Wildlife Tours in Costa Rica
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10 best Costa Rica wildlife tour packages
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Costa Rica Wildlife Exploration
2 Reviews by TourRadar travelers“Locations were beautiful. We had a great 2 weeks!”
ASHLEY, traveled in April
Costa Rica's incredible biodiversity comes alive as you observe tapirs and monkeys in Corcovado National Park, spot crocodiles on Tarcoles River Safari, and watch nocturnal wildlife during Monteverde Cloud Forest night walks. Manuel Antonio's pristine beaches offer guided wildlife viewing.
Duration 14 days Destinations San Jose, Arenal Volcano National Park, Monteverde, Manuel Antonio National Park, Corcovado National Park Age Range up to 75 year olds Operated in English, Spanish Operator Green World Adventures From
- US$4,976
Costa Rica: Beaches, Wildlife & Wild Times
3 Reviews by TourRadar travelers“Everyone was so kind and would go out of their way to make sure everyone felt included.”
Sahar, traveled in January
Coastal wildlife abounds from Liberia to Tamarindo. Natural habitats at Poza Los Coyotes, marine life at Playa Guiones, and local species during Nosara beach walks create unforgettable encounters.
Duration 6 days Destinations Liberia, Nosara, Playa Tamarindo Age Range 18 to 35 year olds Operator G Adventures From
- US$599
The waterways of Tortuguero host 60 mammal species, while Savegre Cloud Forest harbors elusive quetzals. Manuel Antonio National Park provides perfect sloth viewing. Additional highlights include visits to the Toucan Rescue Ranch and guided wildlife walks through Selva Verde Reserve.
Duration 15 days Destinations San Jose, Poas Volcano National Park, San Gerardo de Dota, Savegre, Turrialba, Tortuguero National Park, Arenal, La Fortuna, Manuel Antonio National Park Age Range 16 to 85 year olds Operator Explore! From $3,660
22% Off- US$2,870You save $790
Exotic Costa Rica, Self-drive
9 Reviews by TourRadar travelers“The packaged tour saved us a lot of time deciding where to travel to and where to stay.”
Gary, traveled in December
Wildlife thrives from howler monkeys at Manuel Antonio to over 300 bird species at Rincon de la Vieja. Monteverde Cloud Forest's natural trails reveal sloths, reptiles, and tropical butterflies.
Duration 8 days Destinations Liberia, Rincon de la Vieja Volcano National Park, Bijagua, Monteverde, Manuel Antonio National Park Age Range up to 99 year olds Operator Destination Services Costa Rica From $1,244
10% Off- US$1,120You save $124
Costa Rica Escape
5 Reviews by TourRadar travelers“Costa Rica is a magnificently beautiful country. A wonderful place to visit.”
JeanRoth, traveled in November
Natural habitats burst with life - from Monteverde's 700 butterfly species to Arenal's howler monkeys. Santa Elena Cloud Forest's 12-foot annual rainfall creates perfect conditions for exotic birds in the misty canopy.
Duration 7 days Destinations San Jose, Monteverde, Santa Elena, Arenal Volcano National Park, Sarchi Age Range up to 80 year olds Operator Globus From
10% Off- US$1,119
Costa Rica's diverse wildlife flourishes in Tortuguero National Park's canals, home to Agami Herons and Green Macaws. Tirimbina's rainforest shelters Sunbitterns and Black-Crested Coquettes, while Carara's transitional forest hosts magnificent Scarlet Macaws.
Duration 12 days Destinations San Jose, Tortuguero National Park, Puerto Viejo de Sarapiqui, La Fortuna, Puntarenas, Tarcoles Age Range 18 to 70 year olds Operated in English, Spanish Operator Elemento Natural Costa Rica From
10% Off- US$2,250
Three distinct ecosystems reveal Costa Rica's wildlife: Tortuguero's crocodile-filled canals, Arenal's monkey-rich rainforest trails, and Monteverde Cloud Forest Reserve's quetzals and hummingbirds.
Duration 9 days Destinations San Jose, Tortuguero National Park, Arenal Volcano National Park, Monteverde Age Range 3 to 80 year olds Operated in English, Spanish Operator Central American Tours From
10% Off- US$1,689
Classic Costa Rica
55 Reviews by TourRadar travelers“We have seen beautiful spots and wildlife. We had the right amount of organized activities and free time.”
Ilaria, traveled in February
Costa Rica's varied ecosystems teem with wildlife. Three-toed sloths inhabit Manuel Antonio National Park, turtles nest in Tortuguero, and rare quetzals soar in Monteverde Cloud Forest. Expert guides help spot over 300 bird species and native mammals.
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 $2,630
10% Off- US$2,367You save $263
Wildlife flourishes across Costa Rica's best nature spots. Quetzals inhabit Monteverde Cloud Forest, turtles nest in Tortuguero, and whales breach (Jul-Oct) near Punta Uvita. Expert guides lead walks through Corcovado National Park seeking tapirs and monkeys.
