Tours can be short affairs... a few hours or a day... or weeks in length.
There are a ton of tour operators here in Costa Rica. I have worked indirectly with a number of these organizations as one of the companies I own is travel related. Saying that, my experience has been limited to coordinating my companies services with theirs. That normally means arranging to meet our mutual clients at the airport or other locations and is limited to phone calls, emails, and often hooking up with their drivers at some point. I also get to talk with our mutual client AFTER the tour while impressions are fresh. In any case, I do NOT profess to be a tour expert.
One thing I DO know is that these tour operators range from extremely competent and professional to just plain awful.
To be fair, I have never gone on a tour in CR. However my experience in business for over 40 years has taught me that you can tell a LOT about any company and its services by the comportment and efficiency of its employees and owners.
The vast majority I have worked with here are pros... return calls and emails promptly, have pleasant and knowledgeable employees, offer excellent and trouble-free tours and have drivers who, even if their English is not perfect, make up for it with a fine attitude. A few are just the opposite... disorganized, rude, inefficient, with surly drivers who generally give the impression that the customer is interrupting their "work".
Many US travel agents have working relationships with tour operators in Costa Rica, and this seems to work just fine.
Eco-Tours, Ecology Tours, and the Natural Wonders
The eco-diversity of Costa Rica is world renowned, and people travel here from all over the world to see the astonishing number species of wildlife. There are an incredible number of Nature Preserves, Cloud Forests, Rain Forests, and highlands where birdwatchers can get their fix while trying to spot as many of the 850 species found here. The sea (marine) turtles are another extremely popular attraction. I believe there are actually three or four varieties of turtles to be found here, the most popular being the Green Turtles that nest along the beaches of Tortuguero from about July through October.
Tortuguero National Park (see map, courtesy Caribbean Conservation Corporation ) covers maybe 21 miles of black sand beach along the North Caribbean Coast and if you really want to see something special, this is the place. The Canals of Tortuguero are incredible and are made up of both man-made and natural
waterways (see photo). Go early in the morning if possible and see one of the best spots in the world for wildlife. There are also a bunch of lodges and other accommodations that offer the chance to really immerse yourself in this environment.
The Jungle! Corcovado National Park is in the southern Pacific area, and the areas there such as Drake Bay are a dream for nature lovers. According to National Geographic, Corcovado is perhaps the most biologically intense place on earth. I have visited this are, and it is a treasure.
Enjoy bird watching? Not many places better than Costa Rica. Read about the Red-capped Manakin and about birding.
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Adventure Tours Costa Rica
Wanna rush?
You found the right spot!
Some tour operators here specialize in tours that get your heart pumping and your adrenaline pumping.
These may include White Water Rafting (Class III, IV, and V) on many rivers including the Sarapiquí River and the Pacuare River, Bungee Jumping, Duckies , Grassboarding, Paint Ball Wars, Hot Air Ballooning, Horse back Riding, Mountain Climbing and Rappelling, Mountain Biking, Off-Road 4X4 Exploring, Sea and River Kayaking, Mountain Motorcycle Enduros, Scuba Diving, and Surfing. [Back]
One to Three Day Quickies
Want to see a lot but don't have a lot of time time? There are a bunch of one day tours that allow you to visit a volcano or two, a coffee plantation, and maybe a butterfly farm. 
Add another day and you can discover the Monteverde Cloud Forest, Manuel Antonio National Park, or a zillion other places. Many operators offer a one day trip to Tortuga Island. This lovely little island has beautiful white sand beaches and makes for a great day trip and gives you a feel for the tropical beach Costa Rica. Other excellent day trips may be waterfall hiking, or white water rafting.
On canopy tours, you're up in the trees on a wire... way cool... but not for those fearful of heights as you are really up there... maybe 90 feet or more. This does give you a great view, however, and you'll see stuff never visible from the forest floor. Do it if you can! Note: Costa Rica now requires permits for canopy tour operators. These assure the quality of the lines and equipment. Make sure you are using an operator in full compliance with these laws.
