The 15 Best Jaco Tours & Day Trips

1.Hike 10 waterfalls in Jaco lunch included

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 136 reviews · 3 hours (approx.) · from $55Our pick

This three-hour hike at Finca Los Solís takes you through streams, steep jungle paths, rope-assisted rock climbs, and ten waterfalls. Guides such as Jorge, Dustin, Marwin, and Coco are known for patient help and local plant knowledge. Lunch, fruit, water, photos, a dry bag, parking, showers, and WiFi are included.

“Extremely fun and pleasant tour guides. They ensured our safety while insisting that we had fun. I would recommend this tour to anyone who wants to enjoy themselves!”

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2.Monkey, Crocodile, Sloths & Beach Experience

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 110 reviews · 3 hours 30 minutes (approx.) · from $88

Spend about 3.5 hours with Geriold’s team visiting free-ranging white-faced capuchins, Tarcoles crocodiles, wild sloths, and Jaco Beach. Your guide explains local wildlife, ecology, and Costa Rican life, with transportation, snacks, a traditional lunch, and beach time included. Add the 1-hour-40-minute Tarcoles boat ride for $43.

“We saw lots of monkeys, they would sit on your shoulders it was super neat, there were crocodiles and unique birds, sloth with baby up high in trees. The tour guide was super nice full of info. Lunch was provided and very good. Would recommend.”

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3.Full Day Tour to Tortuga Island from Jaco

★★★★★★★★★★4.0 · 108 reviews · 12 hours 30 minutes (approx.) · from $146

Spend a long day aboard Bay Island Cruises, traveling from Jaco to Puntarenas and onward to Tortuga Island. Expect breakfast, lunch, drinks, rum punch, snorkeling gear, island time, live music, and a lively catamaran atmosphere. Guides such as Rau, Mary, Antonio, and DJ Chapo have been praised for keeping the day moving, though pickup details need careful checking.

“Fantastic tour and team of professionals. Every detail was great. Rau, main guide was kind and funny. The team took drone videos which they shared with us of the whales we saw breaching and the banana boat ride. Edwardo was an excellent captain spotting the water wildlife, DJ Chapo was excellent, and his sax performance during lunch was extraordinary. All the supporting staff were friendly and helpful. Great day, even when the weather wasn’t perfect.”

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4.Isla Tortuga from Jacó with Lunch and transportation

★★★★★★★★★★4.0 · 100 reviews · 10 to 12 hours (approx.) · from $115

Leave Jacó at 6:00 a.m. for a full-day trip to Isla Tortuga with round-trip transport, a boat ride, snorkeling, beach time, and lunch. Guides such as Luis, Victor, Guillermo, and Marcela have earned warm praise, but expect a long transfer, variable water clarity, and added charges for chairs, bathrooms, drinks, and activities.

“Relaxing time at this island away from the busy town of Jaco. Bumpy boat ride with beautiful views in both sides. Once in the island you can choose what to do. We just relaxed and played some soccer and American football with the local kids. Lunch needs improvement. I recommend to bring extra snacks. They sale cocktails and other drinks. Fun times for sure.”

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5.Manuel Antonio National Park Hiking Tour from Jacó

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 93 reviews · 7 hours (approx.) · from $135

Leave Jacó at 6:30 am for Manuel Antonio National Park with a bilingual guide such as Jeremy, Ronald, or Sylvia. Walk mostly flat rainforest trails, use a guide’s scope to spot sloths, monkeys, birds, and reptiles, then swim at Manuel Antonio Beach before lunch and the ride home.

“This was our last excursion in Costa Rica before heading home on Sunday after two weeks in country. As my wife told our guide Jeremy, it was the best day ever. Our driver and Jeremy picked us up on time and made our trip from Jaco to the park an educational one. We learned all about the history of the area as well as a couple of stops for a great breakfast (not mentioned in the description) and to see a few animals along the road. Guillermo our driver spotted a red macaw and a sloth after breakfast and before the park. At the park we saw all the monkeys,…”

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

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

Ride privately from San José International Airport to Jaco Beach or Los Sueños, or return to SJO, in an air-conditioned vehicle with WiFi and refreshments. Your English-speaking driver meets you with a name sign, handles luggage, and stops at Tárcoles Bridge to view crocodiles when daylight and weather allow. Drivers may include Gio, Randall, Moises, Jimmy, or Javier.

“Randall was prompt and very very accommodating! He made us feel safe and secure on the 1hr and a half drive from Los Suenos to SJO! He was so awesome! Highly recommend him to anyone!!”

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7.Surf Lesson + Beach day in Jaco Beach!

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 87 reviews · 2 hours (approx.) · from $52

Spend about two hours learning to surf at Jaco Beach with Aloha Josi Surf School. You’ll get beach instruction, safety guidance, a board, rash guard, sunscreen, water, and an instructor who stays with you in the waves. Names frequently associated with lessons include Jason, Jeyson, Giovanni, and David. Keep the board and beach chairs after class.

