Tour added to wishlist!
Support Centre
Call us, we're open today 11.00am - 8.00pm NZDT Open today 11.00am - 8.00pm NZDT 0800 269 263 0800 269 263
Opening hours
  • Monday 11.00am - 8.00pm NZDT
  • Tuesday 11.00am - 8.00pm NZDT
  • Wednesday 11.00am - 8.00pm NZDT
  • Thursday 11.00am - 8.00pm NZDT
  • Friday 11.00am - 8.00pm NZDT
  • Saturday Closed
  • Sunday Closed
Wishlist
Menu
Need a last minute getaway? Great savings on
Last minute trips

Tours to Costa Rica

Costa Rica is a nature lover’s paradise, boasting a stunningly diverse range of natural wonders. From lush rainforests and volcanoes to pristine beaches, Costa Rica is home to a plethora of wildlife – from exotic birds and frogs to monkeys and giant anteaters. Discover Costa Rica on a small group tour.



Discover our Costa Rica tours

Explore's local tour leaders will guide you through a labyrinth of jungle waterways in the 'mini Amazon' of Tortuguero, or take you on a cycling tour along the Caribbean coast, through the rainforest and to the golden beaches of the Pacific.Thrill-seekers can satisfy their cravings with ziplines over the jungle canopy and white water rafting on the Pacuare River, while our Costa Rica family tour will keep the kids entertained with rock jumping adventures, horse riding and active volcano expeditions.

Looking for a Costa Rica wildlife holiday? Explore Manuel Antonio National Park for sightings of sloths, colourful toucans and white-faced capuchin monkeys, or venture into the Monteverde Cloud Forest to explore the mist-shrouded treetops. Visit Corcovado National Park for the chance to see dolphins, whales and sea turtles.

To add an elevated touch to your stay, consider our Upgraded – Costa Rica Wildlife tour. Our carefully selected premium accommodation features boutique properties with rooftop pools, as well as a four-star hotel & spa that overlooks the Pacific Ocean. 

Ready to join a small group tour but new to Explore? Check out our top questions answered about small group travel blog.

Our most popular Costa Rica tours

Costa Rica Wildlife Trip code CC
Best Seller
15 Days
Price from
NZ$5820
Flights not included
Costa Rica Wildlife Trip code DCC
Premium hotels
15 Days
Price from
NZ$8030
Flights not included
Costa Rica Wildlife Trip code DCW
NEW
Premium hotels
14 Days
Price from
NZ$8740
Flights not included
Costa Rica Wildlife Trip code BCC
Discounted
Best Seller
8 Days
Was From NZ$3520
Now from
NZ$2860
Flights not included
Costa Rica Family Trip code FCB
Child Ages: 7+
9 Days
Price from
NZ$4730
Flights not included
Child Ages: 7+
Best Seller
14 Days
Price from
NZ$6600
Flights not included
Costa Rica Cycling Trip code CCR
Discounted
14 Days
Was From NZ$8190
Now from
NZ$7530
Flights not included
Costa Rica Wildlife Trip code BCCB
Discounted
Best Seller
10 Days
Was From NZ$4180
Now from
NZ$3520
Flights not included
Costa Rica, El Salvador, Guatemala, Nicaragua, