Top Central Valley Sightseeing Tours in 2026

One of the most popular activities in La Fortuna, a guided hanging bridges tour is a fool-proof way to spot wildlife and learn more about the Costa Rican rain forest. This nighttime hanging bridges tour in Mistico Park puts a twist on the classic excursion by introducing you to the forest's nocturnal residents, such as honey bears, barn owls, and over 4,500 species of nocturnal butterflies (twice the number of daytime butterflies!). This tour includes pickup and drop-off from some centrally located La Fortuna hotels.

Horseback riding to a waterfall, touring one of Costa Rica’s best coffee farms, munching on Costa Rican pastries—with this tour, you’re guaranteed a wild and wildly delicious experience. At the farm, you’ll explore the bucolic grounds, see how coffee is brewed from seed to cup, hoof it into the jungle, and finish up having tasted a true slice of Costa Rican culture.

Mountain bike along one of the best routes in Costa Rica with this Pedal and Paddle Adventure near Lake Arenal. You’ll see the Volcano, go through rainforest, and see the amazing wildlife living along this route. The duration is about 6 hours, the path is dirt and gravel, and bikes, guides and lunch are included on this ride.

Explore Costa Rica's renowned ecological park, EcoGarden Arenal, in search of sloths. This guided tour is a great opportunity to spot the charming creatures in their natural habitat, as well as alligators, turtles, and many more species. As you explore, your naturalist guide will tell you everything about the animals and birds you see.

Calypso Adventures has a firm and unwavering commitment to sustainability, local community support, and personalized service. As the only female-owned watersports tour operator in the region and the only provider with a female guide for water activities, we offer a unique and empowering experience. Our founder, Bethshiva Lester, brings over a decade of expertise and innovation, ensuring every tour is both safe and memorable. We tailor our diverse array of tours and activities to meet each customer’s unique needs, showcasing Costa Rica’s breathtaking flora and fauna while promoting eco-friendly practices. With top-notch customer service, personalized packages, and a dedication to natural conservation, Calypso Adventures provides an authentic and unforgettable journey into the heart of Costa Rica.

Get onto the Penas Blancas River and gently kayak through the water, learning all about the local wildlife and landscape as you go. Your guide will make sure you know how to use your kayak and feel safe, and then you’ll be on your way. You’ll be with a small, intimate group, so it will keep costs down. Together you’ll find monkeys, iguana, birds, and more.

Soak up views of Costa Rica’s tropical rain forest and waterfalls during a thrilling whitewater rafting adventure down the Sarapiqui River. Slip on your provided helmet and life vest, and safely navigate the river's rapids, twists, and turns with a guide. Refuel with a freshly prepared buffet-style lunch at an organic farm. Round trip transport from your hotel in La Fortuna is included.

Get closer to nature while still experiencing thrills during a fun-filled day in the jungle at the Rainforest Adventures Costa Rica Atlantic eco-reserve. Your multi-pass gives you access to six different activities, so you can ride an aerial tram, encounter native critters at a butterfly and frog garden, cross a hanging bridge, and explore the jungle on a nature hike at your own pace. Get your adrenaline pumping as you soar through the treetops on ziplines, including one of the longest and fastest in the country.

Join the rain forest’s late night crowd on this nocturnal wildlife tour at Arenal Mundo Aventura. Use lanterns to light your way down a trail and catch sight of animals like the red-eyed tree frog, pit vipers, and mottled owls—your guide points them out along the way so you don’t miss a thing.

The Arenal volcano is one of the most beautiful volcanos in the world with the perfect cone shape. We hike around and the closest we can get legally to the volcano where we walk on the last eruption and take pictures of the landscape. After the lava field walk we will get into the forest to try to find the wildlife of the region like monkeys, sloths, tucans, snakes, frogs, anteaters, wild pigs and much more. Your guides born and raised here know the area well enough to explain and answer your questions and you will also learn a lot about the history of the volcano and surroundings. Pura vida.

