Costa Rica Costa Rica Tours & Trip Packages

Costa Rica Costa Rica Tours & Trips

295 Costa Rica trips. Tours from 130 tour companies. 839 reviews. 4.8/5 avg rating.

272 trips exactly matchall of the the filters you selected.
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Costa Rica
Discover Central America
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4.9/5 Excellent
25 reviews
Small Group Tour
Lodging level
Standard - 3 star
Physical level
Easy
Trip pace
Balanced schedule

Visits

Antigua, Caribbean, Central America, Granada, Lake Atitlan, Lake Nicaragua, Ometepe, Salvador, Tikal

Highlights

  • Oh mayan, central america, what a land. a palace of mysterious ruins, active volcanoes, idyllic beaches and emerald jungles. get a taste of seven different countries on an epic latin adventure that takes in the sights and offers a whole heap of optional activities too.
  • Extended time in caye caulker and antigua offers the perfect opportunity to enjoy laid-back island vibes as well as buzzing colonial city life.
  • There's nothing quite like staying with a local family to really experience a place. you'll be feasting at breakfast and dinner, and improving your spanish with the locals in san jorge la laguna in no time.
  • There are loads of sides to central america and you’ll get a taste of so many - slumbering on the sands of playa del carmen, gazing at the pyramids of tikal or haggling in the markets of chichicastenango.
  • Travel to el salvador and back in time in the colonial town of suchitoto. then summon your best beach bum/inner surfie with the beautiful black-sand beaches and surf of el cuco and el tunco.
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Themes

Cultural, Local Immersion & Homestays

What travelers are saying

"FANTASTIC. Start to finish it is such a fantastic taste of Central America, all the destinations are interesting and you can do as much or as little as you choose."

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Uncharted Isthmus! Sloths, Monkeys & Mangroves
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4.9/5 Excellent
39 reviews
Small Ship Cruise
Lodging level
Standard - 3 star
Physical level
Easy
Trip pace
Flexible schedule

Visits

Coiba National Park, Corcovado National Park, Manuel Antonio National Park, Pacific Ocean

Highlights

  • Transit the 48-mile-long Panama Canal connecting the Caribbean Sea to the Pacific Ocean
  • Search for untamed wildlife including two- and three-toed sloths, howler monkeys, scarlet macaws, squirrel monkeys, and white-faced capuchins
  • Discover Costa Rica’s magnificent, abundant biological diversity at two national parks and one wildlife refuge including the country’s largest park, Corcovado National Park
  • Snorkel and explore the crystalline waters and marine life at Panama’s Granito de Oro, in Coiba National Park, a UNESCO World Heritage Site
  • Stroll a butterfly- and flower-rich tropical botanical reserve
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Themes

Birding, High Adventure, Hiking & Walking, National Parks, Nature & Wildlife, Small Ship Cruise, Scuba Diving

What travelers are saying

"I love your tour program. I may think of visiting other locations you offer, but I'm really invested into Ukraine for a lifestyle. I want to make additional trips to Ukraine as roles beyond tourism."

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Costa Rica Blt
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4.7/5 Excellent
88 reviews
Group Tour
Lodging level
Basic - 2 star
Physical level
Strenuous
Trip pace
Balanced schedule

Highlights

  • Boat trip through the Tortuguero National Park and Canals
  • Mountain water slide at Rincon de la Vieja
  • Guided hike through Manuel Antonio National Park
  • Sunrise boat trip through the rainforest
  • Informal Spanish lessons from your tour leader
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Themes

Hiking & Walking, National Parks, Nature & Wildlife

What travelers are saying

"my 3 favorite holidays where all with Trek America! loved the trips... the groups, the trekleaders and ofcourse the beautiful nature! I can recommend this for everybody!"

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Costa Rica Multi-Sport
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4.8/5 Excellent
25 reviews
Private Guided
Lodging level
Premium - 4 star
Physical level
Moderate
Trip pace
Flexible schedule

Visits

Arenal Hot Springs, Arenal Volcano, Monteverde Cloud Forest Reserve

Highlights

  • Visit Espiritu Santo Coffee Plantation to learn all about growing, harvesting and marketing the rich coffee of Costa Rica.
  • Exploring and treating our bodies to the relaxing and invigorating powers of the Natural Hot Springs formed by the active, Arenal Volcano
  • Enjoy the most magnificent views of rain forest, the peaceful lake, and the majestic volcano Arenal's south face
  • Experience breathtaking view of the Gulf of Nicoya
  • An opportunity to learn about the Monteverde rain forest's magnificent ecosystem
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Themes

Cultural, High Adventure, National Parks, Nature & Wildlife, Singles Travel

What travelers are saying

"I've been on 13 trips with STI and I've had a great time and met a lot of wonderful people on all of them. What I really like is the STI process for encouraging togetherness which includes (1) members meeting the day before the trip to have drinks and dinner so that when you start the trip the next day you feel comfortable with the other members, (2) a Breakfast Club for members who want to meet for breakfast, (3) Happy Hours each night before dinner, (4) eating together each night, (5) Theme nights for members , and (6) separate excursions for members. Another good feature of STI trips is the concierge who makes arrangements and schedules activities and helps to resolve any problems that occur."

