It’s well known that some of the best places to visit in Costa Rica are the most difficult to get to. Boat tours help visitors access a score of such places by providing easy transportation up rivers, across oceans and through estuaries. During these trips, tour takers may snorkel, swim or sunbathe; they might search for birds or mammals, fish for rainbow bass, or hike along an island’s jungle trails. An ecologically savvy guide, who can help explain the relationships between the varying organisms, often accompanies these tours. Meals are frequently provided, and all guests are equipped with any necessary equipment.
27 Things to Do
Snorkel amongst the Pacific Ocean's crystal blue waters and spot a colorful array of marine life in the Marino Ballena National Park on this 2 hour tour.
3 hrs
From $72Hike through the lush rainforests of Corcovado National Park and spot an incredible amount of biodiversity on this exciting all day tour.
10 hrs
From $144The Jungle Crocodile Safari Tour will take you along a river teeming with wildlife-crocodiles, birds, reptiles and more! Have your eyes sharp and your camera ready as you enjoy this two-hour tour.
2 hrs
From $36Take an adventurous, all-inclusive tour of the gorgeous coast of the Nicoya Peninsula. Along the way, you’ll have ample opportunity for spotting wildlife as well as relaxing in the natural beauty of Tortuga Island. This is an all-day tour—your boat departs at 9 AM from Montezuma and returns at 4 PM.
7 hrs
From $67On this boating trip, you’ll depart from the Nicoya Peninsula to see Tortuga Island. Peer over the hulle of the boat for the chance to see marine wildlife swimming past. You’ll also have the chance to try snorkeling and explore the island on your own.
6 hrs
From $67This tour leaves departs from Drake Bay at 7:00 AM and includes two dives off of Caño Island. Your guide will take you to some of the most popular dive sites in the area, where you can see a ton of pelagic fish as well as manta rays. Divers treasure this site because it’s so beautifully preserved – no one is allowed to fish or collect shells in a 3-mile radius surrounding the island.
6 hrs
From $93To learn about how far Costa Rica has come, you need to understand the nation's history. The Palo Verde Boat Expedition and Cultural Tour will teach you about the country's cowboy and agrarian history, as well as how this tradition influenced the emphasis Costa Rica now places on sustainability.
Enjoy the fruits of the sustainability movement when you explore protected wetlands. See a variety of animals in their native habitat. Don't worry, you'll have the opportunity to enjoy refreshments before your tour and after.
6 hrs
From $94This tour of the Papagayo Gulf will take you along the coast of Costa Rica’s Guanacaste region. Guanacaste is a tropical region with abundant fish near its coast. You can book this tour as either a half-day or a full-day tour.
5 hrs
From $515On this 1.5-hour tour you’ll explore the wetlands of Palo Verde in a covered boat. Your guides can tell you more about this complex habitat and point out the many species of rare birds that call this reserve home.
5 hrs
From $75The Bahia Aventuras Combo Tour combines elements of some of the most popular tours - whale/dolphin watching and snorkeling - into one rip-roaring, exciting day of adventure.
4 hrs
From $80This tour is for intermediate surfers. Your surfing guide will take you on a boat ride to surf in the Guanacaste Conservation Area. A professional surfing instructor will join you in the water and help you to get the most out of your surfing experience. Besides great surfing, this area has beautiful beaches and waters that are frequented by dolphins and whales.
4 hrs
From $386This tour takes you on a boating tour of the Sierpe River’s virgin mangroves. Because these mangroves have remained totally undisturbed, you’ll get to see an especially intense level of biodiversity.
3 hrs
From $62The Damas Estuary Boat Trip takes you on a covered boat tour through the complex and beautiful estuaries and mangroves surrounding Damas Island. Damas Island got its name because it is said that the shape of the island resembles a woman.
3 hrs
From $64The Sarapiqui River flows along the border between Costa Rica and Nicaragua and is home to some of the country's most gorgeous scenery. During this 2-hour river safari, you'll ride a comfortable boat down the Sarapiqui River and have ample opportunities to spot a range of wildlife.
2 hrs
From $36Spend your day snorkeling and swimming in the clear waters of the Caño Island Biological Reserve and Violines Island.
9 hrs
From $144The Caño Negro is the most scenic part of the Río Frío, flowing through wetlands that teem with fascinating species. This tour takes place in a boat with an electromotor, which allows the boat to make its way down the river in silence, optimizing your chances of seeing lots of wildlife. Your guide will be happy to help you get as close as possible to the animals for the chance to take stunning pictures.
9 hrs
From $91On this tour you’ll take a boat down the Frío River and explore the wetlands of the Caño Negro Wildlife Refuge, located just a few miles south of the Nicaraguan border.
8 hrs
From $85This tour will introduce you to Palo Verde's wildlife as well as its indigenous culture. Have your camera handy as you search the riverbanks for monkeys, crocodiles, and a myriad of birds on this nature cruise through the Palo Verde National Park.
8 hrs
From $108This tour combines a safari-style float on the Sarapiquí River with a hike through the forest. As such, it is a fantastic way to experience both riparian and terrestrial environments in Costa Rica.
6 hrs
From $87Surfing at Witch’s Rock is for fairly advanced surfers who are ready to experience some of the best waves in Costa Rica. The hollow waves crashing on either side of this rocky formation have a reputation for being consistent and powerful. They break over a sandy bottom.
5 hrs
From $386- Elliot H.
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