Christmas & New Year Tours in Costa Rica
4.5 stars on(7,892 reviews)- Choose from 150+ Costa Rica tours
- 2,100+ verified reviews from TourRadar travelers
- 24/7 customer support
10 best Christmas & New Year Costa Rica tour packages
Compiled by
SteffCosta Rica travel expert at TourRadar
- Costa Rica: Ocean Waves & Sunsets
- Tropical Costa Rica 5 Days, Short Break
- Highlights of Costa Rica + Beach Extension
- Full Costa Rica Explorer 14D/13N
- Classic Costa Rica
- Costa Rica Experience
- Journeys: Explore Costa Rica National Geographic Journeys
- Basic Costa Rica: Coastlines & Cloud Forests
- Costa Rica: Volcanoes, Cloud Forests & Zip-Lines
- Costa Rica: Beaches, Wildlife & Wild Times
Costa Rica: Ocean Waves & Sunsets
41 Reviews by TourRadar travelers“Very efficient in seeing and experiencing a lot of the country in a little amount of time.”
Jerronaka, traveled in July
Costa Rica's December departures blend holiday spirit with adventures. Arenal Volcano hikes ($50), La Fortuna waterfall swims ($20), and Santa Teresa surf lessons showcase perfect winter weather.
Duration 8 days Destinations San Jose, La Fortuna, Playa Santa Teresa Age Range 18 to 39 year olds Operator G Adventures From $949
25% Off- US$712You save $237
Tropical Costa Rica 5 Days, Short Break
13 Reviews by TourRadar travelers“The itinerary, guides, and organization of our entire trip was remarkable!”
Kristen, traveled in April
Duration 5 days Destinations San Jose, Sarchi, Arenal Volcano National Park, Tortuguero National Park Age Range up to 99 year olds Operated in English, Spanish Operator Destination Services Costa Rica From $866
10% Off- US$779You save $86
Highlights of Costa Rica + Beach Extension
17 Reviews by TourRadar travelers“Sloths and wildlife. Zip lining.”
Fiona, traveled in March
Poas Volcano's active crater and Monteverde's misty cloud forests create an enchanting holiday setting. Magical evenings await at Arenal's thermal springs, while peaceful Christmas mornings unfold on Manuel Antonio's pristine beaches, watching monkeys and scarlet macaws.
Duration 10 days Destinations San Jose, Sarchi, Grecia, Poas Volcano National Park, Arenal Volcano National Park, Monteverde, Manuel Antonio National Park Age Range 16 to 85 year olds Operator Explore! From $2,490
18% Off- US$2,030You save $460
Full Costa Rica Explorer 14D/13N
4 Reviews by TourRadar travelers“The trip was amazing! All staff from tourradar has been very helpful.”
Stavros, traveled in August
A 14-day Costa Rican adventure brings holiday cheer. Christmas in Monteverde's cloud forests leads to New Year's on Santa Teresa's shores. Nocturnal wildlife tours and festive meals with Arenal Volcano views complete the experience.
Duration 14 days Destinations San Jose, Tortuguero National Park, La Fortuna, Monteverde, Manuel Antonio National Park Age Range up to 99 year olds Operator Bamba Travel From
18% Off- US$2,776
Classic Costa Rica
56 Reviews by TourRadar travelers“Interesting and varied itinerary, with good balance between looking for wildlife, optional activities, and relaxation at the beach.”
Ursula, traveled in June
Holiday magic fills this Costa Rican adventure. Christmas dinner with locals in Santa Rosa de Pocosol pairs with wildlife watching in Tortuguero National Park and New Year's celebrations on Manuel Antonio's beaches. Special holiday activities highlight local traditions.
Duration 15 days Destinations San Jose, Tortuguero National Park, Santa Rosa de Pocosol, Tenorio Volcano National Park, La Fortuna, Arenal Volcano National Park, Monteverde, Manuel Antonio National Park Age Range 15 to 99 year olds Operator Intrepid Travel From $2,405
25% Off- US$1,804You save $601
Costa Rica Experience
32 Reviews by TourRadar travelers“We had so much fun touring around Costa Rica. We thoroughly enjoyed all excursions planned for us.”
