Costa Rica · TOURS

The 15 Best Tours & Day Trips in Costa Rica

139 tours  ·  from $24

Everything with a guide, a boat or a minibus attached, in one list. The 15 below are the ones worth a whole day, priced and timed, with the rest of the catalogue underneath.

Tortuga Island Full Day Tour from San José with Lunch - Boarding at Puntarenas and crossing the Gulf of Nicoya
Full-Day, Lunch Experiences, San José Tours, Tour Reviews, Tours

Tortuga Island Full Day Tour from San José with Lunch

1.Tortuga Island Full Day Tour from San José with Lunch

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 589 reviews · 12 to 18 hours (approx.) · from $115Our pick

Travel from San José to Puntarenas, then cross the Gulf of Nicoya by boat to Tortuga Island. You get dolphin watching, a 45-minute snorkel stop, lunch, and about five hours on the beach. Guides such as Memo, Percy, and Roy lead the trip. Expect an early start, a long day, and optional paid extras.

“For our final day before flying out we decided to sign up for this tour which was a full day of activity. Fun last day before our return.”

Check availability →Read our full review

Selvatura Park Hanging Bridge Tour in Monteverde - A Self-Guided Walk, Not a Wildlife Tour
Hanging Bridges Tours, Monteverde Tours, Tour Reviews, Tours

Selvatura Park Hanging Bridge Tour in Monteverde

2.Selvatura Park Hanging Bridge Tour in Monteverde

★★★★★★★★★★4.0 · 520 reviews · 2 hours (approx.) · from $56

At Selvatura Park in Monteverde, you follow a 1.9-mile trail across eight broad suspension bridges, ranging from 50 to 170 meters long. This is a self-guided walk, not a guided wildlife tour, and usually takes 1.5 to 2 hours. The route suits families and most ages, with cloud forest views as its main reward.

“Beautiful views and moderately challenging hike. Unfortunately we didn’t really see any wild life but the lush vegetation and views were well worth it.”

Check availability →Read our full review

San Jose Walking and Bus City Tour - Central Market puts you among everyday San José
City Tours, San José Tours, Tour Reviews, Tours, Walking Tours

San Jose Walking and Bus City Tour

3.San Jose Walking and Bus City Tour

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 346 reviews · 5 hours (approx.) · from $80

Spend about five hours discovering San José with a local guide, visiting the National Theater, Central Market, Electoral Plaza, and the Gold Room at the Costa Rican Art Museum. Hotel pickup, lunch, transport, and admission are included. Guides such as Enrique and Hector are known for clear history talks and warm service.

“Good overview of relevant sights to visit. Very good included lunch at local “soda” - a restaurant .”

Check availability →Read our full review

Hacienda Doka Coffee Experience Tour - Natural Trails and the Butterfly Garden
Coffee Experiences, Coffee Tours in San José, San José Tours, Tour Reviews, Tours

Hacienda Doka Coffee Experience Tour

4.Hacienda Doka Coffee Experience Tour

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 315 reviews · 1 hour 15 minutes (approx.) · from $35

At Doka Estate near San Jose, you follow coffee from planting and picking through processing and roasting, with coffee and chocolate samples along the way. The tour also includes natural trails and a butterfly garden. Guides such as Ray and Andrea bring the process to life, but sugar-cane processing may not be operating.

“Great tour - very informative for any coffee lover! We really enjoyed learning about the process of how coffee is grown and roasted.”

Check availability →Read our full review

Extreme Zipline tour in Monteverde - The Tarzan swing tests your nerve
Monteverde Tours, Tour Reviews, Tours, Zip Lines

Extreme Zipline tour in Monteverde

5.Extreme Zipline tour in Monteverde

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 262 reviews · 2 to 3 hours (approx.) · from $72

At Monteverde Extremo Park, you spend about three hours on more than 10 aerial rides, including a 1-kilometer hands-free Superman cable, a subway-style line, Mega Tarzan swing, and bungee jump. Professional guides provide helmets and keep the group moving through cloud-forest platforms, steep paths, and high viewpoints.

