Costa Rica  »  Central Pacific

Top Things to Do in Central Pacific

We compared all 246 experiences in Central Pacific so you can choose in minutes — real prices, verified reviews and our editorial picks.

4.8 246 experiences from US$ 22 Free cancellation on most experiences
Sort
Manuel Antonio to San José Airport: 3-Hour Private Transfer
Manuel Antonio to San José Airport: 3-Hour Private Transfer★★★★★★★★★★ 4.86 (43)3hYou're picked up at your hotel in Manuel Antonio and driven to San José Airport in a private, air-conditioned van over three hours. The route includes optional stops at the Tarcoles River for crocodile viewing or at local restaurants, with WiFi and cold water provided throughout. Hotel pickup, taxes and all fees are included in the price, which is fixed for up to four passengers.Is it for me?This works well if you're leaving Manuel Antonio and want a fixed-price ride to the airport without arranging a taxi or negotiating fares—the driver handles the route and timing, which means you can relax or use the stops to finish last-minute shopping or sightseeing without worrying about missing your flight.Free cancellationfromUS$ 110View ›
Snorkeling in Quepos: Catamaran cruise with marine wildlife
Snorkeling in Quepos: Catamaran cruise with marine wildlife★★★★★★★★★★ 4.63 (41)4hSnorkel Playa Biesanz aboard a catamaran from Marina Pez Vela in Quepos, with hotel pickup, a professional guide, snorkeling gear and a meal included. Choose a morning departure to explore the bay's marine life in calm water, or an afternoon sunset cruise along the Manuel Antonio coastline. The boat carries snacks and natural juices throughout the journey.Is it for me?Book the morning departure if you want to spend time underwater spotting sea turtles and reef fish in clear water; choose the sunset cruise if you'd rather stay on deck, watch the coastline and end the afternoon with dinner as the light fades over the Pacific.Free cancellationTravelers' pickInfants freefromUS$ 99View ›
Lake Arenal Jet Ski Rental: 1-Hour Guided Water Adventure
Lake Arenal Jet Ski Rental: 1-Hour Guided Water Adventure★★★★★★★★★★ 4.95 (41)1hYou rent a jet ski for one hour on Lake Arenal, suited to all skill levels. The rental includes a life vest, dry bag, bottled water, fuel, and a safety tutorial before you launch. A $200 refundable deposit secures the equipment. The clock starts when you hit the water, not when you arrive, so you have time to gear up without losing ride time.Is it for me?Book this if you want to explore Lake Arenal on your own schedule without a guide or group — you set the pace and the route, and the included fuel means you can ride for the full hour without worrying about running out of gas.Free cancellationfrom · per groupUS$ 140View ›
Carara National Park Private Tour: Scarlet Macaws & Monkeys
Carara National Park Private Tour: Scarlet Macaws & Monkeys★★★★★★★★★★ 4.92 (39)4hA private guided nature walk through Carara National Park in Puntarenas, where you follow trails with an expert naturalist through forest that bridges the dry north and humid south. The tour includes park entry, pickup, water, and four hours to spot scarlet macaws, monkeys, reptiles and butterflies across one of Costa Rica's richest ecosystems.Is it for me?Book this private tour if you want a guide who knows where the scarlet macaws nest and can stop as long as you need to photograph them—the personalized pace and expert naturalist are what turn a walk into a real wildlife encounter instead of a rushed checklist of stops.Free cancellationInfants freefromUS$ 85View ›
Tortuga Island Day Trip from Puntarenas: Boat & Beach Lunch
Tortuga Island Day Trip from Puntarenas: Boat & Beach Lunch★★★★★★★★★★ 4.03 (37)10hYou board a boat in Puntarenas and spend the day on Tortuga Island, 12 nautical miles offshore in the Gulf of Nicoya. The itinerary includes a narrated pass by the abandoned San Lucas prison, snorkeling equipment, a full lunch with grilled fish and chicken, and unlimited drinks—coffee, rum punch, sodas and water throughout the day. The return trip includes coffee and cake. Optional activities like kayaking and banana boats are available to add on your own.Is it for me?Pick this if you want a full beach day without arranging your own boat, snorkeling gear or food—the fixed itinerary and included meals mean you arrive at the dock and everything else is handled.Free cancellationTravelers' pickInfants freefromUS$ 120View ›
Manuel Antonio to SJO Airport Transfer: Private & Bilingual
Manuel Antonio to SJO Airport Transfer: Private & Bilingual★★★★★★★★★★ 4.97 (35)3hYou get picked up from your hotel or accommodation in Manuel Antonio at a time you choose, travel in a newer vehicle with a bilingual driver who knows the route, and arrive at SJO Airport without having to navigate, drive, or negotiate a price at the curb. Free water and WiFi are included, and you can request stops along the way if you want to photograph the landscape or grab something before your flight.Is it for me?Book this if you want to skip the stress of renting a car, navigating unfamiliar highways, and figuring out airport parking—the driver handles the route and the timing, which means you arrive rested instead of exhausted.Free cancellationTravelers' pickfrom · per groupUS$ 229View ›
