Costa Rica Tours & Trips
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Table of contents
- The best Costa Rica tour packages
- What people love about Costa Rica Tours
- Most popular destinations in Costa Rica
- Travel Costa Rica your way
- Top operators in Costa Rica
- Best places to start your Costa Rica tour
- Discover Costa Rica tours for every budget
- Costa Rica tours for every group
- Top Costa Rica travel itineraries to fit your plans
- Demographics
- Best time to visit Costa Rica
- Costa Rica travel guides - curated by our experts
- Contact our Costa Rica travel experts
The best Costa Rica tour packages
Compiled by
SteffCosta Rica travel expert at TourRadar
Costa Rica Quest
289 Reviews by TourRadar travelers“The country is beautiful and very safe. The activities and hotel locations were great.”
Costa Rica unfolds from Arenal Volcano to Manuel Antonio National Park's beaches. Nighttime walks illuminate the cloud forest, while Mi Cafecito Coffee Plantation reveals local culture. Distinctive properties like Hotel Historias Lodge serve as bases for guided tours with private transportation.
Duration 9 days Destinations San Jose, La Fortuna, Arenal Volcano National Park, Monteverde, Manuel Antonio National Park Age Range up to 90 year olds Operator G Adventures From $1,349
20% Off- US$1,079You save $269
Costa Rica: Ocean Waves & Sunsets
41 Reviews by TourRadar travelers“This trip was fantastic! Would definitey recommend for anybody interested in exploring this beautiful country on a smaller budget!”
Caleb, traveled in June 2022
Costa Rica's varied terrain beckons at approx. $110 daily. La Fortuna serves as gateway to Arenal Volcano, while Playa Santa Teresa offers prime surfing and San Jose pulses with nightlife. Hostel and hotel stays earn 4.2/5 from 40+ verified reviews.
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
Costa Rica Adventure
610 Reviews by TourRadar travelers“It was an incredible experience and the worst part of it all was having to say goodbye!”
meg, traveled in November 2024
This 10-day Costa Rican odyssey, rated 4.8/5 by 600+ travelers, winds from San Jose through La Fortuna's hot springs, Monteverde's cloud forests, and Santa Teresa's beaches. Local homestays, night wildlife safaris, and cloud forest ziplining create memories for around $1,900.
Duration 10 days Destinations San Jose, La Fortuna, Monteverde, Playa Santa Teresa, Montezuma, Cabuya Age Range up to 39 year olds Operator TruTravels From $1,850
20% Off- US$1,480You save $370
Tropical Costa Rica 5 Days, Short Break
9 Reviews by TourRadar travelers“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).”
CHRISTINA, traveled in April 2021
San Jose's Sleep Inn Hotel pairs with Tortuguero's Turtle Beach Lodge on this 5-day adventure. Baldi Hot Springs' 25 thermal pools frame Arenal Volcano views, while dawn reveals Tortuguero's canal wildlife. The artisan town of Sarchi rounds out the journey.
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
15% Off- US$736You save $129
Essential Costa Rica - Package with Guanacaste
34 Reviews by TourRadar travelers“Excellent! Very punctual, friendly and with excellent service.”
Claudia, traveled in December 2024
Costa Rica's treasures unfold over 10 days, from Tortuguero's wildlife-rich canals to Arenal Volcano's thermal springs. Distinctive lodging at Pachira Lodge and Arenal Springs Resort enhance the journey. Monteverde Cloud Forest's biodiversity and Tamarindo Beach complement expertly guided excursions.
Duration 10 days Destinations San Jose, Tortuguero National Park, Arenal Volcano National Park, Monteverde, Playa Tamarindo Age Range 10 to 99 year olds Operated in English, Spanish Operator Destination Services Costa Rica From $1,566
15% Off- US$1,332You save $234
What people love about Costa Rica Tours
- Costa Rica Quest
We had a smooth trip - thanks for our guides Alonso and Chris. They were very helpful and informative. Good variety of activities during our trip.
- 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.
- Costa Rica Adventure
Amazing tour! Great variety of well-planned activities, with the flexibility to participate in additional adventures (e.g. canyoneering, rafting, cycling, surfing etc.). Wonderful group atmosphere, and a guide that was entertaining, knowledgeable, and committed to ensuring everyone was well taken care of and always having a great time.
Most popular destinations in Costa Rica
Famous for its stunning cloud forests, Monteverde is calling you to explore its lush trails, discover exotic wildlife, and visit its vibrant butterfly gardens. Get your adrenaline pumping with exciting zip-line tours and walk among the treetops on hanging bridges.
