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
- Costa Rica Highlights Adventure 8D/7N
- Discover Costa Rica
- Costa Rica: Ocean Waves & Sunsets
- Essential Costa Rica - Package with Manuel Antonio National Park
- Costa Rica Wildlife Tour (7 destinations)
- The Best of Costa Rica
- Volcanoes, Nature and Caribbean
- Arenal Volcano & Monteverde Cloud Forest Costa Rica, the perfect combination
- Treasures of Costa Rica
- One Week In Costa Rica (7 destinations)
Costa Rica Highlights Adventure 8D/7N
8 Reviews by TourRadar travelers“The accommodations were great, tours as described, no 'bad surprises'. All transfers were on time.”
Susanne, traveled in June
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
- NZ$3,663
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
8% Off- NZ$6,050You save $547
Costa Rica: Ocean Waves & Sunsets
41 Reviews by TourRadar travelers“Costa Rica is absolutely stunning and we are so lucky to have had the most amazing CEO to guide us!”
Vienna, traveled in April
An 8-day Costa Rican circuit connects 3 major destinations from San Jose. Local bus transport reaches La Fortuna (3-5 hours), continuing to Santa Teresa via van and ferry. The route returns to San Jose by 8-hour local bus through volcanic and coastal regions.
Duration 8 days Destinations San Jose, La Fortuna, Playa Santa Teresa Age Range 18 to 39 year olds Operator G Adventures From $1,279
25% Off- NZ$959You save $319
Essential Costa Rica - Package with Manuel Antonio National Park
121 Reviews by TourRadar travelers“Every detail was taken care of. Every van and every excursion was very well planed.”
Sandra, traveled in January
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 $3,333
10% Off- NZ$3,000You save $333
Costa Rica Wildlife Tour (7 destinations)
87 Reviews by TourRadar travelers“Communication of facts on wildlife, socio-economic, history, geography, politics and culture were excellent.”
Bill, traveled in January
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 $5,490
5% Off- NZ$5,190You save $300
The Best of Costa Rica
8 Reviews by TourRadar travelers“Everything was planned and organised for us and ran smoothly with no problems. The hotels were all lovely, the food was great.”
Isabelle, traveled in December
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 $2,918
10% Off- NZ$2,626You save $291
Volcanoes, Nature and Caribbean
6 Reviews by TourRadar travelers“Amazing food, nature, wildlife, and culture. The hotel stay was great, people were warm and welcoming.”
Elisha, traveled in February
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 $2,875
10% Off- NZ$2,588You save $287
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
10% Off- NZ$1,831
Treasures of Costa Rica
8 Reviews by TourRadar travelers“Amazing sights and activities, very well organised. Hotels were all lovely.”
Patrick, traveled in April
This 8-day, 650km Costa Rican journey begins at Juan Santamaria International Airport. Air-conditioned bus transport reaches Arenal (130km), Monteverde (160km), Manuel Antonio (180km), before returning to San Jose (180km). Private airport transfers included.
Duration 8 days Destinations San Jose, Arenal Volcano National Park, Monteverde, Manuel Antonio National Park Age Range up to 99 year olds Operator Destination Services Costa Rica From $1,788
10% Off- NZ$1,609You save $178
A concentrated 250km Costa Rican adventure circles from San Jose. Public buses roll to Monteverde, boats cross Lake Arenal to La Fortuna, and private transfers reach Cahuita National Park and Puerto Viejo. Local experts guide orientation walks and nature hikes.
Duration 8 days Destinations San Jose, Monteverde, La Fortuna, Arenal, Cahuita, Puerto Viejo de Talamanca Age Range 18 to 35 year olds Operator Intrepid Travel From $1,115
15% Off- NZ$948You save $167
What people love about Costa Rica Tours from San Jose
- Costa Rica Wildlife Tour (7 destinations)
A great outdoor tour.
- Costa Rica Quest
First time travelling solo and this company opened my eyes to the value of sustainable travel
We had an amazing time in Costa Rica discovering two very different national parks (Monteverde - one out of 4 cloud forests in the world & Tortuguero - a real jungle experience). We loved the biodiversity in Tortuguero (we saw so many howler monkeys, spider monkeys, all different types of birds, a cayman, sea turtles laying their eggs, and even a dolphin). Our guides were fantastic. Especially Kevin in Tortuguero was very knowledgeable and entertaining. The tour had a good mix of freetime and guided tours. Moving from A to B worked perfectly fine except for the airport pick-up. The trip info is partially outdated. For example, there is no Grayline office at the airport anymore. Hopefully, Bamba is going to fix that. There are daily departures which means that you might end up on your own. In our case we met some other travelers on the shared shuttle buses and on the tours in Tortuguero but most of the time we were on our own. All in all, we enjoyed the trip a lot just that we would go for a better accommodation level.
Costa Rica Highlights Adventure 8D/7N
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."