Guanacaste Tours & Trip Packages

Guanacaste Tours & Trips

33 Guanacaste trips. Tours from 23 tour companies. 39 reviews. 4.8/5 avg rating.

33 trips exactly matchall of the the filters you selected.
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Readymade Wakeboard & Surf Vacation
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4.7/5 Excellent
100+ reviews
Vacation / Holiday Package
Why we love them
They offer something for every kind of traveler and their excellent customer service is available throughout the whole process.
Lodging level
Basic - 2 star
Physical level
Moderate
Trip pace
Flexible schedule

Visits

Guanacaste

Highlights

  • Wakeboard on Lake Arenal
  • Surf some of Costa Rica's legendary waves
  • Experience Hot Springs, ziplining and much more

Themes

High Adventure, Relaxing Retreats

What travelers are saying

"We completed the three day tour with the glacier hike today! It was awesome and the sub vendor, Troll Expeditions, is definitely worthy of staying on the vendor list. 3 Day Blue Ice Cave + Golden Circle + Northern Lights"

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Premium Costa Rica in Depth
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4.5/5 Excellent
100+ reviews
Small Group Tour
Why we love them
They’re very committed to sustainable and responsible tourism and contribute to important initiatives like climate action.
Lodging level
Standard - 3 star
Physical level
Easy

Visits

Caribbean, Guanacaste

Highlights

  • Learn about the culture of Costa Rica with Premium exclusive experiences: spend time with a local family and learn how to create traditional dishes in their kitchen, and visit Matambu, the only indigenous territory of the Chorotegan people, to learn ancient pottery techniques passed down for generations.
  • Experience the magnificent landscapes Costa Rica from all angles with a gentle hike in Arenal Volcano National Park, a cruise on the Tortuguero canals, and a treetop walkways experience in the Monteverde Cloud Forest.
  • Enjoy two nights at your Feature Stay – a stunning and sustainable jungle hotel next to the electric-blue Rio Celeste River. Settle into your cosy casita (bungalow), an exclusive retreat just for you, and surround yourself with the sounds of nature.
  • End your trip with a free day at the beach, capped off with a sunset sailing cruise and a farewell dinner – the perfect way to reflect on your journey across Costa Rica.
  • Costa Rica is a nature lover’s dream. Keep your eyes out for green turtles, sloths, monkeys, coatis, anteaters, tropical birds, and more as you cross the width of Costa Rica, experiencing a variety of different habitats and environments.
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Themes

High Adventure

What travelers are saying

"We joined the Intrepid “Real Italy Food Tour” and enjoyed it thoroughly. Our tour guide, Micol, was very knowledgeable and provided us with lots of good information. It seems Micol knew many of the staff of the venues we visited, including the pasta making class we attended. Our group of 11 travelers was extremely compatible, which greatly added to the fun and enjoyment."

Trip dates & details
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Tropical Costa Rica  - 2024
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4.7/5 Excellent
100+ reviews
Group Tour
Why we love them
With a history that spans back to 1918, they have unparalleled expertise in the guided tour industry and can cater to all types of travelers.
Lodging level
Premium - 4 star
Physical level
Moderate
Trip pace
Balanced schedule

Visits

Guanacaste

Highlights

  • Discover the history of coffee in Costa Rica during your visit to a coffee plantation.
  • Learn about local farming practices and learn to make tortillas while having lunch at Don Juan Finca Educativa.
  • Take your journey to new heights and explore the Monteverde Cloud Forest from the elevated treetop canopy.
  • Put your feet up and relax during a 2-night stay in Guanacaste known for the country’s most beautiful beaches.
  • Enjoy the breathtaking scenery surrounding Arenal Volcano.
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Themes

Cultural

What travelers are saying

"It was a wonderful trip and experience! We are still sorting all the pictures and memories about it, and some of them I would like to share with you - read my diary about this trip! My Diary about our trip to South Dakota shorturl.at/efoX1"