Experience the beauty of La Fortuna from above during this extensive zipline tour. Don your gear and climb an 18-meter tower, fly over canyons and treetops on seven extreme ziplines including a 980-meter cable, and take in views of the Arenal and Cerro Chato Volcanoes. Complete the adventure by crossing a hanging bridge over La Fortuna waterfall and admire the jungle views.

visit to the coffee plantation then to the production and professional demonstration building, presentation of the history and culture of coffee in Costa Rica

Appease your appetite for adventure during an exhilarating 3-hour rafting session on the Sarapiqui River from Puerto Viejo de Sarapiqui . With an experienced guide, conquer the Class II and III rapids on the river’s most intense section and feel your adrenaline levels surge. During calmer periods, marvel at the abundance of exotic wildlife on the banks of the Sarapiqui River and listen to fascinating commentary from your guide.

In La Fortuna, a rainforest paradise nestled under the shadow of the active Arenal Volcano, embark on a captivating demonstrative & hands on adventure. Here, you'll delve into the fascinating history of chocolate, from its treasured role as Mayan currency to the delicious treat we cherish today. Your journey continues with a breathtaking encounter with La Fortuna Waterfall. This majestic waterfall tumbles down the slopes of the dormant Chato Volcano, a neighbor to the fiery Arenal. La Fortuna River serves as the waterfall's lifeblood, snaking through the lush rainforest before taking a dramatic plunge, creating a spectacle that will leave you awestruck.

Escape the crowds and go off the beaten path in Costa Rica. This small-group tour of the Ebano Natural Reserve is ideal for active travelers who want to spend time in scenic nature. You'll take a short hike through the rainforest, spotting wildlife such as colorful frogs, birds, and monkeys along the way, before arriving at a double waterfall where you can cool off with a swim.

Get deep inside Venado Caves at Arenal Volcano National Park, which are 15-20 million years old! This 1.5 hour tour of the caves takes you to an underground river where you’ll see stalactites, stalagmites, marine fossils, bats, spiders, and crickets! You’ll get wet and muddy when you explore, so keep that in mind!

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.

Get a deeper dive into Costa Rica’s capital city on this epic walking tour. Across a thorough half day, you’ll follow your bilingual guide across a dozen-plus San Jose icons, from Teatro Nacional Costa Rica to Casa Amarilla to Central Market (Mercado Central) and beyond. You’ll get a local’s understanding of the city’s history, art, and architecture, plus tips and tricks to help you fall in love with San Jose.

Spend a full day in Monteverde cloud forest, exploring the biodiversity and nature from the hanging suspension bridges, and then with a zip-line canopy tour which is the second longest in the world. You'll be collected from your hotel in San Jose, and the entire day will be around 12 hours, all organized for you to enjoy nature and the adventure.

This Tenorio Volcano National Park hiking tour from La Fortuna includes round-trip transport to guarantee your visit to the park during your Costa Rica trip without the hassle of planning your own rides or renting a car. Once you arrive at the park, hike through the tropical rainforest while a guide points out animals, birds, and plants. This hike also includes highlights such as seeing the Celeste River waterfall, as well as an included lunch.

Escape from busy San Jose for an action-packed full-day tour in the Jaco Beach region. Stop at the beach, then continue with a zipline tour and ATV tour in the rain forest nearby. You’ll also see crocodiles at the Tarcoles River, and get great views of the Pacific Ocean from the ATV and zipline course. Includes lunch, and all necessary equipment and instruction.

Located in Mistico Park, Arenal Hanging Bridges is known as one of Costa Rica’s most beautiful environmental projects—a combination of trails and bridges through the rain forest near Arenal Volcano. On this tour you can travel through the park and across elevated bridges, see views of the volcano, and enjoy close-up encounters with native flora and fauna. Your guide, a wildlife specialist, provides helpful narrative along the way.

When it comes to touring active volcanoes, always travel with a local. You’ll do just that on this tour: First, you’ll get whisked off to Irazu Volcano National Park, home to the highest volcano in the country. After some exploring, you’ll move to the Turrialba Volcano, likely spewing gases and ash. Not only will your guide will lead you safely—they’ll keep you from going home with those awkward selfies.

Explore more of the dramatic landscape around Arenal Volcano on a day tour than you could going independently. This small-group tour from La Fortuna offers a blend of active time and relaxation. Hike the hanging bridge trail, swim at scenic La Fortuna Waterfall, and visit Arenal Volcano around sunset. Spend the evening soaking in the hot springs, where you’ll refuel with dinner.