“We are a family of 7 from 13 to 49 yo. The extremo ziplining was awesome and very different of the multiple previous ziplining experiences we had in Canada. The superman make us feel like we were birds. The Tarzan rope was so cool and everyone really liked it even if it was outside of our comfort zone. We recommend for everyone older than 12 yo or seeking great sensations”

Check availability →Read our full review

San Jose By Night: Sights & Culture Tour with Local Dinner - Spain Park, Casa Amarilla, and the government quarter
Dining Experiences, Dinner Experiences, Evening Experiences, San José Tours, Tour Reviews, Tours

San Jose By Night: Sights & Culture Tour with Local Dinner

6.San Jose By Night: Sights & Culture Tour with Local Dinner

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 237 reviews · 4 hours (approx.) · from $80

Walk San Jose from Morazán Park to Barrio Escalante with a local guide, learning about Costa Rican history, architecture, legends, and daily life. You’ll see the Metallic Building, Casa Amarilla, the Legislative Assembly, and National Park before dinner at Agüizotes Gastro Pub, with two beers, sangrias, or soft drinks included.

“This was my first time to Coast Roca and I was by myself. It was nice having a plan to tour the city. It ended up just being me on the tour but still was a great experience! I definitely will book again if I return to Costa Rica.”

Check availability →Read our full review

Night Turtle Nesting Tour from Tamarindo - The ride from Tamarindo to the protected beach
Evening Experiences, Tamarindo Tours, Tour Reviews, Tours, Turtle Nesting Tours

Night Turtle Nesting Tour from Tamarindo

7.Night Turtle Nesting Tour from Tamarindo

★★★★★★★★★★4.0 · 206 reviews · 4 hours (approx.) · from $46

Meet Native’s Way after sunset, then ride about 30 minutes to protected beaches near Playa Grande. Guides such as Ivan, Fabio, and Irving search for Green Pacific and Olive Ridley turtles, with a chance of hatchlings and rare Leatherbacks. Expect darkness, waiting, walking, and strict rules about light and noise.

“Honestly I wouldn’t do it again. We saw two turtle laying her eggs on the beach but there were so many people around, that I just had the feeling to stress the poor animals. Also three other turtles wanted to come to the beach but got scared by the people - so they turned around and got back to the ocean. Maybe it’s a unique experience to are allowed to see turtles laying eggs at the beach (for sure it is) but for me it was more the feeling to disturb an sensitive ecosystem. Went home with a not very nice feeling. Also there where people who turned on their…”

Check availability →Read our full review

Pacheco Tours - 2 Days 1 Night in Corcovado Sirena From Drake Bay - Day two: the 5:00 AM start is worth the alarm
2-Day Experiences, Drake Bay Tours, Evening Experiences, Tour Reviews, Tours

Pacheco Tours – 2 Days 1 Night in Corcovado Sirena From Drake Bay

8.Pacheco Tours – 2 Days 1 Night in Corcovado Sirena From Drake Bay

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 172 reviews · 2 days (approx.) · from $365Top rated

Leave Drake Bay at 6:00 AM for Sirena Ranger Station, then hike Corcovado with a guide such as Marlon, Jose, Ayder, or Alejandra. You’ll have lunch, dinner, breakfast, lodging, park fees, and two days of trail time. Expect wet boat landings, long hikes, shared bunkhouse facilities, and excellent chances for monkeys, tapirs, macaws, sloths, and crocodilians.

“Amazing experience; worth every dollar and the time. Would do the overnight tour again, as the ranger station and the trails get much less crowded when people on the day tour leaves. So much fauna compared to other places I’ve seen in CR. You see flocks of Macaws, sloths, all four species of monkeys and a ton of other (rare) birds, insects and mammals. There’s no dedicated night tour included due to the risk of snake bites and the time it takes to get medical care, but there’s an early morning tour if the weather allows, that basically starts while it’s still dark outside and you’ll see the forest wake…”

Check availability →Read our full review

Poás Volcano and Coffee Tour with Tasting and La Paz Falls - The road is part of the experience, for better or worse
Coffee Experiences, Coffee Tours in San José, Food & Drink, Poás Volcano Tours, San José Tours, Tour Reviews, Tours, Volcano Tours, Waterfall Tours, Waterfall Tours in San José

Poás Volcano and Coffee Tour with Tasting and La Paz Falls

9.Poás Volcano and Coffee Tour with Tasting and La Paz Falls

★★★★★★★★★★4.0 · 137 reviews · 7 to 8 hours (approx.) · from $105

Travel from San José into Costa Rica’s highlands for a guided Poás Volcano visit, Doka Estate coffee tour with tasting, and a short La Paz Waterfall stop. Expect an early pickup, mountain roads, a group of up to 20, and a full day shaped by weather and traffic. Guides such as Marcela, Nela, Victor, and Percy have earned strong praise.

