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NaturaCosta Rica MANUEL ANTONIO · CARARA · RÍO CELESTE · RINCÓN · PALO VERDE · TORTUGUERO · CORCOVADO
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Arenal Volcano rising above the rainforest. Photo: Joshua ten Brink / WildPhotography.com
NATURA COSTA RICA · PARKS & WILDLIFE PLANNER

Costa Rica national park tours: choose the habitat, then book the guide.

Eight guided park days with live 'From' prices, from Manuel Antonio's sloths to Tortuguero's canals and Corcovado's Sirena Station. Each card says whether the park ticket is included.

See Top Tours ↓ View Live Options · #1 Pick ↗ Free Costa Rica Parks Insider Guide (2026)
✓ 8 Vetted Local Operators · Named Meeting Points ✓ Free 24h cancellation on 7 of 8 top picks ✓ Secure checkout with trusted booking partners
SECTION 01 · HANDPICKED & VERIFIED EXPERIENCES

Costa Rica National Park Tours Worth Booking

One guided day per habitat: Pacific rainforest, volcanic north, wetlands, Caribbean canals and the Osa. Prices are live 'From' fares. Filter by region:

The main beach inside Manuel Antonio National Park
01 · MOST-VISITED PARK
Verified · Viator
MANUEL ANTONIO · 4 HRS From $49

Manuel Antonio National Park Guided Tour with a Naturalist

Four hours on Manuel Antonio's trails with a nature specialist and a spotting scope, looking for sloths, monkeys and birds before the beaches. Snacks are included.

Departs: Ask for Jade Tours at the park entrance gate; pickup within Manuel Antonio and Quepos
Check: The park ticket is not included, so buy it before you go. The park is closed on Tuesdays.
✓ Free cancellation Secure checkout · Viator
Book Now · See Availability ↗ Details →
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A scarlet macaw, the signature bird of Carara
02 · SCARLET MACAWS
Verified · Viator
CARARA · 2–3 HRS From $45

Guided Visit to Carara National Park (Ticket Included)

A guided walk in Carara, where dry and wet forest meet, known for scarlet macaws. The entrance ticket and a spotting telescope are included.

Departs: Carara National Park entrance (Route 34, north of Jacó)
Check: Child rate from age 2. Transport not included; mornings are best for birds.
✓ Free cancellation Secure checkout · Viator
Book Now · See Availability ↗ Details →
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The blue water of Río Celeste in Tenorio Volcano National Park
03 · BLUE RIVER HIKE
Verified · Viator
RÍO CELESTE · 8 HRS From $89

Río Celeste Full-Day Hike: Blue Waterfall & Tenorio Volcano

A full day from La Fortuna to Tenorio Volcano National Park to hike to the Río Celeste waterfall and the point where the river turns blue. Lunch and a professional guide are included.

Departs: Red Lava office in front of Relax Termalitas, La Fortuna; hotel pickup in the La Fortuna area
Check: Child rate from age 5. Dinner not included. Trails can be muddy, so bring proper shoes.
✓ Free cancellation Secure checkout · Viator
Book Now · See Availability ↗ Details →
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A bubbling mud pot in Rincón de la Vieja National Park
04 · VOLCANO + HOT SPRINGS
Verified · Viator
RINCÓN DE LA VIEJA · 12 HRS From $125

Rincón de la Vieja Volcano Hike, Waterfall Swim & Hot Springs

A Guanacaste combo day: a hike past bubbling mud pots in Rincón de la Vieja National Park, a waterfall swim and hot springs. Park fees, lunch and hotel pickup are included.

Departs: Hotel pickup from Guanacaste beach areas, or self-drive to the meeting point
Check: A per-booking transport fee applies from some areas; some resorts are excluded from pickup.
✓ Free cancellation Secure checkout · Viator
Book Now · See Availability ↗ Details →
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A little blue heron on the Tempisque River
05 · WETLAND BIRDS
Verified · Viator
PALO VERDE · 3 HR 10 MIN From $90

Palo Verde National Park Boat Tour from Ortega

A small-group boat trip on the Tempisque River through Palo Verde's wetlands, one of the best places in Costa Rica for water birds and crocodiles. A homemade family-style meal is included.

