Top Costa Rica Likely To Sell Out in 2026

Discover Nicoya Peninsula bioluminescence on an after-dark kayak tour in Paquera Bay, where you’ll see glowing algae in the water all around you. Exploring by kayak means you can enjoy the natural phenomenon without the distracting noise of a motor, and you’ll spark bursts of sparkling light each time you dip your paddle into water where bioluminescent algae are present.

Just outside the crowded beaches of Tamarindo, Las Baulas National Park offers an often-overlooked natural getaway. This tour takes you through the park’s vast network of mangrove forests on a relaxing boat trip. As you float down the river, your guide points out wildlife like howler monkeys, crocodiles, and tropical birds that you might not see on your own.

Get active while experiencing Costa Rica’s unique cloud forest environment on a guided half-day hiking tour of Monteverde Cloud Forest. Your guide will tell you all about the natural history and biodiversity of the area as you look out for an incredible range of birds and animals that live here. Don’t struggle to hear or keep up with your guide as this is a small-group tour.

Sneak in a tropical island getaway during your Costa Rica vacation on this cruise from Jaco to Tortuga Island. Swim, snorkel, hike, drink, and dine on this all-inclusive tour, with the option to rent even more of your favorite water sports equipment like waverunners and paddleboards. Bookend your tour with a catamaran cruise across the beautiful Gulf of Nicoya.

Experience one of Costa Rica's most wild and unspoiled national parks on a full-day tour to Corcovado. A guided tour is the best way to access the rugged and remote terrain, and you'll get there on a scenic boat ride that hugs the coast of the Osa Peninsula. Once at the park, a wildlife guide knows all the best places to see tapirs, monkeys, peccaries, and other amazing animals in their natural habitat.

Poás volcano is a powerful symbol of the geothermal forces that formed Costa Rica. When the mist and clouds part you’ll see the sulfuric, bubbling, green rain fed lake at the bottom, surrounded by smoke and steam rising from fumaroles. Water from the lake is constantly seeping through cracks in the hot rock, evaporating and building pockets of steam. When the pressure in these pockets exceeds the weight of the water above, the steam breaks through in geysers that rocket up to 820 feet (250 meters) high. Don’t worry about getting a shower though, the crater is 1,050 feet (320 meters) deep. At almost a mile (1.6 km) across it’s also the largest active crater in the world. New safety features have been added to protect visitors in case of particularly heavy activity.

Check out the wildlife in the Manuel Antonio National Park on this small yet intimate tour. Your certified guide will take you through the park, pointing out animals you can see more clearly with your provided spotting scope. You can also take a beach break and go for a swim at the end, too.

Learn to cook some traditional Costa Rican food from a local grandmother, who knows all the secret tips. Dona Chela will help you to prepare the dishes with ingredients from her garden, which you can also wander around before and after you cook. You'll cook your food in the traditional, old school way, by using the wood-fired stove in the kitchen.

Half the day — all the fun! This experience takes you to the famous Tortuga Island aboard the Costa Cat III. Cruise along Costa Rica’s Pacific coast, snorkel right from the boat, and enjoy the boat’s fun features like the water slide, sun beds, and dive boards. After snorkeling, relax at the island with signature Jungle Juice, Margaritas, and gourmet sandwiches before cruising back under a stunning Pacific sunset.

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.

We start and finish our tours at the ranch. All riding levels welcomed from first time riders to experienced riders. Come join us on an epic horse ride through the open range and into the lush beach jungles of Jaco Costa Rica, for an adventure of a life time. You'll embark on a journey apart from the rest, experiencing the bio-diversity that Costa Rica has to offer. Usually seen on our adventures are sloths, white face monkeys, scarlet macaws, neo-fauna and much more wild life. We'll match a horse that's right for you. Our horses are well trained and gentle, for a safe ride. We offer a tailored adventure that aligns with your preferences. Unlike standard tours, our approach ensures an experience that's distinctively yours.