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Cycle Costa Rica
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5/5 Excellent
100+ reviews
Small Group Tour
Why we love them
They explore a place beyond the typical tourist traps and offer exciting activities that bring the “wow factor” intrepid travelers want.
Lodging level
Premium - 4 star

Visits

Arenal Volcano, Caribbean, Guanacaste, La Fortuna, Manuel Antonio National Park, San José, Tortuguero National Park

Highlights

  • Cycle through a volcanic landscape rich with nature and abundant wildlife
  • Explore the waterways of Tortuguero National Park
  • Discover the trails and tropical beaches of Manuel Antonio National Park

What travelers are saying

"This tour was virtually perfect, due largely to the curating skill, personality, regional knowledge & appreciation, dining choices, guiding & FUN capability of our marvelous guide Rocio! And of course, the eye-popping scenery of the western Algarve, Portugal!"

Trip dates & details
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Tropical Costa Rica  - 2024
Save this trip to your favorites or other list
4.7/5 Excellent
100+ reviews
Group Tour
Why we love them
With a history that spans back to 1918, they have unparalleled expertise in the guided tour industry and can cater to all types of travelers.
Lodging level
Premium - 4 star
Physical level
Moderate
Trip pace
Balanced schedule

Visits

Guanacaste

Highlights

  • Discover the history of coffee in Costa Rica during your visit to a coffee plantation.
  • Learn about local farming practices and learn to make tortillas while having lunch at Don Juan Finca Educativa.
  • Take your journey to new heights and explore the Monteverde Cloud Forest from the elevated treetop canopy.
  • Put your feet up and relax during a 2-night stay in Guanacaste known for the country’s most beautiful beaches.
  • Enjoy the breathtaking scenery surrounding Arenal Volcano.
Show more

Themes

Cultural

What travelers are saying

"It was a wonderful trip and experience! We are still sorting all the pictures and memories about it, and some of them I would like to share with you - read my diary about this trip! My Diary about our trip to South Dakota shorturl.at/efoX1"

Trip dates & details
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Costa Rica Explorer
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4.1/5 Great
100+ reviews
Self-Guided / Independent Tour
Lodging level
Standard - 3 star
Physical level
Easy
Trip pace
Flexible schedule

Visits

Guanacaste

Highlights

  • Arrive in Costa Rica's capital San Jose and tour a few of the city's highlights including the neoclassical Teatro Nacional.
  • Watch thousands of turtles nest at Tortuguero National Park, then tour its canals and village!
  • Explore the secret waterfalls and rainforests of Bajos del Toro, one of the most beautiful areas in the country.
  • Hike, bike, and see the elusive Resplendent quetzal bird at Arenal Volcano and its national park.
  • Learn to surf in Guanacaste, a northwestern province on the Pacific known for its pristine beaches and perfect waves!

Themes

Local Immersion & Homestays, Relaxing Retreats

What travelers are saying

"Great Value did an amazing job with the basic outline for the itinerary and the hotel choices were excellent."

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Costa Rica 360
Save this trip to your favorites or other list
4.1/5 Great
100+ reviews
Self-Guided / Independent Tour
Lodging level
Standard - 3 star
Physical level
Easy
Trip pace
Flexible schedule

Visits

Arenal Hot Springs, Arenal Volcano, Guanacaste, Monteverde Cloud Forest Reserve

Highlights

  • Sea turtles, monkeys, tree frogs, toucans - you name it, you'll see it. Keep your eyes peeled for amazing wildlife!
  • Check out some local markets! Try some sweet, hand-picked fruits while you mingle with natives.
  • For a bit of adrenaline, take a walk across Moteverde's famous hanging bridges.
  • Try casado, plantains, arroz con leche, and tons of other local favorite foods.
  • Enjoy the comfort and convenience of included transfers between all destinations and airports.

Themes

Local Immersion & Homestays, National Parks, Nature & Wildlife, Relaxing Retreats

What travelers are saying

"Great Value did an amazing job with the basic outline for the itinerary and the hotel choices were excellent."