Catherine, traveled in October
Natural treasures from Monteverde Cloud Forest to Manuel Antonio beaches sparkle during holidays. Santa Rosa de Pocosol homestay features festive meals, wildlife appears at Arenal Volcano, and tropical Quepos hosts New Year's celebrations.
Duration 9 days Destinations San Jose, Santa Rosa de Pocosol, La Fortuna, Monteverde, Quepos, Manuel Antonio National Park Age Range 15 to 99 year olds Operator Intrepid Travel From $1,295
5% Off- US$1,230You save $65
Journeys: Explore Costa Rica National Geographic Journeys
24 Reviews by TourRadar travelers“I appreciate getting to see 4 different areas. The home visit was wonderful.”
Lydia, traveled in February
Holiday spirit fills San Jose's central plaza, while wildlife roams Tortuguero National Park and festive atmosphere lights up Manuel Antonio's beaches. Traditional Costa Rican holiday meals highlight December tours.
Duration 14 days Destinations San Jose, Tortuguero National Park, Puerto Viejo de Sarapiqui, La Fortuna, Arenal Volcano National Park, Monteverde, Santa Elena, Manuel Antonio National Park Age Range up to 99 year olds Operator National Geographic Journeys with G Adventures From $3,099
10% Off- US$2,789You save $309
Basic Costa Rica: Coastlines & Cloud Forests
33 Reviews by TourRadar travelers“The experience was amazing, stress-free, and perfect.”
Julia, traveled in June
Holiday magic fills Costa Rica from Caribbean to Pacific beaches. Browse Christmas markets in San Jose, join celebrations near Arenal Volcano, and ring in the New Year on Santa Teresa's shores. Special December departures showcase unique seasonal experiences.
Duration 14 days Destinations San Jose, Puerto Viejo de Talamanca, La Fortuna, Monteverde, Playa Santa Teresa Age Range 18 to 39 year olds Operator G Adventures From $1,399
25% Off- US$1,049You save $349
Costa Rica: Volcanoes, Cloud Forests & Zip-Lines
72 Reviews by TourRadar travelers“The places we visited, the hostels we stayed at and the activities we did were perfect. The variety and freedom to spend my time as I wanted was great.”
Allison, traveled in April
December brings festive activities at Mi Cafecito cooperative and holiday meals in La Fortuna. Magical cloud forest moments await in Monteverde, while San Jose's Christmas markets and seasonal treats enhance zip-lining adventures through decorated forests.
Duration 6 days Destinations San Jose, La Fortuna, Arenal, Monteverde Age Range 18 to 35 year olds Operator G Adventures From
25% Off- US$549
Costa Rica: Beaches, Wildlife & Wild Times
3 Reviews by TourRadar travelers“It was enjoyable to have a guide native to Costa Rica. I don't think we could have had a better guide!”
Emily, traveled in February
The festive season in Costa Rica features holiday swimming at Poza Los Coyotes and Christmas surfing at Playa Tamarindo. Visit Guaitil's artisan workshops for unique gifts and celebrate with fellow travelers aged 18+. December departures include special holiday activities.
Duration 6 days Destinations Liberia, Nosara, Playa Tamarindo Age Range 18 to 35 year olds Operator G Adventures From $629
15% Off- US$535You save $94
What people love about Christmas & New Year Tours in Costa Rica
- Costa Rica: Ocean Waves & Sunsets
The trip by G Adventures was incredible! From Volcanoes to Waterfalls to Beaches. Our guide was very helpful in making the experience even better.
