Our most recommended things to do in Gulf of Nicoya, Costa Rica

San José: Tortuga Island Tour with Lunch & Hotel Transfer

1. San José: Tortuga Island Tour with Lunch & Hotel Transfer

Explore Tortuga Island on a guided tour with hotel pickup and drop-off included. Go on a quick tour of the other islands in a boat, then arrive at Tortuga Island. Go snorkeling or swimming, and eat breakfast on the beach. Opt to do other activities, such as renting a jet ski. Tuck into lunch. Begin your tour by getting picked up in an air-conditioned vehicle directly from your hotel in either Heredia, San José, or Alajuela. Once you arrive at the harbor, hop into your speedboat and set sail on your adventure. Listen to your guide tell you about the local area and take in the views. Go on a tour of the Gulf of Nicoya, and see islands such as San Lucas, Isla Cedros, and Jesusita. Use the opportunity to take photos. Along the way, keep an eye out for bottlenose dolphins that are residents of Puntarenas. See if you can spot whales or turtles, and stop to observe them. Upon arrival at the island, be provided with equipment to go snorkeling, as well as instructions on how to use them. Go searching for exotic and colorful fish underwater. Spend time relaxing on the white sand in the shade of palm trees. Opt to participate in other activities at an extra cost. Rent a jet ski or a kayak, or go paddleboarding. After you have explored the island, head back for lunch on the beach. Enjoy cold drinks and a coffee along with it. Hop back in the boat to be taken back to your hotel at the end of the day.

Monteverde: Sky Walk, Sky Tram & Sky Trek Ziplining Tour

2. Monteverde: Sky Walk, Sky Tram & Sky Trek Ziplining Tour

Explore Monteverde in a new way by getting a new perspective on the forest through the Sky Walk, SKy Tram, and the Sky Trek system of zip lines to admire the forest from the air. Spot different flora and fauna from the air, and admire the cloud forest, Arenal Volcano, Miravelles, and Orosi Volcanoes. Begin the tour with the Sky Walk guided tour, which combines trails and suspension bridges of varying lengths and heights above the canopy of the Monteverde Cloud Forest. Enjoy the flora and fauna of the area while being immersed in the forest's canopy, and learn from a guide specializing in the forest. Next, enjoy the Sky Tram portion of the tour, and have the opportunity to ride through the forest with short stops to observe the forest's biodiversity, and spot Arenal, Tenorio, Miravilles, and Orosi Volcanoes, and admire the Nicoya Gulf and Guanacaste Plain if the weather permits. For the final portion of the tour, enjoy the Sky Trek system of zip lines, which combined cover over 2.5 miles of distance through the forest. Enjoy a unique experience of adventure and adrenaline with speeds up to 40 miles per hour and distances ranging up to 2500 feet and heights of 524 feet. Absorb the views from five different observation towers over the cloud forest's treetops offering a panoramic view of the surroundings. Try the Sky Trek Vertigo drop, perfect for anyone looking for an adrenaline-filled activity.

Monteverde: Curi-Cancha Reserve Tour with Entry Ticket

3. Monteverde: Curi-Cancha Reserve Tour with Entry Ticket

Go on a tour of the Curi-Cancha reserve in Monteverde. Get picked up from your hotel, and drive to the 83-hectare reserve. Start your tour with a local guide and see a variety of rare birds and unusual animals. Marvel at the views and take lots of photos. Get dropped back at your hotel at the end. Begin your hike and listen to your guide tell you all about the wildlife in the area. Keep your eyes peeled for rare birds, including the Resplendent Quetzal, the Three-Wattled Bellbird, the Blue-Crowned Motmot, and the Orange-bellied Trogon. Continue along 7 kilometers of natural trails and get to see the flora and fauna of the tropical forest. See if you can spot unusual wild animals, such as armadillos, coatis, and two-toed sloths and use the opportunity to take photos. Learn about the sustainable practices of the reserve. Marvel at impressive views of the mountains surrounding you. Get taken back to your hotel at the end of the tour.

Monteverde: Zip Line, Bridges, and Butterfly Garden Tour

4. Monteverde: Zip Line, Bridges, and Butterfly Garden Tour

Treat yourself to a day of fun in Monteverde Park. Zip through the Monteverde Cloud Forest tree canopy, take a self-guided walk on suspension bridges, and wander around extensive butterfly gardens with a guide. Experience the Monteverde Cloud Forest by zip line. Then head to the tree-top walkway, the ideal experience for those who want to explore the beauty of the canopy at their own pace and appreciate the region's incredible array of vegetation and exotic bird life. Explore the walkway made up of 8 suspension bridges linked by 1.9 miles of trails, the widest and strongest bridge system in Costa Rica. The bridges range in length from 150 feet to 500 feet and are suspended at heights ranging from 36 feet to 180 feet. Next, discover a giant butterfly garden that is 300 feet long and 90 feet wide, one of the largest on the continent. See the massive 50-foot dome ceiling and get up close to 50 species of butterflies. Take a guided tour of a live exhibit to learn about the life cycle, special behaviors, and evolution of these butterflies. Learn how precise and sensitive temperature control allows species to survive across a wide range of altitudes and climate conditions in Costa Rica.

Monteverde: Horseback Riding Tour

5. Monteverde: Horseback Riding Tour

Explore the beautiful rural areas of Monteverde on a guided horseback riding tour. Get a sense of local life as you explore the area at a leisurely pace, with fantastic views. Enjoy a tour suitable for all levels of riding ability. Start with a pickup from your hotel in Monteverde or Santa Elena. Experience traditional Cost Rican culture and way of living as you ride along the trail. Observe scenery that is typical of Costa Rican customs and culture. Admire the views, majestic mountains, and grazing cattle. Enjoy the beauty of nature while riding through the forest, taking in the breathtaking views and the majestic mountains. As your tour comes to an end, enjoy a tour of the horse farm. Learn a bit more about the history of the ranch and the area with your guide.

