Costa Rica · PRIVATE

Top 15 Private Tours in Costa Rica

49 tours  ·  from $5

Good private tours fill up in high season and the great ones go first. Below: the 15 to book early, what each includes and how they differ.

Private Transfer Liberia Airport - What the ride is like on the road to Tamarindo
Private, Private Drivers, Tamarindo Tours, Tour Reviews

Private Transfer Liberia Airport

1.Private Transfer Liberia Airport

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 227 reviews Our pick

Travel privately between Liberia Airport and your Tamarindo-area hotel with a driver such as Harnan, Rafael, Anthony, or Bianco. Your driver meets you with a name sign, provides a clean, air-conditioned vehicle, and may have cold water, soda, or beer ready. Expect about 45 minutes to 1 hour 25 minutes, depending on your hotel and road conditions.

“Rafael was a kind and professional driver. Communication with the company was clear. I was pleased!!”

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SJO Airport Private Shuttle to San José - Flight Tracking and Delays
Private, San José Tours, Shuttle Services, Tour Reviews

SJO Airport Private Shuttle to San José

2.SJO Airport Private Shuttle to San José

★★★★★★★★★★4.0 · 121 reviews · 20 to 35 minutes (approx.)

This private transfer takes you from Juan Santamaría International Airport to a San José hotel in about 20 to 35 minutes. Your driver tracks your flight when you provide the number, then sends meeting instructions before arrival. WiFi, taxes, and hotel drop-off are included. Drivers such as Mary, Fernando, Lyn, Johnny, and Cosme have earned praise for friendly service.

“Transportation never showed up. Very disappointing. My family and I took ivermectin 2 hours to find transportation from the airport. Thank god someone from the airport helped us and found us a ride to our destination. We had to pay $160 after we paid $200 for a service we never used.”

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Private Direct SJO ↔ Jaco Beach/Los Sueños Transfer Service - Tárcoles Bridge adds a first taste of Costa Rica
Jacó Tours, Private, Private Drivers, Tour Reviews

Private Direct SJO ↔ Jaco Beach/Los Sueños Transfer Service

3.Private Direct SJO ↔ Jaco Beach/Los Sueños Transfer Service

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 91 reviews · 2 hours (approx.) · from $73

Travel privately between San José International Airport and Jaco Beach or Los Sueños in about two hours. Your English-speaking driver meets you at customs or your hotel, provides water and WiFi, and stops at Tárcoles Bridge when daylight and weather allow. Drivers such as Gio, Randall, Moises, and Jimmy are frequently praised for safe, friendly service.

“Moises met us at the airport exit. He had a large 15 passenger van that was air-conditioned and very clean. He got us to Jacó and even took the time to drop us directly in front of our rental unit. I would book again with zero hesitation.”

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Private Transfer La Fortuna To Int. Airport Liberia From 1 to 6 passengers - Three to four hours between the interior and Liberia
La Fortuna Tours, Private, Private Drivers, Tour Reviews

Private Transfer La Fortuna To Int. Airport Liberia From 1 to 6 passengers

4.Private Transfer La Fortuna To Int. Airport Liberia From 1 to 6 passengers

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 82 reviews · 3 to 4 hours (approx.)

Ride from your La Fortuna hotel to Liberia Airport in a private, air-conditioned minivan for up to six people. Your driver, including Harold when assigned, handles the one-way trip and airport drop-off. Provide your flight number, airline, departure time, and hotel details so the pickup can be timed properly.

“Harold was a wonderful driver and even though we had a communication gap (he spoke Spanish and we spoke little Spanish), he did his best to make sure we had a comfortable trip”

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Private tours and transfer Costa Rica - On the boat: birds, crocodiles, and monkeys
Private, Private Drivers, Tamarindo Tours, Tour Reviews, Tours

Private tours and transfer Costa Rica

5.Private tours and transfer Costa Rica

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 82 reviews · 1 to 7 hours (approx.) · from $150

From Tamarindo, Kike’s Tours takes you to the Tempisque River for a private morning outing. Expect about 90 minutes on the water watching for birds, crocodiles, monkeys, and other local species, followed by a meal cooked by a local family and a pottery demonstration. The full experience lasts about six hours and returns to Tamarindo.

