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16 Verified Experiences · Viator & GetYourGuide

Costa Rica Getaway Tours & Day Trips

Every tour card below shows the actual departure point, verified duration, private or shared format, inclusions, exclusions, and participation requirements.

Editorial & Affiliate Disclosure: CostaRicanGetaways.com is reader-supported. When you book experiences through our verified GetYourGuide or Viator links or stays on Agoda, we may earn an affiliate commission at no extra cost to you. All reservations and payments are completed directly on the partner platform.
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Playas del Coco Catamaran Snorkeling & Sunset Sailing Tour GULF OF PAPAGAYO FAVORITE Viator
★ 4.7 (412 reviews) From $132
Playas del Coco & Papagayo · 4 hrs 30 min · Shared Catamaran (Open Bar & Meal)

Playas del Coco Catamaran Snorkeling & Sunset Sailing Tour

Glide across Culebra Bay and the Gulf of Papagayo to a sheltered cove for afternoon snorkeling, followed by a freshly prepared meal, open bar, and Pacific sunset views.

Actual Departure Point: In front of Bar El Ancla under the Big Tree, main beach access, Playas del Coco (check-in 1:15 PM)
Included: Snorkeling equipment, guided snorkel stop, BBQ chicken meal, fruit, open bar, sunset sail
Not Included: Hotel shuttle from distant resorts (available at extra cost), crew gratuities
Requirements: All ages welcome; basic comfort boarding via beach dinghy in ankle-to-knee-deep water.
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Guachipelín Rincón de la Vieja Combo: Zipline, River Tubing & Hot Springs 1,575+ VERIFIED REVIEWS Viator
★ 4.8 (1,575 reviews) From $145
Playas del Coco & Papagayo · 7–9 hrs (Full Day) · Shared Guided Adventure Combo

Guachipelín Rincón de la Vieja Combo: Zipline, River Tubing & Hot Springs

The definitive full-day volcano outing from Guanacaste's beaches: fly through a volcanic rock canyon on ziplines, bounce down Río Negro on river tubes, and soak in geothermal mud and hot springs.

Actual Departure Point: Hotel pickup from Playas del Coco, Ocotal, Playa Hermosa, Papagayo, Tamarindo, or Hacienda Guachipelín
Included: Canyon zipline canopy, Río Negro tubing (Class II–III), buffet ranch lunch, volcanic mud bath & thermal hot springs
Not Included: Small surcharge from select remote Papagayo peninsula resorts, locker rental
Requirements: Minimum age 8 for river tubing; closed-toe water shoes or sneakers strongly recommended.
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Sloth Watching, Coffee, Chocolate & Waterfall Day Trip from Guanacaste 1,000+ REVIEWS · FAMILY PICK Viator
★ 4.9 (1,000 reviews) From $160
Playas del Coco & Papagayo · 7–8 hrs · Shared Small-Group Naturalist Tour

Sloth Watching, Coffee, Chocolate & Waterfall Day Trip from Guanacaste

Guaranteed wild sloth sightings fail when you stay in dry coastal scrub—this inland excursion takes you into the green transition forest on the slopes of Tenorio for wild sloths, cacao tastings, and a curtain waterfall swim.

Actual Departure Point: 7:30 AM hotel pickup in Playas del Coco, Playa Hermosa, Ocotal, Papagayo, or Liberia entrance
Included: Certified naturalist guide with spotting scope, rainforest sloth sanctuary trail, Llanos de Cortés waterfall swim, coffee & cacao tour, typical lunch
Not Included: Personal souvenirs, optional tips
Requirements: Suitable for all ages (easy-to-moderate walking trails); bring swimsuit, towel, and walking sandals.
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5-Hour Guided Sunset Catamaran & Snorkeling Tour from Tamarindo & Flamingo GOLD COAST SUNSET SAIL Viator
★ 4.6 (180 reviews) From $95
Tamarindo, Flamingo & Potrero · 5 hrs · Shared Afternoon Catamaran Cruise

5-Hour Guided Sunset Catamaran & Snorkeling Tour from Tamarindo & Flamingo

Spend a carefree afternoon sailing past the secluded white-sand coves of Conchal, Brasilito, and Potrero with a guided snorkel stop, kayaks, lunch, and open bar as the sun sinks into the Pacific.