Trip dates & details
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Costa Rica and the Panama Canal
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4.7/5 Excellent
42 reviews
Small Ship Cruise
Lodging level
Premium - 4 star
Physical level
Easy
Trip pace
Flexible schedule

Visits

Coiba National Park, Manuel Antonio National Park, Panama City

Highlights

  • Venture into remote wilderness: hike among monkeys, sloths, and tropical birds, and explore far from any inhabited places
  • Transit the Panama Canal—a historical marvel of engineering
  • Kayak cool azure waters where the rain forest meets the sea
  • Explore idyllic islands; snorkel over a vibrant coral reef and take an expedition landing craft cruise through mangroves.

Themes

Cultural, National Parks, Nature & Wildlife, Small Ship Cruise

What travelers are saying

"UnCruise is an amazing dream!! The crew, the sales team, the office team, all go out of their way to make sure your experience is unforgettable. We were on the August 1, 2020 cruise. Even tho things didn’t go quite the way we planned, UnCruise was unbelievable. We will be back. UnCruise was my first ever cruise. They will be the only company we ever cruise with."

Trip dates & details
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Costa Rica - Rainforest Adventure
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By ElderTreks
preferred
4.4/5 Great
14 reviews
Small Group Tour
Lodging level
Premium - 4 star
Physical level
Moderate
Trip pace
Balanced schedule

Visits

Arenal Hot Springs, Arenal Volcano, Guanacaste, Panama City, Tortuguero National Park

Highlights

  • Explore Tortuguero National Park and its jungle canals
  • Enjoy Arenal and Poas Volcanoes
  • Wildlife viewing, tropical forest walk & rafting at Sarapiqui
  • Enjoy the world-famous Eco-Termales Hot Water Springs
  • Visit a local community untouched by tourism
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Themes

50 plus, Cultural, National Parks, Nature & Wildlife

What travelers are saying

"Our family booked a tour Nov 2018 and paid the balance in full Jan 2020. Mar 2020 rec'd an email saying that the tour is cancelled-COVID. ONLY choice is a 50% refund or 100% credit towards a NEW booking until Oct 31/2022. Credit can NOT be put towards our already booked tour in Jan 2021. VERY unhappy and unsatisfied traveller."

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Best of Costa Rica
Save this trip to your favorites or other list
5/5 Excellent
100+ reviews
Small Group Tour
Lodging level
Basic - 2 star
Physical level
Moderate
Trip pace
Full schedule

Highlights

  • Enjoy a boat tour along the canals of stunning Tortuguero National Park
  • Discover exotic wildlife like turtles, sloths, iguanas, monkeys, birds, frogs, etc
  • Marvel at the perfectly shaped Arenal Volcano
  • Explore Monteverde Cloud Forest Reserve, one of the most diverse tropical cloud forests in the world
  • Spend leisure time in San Jose

Themes

Cultural, Eco, Sustainable & Green Travel, Hiking & Walking, National Parks, Nature & Wildlife, Safari

What travelers are saying

"My tour guide, Tien, was wonderful. There was a tour participant from Australia who was a physician, and he acted like the tour medical director, demanding I leave the tour. The emergency contact people in Vietnam were very helpful with finding me accommodations after I left the tour. I am still waiting on a letter from World Expeditions supporting my travel insurance claim."

Trip dates & details
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Independent Costa Rica Wonders with Guanacaste
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4.7/5 Excellent
100+ reviews
Group Tour
Lodging level
Standard - 3 star
Physical level
Very Easy

Visits

Guanacaste, Monteverde

Themes

50 plus, Cultural

What travelers are saying

"This tour has amazing sites, good hotels in great locations, great pace BUT the tour director that was assigned to be with our small group added nothing to the experience. He did not give us any info, tell us about what we were seeing, give us any info at all. The only time he talked was to tell us when the next bathroom break would be. Apparently this is common for Globus to use retirees starting another chapter. Our guide was 76 and had no energy. Travel with Gate 1 or Intreped.... guides can make or break a tour."

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272 trips exactly matchall of the the filters you selected.
My selections:
Costa Rica

Costa Rica Reviews & Ratings

4.8/5  Excellent
839  Reviews
See all Costa Rica tour reviews
Excellent
552
Great
88
Average
14
Disappointing
4
Terrible
4
A

Anonymous

Aug 2018

Provided byExodus Travels

Coastal secrets of Costa Rica

I had booked this trip to celebrate "big birthdays" for both me and my daughter, so my expectations were high and this fantastic holiday exceeded my expectations. ...

