9 National Park Tours in San José Worth Booking

1.Manuel Antonio National Park from San José

★★★★★★★★★★4.0 · 131 reviews · 12 to 13 hours (approx.) · from $155Our pick

Travel from San José to Manuel Antonio in an air-conditioned vehicle, stopping for breakfast in Orotina before walking through the rainforest to the beach. The full package includes park entry, breakfast, lunch, soft drink, water, hotel pickup, and a guide. Expect a 12 to 13-hour day with roughly three hours on the road each way.

“every things incredible especially the tour guide she very knowledgeable and very hospitable and responsible,”

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2.Irazú Volcano National Park (Half Day)

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 104 reviews · 6 hours (approx.) · from $99Best value

Leave San José early for Irazú Volcano, where you’ll walk around the crater at 3,432 meters and look across Costa Rica’s Central Valley. Then visit Cartago’s Basilica of the Angels. Air-conditioned transport, WiFi, snacks, and hotel pickup are included. Guides such as Hayro, Raquel, and Donald are praised for clear English and local insight.

“A get experience to see the volcano. Driving there can be difficult; so a guided tour makes it easier, and our tour guide was very informative and entertaining. IF POSSIBLE check the weather to of there on a good day.”

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3.Tortuguero National Park and Canals Day Trip from San Jose

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 81 reviews · 12 hours 30 minutes (approx.) · from $230

Leave San Jose at 5:30 a.m. for Tortuguero National Park, passing coffee farms and Braulio Carrillo cloud forest. A guide such as Al, Jerry, Edgar, or Arturo leads the canal boat ride, wildlife search, village visit, and optional stair climb. Breakfast, Caribbean lunch, park fees, and air-conditioned transport are included.

“Outstanding. Still remember the river ride and the amazing birds, animals we saw. This was very much like a ride through the amazon in Brazil. Highly recommended.”

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4.Poas Volcano National Park Half Day tour from San Jose

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 69 reviews · 6 hours (approx.) · from $135

Start early from San Jose for Poas Volcano National Park, where a guide such as Arturo, Edgar, or Ricardo explains the crater, geology, plants, and local history. The tour includes transport, breakfast, bottled water, park admission, and often a coffee plantation stop. Expect a small group of up to 15 people and changeable mountain weather.

“Got a private tour with my brother on accident so that was fun. The tour guide was really knowledgeable and a funny guy.”

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5.Full-Day Adventure to Manuel Antonio National Park from San Jose

★★★★★★★★★★4.0 · 59 reviews · from $163

Leave San Jose early for Manuel Antonio National Park, with breakfast, lunch, transport, and admission included. A local guide leads a rainforest walk where you might spot monkeys, sloths, iguanas, and birds, followed by time at Playa Manuel Antonio. Guides such as Jose, Jorge, Erick, and Eduardo have received especially warm praise, but traffic can make this a very long day.

“Several hours on the way on the Bus 6:00AM to 1:30 PM We had only one hour on the beach. From 2:00 -3:00. We were Kicked off the beach at the 3:00 by Park staff. Our Tour guide did not share. This happens every day. Don’t waste your time on this.”

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6.Carara National Park and Tárcoles River Tour

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 49 reviews · 8 to 12 hours (approx.) · from $257Top rated

Leave San José at 6:30 a.m. for a small-group day with a certified guide or biologist. Walk Carara’s rainforest trails, search for macaws, monkeys, frogs, and insects, then cruise the Tarcoles River for crocodiles and birds before relaxing at Agujas beach. Guides may include Rigo, Eduardo, David, Charley, or Yepo.

“This tour was one of the best tours I’ve done in Costa Rica and thanks to an amazing guide in Rigo! Very friendly and personable wit you, he is like a friend that you don’t even realize he’s a tour operator. This tour consists of first stopping at The crocodile bridge, then walking around and seeing the carara national park and we even saw some animals such as a monkey, and tree frogs, and then the best part at the end where we went to the Tarcoles River to see the wildlife and crocodiles, and so many different type of birds. Rigo was awesome, took really good pictures of us…”

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7.Day Trip from San Jose to Irazu Volcano National Park, Cartago City and Orosi Valley

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 47 reviews · 8 hours (approx.) · from $149

Leave San Jose early for Irazu Volcano, where your guide explains the craters, plants, and geology. Continue to Cartago’s Basilica and the Orosi Valley for lunch beside Cachi Lake. Guides such as Ricardo, Mario, Roger, and Augustine have earned praise for their local insight, though weather and traffic can change the pace.

“Ricardo was our amazing host for the Irazu tour. We picked a day with a bad accident in San Jose and traffic was crazy. As a result, the company split our group so as not to delay the tour. Two of us were lucky to get a private tour with Ricardo. We started with a beautiful drive up to the Irazu volcano and National Park through beautiful countryside and farmland (once you escape the city). The park is at high altitude and even in the sun it was cold - definitely requires a sweater/coat and ideally long pants. There is no ‘Green lake’ in the crater these days - just…”

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8.Secrets of Guayabo & Irazú Volcano National Park

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 43 reviews · 10 to 12 hours (approx.) · from $183

Leave San José at 6:30 a.m. for Irazú Volcano, Turrialba’s volcanic countryside, and Guayabo National Monument. Guides such as Rigo and José explain geology, farming, birds, and local culture. Expect a comfortable small-group ride, cooler mountain air, long scenic drives, and some walking.

“Although expensive, the tour was money well spent. I had a great time and was in awe of the sites we visited! We got very lucky and the weather was gorgeous, providing great views of the volcanos!! Just wish I had brought some shorts to change into after the volcanos as it got very hot. My guide was friendly and informative, especially about local birds.”

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9.Manuel Antonio National Park; Beach & Sightseeing Day Trip from San Jose

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 36 reviews · 12 hours (approx.) · from $169

From San José, ride with a bilingual guide to Manuel Antonio National Park for wildlife, rainforest trails, and Pacific beaches. Stops include a Costa Rican breakfast, Orotina’s fruit stand, Crocodile Bridge, Tarcoles Beach, and the Jaco lookout. Guides such as Harlem, Fernando, Kenneth, and Omar have helped guests spot sloths, monkeys, macaws, and crocodiles.

“Hernan was a great tour guide who knew exactly where to get the best views of different animals - we saw monkeys, sloths, and crocodiles (and countless iguanas)! We began the day with a traditional Costa Rican breakfast with a multitude of options, and ended in a nice restaurant with a beautiful view of the beach. I would recommend this tour for all ages!”

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