Actual Departure Point: Playa Tamarindo / Flamingo Marina check-in (12:45 PM afternoon boarding)
Included: Snorkel masks & fins, paddleboards, open bar, fresh local meal, sunset sail along Guanacaste's Gold Coast
Not Included: Hotel transfers outside Tamarindo/Flamingo zone
Requirements: All ages; guests boarding from Tamarindo beach step into shallow surf.
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Surf Lessons in Tamarindo with Certified Local Instructors 2,810+ VERIFIED REVIEWS Viator
★ 4.9 (2,810 reviews) From $69
Tamarindo, Flamingo & Potrero · 2 hrs · Small-Group or Semi-Private Lesson

Surf Lessons in Tamarindo with Certified Local Instructors

Tamarindo's gently sloping sandy bottom and consistent waist-high whitewater rollers make it Costa Rica's most forgiving beach break for first-time surfers.

Actual Departure Point: Iguana Surf Beach Shop, main beach road, Playa Tamarindo
Included: Soft-top surfboard, rash guard, bilingual surf instructor, beach safety & pop-up coaching
Not Included: Action photos (available for purchase on site)
Requirements: Ability to swim; ages 5+ welcome (kids under 9 paired 1-on-1).
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Nosara Half-Day Naranjal Mountain, Waterfall & Organic Coffee Tour ★ 5.0 NICOYA HIGHLANDS Viator
★ 5.0 (82 reviews) From $150
Nosara & Sámara · 5 hrs · Small-Group Cultural & Nature Excursion

Nosara Half-Day Naranjal Mountain, Waterfall & Organic Coffee Tour

Trade the coastal surf of Playa Guiones for a cool 5-hour climb into the Hojancha Blue Zone highlands to visit a family-run organic farm, swim in a forest creek waterfall, and share a wood-fired casado.

Actual Departure Point: Hotel pickup in Nosara, Playa Guiones, and Pelada
Included: 4x4 highland transport, organic family coffee & trapiche sugar mill demo, waterfall trail, traditional wood-stove lunch
Not Included: Gratuities
Requirements: Easy walking; great morning or afternoon contrast to Guiones surf and yoga sessions.
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La Fortuna Waterfall, Mistico Hanging Bridges & Arenal Volcano Combo 1,879+ VERIFIED REVIEWS Viator
★ 4.9 (1,879 reviews) From $154
La Fortuna & Arenal · 8–9 hrs (Full Day) · Small-Group Naturalist Day Combo

La Fortuna Waterfall, Mistico Hanging Bridges & Arenal Volcano Combo

If you only have one full activity day in La Fortuna, this 3-in-1 naturalist combo covers all three iconic highlights—the 70-meter waterfall, canopy suspension bridges, and 1968 lava fields—without renting a car.

Actual Departure Point: Hotel pickup across La Fortuna and Arenal volcano corridor (~7:15 AM)
Included: La Fortuna Waterfall ticket (500-step canyon trail), Mistico Hanging Bridges walk, 1968 Arenal Volcano lava trail hike, traditional lunch, bilingual naturalist
Not Included: Optional evening hot springs upgrade (available at checkout)
Requirements: Moderate fitness required (500 stairs at La Fortuna Waterfall plus 5 km of rainforest trails).
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Balsa River White Water Rafting Class II–III from La Fortuna ★ 5.0 · 2,094 REVIEWS Viator
★ 5.0 (2,094 reviews) From $80
La Fortuna & Arenal · 4 hrs 30 min · Guided Rafting Half-Day + Lunch

Balsa River White Water Rafting Class II–III from La Fortuna

Splash through fun, rolling Class II and III rapids on the rainforest-lined Río Balsa while spotting sloths, toucans, and iguanas in the riverside trees between rapids.

