Costa Rica

Here are the 11 tailor-made tours proposed by our agents. Browse through the itineraries they’ve created for previous clients to get a sense of what you might like to do on your trip, check out our guide for additional ideas, and then send in a request to start designing your own holiday in Costa Rica

A peaceful paradise in South America; Costa Rica has made tremendous efforts over the last fifty years to protect and preserve its stunning natural landscapes, while also maintaining the highest standards of living and the lowest crime rates in Latin America. Our local agents all live and work in Costa Rica and exploring these incredible places is a part of their daily lives, and they are ready to share them with you. With more than a third of the country being protected national parks, it almost feels like there are too many options to pick from for both relaxation and adventure. Find the perfect beach, volcano, river, or nearly untouched forest to create your ideal holiday.
<h3>Why go to Costa Rica with a local travel agent?</h3>
Our local travel agents live in Costa Rica, so they know all the right people, from hotel owners to jungle guides, to give you the best experience possible. Since they work in travel, they spend their weekends exploring the country themselves, finding new places and ensuring old favourites are still great recommendations for visitors. With a local agent on your side, you also have someone in Costa Rica who can help you with any questions or concerns, whether they be urgent problems or the name of a nearby restaurant with the best ceviche in town. 
<h3>What are the most common things to do in Costa Rica?</h3>
Families and adventurers who love hiking and exploring will have an incredible range of choices with plenty of time spent relaxing; lounging in hammocks between the Pacific and Caribbean oceans. Our agents have helped past travellers with plenty of activities:
<ul>
<li>Visit <a href="/costa-rica/holidays/places/1117-manuel-antonio/">Manuel Antonio park</a> and its tropical beaches, where the number of visitors has been limited to preserve the exotic environment. 
</li>
<li>See the largest breeding ground for green turtles in the Caribbean or enjoy relaxing in the natural Arenal Hot Springs. 
</li>
<li>Hike in <a href="/costa-rica/holidays/places/1119-corcovado-national-park/">Corcovado Park</a>, the last outpost of the tropical virgin forest of the Central American lowlands, or take a canopy tour in the Cloud Forest Reserve in Monteverde. 
</li>
<li>
<a href="/costa-rica/holidays/places/1121-puerto-viejo/">Stroll through Puerto Viejo</a>, a mix of Caribbean and indigenous culture, with ideal surfing conditions or if surfing isn’t your sport, go Kayaking, rafting, or hiking over a volcano. 
</li>
<li>Enjoy an exciting bird-watching tour.</li>
</ul>
<a href="/costa-rica/">Costa Rica has a wealth of activities for everyone</a>!
<h3>What is the most popular Costa Rica tour experience?</h3>
One of the most popular tours is a 3 day, 2 nights trip to the Tortuguero National Park. Due to its rich biodiversity, this national park is often referred to as the "small Amazon". Take an hour-long boat trip through the canals of the national park alone is incredibly exciting and you can see so many different animals! The Rainforest Lodges offer bungalow-style accommodations, and our tourists often describe their stay as “like in a fairy tale forest”.
<h3>When is the best time of the year to go to Costa Rica?</h3>
The dry season, between December and April, is the<a href="/costa-rica/holidays/when-to-go/"> best time to visit Costa Rica</a>, as the rest of the year can experience heavy rains that could ruin days at the beach or make back roads impassable. However, booking during the rainy season has its perks; locals refer to these rainier, summer months as the “green season” for the incredible colours that come to life, and it can be easier to book hotels and excursions during this period. Ask your local agent which time of year is right for you and what you want from your holiday in Costa Rica.
<h3>What is the most unique off the beaten track experience in Costa Rica? </h3>
Out of all the unique adventures possible in Costa Rica, our agents highly recommend the <a href="/costa-rica/holidays/places/1119-corcovado-national-park/">Corcovado National Park</a>. Even getting there is thrilling; it requires crossing an unbelievable bay at the edge of a rainforest in the early morning hours. Few other tourist attractions in the world can boast such a beautiful setting. Here, you can be completely immersed in the nature and wildlife of Costa Rica. Unusual animals, like the Tapir, that can only be found here, can be observed in their natural habitat from only several feet away. 
<h3>What makes Costa Rica’s nature special?</h3>
Costa Rica has amazing biodiversity. The Corcovado National Park is an unmissable experience that National Geographic has often cited as being one of the world’s richest natural sites, especially considering its relatively small size. The variety of plant and animals you will find throughout the country is unparalleled thanks to different climate zones and major preservation efforts made by the Costa Rican government. You can easily move from pristine rainforests to the hot springs of the dry forest around the Arenal Volcano or simply explore the coast, with more than 800 miles of coastline to roam. 
