Top Guanacaste and Northwest Eco Tours

Spend a fun-filled and relaxing day at Ponderosa Adventure Park, a safari-style park in Liberia, Costa Rica. The sprawling park is home to various animals, including zebras, giraffes, and ostriches, and opportunities for adventures that include kayaking, zip lining, and horseback riding through forest to waterfalls. Book a full day ticket for included activities and lunch.

Pamper yourself in a volcanic spa rife with mineral-rich mud baths and hot springs on a private or small-group tour of Miravalles Volcano. Depart from the coast for an adventure in a tropical rain forest full of opportunities to swim, hike, and relax in Costa Rica’s lush wilderness.

Voyage through the rich wetlands ecosystem of Palo Verde National Park on this full-day tour from Tamarindo or Papagayo Bay. Look for monkeys, crocodiles, iguanas, and other wildlife on a cruise down the Tempisque River — also a birdwatcher’s paradise. Later, explore the area’s culture and cuisine with a homemade lunch and handicraft demo in the artisan town of Bolson.

Start your day off right with this morning small-group sailing and snorkeling tour. Cruise through the Gulf of Papagayo and jump off board into the warm Costa Rican waters on a guided snorkel before relaxing on a secluded beach. Keep your eyes peeled on the sail back to Playas del Coco as, depending on the time of year, there's a good chance of spotting sea turtles, dolphins, rays, and whales.

If you want to see sloths in Costa Rica, maximize your chances at the Spring Paradise Bijagua, where the adorable furry creatures can often be seen in their natural habitat. Plus, take a guided hike through the rainforest to the Blue River waterfall, and cool off with cliff jumping and swimming in a jungle lagoon. It's a great way to take a break from the beaches and do something different in Tamarindo.

Get an up-close look at Costa Rica's hidden natural wonders on this Rio Celeste and Llanos de Cortes waterfall tour. Follow an expert local guide through breathtaking scenery, rugged trails, and truly beautiful attractions. This is the perfect way to explore outside the city and see what makes Costa Rica a top attraction for nature lovers.

Experience Tamarindo’s perfect breaks with a 2-hour surf lesson at a legendary beachside shop. Get in the water for the first time and practice paddling, popping up and riding in a forgiving beach break. More experienced surfers can hone their skills by surfing alongside an expert instructor, learning to read the breaking surf while improving technique and form. Riders of all skill levels can soak up the sun on the Pacific Coast and enjoy the security of an experienced surf school that places the emphasis on safety and fun. 

There’s a good reason why Tamarindo is known as a top surf destination for beginners. In just one lesson, you can pop up on your board and ride a wave when you take a private or group lesson. Or, even upgrade to a 3-day mini-surf camp—the choice is yours when you book. No matter what you choose, hang easy knowing that all equipment and a qualified instructor are included with all packages.

Grab your passport and head over the border for a whistle-stop tour of Nicaragua’s best bits from Costa Rica. Take in the views from Catarina Volcano, haggle over handicrafts at the Masaya Artisan Market and visit the active Masaya Volcano. After a delicious lunch of typical Nicaraguan cuisine, explore the colonial town of Granada, where you can marvel over the historic architecture and admire views of Mombacho Volcano. Finally, set sail across Lake Nicaragua for a 1-hour sunset cruise, stopping to meet the friendly monkeys of Monkey Island along the way.

Watch the sun slip into the Pacific Ocean on a 4-hour sailing tour from the Guanacaste to a white sand beach with remarkable snorkeling. Enjoy unlimited beer, wine and soft drinks as you cast off, and watch for the dolphins, whales and turtles that thrive along the scenic coastline. Drop anchor to explore with a guide or at your own pace, swim alongside brilliant fish and bright coral, then watch the first stars appear as you steer back towards the shore.

Enjoy the thrill of this all-day adventure that includes some of the best outdoor fun. Get your adrenaline pumping on an exciting zipline tour, horseback riding through epic landscapes, and tubing along a flowing river. This memorable tour includes a visit to natural hot springs, a volcanic mud bath, and a full buffet lunch. It's the best way to experience the natural wonder of Costa Rica!

Explore Tamarindo’s beaches and dry forest on an off-road ATV tour with river crossings, mountain views, and stunning tropical scenery. Learn to maneuver your vehicle, then follow your guide along a rugged circuit. Take in the sights and sounds of the Costa Rican forest and watch for birds and monkeys as you steer beneath coastal trees. Upgrade your tour to include other activities such as snorkeling, driving a UTV, ziplining, or even exploring other areas by ATV.