Departs: Your choice of two entrances (Filadelfia/Corralillos or Ortega); directions on the listing
Check: Transport and park entrance fees not included. Child rate from age 6.
✓ Free cancellation Secure checkout · Viator
Book Now · See Availability ↗ Details →
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A rainforest canal in Tortuguero
06 · CANALS BY CANOE
Verified · Viator
TORTUGUERO · 3 HRS From $28

Canoe Tour in Tortuguero National Park

A quiet paddle through Tortuguero's canals at wildlife speed, looking for caimans, monkeys, river turtles and kingfishers. Snacks are included.

Departs: Tuanis Tour office, 50 metres south of Tortuguero's main dock
Check: National park entrance not included. Child rate from age 4.
✓ Free cancellation Secure checkout · Viator
Book Now · See Availability ↗ Details →
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The beach trail in Cahuita National Park
07 · REEF + RAINFOREST
Verified · Viator
CAHUITA · 5–6 HRS From $90

Cahuita National Park Tour and Water Experience from Puerto Viejo

A guided walk along Cahuita's beach-side rainforest trail, where sloths and howler monkeys are common, plus time in the water. Private transport from Puerto Viejo is included.

Departs: Pickup in Puerto Viejo; tell the operator if you're staying outside town
Check: Bottled water not included. Booking may need operator confirmation.
✓ Free cancellation Secure checkout · Viator
Book Now · See Availability ↗ Details →
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Sirena Station in Corcovado National Park
08 · DEEPEST WILDERNESS
Verified · Viator
CORCOVADO · 7–8 HRS From $110

Corcovado National Park: Sirena Station Day Trip from Drake Bay

A boat ride from Drake Bay to Sirena Station, the heart of Corcovado, for a guided day on the trails where tapirs, all four Costa Rican monkey species and scarlet macaws live. Lunch and fees are included.

Departs: Rancho Corcovado Hotel, Drake Bay
Check: All sales final (no refunds) and confirmed by the operator after you request it. Corcovado requires a certified guide.
All sales final · check date Secure checkout · Viator
Book Now · See Availability ↗ Details →
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More park and wildlife tours

Cloud-forest walks, night tours and other ways in. Each opens live dates.

MONTEVERDE · 2–3 HOURS

Monteverde Cloud Forest Guided Nature Walk with Expert Naturalist

From $35 · Cloud-forest walk with a naturalist (reserve tickets extra).

See Availability ↗
MONTEVERDE · NIGHT

Small Group Night Walking Tour in Monteverde

From $73 · Small-group night walk, admission included.

See Availability ↗
MONTEVERDE · NIGHT

Monteverde Cloud Forest Night Wildlife Experience

From $28.08 · Budget night walk (reserve admission extra).

See Availability ↗
ARENAL · FULL DAY

La Fortuna Waterfall, Arenal Volcano Hike & Hot Springs Tour

From $100 · La Fortuna waterfall, volcano hike and hot springs.

See Availability ↗
TORTUGUERO · NIGHT

Small-Group Tortuguero National Park Night Walk in Costa Rica

From $28 · Night walk at the edge of the park.

See Availability ↗
RÍO CELESTE · FROM GUANACASTE

Rio Celeste Hiking, Sloth Sanctuary & Llanos de Cortes Waterfall Tour

From $135 · Río Celeste day trip from the beach towns.

See Availability ↗
CAHUITA · FROM LIMÓN

Full-Day Tour to Cahuita National Park from Puerto Limon

From $109.90 · Cahuita day trip for cruise and Limón visitors.

See Availability ↗
PARK-DAY KIT

From our travel essentials page: what makes a guided walk better.

Compact binocularsSee details on Amazon ↗Costa Rica wildlife field guideSee details on Amazon ↗Packable rain jacketSee details on Amazon ↗Small waterproof dry bagSee details on Amazon ↗
MORE LIVE OPTIONS

Want to compare more options? These are live GetYourGuide results for Costa Rica national park tours.

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FULL CATALOG & LIVE CALENDAR

Want the full list of parks, fees and access rules? Start with our parks guide.

National Parks Guide → All Experiences
SECTION 02 · DAY-BY-DAY FIELD PLANS

Curated Costa Rica Itineraries That Actually Work

Switch between our 1-Day, Weekend, 3-Day, Family, and Couples blueprints. Each block is sequenced around real transfer times and links directly to the bookable experience.

One Park Day on the Pacific

Sloths and beaches in Manuel Antonio.

01 · 7 AM

Manuel Antonio guided walk

Gates open early; buy the ticket first.

