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.
My selections:
Costa Rica
Walking In Costa Rica
Save this trip to your favorites or other list
5/5 Excellent
8 reviews
Self-Guided / Independent Tour
Lodging level
Standard - 3 star
Physical level
Moderate
Trip pace
Flexible schedule

Visits

Arenal Volcano, California, Guanacaste, San José

Highlights

  • Visit San Jose
  • Explore Arenal Volcano and Diamante Waterfall , La Fortuna Waterfall
  • Visit Nauyaca Waterfalls, Bagaces and Dominical
  • Discover Buena Vista Mountain and Turrialba Volcano

Themes

Hiking & Walking, National Parks, Nature & Wildlife

What travelers are saying

"CharlieTheTraveler’s itinerary is just perfect! They dedicate a lot of work to make your trip perfect. From choosing the most important activities to make them happen on time, is basically the option for any great trip. They help us during all the process with their personal concierges and travel agents, making this experience absolutely fabulous from the beginning until the day we were back home! We can highly recommend them!"

Trip dates & details
Save this trip to your favorites or other list
More
The Essence of Costa Rica
Save this trip to your favorites or other list
4.8/5 Excellent
91 reviews
Group Tour
Lodging level
Standard - 3 star
Physical level
Moderate
Trip pace
Balanced schedule

Highlights

  • Visit San Jose – the capital of Costa Rica.
  • Enjoy the beautiful Sabana Park, Paseo Colón
  • Visit the National Museum, a faithful witness to Costa Rican history, Central Park, the Cathedral and the Congress Building.
  • Visiting the Gold Museum which is also a fascinating experience.
  • Visit Monteverde Cloud Forest, Hanging Bridges- Cheese Making Experience with Samplinga

Themes

Hiking & Walking, National Parks, Nature & Wildlife

What travelers are saying

"On our trip to Amalfi coast, the bus was parked in a field for two days. The next day, we had an 8 hour bus trip to Sicily. The bus was not properly cleaned before and after it had been parked in the field. On the 8 hour trip to Sicily, there was an infestation of ants. We had tons of ants crawling on the seats, windows, and floor. My husband killed 10 ants on his body. I received bits on my ankles and wrists. The tour guide never said anything to any of the guests. When we confronted him, all he said was that he would have the bus cleaned the next day. These was horrible conditions to travel for 8 hours. I have written to Perillo seeking a refund for that day's service. Time will tell if Perillo will actually answer my evaluation. This situation rises to the occasion where customer service was extremely poor an unhealthy, and a partial refund should be granted. If Perillo stands behind customer service as its motto, then they should provide partial refunds for this day. If not, then this leads me to assume that Perillo is more concerned about overall profits than good customer service. Time will tell!"

Trip dates & details
Save this trip to your favorites or other list
More
Costa Rica: Escape to Paradise
Save this trip to your favorites or other list
4.8/5 Excellent
64 reviews
Private Guided
Lodging level
Standard - 3 star
Physical level
Easy
Trip pace
Flexible schedule

Visits

Manuel Antonio National Park

Highlights

  • Explore the wonders of Manual Antonio National Park—one of the most beautiful parks in the world!
  • Sail by catamaran along the stunning Pacific coastline and snorkel amidst spectacular coral reefs
  • Enjoy whitewater thrills on the mighty Río Pacuare and zip line through the rainforest at the amazing Ríos Tropicales Lodge