Set sail on the big blue Pacific with this deluxe catamaran cruise from Tamarindo or Playa del Coco. Sunbathe on the spacious deck and stop to swim and snorkel in the warm tropical waters. Enjoy lunch freshly prepared onboard by an attentive crew, and stay hydrated with unlimited drinks from an open bar. Cruise back into port just as the sun is setting for a memorable end to a another day in paradise.

Spend a day in the wilderness that makes Costa Rica famous on this guided ATV tour from the Guanacaste coast. Follow your guide over rivers, through thick jungle foliage, past waterfalls, and more, all while learning about the native wildlife along the way. This tour includes all equipment and safety instructions as well as hotel pickup from your Guanacaste lodging.

Adventure seekers and spa mavens alike will enjoy this full-day tour to Vida Aventura Nature Park, nestled in the scenic mountains of Guanacaste. Fly through the treetops on a series of ziplines, and then return to solid ground for a horseback ride complete with stunning vistas of two active volcanoes. Unwind after your adventure with a mineral-rich mud bath, followed by a refreshing rinse in a natural hot spring. Your tour includes a traditional Costa Rican lunch.

Explore Costa Rica’s wild side on a 2-hour guided ATV tour in the Guanacaste region. Venture through forests, forge rivers, and comb the beach in search of wildlife sightings and a dose of adventure.

Scout for tropical birds, monkeys, crocodiles, and more on a mangrove safari boat ride down the Palo Verde River from Guanacaste. After a scenic drive, sail down the protected waters in Palo Verde National Park, followed by an optional upgrade to include lunch and a visit to a local pottery studio (morning tour only). Round-trip transportation from your lodging on the Guanacaste coast included.

Swap the glittering Pacific waters of Playa Flamingo for the wild waters of the Tempisque River on this half-day tour of the Palo Verde National Park. Hop on-board a riverboat for a 2-hour cruise through the scenic wetlands and sprawling dry forests of Palo Verde. Along the way, keep a lookout for native wildlife, from crocodiles and iguanas lazing on the riverbanks, to monkeys and colorful birds flitting through the treetops.

Get an early start for a full-day tour from Playa Langosta that visits the wildlife refuge at Finca Verde Lodge and a waterfall in the rain forest. Your guide leads an educational walk that showcases the birds, sloths, frogs, snakes, insects, and tropical plants of Finca Verde. Then have lunch and stop for a dip in the natural pool at the base of Llanos del Cortez Waterfall.

Guanacaste’s tropical dry forest is one of Central America’s most vulnerable ecosystems, home to a rich variety of wildlife including howler monkeys, deer, and parrots. On this guided hiking tour, stroll through Werner Sauter Biological Reserve while your guide teaches you about the region’s wildlife and the history of indigenous people who once called these forests home. Your guide navigates, leaving you free to enjoy the scenery and spot native wildlife.

Swap sandy beaches for soaring peaks on this full-day tour of the Miravalles volcano from Playa Flamingo. Witness the effects of one of Guanacaste's most active volcanoes as you pass bubbling mud pots, smoking geysers and sulfur springs, and enjoy the rare opportunity to soak in a volcanic mud bath and natural hot springs. After lunch (included), embark on an exhilarating hike along lush rainforest trails and rugged volcanic terrain, stopping to cool off with a swim beneath natural waterfalls.

Discover the amazing world of sloths on this full-day, guided tour to observe these slow-moving creatures in their natural home. Set off on a hike passing toucans, tree frogs, and other wildlife along the way. Stop when you spot a sloth moving gently through the trees and learn about their life and habitat. Hear about Costa Rica’s biodiversity from your guide and visit a snake park and butterfly garden.

The landscape around the lake at the foot of the Arenal Volcano is magnificent, literally amazing hikes at the National Park or a relaxing boat ride with the sound of birds and the at the forest of the national park. There is a traditional lunch at Costa Rican representative meal - Casado - (rice, beans, green salad, plantains or picadillo, and chicken or pork). At the hot spring, you will find natural minerals in the water perfect for your health 25 pool and the tortellini water slide, fun, and relaxation with an amazing view from some of the pools.

Get lost in a lush tropical paradise complete with mineral pools, butterfly gardens, miniature horses, and even dinosaurs on this family-friendly Blue River combo tour. Feel ancient history come to life as you encounter the Jurassic robots of Dino Park, and admire majestic Rincon de la Vieja Volcano on a hike through the rain forest. Stroll among the botanical gardens and turtle ponds of a luxury resort, and soak your cares away in natural hot springs while a freshwater pool and water slide keep the young at heart entertained.