Jaco: Paragliding Flight over Tropical Forest

6. Jaco: Paragliding Flight over Tropical Forest

Paragliding aerial tour above Jacó's tropical forest. In this aerial tour, we only use mother earth to climb in the air and feel the silence meanwhile we climb in the thermals flying together with many other birds. The Costa Rican mid-pacific coast, the tropical forests underneath views, and the calm you will feel in the air will make this tour an unforgettable experience all your life. •We will be starting from our meeting point and driving to our mountain takeoff. •The passenger will meet the staff of Katto sky tours. • The pilots, 100% certified and with many years of experience, will prepare the equipment and the passengers for the flight. •The flight pilot will explain how the takeoff, flight and landing will be. •The takeoff will be assisted by the members of the staff that are necessary for a safe experience. •During the flight, the pilot will be able to explain any concern to the passenger, while enjoying a unique, relaxing and pleasant experience. •After providing the necessary instructions for a good maneuver, the pilot will land with the passengers at the same takeoff point. •On firm ground and checking that the passengers are in perfect condition, the used equipment will be disconnected. •If the video contract passenger is consulted for their data to send the video in digital format.

Miramar: Amazing 11 Waterfall Canopy Zipline Tour

7. Miramar: Amazing 11 Waterfall Canopy Zipline Tour

This unique 3-hour tour includes all the adrenaline you are looking for. You will enjoy a totally new adventure with a combination of jungle and natural waterfalls throughout a tour which is designed to be easy for everyone. If you are a photo enthusiast, you will be free to capture great memories the way you want. After your arrival on the property you will get the chance to enjoy one of the most beautiful views over the Gulf of Nicoya, before you become equipped with all of the necessary equipment for an exciting tour on 25 zip line cables through the jungle and 11 waterfalls. The fun and adventure starts on the way to the venue, as your driver has some exhilarating off-road driving up his sleeve. At the half-way point of this tour, you will get the opportunity to jump into a natural pool surrounded by a beautiful waterfall and pure nature. You will be provided with bottled water and enough time to enjoy the cool refreshing atmosphere, and will also be presented with the opportunity to engage in 2 rappel locations that are included in your zip line tour. Once you complete your scenic tour, you will return to the company grounds where you can enjoy a typical Costa Rican lunch at the ground's own restaurant.

From San Jose: Zipline, ATV and more Full-Day Tour w/ Lunch

8. From San Jose: Zipline, ATV and more Full-Day Tour w/ Lunch

On this tour you will get to visit the town of Jaco Beach, one of the most popular beach towns in all of Costa Rica due to its proximity to the capital city of San Jose; along the way you will enjoy some breathtaking views of the mountains, shortly after you will get to stop at the word famous Tarcoles River, where you will have the opportunity to view and take photos of crocodiles in their natural environment, some of them measuring up to 19ft long. Your next stop is at Vista Los Suenos Adventure Park, here you will have the opportunity to enjoy one of the best Zip Line Tours in Costa Rica, and our Action packed ATV jungle adventure in the rain forest, crossing rivers, muddy paths and ocean view lookout spots.

Monteverde: Private or Shared Transfer to Manuel Antonio

9. Monteverde: Private or Shared Transfer to Manuel Antonio

Enjoy a hassle-free transfer from Monteverde to Manuel Antonio on your trip to Costa Rica. Take advantage of free onboard Wi-Fi and the option to take some photo stops. Avoid the stress of navigating on your own while still being flexible with your travel schedule. Get picked up from Monteverde in a modern, air-conditioned, vehicle for your transfer to Manuel Antonio in a private car or shared shuttle. Your transfer includes one hour of free wait time for the journey, giving your group opportunities to coordinate a road adventure, pose for photographs, take bathroom breaks, or enjoy a meal. Stay connected throughout your trip with onboard Wi-Fi.

Monteverde or Santa Elena: Suspension Bridges Private Tour

10. Monteverde or Santa Elena: Suspension Bridges Private Tour

Embark on a nature tour with a naturalist guide in Monteverde. Take a bird's-eye view of the delicate tree tops as you walk across hanging bridges and witness the cloud forest from above. As you hike, watch out for animals in their natural habitat and immerse yourself in biodiversity. Feel the ease of getting picked up from your accommodation in either Monteverde or Santa Elena and get ready to hike through the natural environment of Costa Rica. Begin your hike along the flat trails that are easy to traverse and feel yourself relax with your naturalist guide. Cross over the suspension bridges of various lengths and watch over the treetops, feeling totally safe and secure along the longest suspension bridge system in Costa Rica. Lose yourself in the magnificent diversity of the region, with many opportunities to witness animals and plants in the wild.

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Gulf of Nicoya, Costa Rica

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What people are saying about Gulf of Nicoya, Costa Rica

Overall rating

4.7 / 5

based on 49 reviews

Donald was very knowledgeable and I really appreciated the level of detail he was able to provide on Costa Rica ecological life. Fun, eventful tour with good company.

Wonderful trip with beautiful views. You could do Kayaking and a couple of things o. The island and have a beautiful view on the Pacific Ocean.

La caminata por el bosque es increíble. Y las tirolesas wooooow si eres fan de la adrenalina y aventura obvio debes hacerlas

The other group in our party canceled, so we got a private tour with Jorge. He was amazing!

Did the complete package. Walk,tram, and zip lines. Worth every penny