Is Costa Rica Pricey for Travelers?

You'll find Costa Rica isn't exactly a budget destination these days with prices matching what you'd expect back home especially in the tourist hotspots. The good news is there's always ways to keep costs down like exploring free hiking trails in national parks. Take the Classic Costa Rica tour with Intrepid Travel it's got flexible activity options and lots of food choices but yeah travelers often mention you should expect Western prices nothing super cheap here.

What Can Adventure Seekers Do in Costa Rica?

Costa Rica's packed with amazing adventures you've got to try! Zip through Monteverde's cloud forest for a totally different view of the ecosystem or tackle the Pacuare River's world-class rapids it's actually rated among the top 10 rafting spots globally. Near Arenal Volcano you can try canyoning which combines waterfall rappelling with navigating canyon walls it's pretty incredible. Most TourRadar trips let you customize your adventure level and the Tropical Costa Rica 5 Days tour includes time at Baldi Hot Springs where you've got 25 different mineral pools to relax in.

Where Can I Experience Real Costa Rican Culture?

You can really dive into local life here learn to make tortillas with locals like Doña Mara in the Central Valley or stay with families in Coope San Juan it's this great rural community where you get to see real Costa Rican life. Over in Quepos you can join cooking classes where locals share family recipes passed down through generations it's such a genuine way to connect. The Costa Rica Adventure tour by TruTravels includes that homestay in Coope San Juan where you'll cook with locals and really get what daily life's about.

What Natural Areas Can I Visit Outside the Cities?

There's Tortuguero National Park where endangered green sea turtles nest you'll need to take a boat to get there but the jungle lodges make it worth it. Corcovado National Park on the Osa Peninsula is incredible National Geographic calls it "the most biologically intense place on Earth" and guided tours are the way to go. Getting to Monteverde's cloud forests is an adventure itself with jeep and boat rides across Lake Arenal. The Classic Costa Rica tour takes you to Tortuguero by boat from La Pavona and you actually stay right in the park.

Costa Rica Tours & Trips

The best Costa Rica tour packages

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Explorer Family Christmas & New Year +1
Essential Costa Rica - Package with Manuel Antonio National Park
4.4 (131 traveler reviews) award winner
"Every detail was taken care of. Every van and every excursion was very well planed."
Sandra, traveled in January
Destinations
San Jose, Tortuguero National Park,Arenal Volcano National Park,Monteverde,Manuel Antonio National Park+3 more
Age Range
10 to 99 year olds
Operated in
English, Spanish
Operator
Destination Services Costa Rica
10% Off
Duration
10 days
From $3,295
NZ$2,966
$593 now + easy payments of $158
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Active Beach Family Wildlife Christmas & New Year +1
Essential Costa Rica - Package with Guanacaste
4.5 (34 traveler reviews)
"Excellent! Very punctual, friendly and with excellent service."
Claudia, traveled in December
Destinations
San Jose, Tortuguero National Park,Arenal Volcano National Park,Monteverde,Playa Tamarindo+3 more
Age Range
10 to 99 year olds
Operated in
English, Spanish
Operator
Destination Services Costa Rica
10% Off
Duration
10 days
From $3,021
NZ$2,720
$544 now + easy payments of $145
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Explorer Active Family Sport Christmas & New Year +1
Eco-adventure in Costa Rica
4.8 (63 traveler reviews)
"Green World Adventures truly goes above and beyond to ensure your comfort. From accommodations to transportation and activities, everything ran seamlessly."
Ann, traveled in February
Destinations
San Jose, Arenal Volcano National Park, Monteverde,Samara+1 more
Age Range
12 to 70 year olds
Country Region
Monteverde
Operated in
English, Spanish
Operator
Green World Adventures
10% Off
Duration
9 days
From
NZ$3,120
$704 now + easy payments of $201
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Active Family Sport Explorer Christmas & New Year +2
Raft, Hike and Explore Costa Rica
4.7 (27 traveler reviews)
"Great adventures and reasonable accommodations at all stops. Transportation was often comfortable and timely."
Ian, traveled in March
Destinations
San Jose, Arenal Volcano National Park, Monteverde
Age Range
12 to 65 year olds
Country Region
Monteverde
Operated in
English, Spanish
Operator
Green World Adventures
10% Off
Duration
7 days
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NZ$2,545
$589 now + easy payments of $168
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Wildlife Active Safari Eco Explorer Christmas & New Year +2
Highlights of Costa Rica
4.4 (41 traveler reviews)
"The boat ride down the river to watch wildlife. I also enjoyed the oxcart painting."
Sarah, traveled in November
Destinations
San Jose, Poas Volcano National Park,Arenal Volcano National Park,La Fortuna,La Guaria (La Fortuna),Monteverde,Tarcoles,Carara National Park,Manuel Antonio National Park+7 more
Age Range
16 to 85 year olds
Operated in
English
Operator
Explore!
20% Off
Duration
8 days
From $3,300
NZ$2,640
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Active In-depth Cultural Christmas & New Year +2
Costa Rica Quest
4.8 (293 traveler reviews)
"This tour was a nice balance of getting transported around with a very knowledgeable guide."
Garry, traveled in February
Destinations
San Jose, La Fortuna, Arenal Volcano National Park,Monteverde,Manuel Antonio National Park+2 more
Age Range
up to 90 year olds
Physical Rating
Active
Operated in
English
Operator
G Adventures
25% Off
Duration
9 days
From $1,839
NZ$1,379
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Explorer Christmas & New Year
Costa Rica Classic 12 Day - One Life Adventures
5.0 (30 traveler reviews)
"The itinerary was a perfect mix of organised activities and optional free time ones."
Anna, traveled in March
Destinations
San Jose, Poas Volcano National Park, Sarapiquí,La Fortuna,Monteverde,Playa Santa Teresa,Manuel Antonio National Park+4 more
Age Range
18 to 39 year olds
Operated in
English
Operator
One Life Adventures
25% Off
Duration
12 days
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Active In-depth Cultural Christmas & New Year +1
Costa Rica Adventure
4.9 (279 traveler reviews)
"Highly recommended… just go, you won't regret it!"
Jennifer, traveled in November
Destinations
San Jose, Puerto Viejo de Talamanca,Tortuguero National Park,Puerto Viejo de Sarapiqui,La Fortuna,Arenal Volcano National Park,Monteverde,Manuel Antonio National Park+6 more
Age Range
up to 90 year olds
Operated in
English
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G Adventures
25% Off
Duration
16 days
From $2,759
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Explorer Wildlife Christmas & New Year +1
Costa Rica Wildlife Tour (10 destinations)
4.5 (87 traveler reviews)
Destinations
San Jose, Poas Volcano National Park,San Gerardo de Dota,Savegre,Turrialba,Tortuguero National Park,Arenal,La Fortuna,Manuel Antonio National Park+7 more
Age Range
16 to 85 year olds
Operated in
English
Operator
Explore!
20% Off
Duration
15 days
From $5,820
NZ$4,660
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Explorer Family Wildlife Sightseeing Christmas & New Year +2
Classic Costa Rica
4.5 (57 traveler reviews)
"We saw so much and experienced so much."
Margaret, traveled in March
Destinations
San Jose, Tortuguero National Park,Santa Rosa de Pocosol,Tenorio Volcano National Park,La Fortuna,Arenal Volcano National Park,Monteverde,Manuel Antonio National Park+6 more
Age Range
15 to 99 year olds
Operated in
English
Operator
Intrepid Travel
25% Off
Duration
15 days
From $3,545
NZ$2,659
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