Things to do at Turrialba Costa Rica - Tours and Activities in Turrialba

Turrialba is an adventurer's paradise with epic Class lll and Class lV river rafting and canyoning opportunities all in the shadow of the active Turrialba

Turrialba Tours

Turrialba’s refreshing rivers cascade down the mountainsides winding through canyon cliffs creating epic rafting adventures on both the Pacuare and Pejibaye rivers. Bursting with nature, wildlife and friendly people, this area thrives under the towering Turrialba Volcano located in nearby Turrialba Volcano National Park. The active crater occasionally erupts putting on quite a show. Visitors to this small bustling city surrounded by tropical rainforests will discover an array of exciting activities including whitewater rafting, rappelling over waterfalls, mountain biking tours, horseback riding, or exploring an ancient archeological site called Guayabo de Turriabla, full of newly discovered mysterious ruins and artifacts. Even the cows enjoy living here as they produce the creamiest cheese for which Turrialba is famous! Located approximately 2 hours southeast of the capital city of San Jose.

Canyoning and Canopy

Turrialba

Today you’ll be picked up from your hotel and driven to Calle Chirraca where your adventure will begin. After a 10 minute hike, you’ll be shown how to go canyoning which is a vertical rappel down a waterfall. Afterward, you’ll rappel down 4 waterfalls and go over 4 zip line cables through the tree tops plus walk over a 135 foot hanging bridge. After all the excitement you’ll hike back to the entrance where you can take a shower and change into dry clothes before being served a hearty lunch on-site. Then you’ll be driven back to your hotel. This tour includes admission fee, bilingual guides, safety equipment, lunch, and transportation from Turrialba. It may take from 15 minutes to 1 hour to get from your hotel to the start of the tour depending on your pick-up location. Combined time of canyoning/ziplining/rappelling activities, lunch, and round-trip transportation usually takes from 3.5 to 5 hours. Please bring clothes to get wet in (no jeans), fully tennis or hiking shoes, insect repellent, towel, and a change of dry clothes for after the tour.

Whitewater Rafting Rio Pacuare - Explornatura

Turrialba

Today you’ll be picked up from your hotel and taken white water rafting on the famous Pacuare River with exciting Class lll and lV rapids winding through high rock faces and jungle rainforests (where the wild things are!). This tour includes bilingual safety kayakers, all rafting and safety equipment, lunch, plus transportation from Turrialba. It typically takes from 30 minutes to 1.5 hours to get from your hotel to the river, depending on traffic and your pick-up location. Combined time of rafting tour, lunch, and round trip transportation is typically between 6.5 to 8 hours. Rafting time can vary significantly based on the flow of the river. NOTE: If river conditions are not safe, the tour could change to an alternate river or be cancelled. Please wear enclosed river shoes, clothes that can get wet, bathing suit, sunscreen and bug repellent. Plus, bring a change of dry clothes for after the tour. This tour is for experienced rafters or those in good physical condition.

Today you will be picked up and taken to the CATIE agricultural education and research center to ride bicycles through sustainably grown food plantations. Besides exploring the plantations you’ll also ride through 45 acres of botanical gardens as well as the surrounding natural forest. This tour includes entrance fee, a bilingual educational guide, biking equipment, plus transportation from Turrialba and San Jose. One way transport to CATIE can take between 30 minutes to 2.5 hours depending on the location of your hotel and traffic conditions. Combined time of bicycle tour and round trip transportation typically takes from 4 to 6 hours. Please wear comfortable biking clothes (no jeans), enclosed shoes, and sunglasses. It’s a good idea to bring along a bottle of water, insect repellent, sunblock and rain gear too.

Whitewater Rafting Rio Pejibaye

Turrialba

Today you will be picked up from your hotel and go for a fun-filled whitewater rafting trip down the scenic Pejibaye River. This is a good choice for beginners as there is plenty of calm water in between the rapids. Childen ages 7 and up can participate in this tour. Safety equipment and instructions will be given before you climb into the rafts. Half way down, your expert rafting guide will lead you over to the banks and prepare a nice picnic lunch for you to enjoy. You’ll have time to explore the shore or take a swim while lunch is being prepared. This tour includes a bilingual guide, safety equipment, lunch, and transportation from Turrialba. One way transport to the river can take from 15 minutes to an 1 hour depending on the location of your hotel. Combined time of rafting tour, lunch, and round-trip transportation typically takes between 4.5 and 5.5 hours. Please wear enclosed shoes that can get wet (no flip flops!), bathing suit, towel and a change of dry clothes for after the tour. You’ll likely want to wear sunscreen and possibly bug repellent if you hike along the shore.

Horseback Riding - Explornatura

Turrialba

Today you will be picked up from your hotel and go for a guided horseback ride through the beautiful Costa Rican countryside under the shadow of the massive Turrialba Volcano. You’ll pass through sugar cane fields, coffee plantations, and tropical rain forests. Your guides will help you spot any visible wildlife. This tour includes admission, tour guide, horse expert, safety equipment and transportation from Turrialba. One way transport to the stables can take between 15 minutes to 1 hour depending on the location of your hotel. Combined time of horseback ride and round transportation usually takes between 3.5 to 5 hours. Children 8 years old and up can participate in this tour. For younger children please inquire about special tours that are available. When making a reservation, it is important to specify if a person weighs over 200 pounds but less than 220 pounds to make sure a horse will be available. There is a 220 pound weight limit. You will want to wear long pants in the saddle and fully enclosed shoes for the stirrups. Please bring along bug repellent, sunscreen, rain jacket, a bottle of water and your camera.