Trip dates & details
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Walking & Wellness: Costa Rican Secrets of Longevity
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4.4/5 Great
100+ reviews
Group Tour
Lodging level
Standard - 3 star
Physical level
Very Easy
Trip pace
Full schedule

Visits

Guanacaste

Highlights

  • On energizing walks through various terrain, we will be conscious of trying to achieve 10,000 steps a day – a goal recommended for a healthy lifestyle
  • Learn about the local plant and animal life, comparing and contrasting the characteristics of the different ecosystems we’ll explore
  • Enjoy fresh, clean air, nutritious food, morning stretching sessions and multiple outdoor activities, all contributing to your personal wellbeing

Themes

50 plus, Education / Learning, Yoga, Meditation & Wellness

What travelers are saying

"Our family of four, including two adult children, took the Bicycling: Day Trips to Paradise in Canada. This trip is entirely outsourced to the owners of the inn, there are no Road Scholar employees involved in the trip. Two of us have taken bicycle trips all over the world and the bicycling component of this trip was disorganized, haphazard and almost unsafe. We all filled out forms giving details regarding our bicycle fitting months before the trip. On the first day, the leader Stephen, went around the room and asked the same questions and said everyone would get fitted in the morning before we began the first ride. The morning brought a rack of bikes, all different types in various levels of readiness. There were road bikes, hybrid bikes, mountain bikes and e-bikes. The rides were all on paved surfaces and the mountain bikes were heavy and the additional suspension added weight. The bike I received had rust on the chain and rear sprocket. When I asked about it, was told they were waiting for another van to show up with tools and equipment. Once it arrived, they gave me the lubricant to spray on the rust. My wife’s bike would not shift into the high gear on the front sprocket. Instead of adjusting the derailleur, they suggested spraying it with lubricant. Our one son is over six feet and needed a larger frame bike, even though he detailed it in the bike form months ago, there was no bike to fit him. One of the guides, then went home and brought a larger bike that was a full suspension mountain bike for him. The bike was very heavy, hard to control on the road and he felt unsafe. After two days, one of the guides convinced Stephen that they could adjust a hybrid bike to fit him. Clearly there was no work done to prepare the bikes for the trip. Many of the bikes needed adjusting and all needed lubricant to function easily. For every day, there was a tray of snacks placed out for us to take along the ride. None of the bikes had any baskets or attached bags, so if you didn’t bring a small day pack, there was no way to carry the snacks. For lunch on the rides, they brought exactly one sandwich for each rider. Since most of us get hungry while doing a day of exercise, it would have been helpful to have a few extras. On one day, they ran out of sandwiches and one of the leaders that were riding with us did not get lunch. Do NOT take this trip if you are expecting it to be a bicycling trip. We have used VBT and Discovery Bicycle Tours many times over the past 25 years and they are excellent bike tour companies. Lastly, after sharing these details with Road Scholar after the trip, their response was weak at best. After doing the full reviews and having to call them, their response was to give us $200 credit after spending $8000 on this trip. Not only was that insulting, they assumed that I would take another trip with their organization."

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Guanacaste Reviews & Ratings

4.8/5  Excellent
39  Reviews
See all Guanacaste tour reviews
Excellent
4
Great
0
Average
0
Disappointing
0
Terrible
0
G

Graham

Nov 2023

Written on

Cycle Costa Rica

Well planned, varied, good guide. Ideal for wildlife enthusiasts.

A

Adrian

Feb 2023

Written on

Cycle Costa Rica

Great itinerary with varied days seeing lots of wildlife and plants. ...

M

Maureen

Nov 2022

Written on

Cycle Costa Rica

So many highlights! Stopping for a swim in the lake at Arenal and having a delicious picnic lunch prepared by the trip leader Carlos and the back up crew Geoffrey Ju...

T

Trudy Hofstede

Dec 2022

Written on

Costa Rica Eco Adventure with Guanacaste Beach

Both German and Mikol were so knowledgeable on all wildlife and forest det...

