9 Puntarenas Tours Worth Booking

1.Puntarenas Shore Excursion: Rainforest Skywalk & Tarcoles River

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

This six-hour cruise excursion pairs Villa Lapas’ suspended rainforest bridges with a Tarcoles River wildlife cruise. Expect a moderate, humid walk with steep, uneven steps, then crocodiles, water birds, fruit, and a shopping stop. Guides such as Ronald, Alejandro, and Josue are known for clear wildlife explanations. Bring sturdy shoes, insect repellent, and extra water.

“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

2.10 in 1 Puntarenas Highlights tour

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

Spend about eight hours exploring the Puntarenas area by air-conditioned vehicle. Cruise the Tarcoles River for crocodiles and birds, spot macaws and monkeys, stop at markets and a butterfly garden, enjoy a mountain lunch, and see Puntarenas with guides such as Hazel, Juan, or Albert.

“Hazel was extremely knowledgeable about Costa Rica and our driver was excellent. Hazel went out of her way to ensure all guests had a good time. Loved the Monkey House!”

Check availability →Read our full review

3.EXCLUSIVE Night Tour with Night Vision- small groups 8 people max

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 98 reviews · 2 hours (approx.) · from $40Best value

Meet George or Vinny at the Monteverde Wildlife Refuge for a two-hour night walk through a private cloud-forest reserve. Small groups, night-vision visors, scopes, and flashlights help you spot sloths, frogs, snakes, armadillos, insects, bats, and glowing fungi. The tour costs $40 per person and ends where it begins.

“It was really fun to go out after dark and I recommend every family do at least one night tour for all the amazing creatures. We saw some cool bugs on our tour but unfortunately few mammals. You can't control the wildlife! George was really passionate about finding us creatures and very knowledgeable and we were really happy that he was our guide :)”

Check availability →Read our full review

4.Full Day Tour to Tortuga Island from San José

★★★★★★★★★★4.0 · 92 reviews · 10 to 12 hours (approx.) · from $128

Start early from San José and travel to Puntarenas for a catamaran ride across the Gulf of Nicoya to Tortuga Island. Expect views of Islas Negritos and Isla San Lucas, meals, drinks, music, beach time, and optional snorkeling. Guides such as Jordan and Eric are known for keeping the day organized and upbeat.

“Had a great time, staff were super friendly. They were super clean and had everything prepared for us. I can tell they always have a 100% customer service.”

Check availability →Read our full review

5.Puntarenas sightseeing tour

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 92 reviews · 4 to 5 hours (approx.) · from $49

Explore Puntarenas, Tarcoles, Carara, and Orotina by air-conditioned van with a local guide such as Hazel, Carlos, or Charlie. Look for crocodiles, scarlet macaws, toucans, monkeys, and sloths, then stop at markets, mountain viewpoints, and local eateries. It is a useful first taste of Costa Rica, but the route and timing can vary.

“Hazel was an excellent tour guide, with very good English. Very good 5-hour tour around the Puntarenas area tor the ten of us in a nice Mercedes van.”

Check availability →Read our full review

6.Turtle Island Day Tour

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 69 reviews · 5 to 6 hours (approx.) · from $80

Take a speedboat from Puntarenas to Isla Tortuga with guides such as Memo, Joel, or Diane. Watch for dolphins and other wildlife, snorkel when sea conditions allow, eat lunch on the beach, and enjoy about five hours by the water. The group is limited to 15 people, but the meeting point can be hard to find.

“This island tour was one of the highlights of our trip. The tour guides had great energy, were knowledgeable, and made the tour a great experience. The food was great with excellent fish and vegetables options and the fruit tray was delicious. The music in the boat was perfection. We say crocodiles, dolphins, spider monkeys, and swam with the fish during our snorkel session. Bring your water shoes as there are lots of small rocks on the beach. This tour was such a great experience for a great price. I would absolutely recommend this for tour to my friends and family.”

Check availability →Read our full review

7.Monteverde Cloud Forest Guided Night Walk

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 67 reviews · 2 to 3 hours (approx.) · from $65

Walk Monteverde’s forest after dark for about two hours with a professional guide, flashlight, and viewing equipment. Guides such as Justin, Kendall, Denis, and Christian have helped visitors spot sleeping toucans, sloths, frogs, tarantulas, scorpions, armadillos, porcupines, and other night creatures. Pickup and drop-off are included from Monteverde and Santa Elena.

“We loved the night hike in Monteverde Cloud Forest. There are so many amazing animals to see at night, big and small. And night time photos turn out beautiful, especially of frogs! We saw different varieties of Toucans, tarantula, coatis, frogs and so many neat little creatures. Advise to take your own flashlight if possible. It was pouring rain on our walk but that didn’t affect it. Rain poncho would have been good to have but we stayed somewhat dry under the canopy. My son loved this and we definitely recommend it. Our guide Justin was great, local, and very knowledgeable. Pura Vida!”

Check availability →Read our full review

8.3-in-1 Monteverde Cloud Forest Waterfalls, Wild Trekking and Horseback Riding

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 56 reviews · 5 hours (approx.) · from $116

Expect a demanding 5 km downhill trek through Monteverde’s cloud forest, rustic bridges, four waterfalls, and a possible river swim. Then ride a calm horse uphill for about 30 to 35 minutes before lunch with wide views. Pickup is included from Monteverde and Santa Elena. Miguel may guide the horseback section.

“It is a hard hike, not recommended for anyone with any foot, knee or hip issues, very steep up and down hiking”

Check availability →Read our full review

9.Resplendent Quetzal-Tucans- Tropical Birdwatching Tour Monteverde

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 51 reviews · 3 hours (approx.) · from $100

Join a small-group morning walk in Monteverde with guides such as Olman or Jorge, looking for quetzals, toucans, hummingbirds, tanagers, and other cloud-forest birds. The route may include Ficus Trails and nearby birding spots. Hotel pickup and drop-off are included, but bring your own binoculars.

“We had a wonderful time on our tour. Our guide Jorge was funny, kind, and went out of his way to give us a great tour. The morning started with a stop at the entrance to the Monteverde Cloud forest in the hopes of finding a Resplendent Quetzal. While we were unsuccessful, the effort was much appreciated. We then went to the nearby Ficus Trials where we saw some great species including a Keel-billed Toucan and a Long-tailed Manakin which Jorge hadn't seen in months. Luck us! We stopped at a vista that looked over the cloud forest and the surrounding landscape. The morning finished at the local birder friendly…”

Check availability →Read our full review