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Volcano Tours
Like volcanoes?
Costa Rica is a mountainous location with several volcanoes, one of which (Arenal) is active just about all the time. 
There a many Arenal tours from one day quickies to stays of several days allowing you to explore Lake Arenal, the Caño Negro Nature Reserve and the cloud forest around Monteverde. DO THIS, but if possible, extend your time to at least two or more days as the volcano is seen best at night, and it is not the only attraction in the area. DO get a mud bath massage and sit around in those hot springs for a while. This helps you relax and figure out ways to tell your boss you're not returning next week.
Just because a volcano is not erupting does not make it not worthwhile visiting! There are several dormant volcanoes here as well (see photo of Poas) and they are really beautiful. Often one or two are included in those short one day tours. No matter what tour you decide to use, try to make it a point to see at least one of these.
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Retirement Tours Costa Rica
These tours are growing in popularity as more and more people decide to consider retirement in Costa Rica. These seem to vary from operator to operator, but one has put together a several day tour that includes things like:
- A tour of the San José area including stops at super markets, hospitals, public buildings etc.
- Visits to the mountain areas in and around the Central Valley. Bring a jacket!
- Tours of various neighborhoods so you can get a hint as to where you might wish to live.
- Two days in various beach areas to see how is the life style in the more tropical areas.
- Two days at the ARCR Living in Costa Rica Seminar.
- Tours of homes so you can actually see the lifestyle of folks living here.
- Trips to outlying area of the Central Valley such as Grecia and Atenas to get an idea what country living is like.
- Price are discussed as are living expenses.
All this is done while the guide answers questions about living and retiring in Costa Rica. By the time you are done, you'll get a pretty good handle on living here.
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Real Estate Tours Costa Rica
Several companies and some real estate agents, are now offering tours of properties and homes in specific areas of Costa Rica and in specific price ranges. Some of these are private, set up for a specific individual according to their tastes and budget. I have no idea if this are high pressure deals, but I doubt it. Some will even negotiate a price for a property. Other are public and are really information tours. Try to choose one that lets you actually enter these homes so you can see the differences in construction, layout and design. [Back]
Deep Sea Fishing and River Fishing Costa Rica
I love this part!
You want some great sport fishing? It's here. Costa Rica is home to sailfish, sea bass, striped marlin, roosterfish, blue marlin, snapper, and king sized tuna. I know of few ways to better spend a day than to charter a boat, bring friends and munchies, and catch some fine fish and even better sun! Nearly all tour operators can set you up and some ONLY handle fishing tours. These guys are the pros and serious fisherpersons (sorry, I had to) from all over the globe make Costa Rica a top spot on their list. Many good charter services are on the Internet, so do a search for those and find yourself a good deal. Prices vary enormously so shop around.
There are also a ton of really excellent fishing rivers here so if fishing is your thing, don't leave that off your list. You'll need a license for inland fishing, but it is cheap and your tour person can handle that. [Back]
Cultural Tours
There are some really excellent Museums and cultural attractions here, and if this is your thing, search around for a tour that allows you to visit some of these places. The Gold Museum is one of my favorites, but there are many others. Make sure you hit some of the fine art museums as well. These tours offer knowledgeable guides that can make the experience far more interesting. [Back]
Motorcycle Touring
Now why didn't someone think of this? Oh... someone did!. There may be other moto tour companies here, but as yet I have not run across them.
Owner Paul Furlong and his gang have come up with a truly interesting way to tour the country and that is while riding on a rented bike that he and his crew provide. I am not sure if this is suitable for the whole family, but for those of you who are into biking and want a truly unique way to discover Costa Rica, take a peek at their web site: Moto Tours Costa Rica. [Back]
Gay Tours
Costa Rica has become very popular with Gay and Lesbian travelers and thus there are a number of tour companies who cater to Gay and Lesbian trade. These tours cover a full range of tours here from kick back and relax to high adventure.
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