A better day starts here.

01 / Confirm whether SINAC national park tickets are included

Costa Rica’s national parks—including Manuel Antonio, Arenal Volcano, Tortuguero, Cahuita (Puerto Vargas sector), and Rincón de la Vieja—use the online SINAC reservation system with daily visitor caps. Before completing a tour booking, read the “Inclusions / Exclusions” tab carefully to see whether the operator purchases the park entry ticket on your behalf (which requires providing full passport names and numbers at checkout) or whether you must buy a timed entry ticket separately on serviciosenlinea.sinac.go.cr.

02 / Compare the complete door-to-door cost

Look beyond the headline price to check four items that vary widely across operators: round-trip hotel transportation from your specific neighborhood, reserve or hot-spring admission fees, full lunch or dinner inclusions, and mandatory equipment (such as snorkel fins, wetsuits, or lockers). A slightly higher all-inclusive rate often saves $35–$60 per person in separate taxi and gate fees.

03 / Verify hotel pickup zones and departure windows

Because tropical sunrises happen before 6:00 a.m. and afternoon showers are common in the green season, morning excursions typically begin hotel pickups between 6:30 and 7:45 a.m. Confirm that your hotel or Airbnb falls inside the operator’s complimentary pickup radius—especially if staying in outlying areas like El Castillo (Arenal), Langosta/Pinilla (Tamarindo), or Mal País (Santa Teresa).

04 / Check footwear, age, and physical requirements

Canopy ziplines, hanging bridges, waterfall hikes, and whitewater rafting enforce strict safety rules regarding closed-toe shoes, minimum child ages/heights, and maximum harness waist/weight ratings. Share any mobility considerations or swimming skill levels with the operator in advance so they can assign the right trail loop or instructor ratio.

05 / Review weather policies and keep your voucher handy

Light warm rain rarely cancels a rainforest walk or rafting trip in Costa Rica, whereas lightning, high river levels, or heavy ocean swells can cause operators to reschedule or refund water and canopy activities. Save your booking confirmation number and the local operator’s WhatsApp contact from your GetYourGuide or Viator voucher; for date changes or refunds, contact the booking platform directly.