Actual Departure Point: La Fortuna central office or hotel pickup across Arenal hotels
Included: 2+ hours of Class II/III rafting, certified river guides + safety kayaker, helmets/PFDs, tropical fruit break, farm-to-table lunch
Not Included: River photography package
Requirements: Minimum age 8; secure water shoes or strap sandals required (no flip-flops).
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The Original Canopy Tour Monteverde Cloud Forest Zipline 1,477+ VERIFIED REVIEWS Viator
★ 4.9 (1,477 reviews) From $90
Monteverde · 2 hrs 30 min · Small-Group Cloud Forest Canopy Tour

The Original Canopy Tour Monteverde Cloud Forest Zipline

Soar through misty epiphyte-draped cloud forest on the pioneering Monteverde canopy course, complete with an internal strangler-fig tree climb and optional Tarzan swing.

Actual Departure Point: Pickup from Santa Elena and Monteverde hotels
Included: Cloud forest zipline cables, rappelling descent, hollow-strangler-fig tree climb, Tarzan swing, full harness/helmet gear
Not Included: Lunch, tips
Requirements: Ages 6+; maximum waist 42 in / weight 240 lbs; closed-toe shoes mandatory.
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Monteverde Cloud Forest Reserve Guided Walk with Naturalist CLOUD FOREST NATURALIST Viator
★ 4.8 (191 reviews) From $30
Monteverde · 2 hrs 30 min · Small-Group Guided Reserve Walk

Monteverde Cloud Forest Reserve Guided Walk with Naturalist

Spot Resplendent Quetzals, emerald toucanets, hummingbirds, and orchids along the Continental Divide with a local biologist carrying a high-powered optical scope.

Actual Departure Point: Main entrance of Monteverde Cloud Forest Biological Reserve (7:30 AM or 11:30 AM)
Included: Certified bilingual naturalist guide, HD optical spotting scope, small group size
Not Included: Monteverde Cloud Forest Biological Reserve entrance ticket (~$26 adult, purchased separately), hotel transfer
Requirements: All ages; pack a light rain shell as cloud-forest mist is common year-round.
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Tortuga Island All-Inclusive Catamaran Day Tour from Jacó & Los Sueños 1,670+ REVIEWS · COSTA CAT Viator
★ 4.9 (1,670 reviews) From $174
Jacó & Herradura · 7 hrs 45 min · High-Speed Catamaran Island Excursion

Tortuga Island All-Inclusive Catamaran Day Tour from Jacó & Los Sueños

Board a luxury high-speed catamaran at Los Sueños Marina in Herradura and cross the Gulf of Nicoya in under an hour to the white-sand beaches and turquoise snorkeling reefs of Isla Tortuga.

Actual Departure Point: Los Sueños Marina (Herradura) with hotel pickup from Jacó & Herradura
Included: 50-minute catamaran crossing to Isla Tortuga, light breakfast, rum punch/margaritas, snorkeling excursion, banana boat ride, grilled island lunch, beach loungers
Not Included: Optional island kayaking or paddleboard rentals, crew tips
Requirements: All ages; bring passport copy or photo ID for marina boarding manifest.
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Manuel Antonio Catamaran Snorkel & Coastal Wildlife Cruise ★ 5.0 · QUEPOS MARINA Viator
★ 5.0 (233 reviews) From $95
Manuel Antonio & Quepos · 3 hrs 30 min · Morning Snorkel or Afternoon Sunset Sail

Manuel Antonio Catamaran Snorkel & Coastal Wildlife Cruise

Sail from Marina Pez Vela past the forested islands and sea cliffs of Manuel Antonio National Park, watching for spotted dolphins and humpback whales before anchoring in Biesanz Bay.

