Top Costa Rica Shore Excursions

The lush rainforest and white-sand beaches of Isla Tortuga are part of the Islas Negritos Biological Reserve, and are located along the eastern coast of the Nicoya Peninsula. With this tour, you'll set sail aboard a large cruise ship, admire views of Isla San Lucas and Isla Tortuga from the water, and enjoy time on the island to swim, snorkel, or relax on the beach.

Learn how to hang ten with this beginner surf lesson in Guanacaste Province, Costa Rica. Instructors select surf sites based on swell and tide conditions to find the best breaks for learning. Students learn paddling and surfboard control with a maximum of 4 guests per instructor for personalized attention. Round-trip boat transportation from the main beach of your hotel is included.

Get to San Jose's Airport (SJO) in style and comfort, without the stress of hunting down a taxi, by pre-booking a private transfer from Manuel Antonio. Your driver will pick you and your party up in an air-conditioned van and take you to the airport, with the chance to stop for pictures, souvenirs, or a bite to eat along the way at no extra charge.

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.

When your cruise ship docks on Costa Rica's Caribbean coast, don't waste time making your own way between its highlights. Maximize your time and spend a half day exploring local culture and the wildlife-rich canals of Tortuguero with this private shore excursion from Limon. Spot famous rainforest residents on a river boat cruise, and learn about Costa Rica's banana and coffee industries with a visit to the Chiquita Banana plantation and a village market.

Puerto Limón is where Costa Rica’s rainforest, Caribbean culture, and banana country meet. Built around your ship’s schedule, this shore excursion begins shortly after arrival and brings all three together in one port day. Walk beneath the rainforest canopy at Cahuita National Park, where the jungle meets the Caribbean Sea, looking for sloths, monkeys, and toucans. Then trade the trail for a covered boat and glide through the Tortuguero Canals, scanning the riverbanks and treetops for crocodiles, birds, bats, and wildlife. Beyond the rainforest, travel past banana fields and communities with deep Afro-Caribbean roots. A city tour connects Puerto Limón’s landmarks with the coastline where Christopher Columbus reached Costa Rica in 1502. By the time you return to your ship, Puerto Limón is no longer just a port—it’s the rainforest trails of Cahuita National Park, the jungle waterways of the Tortuguero Canals, banana country, and the unmistakable rhythm of Costa Rica’s Caribbean coast.

Panama City offers exciting nightlife and beautiful after-dark views, but it can be daunting to get around on your own at night. Whether you’re traveling solo, as a couple, or with friends, let a local guide show you around and keep you safe. Visit the Amador Causeway for great views, admire the buildings in Casco Viejo, and visit some of the city’s top bars.

Explore the Magic of Tortuguero in Canoe A unique experience in the heart of the rainforest! Discover the stunning canals of Tortuguero aboard a traditional canoe, on a guided tour that connects you to nature in an intimate and sustainable way. What can you see? Howler monkeys, cappuccinos and sloths Alligators, Turtles and Basilisks (Jesus Christ Lizards) More than 300 species of birds: toucans, herons, fishermen's martins Lush tropical vegetation: similar to mangroves, palms, giant ferns Why canoe? No engine noise – perfect for watching animals up close Access to narrow channels where boats do not enter Ideal for photos, relaxation and an authentic experience 100% eco-friendly and sustainable

Increase your odds of seeing sloths in the wild with this sloth-spotting tour from Puerto Limon. Head to two natural environments known for their large sloth populations: Cahuita National park and the Tortuguero Canals. Traveling with a guide also provides the benefit of commentary so you can learn about local wildlife as you go.

During this combination tour of Costa Rica, you’ll explore the urban and natural sides of the country. First, learn about the historical center of Limon, then head to a sloth sanctuary to find out how the rehabilitation center is taking care of the critters, as well as monkeys, iguanas, and birds. Following that, stop at a banana plantation and take a short trek through the jungle where you can spot local wildlife.

