Top Costa Rica Half-day Tours

Combine three adventurous activities in a single tour: a hike to Arental Volcano, visit to the Hanging Bridges, and exploration of La Fortuna Waterfall. This full-day tour from La Fortuna, perfect for nature lovers, includes hiking and swimming amidst Costa Rica's beautiful natural scenery. Hotel pickup and drop-off included.

Get a behind-the-scenes look at Costa Rica’s famous coffee industry with this tour to a coffee farm from San Jose. Learn first-hand how beans are grown, harvested, and roasted for the perfect cup of coffee. Plus, visit the towns of Sarchi and Gracia to visit popular monuments and learn how they keep handicraft traditions alive.

Escape the crowds on land and admire Costa Rica’s stunning Costa Dorada (Gold Coast) from a fresh perspective during a private sailing tour from Playa Flamingo. Discover secluded coves and hidden beaches that are inaccessible by other modes of transport, and relish the undivided attention of your captain and crew.

Hop on your own ATV and explore the jungles in Jaco. First, learn how to operate your ATV and complete some laps on the practice track. Then, head off toward the area waterfalls, where you will have time to swim and enjoy the natural surroundings. Plus, a professional photographer will be along for the ride, capturing pictures of your adventure, which will be available for purchase.

Get a new perspective on the Costa Rican coastline from the back of an all-inclusive catamaran, visit islands you might otherwise have overlooked, and enjoy time to snorkel during this half-day excursion. Soak up the sights as you make the most of free alcoholic beverages, snacks, and fresh fruit, relax on the tanning meshes, or take a dip in the Jacuzzi.

Discover Ortega and the National Reserve Cipanci on this guided boat tour along the Tempisque River. Home to a wide variety of birds including the Scarlet Macaws and the Jabiru (the largest storks in the world), the wildlife refuge is an important nesting site. Following the tour, enjoy a traditionally made lunch with local cultivated ingredients.

Discover the sounds and sights of the rainforest after dark on a night hike. Follow your guide along an easy trail and watch out for bats, nocturnal birds, and mammals rustling in the treetops and on the forest floor. Search for red-eyed tree frogs and glass frogs, among other species. Then enjoy a traditional dinner prepared on a wood-burning stove before returning to your hotel in La Fortuna.

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.

This sampler adventure tour from San Jose fits the best of Costa Rica's rivers and rainforests into one action-packed day. En route, go croc-spotting at a famous overlook on the Tarcoles River. Then head to the jungle adventure park where you can choose two activities from a list of thrilling options, including ziplining, surfing lessons, an ATV adventure through the rainforest, or a chocolate experience.

Experience the best of Costa Rica's wildlife, cuisine, and natural beauty, without the logistical hassle, on this full-day shore excursion from Puntarenas. Look for white-faced monkeys, crocodiles, and birds on a boat cruise down the Tarcoles River. Learn the history of Puntarenas port, taste fresh tropical fruit, enjoy a buffet-style lunch at a local restaurant, and shop for authentic Costa Rican coffee.

Experience the thrill of hiking near an active volcano on a full-day trip from Guanacaste. Get an up-close view of Costa Rica's Arenal Volcano and the surrounding tropical landscape from a network of hanging bridges at Mistico Park. Rejuvenate after with a dip in volcanic hot springs and enjoy stellar views of the volcano. Round-trip hotel transport from Guanacaste, breakfast, and a Costa Rican lunch are included.

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.

Home to over 100 species of animals, five waterfalls, and a cloud forest the Wildlife Refuge La Paz Waterfall Gardens is bursting with biodiversity. Visit, explore, learn, and even hike among the sloths, monkeys, tropical birds, pumas, ocelots, and more who call Costa Rica’s most visited private ecological reserve home. Take in the incredible plant life like wild orchids on this full-day tour from San Jose with lunch included.

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.

