Costa Rica · COSTA RICA TOURS

The 15 Best Things to Book in Costa Rica

170 tours  ·  from $20 a head

Volcano, cloud forest, both coasts. These 15 are the bookings a first Costa Rican trip is usually built around, sorted by what they cost, how long they take and which town they run from.

Skip-the-Line La Fortuna Waterfall Admission Ticket - Swimming beside the falls
Costa Rica Tours, La Fortuna Tours, Skip the Line, Tickets, Tour Reviews, Waterfall Tours, Waterfall Tours in La Fortuna

Skip-the-Line La Fortuna Waterfall Admission Ticket

1.Skip-the-Line La Fortuna Waterfall Admission Ticket

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 609 reviews · 1 to 2 hours (approx.) · from $20Our pick

Visit La Fortuna Waterfall at your own pace with a prebooked admission ticket. Walk through the Río Fortuna Ecological Reserve, descend about 500 steps, and reach a 70-meter waterfall where swimming may be allowed in suitable weather. The reserve has rest areas, viewpoints, changing facilities, parking, and accessible areas near the entrance.

“Beautiful spot. Can be crowded and hard to get pics. Be prepared for 15 min stairs all the way down and back up! Quite the workout lol. But nonetheless, deff worth the visit!”

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Tortuga Island Full Day Tour from San José with Lunch - Boarding the boat in Puntarenas
Catamaran and Sunset Cruises, Costa Rica Tours, Full-Day, Lunch Experiences, San Jose Tours, Tour Reviews

Tortuga Island Full Day Tour from San José with Lunch

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

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

Leave San José before dawn for Puntarenas, then take a scenic boat to Tortuga Island. You’ll look for dolphins, snorkel for about 45 minutes, enjoy lunch, and have five hours on the beach. Guides such as Memo, Percy, and Roy are praised for friendly help, though the long day, early pickup, and choppy return boat ride require preparation.

“Tortunga Island – Beautiful Experience with a Few Surprises My visit to Tortunga Island was overall pretty good—the views were beautiful and the vibe was relaxing. However, there were a few things that didn’t quite match the pictures or expectations. First, the water didn’t look like the photos advertised, which was disappointing. They also charge $1 every time you use the bathroom, which felt unnecessary and a bit inconvenient. On top of that, the $4 Wi-Fi really wasn’t worth it since the connection was weak. Another unexpected moment was transportation. They mentioned dropping me off somewhere different from where they picked me up, which was confusing. Thankfully, they did end…”

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Selvatura Park Hanging Bridge Tour in Monteverde - The Selvatura bridge circuit, step by step
Costa Rica Tours, Monteverde Tours, Tour Reviews

Selvatura Park Hanging Bridge Tour in Monteverde

3.Selvatura Park Hanging Bridge Tour in Monteverde

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

At Selvatura Park in Monteverde, you’ll follow a 1.9-mile trail across eight suspension bridges, some 180 feet above the forest floor. The walk takes about 1.5 to 2 hours and suits families, older adults, and anyone wanting a calm cloud-forest outing. This is usually self-guided, so arrange a guide separately if wildlife spotting matters to you.

“We did pay for a english tours but we did not had guild. It seem it do happening very often on this site.”

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Hanging Bridges Walk in Arenal Volcano - Finding the 18-meter waterfall
Arenal Volcano Tours, Costa Rica Tours, Hanging Bridges Tours, La Fortuna Tours, Tour Reviews

Hanging Bridges Walk in Arenal Volcano

4.Hanging Bridges Walk in Arenal Volcano

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 381 reviews · from $39

At Mistico Park near La Fortuna, you’ll follow a mostly shaded rainforest trail across six hanging bridges and ten fixed bridges. Look for monkeys, sloths, toucans, frogs, lizards, and snakes, then pause at an 18-meter waterfall. The roughly two-mile route takes 1 to 2 hours. Choose self-guided freedom or add a guide for better wildlife spotting.

“The park far exceeded my expectations. Highly recommend. Lots of various wildlife. We even heard howler monkeys. They sounded close by but vegetation was so thick we were unable to spot them. Definitely a highlight of our trip”

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San Jose Walking and Bus City Tour - Plaza de la Libertad Electoral and the city’s public spaces
City Tours, Costa Rica Tours, San Jose Tours, Tour Reviews

San Jose Walking and Bus City Tour

5.San Jose Walking and Bus City Tour

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

Spend about five hours exploring San José with a guide such as Enrique, Hector, or Edgar. Walk through the National Theater area and Central Market, visit key museums and monuments, and ride the VIP City Bus through the capital. Hotel pickup, lunch, commentary, and air-conditioned transport are included.

“Great overall experience. Enrique was a great guide. The buses were comfortable and punctual. The lunch was at a Costa Rican restaurant which had a great atmosphere.”