Themes

National Parks, Nature & Wildlife

What travelers are saying

"First, let me say our tour guide Tomomi S. is hands down THE best tour guide I’ve ever had - knowledgeable, fun and made great efforts to ensure that we were comfortable and happy (MTSobek tour guides are independent contractors. Tomomi also works for other Adventure/Tour companies) Secondly, Japan is beautiful, clean and the Japanese people are very welcoming. The hiking in the national parks was amazing. It could have been a truly five-star experience if MtSobek had not cut corners so egregiously. The website said (at the time) group tours are 5-22 people. The tour gets canceled if the minimum is not met. When I paid there were TWO other people booked-a mother and daughter duo. Shortly before our departure date I called to see if the tour would be cancelled. I wanted my money back but Mt Sobek was “pleased to say that the trip would not be canceled”. In other words, I could not get a refund. At the last minute a guy named Matt signed up so there were four of us. Five days into the trip Matt left and took a train back to Tokyo. I said to him “You realize Mt Sobek is not going to refund you”. He said, “I don’t care, Mt Sobek scammed us.” With tax, the tour costs $11,645 for 13 nights. For that price there is an expectation that the accommodations Mt Sobek chooses would be decent and clean. We all fully expected a ‘traditional Japanese experience’ which often means no private bath and 8 out of the 13 nights we slept on futon mats on the floor. However, Mt Sobek consistently booked us in the cheapest Ryokans (hotels) in each area in which we travelled. Most of these hotels were unclean and very out-dated. One Ryokan they booked us in was listed on a hotel website for $40 USD/night when there were much nicer accommodations nearby for $100 USD/night. (The Japanese yen is way down, the luxury Park Hotel in Tokyo was $200 USD/night. A comparable hotel would have been about $800/night in Austin.). We were the only people staying in several hotels that accomadated many more people. The most egregious example of MtSobek’s booking the cheapest rooms is when we were booked at a large traditional ski lodge at the base of a spectacular mountain. It was beautiful on the website but had two very different wings. One wing was modern, clean and beautiful with simple beds. The other wing was very old (similar to a cheap Motel 6 that had not been updated since the 1970’s). The carpet and bathrooms were disgusting and like many of the Ryocans where we stayed the futon mats seemed as though they had not been cleaned In 30 years. Only after our tour guide checked us in did we realize we had been booked in the cheap rooms. I asked Tomo why. Immediately someone from MtSobek reached out to me and said, “gosh, I’m sorry you did not realize you were going to have a traditional Japanese experience”. Really? “Traditional” experience depends upon one’s budget. In the US, “traditional” to some people may be the Marriott, a Motel 6 or the Four Seasons Hotels. We were paying for a Marriott experience and received the one-star Motel 6 experience. Upon arrival in Tokyo I expected to be met at the airport by a driver (as many tour companies do). However, several days before our arrival dates in Tokyo, MtSobek sent an email telling us how to locate taking a city bus from the bustling Tokyo airport. That is interesting if you do not speak Japanese. MtSobek cleverly uses great photography and elaborate descriptions of the national parks and the hiking while using terms like “traditional Japanese experience with tatami-mat sleeping” to disguise sub-standard accommodations. At one point we were looking on-line at the very hotel where we were staying and did not even recognize it from the website pictures. The hiking was amazing. The group size was disappointing with just the three of us. I would absolutely recommend a hiking tour through Japan, just not with MtSobek."

Trip dates & details
Save this trip to your favorites or other list
More
9 Days in Costa Rica
Save this trip to your favorites or other list
4.8/5 Excellent
91 reviews
Group Tour
Lodging level
Premium - 4 star
Physical level
Easy
Trip pace
Balanced schedule

Visits

Arenal Volcano, Manuel Antonio National Park

Highlights

  • --Scenic Drive to San Ramon visiting en route the Artisan's Town of Sarchi --Scenic Drive to Arenal Volcano --Lecture On The Exotic Life Forms of Costa Rica --Guided visit to Manial Antonio National Park --Boat Excursion through the Tropical Mangrove Canal

Themes

National Parks, Nature & Wildlife

What travelers are saying

"On our trip to Amalfi coast, the bus was parked in a field for two days. The next day, we had an 8 hour bus trip to Sicily. The bus was not properly cleaned before and after it had been parked in the field. On the 8 hour trip to Sicily, there was an infestation of ants. We had tons of ants crawling on the seats, windows, and floor. My husband killed 10 ants on his body. I received bits on my ankles and wrists. The tour guide never said anything to any of the guests. When we confronted him, all he said was that he would have the bus cleaned the next day. These was horrible conditions to travel for 8 hours. I have written to Perillo seeking a refund for that day's service. Time will tell if Perillo will actually answer my evaluation. This situation rises to the occasion where customer service was extremely poor an unhealthy, and a partial refund should be granted. If Perillo stands behind customer service as its motto, then they should provide partial refunds for this day. If not, then this leads me to assume that Perillo is more concerned about overall profits than good customer service. Time will tell!"

Trip dates & details
Save this trip to your favorites or other list
More
Costa Rica
Save this trip to your favorites or other list
4.3/5 Great
9 reviews
Group Tour
Lodging level
Premium - 4 star
Physical level
Easy
Trip pace
Balanced schedule

Visits

Arenal Volcano, Manuel Antonio National Park

Highlights

  • Visit to Poás Volcano
  • Enjoy a visit to Doka Coffee Estate with a guided tour and lunch
  • Experience Arenal Volcano National Park — enjoy a gentile hike at the base of the volcano
  • Spend three nights in La Fortuna overlooking Arenal Volcano
  • Included excursion to Caño Negro National Wildlife Refuge with a local guide and lunch
Show more