<h3>Which coast is better in Costa Rica?</h3>
The Caribbean and Pacific coasts offer two very different cultural experiences that reflect the different sides of Costa Rica. The debate between which coast is better has no clear answer. The Pacific coast usually caters more to tourists looking for a wide range of experiences, while the Caribbean coast feels more off the beaten path and laid back. Get an idea of what each has to offer, (or maybe you want to try both) by looking at tours our agents have put together in the past. 
<h3>What is the food Costa Rica is known for?</h3>
The country has an amazing variety of fruits and vegetables available, so they make up the main diet in Costa Rica. That’s what makes the food in Costa Rica so unique. Agents will often organise for visitors to see the farmer's market on Saturday, and the variety to be found there is incredible. Most of our travellers say they have never seen anything like it. Once you have tried the pineapples, bananas, or papaya available in Costa Rica, they find it difficult to enjoy the fruits back home. 
The most common and famous meal in Costa Rica is Gallo Pinto, which is rice and beans, onions, brown pepper and some herbs. Costa Ricans eat it in the morning with eggs, avocado, corn tortillas, and sour cream. It’s a very healthy and delicious breakfast that provides enough energy for a day filled with lots of activities—but that’s only one of the incredible, local delicacies your agent can introduce you to.  
<h3>Why are people in Costa Rica so happy? </h3>
First-time visitors to Costa Rica will often remark that Costa Ricans seem to be generally happier than people in other countries. What they’re noticing is called Pura Vida by the locals. An expression that’s difficult to translate directly, it comes from the positive outlook Costa Ricans have on life—and our agents love showing people why: it’s because Costa Rica is safe, beautiful, and filled with delicious food.
<h3>What makes Costa Rica a great destination for couples?</h3>
Costa Rica has something for every couple and its wonderful, lush nature makes the perfect backdrop for special occasions and celebrations. Our agents have put tours together specifically for anniversaries, honeymoons, milestone birthdays, and even just romantic getaways. 
Couples wanting a slower pace appreciate that Costa Rica is filled with beautiful hotels and safe streets to wander at sunset and well into the night, while more active couples  can opt for a custom adventure, taking them on challenging hikes to see the wildlife and plant life that only exists in Costa Rica’s Tortuguero National Park. No Internet, no TV, only amazing nature and time with that special person in your life.
<h3>Which tours and activities are best to travel Costa Rica in two weeks?</h3>
For travellers wanting to take full advantage of everything Costa Rica has to offer, the following Costa Rica two-week tour is suggested to see the entire country: 
<ul>
<li>Get used to the tropical climate in the lovely capital, San Jose.</li>
<li>Head to the Caribbean side for 2 days in Tortuguero enjoying the sunshine, nature, wildlife, and fewer tourists—a taste of the real Costa Rica.  </li>
<li>Visit national parks to see sloths and monkeys hanging around in trees just waiting to be discovered. </li>
<li>Head to the Arenal Volcano, one of Costa Rica’s most popular attractions; here, you can go rafting, relax in a hot spring, take a bike tour, or even fly over the forest. </li>
<li>Venture into the lush Cloud Forest region where some of the best coffee on Earth is produced.</li>
<li>Visit coffee farms to learn all about cocoa production and sample one of Costa Rica’s best exports fresh at the source. </li>
<li>Take a horseback ride through the Cloud Forest, walk across its famous hanging bridges, or even do Tarzan swings through the jungle. </li>
<li>Finally, give yourself one last break with some ample time to spend a few lazy days on a beach on the other coast soaking up the Pura Vida. </li>
</ul>
<h3>Why should I spend my honeymoon in Costa Rica?</h3>
A Costa Rica honeymoon offers incredible luxury accommodations for couples that want to feel really spoilt on their special trip. Our agents have found couples everything from wonderful little villas with private Jacuzzis and amazing ocean views in the Cloud Forest to luxury tents set up in remote and very romantic places. 
Costa Rica is a great honeymoon destination because it's easy to build an itinerary with a few exciting activities, while still having plenty of time to relax and enjoy each other’s company. It’s easy to have little adventures here with a romantic touch, like sunset tours that finish with a bottle of champagne right on the beach or a couples massage after enjoying the hot springs. Costa Rica is perfect for a romantic honeymoon. 
<h3>What vaccinations do you need to do before going to Costa Rica?</h3>
It is always recommended to see a doctor before travelling to Costa Rica so that a professional can evaluate you based on your personal medical history. The most common vaccinations doctors will recommend are Tetanus, Hepatitis A, and Diphtheria. If you will be spending most of your time in remote areas with a history of infections, your doctor might also recommend Hepatitis B, Rabies, or even Malaria vaccinations.