Discover the beautiful natural attractions of Costa Rica on this all-day tour from San Jose. Fly over the rainforest canopy via a zipline course and rappel down 150 feet (50 meters) at an adventure park. Visit two waterfalls and admire the local wildlife including iguanas. Stop at a coffee plantation where you'll learn how it's cultivated and harvested. Finally, relax in thermal mineral hot springs at the base of Arenal Volcano.

See the vast diversity of Costa Rica on a 3-day tour that includes hiking at Arenal Volcano, exploring the Monteverde cloud forest, and enjoying the tropical white-sand beaches of Manuel Antonio National Park. This expertly organized all-inclusive tour covers all of your transportation and accommodations, so busy travelers can maximize their time and not worry about any of the logistics.

Leave the hustle and bustle of the city behind and spend the day exploring Manuel Antonio National Park on a group tour. Walk jungle trails, observe wildlife like macaws and crocodiles, and relax on the beach. This guided tour helps you avoid crowded areas and includes hotel pickup and drop-off for convenience.

Enjoy a day with multiple adventures, including a Tour of Rio Celeste, visiting the Llanos de Cortes Waterfall and the beautiful Sloth habitat at the finca verde private farm. This is about a 10 hour day with a half hour hike through the rain forest, and then observing the wildlife like monkeys, sloths, and exotic birds. You’ll also get to take a dip in the blue river

Get a new perspective on the tropical rainforest that surrounds Costa Rica's Arenal volcano on this guided tour. Stroll over suspension bridges while you keep your eyes peeled for wildlife, such as howler monkeys, and learn all about the area's diverse flora and fauna from your naturalist guide. Choose between a morning and afternoon tour.

Caño Island is a remote island off the Pacific coast of Costa Rica. Take a boat ride from Rancho Corcovado Lodge in Agujitas (Drake) to the island where you’ll spend time snorkeling with provided equipment, followed by relaxation at San Josecito beach on the mainland. Places on this small-group activity are limited to 12 people.

Embark on a delightful food tour, where you will deliberately engage in the rich local culture. Leisurely stroll through the charming streets of Jaco and explore traditional gastronomy in bars and restaurants. This experience presents a unique opportunity to gain profound insights into Costa Rican culture, delving into stories and anecdotes surrounding some of the region's most beloved and delectable traditional dishes. Amidst the captivating fusion of culture and natural landscapes at Jaco Beach, you will find yourself in a relaxing setting, creating the perfect ambiance for an enjoyable afternoon in the city.

Cruise to Isla Tortuga for a day of wildlife-watching, snorkeling, and swimming—with a morning departure that beats the crowds and ensures plenty of beach time. A guided snorkeling tour with provided equipment offers peace of mind for even first-time snorkelers. And since lunch is provided, you’ll have everything you need to enjoy a day on the untouched island.

This park is one of the country’s most biodiverse and beautiful areas, where you can find stunning coral reefs, white sand beaches, lush rainforests, and more. You’ll be accompanied by an experienced guide who will share their passion and knowledge of the park’s history, culture, and wildlife. You’ll learn about the indigenous people who live in the area, the conservation efforts to protect the park, and the fascinating stories behind some of the park’s landmarks. You’ll also have the opportunity to see some of the park’s most amazing animals, such as toucans, sloths, howler monkeys, hummingbirds, frogs, butterflies, and more. After exploring the park’s trails and beaches, you’ll head to Bribri Waterfall, where you can relax and enjoy the scenery. You’ll swim in the crystal-clear water and taste some of the freshest fruits you’ve ever had. This tour is a perfect way to experience the best of Cahuita National Park and create memories that will last a lifetime!

Experience the Peñas Blancas River as daylight fades on a small-group safari designed around Costa Rica's nocturnal wildlife. Float downstream at dusk while bilingual naturalist guides handle the rowing and help you spot animals becoming active as the forest transitions from day to night. The changing light and peaceful atmosphere make this a distinctive way to experience the rainforest beyond a traditional daytime wildlife tour.