See all Monteverde toursDiscover amazing wildlife and landscapes in Tortuguero National Park. Most travelers enjoy exploring our Tortuguero National Park adventures in July, making it the most popular time of the year.
See all Tortuguero National Park toursDiscover amazing wildlife and landscapes in Manuel Antonio National Park. Most travelers enjoy exploring our Manuel Antonio National Park adventures in July, making it the most popular time of the year.
See all Manuel Antonio National Park toursExperience Costa Rica’s pura vida way of life. Relax on idyllic beaches, explore lush cloud forests, venture across dramatic volcanic landscapes, and surf in some of the world’s most popular surfing destinations—Costa Rica is absolutely stunning.
See all Costa Rica Caribbean Coast tours
More exciting destinations:
Travel Costa Rica your way
Our Costa Rica active tours really hit their stride by mixing different experiences each day. White-water rafting in the Caribbean lowlands paired with zip-lining over Monteverde's cloud forest tops our most-booked trips. Many guests love their morning kayak paddles on Lake Arenal - the volcano views are incredible - before heading to natural thermal springs in the afternoon. When they stay with families in villages like Coope San Juan, they get to cook local dishes and share stories around evening bonfires. The wildlife shows up everywhere you go. During night walks in Monteverde, our groups regularly spot sloths hanging in the trees, hear howler monkeys calling and see toucans settling in for the night. Over in Tortuguero National Park, watching tiny turtle hatchlings scramble toward the waves becomes a highlight for many. Active types particularly enjoy mixing it up - maybe rappelling down waterfalls near La Fortuna in the morning and catching waves during surf lessons at Santa Teresa later that day. These tours work really well if you like variety in your day. You might spend your morning looking for quetzal birds in Arenal Volcano National Park and then cool off by sliding down natural water chutes at local swimming spots. When we kayak through the Pacific coast mangroves, the monkeys often hop right onto the boats - they're quite curious about visitors and not shy at all.
See all Active toursCoach tours offer comfortable travel between Costa Rica's key spots while keeping things flexible for activities. Popular routes mix time in San Jose's lively markets with visits to craft towns like Sarchi, famous for its detailed handicrafts and the world's biggest ox cart. You'll drive through Braulio Carrillo National Park's mountain passes and along Lake Arenal's edges. Our travelers like how we balance scheduled travel time with free moments to explore Tamarindo's beaches and also La Fortuna's local life.
See all Coach / Bus toursOur most loved Costa Rica tours blend time across diverse landscapes - you'll explore Tortuguero's waterways, volcanic areas around Arenal and the misty heights of Monteverde's cloud forests. The guided walks through Manuel Antonio National Park are always a highlight, where local experts help you spot sloths, monkeys and rare birds along the well-kept paths. Most thorough explorer tours span 12-14 days, giving you proper time to understand what makes each region special. Our travelers often talk about those perfect moments - taking dawn boat rides through Tortuguero's canals, watching baby turtles scramble to the sea between September and December and also joining night walks to find nocturnal wildlife. We make sure to include time in smaller towns like La Fortuna, where volcanic hot springs offer perfect relaxation after a day's hiking.
See all Explorer toursSelect from our extensive range of 160 fully guided tours to enjoy a worry-free experience through Costa Rica with our expert guides leading the way.
See all Fully Guided tours
More travel styles:
Top operators in Costa Rica
From what our Costa Rica travelers tell us, Green World Adventures comes out as the top choice - they're really getting things right with well-organized tours and guides who know their stuff inside out. TruTravels is also doing great work, especially with Jurgen leading groups and giving everyone a proper look into local culture while keeping the mood light and social. The other companies have some catching up to do. Intrepid's itinerary looks good on paper, but we're hearing mixed things about their transport and hotels. Similar story with Travel Destinations - the language barriers seem to be an issue and their larger groups make it harder to get that personal touch many travelers want. What makes Green World stand out is how smoothly everything runs - from pickup times to accommodation choices, they've got the details sorted. Jurgen and the TruTravels team are clearly passionate about sharing Costa Rica's culture, and it shows in how they run their tours. They're particularly good at creating a group dynamic where everyone feels included and learns something new about the country. Both companies' guides regularly go beyond basic facts and figures, sharing local insights you won't find in guidebooks. Rather than just moving people from point A to B, they're focused on creating genuine travel experiences that feel authentic and unscripted.
- 5.0 (22,804 Costa Rica reviews)
"Costa Rica Quest Tour description on TourRadar did not mention that a lot of activities included in the description cost extra money, each costing between $45 to $65. This was communicated only after booking the tour. Only one meal was included. The hotels used by this tour (G Adventures) were just okay, some of them subpar with small rooms and no WiFi in many rooms. The transportation arrangements were excellent. The best part was the local guide(CEO) who was extremely knowledgeable and flexible and made the experience quite enjoyable.