Experience the thrill of zip-lining through the Costa Rican jungle on this 5-hour tour from Limon. Get your adrenaline pumping as you tackle a course of 11 zip-lines, enjoy spectacular aerial views of the rainforest, then visit a traditional banana plantation. Port pickup and drop-off is included.

Spend the day on a tropical island on this seamless full-day tour from Jaco to Tortuga Island. Board your boat and cruise across the Gulf of Nicoya, looking for dolphins along the way. On Tortuga Island, enjoy a snorkeling tour (conditions permitting) and free time to relax, sunbathe, engage in other watersports and activities such as kayaks and banana boats (extra expense).

Experience all the best of what Costa Rica's Caribbean side has to offer during this 6-in-1 tour from Puerto Limón. Part history, part wildlife, part city, part nature, you'll have a chance to delve into the Afro-Caribbean culture that defines the region and enjoy the tropical landscape in which it's set.

This three-part tour makes for an excellent shore excursion. First, take a guided city tour as you make your way to Carara National Park, where you’ll enjoy a dune buggy ride through the rainforest and along scenic beaches. Finally, enjoy a eco-boat tour—look for aquatic birds, scarlet macaws, howler monkeys, massive crocodiles and other tropical fauna.

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.

"Become an ocean keeper for one night." Join our certified guides on an overnight turtle watching expedition in your natural habitat. We use red light technology to protect your surroundings while you enjoy a unique show in the world. ✅ Expert Guides | ✅ Small Groups | ✅ Environmental Commitment

This tour combines an educational ride along the Tarcoles River with a zipline adventure through the forest canopy, a combination that highlights two Costa Rica environments in one day. Look out for animals like crocodiles, macaws, and lizards as you float along the river, and then soar with birds and monkeys on an 11-platform zipline course.

Hike through a cacao forest and learn all about sustainably-produced chocolate from bean to bar on this chocolate tour from Limon. Taste single-origin chocolates from around Costa Rica, try cacao in its pure ceremonial form, and even make your own bar in the “Chocolate Creation Lab.” At the end of the tour, you have the chance to purchase ethically-produced chocolate at a discounted price.

Marvel at one of Costa Rica's most impressive volcanoes and get close to its enchanting wildlife on this 2-in-1 combo tour. Stand above the steaming fumaroles and lake-filled crater of Poas Volcano with direct summit access, and then admire smaller-scale natural wonders at the La Paz Waterfall Gardens, a beautifully landscaped animal sanctuary. A typical Costa Rican lunch and hotel pickup complete this all-inclusive tour.

Spend a full day exploring the beauty of Isla Tortuga on this small-group tour from Jacó. First stop at the Tarcoles River to watch crocodiles from the bridge, then visit Negritos Island to see spider monkeys and dolphins. Enjoy a snorkeling tour at a secluded spot and end the day with a delicious local lunch with fruits.

When staying in Manuel Antonio, take time to visit the private nature reserve of Rainmaker Conservation Park. Get different perspectives on the tropical rainforest and its wonderful wildlife as you cross long hanging bridges through the forest canopy. You will also be able to cool off with a swim in natural waterfall pools. Choose from a few different departure times of this handy half-day tour.

Adventure-seeking travelers will love the thrill of tubing down 5 miles (8 kilometers) of Costa Rica’s Savegre River, through class I and II+ rapids. Admire the views on the gentler stretches of river, and listen out for birdsong as you pass through parts of the country you couldn’t access any other way. Get the chance to swim in natural river pools, too.

Spend the day in the stunning natural scenery of Costa Rica on a small-group kayaking tour along the Manuel Antonio coastline. Get a closer look at marine life as you paddle in a sea kayak and a beach to enjoy a delicious snack. This excursion is suitable for new kayakers and includes lunch, snacks, equipment, and round-trip hotel transportation from select areas.

Explore Costa Rica’s natural beauty with this shore excursion to the Veragua Rainforest and Tortuguero Canals. Visit the rainforest’s wildlife attractions (admission not included), enjoy a guided boat ride through the canals, and take a brief city tour of Puerto Limon. The tour also includes a stop at a local grocery store for coffee shopping and round-trip port transfers.