Top Costa Rica Tours, Sightseeing & Cruises

Hike through Monteverde Wildlife Refuge after dark on a guided walking tour that reveals how nighttime transforms the tropical forest. Since dusk brings out a mix of diurnal and nocturnal animals, you might see completely different creatures than in a daytime visit. Provided flashlights, the guide’s powerful spotting scope, and included entrance ticket help you find wildlife you might otherwise miss, from tree frogs to sloths and jewel-toned birds.

A guided tour ups your chances of seeing turtles nesting and hatching along the Costa Rica coast. Not only does your guide know the best spots for seeing turtle activity during its season, but also provides tons of insight into the turtle life cycle that you might otherwise miss.

Explore the cloud forest in Monteverde after the sun sets on this guided nighttime tour. AFter dark, explore the biodiverse forest at Ficus Trails, spotting the nocturnal animals that inhabit the area. See tropical birds sleeping as well as the nighttime habits of other wildlife like scorpions, tarantulas, bats, and more. You’ll see different things than on a day tour.

This tour takes you to all off the highlights in the la Fortuna area. In one well organized day go on a full day nature adventure. Our best, fully equiped bilingual guide, takes you in a comfortable vehicle to all diferent locations. Once hiking he tells you about the surrounding enviroment and uses his equipment to spot as many animals as possible.

Most of the wildlife in the Monteverde Cloud Forest is nocturnal, so the night is the best time to visit. But going alone can be scary and you won’t know what you’re looking for. Enjoy a small-group guided tour with flashlights, night-vision binoculars, and telescopes, so you can make the most of your visit. Learn about the creatures of the night and the biodiversity of Costa Rica’s forests.

Arenal Volcano National Park’s massive size and unique natural setting can make it an easy place to get lost in, if you don’t already know the area. This Arenal Volcano National Park Hiking Tour from La Fortuna allows you to explore one of the park’s beautiful trails with a guide who can navigate the steep slopes and volcanic landscape well. Plus, take in views of Lake Arenal, while your guide talks about the volcano’s history and forest formation processes.

Explore the Costa Rican capital’s rich history, landmark buildings, and modern culture on a combo bus and walking tour of San Jose. Get a great introduction to city highlights like the National Theater and Art Museum, and stop to walk through bustling markets and public plazas to feel the pulse of this modern Central American metropolis. Get an extra boost of Costa Rican culture by listening to traditional folkloric music onboard the bus.

Explore San Jose on this guided half-day sightseeing tour. Great for first-time visitors to the city, the tour includes stops at historic and cultural sites such as the Costa Rican Art Museum in La Sabana, the city center, the National Theater, the University of Costa Rica, and the arts and crafts market. Plus, enjoy lunch at a local Costa Rican restaurant.

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.

More than just a canopy tour, this ultimate Monteverde adventure is designed for adult thrill-seekers who want a fast-paced, adrenaline-fueled romp through the cloud forest. Soar across some of the longest ziplines in Costa Rica, whoosh through the trees on the mega Tarzan swing, rappel down to the forest floor, and test your bravery with a jungle bungee jump.

Sea turtles nest on hidden beaches purposely kept off the beaten track near Tamarindo. This half-day tour takes travelers to one such undisturbed beach near Playa Minas in search of ridley and leatherback sea turtles and their nests. Get the chance to observe the animals deposit their eggs and return to the water while respecting government conservation rules at all times.

Costa Rica’s lush jungles have long been a notable area to grow cash crops such as coffee, chocolate, and sugar cane. During this small-group experience, visit a plantation in Manuel Antonio and learn how these three crops are produced. Take a guided tour of a plantation, traditional sugar cane mill, and medicinal plants garden, and see how some of your favorite treats are made. Hotel pickup is included for added convenience.

Go birdwatching in the Curi-Cancha Reserve in the Monteverde Cloud Forest on a half-day tour led by a naturalist guide and spot more than you would going alone. Look out for resplendent quetzals, silvery-fronted tapaculo, toucans, hummingbirds, and more—identify up to 60 species. Enjoy exploring the mountainous forest trails without the risk of getting lost. Monteverde-area transfers can be provided for an extra fee.

Experience the sights, sounds, and flavors of San Jose on an evening bus tour. Starting from your hotel, board a comfortable double-decker bus with a welcome drink. See over 25 of the city’s landmarks as you take a bus tour, and stop for bilingual guided tours at key locations, including the Costa Rican Art Museum. Enjoy an included dinner of local cuisine before drop-off back at your hotel.

Head to the rainforest from Tamarindo on this private all-day excursion with a naturalist guide. Head to the impressive Rio Celeste waterfall and go tubing down the river, stopping along the way to swim. Feast on a local lunch and then return on a route to spot wildlife, including colored frogs, monkeys, and sloths. Plus, stop to admire the Tree of Peace, which is more than 400 years old.

Explore the wild side of Limon without the pressure of keeping up with a large crowd on this small-group hiking and kayaking tour of Punta Uva. Follow your guide as you explore the local ecosystem on foot and by river, looking out for wildlife including iguanas, monkeys, and sloths. Well-suited for nature-lovers, as well as those who like to keep active on vacation.

See some of Costa Rica's most beautiful natural areas on this two-day, small-group tour of the Puntarenas area, led by a professional guide. You will visit the Corcovado and San Pedrillo National Park, where you can see beautiful trees and vegetation, with the opportunity to see all kinds of wild animals and birds in their natural environment.

Adventure-loving travelers won’t want to miss this combined zip lining, rappelling, and hiking tour. The Carpintera Hills are close to San Jose and offer the easiest way to go zip lining from the capital. Glide through the forest canopy on steel cables strung between 19 platforms. Rappel from as high as 130 feet. Enjoy the forest views along the way and look out for birds and animals.

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.

See the natural beauty of the jungle after dark, without getting lost, on this small-group guided tour of Rainmaker Park. Your naturalist guide takes you into the jungle to learn about the local ecosystem and spot animals that you won't find during the day, such as lizards, spiders, owls, and colorful tropical frogs.

Get the inside scoop on a pair of Costa Rica's most famous exports on a combo tour of the Doka Estate coffee plantation. Learn how coffee beans are grown, harvested, and roasted to perfection, and then follow the sticky-sweet journey of sugar cane at a working sugar mill. Finish the flavorful visit with a tour of the estate’s inedible natural treasures, including hundreds of miniature bonsai trees, colorful orchids, and butterflies.

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.

Navigate the trails of Manuel Antonio National Park without having to constantly refer to a map on this hiking tour from Jacó. Well-suited for novice hikers, let your guide lead the way on flat paths. Enjoy taking in a wide variety of environments including coastline and rainforests, with the opportunity to refresh in the sea during a swim stop.

Set sail and take in views of the Costa Rican coastline on this sunset tour. On board a catamaran, you’ll have the chance to spot local sealife such as whales, dolphins, turtles, rays, and seabirds. The tour also includes time to swim and snorkel or simply relax on the boat, plus a hearty lunch of BBQ chicken, black beans, and fresh fruit, and an open bar featuring premium drinks. On the sail back to Playas del Coco, you’ll catch sight of the sunset from the water.