While known for its vast species of wildlife, lush rainforests and gorgeous waterfalls, Costa Rica can be difficult to navigate when you’re not a local due to its rough roads and dispersed attractions and activities. Opting for a guided tour may be a simpler option that yields a richer experience. To help, U.S. News compiled this list of the top tours based on traveler opinion and expert input. Whether you want to experience Costa Rica’s wild side while zip lining or indulge in its famous chocolate, you’ll find an excursion on this list that suits your needs.
Adventure Tours Costa Rica – Tour de la Paz
Price: From $35 per passenger to $95 per driver
Duration: 3 hours
Discover Costa Rica’s rainforests, waterfalls and beaches on this ATV excursion that begins and ends in Jacó. Along the way, you’ll make several stops for photos and even have the chance to jump off of a waterfall. Tour-takers enjoy the knowledgeable guides and amazing scenery. They also recommend bringing plenty of water with you.
Tours operate several times each day between 8 a.m. and 2 p.m. Drivers must be at least 16 years old and have a valid driver’s license. No open-toed shoes are allowed. The company recommends bringing bug spray, sunscreen and a swimsuit. ATV Adventure Tours offers a wide variety of tours, including kayaking, rappelling and horseback riding.
Check prices & availability on:
El Santuario Canopy Adventure Tour
Price: From $85
Duration: 4.5 hours
Sail across a nearly mile-long zip line near Manuel Antonio National Park while enjoying breathtaking views on this trip. During the tour, you’ll ride 10 zip lines in total, cross hanging bridges and walk nature trails. The excursion also includes round-trip transportation from your Manuel Antonio or Quepos hotel, lunch and all safety equipment. Travelers say they feel safe during the whole trip and that the zip lines are awesome. Many add that the included lunch is tasty.
Participants must be at least 4 years old. Those who are pregnant are not allowed to go zip lining. Tours run daily at 8 and 11 a.m., and there may also be a 2 p.m. tour available in select months.
Check prices & availability on:
Costa Rica Waterfall Tours – The Explorer Tour
Price: From $79
Duration: 4 hours
On the Explorer Tour, you’ll be driven up a mountain in a four-wheel-drive vehicle before hiking through the company’s private rainforest reserve along a river, across bridges and to natural pools and waterfalls. Along the trek, there will be opportunities to swim, sit under the rushing water and jump from the top of the falls. Tours are limited to 12 people. Patrons say this tour is a must-do. They appreciate not only swimming in the waterfalls, but also the informative guides who point out local flora and fauna. Be sure to bring water, a swimsuit and shoes that can get wet.
Tours are available daily at 7 a.m. and 1 p.m. The company also offers ocean-based excursions and explorations through Costa Rica’s canyons, among other options.
Check prices & availability on:
Desafio Adventure Co. – Rafting Class 2-3 Balsa River
Price: Adults from $80; kids from $72
Duration: 5 hours
Participants highly recommend this waterlogged adventure, praising the guides, delicious food and the scenery. This adventure begins with pick up from your accommodations to drive you to Desafio’s private put-in on the Balsa River. You’ll paddle for 6 miles down the river and experience mild Class II and III rapids (which are ideal for first-timers and children). After the rapids, you’ll get a buffet lunch.
Trips depart daily at 10 a.m.; participants must be at least 8 years old. Also know that sturdy, secure shoes are required (no flip-flops). The company runs a myriad of adventurous outings, including rafting in stronger rapids and canyoning.
Check prices & availability on:
Green Vacations Costa Rica – Nature Lover Combo 1
Price: Adults from about $172; kids from $129
Duration: 9 hours
Ideal for those looking to explore the wild side of Costa Rica, this tour lets participants experience three of the top outdoor excursions in the nation. Cross 15 hanging bridges (perfect vantage points for spotting wildlife), climb up and down a waterfall, and take a hike that offers stunning views of the Arenal Volcano. Reviewers recommend this tour and say they enjoy spotting wildlife. They advise bringing water shoes for the challenging stairs by the waterfall.
Tickets include pickup and drop off from La Fortuna, as well as admission fees and lunch. Tours run at 7 a.m. daily. Green Vacations Costa Rica offers many tours, including a river hike and a volcano hike.
