Day Trips from Jacó and Los Sueños: 8 Best Excursions
You’ve got 5 or 6 days at your Jacó or Los Sueños rental. You’ve already spotted the surf, mapped out the pool hours, and someone has floated the idea of fishing. But by day two, your group is standing in the kitchen asking: “What else is there?”
The day trips from Jacó, Costa Rica are better than most travelers expect. The Central Pacific coast sits within reach of a Gulf island, two national parks, a river full of apex predators, and a cloud forest that requires no flying to get to. Most of what’s on this list puts you back at the pool before sunset.
Geography first:
- Under 30 minutes north: Carara National Park, Tárcoles River
- Full-day boat trip: Tortuga Island (Gulf of Nicoya)
- 1.5 hours south: Manuel Antonio National Park, Quepos
- 10 minutes south on foot or car: Jacó town center (for Los Sueños guests)
- 3–3.5 hours north: Monteverde cloud forest
These are the 8 excursions that consistently make a week here into a full itinerary. They’re ranked roughly by popularity, not quality: some of the least-crowded options are the most memorable.
1. Tortuga Island Catamaran. The All-Day Crowd-Pleaser
Drive/boat to departure: 10 minutes to Los Sueños Marina
Total time: Full day (~7:15am–5pm)
Cost: $120/person adults, $100/person kids (+ 13% IVA; all-in ~$135 and $113 respectively)
Best for: Families, mixed groups, couples who want a beach day with a bit of snorkeling
Tortuga Island sits in the Gulf of Nicoya, about 45 minutes by catamaran from Los Sueños Marina. It’s a 300-acre private island with white sand beaches, clear warm water, and basically nothing to do except swim, snorkel, and eat lunch under a palm tree, which is the entire point.
The main operator from Los Sueños is Costa Cat Cruises, running a 55-foot twin-hull catamaran that holds up to 70 passengers. They also run a smaller 39-foot vessel when demand requires it. The day includes two snorkeling stops, beach time on the island, an open bar, and a full grilled lunch. Parrotfish, angelfish, and occasional spotted eagle rays are the standard snorkeling wildlife. It’s not Roatán, but it’s genuinely enjoyable in calm water.
The crossing itself is worth noting: on a dry-season morning, the Gulf of Nicoya is glassy and frigatebirds follow the boat. Flying fish run alongside the hull. It’s the kind of thing that reminds you you’re somewhere else.
What to watch out for: Green season swells can make the crossing choppy. The snorkeling is good, not exceptional. If your group includes serious divers or people who’ve snorkeled the Caribbean, calibrate expectations: this is a fun beach day, not a dive trip.
Booking: Book 2–3 days ahead in high season (December–April). This sells out, particularly weekend departures. The concierge at your Nest Stays property can handle the booking and arrange marina transfer.
For the full breakdown of catamaran tours from this area, including the sunset catamaran option: see our Central Pacific tours guide.
2. Carara National Park + Crocodile Bridge. The Perfect Half-Day
Drive time: 20–30 minutes north from Jacó/Los Sueños
Total time: Half-day (3–4 hours, back by noon)
Cost: $11–12 park entrance (SINAC online booking); guided tours $65–85/person
Best for: Wildlife lovers, birders, photographers, families with kids old enough to hike
Carara is the most underrated stop in the entire Central Pacific region. The park sits at the biological crossroads between dry Pacific forest and humid Caribbean forest, and that overlap creates unusual density of species. It’s one of the last strongholds for scarlet macaws on the Pacific coast, and macaws are the main event. They roost in the park and fly in large, noisy pairs right at dawn and dusk. Book the 6am guided tour and you’ll see them overhead before most people have had coffee.
The park has two marked trails: the Laguna Meándrica loop (about 1.5km) and the Quebrada Bonita trail (4.5km). Both are flat, shaded, and manageable. A good naturalist guide will spot animals you’d walk past entirely: poison dart frogs, caimans resting at the lagoon edge, Jesus Christ lizards running across the surface of the water.
Add the Tárcoles Bridge: Route 34 crosses the Tárcoles River about 3km before the park entrance. Pull over. Look down. There are American crocodiles in the shallows below, usually 8–15 animals, some exceeding 4 meters. It’s free, takes ten minutes, and is more impressive in person than any photo suggests.
