Top 15 Playa Hermosa Tours

1.ATV Tours at JW Marriott All-Inclusive Resort Costa Rica

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 97 reviews · 2 hours (approx.) · from $85Our pick

Ride a private ATV route from Playa Hermosa toward Playa Coyotera, Playa Rajada, and El Jobo. Guides Fidel and Jorge provide instructions and lead the way. You can ask to stop for beach photos, sea views, and a look at local village life. The two-hour tour costs $85 and includes bottled water.

“Very friendly and everything went better than expected! The scenery taken to was perfect and the guide was on point.”

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2.Guanacaste Snorkel and Sunset Cruise

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 85 reviews · 4 hours (approx.) · from $138

From Playa Hermosa, board a small dinghy from the beach to a catamaran, then cruise Costa Rica’s Pacific coast for wildlife, snorkeling, lunch, an open bar, and sunset views. The crew may spot whales, dolphins, turtles, rays, and flying fish. Expect a lively, social outing rather than a quiet luxury sail.

“It was a wonderful experience. My group had a great time. The food. The drinks. The jumping off the boat.”

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3.Catamaran Sailing & Snorkeling from Playas del Coco

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 85 reviews · 4 hours 30 minutes (approx.) · from $132

Set out from Playas del Coco at 1:30 pm aboard a spacious Marlin del Rey catamaran. Swim and snorkel in a sheltered bay, enjoy a BBQ lunch and unlimited drinks, then sail back beneath a Costa Rican sunset. The boat holds up to 75 people, so expect a social cruise rather than a private sailing trip.

“Fun experience. Everything went smoothly and staff were friendly and helpful. Saw a humpback whale and dolphins!”

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4.Sloth Discovery & Swim in Rio Celeste

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 80 reviews · from $127

Leave Playa Hermosa at 7 a.m. for Bijagua de Upala, where a bilingual guide leads you through a private reserve to find sloths, toucans, frogs, and snakes. You’ll also visit butterfly and snake attractions, eat a typical lunch, and swim in Rio Celeste. Guides may include Kevin, Luis, Gabriel, Memo, or David.

“Come prepared to endure a nearly 2hr private bus ride, hike to the rio Celeste, and through the rainforest to see sloths, toucans, frogs, etc. when I say “prepared” I mean it… I wish we would have worn long pants, long sleeves, and more comfRead more”

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5.ATV Tour 2hrs – Dreams Las Mareas

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 64 reviews · from $135

You’ll spend two hours riding an ATV through Hacienda El Cenizaro near La Cruz, with a local guide such as Popeye, Terry, David, or Esteban. Expect dry-forest trails, ranch land, wildlife sightings, geological stops, and ocean views. Transfers, helmets, water, and instruction are included. Drivers must be at least 16.

“Terry was our tour guide and if anyone does this ATV excursion, ask for him. He was absolutely the best guide and our kids loved him. He was knowledgeable, we did stops along the way and he explained the Costa Rican culture. It’s definitely a must do if you’re in the LaCruze area. Thank you, Terry!!! PURA VITA”

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6.Spectacular Palo Verde Eco-Tour & Blue Zone Adventure

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 56 reviews · from $148

Join Costour for a five-hour, air-conditioned trip from Playa Hermosa into Guanacaste. Pepito and guide Alejandro may lead you through sugar cane fields and villages before a Tempisque River cruise beside Palo Verde National Park, where you can spot crocodiles, monkeys, coatis, iguanas, and migratory birds. A typical Costa Rican meal is included.

“Tour guide picked us up on time and with a spotless van in Coco. On the way to Palo Verde, we stopped to watch the Ticos who work with oxen at the riverbeds collecting volcanic soil. The river boat ride was really interesting and there werRead more”

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7.Private Transfer from Liberia Airport to Dreams Las Mareas

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 55 reviews

Arrange a private ride from Liberia Airport to Dreams Las Mareas with Guanacaste Viajes. Your driver meets you on arrival, provides cold bottled water, and drives your party in an air-conditioned vehicle. Fabian, Jose, Herman, and Carlos have each been praised for prompt service, local tips, and helpful stops for photos, refreshments, or shopping.

“Clean and well kept van, experienced driver with local knowledge. Five Stars. Will make stops along the route for refreshments and delicacies. Highly recommend”

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8.ATV Tours at Dreams Las Mareas Costa Rica

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 50 reviews · from $135

Ride an ATV from Playa Hermosa through El Jobo, Coyotera, Ecoplaya, Manzanillo, and Rajada beaches. Jairo, Larry, Mario, Fidel, Elli, or Kelly may guide your group, with safety gear, water, soda, hotel transfers, and a local stop included. Expect dust, beach views, and a strict no-phone, no-alcohol rule while driving.