Check prices & availability on:
Getty Images
Rainforest Chocolate Tour
Price: Adults from $30; kids from $21
Duration: 2 hours
Satisfy your sweet tooth and learn all about chocolate, including its history, its origins and the production process on the two-hour Rainforest Chocolate Tour. You’ll also learn about the ceremonial chocolate drink of the Mayans and of course, enjoy a sample of organic chocolate. Chocolate lovers say they learn a lot about chocolate on this tour and enjoy tasting the various samples.
Tours, which take place in La Fortuna, are available at 8 and 10 a.m., as well as 1 and 3 p.m.; reservations are required. All ages are welcome.
Check prices & availability on:
Native’s Way Costa Rica – Guachipelin Adventure Combo
Price: Adults from $109; kids from $100
Duration: 12 hours
Ideal for travelers who want to experience the adventurous pursuits Costa Rica is known for, including zip lining and river tubing, this tour is a hit with reviewers. Along with a variety of heart-pumping activities, the trip includes a buffet lunch, a volcanic mud bath and a dip in hot springs. Tour-takers say they feel safe and that guides are helpful. They also appreciate the stop at the hot springs as the tour’s finale.
Tours depart daily at 9 a.m. If you want round-trip transportation from the company, your journey will be around 6:30 a.m. (to allot time for driving before the tour) and you’ll pay extra. Native’s Way Costa Rica operates a variety of other tours, including excursions to the Monte Verde Cloud Forest Biological Reserve, fishing, scuba diving and more.
Check prices & availability on:
WAVE Expeditions – White Water Rafting Class II and III
Price: Adults from $78; kids from about $70
Duration: 6 hours
Families will appreciate this rafting experience on the Balsa River that takes travelers through mild Class II and Class III rapids. Ideal for participants ages 8 and older, the trip takes travelers out on the water for about two hours. A break filled with fruit and swimming opportunities allows you to take a better look at the surrounding flora and fauna. After rafting, enjoy lunch at a country estate. Participants rave about their experienced guides and say the trip is perfect for novice rafters.
Tours are available daily at 10:30 a.m. In addition to whitewater rafting, WAVE Expeditions also offers river float trips and tours that combine a variety of activities, including horseback riding and hiking.
Check prices & availability on:
Pure Trek Canyoning – Canyoning Tour
Price: From $105
Duration: 4 hours
Rappel and rock climb in a waterfall canyon that’s filled with wildlife on this thrilling tour near La Fortuna. Depending on the time of day, participants enjoy a traditional lunch either before or after their tour. Families say this tour is great for kids, that they feel safe and highly recommend the “monkey drop” portion (rappelling to the canyon floor).
Children must be at least 5 years old to participate. Round-trip transportation from La Fortuna hotels is included with your ticket. There is a morning tour at 7 a.m. and another tour at noon. This tour is also available as a private excursion. The company also offers whitewater trips combined with zip line tours, among other options.
Check prices & availability on:
Arenal Mundo Aventura – Big Ama
Price: Adults from $75; kids from $57
Duration: 3 hours
Fly high above La Fortuna Waterfall via zip line on this adrenaline-fueled excursion. You’ll also sail along 12 zip lines leading you through canyons and whizzing over treetops. Participants say the views are amazing and that they feel very safe throughout.
Kids must be at least 3 feet, 10 inches tall and weigh 55 pounds to participate. Tours operate at 8 a.m., 10:30 a.m. and 1 p.m. There is a minimum of two people required to book the tour, and transportation is included for some area locations. Arenal Mundo Aventura hosts a variety of zip lining, hiking, rappelling and bird-watching tours.
Check prices & availability on:
Callidryas Tours – Sloth Tour
Price: Adults from $60; kids from $30
Duration: 3 hours
Discover sloths in their natural habitat on this walking and driving excursion. A naturalist guide will lead you on a mission to find as many sloths as possible; the company even guarantees you will see wild sloths. In addition to the tour’s namesake, you could also see toucans, frogs, iguanas and monkeys. Participants rave about the number of sloths spotted on the tour and praise the guides.
Transportation and snacks are included with your ticket. Tours begin at 6 a.m. and 2 p.m. daily. Callidryas Tours also operates an Arenal Volcano hike, as well as a frog-watching night walk and various other hikes.