“I tried to contact the tour operator for a week. The first time 6 days before, then 5 days before, and finally the day before and said if I didn’t hear back by noon I would have to cancel because he could not confirm details of the trip, or pick up and drop off. He never responded. When I reached out to Viator for help they couldn’t get a hold of him either. The operator never confirmed details of trip, pick up or drop off. And his phone number was out of service. Viator denied my refund request. I was told I would get a refund unless this operator could…”

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Lake Arenal Private Paddle Board Experience - Paddling Lake Arenal in protected water
Arenal Volcano Tours, Canoes & Kayaks, La Fortuna Tours, Private, Tour Reviews

Lake Arenal Private Paddle Board Experience

6.Lake Arenal Private Paddle Board Experience

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 78 reviews · 2 hours 30 minutes (approx.) · from $70Best value

Join Jose for a private 2.5-hour paddle board outing on Lake Arenal near La Fortuna. You’ll receive a basic SUP and safety lesson, paddle in sheltered areas, look for birds, turtles, fish and otters, and enjoy fruit, photos and video. The tour returns to Embarcadero 1, with transportation not included.

“Jose was a very friendly and professional guide. He taught the basics of supping very patiently and made us feel confident on the paddle board”

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PRIVATE Buena Vista: Zip line, Horseback, Hot Springs + Lunch - Eight zip lines through the forest
Horses, Lunch Experiences, Private, Spa & Hot Springs, Tamarindo Tours, Tour Reviews, Zip Lines

PRIVATE Buena Vista: Zip line, Horseback, Hot Springs + Lunch

7.PRIVATE Buena Vista: Zip line, Horseback, Hot Springs + Lunch

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 76 reviews · 9 hours (approx.) · from $275

Spend about nine hours at Buena Vista with your own guide and group. Ride horses, zip through forest canopy, try the water slide, sample local coffee and snacks, then relax in hot springs before lunch. Guides such as Eugenio and Elial are praised for keeping families comfortable, safe, and on schedule.

“It was a very enjoyable day!!! Roy and the crew were knowledgeable, humorous, professional, and very courteous. We had two in our party that were a little nervous about zip lining, but the crew did great with them! The cultural demos were well done and informative. Our lunch was surprisingly good! All and all we had a blast!!!”

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Tortuga Island Private Full-Day Boat Tour - Leaving Jaco early for Herradura
Cruises & Boat Tours, Full-Day, Jacó Tours, Private, Tour Reviews, Tours

Tortuga Island Private Full-Day Boat Tour

8.Tortuga Island Private Full-Day Boat Tour

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 74 reviews · 8 hours 30 minutes (approx.) · from $203

Leave Jaco early with Captain Robert, Eric, or Jordan for a private speedboat ride from Herradura to Tortuga Island. Snorkel before the crowds, try the unusual subwing, look for spider monkeys, then enjoy fruit, beach chairs, SUP boards, drinks, and a choice of lunch. Ocean conditions can make the ride rough.

“Absolutely perfect day on the water with Robert! 10/10 recommend. We saw spider monkeys, javelinas, and even a whale! The whale was a very nice surprise.”

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OneWay Private Transfer - Liberia Airport To Your Selected Location - The 35-minute stop can make a long ride easier
Airport Transfers, Guanacaste Tours, Private, Private Drivers, Tour Reviews

OneWay Private Transfer – Liberia Airport To Your Selected Location

9.OneWay Private Transfer – Liberia Airport To Your Selected Location

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 68 reviews · 1 to 2 hours (approx.)