“Great experience! First time surfing, great, patient host. So much fun. The location, the beach and the weather are 10/10”

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8.5 Hour Off-Road ATV+ Zipline+ Waterfall Rappelling+ Tractor Jungle Tour

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 86 reviews · 5 hours (approx.) · from $160

At The Park at Ocean Ranch near Jaco, you ride ATVs, rappel El Encanto Waterfall, zip across more than 2,000 meters of rainforest, and ride a tractor through the property. Guides such as Jesus and Carlos keep the pace friendly and safety-focused. Hotel pickup may be available in selected areas, and lunch is optional rather than included.

“Amazing crew, very safe and professional, we had amazing time…. Much recomended, the place is beautiful”

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9.Chocolate Experience in Jaco Beach and Los Suenos

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 85 reviews · 2 hours (approx.) · from $45

At Vista Los Sueños Adventure Park, you’ll walk among cacao trees, taste fresh cocoa fruit, and help turn roasted beans into chocolate, powder, butter, hot chocolate, and sweet treats. Guides such as Mary, Gary, Danny, and Heidi lead the roughly two-hour experience, which suits families and pairs easily with ziplining or ATV activities.

“Mary was very engaging -- great at explaining and showing everything. I just wish that it had been a real chocolate plantation.”

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10.Horseback riding through the beaches of Esterillos near Jaco

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 82 reviews · 1 hour 30 minutes (approx.) · from $89

Ride along Esterillos Beach near Jaco with local guides Micha and Sylwia. The 90-minute outing suits beginners, families, couples, and experienced riders, with gentle horses, ocean views, a short forest section, wildlife, and sunset options. Groups are limited to six, and the ride returns to CR Beach Barn.

“It was a beautiful ride on the beach, and back through some more shadowy areas. The horses are very well trained and super good looked after! Happy horses! Mika was an amazing guide, gave us some great instructions and answered all our questions!”

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11.ATV + Zipline + Waterfall + Rainforest Lunch COMBO

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 74 reviews · 6 hours (approx.) · from $179

From Jaco, you will ride 10 zip lines, including a 2,400-foot cable, then take an ATV through rainforest to Catarata Bijagual. Swim at the waterfall, enjoy lunch at a mountain tilapia farm, and return past Pacific views. Guides including Marco, Emmanuel, Diego, and Alex have earned special praise for safety and personal attention.

“My boyfriend and I loves our experience! We were with Emmanuel for on our ATV tour and it was amazing! We toured all over the mountain and stopped at the waterfall for a quick swim. The water was so refreshing. Emmanuel was so informative throughout the tour and made us feel welcomed and comfortable. 100% would recommend!”

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12.Tortuga Island Private Full-Day Boat Tour

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

Leave Jaco early for a private speedboat trip to Tortuga Island with Captain Robert, Eric, or Jordan. Expect snorkeling, a Subwing ride, possible spider monkeys, fruit, drinks, beach chairs, SUP boards, and a fish, chicken, or vegetarian lunch. The Pacific crossing can be rough, but the private boat lets your group set the pace.

“Robert is an excellent communicator and does a great job of making guests feel welcome right away. This tour is a great choice for groups with a mix of experienced snorkelers/divers and older kids/first timers. Great job finding spots that balanced the current, visibility, and things to see. Robert went out of his way to stay close to the kids added safety when the current pushed their limits. Great way to experience Tortuga Island for lunch as well. Robert and his crew have the whole process dialed in. There were only 4 of us but paying for the 5 person minimum was well worth it for amenities that were organized…”

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13.Savegre River Rafting Class II-III from Jaco

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 70 reviews · 8 hours (approx.) · from $167

Start early from Jaco with hotel pickup, breakfast, and a scenic drive to the Savegre River. Paddle Class II and III rapids with guides such as Orlando, Jairo, or Roberto, stop at a waterfall, watch for monkeys and toucans, then enjoy fresh fruit and lunch before returning. Groups are limited to eight.

“Having rafted in California this experience was just as exhilarating but just add beauty and 5 stars”

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14.Guided Walking Street Art & Graffiti Tour in Jaco Costa Rica

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 68 reviews · 2 to 3 hours (approx.) · from $39Best value

Walk through Jacó with guide Josue to see large murals, graffiti, beachside art, and works tied to Costa Rican culture. The two to three hour tour visits Central Park, Jacó Beach, and the commercial center, with a maximum of 10 people. It costs $39 and ends near Green Room Cafe Bar, where a drink may be included.

“This was a great way to learn more about the town of Jaco. Not only the downtown artwork but also its history and culture.”

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15.Jaco Birdwatching and Photography with Sergio

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 65 reviews · 3 hours (approx.) · from $101

Join Sergio for an early private birdwatching and photography outing from Jacó. After pickup, you may visit several bird habitats, including Carara National Park, where Sergio helps you spot macaws, toucans, motmots, owls, monkeys, and more. Transport, park admission, and guiding are included. Bring water and a charged phone or camera.

“I booked this for my husband since he loves photography if birds.. Sergio was great putting my husband into great spots to get the best photo possible. We got to see a lot of different birds and Sergio knew all the great spots. Would highly recommend this for anyone that needs a great guide for birds in general especially for photographing birds!!!”

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