Costa Rica tours discovery guide
From its Caribbean coast to its Pacific shores, Costa Rica erupts with natural beauty. Join us on one of our trips, and you can see (and feel) its abiding wonders atop commanding volcanoes, among misty cloud forests, and in the surf of welcoming waters.
What to know before you go
POPULATION
Just over 5 million Ticos (a nickname Costa Ricans have long given themselves) call this tropical paradise home—and they welcome roughly half that total in visitors each year.
CAPITAL
Established by Spanish colonial authorities in 1736, San Jose has served as Costa Rica’s capital three separate times. Besides being the country’s largest city, it’s also a hub for commerce and transit; more than 1 million people pass through it each day.
CULTURAL QUICK TAKE
Whether you’ve visited Costa Rica, know someone who has, or have simply read about it, you’ve likely heard the same phrase: pura vida! Those two words, translated as “pure life,” encapsulate the nation’s abundant positivity and joie de vivre.
WHAT TO GO FOR
With 25% of its territory designated as national parkland, Costa Rica is best experienced outdoors. Go from the heights of the Arenal Volcano and the snaking canals of Tortuguero to the ethereal Santa Elena Cloud Forest—and be sure to bring your hiking boots!
UNIQUE EXPERIENCES ON TOUR
Feel the Earth’s heat as you soak in an Arenal hot spring, traipse through the lush foliage of a forest canopy on a Monteverde sky walk, kayak down creeks in the Tortuguero rainforest, and more. Your only limit? Your imagination.
Grand Tour of Costa Rica
Journey from the Caribbean to the Pacific, stopping to explore colonial ex-capitals, eco-friendly farms, and epic national parks as you go. Each destination reveals a different facet of Costa Rican life—respect for the environment, a love of the outdoors, and that sweet, pura vida attitude.
Discover your Costa Rica
Linger longer in nature preserves, get away for a weeklong vacation, or take the plunge and travel solo (but not alone). How will you experience this country’s treasures?
Your trip to Costa Rica begins here
You could wait for inspiration to strike—or find some courtesy of our team of experts.
The Go Ahead Travel Guide to Costa Rica
What to do? Where to go? When to visit? Our staffers answer these questions, and more, for you—so all that’s left on your plate is picking a tour and packing a bag.
When’s the best time to visit Costa Rica?
Don’t discount the rainy months! The country’s two main seasons, dry and green, both have their draws. This article breaks them down (and gives some expert tips for good measure).
What to see in Costa Rica
Work inland from those pristine beaches, and you’ll find plenty of attractions worth your time. Here, we call out eight of the country’s brightest highlights, as well as trips that take you to them.
Signature experiences for your memory vault. Why don’t you...
Share a meal with Indigenous villagers
Visit a settlement and immerse yourself in the customs of the Bribri, the largest of Costa Rica’s eight Indigenous groups. Try it on our Grand Tour of Costa Rica: From the Caribbean to the Pacific.
Savor traditional stories and seasonings
Explore the rich tapestry of Costa Rican lore—and the potent flavors of the country’s cuisine—during a scenic dinner. Try it on our Costa Rica for Solo Travelers: Volcanoes, Jungles & Beaches tour.
Sample decadent Costa Rican chocolate
Get a behind-the-scenes look at chocolate production on a family-owned farm—then lend a hand and craft your own sweets. Try it on our Grand Tour of Costa Rica: From the Caribbean to the Pacific.
Sail (and snorkel) off the Guanacaste coast
Climb aboard a sailboat and cruise along Guanacaste’s shores, then drop anchor for a spot of snorkeling in the Pacific. Try it on our A Week in Costa Rica: San Jose, Arenal & Guanacaste tour.
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Go far (and get rewarded)
Take off on your big adventure— but why stop there? Every trip you book with us earns rewards that you can use to keep expanding your horizons.
Did Costa Rica fire up your wanderlust? Explore similar tours
Our trips to Central and South America can also whisk you away to Belize’s pristine shores, Colombia’s colorful cities, and Peru’s highest peaks.
Travel tips for Costa Rica trips
Costa Rica might be small, but it’s packed with things to do and see. It’s home to amazingly diverse scenery, animals, altitudes, and weather conditions that you can experience on our Costa Rica tours.
You could spot wildlife in the magical Monteverde Cloud Forest Reserve on our Highlights of Central America tour or take a dip in the natural hot springs at the foot of the mighty Arenal Volcano on our Costa Rica: Rainforests, Volcanoes & Wildlife tour.
If you still need a push to visit the country, read 5 reasons to love Costa Rica.
Costa Rica is located just north of the equator and boasts moderate temperatures year-round. Instead of four seasons, Costa Rica has just two: a dry summer from January through April and a rainy winter from May to December. Some areas can even get more than 260 inches of rain every year. That’s 21 feet!
Costa Rica’s summer months are drier, which makes it a popular time for visitors. This is the season for spotting sea turtles in the sand or exploring the rainforest. That’s why we recommend choosing the summer for our Costa Rica trips.
Costa Rica has more than 500,000 different species of plants and animals. While visiting Costa Rica, you’ll have the chance to see birds, monkeys, iguanas, crocodiles, frogs, coatis, and two- and three-toed sloths. Costa Rica is known for its birds, which include toucans, parrots, herons, macaws, hummingbirds, and resplendent quetzals—which are considered to be the most beautiful bird in the world. It’s also home to more than 10,000 plants and trees, including more than 1,200 species of orchids.
You’ll want to make sure you bring a variety of items when you travel on one of our group tours of Costa Rica, because the weather can vary widely between the rainforests and beaches. Here are a few Costa Rica trip must-haves:
- Rain boots and raincoats. You’re visiting the rainforest, after all.
- Lots of layers. Temperatures rise and fall with the different elevations, so this will help you keep comfortable.
- Binoculars. That way you can see all the incredible wildlife and make the most of your Costa Rica tour.
You may want to stock up on cash before departing on any of our Costa Rica trips. Many local vendors do not accept credit cards, and it can be hard to find an ATM. American dollars are widely accepted throughout the country, so you don’t have to stress if you run out of Costa Rican colones!
Check out our Costa Rica Travel Guide to learn more.
Apart from us planning everything for you, one of the biggest reasons to go on Costa Rica guided tours is getting to explore with local guides. They know every site from top to bottom, and they’re so passionate about everything they share. Nothing compares to seeing everything from a local’s perspective on our Costa Rica tours! Hear how local experts made every moment even more unforgettable as you read one traveler’s memories from Costa Rica.