C

Cynthia Tramonte

Jul 2019

Provided byCollette

Review of Tropical Costa Rica

Service rating : Yes. Everything was organized well and the guide was outstanding. It was a wonderful tour of New York. Product : It was a great tour. The guide w...

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Guanacaste Tour Selection Trips

  • Decide ahead of time whether or not you’re looking for a relaxing beach vacation, or an active, hiking-focused one. The differences between the two can be quite stark. While the coastlines are developed and very tourist friendly in Guanacaste, the national parks in the area can be very rustic and vast.
  • If you are looking to save some money, consider buying your own groceries. There can be up to a 23% “tourist tax” (VAT and included tip) at local restaurants, so limiting your meals out can save a significant amount of money.
  • If you are visiting one of the more popular beaches, like Tamarindo, don’t worry about packing snacks. You can expect locals hawking freshly cut coconuts, plantain chips, and other goodies to make their rounds. These treats are inexpensive, and delicious!  

Additional details

When to Visit Guanacaste

Guanacaste has the driest climate in all of Costa Rica, although it does have a rainy season. The tourist season takes place during the dry season, which falls between December and March.

During this time, prepare for the heat (Guanacaste typically reaches temperatures of 94 to 100 F), but you will also never have to worry about the rain cancelling a beach day. The dry season is also well known for the trees that flower during it, and the monkeys they attract.

If you want to visit during the wet season, we recommend that you still do. You will not only benefit from lower prices, but it's unlikely that you will ever be drenched. The rainy season in Guanacaste usually consists of only partly cloudy days and occasional afternoon shower. You will still be able to visit the beach, probably everyday if you want to!

What to Wear in Guanacaste

Guanacaste is notoriously hot, sunny, and dry throughout its main tourist season, so make sure to dress appropriately. Wearing light, layered clothing, and bringing bathing suits as well as sun caps are musts.

If you are planning on exploring Guanacaste’s natural parks (which you should), make sure to pack some sturdier footwear, like waterproof sandals or sneakers.

Top 3 National Parks in Guanacaste

There are multiple national parks in the province of Guanacaste, and if you have a limited time there, it may be hard to decide where to go. Here is a list of the best parks in Guanacaste:

1. Palo Verde National Park - This park is spectacularly diverse for its size; it is both a wetland and prime example of a tropical dry forest. This park is known for its spectacular birding, and even has a small island called Isla de Pajaros -- or “Bird Island” -- the breeding ground of spoonbills, egrets, ibises, and herons.

The best season for birdwatching is the dry season, when many migratory birds spend their winters in the park. Another popular activity in Palo Verde is mountain biking, and there are many trails throughout the park to explore.

2. Rincón de la Vieja -This massive park has access to both Caribbean and Pacific coasts, and dozens of hiking, cycling, and horseback riding trails. The many tropical forest biomes in the park provide habitat for a variety of animals, include rarer mammals such as kinkajous, jaguars, monkeys, sloths, tapirs, and pumas.

For families and the adventurous, there are also great freshwater lagoons and hot springs throughout the park that are open to swimming, and if you love geothermal activities, be sure to check out the bubbling mud pits!

3. Guanacaste National ParkThis park is for dedicated outdoorsmen who truly want to step off the beaten path. Guanacaste is a rustic, massive park with virgin forest, open pasturelands, and a prime destination for wildlife observation.

It is home to a wide variety of bird and animal species, which are able to travel freely between Guanacaste and neighboring Santa Rosa park. There are more scientific researchers in this untouched wilderness than tourists, so if isolation in nature appeals to you, Guanacaste is your park.

Food in Guanacaste

Most restaurants in Guanacaste serve typical Costa Rican fare, meaning rice, beans, plantains and corn are staples in the majority of dishes, along with a solid cup of coffee. However, some of the beach areas in Guanacaste are also popular tourist territories, so you can be sure to find some international and American fare in the region as well.

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