- Tours
- 21 Costa Rica tours
- Age range
- 12 to 90 years old
- Adventure type
- Explorer
- Response time
- 1h
- Response rate
- 92%
- Average price
- $334
- 5.0 (27,548 Costa Rica reviews)
"If you go to Costa Rica, pray you get Luis. He absolutely made the tour, and the whole group felt the same. He never failed to bring optimism, enthusiasm, education and encouragement on every single day, and his energy was contagious throughout the whole group. Luis is the perfect tour guide and a wonderful person, a true asset to TruTravels and leaves a positive impact on everyone lucky enough to meet him. He helped people overcome fears, push themselves out their comfort zone and learn about the beautiful country and culture of Costa Rica and wider Latin America. It was an incredible experience and the worst part of it all was having to say goodbye! The tour itself was incredible, with amazing activities in a supportive environment of like-minded individuals. Feel as though I have made friends for life and had experiences that I will take with me forever. Costa Rica is beautifully diverse country, perfect for nature and adventure lovers. We were lucky enough to see LOADS of wildlife which was a big highlight for me. The activities were great, and the guide’s recommendations for optional activities were amazing. A really nice part was that you never felt pressured to do optional activities if they just weren’t your thing. Ill be recommending the Costa Rica Adventure to everyone I meet! It was friends I had made on previous tours that told me to do this one…. best recommendation ever.
- Tours
- 1 Costa Rica tours
- Age range
- 18 to 39 years old
- Adventure type
- Active
- Response time
- 10h
- Response rate
- 100%
- Average price
- $277
- 4.5 (280 Costa Rica reviews)
"Every detail was taken care of. From airport pickup to hotels reservations. Every van and every excursion was very well planed.
- Tours
- 66 Costa Rica tours
- Age range
- 10 to 99 years old
- Adventure type
- Explorer
- Response time
- 58h
- Response rate
- 88%
- Average price
- $433
Best places to start your Costa Rica tour
San Jose is the natural starting point for most Costa Rica trips, with 84% of our travelers flying into the capital first. Liberia airport up in Guanacaste works well as an alternative, particularly if you're headed straight for the Pacific beaches. Looking at our booking data, you'll want to lock in your Costa Rica tour about 3 months (87 days) ahead - this gives you good choice of dates and helps with getting spots at popular places like Manuel Antonio and Tamarindo. Our experienced travelers often suggest dividing time between different areas to get the most out of the trip - maybe combining Arenal's volcanic terrain with Monteverde's rich wildlife and Manuel Antonio's coastal beauty. Most visitors find that 10-14 days hits the sweet spot, letting them explore multiple regions while having enough time to really dive into local culture through cooking classes, market visits and also community experiences.
Discover Costa Rica tours for every budget
Budget-conscious travelers consistently share positive feedback about tours blending Costa Rica's top sights with authentic local experiences. The most popular routes start in San Jose's bustling markets, then wind through craft towns like Sarchi, where visitors connect with local artisans. From there, trips weave through Arenal's dramatic volcanic landscapes, Monteverde's misty cloud forests and also Manuel Antonio's coastal gems. The 8-10 day format works particularly well, giving visitors time to spot wildlife in Tortuguero's channels, try zip-lining above forest canopies or catch waves at Santa Teresa beach. What makes these tours special is their smart mix of structured activities and independent exploration - you might spend your morning rappelling near La Fortuna waterfalls, then join a family to prepare traditional Costa Rican dishes in the evening. Our travelers frequently mention how much they value the homestay components, which create genuine cultural connections while helping maintain reasonable costs. The wildlife experiences stand out too, from guided walks in Arenal Volcano National Park, to night safaris tracking exotic creatures in Monteverde and also peaceful beach days watching curious monkeys in Manuel Antonio.
Costa Rica budget tours- Costa Rica luxury tours
Costa Rica tours for every type of group
Who are you traveling with?
Group
232 tours in Costa RicaCosta Rica comes alive when you travel with 14-16 fellow explorers on our group tours. Most travelers are in their mid-20s to late 30s, with a good blend of solo adventurers, friends and also couples. Over 10-14 days, you'll really get to know places like Monteverde's misty forests and Manuel Antonio's coastal paths. The homestays in Coope San Juan let you connect with local families who'll teach you their cooking secrets and share stories from their daily routines. Many routes take you from Puerto Viejo's Caribbean charm to Pacific beaches, with stops in mountain towns like La Fortuna along the way.