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Costa Rica family holidays

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The climate of Costa Rica is tropical, with the country experiencing both a dry season and a rainy season. The best time to visit Costa Rica is during the dry season, between December and April. It is noticeably hotter at the coast than in the center of the country. Coastal areas are hot, with temperatures of around 30 degrees, whereas the central area remains temperate all year round and experiences temperatures of around 17 degrees. Costa Rica is a superb country to discover and explore, consisting of mountains, forests and heavenly beaches, and with one of the most favorable climates you could wish for.

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The best local travel agencies in Costa Rica for family tours with kids

Family tour ideas in Costa Rica

<a href="https://www.evaneos.co.uk/where-to-go/family-adventure-holidays/" target="_blank" data-mce-href="https://www.evaneos.co.uk/where-to-go/family-adventure-holidays/">Family travel</a>&nbsp;to Costa Rica offers a great way to get everyone off their phones and laptops and engaged with nature.&nbsp;Costa Rica’s diverse wildlife is just one incredible reason why families return here again and again for unforgettable trips. A <a data-destination-id="61" data-internal-link="destination">tour&nbsp;in Costa Rica</a>&nbsp;offers plenty of animal-related adventures that children as young as 4 will love, as well as more intense excursions for teenagers and experienced trekkers.&nbsp;It's easy to keep kids and teens active for two weeks or more, and the most cost efficient way to explore one or more of the country's diverse regions is on a self-drive&nbsp;tour, giving you the flexibility to get from A to B in your own time. It can take up to half a day to&nbsp;drive&nbsp;between cities and national parks, so this should be taken into account when deciding&nbsp;how action-packed you want your Costa Rica family adventure to be.&nbsp;Tours with private transfers between resorts are also available, but an extra cost should be factored in if you're not planning on using a rental car. Thankfully, family-friendly accommodation in Costa Rica can be found pretty much everywhere, from jungle lodges to sea-side hotels with everything you need to keep your little ones entertained.&nbsp; <h3>Best things&nbsp;to see and do in&nbsp;Costa Rica with kids</h3>One of the most popular family activities in Costa Rica involves hiking around Arenal Volcano, where you can also relax in the evening in volcanic hot springs. Exploring the mysterious&nbsp;<a data-place-id="21941" data-internal-link="place">Monteverde Cloud Forest</a>&nbsp;is a must for families with kids or teenagers, and the best way to spot the area's abundant wildlife and birdlife is on a canopy tour which follows specially built walkways, high up in the trees. Everyone will love catching glimpses of Costa Rica’s animal residents on this jungle tour and with the help of a guide and a pair of binoculars you’ll get to see all your favourite animals.&nbsp;For the more adventurous families out there, why not try zip-lining through the jungle while you're there? To get even closer to your favourite species, visit one of Costa Rica’s wildlife sanctuaries, such as the Sloth Rescue Centre in <a data-place-id="6371" data-internal-link="place">Cahuita</a>, where you will get to help make food for the rescued animals, learn all about them and even get face to face with them. A river safari through <a data-place-id="1107" data-internal-link="place">Tortuguero National Park</a> in Costa Rica's Limon region is another fantastic option for families travelling with older children or teenagers.&nbsp;Situated on the northeast side of the country, it's a short flight or long bus and boat transfer from most of&nbsp;Costa Rica's&nbsp;biggest&nbsp;tourist&nbsp;spots, but it contains some of the country's richest biodiversity, including the impressive green sea turtles, leatherback turtles, and hawksbill turtles&nbsp;for which the park was given its name. If you travel to Costa Rica between July to October or February to April, you and your kids might even get to see the&nbsp;turtles nesting! There's nothing like watching baby sea turtles hatching on the beach, and our local travel agents are able to organise visits to baby sea turtle nurseries and sanctuaries around the country, to increase your family's chances of seeing this incredible phenomenon during your visit.&nbsp;Costa Rica’s delicious food is another reason why it’s such a perfect destination, with a delicious local dish for every taste, even the fussiest of eaters will love learning to make traditional chocolate by hand in <a data-place-id="5365" data-internal-link="place">Sarapiqui</a> - this one is usually a favourite with parents too! For a truly immersive cultural experience,&nbsp;our local travel agents can even organise special school and farm visits to allow children to see what life is like in Costa Rica for kids their age.&nbsp;Travel out to&nbsp;Costa Rica's Pacific or&nbsp;Caribbean Coast to enjoy action-packed family fun, where you can swim, snorkel, jet ski, take a surfing lesson, or enjoy horse riding along the&nbsp;family-friendly&nbsp;beaches of <a data-place-id="3698" data-internal-link="place">Tamarindo</a>&nbsp;or <a data-place-id="15637" data-internal-link="place">Samara</a>. After all that fun you’ll be glad to relax on the beach and enjoy a well deserved, delicious meal as you watch the sun set and reminisce on all the amazing memories you’ve made together. <h3>Best time to visit&nbsp;Costa Rica&nbsp;as a family</h3>Costa Rica’s climate is split into the dry season and the wet season, with both offering benefits for travellers who choose to visit during each one respectively. For sunrise to sunset sunshine, travel anytime between November and April, however, be warned - this season does generally result in a peak of tourist activity and can mean that you and your family might encounter crowds. For the best result of good weather and reduced crowds, travel during the shoulder season at the very beginning or end of this dry period. The rainy season also has its attractions, with much cheaper prices on accommodation and pretty much everything else too. Rain only falls for, at most, a few hours a day and its interspersed with beautiful sunny weather. The rainforest, as its name would suggest, is generally met with showers all year, which can provide a nice respite from hotter summer temperatures. <a data-document-id="2145" data-internal-link="article">Whenever you visit</a>, you will have to make the decision based on what you and your family’s needs and what you want to get out of your trip.<h3>Family holiday tips for travelling to&nbsp;Costa Rica</h3>With a little research and knowledge you can ensure that you are as prepared as possible for your family trip to Costa Rica, here a few tips and tricks to ensure that everything runs smoothly on your holiday. <ul><li style="font-weight: 400;" data-mce-style="font-weight: 400;">If you do plan on visiting Costa Rica during high season, try to plan accommodation in advance to ensure that places don’t fill up and leave you without any family-friendly options. </li><li style="font-weight: 400;" data-mce-style="font-weight: 400;">Whilst Costa Rica is still cheaper than much of Europe and the USA, it is one of the most expensive countries in Latin America and as such, you should expect to have to spend on food and drink. Save money by eating local and travelling in the low season if possible. </li><li style="font-weight: 400;" data-mce-style="font-weight: 400;">If you and your family plan on travelling to a lot of different locations within Costa Rica, make sure you pack accordingly, since the weather can vary hugely between inland, coastal and rainforest areas. </li><li style="font-weight: 400;" data-mce-style="font-weight: 400;">Be prepared to be flexible. As with any visit to a foreign country, sometimes plans can change unexpectedly and to avoid any stress its best to be prepared to go with the flow in these situations. </li><li style="font-weight: 400;" data-mce-style="font-weight: 400;">Learn a little Spanish. If you don’t already speak a bit of Spanish, learning a few phrases can be hugely useful during your trip. If nothing else, locals will always appreciate being greeted, thanked or addressed in their own language. </li><li style="font-weight: 400;" data-mce-style="font-weight: 400;">Costa Rica is known for its laid back and happy atmosphere and ‘Pura Vida’ and it is one of the things that visitors to this beautiful place remark upon and appreciate the most, enjoy your time here and embrace the atmosphere!</li></ul>

