10 Best Tours & Excursions in Costa Rica in 2022

Costa Rica, arguably the most well-known country in Central America, crams a lot of action into a small area. It is also recognized as one of the most environmentally friendly places to visit. I always enjoy watching the monkeys when I am just relaxing by the pool. You’ll find various unique wildlife and vegetation and adrenaline-filled activities to try.

Taking guided tours is a terrific way to spend a day in Costa Rica and safely access natural hiking routes or better understand how local societies operate. Here’s a helpful guide on some of the best excursions in Costa Rica to explore on your trip.

Best Excursions in Costa Rica to Book

Make the most of your trip to Costa Rica with these favorite tours and excursions to take your vacation to a whole new level.

1. Playa Tamarindo: Sunset Sailing and Snorkelling Tour

A 66-foot catamaran will whisk you away from Playa Tamarindo to see the breathtaking Costa Rican sunset. With a chilled, tropical drink or cocktail in hand, enjoy the curated 4.5-hour sunset cruise along Costa Rica’s Gold Coast, skirting white-sand beaches, bays, and tropical jungles. 

Watch all sorts of sea creatures like dolphins, marine turtles, flying fish, and breaching whales, among others, from the bow. Stop in a secluded cove, drop anchor, and go for a dip, followed by a stroll down the deserted white sand beach or go snorkeling in the bay.

As the sun sets, witness the sky’s transforming hues, and snap photos to capture memories you’ll surely treasure forever.

Get ready for the time of your life on this bare-foot tour with the following perks:

• Enjoy an open bar, snacks, and a light meal
• A cooling dip at a secluded beach
• Take a sundown voyage on a custom-made 66-foot sized catamaran
• Snorkel in a calm bay or stroll along a pristine sand beach

2. Quepos: Mangrove Kayaking Tour

This tour will take you through organic canals and offer excellent opportunities to see a variety of species, including herons, kingfishers, ospreys, and frigates. This tour lasts around two hours, depending on the tides, and ends with a mouth-watering Costa Rican meal.

Learn about the vegetation and fauna prevalent in this beautiful area and fall in love with the grandeur of the mangroves. Keep your eyes peeled for various birds, reptiles, and mammals like the white-faced monkey and the silky anteater.

For an experience of a lifetime, enjoy the following:

• Explore a one-of-a-kind ecosystem
• Paddle through an overhanging forest on a kayak
• Be amazed by the views
• Friendly, bilingual guides to make your trip as fruitful as possible

3. La Fortuna: Hour Arenal Volcano Observatory & Lake Tour

Your hike begins through gardens and forests with your guide, crossing two hanging bridges as you travel to the Arenal Observatory, a six-hour excursion departing from La Fortuna. See Arenal from different angles from the opposite side of the volcano.

During the hike,  discover the wonders of the Danta River and waterfall, learn about the ecology, and explore the fauna. The Arenal Observatory is where you’ll learn about the volcano’s history and enjoy the sunset over Lake Arenal from the observatory lodge.

Unwind in a hot spring resort following your trip and soak in its healing waters. A complementary volcano clay facial and tropical cocktail are also available. 

So treat yourself to an exciting day trip and spa where you’ll experience the following:

• Trek to the Arenal Observatory through fields and rainforest
• Enjoy sights of the Arenal Lake dusk
• Relax in the peaceful hot springs with a complimentary beverage

4. From Jaco: Full-Day Manuel Antonio National Park Tour

This park is the most well-known in the country because of its diverse collection of flora and wildlife. Forbes ranks it as one of the top ten most magnificent parks globally. The park alone has three distinct hiking trails that range from smooth and flat to rough and steep.

Manuel Antonio National Park is home to three of Costa Rica’s four current monkey species. It’s certainly going to be the highlight of this trip.

Enjoy a quiet stop at the 3rd beach, located in the southern portion of the national park, where you can rest on the beach or in the Baha’s tranquil waters. Birds, reptiles, sloths, vegetation, and insects can be seen along the trek. 

Use the telescopes to watch the wildlife and snap images from a different perspective. 