Duration 14 days Destinations San Jose, Santa Ana, Turrialba, Tortuguero, Arenal, La Fortuna, Monteverde, Nicoya, Carara, DominicalSee all destinations Age Range 16 to 85 year olds Operator Explore! From
10% Off- US$5,010
Costa Rica Wildlife Tour
87 Reviews by TourRadar travelers“A great itinerary with an excellent guide and driver.”
Ross, traveled in June
Wildlife viewing reaches new heights with expert guides throughout Costa Rica's ecosystems. Quetzals dart through Savegre Cloud Forest, sloths and monkeys thrive in Tortuguero National Park, while iguanas and capuchins roam Manuel Antonio's beaches.
Duration 15 days Destinations San Jose, Los Quetzales National Park, Turrialba, Tortuguero National Park, Arenal Volcano National Park, Manuel Antonio National Park Age Range 16 to 85 year olds Operator Explore! From
10% Off- US$3,800
What people love about Wildlife Tours in Costa Rica
- Costa Rica Wildlife Exploration
Guides were professional, drivers on-time, hotels were nice, and locations were beautiful. Saw lots of animals. We had a great 2 weeks!
- Costa Rica: Beaches, Wildlife & Wild Times
It was a great time and I enjoyed my CEO and the people in my group a lot.
- Exotic Costa Rica, Self-drive
The packaged tour saved us a lot of time deciding where to travel to and where to stay with the limited time we had. Service by Tour Radar was excellent, answering questions quickly and professionally. The lodges we stayed at were superb and driving around Costa Rica (about 600 miles) was no more difficult than driving in Vermont (I drive on plenty of dirt roads with potholes, and the paved roads in CR are good). We recommend that you book ahead national park registrations during the busier months.
What our customers ask about Wildlife Tours in Costa Rica
When is the best time to see wildlife in Costa Rica?
December to April brings clear skies and dry conditions making it prime time for wildlife spotting in Costa Rica. Places like Tortuguero National Park and Manuel Antonio become natural stages for diverse species. During the wet season (May-November) different opportunities emerge with sea turtles nesting in Tortuguero and whales migrating near Drake Bay along the Pacific coast. As described by a TourRadar traveler: "We saw over 50 birds 2 kinds of sloths 3 different Toucans monkeys snakes frogs. Couldn't have been a better nature experience."
How long are typical wildlife viewing excursions?
Wildlife excursions typically run 2-3 hours whether exploring by boat in Tortuguero National Park or walking through Monteverde Cloud Forest. Many tours start at dawn around 6am to catch animals at their most active. This timing proves especially effective at places like Arenal Manoa Hotel. A TourRadar traveler noted: "The 3-hour morning boat tour in Tortuguero was perfect - not too long but enough time to spot plenty of wildlife."
What are the accommodation options on wildlife tours in Costa Rica?
The range of stays spans from rainforest eco-lodges to upscale resorts each offering unique wildlife access. Turtle Beach Lodge in Tortuguero puts guests in the heart of wetland habitats while Arenal Springs Resort provides volcano views with wildlife right on the grounds. Properties like Hotel San Bada in Manuel Antonio sit adjacent to national parks making wildlife viewing convenient. Many places offer private trails with expert guides. One TourRadar traveler shared: "The mix of accommodation was perfect - from rustic eco-lodges where you could hear howler monkeys to comfortable resorts with all amenities."
What's the best way to combine different wildlife viewing locations in Costa Rica?
Creating a route through varied ecosystems leads to the richest wildlife experiences. Many travelers start at Tortuguero National Park's wetlands then head to Arenal's rainforests staying at places like Arenal Springs Resort. Adding coastal areas like Manuel Antonio or Corcovado National Park rounds out the variety of species and habitats. A TourRadar traveler noted: "Experiencing multiple locations from Caribbean to Pacific coast gave us an amazing variety of wildlife sightings and different ecosystems."
How physically demanding are wildlife tours in Costa Rica?
Tours adapt to various fitness levels with most activities requiring moderate effort. Common outings include 2-3 hour walks in Manuel Antonio National Park kayaking Tortuguero's canals and hikes around Arenal Volcano ranging from 1-3 kilometers. Places like Arenal Springs Resort offer both challenging and gentle options. A TourRadar traveler shared: "The guides were excellent at accommodating different fitness levels while ensuring everyone had great wildlife viewing opportunities."
What should I pack for a Costa Rica wildlife tour?
Essential gear includes lightweight clothes in neutral colors waterproof hiking boots for forest paths and rain protection for sudden weather changes common in places like Monteverde Cloud Forest. Don't forget binoculars a camera insect repellent and waterproof bags for electronics. A TourRadar traveler at Arenal Manoa Lodge advised: "We brought light-weight packable travel towels which came in handy for waterfall visits and beach activities. Runners were fine for most hikes but got muddy in Monteverde."
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