Top Costa Rica Eco Tours

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.

Cruise along one of Costa Rica’s most scenic coastlines on a sailing and snorkeling tour of Manuel Antonio. Relax on deck and sip unlimited drinks from an open bar as you get a new perspective on the unspoiled nature preserve and try to spot dolphins, turtles, and migrating whales. Stop to swim and snorkel among tropical fish in the clear waters off Biesanz Beach, and then reward your efforts with a gourmet lunch prepared right on board.

Get a different perspective on Costa Rica's popular EcoGarden Arenal by exploring the ecological park at night. Follow the trails through a lush and incredibly biodiverse forest to see the wildlife that is most active after night falls. Learn all about the sloths, caiman, frogs, birds, cicadas, and other creatures that you spot from your guide.

Snorkeling stops, sunshine, and unobstructed views of Costa Rica's shoreline make this sunset catamaran cruise the ideal way to end your day—and the open bar doesn't hurt. Join a friendly crew (as well as dolphins, turtles, and flying fish) to make the most of the day's last rays on this perfectly timed tour, which ends just as the sun sinks below the horizon. Hotel pickup is included for added convenience.

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.

Improve your chances of spotting wildlife in Manuel Antonio National Park on this small-group hike. Following your guide, explore the park as you look out for sloths, monkeys, iguanas, and more, whilst they provide commentary about their lives and behaviors in the rainforest. Enjoy a route that is flat and well-maintained, making this activity suitable for all fitness levels.

Design your own perfect day in La Fortuna on a customizable combo tour. Cross the rainforest canopy on hanging bridges, swim beneath La Fortuna Waterfall, hike in Arenal Volcano National Park, and soak in geothermal hot springs. Take your pick of activities or do them all for a full day of fun and relaxation. Optional lunch add-ons provide a taste of authentic Costa Rican cuisine. Hotel pickup and drop-off are also included from added convenience.

Costa Rica is famous for its coffee, natural wonders, and diverse wildlife, and this full-day tour from San Jose combines all three. Learn how Costa Rican coffee is made on a guided tour of the Doka Coffee Plantation, enjoy magnificent views of the Poas Volcano crater on a scenic walk, and spot wildlife around the La Paz Waterfall, including a visit to the country’s largest butterfly observatory.

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.

Let an expert naturalist guide show you highlights of one of the world’s most biodiverse forests on a guided tour of the Monteverde Cloud Forest Reserve. Hike along the park’s nature trails and suspended bridges to observe all levels of this amazing Costa Rican ecosystem, from the forest floor to the treetop canopy. Look for native wildlife and exotic birds that make their home in the cloud forest, including the elusive resplendent quetzal.

Enjoy a one-of-a-kind way to discover Costa Rica’s lush jungle ecosystems and most striking views on this half-day, small-group tour of Mistico Arenal Hanging Bridges Park. Pick from morning and afternoon tour times and, after hotel pickup, head to the park. There are more than a dozen hanging bridges to explore: as you go, look out for monkeys and wildlife, learn more about the jungle, and soak up impeccable views of the Arenal volcano.

Paddle past the giant twisted root systems that characterize mangrove forests on this kayak tour of the largest mangrove ecosystem in Central America at Damas Island. This biodiversity hotspot is home to tons of birds, reptiles, and aquatic animals that you can spot easily with the help of your guide. This tour includes round-trip transportation from your Manuel Antonio or Quepos lodging as well as lunch or dinner.

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.

Women-Led, Personalized Experience on Lake Arenal Join us for a unique, women-led experience on the stunning Lake Arenal, located in the northern highlands of Costa Rica. As the country’s largest lake—spanning 85 square kilometers with depths ranging from 30 to 60 meters depending on the season—Lake Arenal offers breathtaking scenery and tranquil waters perfect for your adventure. We believe in creating personalized experiences, and we welcome your four-legged companions too! As fellow pet lovers, we’re happy to accommodate your furry friend by providing a pet life vest (available for an additional fee).

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.

Most tours of Manuel Antonio National Park take place during the day, but this small-group nighttime tour allows you to see a different side of the park and the creatures that come out after dark. Your guide will lead you around the park in search of the tree frogs, shy snakes, colorful insects, mammals, and other rainforest creatures that only come out at night.

Get your heart racing and make the most of your trip to Costa Rica on this jam-packed adventure tour. Traverse rugged mountains and jungle trails on an ATV until you reach a beach, where you can stop and relax. Then head to a crocodile hotspot, the Tarcoles River bridge, and safely observe these reptiles that call the area home.

Set off on a leisurely horseback ride along the beach in Esterillos Este, Costa Rica. This small-group tour is a great way to admire the beautiful coastal scenery of Costa Rica. Ride through jungles and admire the local flora and fauna including almond trees, toucans, and sloths until you reach the Esterillos Este Beach on the Pacific Ocean.

Discover what makes Tortuguero National Park in Costa Rica special with this small-group guided day walk on the Jaguar Trail. Walk with your certified naturalist guide as they explain the park’s natural history and point out local flora and fauna to you. Places on this tour are limited to 10 participants. Entrance fees to the national park are not included.

This well-rounded tour is the perfect way for nature lovers to experience the best of Costa Rica's outdoor beauty. Enjoy a scenic boated on the Rio Frio with departure near the border of Nicaragua. Cruise through the Cano Negro Wildlife Refuge and see the incredible biodiversity that makes this nation to unique. You'll have up close encounters with birds, snakes, herons and other animals, as well as various species of monkeys and sloths.

Join the early birds on this La Fortuna bird watching tour. After an early-morning pickup from your hotel, start down the leisurely Gallery Habitat Trail with your guide. As you walk, your guide points out birds like woodpeckers, toucans, and hummingbirds, plus other plant and animal wildlife, making this tour a great way to learn about the rain forest.

A specialized tour for bird lovers. A walk to the birding hot spots in Monteverde, one of the best places for this activity. The biodiversity found in this area allow us to spot quetzals, toucans, umbrellabirds, and many other species.

Combine two great experiences into one with this convenient small-group tour of the Manuel Antonio area. Begin the trip by visiting a cacao plantation to learn about the process of making chocolate, as well as its place in Costa Rica’s culture. Once night falls, it’s time for a walking tour in the jungle to try and spot various wildlife, such as tree frogs, snakes, and other nocturnal creatures.

Explore Central America's largest mangrove on this popular kayaking tour that puts travelers up close to Costa Rica's diverse landscapes. Navigate the waters surrounding Damas Island and see hundreds of different animals, birds and reptiles up close. This is the perfect way to experience this diverse nation's incredible wildlife and learn more from your expert local guide.