Verified on Viator · From $49 Book Manuel Antonio ↗
02 · MIDDAY

Beach time inside the park

Swim at Playa Manuel Antonio.

Verified on Viator · From $49 See Park Tour ↗
03 · NEXT MORNING

Carara on the drive back

Macaws, about 90 minutes north.

Verified on Viator · From $45 Book Carara ↗
SECTION 03 · NEIGHBORHOODS, PORTS & STARTING HUBS

Costa Rica Nature Regions: 6 Bases Compared

Knowing which neighborhood, pier, or region your tour departs from saves hours in transit. Click any area below for our dedicated sub-guide:

Arenal Volcano AREA 01
Best for: volcanoes & hot springs

Arenal & La Fortuna

Base for Arenal Volcano, the La Fortuna waterfall and day trips to Río Celeste.

Explore Area Guide & Departures →
Monteverde cloud forest AREA 02
Best for: cloud forest

Monteverde

Cool, misty reserves, hanging bridges and some of the best night walks in the country.

Explore Area Guide & Departures →
Manuel Antonio National Park AREA 03
Best for: easy wildlife

Manuel Antonio & Carara

Small, busy Manuel Antonio for sloths and beaches; Carara for macaws on the way.

Explore Area Guide & Departures →
A hot spring in Rincón de la Vieja AREA 04
Best for: dry forest & wetlands

Guanacaste parks

Rincón de la Vieja's mud pots and Palo Verde's bird-filled wetlands, near the beach towns.

Explore Area Guide & Departures →
A boat trip on the Tortuguero canals AREA 05
Best for: canals & turtles

Tortuguero & Cahuita

Boat-access canals in the north Caribbean; reef and rainforest trail at Cahuita.

Explore Area Guide & Departures →
The Osa Peninsula coast. Photo: Joshua ten Brink / WildPhotography.com AREA 06
Best for: true wilderness

Osa Peninsula & Corcovado

Remote, guide-only Corcovado, reached by boat from Drake Bay or Puerto Jiménez.

Explore Area Guide & Departures →
SECTION 04 · SEASONALITY & TIMING

When to Visit Costa Rica: Month-by-Month Guide

Costa Rica's dry season runs roughly December to April on the Pacific side; May to November is the green season, with afternoon rain and fuller rivers. The Caribbean (Tortuguero, Cahuita) has its own rhythm, with September and October often drier there. Wildlife is visible all year; mornings are best everywhere.

BOOKING URGENCY RULE

Manuel Antonio limits daily visitors, and Corcovado tours fill early in the dry season. Seven of our eight picks offer free cancellation up to 24 hours before; the Corcovado day is all sales final.

Check Live Dates & Availability ↗
Month Typical Weather Crowd & Demand Level Best Experiences & Seasonal Events
Jan Dry (Pacific) High Clear trails; book Corcovado early
Feb Dry High Good birding in Carara and Palo Verde
Mar Dry, hot High (Holy Week some years) Palo Verde wetlands shrink, birds concentrate
Apr Dry to transition Medium-High Easter week is very busy
May Rains begin Medium Green season starts; forests turn lush
Jun Rainy afternoons Low-Medium Plan park walks for the morning
Jul Short dry spell (Pacific) Medium Turtle season begins in Tortuguero
Aug Rainy Medium Río Celeste flows strong
Sep Very wet (Pacific) Low Often a good month on the Caribbean
Oct Wettest (Pacific) Low Caribbean often drier; Osa very wet
Nov Rains easing Medium Quiet parks, full waterfalls
Dec Dry season returns High (holiday peak) Holiday weeks book out early
SECTION 05 · SLEEP NEAR YOUR MORNING DEPARTURE

Where to Stay in Costa Rica (3 Vetted Tiers)

Three nature bases, one per budget. These are Agoda partner properties; rates change daily, so check today's price for your dates.

Plan Your Trip →
Tabacón hot springs near Arenal
TIER 01 · THERMAL RESORT Live rates on Agoda

Tabacon Thermal Resort & Spa

📍 La Fortuna (Arenal)

Listed on Agoda as a thermal resort and spa near Arenal Volcano.

Recommended Stays: Tabacon Thermal Resort & Spa (Agoda partner property)
Check Rates at Tabacon →
A suspension bridge in the Monteverde cloud forest
TIER 02 · CLOUD-FOREST LODGE Live rates on Agoda

Trapp Family Lodge Monteverde

📍 Monteverde

Listed on Agoda as a hotel in Monteverde, a base for the cloud-forest reserves.

