Costa Rica Boat Tour
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.
The best tours in Costa Rica
Corcovado National Park Day Tour
From $219Hike through the lush rainforests of Corcovado National Park and spot an incredible amount of biodiversity on this exciting all day tour.
Jungle Crocodile Safari
From $40The 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.
Caño Island Snorkeling
From $201Spend your day snorkeling and swimming in the clear waters of the Caño Island Biological Reserve.
Tortuga Island Tour
From $103Take 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.
Cano Negro Wildlife Reserve
From $105On 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.
Damas Estuary Boat Trip
From $98The 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.
Caño Island Tour-
From $122This 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.
Tortuga Island BBQ Tour
From $157On 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.
Whale Watching Tour
From $155Marine Mammals frequent the waters surrounding Osa Peninsula and the goal of this trip is to search for and observe animals in there natural habitat but not to disturb or disrupt them. It is common to find whales, dolphins, manta rays and sea turtles.
Mangrove Fishing Tour
From $869Damas Island is just off the coast of Manual Antonio National Park, and mangrove forest lines Damas Island's coast. For this tour you will board a high-tech motorboat and glide past mangroves, and eventually reach a good place to go fishing.
Costa Rica itineraries from local insiders
Explore hand-picked Costa Rica itineraries designed by local insiders who know every hidden corner. Each trip is completely flexible, customized to your pace, travel style, and budget.
Pura Vida Adventure Together
We both love nature and hiking so Costa Rica is ideal for both of those. We went during what’s considered the rainy season so you need to be aware of that going in. It rained at some point almost every day we were there but we still had a very enjoyable time. We visited La Fortuna and Manuel Antonio. We enjoyed La Fortuna more. La Fortuna was more jungle whereas Manuel Antonio was more coastal and felt more touristy.
Costa Rica
Adventure Through Costa Rica's Wild Heart
Costa Rica was just magnificent. The people, food, jungles, beaches were all fantastic. Can’t wait until my next trip back.
Costa Rica
Big Multi Family Group Adventure
Embark on a vibrant Costa Rican adventure that juxtaposes bustling urban energy with lush, untouched rainforests, delivering a dynamic escape from everyday routine. From San José’s lively streets you’ll head to Monteverde’s cloud‑forest canopy for sky tram rides and hikes, then dive into Rio Celeste’s turquoise waters and trek El Silencio’s volcanic paths. Friendly locals and knowledgeable guides will immerse you in coffee farms, rainforest sounds, and volcanic vistas, leaving you with lasting memories of Costa Rica’s spirited hospitality and natural wonder.
Costa Rica
60th birthday jungle adventure
If you like the outside at all, Costa Rica is for you! It truly is a rich coast. The diversity of wildlife is mind blowing. It is spectacular.
Costa Rica
Costa Rica Two Family Journey
Lovely, relaxing country. Lots of activities, everything from lounging to adventure and more. Friendly people, tasty food, family-friendly.
Costa Rica
Matt and Fran’s Costa Rica holiday
Costa Rica has a diverse landscape and every area is unique and different. We easily rented a 4 wheel drive vehicle and drove from the Caribbean to the Pacific!
Costa Rica
Family Time in Costa Rica
Michelle and her family embarked on a multi‑generational adventure in Costa Rica, where mist‑cloaked cloud forests meet surf‑kissed Pacific beaches, offering a vibrant contrast of cool heights and warm tides. Your journey weaves through Monteverde’s canopy zip lines and canyoning thrills, the turquoise Tenorio River’s Class III/IV rapids, and La Leona waterfall’s lush river tubing. Guided by local experts and supported by a comfortable van, your family will soak up Pura Vida hospitality, returning home with shared stories of soaring forests and surf‑side sunsets.
Costa Rica
Family Adventure Through Costa Rica
Rachel and her family of four spent a week moving across Costa Rica, from Arenal to the Pacific coast, with every transfer and tour arranged door to door. In Arenal they rode the Sky Adventures aerial tram and ziplines, took on the Balsa River's Class II–III rapids, and walked the EcoGarden trails to find sloths in their actual habitat, not a roadside stop, then the falls at La Fortuna. On the coast at Manuel Antonio they hiked the national park with a local guide, snorkeled the reef, and chased the Mulguri waterfall. As Rachel said, these weren't tours with twenty other tourists trailing the buses. They were the real thing, reachable only through local connections, with the family's days handled start to finish.
Costa Rica
More tours in Costa Rica
Everything else in this category, from half-day escapes to multi-day adventures, all run by the local insiders we work with year-round.
Papagayo Gulf
Half Day Fun at the Ocean
Tour
Tour
Sarapiqui
Sarapiqui River Safari
Tour
Palo Verde
Palo Verde Boat Tour and Lunch - Cipanci
Tour
Tortuga Island
Tortuga Island Tour
Tour
Insider-led Costa Rica Design & Concierge
Your insider team designs the trip around what you care about, then supports you in-country with private logistics, vetted partners, and concierge help when plans change.