“We used Jairo tours of Costa Rica. Larry was our tour guide. It was amazing. So fun and so much to see!”

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9.Spa Luxury & Jaguar Luxury by Sensoria

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 50 reviews · 2 to 8 hours (approx.) · from $230

At Sensoria Private Eco-Luxury Reserve, you’ll walk through rainforest to thermal pools and waterfalls, with a guide such as Pablo, Paulo, Raymond, or Daniel. The Jaguar Luxury option adds a private waterfall pool, robes, towels, fruit, cheese, and wine or champagne, followed by lunch at the Casona. Plan for moderate hiking and a long drive from the coast.

“Great tour, the hike was beautiful. After you get your own thermal pool with a small waterfall to relax in with only your party which was the best part!! Pablo and Issac were great tour guides too.”

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10.Snorkeling and Cruises

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 50 reviews · 4 hours (approx.) · from $150

Spend about four hours sailing from Playa Hermosa into the Gulf of Papagayo aboard the largest sailboat in Playas del Coco. The crew provides snorkeling gear, drinks, snacks, and a relaxed coastal outing. Owner Leslie is known for personal service, while a snorkeling guide may point out marine life below the surface.

“The crew was lovely - welcoming, gracious and professional. They were accommodating and helpful. BUT… we paid $200+ EACH for this experience and it was not at all worth that much. If we had paid $75-100 each, this would be a 5 star review. I suspect that we were the only customers paying that much as the trip was not yet full a few days before and then suddenly was full.”

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11.Class II-III Rafting and ATV Tour from La Fortuna

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 46 reviews · 9 hours (approx.) · from $150

Pair an ATV ride near Arenal Volcano with Class II-III rafting on the Balsa River. Guides such as Miguel, Carlos, and Justin lead the river portion, with fruit, drinks, lunch, gear, and selected hotel transfers included. Expect mud, steep ATV trails, wet clothes, wildlife sightings, and a full nine-hour day.

“We did combo atv and rafting tour with Wave rafting. The atv is not done by wave but was done by outback atv tours. Outback is 3rd party to wave. No problem with that at all. Cons The thing you need to know for sure is this atv tour is not for first timers especially those who think they have a driver's license can pick this up. The terrain is filled with rocks and slurry of clay and to make it worse there are long stretches that slopes down 45 degrees. If you have done atv before you wil enjoy this. If you are first timer and you may find…”

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12.Full Day Class II-III Rafting and Canyoning Rappelling from La Fortuna-Arenal

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 45 reviews · from $191

Spend about nine hours with Wave Expeditions, starting with waterfall rappelling, canyon climbing, and zip-lining before a two-hour Balsa River rafting trip. Guides such as Super Mario, Julio, and Sassy are praised for calm instruction and local stories. Hotel pickup, equipment, snacks, drinks, lunch, and transport are included.

“Amazing time on the rapids. Great team of folks helping us out and Julio was the best! My whole family had a great time and loved the adventure.”

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13.Guanacaste Rainforest Safari with Meal

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 40 reviews · 6 hours (approx.) · from $190

Start at 9:00 am near Coco and visit Llanos del Cortés waterfall before a short tropical-forest walk. Look for white-faced and howler monkeys, toucans, sloths, colorful frogs, butterflies, and birds. A traditional Costa Rican meal finishes the six-hour outing. Manny may guide your group.

“manny was our guide and he was awesome and super chill never felt like we were being rushed and he had so much knowledge about costa rica.”

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14.Private Beach and Mountain Buggy Tour in Guanacaste

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 37 reviews · 4 to 5 hours (approx.) · from $220

Set out from Playa Hermosa with guides such as Alex or Miller for a private 4 to 5 hour buggy ride through Guanacaste. Expect a safety briefing, trial course, rough inland trails, ocean viewpoints, tropical vegetation, wildlife sightings, and possibly a swim at a quiet beach. You need a license to drive.

“This is a must do tour! It’s a private tour so you get to enjoy at your leisure. Miller was our guide and he was phenomenal. He took us around where we were able to see howler monkeys and had stops along the beaches and got to see great scenery and stop for pictures. Thanks Miller again for your hospitality and knowledge.”

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15.Jungle Cruise at Palo Verde National Park

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 37 reviews · 7 hours (approx.) · from $135

Travel inland from Playa Hermosa to Palo Verde National Park for a two-hour Tempisque River cruise, then visit Hacienda El Viejo Wetlands. Guides such as Juan, Jose, Walter, and Henry add local insight on wildlife, sugar cane, farming, and Guanacaste culture. Lunch, selected hotel pickup, and return transport are included.

“Long travel time to get there and back. No water provided. Might be worth it to take a tour with lunch provided as that would cut time without food and water.At the park, saw multiple crocodiles and capuchin monkeys but not much else but you can’t predict nature!”

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