Costa Rica Tours & Vacations
Small Group Tours & Tailor-Made Vacations
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Overview
A country that became known as the poster child of ecotourism, beautiful Costa Rica is one of the world’s most stunning natural destinations. Lying along the Central American Isthmus, sandwiched between the Pacific Ocean and the Caribbean Sea, it is home to some 5% of the planet’s entire biodiversity and has long been recognised as one of the world’s most ethical destinations.
With nearly a quarter of its entire landmass being given over to protected areas and national ...
A country that became known as the poster child of ecotourism, beautiful Costa Rica is one of the world’s most stunning natural destinations. Lying along the Central American Isthmus, sandwiched between the Pacific Ocean and the Caribbean Sea, it is home to some 5% of the planet’s entire biodiversity and has long been recognised as one of the world’s most ethical destinations.
With nearly a quarter of its entire landmass being given over to protected areas and national parks, it provides an unmatched haven for a dazzling variety of flora and fauna and is blessed with some of the greatest concentrations of species anywhere on earth. Its landscapes too are equally diverse, with everything from volcanic peaks and cloud forests, to mangrove swamps and beautiful beaches being crammed into its diminutive dimensions.
The perfect adventure destination, Costa Rica offers everything from volcano hikes and jungle treks, to white water rafting and idyllic beaches, whilst its rich history has left it with an engaging mix of Spanish, Afro-Caribbean and indigenous traditions that have come to be reflected in one of the country’s most popular phrases, “Pura Vida” (Pure Life).
Start your journey
Group tours
Travel to Costa Rica with like-minded people on one of our small group tours (usually max size 12), featuring knowledgeable local guides and an expert tour leader.
TAILOR-MADE HOLIDAYS
Whether you want to travel on one of our award-winning itineraries or build your own journey from scratch, our expert consultants will help create the perfect tour for your tastes and budget. Below are a few suggestions of the kind of trips we can offer, all of which can be tailored to you.
EXAMPLE ITINERARIES
HIGHLIGHTS OF COSTA RICA
BEST EXPERIENCES
Walk the Mistico hanging bridges
Inside a 618-acre nature reserve are 15 bridges from 5 to 100 meters long, hangin high up in the canopy. This is a fun and thrilling way to experience the rainforest and enjoy volcano views accompanied by our naturalist guide.
Go on a specialised turtle tour
Turtles are present all year round, but to experience turtles nesting (July-Oct) take a specialised tour in search of green sea and hawksbill turtles with a naturalist guide or, if in season, go hunting for the rare and massive leatherbacks (Feb-April).
Explore Manuel Antonio National Park
Take leisurely hikes around the beautiful Manuel Antonio National Park with our naturalist guide. Spend the day exploring the pristine forests and tropical beaches of the national park keeping an eye out for protected flora and fauna that call it home.
Walk in Monteverde Reserve at night
After nightfall, a new world awakens in the cloud forest. With unique wildlife active at night, from frogs to bats and little to no humans, the experience of hiking for nocturnal biodiversity is even more attractive.
Journey up the Cerro Chato volcano
One of our favourite hikes up the slopes of the dormant Chato Volcano located next to the Arenal Volcano. Great nature and a volcanic crater lake in the summit make this a way to escape crowds and explore the national park.
Hike Corcovado National Park
Take a boat to, perhaps, Costa Rica’s most famous national park in search of wildlife. Hike the trails of San Pedrillo to reach to a beautiful waterfall and cool off with a refreshing swim in its crystal-clear water.
Raft down Rio Savegre’s rapids
Rio Savegre has class II, III and IV rapids that are manageable in sturdy rafts that accommodate 2 to 6 people comfortably. Embark on this exciting rafting adventure, stopping at locally known swimming spots and gorgeous waterfalls along the way.
Kayak Manuel Antonio's coastline
The adventure begins near Quepos, kayaking along the Manuel Antonio coastline. During the tour, visit the hidden Manuel Antonio treasure at Biezans Bay for a swim and to check out the reefs.
Boat through Tortuguero’s canals
This is the classic way to search for wildlife in the national park and for good reason, as many species can be spotted by cruising the waterways of the reserve with an expert naturalist guide.
TOP PLACES TO VISIT
Arenal
Accessed via La Fortuna town, the Arenal National Park is shadowed by Costa Rica’s most famous volcano, Arenal. The area offers a wealth of outdoor activities such as ...
Manuel Antonio
Manuel Antonio is perfect for combing a bit relaxation at one of Costa Rica’s pristine beaches with more adventurous activities and exploration of the country’s famous protected forests....
Monteverde
The Monteverde Cloud Forest Reserve contains six distinct ecological zones. There are wind sculpted woodlands on the exposed ridges, protected cove rainforests of majestically tall ...
Tortuguero
Found on Costa Rica’s lesser-explore Caribbean coast, the area of Tortuguero with its canals is famous for being the principal nesting site for green, hawksbill, loggerhead and ...
Osa Peninsula
Being slightly more difficult to reach than Costa Rica’s other prime coastal destinations make the Osa Peninsula ideal for those wishing to escape the bigger crowds and ...