Do the bridge on the way in, do Carara, and you’re back at the pool by 12:30pm with an afternoon free.
Booking: Pre-purchase park entrance at reservas.sinac.go.cr ($11–12/person). Walk-ups get turned away when the park is at capacity. Guided tours from Jacó can be booked same-day or the night before: this one doesn’t sell out as aggressively as Manuel Antonio.
3. Manuel Antonio National Park. The One You Can’t Skip
Drive time: ~1.5 hours south on Route 34 (the Costanera Sur)
Total time: Full day (leave by 7am, back by 6pm)
Cost: $90–150/person guided from Jacó (transport + naturalist + lunch); park entrance ~$18/person for self-drive (SINAC online pre-purchase required; total self-drive day ~$50–80/person including transport)
Best for: Everyone, but especially families, first-timers to Costa Rica, wildlife-and-beach seekers
Manuel Antonio is where the country’s two best things arrive in the same place: a proper rainforest with serious wildlife, and a white sand beach with clear Pacific water. Three-toed sloths hang in the trees above the trail. White-faced capuchins walk up to your beach bag without invitation. Squirrel monkeys (smaller, orange-bellied, and fast) leap between branches at eye level. Brown pelicans cruise the beach in formation. You exit the trail and you’re standing in warm surf with a monkey watching you.
It’s genuinely one of the best parks in Central America. It earns its reputation.
The catch: The park caps daily visitors, and in high season (December–April) it sells out weeks in advance. Buy tickets online at reservas.sinac.go.cr before your trip. Walk-up visitors are turned away regularly on weekends and holidays.
Guided vs. self-drive: A guided day trip runs $90–150/person and includes transport, a bilingual naturalist, and usually lunch. The guide is worth it: they spot animals you’d miss entirely without knowing where to look and what to listen for. Self-drive saves money but costs you most of the wildlife experience.
Who it’s best for: Everyone. Couples who want both hiking and beach. Families with kids who will remember seeing an actual sloth in the wild. Groups who want to cross one genuine Costa Rica experience off the list. If you only do one day trip from Jacó, it should probably be this one.
Booking: 3–5 days ahead in high season. Same week is usually fine in low season but check the SINAC site before you assume availability.
Combine with a lunch stop in Quepos (see #6) on the way back for a full, efficient day.
4. ATV + Zip-Line + Waterfall Combo. The Adventure Morning
Drive time: 10–15 minutes from Jacó (most operators do hotel pickup)
Total time: Half-day (~4–5 hours including transport)
Cost: ATV + zipline combo from ~$119–140/person; standalone zipline from ~$69–70/person
Best for: Active groups, thrill-seekers, anyone who wants adrenaline without committing to a full-day expedition
The hills behind Herradura and Jacó are more dramatic than they look from the beach. The standard combo runs ATVs on jungle trails with river crossings and elevated Pacific viewpoints, then transitions to zip-line cables over the canopy, with a stop at a local waterfall you can swim in.
Two main operators near Jacó:
- Vista Los Sueños Adventure Park (about 10 minutes from Jacó center): Zipline runs ~$70/person standalone for 8 cables, Tarzan swing, and high ropes course. ATV trail is available as a separate booking or combo. Budget ~$120–140/person for the combined ATV + zipline experience; confirm current combo pricing when booking.
- Adventure Tours Costa Rica: ATV+zipline combo listed from $119/person; standalone zipline from $69 (2 hours, 9 cables, platforms over the canopy).
Both operate from the hills above the Jacó/Los Sueños area with Pacific views. Either can be done as a morning activity. You’re back for the afternoon beach.
What to watch out for: Minimum age varies (typically 16 to drive an ATV solo; kids can ride as passenger). Check operator requirements when booking. Rainy season trails are slippery and muddy, which many people find more fun, not less. Don’t wear clothes you care about.
Booking: Same-day is often possible, but book the night before to guarantee morning availability.
