Costa Rica Tours & Trip Packages

Costa Rica Tours & Trips

301 Costa Rica trips. Tours from 130 tour companies. 879 reviews. 4.8/5 avg rating.

301 trips exactly matchall of the the filters you selected.
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Costa Rica Family Holiday
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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
Trip pace
Full schedule

Visits

Arenal Volcano, La Fortuna, Manuel Antonio National Park, Monteverde

Highlights

  • Go beyond a biology lesson and immerse yourself in nature, from spotting rare birds in Monteverde to listening for the evocative call of howler monkeys in Manuel Antonio National Park.
  • Harvest produce and come together to cook a rustic meal from scratch during a homestay with family in an agricultural community.
  • Get active on guided walks through forest and jungle, plus an incredible canopy walk along suspended bridges in Monteverde Cloud Forest Biological Reserve.
  • Family holidays aren’t always relaxing, but this trip offers plenty of opportunities to take it slow in thermal springs and pools and on beaches.
  • End this adventure by hitting Manuel Antonio National Park, where the evergreen forest grows right up to the long, white beaches and irresistible water.

Themes

Family Friendly, National Parks, Nature & Wildlife

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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Central American Journey: Rainforests & Ruins
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1.3/5 Terrible
100+ reviews
Small Group Tour
Why we love them
They’ve partnered with well-known names like National Geographic and the Jane Goodall Institute to offer unique experiences unavailable elsewhere.
Lodging level
Basic - 2 star
Physical level
Easy
Trip pace
Balanced schedule

Visits

Antigua, Cancún, Caribbean, Caye Caulker, Copan, Flores, Granada, Hol Chan Marine Reserve, La Fortuna, Lake Nicaragua, Monteverde, Ometepe, Playa del Carmen, Roatan, Salvador, San Ignacio, San José, San Juan, Split, Tikal

Highlights

  • Relax on white-sand beaches
  • Explore the mayan ruins of copán and tikal
  • Bargain at the local markets of colourful colonial antigua
  • Meet some local friends at a local homestay in guatemala
  • Visit seven countries in a month

Themes

Cultural

What travelers are saying

"The tour had an excellent itinerary and activities, giving a broad overview of Peru - we loved it. Accommodations (with one exception) were great, and all had an included breakfast buffet. The tour's included activities (e.g. cooking class, pisco tour and tasting, potato park, boat tour of Isla Ballestas) were terrific. Appreciated the two included flights which saved a lot of driving time. Logistics were handled, and everything was smooth and easy (thanks to our CEO, Mary Chu!)."

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Arenal Volcano & Jaco Beach All Inclusive
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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
Easy
Trip pace
Full schedule

Highlights

  • Visit rainforests and beaches to get a taste of the best of Costa Rica
  • Try everything from ziplining to hot springs to crocodile safaris
  • Enjoy incredible views of Arenal Volcano, Jaco Beach and more

Themes

High Adventure, Hiking & Walking, Local Immersion & Homestays, Relaxing Retreats, Trekking & Expeditions

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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Costa Rica: Wildlife Safari
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5/5 Excellent
87 reviews
Small Group Tour
Lodging level
Standard - 3 star
Physical level
Moderate
Trip pace
Full schedule

Visits

Tortuguero National Park

Highlights

  • Canoe the winding waterways of Tortuguero National Park
  • Come face-to-face with injured toucans, sloths, and monkeys at a local conservation center
  • Tour the world-leading La Selva Biological Station in the rainforest
  • Spot howler and white-faced monkeys while rafting the Sarapiqui River
  • Experience a Costa Rican cooking class

Themes

Nature & Wildlife, Safari

What travelers are saying

"I recently returned from the Costa Rican wildlife safari. I was a bit concerned with Covid however every place was extremely clean and had places for you to wash your hands before you even walked in. This was a trip I was actually supposed to go on in 2020 however it was postponed, waiting so long the expectations were high. I was definitely not disappointed! Patricia our guide was absolutely wonderful, extremely knowledgeable and cater to our every need. I would highly recommend this vacation. Also everyone that I met in the community was extremely gracious and kind. The majority of these people work on tourism and unfortunately in the last year have not had any. Booking this trip would not only be an amazing adventure for you but it would also be amazing for the people in the community"