A

Anonymous

Aug 2018

Provided byExodus Travels

A wonderful trip

Thoroughly enjoyed this holiday. We saw so much wildlife from sloths and monkeys and even an anteater to scarlet macaws and toucans, as well as the elusive quetzal...

A

Anonymous

Aug 2018

Provided byExodus Travels

A tropical paradise.

Overall we had such an amazing trip. Our tour guide was fantastic and one of a kind. He really knew his stuff and went the extra mile above and beyond for the grou...

A

Anonymous

Aug 2018

Provided byExodus Travels

Wonderful holiday!

I would recommend this well organised holiday to anyone who wants to explore the diverse landscapes of Costa Rica, as well as see a wide range of wildlife - sloths...

A

Anonymous

Aug 2018

Provided byExodus Travels

I really wanted to see a Tapir!

Our third visit to Costa Rica was everything we expected and more (sadly we didn't see a tapir - but that was the only disappointment!). The trip is full on - if y...

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Costa Rica Tour Selection Trips

  • Allow at least seven to ten days for a tour that will hit many of the highlights.
  • Costa Rica caters to a wide variety of travelers, including couples, singles, and families. Whether you’re looking for hard or soft adventure, Stride can help you find the best Costa Rica tours.
  • If you have a special interest -- birding or fishing, for instance -- look for tours that emphasize those activities; you’ll be able to find them.
  • Don’t be put off by reports of civil strife elsewhere in Central America; Costa Rica has been safe and peaceful for decades.
  • The dry season runs from December to April or May in San Jose (the capital) and the Pacific Coast and from January to April along the Caribbean.
  • Some parts of the country can get rain year-round, and temperature is swayed more by altitude than season, so pack an umbrella and visit any time of year.

Additional details

Tours to Costa Rica usually focus on a combination of eco travel, wildlife, and adventure. You will usually find a tour that weighs one or two of these themes above the other.

If it’s your first visit to Costa Rica, try to find a tour that hits upon what Costa Rica is most known for. These include Arenal Volcano and Monteverde Cloud Forest. Both attractions are extremely popular and are normally included in Costa Rica tour itineraries.

bridge-in-monteverde

Outdoors and Active Costa Rica Tours

Most Costa Rica tours don’t have a heavy emphasis on cultural or historical sight seeing. Simply because the wildlife and outdoor tour activities are enough to occupy the days!

Wildlife lovers will want for nothing in Costa Rica, and most itineraries do focus heavily on the diverse wildlife found in Costa Rica’s rainforests and cloud forests. Some may not include Tortuguero National Park - and if you don’t want to miss observing sea turtles nesting or hatching be sure to find a tour that includes this park!

Some of the most famous animals you can see relatively easily in Costa Rica include the red-eyed tree frog, crocodiles, howler monkeys, spider monkeys, tapirs, basilisk lizards, coatimundis (the Costa Rican version of a raccoon!), and two kinds of sloth. A night safari might allow you to see some of the rarer or more elusive animals in the country, such as jaguars, kinkajous, tarantulas, and ocelots. Don't forget to look up - night is the best time to see snakes as they stalk for sleeping birds in the trees above. 

If you decide to go snorkeling or scuba diving, you may run into bottlenose dolphins (or go see them on a dolphin swim!), green sea turtles and leatherbacks, sharks, and all kinds of tropical fish. Whale watching is  also a great way to see orcas and humpback, blue, beaked, and pilot whales. 

If you are interested in going on a birdwatching trip, there are also tons of beautiful and exotic birds. There are green and scarlet macaws,  toucans, dozens of species of hummingbirds, and all kinds of birds of paradise -- including the rare national bird of Costa Rica, the Resplendent Quetzal. 

costa-rican-volcano

Weather in Costa Rica

It gets quite wet and humid in Costa Rica, and the country is prone to hurricane conditions. Tour activities may change depending on the time of year, but generally you can expect to be walking through the rainforest in every sense of the word.

Most tours in Costa Rica will provide wet weather gear, though it is a good idea to pack light weight waterproof clothing for the majority of your tour. Long sleeves and pants can go a long way toward insect protection as well.

Eco Lodge Accommodation on Costa Rica Tours

Costa Rica has a long history as a leader in eco travel, and a majority of trips to Costa Rica have an eco, sustainable, and green travel theme. These will often feature a stay at an eco lodge, or even a treehouse! These can vary from luxury accommodations to comfortable-but-basic.

Don’t expect terribly reliable internet and electricity - particularly in keeping with the eco lodge approach! These establishments are designed to be as eco conscious as possible, and your tour will reveal new ways you can help contribute and be a responsible traveler.

Always Find the Best

On Travelstride you can find 295 trips to Costa Rica and more than 20,000 trips worldwide ranging from budget to luxury and private guided to group tours and everything in between. Only on Stride can you find and compare expert-planned trips from 1,000+ tour operators, cruise lines and local experts. Read traveler and professional reviews so you can confidently find your perfect trip.

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