Actual Departure Point: Marina Pez Vela, Quepos (with hotel pickup across Manuel Antonio & Quepos)
Included: Catamaran cruise along Manuel Antonio National Park headlands, snorkeling at Playa Biesanz, water slides, grilled fish/chicken meal, drinks
Not Included: Crew tips
Requirements: All ages welcome; morning departures offer the clearest snorkeling visibility during green season.
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Bahía Ballena Whale & Dolphin Watching Boat Tour in Uvita MARINO BALLENA NATIONAL PARK Viator
★ 4.8 (210 reviews) From $75
Uvita, Dominical & Ojochal · 3 hrs · Guided Marine Park Boat Excursion

Bahía Ballena Whale & Dolphin Watching Boat Tour in Uvita

Explore Costa Rica's premier humpback whale nursery (active Dec–Apr and Jul–Nov) inside Marino Ballena National Park, cruising past the famous Whale's Tail tombolo, Roca Viuda bird island, and coastal sea caves.

Actual Departure Point: Martin Adventours office, Punta Uvita (free secure parking, 8:30 AM check-in)
Included: SINAC Marino Ballena National Park entrance ticket, bilingual marine guide, boat excursion to Whale's Tail & Ventanas sea caves, snorkel gear, tropical fruit
Not Included: Hotel transfers from Dominical or Ojochal
Requirements: All ages; wet beach boarding at Punta Uvita—wear water sandals and shorts.
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Caño Island Biological Reserve Small-Group Snorkeling Tour from Drake Bay ISLA DEL CAÑO RESERVE Viator
★ 4.8 (220 reviews) From $112
Drake Bay & Osa Peninsula · 6 hrs · Small-Group Marine Reserve Boat Day

Caño Island Biological Reserve Small-Group Snorkeling Tour from Drake Bay

Cross 45 minutes by boat from Drake Bay to protected Isla del Caño Biological Reserve—home to the clearest offshore coral reefs on Costa Rica's southern Pacific coast, sea turtles, white-tip reef sharks, and rays.

Actual Departure Point: Main beach at Agujitas, Drake Bay (7:30 AM wet-landing boat boarding)
Included: Caño Island Biological Reserve SINAC permit, 2 guided coral-reef snorkel sessions, ICT-certified guide, snorkel gear, beachside picnic lunch
Not Included: Sierpe-to-Drake Bay arrival boat transfer
Requirements: Passport number required at booking for SINAC reserve manifest; comfortable swimming ability.
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Puerto Viejo & Cahuita National Park Coral Reef Snorkel + Rainforest Hike CARIBBEAN REEF & RAINFOREST Viator
★ 4.8 (8 reviews) From $158
Puerto Viejo & Cahuita · 5–6 hrs · Guided Boat Snorkel + Coastal Trail Walk

Puerto Viejo & Cahuita National Park Coral Reef Snorkel + Rainforest Hike

Cahuita National Park requires a certified local guide to snorkel its protected 600-acre coral reef—this small-group outing pairs a 2-stop reef boat session with a naturalist walk back along the white-sand coastal trail.

Actual Departure Point: Hotel pickup in Puerto Viejo de Talamanca, Cocles, Punta Uva, or Cahuita
Included: Boat snorkeling over Cahuita's protected fringing coral reef, guided coastal rainforest hike (sloths, white-faced capuchins, vipers), snorkel gear, tropical fruit
Not Included: Full lunch
Requirements: Best Caribbean water clarity runs August through October and February through April.
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Poás Volcano Crater, Coffee Plantation & Waterfalls Day Trip from San José TOP CENTRAL VALLEY DAY TRIP Viator
★ 4.8 (191 reviews) From $149
San José & Central Valley · 8–9 hrs · Guided Full-Day Highland Excursion

Poás Volcano Crater, Coffee Plantation & Waterfalls Day Trip from San José

Turn a San José airport overnight into a memorable highland escape: peer into the steaming turquoise acid lagoon of Poás Volcano early before clouds roll in, tour a historic Arabica coffee estate, and walk beside cloud-forest waterfalls.

Actual Departure Point: Hotel pickup in San José, Escazú, Santa Ana, and Alajuela (SJO airport area)
Included: Poás Volcano National Park timed-entry ticket, highland coffee estate tour & tasting, waterfall & wildlife sanctuary visit, lunch, round-trip A/C transport
Not Included: Gratuities
Requirements: Pack a light jacket—Poás crater sits at 2,708 meters (8,885 ft) where mornings are crisp.
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