Ensure a smooth arrival in Costa Rica with this shared shuttle service from San Jose’s Juan Santamaria International Airport or your hotel to Puerto Viejo. Save money over taxis and private transfers, relax in an air-conditioned shuttle with onboard Wi-Fi, and enjoy a comfortable transfer to your destination.

See the best of Costa Rica in a single day on this 4-in-1 tour that's perfect for outdoor adventurers. Cross the famous hanging bridges, where you'll experience the beauty of walking high above the jungle floor. Take in the incredible wonder of La Fortuna Waterfall and hike to the top of a nearby volcano where you'll capture incredible views of Costa Rican countryside. This tour includes a stop at Eco Termales Hot Springs and a traditional meal of regional cuisine prepared in the home of a warm and welcoming local. It's the perfect way to experience the beauty, excitement and adventure of Costa Rica in a single day.

Explore the jungle at night, when the temperatures drop and nocturnal wildlife comes alive. Your guide team is a biologist “Bug Lady” and an animal “spotter extraordinaire” armed with spotting scopes and echo bat detectors. Search for unique animals and insects while learning about their history and lore: learn to harvest silk from giant spiders, how toxic toads were used in mind-control studies, and why the US military enlisted cockroaches in the Vietnam War.

Barrel down the Naranjo River on a half-day guided adventure for seasoned paddlers. After a convenient hotel pickup, travel into the Quepos mountains with a professional, first aid- and mountain rescue-trained guide. Get your thrills with steep drops and rushing rapids. Marvel at the lush scenery and enjoy a homemade lunch included in the tour price.

With a guiding team led by a former member of the Costa Rica national rafting team, this family-friendly white-water rafting tour offers groups of all skill levels the opportunity to cascade down class two and three river rapids. Get out of your comfort zone without the danger of a self-guided experience. Lunch and a snack are included to keep you energized throughout the adventure.

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.

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.

Fun, peaceful, and close to nature, kayaking through the mangrove forests outside of Tamarindo is a great way to get away from the beach and enjoy another side of the area’s famous wilderness. Follow a guide through the winding estuaries, stopping to admire crocodiles, monkeys, and other wildlife along the way. Then, get out and take a guided nature walk through the forest for even more chances to learn about Tamarindo wildlife.

Go scuba diving in Costa Rica in the waters of the Gulf of Papagayo when you visit Playa Hermosa. Choose from several tour options with dive sites that are suited for beginners, certified divers, and advanced divers. For people with more experience, tours to Catalina and Bat Islands are offered.

Experience Tamarindo's nightlife with a social bar crawl that takes the hassle out of planning a night out. Meet fellow travelers, visit a selection of bars and party spots, and enjoy an organized evening designed to keep the energy going from the first drink to the last dance. With a local team handling the logistics and creating a welcoming atmosphere, it's an easy way to experience the town's nightlife whether you're traveling solo, with friends, or celebrating a special occasion.

Caño Island is situated on Costa Rica's Pacific coast. This Marine Biological Reserve fascinates with its various marine creatures, including turtles, manta rays, stingrays, barracudas, bottlenose dolphins, spotted dolphins, white-tip reef sharks, and moray eels. Get ready to be enchanted by the deep blue waters, guarded coral beds, and remarkable rock formations filled with multicolored fish. Immerse yourself in the underwater world and experience this impressive ecosystem firsthand. As we bid farewell to the captivating Caño Island, we'll stop at a local beach for a delightful lunch and leisure time on the sandy shores. On our return journey to Marino Bahia Ballena National Park, we'll pass by the scenic Costa Ballena, allowing us to admire fantastic landmarks and diverse birdlife.

Benefit from an advance reservation for Tabacon Hot Springs to ensure your access to one of Costa Rica´s most popular hot springs resorts. A network of thermal springs run through the lush gardens and feed a number of pools and waterfalls with naturally heated mineral waters. The resort is located between Arenal Volcano and the National Park, which makes it a scenic and relaxing destination, and a buffet meal is included.