Top Costa Rica Half-day Tours

Learn about Costa Rican cuisine on this hands-on tour in Quepos. First, visit a farmers’ market to browse and select ingredients for lunch. With the help of local cooks, you’ll learn how to make corn tortillas from scratch, “ceviches” with plantain or banana, picadillos, and more. Along the way, find out about the origin of the organic ingredients, how they are prepared, and how you can recreate the dishes at home.

Explore one of the most important mangrove ecosystems in Costa Rica on this fun kayak tour. Just offshore from the popular Manuel Antonio National Park are thousands of acres of protected forest, home to all kinds of birds, mammals, reptiles, and insects. Your naturalist guide will tell you about the area’s biodiversity while you paddle peacefully in the shade of the mangroves.

Sip and sample your way through Costa Rica's best beach breweries on Guanacaste's only craft beer tour. Travel safe in an impressive 4x4 limousine as you bar hop among local breweries in Playas Tamarindo, Flamingo, and Grande. Sample up to 12 beers made using local and seasonal ingredients, and get a behind-the-scenes tour to learn about the brewing process. Finish strong at a beachfront brewery where you can purchase dinner and groove to live music.

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.

Stopping at Curi Cancha Reserva, this guided birding tour will show you the diversity and multitude of species in each one. For half a day, try to find the most birds you can. This is a small-group tour and your guide and driver will arrange all the logistics. Upgrade to a private tour for more flexibility and a more personalized experience.

Enjoy an action-packed adventure in the shadows of the iconic Arenal Volcano with this great-value 2-in-1 combo tour. First, take to the treetops for a thrilling bird’s eye view of the rain forest as you walk the Arenal Hanging Bridges, then get your camera ready for a visit to the beautiful La Fortuna Waterfall. After cooling off with a swim beneath the falls, tuck into a typical Costa Rican lunch (included) before heading back to the city.

Discover the incredible birds and biodiversity of Palo Verde National Park on this boat tour with lunch. Spot native wildlife such as crocodiles, iguanas, monkeys, and a colorful parade of bird species during a 1-hour and 20 minutes cruise down the Tempisque River led by a naturalist guide. Afterward, discuss your sightings with fellow travelers over a traditional Costa Rican lunch at a local restaurant.

Soar over 11 waterfalls on this thrilling zipline adventure, less than one hour from the Puntarenas cruise port. Experience 18 zipline cables, a Tibetan bridge crossing, waterfall rappelling, and a refreshing dip in a natural pool. With stunning views of the Gulf of Nicoya, blends of adrenaline and nature in a short time frame that's ideal for cruise ship passengers.

Irazú Volcano National Park is one of Costa Rica’s most scenic natural destinations, but given its size, it can be hard to know where to start. Streamline your visit with a guided tour from San José, joining a local guide to tackle the park’s trails. Venture up to a viewpoint where, on a clear day, you can see both the Atlantic and Pacific Oceans.

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.

Get up close to Costa Rican wildlife on this morning safari float along a river beneath imposing Volcan Arenal. Be prepared to get wet as you’ll be in an inflatable vessel, close to the water. Look out for animals including sloths, snakes, and a variety of birds. Take a short hike to an organic farm, where you’ll collect your lunch ingredients.

This Tortuguero Canals tour is a Limon classic. Drive along the coast, visit a fruit stand and banana plantation, and take a quick stop at the beach on your way to the Tortuguero Canals, a popular wildlife destination full of tropical plants and animals. Going with a guided tour keeps you on-time and organized for easy sightseeing.

Spend a day exploring Costa Rica’s beauty away from the beach on this guided shore excursion from Punta Arenas. Head out with a guide and a small group of 15 people or fewer to discover the region’s highlights, including the tropical fruits grown in nearby “fruit towns,” a wildlife area known for its population of white-faced monkeys, and a sail down the lush Tarcoles River. Tour includes entrance fees and all transportation with port or hotel pickup and drop-off.

Explore the sandy beaches, secluded bays, and jungle-clad shorelines around Playa Hermosa on this afternoon catamaran cruise. Admire the views as you sail along the coast, look out for dolphins and whales, and stop to swim and snorkel in a picturesque bay. While onboard, enjoy a tasty BBQ chicken lunch, grab yourself a drink from the open bar, and watch the sunset as you cruise back to shore.

Jungle Crocodile Safari on the Tarcoles River Cruise along the Tarcoles River, one of the best places in Costa Rica to safely observe massive American crocodiles in their natural habitat. ✔ See crocodiles, iguanas, and exotic birds like scarlet macaws and herons ✔ Safe, comfortable covered boat with bilingual naturalist guide ✔ Perfect for wildlife photography and birdwatching Carara National Park Nature Walk Explore the transition zone between dry and humid tropical forest — a hotspot for biodiversity. ✔ Easy guided walk through the forest trails ✔ Opportunities to spot monkeys, toucans, coatis, butterflies, and more ✔ Learn about the unique flora and fauna of this ecological bridge Puntarenas Coastal Highlights Enjoy a relaxed scenic drive through Puntarenas town, including: ✔ Lighthouse & Paseo de los Turistas ✔ Local fruit stands or souvenir shops ✔ Photo stops at panoramic viewpoints

Soak in the atmosphere of San Jose after dark on this bar crawl package. If you don’t know where to go for a fun night out, this activity is for you. Meet up with your guide as they take you to a selection of popular watering holes found downtown. Meet new people, try local drinks and get into the party spirit. A great way to introduce yourself to a new city.

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.

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.

The countryside around Jaco Beach is ideal for an outdoor adventure and this action-packed tour includes two fun activities in one day. Soar through the treetops at the Los Suenos Adventure Park as you tackle a thrilling course of 10 zip-lines in the heart of the rainforest. Next, take the wheel of an ATV for a scenic off-road excursion along mud tracks, jungle trails, and coastal roads with spectacular ocean views.

Kids and adults alike will enjoy this fun and relaxing cruise through the mangroves of Isla Damas. As well as enjoying views of the biodiverse mangrove forest, keep your eyes open for local wildlife, including monkeys, sloths, various birds, and more. Learn about what you see from your knowledgeable guide and take some great photos.

Sail into the sunset on this Tamarindo catamaran cruise aboard a comfortable 40-foot (12 meter) deck. Swim and snorkel as you enjoy the last rays of the afternoon at Playa Huevo—there’s a good chance you won’t see anyone else at the under-the-radar location—and then head back to Tamarindo while watching the sunset. Plus, an open bar means your cup is never empty.

Get onto the Penas Blancas River in La Fortuna with your naturalist guide and kayak for a half day and see all the wildlife you can, and then finish with a local ranch tour and snacks from the garden. You'll be picked up from your hotel, then taken to the river to look for crocodiles, lizards, sloths, and monkeys. Then get to the ranch for coffee, sugar cane, and chocolate.

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.

See the highlights of Limon on a full-day tour. Set off from your meeting point and visit a local fruit stand. Then, head to the rainforest to learn more about the area’s biodiversity. You’ll also see a banana plantation and explore the Tortuguero Canals, which teem with wildlife and vegetation. Finally, take a city tour of Limon with a stop at Playa Bonita.