5. Tárcoles River Crocodile Tour: Up Close With the Big Ones
Drive time: 20–30 minutes north
Total time: 2–2.5 hours
Cost: $35–65/person depending on operator and whether transport is included
Best for: Wildlife enthusiasts, groups who want something genuinely different, anyone who found the bridge impressive and wants the full river version
If the Tárcoles Bridge stop (see #2) left your group wanting more than a quick peek, the boat tour is the logical next step. Operators run flat-bottomed skiffs from small docks near the river mouth through the mangrove channels and estuary, where American crocodiles (long-lived, well-fed, and completely habituated to boats) sun themselves on the banks within a few feet of the hull.
These are not small animals. The Tárcoles River has one of the highest concentrations of American crocodiles in the world, and the individuals here reach 4–5 meters. Your boat captain will be relaxed about it in a way that is either reassuring or unsettling depending on your personality.
The tour also works as a mangrove ecology excursion: yellow-crowned night herons, ringed kingfishers, roseate spoonbills, and roosting bats in the root systems. It’s more than a crocodile stunt.
Two established operators:
- Jose’s Crocodile River Tour: 15+ years on the river, consistently highly rated. $65/person including transfer from Jacó.
- Crocodile Man Tours: Office in Tarcoles village; departures at 8am, 10am, 12pm, 2pm, and 4pm daily. $35–40/person direct (add transport separately).
When to go: Any time of year. Afternoon departures (2pm or 4pm) catch the crocs when they’re most active before sunset. Combine with a morning Carara visit for a full day north of Jacó.
Booking: Same-day bookings common. Book the night before to secure a specific departure time.
6. Quepos Waterfront + Market Day. The Local Afternoon
Drive time: ~1.5 hours south (10 minutes from Manuel Antonio)
Total time: 2–3 hours; best combined with a Manuel Antonio visit
Cost: Lunch $10–18/person at a waterfront soda; artisan market is free to browse
Best for: Couples, people who’ve already done the park, anyone who wants a local feel after a nature-heavy morning
Quepos is a working port town 10 minutes from Manuel Antonio: small, lived-in, and more interesting than its reputation as a gateway city suggests. The waterfront strip has sport fishing boats, fresh seafood restaurants, and the kind of energy that tells you this is where people actually live, not just visit.
The Mercado Artesanal de Quepos sits near the Parque Central and is open daily 8am–6pm (hours vary by vendor). Local craftspeople sell hammocks, woodwork, coffee, ceramics, and handmade textiles: prices are noticeably lower than the souvenir shops near the Manuel Antonio park entrance, and you’re buying directly from the maker. Worth 30–45 minutes.
The fish sodas on the waterfront are the best meal of the day: rice and beans, fried plantains, whole grilled red snapper for $12–15. One reliable spot is Soda Sanchez on the waterfront strip: no frills, actual locals at the other tables, excellent ceviche.
Stop in Quepos for a late lunch on the way back from Manuel Antonio. You’ve had the jungle and the beach; this is the town part. It rounds out the day without adding meaningful drive time.
Best time: Noon–3pm after a Manuel Antonio morning. The market winds down by 5pm.
7. Jacó Town Day. For Los Sueños Guests
Drive time: 10 minutes south from Los Sueños (or a short Uber)
Total time: Half-day to full day
Cost: Minimal ($5–8 for lunch at a soda, $15–20 for surf rental if you want it)
Best for: Los Sueños guests who want to explore beyond the resort gates; families with curious teenagers; anyone wanting a real Costa Rican beach town experience
Los Sueños is a private gated resort community, and that’s entirely the point, the security, the marina, the beach club, the golf course, the carefully maintained resort environment. But after a few days some guests want to poke their heads out, and Jacó is ten minutes south.
The contrast is immediate and intentional: Jacó is a working beach town with dark volcanic sand, surf shops, loud restaurants, and the kind of energy that doesn’t exist inside a resort. The main strip (Avenida Pastor Díaz) has every tour operator, pharmacy, grocery store, and surf rental you’d need. You can grab breakfast at a soda, rent a board for the afternoon, and pick up groceries at AutoMercado on the way back.
The Friday morning feria del agricultor (6am–2pm, near the Garabito Clinic) is the best single stop in Jacó. Fresh fruit, artisan bread, local cheese, prepared foods. Go before 9am for the best selection. Stock your Los Sueños kitchen here.
