Costa Rica Tours from San Jose
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10 best Costa Rica tour packages from San Jose
Compiled by
MelissaCosta Rica travel expert at TourRadar
- Highlights of Costa Rica + Beach Extension
- Discover Costa Rica
- Costa Rica Highlights Adventure 8D/7N
- Essential Costa Rica - Package with Manuel Antonio National Park
- Costa Rica Wildlife Tour
- The Best of Costa Rica
- Volcanoes, Nature and Caribbean
- Arenal Volcano & Monteverde Cloud Forest Costa Rica, the perfect combination
- One Week of Bliss in Costa Rica, Small Group Tour
- The Best of Costa Rica, Self-Drive
Highlights of Costa Rica + Beach Extension
17 Reviews by TourRadar travelers“Nature can be fickle and without my dSLR camera zoom lens I wouldn't have got half the beautiful photos I have.”
Lisa, traveled in January
The 10-day loop from San Jose's cosmopolitan capital winds through Costa Rica's varied landscapes. Poas Volcano National Park leads to Arenal's geothermal springs, continuing to Monteverde Cloud Forest and concluding at Manuel Antonio's beaches, with 4-5 hour drives between destinations.
Duration 10 days Destinations San Jose, Sarchi, Grecia, Poas Volcano National Park, Arenal Volcano National Park, Monteverde, Manuel Antonio National Park Age Range 16 to 85 year olds Operator Explore! From $3,740
15% Off- NZ$3,190You save $550
Discover Costa Rica
111 Reviews by TourRadar travelers“I loved the lush tropical forests with blooming gingers and heliconias everywhere.”
Julie, traveled in June
A 380-mile Costa Rican adventure awaits from Hotel Presidente in San Jose. Air-conditioned buses and boats transport you through Tortuguero National Park's waterways, Arenal Volcano's lava fields, and Monteverde's cloud forests.
Duration 15 days Destinations San Jose, Tortuguero National Park, La Fortuna, Arenal Volcano National Park, Monteverde, Santa Elena, Manuel Antonio National Park, Piedras Blancas, San Isidro de El General, Los Quetzales National Park Age Range 16 to 99 year olds Operator Exodus Adventure Travels From $6,597
7% Off- NZ$6,160You save $437
Costa Rica Highlights Adventure 8D/7N
8 Reviews by TourRadar travelers“We saw far more than we would have ourselves. Once you are okay with that then you will have an amazing time.”
Daniel, traveled in August
A scenic route from San Jose leads to Tortuguero National Park via Guapiles, continuing to La Fortuna near Arenal Volcano, followed by Monteverde Cloud Forest. The 8-day circuit returns to San Jose, covering 350km through Costa Rica's varied terrain.
Duration 8 days Destinations San Jose, Monteverde, La Fortuna, Arenal Volcano National Park, Tortuguero National Park Age Range up to 99 year olds Operator Bamba Travel From
7% Off- NZ$3,596
Essential Costa Rica - Package with Manuel Antonio National Park
126 Reviews by TourRadar travelers“The hotels were great and the food ok. I love TourRadar and their trips and will go again.”
Tanya, traveled in May
This 10-day Costa Rican adventure covers 740km from San Jose's capital. Boat rides through Tortuguero's canals, drives through Braulio Carrillo National Park's mountains, and a final transfer from Manuel Antonio back to San Jose showcase diverse landscapes and ecosystems.
Duration 10 days Destinations San Jose, Tortuguero National Park, Arenal Volcano National Park, Monteverde, Manuel Antonio National Park Age Range 10 to 99 year olds Operated in English, Spanish Operator Destination Services Costa Rica From $3,282
15% Off- NZ$2,789You save $492
Costa Rica Wildlife Tour
88 Reviews by TourRadar travelers“The white water rafting and the amazing picnic in the jungle by the side of the River were quite extraordinary.”
Amanda, traveled in December
The 160km route links destinations across Costa Rica's diverse regions. Transportation includes bus transfers through Poas Volcano National Park, boat rides in Tortuguero waterways, and rafting on Pacuare River. Major stops include Turrialba, Arenal Volcano, and Manuel Antonio beaches.
Duration 15 days Destinations San Jose, Los Quetzales National Park, Turrialba, Tortuguero National Park, Arenal Volcano National Park, Manuel Antonio National Park Age Range 16 to 85 year olds Operator Explore! From $5,710
8% Off- NZ$5,270You save $440
The Best of Costa Rica
8 Reviews by TourRadar travelers“The trip was very well run. We felt well cared for. It was amazing to have all the transportation and lodging arranged every step of the way!”
Patricia, traveled in July
This 10-day Costa Rican adventure spans 632km from San Jose. Modern shared transportation links five destinations, featuring a boat crossing at Lake Arenal and convenient airport transfers.
Duration 10 days Destinations San Jose, Tortuguero National Park, Arenal Volcano National Park, Monteverde, Tortuga Island Age Range up to 99 year olds Operated in English, Spanish Operator Destination Services Costa Rica From $2,873
15% Off- NZ$2,442You save $431
Volcanoes, Nature and Caribbean
6 Reviews by TourRadar travelers“Tour itself was very interesting, informative, particularly for nature lovers. Monkeys, snakes, caimans, birds, iguanas, etc - all in proximity.”
