Top Costa Rica Half-day Tours

The Monteverde Cloud Forest is one of Costa Rica’s most memorable natural wonders. With this tour, venture to the heart of the cloud forest on a self-guided trek and enjoy magnificent views of the Arenal, Rincon de la Vieja, Tenorio, and Miravalles volcanoes. Cool off with a swim beneath a waterfall, tuck into a typical Costa Rican lunch, and enjoy a short horseback ride. Hotel pickup and drop-off from Monteverde and Santa Elena are included for convenience.

Explore a protected tropical rain forest on a half-day hanging bridges tour from La Fortuna, and hike a circuit that crosses a series of 15 bridges with extraordinary views of the jungle canopy. Increase your chances of spotting birds, monkeys, boars, and jewel-toned frogs as you follow your guide through the forest, and listen to the sounds of tropical birdsongs and trilling insects.

Travel beyond the beach on this buggy tour of Papagayo Gulf. After a brief safety training, take off down a winding trail in search of native wildlife, deserted beaches, and rural Costa Rican culture, stopping to take a swim along the way. No prior buggy riding experience is necessary.

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.

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.

Adventure-seeking travelers will love the opportunity to hike and zipline through the Costa Rican rainforest. After a safety training you’ll hike through the forest to an area with seven ziplines strung between the treetops. Enjoy zooming along these, looking out for wildlife on the way. Some of the ziplines go right past some beautiful waterfalls, for the best views.

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.

When your cruise ship sails into Limon, make the most of your stint in Costa Rica on a half-day shore excursion to Tortuguero National Park, ideal for nature lovers. Look out for howler monkeys, sloths, toucans, and more during a jungle canal cruise and take a tour of the Del Monte Banana Plantation. A snack of tropical fruit and port pickup and drop-off are included on this small-group tour, limited to 15 people.

We love adventure and that's why we created a tour that includes activities such as Canopy, hiking, rappelling, hanging bridges, Tarzan swing, and our Superman cable experience (for an additional cost). This tour has everything!

Explore parts of Tortuguero National Park where even motorboats aren't allowed to go with this small-group canoe tour. Paddle down the park's smallest canals with your certified guide to see its nature and wildlife without disturbing the animals. The admission fees to the national park isn't included in the tour. Places on this tour are limited to 8 travelers.

Find the best spots for swimming in Manuel Antonio National Park on this half-day guided tour from Quepos. Although the national park is one of the smallest in Costa Rica, it receives hundreds of thousands of visitors a year and has some of the most pristine beaches in the country. Playa Espadilla Sur beach and Playa Manuel Antonio beach, voted one of the most beautiful beaches in the world by a top media company.

Paddle Boarding along the scenic coastline of Manuel Antonio. We will pass by small islands which nest local sea birds, we will paddle alongside the volcanic rock cliffs that make up the coastline. This is truly an experience that should not be passed on while in Manuel Antonio

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.

Like much of the rainforest in central Costa Rica, the Monteverde Cloud Forest Reserve is home to special plants and wild animals—if you’re able to find them. With this small-group tour, explore the reserve with a guide who knows intimately where to find the best flora and fauna, and carries a professional spotting scope to help you see them. The entrance ticket to the reserve is included, increasing your ease of access.

Two activities to discover the two parts of Tortuguero National Park - the canals during the canoe tour and the trail during the hike! 5.45h Canoe tour through the National Park 11.00 am Walk through the National Park

Wildlife enthusiasts will love touring the Costa Rican rainforests by rafting down the Corobici River. With a small group of like-minded travelers, you’ll float down the river on the lookout for sloths, tree frogs, crocodiles, and many varieties of birds. You’ll get a different perspective of the jungle that many travelers miss.

Leave the party-boat behind and set sail on a serene half-day sunset cruise on a semi-private, 50-foot (15-meter) boat. With only 13 passengers on board, sail the Gulf of Papagayo enjoying swimming, snorkeling, and fishing. Unwind with a cocktail from the open bar and look out over the lush coastline. Enjoy lunch served by the crew and watch the sunset over the horizon before heading back to shore.

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.

Escape to a secluded beach paradise on a day cruise to Playa Fantasia, a hidden stretch of sand on the Nicoya Peninsula that's only accessible by boat. Enjoy the 40-minute catamaran ride from Jaco Beach, and spend several hours relaxing on beach hammocks or trying water sports like surfing, snorkeling, and boogie boarding. Stay refreshed with included tropical cocktails and a fresh chef’s lunch prepared right on the beach.

Turn your vacation vibes up a notch with this catamaran tour from Jaco to the secluded Fantasia Beach. Relax in a premium catamaran as you sail out on the ocean, and then catch sight of wildlife like turtles and monkeys while eating a lunch prepared by a private chef on a forested beach only accessible by boat. This tour even includes a bar for the ultimate in relaxation.

Get your thrills on this five-in-one eco-adventure combo package in Jacó. Soar above the canopy in an aerial tram, trek jungle trails, rock climb a 164-foot (50-meter) waterfall, glide on a 10-cable, 15-platform zipline, and dangle from a hanging sky bridge. Learn about Costa Rica’s incredible tropical eco-system from the bilingual naturalist guiding your journey and upgrade your experience to include lunch.

Raft 9 miles (14.5 kilometers) down the Balsa River with more than 30 continuous rapids, while leaving plenty of time for swimming and eating Costa Rican fruits. Afterwards, your guide rewards you with water, towels and takes you to lunch at a local restaurant in La Fortuna. Rio La Balsa is also surrounded by lush vegetation, giving you the opportunity to observe a variety of wildlife during the tour, including sloths, iguanas, toucans and monkeys.

Los Campesinos Reserve is a beautiful part of Costa Rica, but can be tricky to get to on your own. This small-group tour from the Quepos and Manuel Antonio area, however, promises a hassle-free experience. Get picked up from your hotel and enjoy a smooth journey to Los Campesinos where your guide will take you on a hike and introduce you to the many plants and animals that you'll see. Afterward, cool off with a waterfall swim and enjoy a delicious included lunch.

Journey into the lush Costa Rican countryside aboard an ATV. This small-group tour takes you through forest and cattle fields, and past rivers, creeks, and small rural towns as you ride to a waterfall. At the 30-foot (9-meter) falls you can cool off by jumping into the refreshing waters of its pool.