Guayabo Archeological Hike

Turrialba

Today you will be embarking on the Guyabo Archeological Hike to witness what remains of an ancient civilization. You’ll be picked up from your hotel and taken to the site where you will go on a guided hike through the ancient ruins of a 3,000 year old civilization consisting of up to 10,000 people that mysteriously vanished. You will see interesting petroglyphs while learning the history of the area as well as the most recent discoveries. This tour includes admission, a bilingual historian guide, and transportation from Turrialba. One way transport can take from 15 minutes to 1 hour to get to the site depending on the location of your hotel. Combined time of tour and round trip transportation is typically 4 to 6 hours. Please bring walking shoes, rain jacket, sunscreen, bug repellent, camera and a bottle of water.

Tour to the Mangroves of Terraba

Turrialba

Today you will go on by riverboat to cruise through the Mangrove trees in the Terraba Forest Reserve. You’ll learn the unique contribution Mangroves make to marine and bird life and the fascinating adaptation they have made to survive with above ground breathing roots. Your guide will point out wildlife and bring you up close to take photos. Along the way, fresh fruit and cold water will be provided as refreshments. This tour includes a bilingual naturalist guide, park entrance fee, snack, water, and transportation included. One way transport to the Terraba Forest Reserve can take from 45 minutes to 1.5 hours depending on where you are picked up from your hotel and local traffic conditions. The time of the Mangrove riverboat tour usually takes from 2.5 to 3.5 hours. NOTE: Tour requires a minimum of 6 participants. Also, the departure time varies as it is tide dependent. Please bring sunscreen, hat, rain jacket, binoculars and your camera.

From

$113

Per Person

CATIE Botanical Garden

Turrialba

On the CATIE Botanical Gardens guided tour you’ll be walking through thousands of amazing tropical flowers and plants growing on over 45 acres of land. To start you’ll be picked up from your hotel in Turrialba and driven to an international research center (CATIE) where scientists and post graduate educational programs are creating cutting edge techniques for sustainable plant management. Your knowledgeable guide will introduce you to the mission of the center and may tell you about some of the significant contributions that have already been made there. Next, you will take a 3-hour leisurely walk through the various gardens, orchards, and plantations learning amazing facts about tropical flowers, plants, and food crops that benefit the world’s food supply and health status. You’ll tour coffee and cacao plantations, both native regional crops of major relevance to the food industry and benefiting the country’s financial sustainability through agriculture. You’ll see orchids, bromeliads, flowering plants, bamboo and tropical fruit and nut trees as well. You will be shown displays of interesting seasonal tropical fruits and vegetables that may be unknown to you as well as any wildlife that might become visible on the day of your visit. This engaging educational tour includes admission fee, bilingual guide, and transport. Transportation to CATIE Botanical Gardens can be up to 30 minutes long depending on where you are staying. Combined time of the walking tour and round trip transportation usually takes under 4 hours. Please wear comfortable walking shoes, sunscreen, sunglasses, a hat, and bring a rain jacket in case of rain. You may also want to bring bottled water if it’s a hot day. This tour is typically recommended for those over 8 years of age.

From

$93

Per Person

What are the best tours in Turrialba, Costa Rica?

Turrialba, located in the central highlands of Costa Rica, offers a range of exciting outdoor activities and tours. Here are some of the best tours in Turrialba:

Whitewater Rafting: Turrialba is known as one of the top whitewater rafting destinations in Costa Rica. Take a thrilling rafting tour down the Pacuare River, renowned for its scenic beauty and challenging rapids. It's an exhilarating adventure that allows you to experience the pristine nature and adrenaline-pumping action of the river.
Canyoning and Waterfall Rappelling: Explore the rugged canyons and cascading waterfalls of Turrialba through a canyoning and rappelling tour. Descend down rock faces and waterfalls using ropes and harnesses, immersing yourself in the natural beauty of the area and enjoying an exciting outdoor activity.
Volcano and Hiking Tours: Turrialba is home to the Turrialba Volcano, an active volcano that offers unique hiking opportunities. Join a guided volcano tour to explore its surroundings, learn about the volcanic activity, and take in breathtaking views of the surrounding landscapes.
Coffee Farm Tours: Costa Rica is known for its high-quality coffee, and Turrialba is no exception. Visit a local coffee farm and take a tour to learn about the coffee production process, from seed to cup. Discover the intricate details of coffee cultivation, processing, and tasting, and gain insights into Costa Rica's rich coffee culture.
Birdwatching: Turrialba boasts abundant birdlife, making it a fantastic destination for birdwatching enthusiasts. Join a guided birdwatching tour to spot a variety of colorful and exotic bird species in their natural habitat. From toucans to hummingbirds, you'll have the opportunity to witness the vibrant avian diversity of the region.
Cultural and Community Tours: Immerse yourself in the local culture and community of Turrialba by joining a cultural tour. Visit indigenous communities, learn about their traditions and way of life, and engage in activities such as traditional handicraft-making or cooking local dishes. It's a chance to connect with the local community and gain a deeper understanding of their heritage.

These tours in Turrialba offer a mix of adventure, nature, culture, and outdoor exploration. Whether you're seeking adrenaline-pumping activities or a deeper connection with the local community, Turrialba has something to offer for every type of traveler.