Adil, traveled in January
A 9-day Costa Rican circuit covers 800km from San Jose's Juan Santamaria Airport. The itinerary includes Arenal Volcano National Park, Tortuguero National Park via Guapiles, and concludes with a return to San Jose from Puerto Viejo.
Duration 9 days Destinations San Jose, Arenal Volcano National Park, Guapiles, Tortuguero National Park, Puerto Viejo de Talamanca, Cahuita Age Range 10 to 99 year olds Operated in English, Spanish Operator Destination Services Costa Rica From $2,831
15% Off- NZ$2,406You save $425
Arenal Volcano & Monteverde Cloud Forest Costa Rica, the perfect combination
12 Reviews by TourRadar travelers“The itinerary was great, with the right balance of guided tours and free time. The transportation and accommodation were very pleasant.”
Caitlin, traveled in November
This 5-day Costa Rican route covers 3 major destinations from San Jose. Shuttle transfers reach Arenal Volcano National Park, cross Arenal Lake by boat, and return to San Jose, with optional transfers to Manuel Antonio or Papagayo Gulf.
Duration 5 days Destinations San Jose, Arenal Volcano National Park, Monteverde Age Range up to 75 year olds Operated in English, Spanish Operator Green World Adventures From $1,798
15% Off- NZ$1,528You save $270
Duration 8 days Destinations San Jose, Arenal, Monteverde, Puntarenas Age Range up to 99 year olds Operated in English, French, Spanish Operator Destination Services Costa Rica From $3,930
15% Off- NZ$3,340You save $589
The Best of Costa Rica, Self-Drive
3 Reviews by TourRadar travelers“Everything went very smoothly. Accommodations were great, and the food was delicious.”
Kirsten, traveled in December
A 10-day, 632km Costa Rican circuit from San Jose reaches Tortuguero National Park via Guápiles, Arenal Volcano region, and Monteverde Cloud Forest. Highlights include a catamaran trip to Tortuga Island and boat rides through Tortuguero's canals.
Duration 10 days Destinations San Jose, Tortuguero National Park, Arenal Volcano National Park, Monteverde, Tortuga Island Age Range up to 99 year olds Operated in English, Spanish Operator Destination Services Costa Rica From $2,860
15% Off- NZ$2,431You save $429
What people love about Costa Rica Tours from San Jose
- Discover Costa Rica
Great trip...lots of things to do and the guide was excellent, he was very knowledgeable about the wildlife
- Costa Rica Wildlife Tour
One hotel, my room flooded during the night and I could raise no-one on site and internal doors were locked to prevent access. I felt this was particularly dangerous. It was hours before someone helped and got me another room.
- Costa Rica Quest
Very nice tour, good amount of time in each place, lovely to visit Tortuguero as well which isn't included in most of the other ones. Really amazing experience there.
What our customers ask about Costa Rica Tours from San Jose
What accommodation options are available in San Jose for the first night?
San Jose's hotel scene spans three distinct tiers catering to different budgets and preferences. The Standard category includes the practical Sleep Inn Hotel. Moving up the comfort scale Superior options feature the Holiday Inn Escazu while the Deluxe tier presents the Real Intercontinental. Guest feedback reinforces the convenience factor with one TourRadar traveler noting: "The Sleep Inn Hotel was comfortable and conveniently located for tour departures."
What are the common pickup locations for tours starting in San Jose?
Tour operators in San Jose concentrate their pickups around three key points: Juan Santamaria International Airport the downtown hotel district (including Sleep Inn Hotel and Holiday Inn Express Forum) and the Escazu area where Park Inn by Radisson stands. According to a recent TourRadar traveler: "We were greeted at the airport by the representative and assisted with hotel transfer to Sleep Inn Hotel which was just 15 minutes from the airport."
What should I explore in my free time starting in San Jose?
San Jose's cultural heart reveals itself through several noteworthy spots. The bustling Mercado Central houses more than 200 local vendors while the Metropolitan Church stands as an architectural landmark. The Pre-Columbian Gold Museum offers historical context and Barrio Amón presents well-preserved colonial architecture. Both Country Inn & Suites and Park Inn provide easy access to these sites. A TourRadar traveler adds: "The central avenue is a place where you can interact with locals and learn about their way of living."
What's the average length of tours starting in San Jose Costa Rica?
Most San Jose-based tours run between 8 and 15 days with 10-day itineraries proving most popular among travelers. These routes typically include stays at upscale properties like the Real Continental while covering major attractions from Arenal Volcano to Manuel Antonio National Park. One TourRadar traveler reflects: "The 10-day itinerary was perfect - giving us enough time to explore each location while keeping a good pace through the country."
How long are the transfers from San Jose to the first destinations?
Travel times from San Jose hotels to initial destinations generally take between 3 and 5 hours. The journey to Tortuguero involves a 4-hour road trip followed by a 2-hour boat ride. A TourRadar traveler shares: "The drive from San Jose through Braulio Carrillo National Park was scenic making the long transfer enjoyable."
What are the most popular destinations visited on tours starting from San Jose?
Standard tour routes from San Jose encompass Costa Rica's natural highlights including Arenal Volcano National Park Monteverde Cloud Forest Tortuguero National Park and Manuel Antonio National Park. Most itineraries head northwest to Arenal (4 hours) or northeast to Tortuguero (5-6 hours). A TourRadar traveler reflects: "The itinerary from San Jose covered all the highlights - from volcanoes to cloud forests to beaches giving us a perfect mix of Costa Rica's diverse landscapes."