OUR FAVOURITE PLACES TO STAY
Arenal Observatory Lodge & Spa, Arenal
The Arenal Observatory Lodge & Spa is nestled within 870 acres of land surrounding the Arenal Volcano and boasts views of Lake Arenal. As the only hotel within the national park, the property offers…
Arenas Del Mar, Manuel Antonio
Arenas de Mar is a multi-award-winning luxury hotel set on the blissful beach of Manuel Antonio and built on 11-acres of private nature reserve. The most high-end beachfront property in the area,…
El Silencio, Bajos del Toro
El Silencio Lodge and Spa provides an immersive experience into rural Costa Rican culture and nature. Set in a 500-acre tropical forest, with a winding river and three waterfalls cascading down the…
La Paloma Lodge, Osa Peninsula
From an elevated, hilltop position overlooking Drake Bay, La Paloma Lodge benefits from the breeze which cools the whole property. With standard rooms and more spacious, split-level bungalows with…
Lapa Rios Lodge, Osa Peninsula
Winner of the Conde Nast Traveler award and one of National Geographic’s Unique Lodges of the World, Lapa Rios is an incredible rainforest retreat by the sea on the southern Osa Peninsula. Straddling a…
Manatus Hotel, Tortuguero
The Manatus hotel is located on the Tortuguero river side, across from the beach side, only five minutes away by boat from the town and the air strip. The hotel is surrounded by water channels and the…
Nayara Springs, Arenal
Inspired by the romance of an African safari and wrapped in rainforest, Nayara is an eco-luxury resort nearby Arenal Volcano consisting of Nayara Gardens and Nayara Springs (adult only). One of the…
Senda Monteverde Hotel, Monteverde
Senda Monteverde is a mountain lodge located above Santa Elena town, the gateway to the famous Monteverde Cloud Forest Reserve. The luxury hotel maintains a focus on providing an upscale, eco-friendly…
Si Como No Resort & Spa, Manuel Antonio
‘Si como no’ means ‘sure, why not’, reflecting the relaxed and laidback atmosphere of Si Como No Resort & Spa. Located on the Central Pacific Coast, the resort connects you with the surrounding…
Tortuga Lodge, Tortuguero
Set along the Caribbean coast and the borders of Tortuguero National Park, Tortuga Lodge and Gardens is blessed with 50 acres of private reserve. The architecture and style of the lodge reflects the…Discover more
WHEN TO GO
Costa Rica has a typical tropical climate with high season from December to April. The rainiest months tend to be September and October, although the Caribbean Coast benefits from a microclimate staying relatively dry over the turtle spotting season (July to September).
Meet the expert, Richard
Richard is our Latin America expert, who has travelled extensively in the region.
Speak to Richard by calling
1(833) 200-4640
LGBTQIA+ Guidance
When planning to travel as a member of the LGBTQIA+ community, there may be additional things you wish to consider doing, such as:
- Speaking to one of our travel experts for information about travelling in your chosen destination and local attitudes towards members of the LGBTQIA+ community
- Checking the Human Dignity Trust map which highlights regions and countries which are potentially dangerous to LGBTQIA+ people, or Equaldex, which tracks the progress of LGBTQIA+ rights around the world.
- Checking the ‘Local laws and customs’ section of your country's official foreign travel advice page
- Looking for any updates for your desired destination on the Human Rights Watch LGBTQIA+ rights page
- Buying a recommended guidebook, as many include an LGBTQIA+ section and advice for LGBTQIA+ travellers
USEFUL INFORMATION
Health and Vaccinations
There are no mandatory immunisations for travellers to Costa Rica though you should be up-to-date with Typhoid, Tetanus, Polio and Hepatitis A. Malaria is present in some parts of Costa Rica. Please note we are not medical professionals and so we highly recommend you seek advice from your local GP or travel centre as to the correct immunisations and preventative treatments.
Currency
In Costa Rica the official unit of currency is the Colon. This is a closed currency and can only be exchanged in country.
To check out the latest exchange rate for the places that you are visiting you can go to www.oanda.com.
Cultural Sensitivity
On our tours we frequently interact with local people, each with their own distinct customs and traditions. We therefore ask you to be considerate and to treat them with respect. Your guides will be able to advise you accordingly.
Language & Religion
Spanish is the official language spoken in Costa Rica and it is spoken nationwide. The level of English spoken by hotel and restaurant staff is amongst the best in Latin America, but it is useful to have a basic grasp of Spanish before you travel. Costa Rican Spanish sounds slightly different to traditional Spanish as Costa Ricans speak fast and their pronunciation is slightly altered.
Time
Costa Rica is 7 hours behind GMT.
A useful website to check the time zone differences is www.worldtimezone.com.
Food and drink
Costa Rican food is simple yet tasty, with many regional variations and specialities found across the country. Typically, most dishes will include rice, beans and some kind of meat or fish, although dishes such as ceviche are popular too. Due to a more tropical climate, a large variety of fruit and vegetables are available, and the fresh fruit juices are not to be missed! Alcohol is available throughout Costa Rica.