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COSTA RICA TOURS & TOUR PACKAGES
Tour Packages to Costa Rica with Local Expertise

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WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW

Costa Rica covers just a small area of the planet, but what it lacks in size it makes up for in the spectacular nature of its landscapes, wildlife and vegetation. And taking a Costa Rica tour is by far the best way to see this luscious, breathtaking scenery.

An incredible 4% of all of the Earth’s species can be found in this tiny pocket of Central America, making it one of the most biologically diverse terrains in the world. Costa Rica guided tours lead you to some of the most incredible destinations in the country to learn about this ecological wonderland.

Sandwiched between Nicaragua and Panama, Costa Rica enjoys the unique benefit of having both the Pacific and Caribbean coasts within a relatively short distance of each other. Because of its prosperity and safety, the country is often referred to as the Switzerland of Central America. Costa Rica adventure vacations are the very best way to explore this incredible country.

  • OUR TRAVEL EXPERTS RECOMMEND:​
    • ✔ Adventures galore in and around Arenal Volcano in La Fortuna
    • ✔ Walk among the clouds and treetops of Monteverde
    • ✔ Be one with nature and wildlife in the Osa Peninsula
    • ✔ Indulge in the tropical beaches of the Nicoya Peninsula
    • ✔ Explore lush dense forests & villages of the Central Highlands
    • ✔ Enjoy the waves and relax in the paradise of Tamarindo
    • ✔ Jungle meets a Pacific beach paradise in Manuel Antonio
    • ✔ Explore waterways and giant turtles at Tortuguero Nat'l Park
    • ✔ Chill out in the laid back Caribbean beaches of Puerto Viejo
    • ✔ Get into adventure activities & hiking around Rincon de la Viejo

VACATION PACKAGES

The Best of Costa Rica

This itinerary packs in the diverse highlights of Costa Rica. From the volcanoes and coffee region surrounding San Jose and Arenal’s volcanic landscape,

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December 3, 2015 No Comments

Romantic Costa Rica

On this immersive Pura Vida itinerary, you’ll come face to face with Costa Rica’s stunning scenery, natural diversity and of course its romance.

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December 3, 2015 No Comments

Costa Rica’s Wild side

This tour takes you along Costa Rica’s Pacific coast and face to face with the diverse beauty and wildlife of this stunning region.

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December 3, 2015 No Comments

Costa Rica Getaway

With this itinerary you’ll come face to face with Costa Rica’s volcanoes, stunning scenery and natural diversity. The volcanic landscape of Arenal and

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December 3, 2015 No Comments

Costa Rica a family adventure

Having traveled with kids ourselves in Costa Rica. This itinerary packs together the highlights for the whole family. From visiting the turtles in

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October 1, 2021 No Comments

LET US CUSTOMIZE OR BOOK THESE TRIPS FOR YOU

Our World Experts offer full support and dedication to customizing this tour to fit you wishlist.
We can mix and match experiences, hotels and highlights to fit you budget and taste.

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GUIDE TO TRAVEL IN COSTA RICA

Best times to travel, regions, weather, rainfall, and other useful information

WHERE & WHEN TO TRAVEL

You can see some of Costa Rica’s best travel destinations on the map on the right. Costa Rica’s climate is governed mostly by local microclimates that differ according to regional geographic conditions. Broadly speaking, there are two main seasons: the dry season and the green (wet) season.

The former runs from mid-December to April, with Christmas and Easter attracting the largest amounts of tourists. This is when most Costa Rica visitors guides recommend you travel to the country.

Temperatures can soar during the dry season, particularly in the lowlands in March and April, but the extreme heat is punctuated by tropical showers, which are over almost as soon as they start. If you decide to travel within Costa Rica during this time you’ll need a lightweight rain jacket with you at all times.

The green season begins in May and lasts until November, but there is a slight reprieve in June and July, when it is slightly drier. We like to think that we’re Costa Rica travel experts so we can take you on epic adventures throughout the country during any season.

July and August also attract large numbers of tourists who come south for North American summer. The shoulder months on either side of the dry and wet seasons are a good time to visit Costa Rica, as they are less busy.

September and October are particularly wet, and this can make navigating certain areas tricky because of flooding and mud in more rural areas, but swells of the Pacific coast provide great conditions for surfing. The best Costa Rica travel guides recommend you spend time on the beaches and catch some epic waves during this portion of the year.

REGIONAL WEATHER IN COSTA RICA

Best times of the year to travel to different regions in Costa Rica

IMPORTANT INFO WHEN VISITING COSTA RICA

USEFUL TRAVELER INFORMATION

This is the section with a road map to help you in planning your trip to Costa Rica, give an idea of a general idea of the region, what areas may be of interest, visas and other great information worth considering when preparing for your journey to the region.

PASSPORT & VISA

Anyone traveling to Costa Rica will need a passport valid for at least 90 days following your departure date, but it is advised that your passport have at least a 6-month validity on it at all times. Costa Rica requires that you have adequate unused pages in your passport to allow for any necessary stamps upon arrival and departure. Check with your airline in case you have connecting flights overseas as part of your journey to Costa Rica. It may be the case that countries you pass through en route to your destination may require a separate transit visa, so check with your embassy or consulate in advance of your trip if you have any layover included in your flight itinerary. Costa Rica charges a USD 29 exit tax payable at the airport with USD/Costa Rican cash or credit card. This tax must be paid before you check in for your flight.