Carara National Park bird watching tour: Spot macaws
Carara National Park bird watching tour: Spot macaws★★★★★★★★★★ 4.65 (34)3h–5hA bird watching tour in Carara National Park with a native guide fluent in English, Spanish, French or German, starting with early hotel pickup and including park entry and air-conditioned transport. The park sits in a transition zone where tropical rainforest meets dry forest, gathering species from both habitats — scarlet macaws, toucans, antbirds, tinamous, trogons, manakins, motmots and jacamars — making it one of Costa Rica's premier birding sites. The tour runs 3 to 5 hours depending on sightings and your interests; you can add a 2-hour Tarcoles River birding extension on request.Is it for me?Choose the private tour if you want the guide's full attention on your group's sightings and pace; pick the group tour if you prefer to share the cost and enjoy birding alongside other enthusiasts. Either way, the early start and native guide are what turn a walk through the forest into a morning of actual bird spotting instead of hoping something flies past.Free cancellationfromUS$ 31View ›
Chorro Rafting Private Trip from Manuel Antonio | Class IV-V Rapids
Chorro Rafting Private Trip from Manuel Antonio | Class IV-V Rapids★★★★★★★★★★ 5.00 (34)5hYou’ll tackle wild rapids just outside Manuel Antonio with expert guides who know every bend of the Chorro section. Expect adrenaline, teamwork, and stories to tell.Free cancellationfromUS$ 138View ›
Jaco Street Art Bike Tour with Local Guide & Beach Views
Jaco Street Art Bike Tour with Local Guide & Beach Views★★★★★★★★★★ 4.97 (31)3h–4hHop on a bike and cruise through Jaco’s lively streets with a local guide leading the way. Discover massive murals by Costa Rican and international artists, learn about neighborhood stories, and enjoy beachside views as you ride. End your tour with a cool drink and new appreciation for this creative town.Free cancellationfromUS$ 59View ›
Snorkeling in Manuel Antonio from Quepos: 37-foot catamaran
Snorkeling in Manuel Antonio from Quepos: 37-foot catamaran★★★★★★★★★★ 4.62 (29)4hA private catamaran snorkeling cruise departing from Quepos explores the coastline of Manuel Antonio National Park for four hours, with a guide, hotel pickup, snorkeling gear and a grilled fish lunch included. The boat holds up to 12 passengers and sails into open water to spot dolphins, sea turtles and manta rays before anchoring in Biesanz Bay for the snorkel. Dietary needs can be arranged at booking.Is it for me?Book the two-person option if you want an intimate cruise; the three-to-five or six-to-twelve options work for small families or groups who want to share the cost and the boat. All three are private to your party, so the guide's attention and the boat's route stay yours alone.Free cancellationfrom · per groupUS$ 800View ›
Tortuga Island Snorkel & Sunset Cruise from Jacó
Tortuga Island Snorkel & Sunset Cruise from Jacó★★★★★★★★★★ 4.93 (29)5h 45mYou snorkel at Tortuga Island with all gear provided, use the boat's water slide and dive boards, and enjoy a gourmet lunch with signature drinks on the beach. The return cruise follows the sunset along the Pacific coast. The fixed schedule means no arranging transport or timing yourself — you show up at Los Sueños Marina and the day is already planned.Is it for me?Book this if you want a full island and snorkel experience in half a day without arranging your own transport or timing — the fixed schedule and included lunch mean you show up and the day unfolds on its own.Free cancellationTravelers' pickKids −16%fromUS$ 123View ›
Savegre River Tubing: Rapids, Waterfall Stop & Local Guide
Savegre River Tubing: Rapids, Waterfall Stop & Local Guide★★★★★★★★★★ 5.00 (26)5hYou’ll float down Costa Rica’s Savegre River with a local guide, bouncing through Class II rapids surrounded by jungle sounds and bright birds. Pause for fresh fruit by a hidden waterfall before tackling more waves and swimming in natural pools. It’s messy fun — expect laughter, cold water, and moments that stick with you long after.Free cancellationfromUS$ 85View ›
Damas Island Kayaking Tour: Manuel Antonio Mangroves
Damas Island Kayaking Tour: Manuel Antonio Mangroves★★★★★★★★★★ 4.81 (26)4hA 4-hour kayaking tour through the mangrove waterways of Damas Island, just 10 minutes from Manuel Antonio, with a local guide, lunch and hotel pickup. You paddle protected inland canals at a pace suited to your fitness level, moving through channels where fresh and salt water blend and wildlife inhabits the plants along the banks. The tour includes snacks, a guide in English or Spanish, and a vegetarian meal option if you request it at booking.Is it for me?The guide speaks English or Spanish, so choose the language that lets you follow the commentary comfortably. If you're new to kayaking, the protected waterways and adjustable pace work for beginners with moderate fitness; if you're experienced, you'll find the mangrove system itself worth the paddle.Free cancellationfromUS$ 96View ›