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Hacienda Doka Coffee Experience Tour - The sugar mill is the uncertain part
Coffee Experiences, Costa Rica Tours, San Jose Tours, Tour Reviews

Hacienda Doka Coffee Experience Tour

6.Hacienda Doka Coffee Experience Tour

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

At Hacienda Doka, learn how coffee moves from plant to packaged bean, see working processing equipment, sample coffee and chocolate, and visit natural trails and a butterfly garden. The tour lasts about 75 minutes, costs $35, and is led by guides such as Ray or Andrea. Transportation is not included.

“The experience was excellent. Andrea was an excellent guide. We learned so much about the production of coffee. We have since recommended the tour to people in San Jose.”

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Catamaran Ocean King Manuel Antonio - A 2 p.m. departure with plenty of room to roam
Catamaran and Sunset Cruises, Costa Rica Tours, Cruises & Boat Tours, Manuel Antonio National Park Tours, Quepos Tours, Sailing, Tour Reviews

Catamaran Ocean King Manuel Antonio

7.Catamaran Ocean King Manuel Antonio

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 281 reviews · 3 hours 30 minutes (approx.) · from $86

Spend about three and a half hours aboard a large, family-friendly catamaran from Marina Pez Vela. Expect Manuel Antonio coastline views, music, snacks, drinks, a fish dinner, wildlife watching, swimming, snorkeling, jacuzzis, and water slides. Hotel pickup is available from select Quepos and Manuel Antonio locations.

“We were able to get transportation from our hotel room to the catamaran. It was easy communication and we had no issues. We stayed on the top deck, which was relaxing. The workers were very friendly and funny. Wasn’t much seating but with everybody dancing and mingling, it was fine. You get four alcoholic drinks and all you can drink soda. The Alcoholic drinks were good and they gave you a good amount of serving. Jumping from the top deck was thrilling. They give you pool noodles so you can hang in the water. If you aren’t a great swimmer then no worries!! It was beautiful seeing the sunset. Would…”

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Extreme Zipline tour in Monteverde - The forest is part of the ride
Costa Rica Tours, Monteverde Tours, Tour Reviews, Zipline and Canopy Tours

Extreme Zipline tour in Monteverde

8.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 moving through more than 10 canopy rides, including a 1-kilometer hands-free Superman cable, a subway-style line, Mega Tarzan swing, and bungee jump. Expect cloud forest views, steep walks between platforms, professional guides, and weather that can change quickly.

“This is an amazing experience to do in Monteverde, totally recommend it. The superman zip lines are incredible and also the Tarzan swing, the other ones are more normal and similar to other that you may have done in the past, but only for the ones that I mentioned is worth it. One thing that I would recommend is to do it on a day that the weather is favourable, I did it with strong winds and a bit of rain and this was a bit uncomfortable, so take that in consideration, also another recommendation try to bring dark or old clothes since they can get a bit dirty.”

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San Jose By Night: Sights & Culture Tour with Local Dinner - Meeting the guide at Morazán Park
Costa Rica Tours, Dining Experiences, Dinner Experiences, Evening Experiences, San Jose Tours, Tour Reviews

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

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

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

Spend four hours walking central San José with a local guide such as Esteban, Malo, Emil, or Paula. See Morazán Park, Casa Amarilla, the Metallic Building, National Park, and Barrio Escalante, then finish with a Costa Rican dinner and two beers, sangrias, or non-alcoholic drinks.

“Emil was very knowledgeable and personable. We learned about Costa Rica history, visited shops, a bakery, and tasted a variety of delicious food. Highly recommend Emil for your tour guide.”

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Arenal Volcano and Thermal Hot Springs from San Jose - Arenal 1968 and the volcano view
Arenal Volcano Tours, Costa Rica Tours, Hot Springs Tours, San Jose Tours, Spa & Hot Springs, Tour Reviews

Arenal Volcano and Thermal Hot Springs from San Jose

10.Arenal Volcano and Thermal Hot Springs from San Jose

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 236 reviews · 13 hours (approx.) · from $195

Spend about 13 hours traveling from San Jose to Sarchi and La Fortuna, with a stop at the famous painted ox cart, volcano views, lunch, thermal hot springs, dinner, and hotel transport. Guides such as Eric, Pedro, Harold, and Roberto have earned strong praise, but long drives, weather, and occasional itinerary changes matter.

“This tour makes for a long day. We were picked up at the hotel at 8:30, and weren’t back until 10:30. I was really expecting a relaxing experience at the hot springs, and a lunch with a view of the volcano (like the pictures)- neither happened. We drove 45 mins or so to Sarchi and the Ox Cart Factory (by far the highlight of the tour), and then 3 hours to lunch (not at the Arenal 1968 as advertised), then to a view point at the hotel hot springs - Los Lagos (not the advertised Baldi). The hotel hot springs were not peaceful, or relaxing- lots of families and kids…”

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Private Transfer Liberia Airport - The airport pickup process
Costa Rica Tours, Private, Private Drivers, Private Shuttles and Transfers, Tamarindo Tours, Tour Reviews

Private Transfer Liberia Airport

11.Private Transfer Liberia Airport

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 227 reviews Top rated

Travel privately between Liberia Airport and your Tamarindo-area hotel with On The Road Costa Rica. Your driver meets you with a name sign, provides a clean, air-conditioned vehicle, and may have cold water, sodas, or beer ready. Drivers including Harnan, Rafael, Bianco, and Anthony are praised for friendly service and local advice.