Small Group
82 tours in Costa RicaWith 8-12 people, our small group tours get you closer to Costa Rica's natural wonders. The intimate size means you can quietly approach howler monkeys in Tortuguero's waterways and spot elusive quetzals in Santa Elena's cloud forest. You'll spend mornings learning coffee-making at local co-ops, try your hand at tortilla-making in family homes and explore Arenal's volcanic terrain. Our travelers tell us they love how flexible these tours can be - lingering at sloth sightings, taking spontaneous waterfall swims and also joining night walks to spot nocturnal wildlife. Each tour includes early bird watching sessions and visits to local conservation projects.
Private / Personalized
74 tours in Costa RicaPrivate tours put you in control while keeping all the local expertise. Your dedicated guide can adjust everything to match your interests - whether that means extra time with your camera in Monteverde or more beach afternoons in Tamarindo. These tours excel at mixing famous spots with hidden gems like Rio Celeste's blue waters and Curu Wildlife Refuge's quiet trails. Our travelers really value having both structured activities and free time, plus the freedom to change departure times, meal plans and also daily routines.
Top Costa Rica travel itineraries to fit your plans
Seven-day Costa Rica tours connect volcanic terrain with misty forests and also beach time. Starting in La Fortuna, you'll soak in natural hot springs and explore trails around Arenal Volcano - our groups often spot toucans, sloths and also howler monkeys here. Next comes Monteverde's cloud forests where you'll walk hanging bridges and zip-line above the canopy. The final days unfold on the Pacific coast with a nice mix of surf lessons, yoga sessions and also guided walks through wildlife refuges. Our customers consistently praise our guides for their deep local knowledge of both ecosystems and culture.
TourRadar recommends visiting:
San Jose, Arenal Volcano National Park, Manuel Antonio National Park
See all tours
Ten days in Costa Rica gives you real time to understand each region's personality. These routes blend time in Tortuguero's waterways, Arenal's volcanic zones, Monteverde's cloud forests and also Manuel Antonio's coastal wilderness. Our travelers particularly enjoy staying with local families in rural co-ops, learning traditional cooking methods and experiencing genuine Costa Rican home life. The night safaris in Monteverde often become trip highlights - you might find kinkajous, tarantulas, sleeping birds and also rare nocturnal mammals. With 2-3 nights in each spot, there's plenty of time for extra activities like rafting, horseback rides and also waterfall rappelling.
TourRadar recommends visiting:
San Jose, Tortuguero National Park, Arenal Volcano National Park, Monteverde, Manuel Antonio National Park
See all tours
Our 14-day Costa Rica journeys show you the whole picture. Starting on the Caribbean at Tortuguero, you'll explore waterways and visit the Sea Turtle Conservancy to learn about their protection work. Moving inland, you'll spend time at coffee co-ops learning production methods, join cooking sessions in local homes and search for resplendent quetzals in the Santa Elena Cloud Forest. The Pacific portion includes guided walks in Manuel Antonio and snorkeling at Caño Island's volcanic reefs where our travelers regularly spot rays, turtles and also tropical fish. Our customers tell us having two full weeks really lets them connect with each region's wildlife and also cultural character.
TourRadar recommends visiting:
San Jose, Puerto Viejo de Talamanca, La Fortuna, Monteverde, Playa Santa Teresa
See all toursDemographics
Our solo travelers consistently tell us they meet great people on Costa Rica trips. The San Jose market visits and Arenal hot springs create natural spaces to connect with fellow explorers. Many pick our Tortuguero-Monteverde-Manuel Antonio route, which mixes group meals and activities with time to explore independently. The homestays work really well for solo guests - cooking lessons and family dinners make it easy to get to know everyone. Our guides get constant praise for creating group connections while giving people space and also making sure everyone feels part of the activities.
Couples tend to pick our tours that mix active moments with quiet time together. The most popular routes start at Arenal's hot springs then move to Monteverde's cloud forests for private walks spotting rare quetzals. Many love doing active mornings - zip-lining or volcano hikes - followed by relaxed afternoons soaking in thermal pools. The Pacific coast portion gets special mentions, with sunset sailing and secluded beaches at Manuel Antonio. Homestays give couples time with local families while keeping private space and also joining in to cook traditional dishes together.
Young adults go for our high-energy itineraries. These pack in waterfall rappelling at La Fortuna, surf lessons at Santa Teresa and nighttime wildlife spotting in Monteverde. You'll swim in El Salto's natural pools, tackle white-water rafting near Arenal and also zip through cloud forest canopies. Our travelers in their 20s and 30s really like how we mix scheduled activities with social time - maybe sunset yoga or beach dinners together. Local guides know all the best swimming spots, surf breaks and also hidden waterfalls that make perfect photo spots.