For guests who want to surf: the north end of Jacó beach has the most forgiving waves and all the surf schools. A two-hour lesson with board rental runs $50–60.
What not to miss: Sunset drinks at one of the open-air beach bars on the main beach. Jacó’s beach faces west; the sunsets are real.
8. Monteverde Cloud Forest. For the Serious Day-Tripper
Drive time: ~3–3.5 hours from Jacó via the Pacific route (Route 34 north toward Puntarenas, then inland toward Santa Elena: plan 3 hours each way; the return in the evening can push to 3.5)
Total time: Full long day (leave by 6:30am, back by 8–9pm)
Cost: Transfer $60+/person; Monteverde Sky Tram ~$60–70/person; ziplines additional $40–60
Best for: Couples or small groups who want a genuinely different ecosystem; nature travelers who want the full Costa Rica picture; people willing to trade a beach day for a forest day
Monteverde is 1,400 meters above sea level, perpetually wrapped in cloud, and one of the most biodiverse places on the planet. The cloud forest looks like nothing else in Costa Rica. Orchids grow out of the trees. Resplendent quetzals (the most sought-after bird in Central America) nest here from January through June. The hanging bridges walk takes you through the canopy at eye level with the treetops.
The drive from Jacó via the Pacific lowland route takes 3–3.5 hours in normal conditions. This is genuinely long for a day trip. Leaving before 6:30am gets you there by 9:30am with a full morning in the forest before the afternoon cloud rolls in thicker. The road up the mountain is steep on the last section: a 4WD vehicle or private transfer is the right call. The road up the mountain is paved most of the way but does require navigating some steep sections: a 4WD vehicle or private transfer is recommended.
The Monteverde Sky Tram runs a gondola through the forest canopy (~$60–70/person) with zipline descents available separately. It’s a solid format for people who want the canopy experience without a serious hiking day. The main biological reserve (Bosque Nuboso Monteverde) has guided walks at ~$25–35/person plus park entry.
Honest verdict: This is worth it if you have 6+ days in the area and want one day that’s categorically different from everything else you’ll do. It’s not worth it if you have 4 days, already have Manuel Antonio and Tortuga Island on the list, and beach days are your priority. The drive is the cost.
Booking: Book transfers and tram tickets 1–2 days ahead. Nest Stays concierge can coordinate a private driver for the full round trip.
How to Plan the Week
If you have 5–6 days in Jacó or Los Sueños and you want a balanced itinerary:
Highest priority (don’t leave without these): Manuel Antonio, Tortuga Island catamaran, Carara + Tárcoles Bridge half-day. These three cover wildlife, ocean, and jungle, the best of what this coast does.
Add if time allows: ATV/zipline combo for an active morning. Tárcoles River boat tour if your group liked the bridge stop. Quepos waterfront if you’re already doing Manuel Antonio.
Long-haul option: Swap one beach day for Monteverde if your group specifically wants the cloud forest ecosystem and you have 6+ days.
For Los Sueños guests with kids: Jacó town half-day on a Friday morning for the feria, then surf lessons at the north beach in the afternoon. Combine it into one easy day without a long drive.
Booking Your Day Trips
Most of these can be booked through the Nest Stays concierge: we work with vetted operators and can build a full activity calendar before you arrive so you’re not scrambling to arrange things poolside on day two. Same-day booking works for some activities, but Manuel Antonio, Tortuga Island, and the ATV/zipline combos benefit from 2–4 days of lead time, especially in high season.
For independent booking: operators with ICT (Costa Rican Tourism Board) certification, verifiable TripAdvisor or Google reviews, and 3+ years of operation are the minimum bar. For anything involving physical equipment (ziplines, ATVs) paying $20 more for a certified operator is not optional.
Browse our full breakdown of every tour type, pricing tiers, and honest recommendations in the Central Pacific tours guide.
Staying at a Nest Stays property in Jacó? Read the Jacó area guide for beaches, restaurants, nightlife, and everything else the town offers.
Staying at Los Sueños? The Los Sueños guide covers the marina, beach club, golf, and everything the resort community offers.
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