“The communication and attention to detail was wonderful. Everyone we dealt with was friendly and knowledgeable. I would recommend this service to anyone. In addition to transportation, they also offer tours, excursions and can even help you find accommodations. We goRead more”

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Skip the Line:Day Ticket-La Paz Waterfall Gardens Nature Park & Wildlife Refuge - Start with the waterfalls if rain is on the way
Costa Rica Tours, Poas Volcano and La Paz Waterfall Gardens Tours, San Jose Tours, Skip the Line, Tickets, Tour Reviews, Waterfall Tours, Waterfall Tours in San Jose, Wildlife

Skip the Line:Day Ticket-La Paz Waterfall Gardens Nature Park & Wildlife Refuge

12.Skip the Line:Day Ticket-La Paz Waterfall Gardens Nature Park & Wildlife Refuge

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 226 reviews · 2 to 3 hours (approx.) · from $63

Visit La Paz Waterfall Gardens at your own pace with a flexible day pass. Walk through cloud forest trails, see five waterfalls, and explore orchids, butterflies, hummingbirds, toucans, monkeys, snakes, and rescued cats. Allow at least two hours, though four or five gives you time to slow down.

“The hike was spectacular, however there is no benefit to buying the skip the line. There are no lines so you can buy direct and save a few $.”

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Night Turtle Nesting Tour from Tamarindo - Meeting in Tamarindo at 5:30 pm
Costa Rica Tours, Evening Experiences, Tamarindo Tours, Tortuguero Canal Tours, Tour Reviews

Night Turtle Nesting Tour from Tamarindo

13.Night Turtle Nesting Tour from Tamarindo

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

Meet Native’s Way in Tamarindo at 5:30 pm, then ride about 30 minutes to protected beaches near Playa Grande. Guides such as Ivan, Fabio, and Irving search the sand for Olive Ridley and Green Pacific turtles. Expect darkness, waiting, quiet observation, and possible beach walks. Red light is used to protect the turtles.

“We had a great guide who found 3 nesting leather back turtles, one of which was laying eggs. Very exciting and something my wife and I will never forget.”

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3-Hour Shuttle Service from San Jose Airport to La Fortuna - Airport pickup at 9:00 or 14:30
3-Hour Experiences, Airport Transfers, Costa Rica Tours, Private Shuttles and Transfers, San Jose Tours, Tour Reviews

3-Hour Shuttle Service from San Jose Airport to La Fortuna

14.3-Hour Shuttle Service from San Jose Airport to La Fortuna

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 177 reviews · 3 hours (approx.) · from $50

Take a shared, air-conditioned shuttle from SJO Airport or downtown San Jose to La Fortuna for $50 per person. The trip includes a stop at Mi Rancho Restaurant in San Ramón for bathrooms, snacks, and a stretch. Drivers such as Randall, Alexander, Francis, and Yeibin Perez have received very different feedback, so allow extra time for traffic and group delays.

“Pick up on time. Friendly & kind driver who looked after us well. Drove with care and consideration. Nice 15 min stop en route through lovely scenery. Arrived on time and dropped off at accommodation. Would recommend.”

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Pacheco Tours - 2 Days 1 Night in Corcovado Sirena From Drake Bay - The 6:00 AM boat ride from Drake Bay
2-Day Experiences, Costa Rica Tours, Drake Bay Tours, Evening Experiences, Tour Reviews

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

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

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

Join Pacheco Tours for a two-day, one-night trip from Drake Bay to Sirena Ranger Station in Corcovado National Park. You’ll travel by boat, hike with a guide such as Marlon, José, Ayder, or Alejandra, eat simple station meals, and search for tapirs, monkeys, macaws, crocodiles, and more.

“Our guide Jose was a Drake Bay local since birth. He was super knowledgeable and friendly and we felt so privileged to get to spend two days hiking and hanging out with a genuine local. It was such a great experience. The wildlife was amazing and Jose knew all the tricks to maximize our chances to see everything on our list! And we did see everything and more!”

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Explore Costa Rica

Pick a volcano, a canopy or a coastline.

Volcano country

Arenal VolcanoHot SpringsHanging BridgesPoas & La PazRio Celeste

Wildlife

SlothsNight WalksManuel AntonioCanals & TurtlesBirdwatching

Water and adrenaline

WaterfallsRaftingCanyoningRiver TubingZiplines

Slow days

Coffee & CacaoCatamaran DaysSurf LessonsHorseback RidingCloud Forest