Monteverde Cloud Forest Guided Nature Walk – Flora & Fauna Tour
Monteverde Cloud Forest Guided Nature Walk – Flora & Fauna Tour★★★★★★★★★★ 4.88 (25)3hYou’ll walk shaded trails in Monteverde’s cloud forest with an expert guide who helps you spot hidden wildlife and rare plants. Use a pro spotting scope for close-up views and photos—perfect if you want to really experience Costa Rica’s wild side without missing the details.Free cancellationKids −21%fromUS$ 89View ›
Monteverde Bird Watching Tour: 5-Hour Shared Experience
Monteverde Bird Watching Tour: 5-Hour Shared Experience★★★★★★★★★★ 5.00 (25)5hYou’ll join a small group for real-time bird spotting in Monteverde, guided by a local expert who knows where to find rare species. It’s hands-on, flexible, and full of surprises—perfect if you want to see Costa Rica’s birds up close without any fuss.Free cancellationKids −15%fromUS$ 133View ›
Curú Wildlife Refuge Bioluminescence Swim Tour
Curú Wildlife Refuge Bioluminescence Swim Tour★★★★★★★★★★ 4.14 (21)2h 30mA bioluminescence tour from Curú Wildlife Refuge in Puntarenas takes you by motorboat to Tortuga Islands for sunset, then into the dark water to see dinoflagellates glow as you move through them. The tour includes refuge entry, a 15-minute boat ride each way, snorkel mask, fruit and soft drinks, and runs about two and a half hours, ending around 7:30 p.m. You can watch the phenomenon from the boat or swim into it; life jackets are provided for all ages.Is it for me?This is a shared tour with a live guide in English or Spanish, so you travel with other visitors and the guide explains the bioluminescence and the refuge ecosystem as you go. Choose it if you want to swim into the glowing water rather than watch from a distance, and if an afternoon at the refuge before the evening activity suits your schedule better than a quick arrival and departure.Free cancellationKids −16%fromUS$ 60View ›
Tortuga Island Snorkeling & Beach Day from Santa Teresa
Tortuga Island Snorkeling & Beach Day from Santa Teresa★★★★★★★★★★ 4.48 (21)8h 30mYou get picked up in Santa Teresa, ride 45 minutes to Tortuga Island spotting dolphins and rays, snorkel in clear water with all gear provided, eat a BBQ lunch on the beach with two beers included, then spend the afternoon swimming, kayaking, or hiking before heading back. The whole day is handled — no arranging boat times, no renting snorkel gear separately, no figuring out where to eat.Is it for me?Pick this if you want a full snorkeling day without arranging transport, gear rental, or lunch separately — the fixed itinerary and early start are what fit everything into one afternoon back on the beach.Free cancellationTravelers' pickKids −37%fromUS$ 137View ›
Buffalo Farm Tour with Water Buffalo Wagon Ride
Buffalo Farm Tour with Water Buffalo Wagon Ride★★★★★★★★★★ 4.79 (19)2h–3hThis eco farm tour near Buffalo takes you through 65 hectares of sustainable agriculture on foot or by water buffalo wagon, with a guide explaining the palm oil harvest, the ecosystem, and the animals—chickens, goats, sheep, donkeys, cows and water buffalo—that live and work on the land. The tour runs 2 to 3 hours and includes fresh fruit and water; a live guide speaks English or Spanish.Is it for me?The guide speaks English or Spanish, so the commentary about the ecosystem and the harvest stays clear whether you're a first-time visitor or returning to the region. If you have a free afternoon and want to understand how the area actually works instead of passing through it, this tour shows you the animals and the plantations that define the local economy.Free cancellationKids −50%fromUS$ 75View ›
Jaco Waterfall Rappelling & Zipline Adventure with Horseback
Jaco Waterfall Rappelling & Zipline Adventure with Horseback★★★★★★★★★★ 4.76 (17)5hGet ready to ride horseback through lush rainforest trails near Jaco, rappel down El Encanto’s roaring waterfall with expert guides, and zipline high above jungle treetops. This adventure packs three unforgettable thrills into one day—with local wildlife sightings and plenty of laughs along the way.Free cancellationfromUS$ 160View ›
Santa Teresa: 1.5-Hour Horseback Riding & Hidden Beach
Santa Teresa: 1.5-Hour Horseback Riding & Hidden Beach★★★★★★★★★★ 5.00 (16)1h 30mYou ride from Playa Organos into Santa Teresa's interior and along the coast to a hidden beach few visitors find, with a guide who knows the horses and the terrain. Small groups mean the guide can adjust the pace to your skill level. Kids ride according to age, and insurance is already paid. Bring sunscreen and book at least a day ahead.Is it for me?Book this if you want to ride to a beach most Santa Teresa visitors miss without arranging your own transport or worrying about insurance — the small group size is what makes the guide able to take you off the main trail and adjust the pace to your riding level.Free cancellationfromUS$ 68View ›
Do you need help planning your next activity?