We enjoyed the tour a lot and recommend it to everybody. Due to covid, there were only few people everywhere, and I had a private tour where we mostly had guided tours and transfers just me or there was just one another couple joining. All the hotels and lodges were very good, the staff very friendly, food tasty (especially the lodges in Tortuguero, Arenal and Monteverde were located beautifully in nature). Everything worked as planned and on-time. Specially thanks to Paola she was help me for the hold time while I’m over there.... amazing country, will comes back November or December (stay more days in Tortuguero Thanks Christina
Tropical Costa Rica 5 Days, Short Break
- Highlights of Costa Rica + Beach Extension
This tour was the best balance of activities at the start to make the most of the natural beauty and wildlife of the rainforest and cloud forest followed by several days at the beach with optional excursions. I don’t think we would have seen and done all we did if we planned it on our own.
What our customers ask about Christmas & New Year Tours in Costa Rica
What is the weather like during Christmas & New Year in Costa Rica?
The dry season in Costa Rica coincides with the Christmas and New Year period creating reliable conditions for holiday travel. Visitors to La Fortuna near Arenal Volcano can expect temperatures between 75-85°F (24-29°C) while Monteverde Cloud Forest stays a bit cooler ranging from 65-75°F (18-24°C). Beach destinations such as Manuel Antonio and Tamarindo offer bright days suited for outdoor activities. A TourRadar traveler confirms: "The weather during Christmas time was perfect - sunny days for activities and cool evenings for holiday celebrations."
How early should I book a Christmas & New Year tour to Costa Rica?
The holiday season requires significant advance planning with bookings needed 6-8 months ahead. Popular lodgings like Laguna Lodge in Tortuguero and El Establo Mountain Hotel in Monteverde typically reach capacity a full year before the season. Data shows most travelers secure their Christmas and New Year tours 8-10 months ahead of time. As noted by a TourRadar traveler: "We booked our December tour in March and were glad we did - many preferred hotels were already full."
How do Costa Ricans celebrate Christmas & New Year?
Local celebrations center around family gatherings for tamale making the Festival de la Luz in San Jose and neighborhood holiday markets. Hotels such as the Sheraton San Jose prepare traditional Christmas Eve feasts. Coastal areas like Manuel Antonio light up with New Year's fireworks displays. A TourRadar traveler shares: "Celebrating New Year's in La Fortuna was incredible - the locals welcomed us into their festivities with traditional food and music near Arenal Volcano."
What are the best destinations to visit during Christmas & New Year in Costa Rica?
Key locations during peak season include Manuel Antonio National Park known for beaches and wildlife Arenal Volcano with its hot springs and Monteverde Cloud Forest offering distinct hiking trails. The Guanacaste coast provides excellent beach weather while Tortuguero National Park draws wildlife enthusiasts. Accommodations like Laguna Lodge in Tortuguero offer strategic bases for exploration. According to a TourRadar traveler: "Visiting both Arenal and Manuel Antonio during Christmas week gave us the perfect mix of adventure and relaxation."
What unique wildlife can I expect to see during Christmas & New Year in Costa Rica?
The December-January period offers prime wildlife viewing. Tortuguero National Park teems with howler monkeys toucans and water birds. Manuel Antonio National Park provides reliable sightings of sloths white-faced capuchin monkeys and macaws. Properties like Selva Verde Rainforest Lodge position guests for optimal wildlife encounters. A TourRadar traveler notes: "Our Christmas week tour included amazing wildlife sightings - we saw over 50 species of birds and several sloths in Manuel Antonio alone."
What are the accommodation options for Christmas & New Year tours in Costa Rica?
Options span from simple eco-lodges to upscale resorts each embracing holiday decorations. Los Lagos Resort in La Fortuna features seasonal events and festive meals while El Establo Mountain Hotel in Monteverde provides New Year's fireworks viewing spots. Coastal properties like Hotel Nammbu in Samara host beachfront celebrations. A TourRadar traveler reports: "The hotels during Christmas were beautifully decorated and the special holiday meals were amazing."
More about Costa Rica
MonteverdeTortuguero National ParkManuel Antonio National ParkGuanacasteCosta Rica Caribbean CoastRincon de la Vieja National ParkChristmas & New YearCosta Rica Travel Guide | All You Need to KnowBest 7 Day Costa Rica Itineraries 2025/2026 (with Reviews)What is the best time to visit Costa Rica in 2025/2026?Weather in Costa Rica in 2025/2026