FAMILY TRAVEL

Locals in Costa Rica are called Ticos, and the country’s official language is Spanish. For novice Spanish speakers, Ticos speak relatively slowly and enunciate clearly, so it is a great place to practice listening, understanding and speaking. English dominates the tourist sector, and most tour guides, tour operators, and hotels will speak excellent English. It is easy to get by with English alone, although of course, your experience will be more exciting and enriching if you learn a few simple Spanish phrases before arriving. Ticos are very laid-back, but they are also very polite. To ask for help, say “disculpe” or “perdón” to apologize. It is common to greet someone when you make eye contact, and a smile will get you a long way. Ask to take photos if you are visiting indigenous communities, and hitchhiking is common in rural areas, with hitchhikers offering a small contribution towards the fuel. Topless sunbathing is not common, and surfers should observe the correct etiquette while in the water.

CULTURE & LANGUAGE

Locals in Costa Rica are called Ticos, and the country’s official language is Spanish. For novice Spanish speakers, Ticos speak relatively slowly and enunciate clearly, so it is a great place to practice listening, understanding and speaking. English dominates the tourist sector, and most tour guides, tour operators, and hotels will speak excellent English. It is easy to get by with English alone, although of course, your experience will be more exciting and enriching if you learn a few simple Spanish phrases before arriving. Ticos are very laid-back, but they are also very polite. To ask for help, say “disculpe” or “perdón” to apologize. It is common to greet someone when you make eye contact, and a smile will get you a long way. Ask to take photos if you are visiting indigenous communities, and hitchhiking is common in rural areas, with hitchhikers offering a small contribution towards the fuel. Topless sunbathing is not common, and surfers should observe the correct etiquette while in the water.

FOOD SCENE & DINING

People in Costa Rica keep “Tico time,” meaning that they are never in a rush, and eating late is common. In the more touristy areas of the country, such as the capital San Jose, there are plenty of bars, nightclubs, dive bars, lounges, and dance clubs. Tamarindo, Santa Teresa, Sámara, Dominical, and Puerto Viejo are top spots for staying out til the wee hours, but almost every beach town in the country has at least one local bar where everybody goes. Costa Rica is a lively country, and locals enjoy going out to see live music, watching football matches, going dancing, attending regional and mainstream festivals and hitting the local carnival. Costa Rica is always ready to cater to tourists, so there is every type of cuisines available for travelers to enjoy. If you want a local experience, check out a soda, basic cafeteria-type eateries with plenty of budget-friendly set-meal rice dishes and soups.

THINKING SAFETY & HEALTH

No mandatory vaccinations are required to visit Costa Rica. Costa Rica is a very safe country compared to more volatile nations in Central America. However, petty crime and muggings can occur as in any major urban area in the world, so it’s important to be vigilant with your valuables and belongings. Keep a close eye on your personal possessions and don’t wear expensive jewelry or be too obvious with cameras, laptops or iPhones. In fact, the majority of Costa Rica’s dangers are related to nature rather than humans, with riptides, earthquakes and volcanic eruptions as well as predatory and venomous wildlife posing threats. It is essential to hire a local guide to bring you safely through the jungle if you are going to undertake a trek or a hike.

MONEY & CURRENCY

The Colón (plural Colónes) is the official currency of Costa Rica, although US Dollars are commonly used as a second currency and are accepted almost everywhere. It is practically impossible to obtain Colónes outside Costa Rica, so we recommend waiting until you arrive to exchange foreign currency or withdraw money at the airport or at border posts. Visitors can withdraw US Dollars from most ATMs in Costa Rica and, except for the smallest towns and shops in rural areas, debit and credit cards are widely accepted. When heading for the more remote areas, try to carry enough Colónes with you. As with many other countries in Central and South America, change can be hard to come by, so hang on to smaller denominations, especially in more remote areas.

GETTING AROUND

Direct international flights operate to Costa Rica from the USA, Canada, and other Latin American countries. There are two international airports, Aeropuerto Internacional Juan Santamaría near the capital San José and Aeropuerto Internacional Daniel Oduber Quirós in Liberia. Domestic flights within Costa Rica are inexpensive and flying to popular destinations such as Puerto Jiménez, Quepos and Tortuguero will save you the driving time, but be advised that internal flights are often prone to scheduling changes and delays due to the weather. Private and shared shuttles are a common way of traveling between popular destinations. Costa Rica is also an amazing country to explore by rental car. Rental cars are easy to rent, affordable and it a great way to get around.

ELECTRICITY

Costa Rica’s volatile climate and mountainous terrain mean that power surges and outages are a common occurrence. When this happens, hotels will often run generators to keep the power going locally until the grid is restored, so it shouldn’t affect your trip too much. Electricity in Costa Rica runs at 120 Volts, so transformers are not necessary for visitors coming from the USA. As with any trip, it is always wise to bring a universal adapter to avoid having to buy one there. If you are planning to use anything with a three-prong plug, bring an adapter, as some establishments only have two-prong outlets. Costa Rica uses a 110V/60Hz power system that is compatible with North American devices.