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Walks & Treks – Costa Rica Walking
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4.2/5 Great
15 reviews
Self-Guided / Independent Tour
Lodging level
Standard - 3 star
Physical level
Strenuous
Trip pace
Flexible schedule

Visits

Arenal Volcano

Highlights

  • Enjoy walking through the lush rainforests at Monte de Barva
  • Chance to take a dip and relax in the Arenal Volcano’s thermal waters atEcotermales Hot Spring
  • Hike past boiling mud springsin Rio Celeste National Park
  • Enjoy a hike along the suspension bridges trail at the Heliconias Lodge

Themes

Hiking & Walking, National Parks, Nature & Wildlife, Singles Travel

What travelers are saying

"Met all my expectations, and I had a thoroughly enjoyable time. The tour manager, Gary, was the best I have come across - very hard working, making sure everyone in the group was getting what they wanted from the holiday. The hotel was very well appointed, comfortable and clean, and the food was very good."

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Flavors of Costa Rica
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4.9/5 Excellent
51 reviews
Small Group Tour
Lodging level
Premium - 4 star
Physical level
Moderate
Trip pace
Balanced schedule

Visits

Manuel Antonio National Park, Pacific Ocean, San José, Tortuguero National Park

Highlights

  • Marvel at picture perfect Arenal Volcano and refreshen your sprit in the many thermal hot-springs
  • Slow down a little and relax on the white sand beaches of Manuel Antonio National Park
  • Cruise the Tortuguero Canals looking for wildlife from your jungle lodge and visit the local community for some fun
  • Zipline high above the lush cloud forests of Monteverde
  • Smell the sweet aroma of Costa Rican coffee at Don Juan
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Themes

50 plus, Birding, Cultural, Education / Learning, High Adventure, Nature & Wildlife

What travelers are saying

"We loved this trip. Our guide was excellent. We really enjoyed all the included highlights. Our favorite was Biltmore Estate. It is a must!"

Trip dates & details
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Costa Rica Wildlife Tour
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4.6/5 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
Physical level
Moderate

Visits

Caribbean, La Fortuna, Manuel Antonio National Park, Pacific Coast, Tortuguero National Park

Highlights

  • Discover incredible nature and wildlife on this two week adventure of Costa Rica
  • Explore jungle waterways, active volcanoes and unspoilt tropical rainforest
  • Spend time in the cloud forest and the 'mini amazon' of Tortuguero

Themes

Cultural, Hiking & Walking

What travelers are saying

"Overall an excellent trip, easy cycling with an e-bike (which is needed on the last two days of cycling unless you are very used to riding up hills). Very good standard of hotels. Martin was a brilliant guide and also arranged some lovely restaurants for the group meals. Lots of beautiful coastal scenery. This was the first trip on the refreshed itinerary and there is some fine tuning needed on timings on the day we get the short Ferry."

Trip dates & details
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Monkeys, Jungles and Volcanoes
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By Trafalgar
preferred
5/5 Excellent
100+ reviews
Group Tour
Why we love them
Their travelers enjoy 24/7 travel expertise and dedicated service throughout the trips - everything is taken care of.
Lodging level
Premium - 4 star
Physical level
Easy
Trip pace
Balanced schedule

Themes

Family Friendly

What travelers are saying

"We participated in all the optional activities, which included a broad array, and enjoyed them all. Our days were full of interesting sights and experiences so we felt our time was well spent. The tour was very efficient and our driver and tour director were exceptional. I would recommend this tour to others because we were exposed to such a variety of different experiences, from architecture, history, flowers, battlefields, monuments, iconic foods, etc. We really enjoyed ourselves."

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301 trips exactly matchall of the the filters you selected.
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Costa Rica Reviews & Ratings

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

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...

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

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

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. ...

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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.

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On Travelstride you can find 301 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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