Themes

Birding, National Parks, Nature & Wildlife

What travelers are saying

"My trip was the Albuquerque Balloon Fiesta, Oct 2023. The balloon fiesta was fabulous. Mike the driver was awesome. Our tour manager Jolie started out great, however, as the days passed she encourage travelers to go off on their own which changed the touring times for everyone else. The last day was a disaster, one lady was left behind because Jolie didn't do a head count. More stops were added so other people could leave the tour and go places on their own. Twice in the afternoon Jolie lost track of how many people were on the bus, she told customers to look around and report if someone was missing. She laughed on the bus intercom about how she didn't know how many people should be on the bus. A Mayflower rep stated that she was a favorite manager so nothing would be done. Most of these tours are attended by seniors, we need responsable employees to keep track of who is on the bus and who is not. She encouraged travelers to leave the tour and lost the ability to keep track of customers. Reckless..."

Trip dates & details
Save this trip to your favorites or other list
More
Starter Costa Rica
Save this trip to your favorites or other list
5/5 Excellent
100+ reviews
Small Group Tour
Lodging level
Premium - 4 star
Physical level
Moderate
Trip pace
Full schedule

Visits

Manuel Antonio National Park, San José

Highlights

  • Sunset dinner at Playa Hermosa
  • El Cocal community cooking experience
  • Enjoy the beautiful beaches on the Pacific Coast
  • Get hooked on some of the best coffee in the world
  • Get a taste of the local culture in Manuel Antonio & Quepos
Show more

Themes

18 - 30's, Cultural, Eco, Sustainable & Green Travel, Hiking & Walking

What travelers are saying

"I had an amazing time on the Costa Rica starter trip. This was my first time traveling solo and U30X was a great way for me to safely see another part of the world and meet new people. Our trip leaders were Adrian and Delphine; they were very knowledgeable and fun. It felt more like we were just hanging out with our friends who happened to know a lot about the country rather than following around tour guides."

Trip dates & details
Save this trip to your favorites or other list
More

Unlock Community Benefits

Travel better together

  • Save favorite trips and itineraries
  • Get insider insights
  • Receive personalized recommendations
  • ... and much more
Join community
Costa Rica Extended
Save this trip to your favorites or other list
5/5 Excellent
100+ reviews
Small Group Tour
Lodging level
Standard - 3 star
Physical level
Moderate
Trip pace
Full schedule

Visits

Arenal Hot Springs, Manuel Antonio National Park

Highlights

  • Sunset dinner at Playa Hermosa
  • Enjoy the beautiful beaches of Costa Rica
  • Explore local waterfalls and hot springs
  • Get hooked on some of the best coffee in the world
  • Uncover the mysteries of Costa Rican rainforest while hiking
Show more

Themes

18 - 30's, Cultural, Eco, Sustainable & Green Travel, High Adventure, Hiking & Walking, National Parks, Nature & Wildlife

What travelers are saying

"I had an amazing time on the Costa Rica starter trip. This was my first time traveling solo and U30X was a great way for me to safely see another part of the world and meet new people. Our trip leaders were Adrian and Delphine; they were very knowledgeable and fun. It felt more like we were just hanging out with our friends who happened to know a lot about the country rather than following around tour guides."

Trip dates & details
Save this trip to your favorites or other list
More
Costa Rica Adrenaline
Save this trip to your favorites or other list
5/5 Excellent
100+ reviews
Small Group Tour
Lodging level
Standard - 3 star
Physical level
Strenuous
Trip pace
Full schedule

Highlights

  • Visit Virgen de Los Ángeles Basílica Church in Cartago
  • A two day whitewater rafting adventure
  • Canyoning, rappelling, and zip lining in an action-packed day
  • Mountain bike through untouched rainforest
  • Hike to hidden waterfalls
Show more

Themes

18 - 30's, Eco, Sustainable & Green Travel, High Adventure, National Parks, Nature & Wildlife

What travelers are saying

"I had an amazing time on the Costa Rica starter trip. This was my first time traveling solo and U30X was a great way for me to safely see another part of the world and meet new people. Our trip leaders were Adrian and Delphine; they were very knowledgeable and fun. It felt more like we were just hanging out with our friends who happened to know a lot about the country rather than following around tour guides."

Trip dates & details
Save this trip to your favorites or other list
More
Travelstride Gift Card
One card, thousands of extraordinary trips
Gifts Card

Want a tailor-made trip instead?

Your trip, your way, planned by an expert:

  • You choose budget, destinations, activities, transport & lodging type
  • Expert designs the itinerary for you, and once approved, takes care of logistics
Design custom trip
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...

Write a Review

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.

Top Tour Companies on Travelstride:
All 1,600+ companies >
Sign in to reveal savings up to $700 per person!