“the guide was very helpful and had great knowledge, explained lots of things about the volcano. The coffee tour was pleasant too. The waterfall is beautiful but it's just in the middle of a road. The activity itself was very easy. Just spend a lot of time in the van. It was a very nice trip, especially to see some activity of Poas.”

Check availability →Read our full review

Turtle Nesting Tour - Why this night on the beach feels different
Tamarindo Tours, Tour Reviews, Tours, Turtle Nesting Tours

Turtle Nesting Tour

10.Turtle Nesting Tour

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 132 reviews · 3 to 4 hours (approx.) · from $65

Join guide Luis from Tamarindo at 5 p.m. for a 3 to 4-hour search for nesting and hatching sea turtles near Playa Mina. A rough drive and short walk lead to a dark, protected beach where you may see ridleys, green turtles, black turtles, or leatherbacks. Round-trip transport, water, snacks, and flashlights are included.

“Tour guide was intoxicated and his car had no license plates. He claimed it was broke down then wanted to get in our vehicle so we cancelled and never went on the tour.”

Check availability →Read our full review

La Leona Waterfall Guided Tour+Transportation - Swimming, ropes, and the final approach
Guided, Shuttle Services, Tamarindo Tours, Tour Reviews, Tours, Waterfall Tours

La Leona Waterfall Guided Tour+Transportation

11.La Leona Waterfall Guided Tour+Transportation

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 124 reviews · 7 hours (approx.) · from $140

Travel from Tamarindo to La Leona Waterfall with a guide such as Verny, Alberto, Nacho, or Mariana. Expect a two-hour hike through caves, river crossings, rocky canyons, swimming, rope-assisted climbs, and a refreshing waterfall pool. Transport is included, but lunch in Liberia costs extra.

“This was our second “chance of a lifetime” excellent excursion with Verny and On the Road Costa Rica. This company takes care of every detail from pick up to drop off. “No worries, Mommy, Verny will take care of that.” My kids said that more than once. And as a single mom traveling abroad, what more could you ask for. We felt safe to explore which makes the experience even more exciting!! We felt accomplished and proud, United helping one another experience the best waterfall adventure I’ve ever done. Verny embodies the meaning of Pura Vida showing such grace and gratitude for all living beings. Cheers to the best mango…”

Check availability →Read our full review

Puntarenas Shore Excursion: Rainforest Skywalk & Tarcoles River - Heat, steps, and what to wear
Puntarenas Tours, Shore Excursions, Tour Reviews, Tours

Puntarenas Shore Excursion: Rainforest Skywalk & Tarcoles River

12.Puntarenas Shore Excursion: Rainforest Skywalk & Tarcoles River

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 120 reviews · 6 hours (approx.) · from $125

From Puntarenas, a guide such as Ronald or Josue leads you through Villa Lapas on a 1.5-mile rainforest trail with suspended bridges, then to the Tarcoles River for crocodiles and birds. You’ll also have a fruit snack and shopping stop. Bring water, bug spray, and sturdy shoes.

“It was a wonderful tour. The skywalk was beautiful and serene and we spotted hummingbirds, toucan and guan. We then went to a lodge for fruit and refreshments and saw several types of iguana and more birds. We finally made our way to the Tarcoles River where we got on a boat and made our way up and down the river looking at crocodiles and more types of water birds than I have ever seen before. It was an amazing trip.”

Check availability →Read our full review

10 in 1 Puntarenas Highlights tour - Tarcoles River: the day’s best wildlife stop
Puntarenas Tours, Tour Reviews, Tours

10 in 1 Puntarenas Highlights tour

13.10 in 1 Puntarenas Highlights tour

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 119 reviews · 8 hours (approx.) · from $86

Spend a full day around Puntarenas with guides such as Hazel, Juan, Albert, or Aaron. You’ll cruise the Tarcoles River for crocodiles and birds, spot monkeys and macaws, see Carara’s rainforest from the road, stop at markets and a butterfly garden, enjoy a late local lunch, and tour Puntarenas in an air-conditioned vehicle.

