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?
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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...
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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.
Pick your perfect trip
We offer 200+ immersive, guided tours around the world. Wherever you choose to go, you’ll enjoy lots of advantages that make traveling with us different.
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Prep your packing list
While you’re deciding what to take, we’ll be busy arranging your hotels, meals, tickets, and more tour essentials. That’s what going guided is all about.
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.
What travelers are saying about our Costa Rica tours
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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.