Recommended Stays: Trapp Family Lodge Monteverde (Agoda partner property)
Check Rates at Trapp Family Lodge →
Playa Manuel Antonio near Quepos
TIER 03 · NEAR THE PARK Live rates on Agoda

Hotel Playa Espadilla

📍 Manuel Antonio

Listed on Agoda as a hotel by Playa Espadilla, close to the Manuel Antonio park entrance.

Recommended Stays: Hotel Playa Espadilla (Agoda partner property)
Check Rates at Playa Espadilla →
SECTION 06 · E-E-A-T EDITORIAL METHODOLOGY & VERIFICATION

A habitat planner, not a tour desk.

We pick one guided day per habitat based on what you'll actually see, how long it takes, and what's included, especially park tickets, which catch many visitors out. We never invent star ratings or awards. Meeting points and inclusions come from each operator's live listing.

VERIFIED EDITORIAL RECORD
EasyCostaRica Travel Editorial Desk
Last updated & link-audited: Oct 30, 2026
About This Guide Plan Your Trip Disclosure

✓ Park tickets flagged

Included at Carara and Rincón; not included at Manuel Antonio, Tortuguero or Palo Verde.

✓ Meeting points named

Manuel Antonio gate, Red Lava office (La Fortuna), Tuanis office (Tortuguero), Rancho Corcovado (Drake Bay).

✓ Refund rules shown

The Corcovado day is all sales final and confirmed manually; we say so on the card.

✓ Verified links only

Every Book Now button opens a live listing with dates and terms.

Photography & License Attribution: Original Costa Rica photography © Joshua ten Brink / WildPhotography.com; additional destination imagery sourced via Wikimedia Commons contributors under CC BY / CC BY-SA licenses (see full image credits & source files).

SECTION 07 · FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

Costa Rica Tours & Travel FAQ

Direct, practical answers to the questions travelers ask most before booking Costa Rica tours, day trips, and transfers.

Read the National Parks Guide →

What are the best national parks to visit in Costa Rica?

+

For a first trip: Manuel Antonio for easy wildlife and beaches, Arenal and Tenorio (Río Celeste) for volcanoes, Monteverde for cloud forest, Tortuguero for canals and Corcovado for true wilderness.

Do I need a guide in Costa Rica's national parks?

+

Not everywhere, but a guide with a spotting scope shows you far more wildlife. Corcovado requires a certified guide.

Is the park ticket included in these tours?

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It depends. Carara and Rincón de la Vieja tours on our list include park fees; Manuel Antonio, Tortuguero and Palo Verde tours do not. Each card says which.

Is Manuel Antonio National Park open every day?

+

No. Manuel Antonio is closed on Tuesdays, and daily visitor numbers are limited, so buy your ticket ahead.

How do I get to Corcovado National Park?

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Most day trips leave by boat from Drake Bay to Sirena Station. The tour on our list meets at Rancho Corcovado Hotel in Drake Bay.

When is the best time to see wildlife in Costa Rica?

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Wildlife is visible all year. Mornings are best. The dry season (roughly December to April) is easiest for trails; the green season is lusher and quieter.

Can I do Río Celeste as a day trip?

+

Yes. Our pick runs a full day from La Fortuna with lunch and hotel pickup; another option leaves from the Guanacaste beach towns.

Which park tours are good for kids?

+

Carara (child rate from age 2), the Tortuguero canoe (from age 4) and Cahuita's flat beach trail are the easiest family choices on our list.

Can I cancel a park tour?

+

Seven of our eight picks offer free cancellation up to 24 hours before. The Corcovado Sirena day is all sales final.

SECTION 08 · FREE 2026 INSIDER FIELD GUIDE

The Costa Rica Parks Insider Guide (2026)

A printable cheat sheet: eight guided park days with meeting points, ticket notes and inclusions, plus five ready-made itineraries.

  • ✓Eight park tours with meeting points
  • ✓1-day, weekend, 3-day, family and couples plans
  • ✓Which tours include the park ticket
INSTANT PDF / HTML ACCESS

Send me the Costa Rica Insider Guide

Or open the printable guide directly right now →
Costa Rica Top Vetted Tours
Manuel Antonio Guided Park Tour · From $49
Top 8 Book #1 Pick ↗