Check prices & availability on:
Horse Trek Monteverde – Mountain and Farm View Costa Rica Horseback Ride
Price: From $49
Duration: 2.5 hours
During this horseback ride, you’ll traverse through winding, rugged paths and along the cloud forest with fantastic views and bird sightings along the way. Those who have limited experience riding horses say they feel comfortable on this ride and praise the guide’s passion for horses.
Children must be at least 6 years old to participate. The maximum weight to ride is 200 pounds. You do not need previous riding experience. Rides are available in both the morning and afternoon, with pickups from Monteverde-area accommodations at 8:30 a.m. and between 1:30 and 2:30 p.m. Horse Trek Monteverde offers a variety of horseback riding tours in different settings.
Check prices & availability on:
Getty Images
Costa Rica Jade Tours – Manuel Antonio National Park Guided Group Tour
Price: Adults from $59; kids from $49
Duration: 3 hours
Discover the diverse flora and fauna of Manuel Antonio National Park, including its beaches, coral reefs and rainforest, with an in-the-know local by your side. During the trip, guides share the park’s history and information about the park’s inhabitants, including monkeys, sloths, iguanas, toucans and more. Reviewers say guides are incredibly knowledgeable and that they see lots of wildlife on the tour.
Tickets include round-trip transportation from Quepos City. Tours, which have a maximum of 10 participants, start at 7:30 a.m. and 12:40 p.m. Wednesday through Monday. The company also operates tours all throughout the country, including Jacó, Arenal Volcano and Guanacaste, among other locales.
Check prices & availability on:
Don Olivo Chocolate Tour
Price: From $30
Duration: 2 hours
Explore a cacao tree farm, sample handcrafted chocolate and hot chocolate, as well as fresh fruit grown on the farm on the Don Olivo Chocolate Tour. Participants will also learn about cacao trees, plants and seeds and how they are made into chocolate. Tourgoers find the experience interesting and say there is a lot more to see, learn and sample on the tour than just chocolate.
Tours are available daily at 8 and 10 a.m. as well as 1 and 3 p.m.; participants should reserve their spots in advance by contacting the company online.
Check prices & availability on:
Sunset Sails Tours
Price: From $95
Duration: 3.5 to 4 hours
Sail along the Manuel Antonio coast on this cruise past area islands and Manuel Antonio National Park, spotting dolphins, sea turtles, stingrays and (possibly) whales along the way. You’ll also have the opportunity to snorkel and enjoy a gourmet meal on board. Throughout the trip, guides share information about marine life. Reviewers say that the crew is personable, the boat clean and comfortable, and the food excellent.
Tours start at 9 a.m. and 2 p.m. Tickets include transportation from hotels in Quepos and Manuel Antonio, snorkeling gear, a meal and snacks.
Check prices & availability on:
Lazy Lizard Sailing – Tropical Sunset Tour
Price: Adults from $90; kids from $70
Duration: 4 hours
Sail along the Costa Rican coast from the Guanacaste province aboard a catamaran with a stop for water activities like snorkeling, kayaking or swimming in a secluded inlet on this cruise. Afterward, enjoy a picnic-style lunch and beautiful views of the sunset. Reviewers say the food served on board the cruise is delicious, and describe the sunset as stunning.
Tours are available at 2 p.m. daily; the company also offers private catamaran tours.
Check prices & availability on:
Bahia Aventuras – Hiking Corcovado National Park Day Tour
Price: Adults from $150; kids from $95
Duration: 8 hours
Travelers can explore the vast biodiversity of Corcovado National Park on this tour, which features a guided nature hike about two hours long. The adventure also includes a picnic lunch at San Josecito Beach. After lunch, tourgoers will take another, albeit shorter, hike. Tours depart from Punta Uvita beach and you’ll get to Corcovado National Park via boat (you could spot dolphins, whales and turtles). Participants applaud the tour for the knowledgeable guides and variety of wildlife on view. They also recommend motion sickness medication for the boat ride.
Tickets include entrance fees to the park. The tour is not recommended for children younger than 4 and people who are pregnant. Tours start at 7:30 a.m. and require a minimum of six people to embark. Bahia Aventuras offers a range of tours, including whale watching, snorkeling and sport fishing.
Check prices & availability on: