
Puntarenas Highlights Shore Excursion
Traveler rating
4.5/5
Based on 162 traveler reviews. Ratings and reviews provided by Viator and Tripadvisor.
Quick answer
Is Puntarenas Highlights Shore Excursion worth booking?
Puntarenas Highlights Shore Excursion is a 7-hour experience in Puntarenas, Costa Rica, from $116 per person. It scores 76 out of 100 on the Outty Ranking, which we label “Strongly Recommended”, based on a 4.5/5 rating across 162 reviews. Cancellation is free up to 24 hours before the start time. Same-day spots are currently showing.
- Outty Ranking
- 76 / 100
- Rating
- 4.5/5 (162)
- Duration
- 7 hours
- From
- $116 per person
This tour will allow you to really take a glance at Costa Rica. It encompasses a lot of learning from fantastic, knowledgeable, fully bilingual tour guides; possible wildlife glimpses; a great boat ride; delicious food served on a full buffet; rainforest sightings; fruit tasting; affordable and diverse shopping; and a close and personal encounter with the Costa Ricans, famed to be the happiest people in the world. *Please acknowledge that while we strive to provide opportunities to observe wildlife in their natural habitats, sightings cannot be guaranteed. The presence of animals can vary based on numerous factors, including time of day, weather conditions, and their natural behaviors. We encourage you to enjoy the journey and appreciate the beauty of nature, even if wildlife encounters may not occur during your visit. *
What you get
About this experience
This tour will allow you to really take a glance at Costa Rica. It encompasses a lot of learning from fantastic, knowledgeable, fully bilingual tour guides; possible wildlife glimpses; a great boat ride; delicious food served on a full buffet; rainforest sightings; fruit tasting; affordable and diverse shopping; and a close and personal encounter with the Costa Ricans, famed to be the happiest people in the world. *Please acknowledge that while we strive to provide opportunities to observe wildlife in their natural habitats, sightings cannot be guaranteed. The presence of animals can vary based on numerous factors, including time of day, weather conditions, and their natural behaviors. We encourage you to enjoy the journey and appreciate the beauty of nature, even if wildlife encounters may not occur during your visit. *
What's included
Included
- Transport by air-conditioned vehicle
- All taxes, fees and handling charges
- Lunch
- Fruit tasting
- Hotel/port pickup and drop-off
Not included
- Alcoholic drinks (available to purchase)
- Gratuities
What you'll see and do
Gio Tours - Day Tours
Upon disembarking, walk or take the available shuttle to the landside entrance gate, where you’ll see our staff holding a clearly visible sign with the GioTours logo and your name. Please have your booking confirmation ready for quick check-in.
15 minutes here
Tarcoles
We will take you on an exciting Boat Tour through the Tárcoles River, a place filled with aquatic wildlife!
60 minutes here
Where it starts and ends
Hotel pickup
Pickup is included for all travelers.
Before you book
- Cancellation
- For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
- Languages
- en, es
- Ticket
- Mobile Only
- Runs on
- Every day
- Group size
- Up to 30 travelers per booking
- Operated by
- GioTours
Know before you go
- Specialized infant seats are available
- Suitable for all physical fitness levels
- Children must be accompanied by an adult
- May be operated by a multi-lingual guide
- Refunds will not be issued if tour/activity is missed due to late or non-arrival of cruise ship
- At time of booking, cruise ship passengers must provide the following information at time of booking: ship name, docking time, disembarkation time, and re-boarding time
- Please acknowledge that while we strive to provide opportunities to observe wildlife in their natural habitats, sightings cannot be guaranteed. The presence of animals can vary based on numerous factors, including time of day, weather conditions, and their natural behaviors. We encourage you to enjoy the journey and appreciate the beauty of nature, even if wildlife encounters may not occur during your visit.
Photos






What travelers are saying
Outty’s summary of the themes that recur across 161 traveler reviews. Written by us, not quoted from reviewers.
The guide
6 mentionsTravelers single out the guide as the reason the experience works.
Knowledge and storytelling
5 mentionsReviewers describe the commentary as informative rather than scripted.
Food and drink
4 mentionsThe tastings and food stops are a highlight for most reviewers.
Traveler reviews
161 verified traveler reviews for Puntarenas Highlights Shore Excursion. Ratings and reviews provided by Viator and Tripadvisor.
Great tour to see Costa Rica.
Had a great time. Juan was excellent , funny,and knowledgeable. Highly recommended.
via Tripadvisor
Rainy and Short Day, but excellent tour
Juan was fantastic. The cruise ship was late to port and they were very accommodating to the change. Jeff was also great at assisting and driving. We were thrilled with this tour.
via Tripadvisor
Great tour under challenging circumstances!
Almost everything that could go wrong did, but Juan & Antonio still made it a fun and worthwhile tour. They went above and beyond to give us the most they could. We had a hurricane delay that put us in port over 8 hours later than scheduled...5+ hours later than the tour was supposed to start. Then a major vehicle accident on the primary highway set us back another couple hours. However, we did get a rare nighttime boat tour of the Tarcoles River after dark to see American crocodiles. It was amazing. Then they did a short city tour of Puntarenas just so we could see more of Costa Rica. A 6 hour tour was cut to about 1.5 hours but we got quality during that time. Juan was engaging, funny, and informative. Antonio was friendly and a great, safe driver. We would book with this company again.
via Tripadvisor
Gio tours
Juan is an excellent guide! Very knowledgeable and accommodating. I highly recommend this company
via Tripadvisor
Amazing snapshot of Puntarenas
This is our second Costa Rica tour using GioTours, first time in Limon (Atlantic coast) back in 2019 and now on in Puntarenas on the Pacific coast. Juan was our tour guide and Antonio our driver. Such talent from both in spotting wildlife from the bus that most of us would never even see. Juan's enthusiasm and passion for his country just bleeds in his conversations. He has so much character for the job! Our group size was 10 people. We stopped at a small fruit stand to sample a variety of native fruits. Tasty! En route to the Tarcoles River, Antonio pulled the bus off the road as he spotted a pair of macaws in a tree. Very pleasant surprise! Off to the Tarcoles River to hop on a Crocodile Man boat where Juan continued to serve as our tour guide and pointed out several different forms of wildlife including a variety of birds (both small - think swallows, and large - think vultures), crabs, monkeys and of course, named crocodiles (Lady Gaga, J.Lo, Torpedo, etc.), which we viewed from just a few yards away. Antonio then drove us to El Jardin where we enjoyed a traditional Costa Rican lunch and had some free time to shop, see a short presentation on making chocolate, stroll through a butterfly garden and taste Costa Rican coffee. Then back to the port in plenty of time before ship departure. Overall a great day! I wouldn't hesitate to book again with GioTours - we did.
Response from the operator: Dear 257DavidC257: Thank you very much for taking the time to write us a review! It is awesome to hear that this was your second time with Gio Tours. Thank you so much for trusting your vacations to us! Also, it is great to hear that you enjoyed the time watching several animals, tasting local food, and, in general, having a good time during the tour, and that Juan and Antonio made this a rich experience for you. We will be sure to let them know. If you ever come back to Costa Rica again, don't hesitate to let us know. We would be pleased to show you every detail of this beautiful country! Best regards GioTours
via Tripadvisor
Good to know
- Duration
- 7 hours
- Free cancellation
- Up to 24h before
- Minimum age to book
- All ages
- Availability
- Bookable today
- Runs on
- Every day
- Hotel pickup
- Included for all travelers
- Booked in 30 days
- 57
- Verdict
- Strongly Recommended
Who runs this experience
Operated by GioTours, who run 6 experiences we rank across 2 cities, with an average Outty Ranking of 66.6.
See everything GioTours runsWhy this scores 76
The Outty Ranking is a weighted composite. Here is how this experience performed on each component.
Puntarenas Highlights Shore Excursion: questions travelers ask
Practical detail on this experience, plus the wider planning questions for Puntarenas.
How much does Puntarenas Highlights Shore Excursion cost?
+
Prices start at $116 per person. The final price depends on the date, the time slot and the number of travelers, and peak weekends in Puntarenas usually price higher than midweek mornings. Live pricing and remaining availability are confirmed on the booking screen before you pay.
How long does Puntarenas Highlights Shore Excursion take?
+
Plan for about 7 hours from start to finish, not counting travel to the meeting point. Most travelers leave another 30 minutes on either side so the rest of the day in Puntarenas is not rushed.
Is Puntarenas Highlights Shore Excursion worth it?
+
It holds an Outty Ranking of 76 out of 100, which we label "Strongly Recommended". That score blends traveler sentiment (4.5/5 across 162 reviews), the depth of that review evidence, recent booking momentum, value for money against comparable last minute in Puntarenas, and how flexible the cancellation terms are.
Can I cancel or reschedule Puntarenas Highlights Shore Excursion?
+
Yes. Cancel free up to 24 hours before the start time for a full refund. Inside that window the booking is non-refundable, and no-shows are not refunded.
Is Puntarenas Highlights Shore Excursion suitable for kids and families?
+
Yes, all ages are welcome. Families should still weigh the 7-hour running time, and strollers are easier on the earlier, quieter departures.
How far in advance should I book Puntarenas Highlights Shore Excursion?
+
Around 57 people booked this in the last 30 days, so popular slots go early. Two to three weeks ahead is comfortable in shoulder season, while summer weekends and holidays in Puntarenas can sell out a month out. Same-day spots do open up when other travelers cancel, so it is worth checking if you are already in town.
What should I bring or wear?
+
Bring photo ID, your booking confirmation on your phone, a refillable water bottle and comfortable shoes. Dress for the weather in Puntarenas and add a light layer if any part of the 7-hour experience runs outdoors or after sunset.
Where does Puntarenas Highlights Shore Excursion start and how do I get there?
+
The exact meeting point and directions are on your voucher once you book, and they sit in central Puntarenas within reach of public transport. Arrive 15 minutes early: late arrivals are treated as no-shows by most operators.
What are the best things to do in Puntarenas?
+
On Outty we rank every Puntarenas experience on the same 0 to 100 scale, and alongside this one the highest scorers right now include Tortuga Island Tour with Costa Cat, 3 Hour ATV Medium Waterfall Tour (Swimmable Pool), Turtle Island, from Puntarenas, snorkeling and lunch included!. The city page groups everything into most popular, highest reviewed, last minute and family-friendly so you can build a day around what actually delivers.
When is the best time to visit Puntarenas?
+
Booking patterns follow the same curve: prices and queues climb in peak weeks, while shoulder season gives you better availability on the top-ranked experiences and more room to change plans.
How many days do you need in Puntarenas?
+
Three full days covers the headline sights without sprinting. A workable rhythm is one anchor experience each morning, such as this one, an unhurried afternoon in a single neighborhood, then a food or nightlife booking in the evening. Five days lets you add a day trip outside the city.
Do I book through Outty or through the operator?
+
Outty ranks and explains the experiences, then hands you to Viator to complete the booking with the operator directly. The price is the same as booking on Viator yourself, and Outty earns an affiliate commission on the referral, which is how the rankings stay free to read.
What is included in Puntarenas Highlights Shore Excursion?
+
Included: Transport by air-conditioned vehicle; All taxes, fees and handling charges; Lunch; Fruit tasting; and Hotel/port pickup and drop-off. Not included: Alcoholic drinks (available to purchase); and Gratuities. Always check the voucher for the final list before you travel.
Does Puntarenas Highlights Shore Excursion include hotel pickup?
+
Yes, pickup is offered for every traveler from 15 listed pickup locations in and around Puntarenas. You can also enter a custom pickup address when booking.
What languages is Puntarenas Highlights Shore Excursion offered in?
+
It is offered in English and Spanish. Pick your language when choosing a date and time, as not every departure runs in every language.
Will I get instant confirmation and a mobile ticket for Puntarenas Highlights Shore Excursion?
+
Confirmation is sent by the operator after booking, usually within 48 hours; if it is not confirmed you are not charged. Mobile tickets are accepted, so you can show the voucher on your phone.
Is Puntarenas Highlights Shore Excursion wheelchair or stroller accessible?
+
The operator notes: Specialized infant seats are available. If accessibility is critical, contact the operator after booking to confirm arrangements for your date.
What happens to Puntarenas Highlights Shore Excursion if the weather is bad?
+
This experience depends on good weather. If it is canceled because of poor weather, you are offered a different date or a full refund.
What do travelers say about Puntarenas Highlights Shore Excursion?
+
Across 162 reviews averaging 4.5 out of 5, recurring themes include the guide, knowledge and storytelling, food and drink. Travelers single out the guide as the reason the experience works.
Ready to lock in your spot?
Pick a date, choose your group, and see the exact price for Puntarenas Highlights Shore Excursion.
Pick your date