Our senior travelers appreciate tours combining natural wonders with comfortable pacing. Popular routes explore Tortuguero's waterways by boat, perfect for wildlife watching without tough hikes. Monteverde's well-maintained cloud forest trails offer easy walking while discovering local wildlife. Many choose tours to Rio Celeste's blue waters and Cano Island's marine life, where we adapt activities to different mobility needs. The feedback always mentions quality lodging near natural areas, guides who adjust the pace as needed and also plenty of time to photograph Costa Rica's wildlife.
Our family tours hit the sweet spot between wildlife watching and laid-back cultural activities. Kids love spotting sloths and monkeys on the flat paths of Manuel Antonio National Park - they can take their time and really get into nature watching. The Arenal Volcano tour with its homestay element gets great feedback; children jump right into farm life and learn to make tortillas while parents see authentic Costa Rican daily routines. In Tortuguero, families paddle through canals searching for turtles and river otters. Monteverde gives options between easy nature walks or active zip-line routes in the cloud forest. Parents tell us they really value having downtime built into places like Tamarindo Beach where kids can swim and adults take it easy.
- Solo Travelers289 tours All tours for Solo Travelers
- Couples185 tours All tours for Couples
- Young Adults (18 - 39)8 tours All tours for Young Adults
- Seniors (50+)198 tours All tours for Seniors
- Family219 tours All tours for Family
Best time to visit Costa Rica
- Spring 2025
Spring offers ideal conditions for nature tours combining Tortuguero's waterways with mountain experiences. Early boat rides let you watch river otters and manatees while morning mist rises from the water. Many guests pick tours mixing volcanic areas with beach time - you'll relax in Tabacón's mineral pools before heading to Tamarindo's surf spots. The spring shoulder season means fewer people on Tenorio Volcano's blue river trails and Mistico Park's hanging bridges. Our local guides are really good at finding tree frogs, tropical birds and also three-toed sloths along forest paths.
- March 2025 249 tours
- April 2025 popular 256 tours
- 245 tours
- Summer 2025
Summer brings out Costa Rica's green landscapes and cultural life. Popular routes begin at San José's local markets, then head to Sarchi's craft workshops and La Fortuna's activity hub. The afternoon rains actually create great conditions for rafting and canyoning. Many guests love our Monteverde night walks where guides find sleeping birds, active sloths and also rare nocturnal animals. The warm weather works well for mixing forest hikes with beach time - from July through September you'll see nesting sea turtles in Tortuguero before visiting Manuel Antonio's quiet bays.
- 250 tours
- July 2025 popular 271 tours
- August 2025 265 tours
- Fall / Autumn 2025
Fall is prime time for seeing wildlife across different terrains. Our most popular routes include Corcovado's rainforest trails where guests often see scarlet macaws, spider monkeys and coatis. Many tours combine Arenal volcano views with boat trips through Caño Negro Wildlife Refuge, known for excellent bird watching. Fall timing works perfectly for coffee plantation visits in Monteverde, where you'll see traditional processing and try fresh roasts. Several trips include time in Osa Peninsula's quiet beaches for snorkeling with tropical fish, whale watching and also seeing sea turtle hatchlings between September and December.
- 246 tours
- popular 259 tours
- November 2025 225 tours
- Winter 2025 / 2026
Winter in Costa Rica really shines with wildlife and thermal springs. Our most-booked routes mix time at Arenal's volcanic hot springs with guided walks in Monteverde Cloud Forest, where our travelers regularly spot quetzals and sloths hanging in the misty canopy. The cool weather makes hiking especially nice - you'll walk Manuel Antonio's paths seeing capuchin monkeys, toucans and also tropical birds before heading to white sand beaches. Many guests stay with local families in Santa Rosa de Pocosol to learn traditional cooking and help with daily farm work. The dry season creates perfect conditions for waterfall rappelling near La Fortuna and ziplining through Monteverde's forest canopy.
- February 2025 popular 191 tours
- December 2025 139 tours
- January 2026 85 tours
Costa Rica travel guides - curated by our experts
Costa Rica Travel Guide | All You Need to Know
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Uncover the best time to visit Costa Rica and experience its rich culture, pristine beaches, and lush rainforests. Plan your journey to catch the country at its most vibrant and discover all the best spots, from San José to Monteverde.
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Contact our Costa Rica travel experts
Kaitlyn
Expert in Costa Rica at TourRadar
Kaitlyn is one of our seasoned Costa Rica Travel Experts. Reach out to us to get all your questions about Costa Rica tours answered!
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