Prices, Highlights, and Best Time to Visit
Guanacaste, Costa Rica, is a destination rich in natural beauty, offering visitors a variety of outdoor activities and unique experiences. Whether you’re looking to explore volcanoes, discover wildlife, or relax on the Pacific coast, there’s no shortage of incredible tours in Guanacaste to choose from.
In this guide, we’ll cover the top seven tours in Guanacaste, including prices, duration, highlights, and the best times of year to enjoy these adventures. We selected these tours based on their popularity, diversity of experiences, unique attractions, accessibility, and the opportunity to experience the best of Guanacaste’s natural beauty and culture.
1. Rincon de la Vieja National Park Nature Hike + Hot Springs
- Price: From $169 per person
- Duration: 7-8 hours
- Highlights:
- Explore volcanic activity with bubbling mud pots and fumaroles
- Hike through tropical dry forests
- Spot wildlife like howler monkeys and exotic birds
- Relax in natural hot springs and enjoy volcanic mud baths
One of the most popular tours in Guanacaste is the Rincon de la Vieja National Park Nature Hike + Hot Springs. The park features an active volcano and geothermal features like hot springs and fumaroles. You’ll hike through scenic dry forests and may encounter various wildlife, such as monkeys and tropical birds. After hiking, you can unwind in the natural hot springs or treat yourself to a volcanic mud bath.
This tour was selected because it offers a unique combination of adventure and relaxation, allowing visitors to explore one of Costa Rica’s active volcanoes while also enjoying its geothermal wonders.
- Best Time to Go: December to April
The dry season offers the best conditions for hiking and outdoor activities, with clearer trails and more predictable weather.
2. Palo Verde Wet Lands Boat Tour
- Price: From $179 per person
- Duration: 4-5 hours
- Highlights:
- Boat ride on the Tempisque River
- Spot crocodiles, monkeys, and vibrant bird species
- Explore Costa Rica’s largest wetland ecosystem
The Palo Verde Wet Lands Boat Tour is a wildlife lover’s dream, making it one of the top tours in Guanacaste for nature enthusiasts. A boat ride along the Tempisque River takes you through the vast Palo Verde wetlands, where you’ll spot crocodiles, monkeys, and a variety of bird species. This wetland ecosystem is home to some of the country’s richest biodiversity.
This tour is highly recommended due to its focus on wildlife and the opportunity to explore one of Costa Rica’s most important wetland areas, making it a great choice for those interested in nature and photography.
- Best Time to Go: December to April
During the dry season, wildlife gathers near the riverbanks, offering excellent viewing opportunities.
3. Rio Celeste and Tenorio Volcano National Park Hike
- Price: From $159 per person
- Duration: 8-9 hours
- Highlights:
- Hike to the stunning Rio Celeste waterfall, known for its turquoise waters
- Explore lush rainforests and if lucky observe wildlife like sloths and frogs
- Visit the “Teñideros,” where the river turns a brilliant blue
Among the many tours in Guanacaste, the Rio Celeste and Tenorio Volcano National Park tour stands out for its incredible natural beauty. The Rio Celeste, with its bright blue waters, is one of Costa Rica’s most iconic sights. The tour includes a hike through the rainforest to the Rio Celeste waterfall and opportunities to spot wildlife along the way.
We included this tour because of the uniqueness of Rio Celeste’s bright blue waters and the magical experience of hiking through lush rainforests. It’s perfect for those seeking a blend of adventure and stunning natural beauty.
- Best Time to Go: January to April
During the dry season, the vibrant blue color of the river is at its peak. Heavy rains during the rainy season can diminish the river’s striking color.
4. Rincón De La Vieja Day Adventure Tour
- Price: From $189 per person
- Duration: 6-8 hours
- Highlights:
- Zip-lining through the canopy
- Horseback riding through scenic trails
- Natural hot springs and volcanic mud bath
- Experience the thrill of a 400-meter waterslide
If you’re looking for an action-packed day, the Rincón De La Vieja Day Adventure Tour offers a variety of activities, making it one of the most versatile tours in Guanacaste. Zip-lining through the forest, horseback riding along scenic trails, and relaxing in the hot springs are just a few highlights. The waterslide, which races down the hillside, adds extra excitement to your adventure.
