The verdict
Our pick
Nauyaca & Portalon Waterfalls: Day Trip with Beach & Lunch★ 4.95 (195) · 7h–8h
Best value
Costa Rica: Ebano Waterfalls Hike & Rainforest Safari Lunch★ 5.00 (72) · 4h
Top rated
Manuel Antonio: Rappelling, Zipline & Waterfall Adventure Tour★ 4.99 (355) · 4h
Sort
2 to 5 hours (4)
Quepos: Horseback Riding & Waterfall Ranch Tour with LunchYou ride through working ranch land for a few hours, hike into the jungle to see wildlife and a centuries-old tree, visit a waterfall, get a massage, and eat lunch with a view. Hotel pickup and all entry fees are included, so you show up and the logistics are already handled.Is it for me?Book this if you want to ride and explore without arranging transport or figuring out which waterfall to visit — the fixed itinerary and family guides handle the planning, and the small group size means you actually get to talk to people who've lived on this land for decades.
Quepos: ATV Rainforest Tour & Waterfall SwimmingYou ride a semi-automatic ATV for 15 miles through rainforest plantations and village roads, hike into primary forest, swim in a waterfall pool, and return for a traditional Costa Rican lunch — all with a bilingual guide, helmet, water, and hotel transport included. No separate arrangements needed.Is it for me?Right for travelers who want to drive themselves through real Costa Rican landscape — plantations, villages, rainforest — without arranging transport, a guide, or a meal separately. The bilingual guide and fixed itinerary mean you don't navigate or time the stops yourself.
Costa Rica: Jungle Horseback Ride & Waterfall Swim with LunchYou’ll ride horseback through Costa Rica’s jungle with a local guide, visit a small family farm to meet animals and see their organic garden, then cool off swimming beneath a hidden waterfall before sharing a traditional lunch together. Expect muddy boots, real conversation, and memories that linger long after you dry off.
Savegre River Tubing: Rapids, Waterfall Stop & Local GuideYou’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.
Half day and longer (4)
Costa Rica: Waterfall Day Trip & Rainforest Lunch with PickupYou’ll swim beneath jungle waterfalls, test your nerve on a natural rock slide, share an organic rainforest lunch with new friends, and end up on a quiet beach only locals seem to know. With easy pickup and guides who grew up here, this day trip feels less like a tour and more like being welcomed into someone’s favorite memories.
Waterfall Ziplining & Canyoning in Quepos: 10+ elementsWaterfall Ziplining & Canyoning near Quepos combines more than 10 activities—zips, rappels, a Tarzan swing and a free fall into a waterfall pool—in a single morning adventure inside a private rainforest reserve. Hotel pickup from Manuel Antonio or Quepos, bilingual guide, all equipment, snacks and lunch are included. Minimum age is 6; moderate fitness required.Is it for me?The course demands a moderate level of fitness and comfort with water—you'll be wet, suspended and moving through a waterfall—so it suits travelers who want an active morning rather than a gentle one. The fixed schedule and included transport mean you don't arrange logistics yourself; the guide handles the technical side, so you focus on moving through the course.
Quepos: Savegre River Rafting Class II-III & WaterfallYou get picked up from your hotel, driven to the Savegre River, and spend roughly four hours paddling Class II and III rapids through jungle canyon, stopping at a waterfall midway. Lunch and all gear—helmet, life jacket, certified equipment—are included, and the driver brings you back to your hotel by afternoon. No need to arrange transport, find the river, or figure out what to eat after.Is it for me?Book this if you want the rapids and the scenery without arranging your own transport or timing—the pickup and return handle the logistics, and the small group size means you're not competing for the guide's attention or the raft's space.
Nauyaca Waterfall Hike & Swim: Jungle Trek with LunchYou’ll hike through Costa Rica’s jungle with a local guide, reach Nauyaca Waterfalls for swimming or cliff jumps (if you’re up for it), and share snacks on sun-warmed rocks before a relaxed lunch together. Expect laughter, cool water on your skin, and memories that linger long after you dry off.
Frequently asked questions
Can I book with free cancellation?
Yes: 10 of the 11 options offer free cancellation, so you can book now and confirm your plans later.
How long do these experiences last?
Most options last between 2 and 5 hours. There are also shorter and longer formats to fit your itinerary.
Which one is the travelers' favorite?
Nauyaca & Portalon Waterfalls: Day Trip with Beach & Lunch is the travelers' favorite, rated 4.95 out of 5 across 195 reviews.