“Hazel was very knowledgeable and an excellent photographer and spotter of wildlife Full day of activities”

Check availability →Read our full review

Chocolate and Coffee Tour Farm Don Jorge - Coffee, sugar cane, and a little local spirit
Chocolate Tours, Coffee Experiences, Coffee Tours in San José, Farms, San José Tours, Tour Reviews, Tours

Chocolate and Coffee Tour Farm Don Jorge

14.Chocolate and Coffee Tour Farm Don Jorge

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 113 reviews · 2 hours (approx.) · from $50

Spend about two hours at Don Jorge Farm with guides such as Fabricio, Alexis, or Gabriel. Walk among cacao, coffee, fruit, and tropical plants, taste sugar cane juice, make chocolate and hot cocoa, prepare coffee, and visit a waterfall on the property. The private format keeps the experience personal and hands-on.

“Great experience for adults and kids! Really fun to learn about and make chocolate. The Don Jorge team was very engaging with the kids.”

Check availability →Read our full review

Monteverde Night Tour with a Certified Tour Guide (6 PM or 8 PM) - Starting at Finca Lantana and El Refugio
Evening Experiences, Guided, Monteverde Tours, Night Walks, Tour Reviews, Tours

Monteverde Night Tour with a Certified Tour Guide (6 PM or 8 PM)

15.Monteverde Night Tour with a Certified Tour Guide (6 PM or 8 PM)

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 112 reviews · 2 hours (approx.) · from $54

Walk Monteverde’s El Refugio after dark with a certified local guide, choosing a 6 PM or 8 PM start. The two-hour, small-group outing may reveal frogs, tarantulas, walking sticks, leafcutter ants, sleeping birds, opossums, porcupines, olingos, snakes, and more. Flashlights, entry fees, and taxes are included.

“Dio and his son were great. We saw lots of animals and critters and the walk was super cool. Highly recommend!”

Check availability →Read our full review

New in Tours

★ 4.5The best of Tortuguero: Canoe, hike and night tour (turtle in Jul-Oct)From $10142 reviews
★ 5.0Small Group Tortuguero National Park Canoe TourFrom $3553 reviews
★ 4.5Relaxing Canoe Tour in TortugueroFrom $3048 reviews
★ 5.0Canoe Boat Tour in Tortuguero CanalFrom $3556 reviews
★ 5.0ATV and Zipline Combo Tour from Tamarindo or Conchal or Riu HotelFrom $13047 reviews
★ 5.0Private catamaran sailing sunset tour & snorkeling from TamarindoFrom $1,16633 reviews
★ 5.0Full Day Adventure TourFrom $22522 reviews
★ 5.0Tamarindo Birdwatching Crocodiles and Monkey TourFrom $5051 reviews
★ 5.0ATV Mountain Tour From Riu Guanacaste or Nuevo ColonFrom $9837 reviews
★ 5.0Private Nature Adventure Tour in Curu Wildlife RefugeFrom $15042 reviews
★ 4.5Sunset Bioluminescence Tour by BoatFrom $5045 reviews
★ 4.5Super Combo Tour: Waterfalls Gardens + Coffee Tour + Poás VolcanoFrom $19939 reviews
★ 5.0Special Private Waterfalls and Jungle Safari TourFrom $12040 reviews
★ 5.0Queveri Horseback Riding ToursFrom $6535 reviews
★ 4.5San Jose City Tour. Private Tour with lunchFrom $17540 reviews

Keep browsing

Waterfall Tours50Hanging Bridges Tours18Zip Lines23Night Walks25National Parks22Spa & Hot Springs16
Scroll to Top

Explore Costa Rica

Pick a volcano, a canopy or a coast.

Fire and water

WaterfallsArenal VolcanoCrater VolcanoesRío CelesteHot Springs

In the forest

Hanging BridgesNight WalksSloth WalksCloud ForestBirdwatching

On the water

Boat DaysSnorkellingRaftingRiver TubingKayak Trips

Coast and town

Surf LessonsCoffee ToursChocolateWalking ToursCity Tours