So for women over 50 with a taste for nature,  look forward to the following:

• Expert wildlife guides to assist you in understanding the ecosystem
• Explore the protected region that’s well-known for its diverse vegetation and animals
• Admire the gorgeous sloths at one of the world’s top ten most beautiful parks
• Get to see monkeys right in front of your eyes
• Use Pentax and Swarovski telescopes to see wildlife and shoot photographs

5. La Fortuna: Guided Twilight Wildlife Safari

Costa Rica is a fantastic paradise for animal enthusiasts, and this 3-hour picturesque tour allows you to play in one of the country’s most beautiful environments.

You will ride in your raft at dusk, as the sun is just starting to fall, and enjoy the mystical way the light disappears from the sky, leaving you in the peaceful darkness of the jungle. Your bilingual river guide, who is trained as a naturalist, will do the rowing while you relax and enjoy the abundant nocturnal wildlife of the Peñas Blancas River.

For wildlife lovers,  treat yourself to an adventure of a lifetime where you can experience:

• Experience both day and nocturnal wildlife, such as sloths, opossums, bats, howler monkeys, and owls
• Listen to the sounds of the forest at night
• Delight in delicious Costan Rican snacks and great coffee
• Learn interesting information about Costa Rica’s wildlife

6. Horseback Riding – Costa Rica Excursions Travels Jobo

This is an experience you simply cannot miss out on! There’s horseback riding and zip-lining. If you love a bit of adventure, then you’ll find the water slides and the cultural tour exhilarating.

Take a dip in the hot springs and the volcanic mud bath for a bit of luxury. The tour also includes stopovers at local establishments for refreshments.

Satisfy your craving for adventure with some of these exciting activities:

• Horseback riding
• Zip-lining adventure with a view
• Exciting water slide 
• Cultural tour for a local experience

7. Hike at Rainforest Adventures Costa Rica Braulio Carrillo

An adventurous day excursion from San Jose takes you into Costa Rica’s gorgeous rainforest. Get a bird’s-eye view of the jungle canopy, then later descend to the forest floor to stroll through this incredibly diversified ecosystem. 

Learn about the local flora and wildlife, including tropical birds and howler monkeys. Stop for a refreshing swim in the natural tropical pool and have a rejuvenating riverbank picnic.

• Trek through tropical forests, riding an aerial gondola
• Hike through a private, unspoiled lush nature reserve
• Experiencing the pristine wilderness along the Corinto River
• Take a dip in a gorgeous, natural pool topped off with an unforgettable experience
• An ecology expert will guide you on an exciting nature exploration

8. Veragua Rainforest and Tortuguero Canals Shore Excursion

Get a taste of the magical Veragua Rainforest and Tortuguero Canals, home to some of the most exciting wildlife. A seasoned guide will be by your side, pointing out the various reptilian wonders, butterfly gardens, and habitats of fascinating frogs and insects. 

There’s also a guided boat tour that will take you through a wild, interactive zoo-like ride where you’ll see sloths, birds, monkeys, and flora.

The scenes from this trip are to die for. You’ll also get a chance to check out their local supermarket to taste some locally grown coffee and produce.

For an exciting trip to the forest, here are a few things to look forward to:

• Expedition through a rich rainforest
• Get to see and experience fascinating flora and fauna nearby
• Instagram worthy pictures of breathtaking views

9. Jaco: Canyoning and Canopy Tour

Canyoning is a thrilling multi-sport experience gaining appeal among the general public. Enjoy zip-lining, waterfall rappelling, and trekking with optional swimming and 25-foot cliff jumping. 

The sport is no longer exclusively reserved for experienced climbers and adventurers. Even if you’ve never worn a harness before, you’ll get a taste of authentic canyoning.

Adrenaline chasers can expect nothing short of a thrilling experience, including:

• Getting outside and experiencing canyoneering
• Challenge yourself to jump off an exciting twenty-five-foot cliff
• Uncover nature’s beauty in a compelling way

10. Half-Day Costa Rica Punta Arenas Highlights

Spend a day seeing Costa Rica’s splendor away from the beach. Explore the region’s treasures by visiting various tropical fruits farmed in local “fruit towns,” a wildlife area famous for its white-faced monkey population, and sailing along the beautiful Tarcoles River.

Get to see the best of Punta Arenas with a taste of the following:

• The best parts of Punta Arenas in an exciting excursion
• Visit wildlife preserves and fruit plantations among the best attractions in the area
• Private transportation by minivan is provided

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