and hanging bridges, and trek down to the base of La Fortuna Waterfall to appreciate the height and power of the cascade and swim in a natural pool. Finish with a majestic perspective as you explore the lava fields of former eruptions and look for native wildlife along the trails of Arenal Volcano National Park.

Enjoy the thrill of swinging through the jungle like a monkey or flying like a bird on this exhilarating zipline tour. Traverse several cables between the trees to enjoy magnificent views of the rainforest and the Arenal Volcano in the background. The highlight, however, is "Tarzan's Swing", at a height of 130 feet (40 meters). This is a fun activity for the whole family, as children as young as three can participate.

Explore the Arenal Volcano area in Costa Rica on this half-day guided tour. Head to La Fortuna Waterfall where you’ll be able to swim in its refreshing waters. Along the trail to the falls, spot local wildlife like sloths, toucans, orioles, and more. You’ll also visit an open-air butterfly garden.

Discovering the wonderful secrets hidden in this forest means finding a wildlife sanctuary; the high density of biodiversity makes this trails a unique place for observing species spotted along the way. When going on the self-guided tour, pay special attention to the different layers of the rainforest, from the treetops, the understory and the forest floor; this way you will be able to appreciate many of the species housed by this spectacular biological corridor.

Spend the day in the shadow of the massive Arenal Volcano on this full-day, guided tour that includes trekking over the jungle canopy on suspension bridges and a soak in the volcano’s natural hot springs. Witness lava flowing (nighttime only) and see vegetation from the canopy the Mistico Arenal Hanging Bridges Park before settling in for a soak in the thermal hot spring waters.

Get to explore the rainforest of La Fortuna de San Carlos in the Arenal Volcano National Park for one hour in the daylight, and one hour in darkness on this small group night tour. Keep your eyes peeled for sloths, snakes, and all kinds of birds. Your guide will be right there to point the creatures out for you while you see the transition from day to night.