Puntarenas Highlights Tour (6 in 1)

Why choose just one Costa Rica experience when you can sample six in a single day? This popular Puntarenas shore excursion combines rainforest, hanging bridges, a historic village, crocodiles, a fun glass skywalk and a little time to explore Puntarenas itself.

If you're visiting Costa Rica for the first time, this 6-in-1 Puntarenas Highlights Tour is a great way to see several different sides of the country without having to choose between them. And don't worry—we're not expecting you to sprint through the rainforest to fit it all in!

Scenic Costa Rica Pacific Coastal Drive

Our adventure begins with a scenic drive along Costa Rica's Pacific Coast and through the rural countryside. Sit back, relax and enjoy the scenery while your guide points out local sights along the way. This region is known for its tropical fruit production, so you'll see mango and citrus groves along the route, as well as the colorful roadside fruit stands that are such a familiar part of Costa Rican life. Your air-conditioned vehicle will keep things comfortable while you take in the views.

Villa Santa Lucia Skyway - Costa Rica Hanging Bridges Experience

If you've been researching Costa Rica shore excursions on the cruise forums, Villa Lapas Skyway may be the name you've seen mentioned again and again. Good news—you've found it! The attraction is now known as the Villa Lucia Skyway, but this is the same popular rainforest hanging-bridge experience that has been a favorite with cruise passengers for years.

After a quick break to stretch your legs and use the restrooms, we'll head into the rainforest for a walk through the lush tropical canopy. The Villa Lucia Skyway features rainforest trails and three impressive suspended bridges, offering a bird's-eye view of the forest far below.

And yes, there's a little adventure involved! The walk includes some stairs and the bridges are high above the ground, with the highest reaching more than 180 feet up. For some visitors, that's a genuine thrill—and that's part of the fun. You don't need to be an extreme adventurer to enjoy it, but you may get to tell everyone back home that you walked across a bridge suspended high above the Costa Rican rainforest. Not bad for a day off the cruise ship!

Take your time, enjoy the views and keep your eyes open for wildlife. Depending on the day, you may spot monkeys, sloths, tropical birds and, with a little luck, brilliantly colored scarlet macaws (or lapas) that are found throughout this region.

It's a memorable way to experience the Costa Rican rainforest from a completely different perspective—and a little bit of excitement without having to strap yourself into a harness and jump off anything!

After our rainforest adventure, we'll make a short visit to Santa Lucia Village, a recreated historic settlement offering a glimpse into Costa Rica's early colonial history.

Take a leisurely stroll through the village, admire the traditional architecture and enjoy some free time to browse local souvenirs or perhaps sample a cup of Costa Rican coffee. It's a relaxed little change of pace before we continue our adventure.

Tarcoles River Crocodile Safari

Time to meet some of Costa Rica's biggest residents! We'll make our way to the Tarcoles River for a guided river safari aboard a comfortable, slow-moving boat. The river is famous for its impressive population of American crocodiles, and you'll have a great chance to see many of these prehistoric-looking creatures up close lounging along the banks and sandbars.

But crocodiles aren't the only wildlife here. The Tarcoles River borders Carara National Park, making the area an excellent place to look for colorful birds, iguanas, monkeys and other tropical wildlife. Keep those cameras ready—there's a good chance something interesting will be moving! Be ready to capture that perfect Nat Geo wildlife shot you can proudly display representing your Costa Rica vacation.

The Croc Skywalk - Costa Rica's Newest Roadside Attraction

Next up is a fun and easy stop at the Croc Skywalk, where you can walk out onto a glass bridge overlooking the Tarcoles River.Once upon a time, visitors simply stopped on the famous Tarcoles Bridge to look down at the crocodiles below. The Croc Skywalk decided to take that idea one step further—with a glass walkway that gives you a different perspective of the river and its wildlife.

You'll also have some free time to relax, grab a bite to eat or browse the shops and artisan stalls. There are restaurants serving traditional Costa Rican food, along with souvenirs, locally made crafts, coffee and other goodies. Lunch is not included, but if you're hungry, this is a convenient place to try a typical Costa Rican meal of rice, beans, plantains, vegetables and your choice of meat. A full lunch is generally around $10 USD.

Paseo de los Turistas & Puntarenas City Tour

Our final stop brings us back to Puntarenas, where we'll take a look around this lively Pacific coastal city before returning to the cruise pier. Once one of Costa Rica's principal seaports, Puntarenas remains a popular seaside getaway for Costa Ricans, particularly on weekends. We'll visit Paseo de los Turistas, the city's beachfront promenade, where you can stretch your legs, enjoy the local atmosphere and take in the views before we head back to your ship.

And if you haven't tried one yet, this is the perfect opportunity to hunt down a Churchill—Puntarenas' famous icy local treat made with shaved ice, fruit, condensed milk, powdered milk and syrup. Is it a dessert? A beverage? A sugar rush in a cup? Nobody really knows. But it's definitely a Puntarenas tradition!

Six Experiences. One Great Day in Costa Rica

From the Pacific countryside and rainforest canopy to crocodiles, historic villages, a glass bridge and the colorful streets of Puntarenas, this shore excursion gives you a little taste of everything. It's a particularly good choice if you want to see more of Costa Rica without spending the entire day doing one single activity. The pace is varied, there are plenty of opportunities to sit and relax between stops, and you get to experience several completely different sides of the Central Pacific.

This is also one of our favorite Costa Rica shore excursions for families. Even grandma can easily navigate the hanging bridges! So what are you waiting for? Bring your camera, your curiosity and your sense of adventure. We'll take care of the rest! ? Book your Puntarenas 6 in 1 Highlights tour today!