Start planning your Costa Rica family holiday

The best tailor-made Costa Rica tours for families with children, created by a local travel agency. Request a local expert to create your perfect trip.

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Family Tours

Family Holidays in Costa Rica | Child-Friendly Tours

The best local travel agencies in Costa Rica for honeymoon tours

Honeymoon tour ideas in Costa Rica

The best tailor-made honeymoon tours and experiences in Costa Rica, created by a local travel agency. Request a local expert to create your perfect trip.

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The best local travel agencies in Costa Rica for two week tours

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The best two week tours to explore Costa Rica, created by a local travel agency. Request a local expert to create your perfect trip.

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The best one week tours to explore Costa Rica, created by a local travel agency. Request a local expert to create your perfect trip.

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One Week in Costa Rica | 7 Day Tailor-Made Tours

The best local travel agencies in Costa Rica for wildlife tours and safaris

Wildlife tour ideas in Costa Rica

The best safaris and wildlife tours in Costa Rica, created by a local travel agency. Request a local expert to create your perfect trip.

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The best local travel agencies in Costa Rica for self drive tours

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The best road trips and self-drive tours in Costa Rica, created by a local travel agency. Request a local expert to create your perfect trip.

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The best local travel agencies in Costa Rica for hiking and trekking tours

Tour ideas for trekking and hiking in Costa Rica

The best hiking and trekking tours and excursions in Costa Rica, created by a local travel agency. Request a local expert to create your perfect trip.

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The best local travel agencies in Costa Rica for island tours

The best island holidays and island-hopping tours in Costa Rica, created by a local travel agency. Request a local expert to create your perfect trip.

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The best local travel agencies in Costa Rica for snorkelling and diving tours

Diving and snorkelling tour ideas in Costa Rica

The best snorkelling and diving tours in Costa Rica, created by a local travel agency. Request a local expert to create your perfect trip.

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