Arrange a private ride from Liberia Airport to your chosen Costa Rican stop, including Tamarindo and nearby areas. Your driver meets you with a name sign, helps with bags, and can make a 35-minute food, bathroom, or grocery stop. Vehicles have A/C and Wi-Fi, with the van selected for your group and route.

“We arrived into Costa Rica with a long line for immigrations, we got outside to see Brian our driver holding a sign with my name on it. 😎He was a great driver, very personable & a wealth of information about anything we asked. I hope our trip back to the airport will go as smoothly as this one.”

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Private Guided Walking Tour in Hacienda Baru TICKET NOT included - The HD telescope turns your phone into a wildlife camera
Guided, Manuel Antonio Tours, Private, Tickets, Tour Reviews, Tours, Walking Tours

Private Guided Walking Tour in Hacienda Baru TICKET NOT included

10.Private Guided Walking Tour in Hacienda Baru TICKET NOT included

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 68 reviews · 2 to 3 hours (approx.) · from $88

Walk Hacienda Baru near Quepos with a bilingual guide such as Freddy or Pedro, searching for monkeys, sloths, toucans, birds, agoutis, and peccaries. Your guide carries an HD telescope that attaches to your phone for close wildlife photos. The private walk lasts about three hours, with a 7:30 a.m. start and a $17 entrance ticket paid separately.

“Freddy is incredibly knowledgeable about the flora and fauna of the Baru reserve. He knows about the ecosystem and each of the animals that inhabit it. It was well worth the cost for the private tour as we saw many more animals than the folks who did not book a tour!”

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Surf Lesson in Tamarindo: Private and Group - Choosing between private and group instruction
Private, Surf Lessons, Tamarindo Tours, Tour Reviews, Workshops

Surf Lesson in Tamarindo: Private and Group

11.Surf Lesson in Tamarindo: Private and Group

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 68 reviews · 2 hours (approx.) · from $70

Meet Blue Wave Surf & Tours on Tamarindo Beach for a two-hour lesson with instructors such as Andric, Jonathan, Johnny, and Paulo. You get a board, land practice, water coaching, and instruction matched to your level. Private lessons suit families, children, first-timers, and surfers ready for a shorter board.

“Excellent surf lessons for our teen sons.. they had 3 lessons with Jonathan.. he took them from being beginners to standing up in no time.. by day 3 they had progressed on to shorter boards and catching lots of waves.. Jonathan was friendly, fun and an excellent teacher. Andric who runs the surf school was also very friendly and let me sit on their sun loungers to watch the lessons.. and looked after our stuff so I could swim in the ocean and take photos! Boys were given a coconut to drink at the end of each lesson. Totally recommend this company.. thank you Blue Wave surf!”

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Private Transfer La Fortuna To Juan Santamaria Airport From 7to10 - Inside the Air-Conditioned Minivan
La Fortuna Tours, Private, Private Drivers, Tour Reviews

Private Transfer La Fortuna To Juan Santamaria Airport From 7to10

12.Private Transfer La Fortuna To Juan Santamaria Airport From 7to10

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 66 reviews · 3 to 4 hours (approx.)

RideCR takes your private group from a La Fortuna hotel to Juan Santamaría International Airport in an air-conditioned minivan. Allow about 3 to 4 hours for the one-way ride. Your driver also serves as a guide, with possible views through Costa Rica’s cloud forest. Provide your hotel, airline, flight number, and departure time when booking.

“Showed up on time. Reliable and comfortable. 👍🏼 Got us from our hotel in La Fortuna to SJO in 3-3.5 hours.”

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San Jose Airport to La Fortuna Private VIP Transfer - Why the San Ramón stop matters
Airport Transfers, Airport Transfers in San José, Private, Private Drivers, San José Tours, Tour Reviews, VIP

San Jose Airport to La Fortuna Private VIP Transfer

13.San Jose Airport to La Fortuna Private VIP Transfer

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 66 reviews · 3 hours (approx.)