This tour made the list because of its diversity of activities—it combines adventure, relaxation, and nature into one day, making it a great choice for families and groups.
- Best Time to Go: December to April
The dry season provides perfect weather for outdoor activities. The tour operates year-round, but the hot springs are particularly refreshing on cooler or rainy days.
5. Nicaragua Cultural Experience Day
- Price: From $189 per person
- Duration: 10-12 hours
- Highlights:
- Explore the colonial city of Granada
- Boat ride on Lake Nicaragua with views of Ometepe Island’s volcanoes
- Visit Masaya Volcano, an active volcano with a steaming crater
For those looking to expand their adventure beyond Costa Rica, the Nicaragua Cultural Experience Day is a standout option. This full-day excursion allows you to visit Granada, a historic city known for its colonial architecture, as well as the famous Masaya Volcano. A boat ride on Lake Nicaragua provides stunning views of Ometepe Island and its twin volcanoes.
This tour was chosen because it offers a unique cultural experience, allowing visitors to explore another country’s history and natural beauty while staying in Guanacaste. It’s perfect for travelers interested in cultural immersion.
- Best Time to Go: Year-round
This tour runs year-round, but dry season weather (December to April) offers optimal sightseeing conditions.
6. Bijagua Sloths And Wildlife Tour
- Price: From $179 per person
- Duration: 3-4 hours
- Highlights:
- Spot two species of sloths in their natural habitat
- Guided walk through tropical rainforest
- Birdwatching opportunities, including toucans and hummingbirds
The Bijagua Sloths And Wildlife Tour, located near Tenorio Volcano, is one of the most sought-after tours in Guanacaste for wildlife enthusiasts. This guided tour takes you into the rainforest, where you can see both two-toed and three-toed sloths in their natural habitat. The area is also great for birdwatching, with sightings of colorful toucans and hummingbirds.
We included this tour because of the chance to see sloths up close, which is a dream for many travelers. It’s an excellent choice for families and anyone interested in Costa Rica’s wildlife.
- Best Time to Go: Year-round
Although the tour operates year-round, sloths are easier to spot during the dry season (December to April) when the trees have fewer leaves.
7. Pacific Coast Sunset Cruise
- Price: From $129 per person
- Duration: 4-5 hours
- Highlights:
- Scenic sail along the Pacific coast
- Snorkeling in clear waters
- Watch a stunning sunset over the ocean
- Enjoy snacks and an open bar on board
For a relaxing way to experience the Pacific coast, the Pacific Coast Sunset Cruise is one of the top tours in Guanacaste. This tour combines a scenic sailing trip with opportunities for snorkeling and marine life viewing. The highlight of the tour is the breathtaking sunset you’ll enjoy from the water, complemented by refreshments and drinks.
This tour is perfect for those looking for a laid-back, picturesque experience to end their day. It’s ideal for couples, families, and groups wanting to enjoy Guanacaste’s stunning coastline.
- Best Time to Go: November to April
The dry season offers clear skies and calm seas, perfect for a sunset cruise. The rainy season can bring unpredictable weather, but rain showers often result in dramatic skies, rainbows, and sunsets of course.
With a wide variety of tours in Guanacaste, you’ll find an adventure that suits your travel style. From the thrilling zip-lines of Buena Vista del Rincón to the tranquil wildlife encounters in Bijagua, these top seven tours offer a mix of nature, culture, and adventure.
We selected these tours based on their popularity, unique attractions, diversity of experiences, and accessibility. Whether you’re visiting during the dry or rainy season, planning your activities based on the best times to visit ensures you’ll have the most memorable experience in Guanacaste’s stunning landscapes.