Turtle freshly hatched

READ THE STORIES OF OUR TRAVEL EXPERTS

To find out more about the culture, lifestyle, and places to travel in Costa Rica, take a look at our Travel Blog, where we take a closer look at a range of destinations, traditions and travel tips for this incredible country. All of our blog articles are drawn directly from the source – people living and working right here in Costa Rica. Find out about our favorite restaurants from the Pacific to the Caribbean and beyond, and get excited about your trip by checking out our roundup of the best beaches and adventures all over the country, or just keep abreast of upcoming events and festivals that will take place in Costa Rica during your stay. Our blog page will really whet your travel appetite.

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CHECK OUT OUR COSTA RICA BLOG POSTS

What our travelers in Costa Rica are saying

Helene Krumholz & Peter Muldavin
from the United States to Brazil
Hi Montserrat and Marcos, We are very happy to give you positive feedback on our trip to Brazil last month.  Marcos helped us greatly in putting together a good itinerary.  He was always happy to respond to all of our specific requests and in a cheerful way. The hotels we stayed in were all lovely.  The transfers from airports to hotels and back again were flawless.  The guides and drivers were all good... Nicole in Sao Paolo was especially knowledgeable and helpful. We felt very well taken care of! The Iguazu Falls were absolutely breathtaking. As I said, all the guides were nice and very competent.  Nicole, however, was a standout.  She knew so much about Sao Paolo and shared her information wonderfully. We would certainly recommend your travel services to anyone we know who is planning to travel to Brazil.  You helped make this an incredible trip for us. Hasta luego, Helene Krumholz & Peter Muldavin
Helene and Fred Mittleman
from the United States to Brazil, Argentina & Peru
Hello Sarah, We want to say THANK YOU for a truly wonderful and exciting vacation. All went well on the trip and we truly enjoyed the experience! 1. All pick ups were on time. 2. All guides were professional and helpful. Our guide in Brazil, Guilherme, was very good and helpful. We ate at two very wonderful restaurants in Rio as well. The Niteroi tour went well. We asked the guide to include a visit to the Christ Redeemer which she did before proceeding to the Niemeyer museum. 3. Iguazu was great and we ate one night in a fine restaurant in town. Eliezer was great and we had sun on the Argentina side. 4. We loved Buenos Aires and our hotel was great. We also loved the neighborhood. Great food once again. We went to Sottovoce which was great for Italian and fish. The Jewish tour was excellent. The guide was very knowledgeable and we did visit a synagogue/ museum. We spent part of our day of leisure at the art museum MALBA which had a spectacular new exhibit. Our guide Daniel was very knowledgeable and helpful. 5 Peru was great. We enjoyed Cuzco and the sacred valley. We would have liked to have had an extra day to explore Cuzco and the Inca museum there. The group tours went well with our guide Freddy. He was the guide for both the Cuzco tour and the Sacred Valley tours. 6. Hotels were great in Cuzco but the Casa Andina Private Collection Sacred Valley was outstanding. They also had a very fine restaurant. Most places had fish especially trout. 7. You are correct that it was sunny our first day at Machu Picchu. Our guide Pascual was out standing and very patient as we climbed up to the Caretakers Hut. Our second day there was cloudy but NO rain. We were not up to the hike to Huayna Picchu but spent a second day exploring the ruins on our own. 8. Our day in Lima was very informative. Maribel was outstanding and helpful. Our best meal on the trip was at Restaurant Central in Lima. Wonderful! We had Corvina fish prepared two ways...Heaven on earth? The Museum Larco was unique and interesting. Helene loved the gift shop. Outstanding museum. 9. Both hotels in Cuzco were very nice and comfortable with helpful staff. Betsabe was sweet and suggested an organic restaurant, Greens, that had fish and vegetarian. We in fact ate there two nights as we found the food great. We are very pleased consumers. We would soon like to begin planning for another vacation next fall to spend time in Argentina/Chile! Thanks again. Helene and Fred Mittleman
Isabelle Norman, Haley Thrower, Tara Sansom
from Australia to Brazil
Dear CAT, Once again, thanks so much for organizing everything – it was a breeze and so easy to forget about the hard stuff and concentrate on having a good time. I would be more than happy to recommend CAT and would definitely consider using you guys again! For me the highlight of our tour was Paraty and next time I would really like to spend more time exploring that area! Thanks, Tara Isabelle I am home safe and sound and a bit sad not to be in the magnificent Brazil anymore. I had an absolute ball. Paraty and Iguazu were my favourite. And the footy game you organised with Ricardo was brilliant. I spoke to lots of people who thought we had a really good deal price wise also. Thanks loads for all your help. Everything went really smoothly. Thanks. Haley Well Brazil is done and dusted!  Rio was Awesome!  Thanks again for arranging everything for us, it was fantastic - especially the transfers and the guides. Isabelle Norman, Haley Thrower, Tara Sansom, Australia
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