Meet your English-speaking driver at San Jose Airport, then ride privately to La Fortuna in an air-conditioned vehicle. The route passes through San Ramón and the northern plains, with time for food, bathrooms, photos, or a short break. Drivers such as Alfredo, Richard, Carlos, and Yorin also share local tips along the way.

“Alfredo picked us up from the airport and took such great care of us. Along the way, he accommodated us so well, even stopping halfway for food and some goodies. He shared great suggestions on things to do in the area and even pulled over so we could see a sloth—a rare and unforgettable sight! Alfredo also educated us about a nearby local festival, which made the trip even more special. We truly appreciated his kindness, knowledge, and hospitality.”

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Liberia Int. Airport, Private Shuttle One Way or Round Trip - The drive to Tamarindo
Guanacaste Tours, Private, Shuttle Services, Tour Reviews

Liberia Int. Airport, Private Shuttle One Way or Round Trip

14.Liberia Int. Airport, Private Shuttle One Way or Round Trip

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 65 reviews · 1 hour 10 minutes to 1 hour 30 minutes (approx.)

Book a private one-way or round-trip ride between Liberia Airport and Tamarindo. Your driver meets you with a sign bearing your name, then drives you in an air-conditioned minivan with bottled water, snacks, and possibly beer. Drivers such as Paul, Sebastian, Sergio, Marco, and Diego are known for friendly service and local tips.

“Friendly and efficient! Snacks and beer available. I would use again.our driver answered all of my questions, he was awesome.”

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Private Transfer From Manuel Antonio To La Fortuna From 1 to 6 passengers - What the Private Minivan Means for Your Day
Manuel Antonio Tours, Private, Private Drivers, Tour Reviews

Private Transfer From Manuel Antonio To La Fortuna From 1 to 6 passengers

15.Private Transfer From Manuel Antonio To La Fortuna From 1 to 6 passengers

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 64 reviews · 5 hours (approx.)

Travel from your Manuel Antonio hotel to your La Fortuna hotel in a private, air-conditioned minivan for up to six people. Driver-guide Hugo has helped families with comfort stops and sightseeing breaks. The ride takes about five hours and runs one way, with door-to-door service that saves you from handling Costa Rica’s roads yourself.

“Hugo was fantastic! He treated our family of 4 with care for the duration of the trip. Our son felt a little carsick for a portion of the drive, and Hugo was very accommodating and helpful. We would highly recommend him!”

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New in Private

★ 4.52-Hour Private or Group Surf Lesson in Tamarindo!From $5046 reviews
★ 5.0Private Transfer Tamarindo Beach to/from Liberia Airport51 reviews
★ 4.5PRIVATE Palo Verde Boat Safari: Wildlife + Lunch IncludedFrom $19046 reviews
★ 5.0Private catamaran sailing sunset tour & snorkeling from TamarindoFrom $1,16633 reviews
★ 4.5Private Charter Fishing in Tamarindo29 reviews
★ 5.0Private Surf lessons in Santa Teresa BeachFrom $10048 reviews
★ 5.0Private Nature Adventure Tour in Curu Wildlife RefugeFrom $15042 reviews
★ 5.0Special Private Waterfalls and Jungle Safari TourFrom $12040 reviews
★ 4.5San Jose City Tour. Private Tour with lunchFrom $17540 reviews
★ 5.0Private Luxury Transportation from the Airport to your Hotel22 reviews
★ 5.0Private One Way Transfer from Manuel Antonio to San José (Airport SJO)From $11039 reviews
★ 4.5Esquipulas Rainforest – Private Birding – Fully Customizable TourFrom $13533 reviews
★ 5.0Package | Monteverde Cloud Forest + Curi-Cancha Reserve + Night Hike (Private)From $8038 reviews
★ 5.0PRIVATE Guided Walk to the Monteverde Cloud Forest PreserveFrom $6849 reviews
★ 5.0Private Beach and Mountain Buggy Tour in GuanacasteFrom $22037 reviews

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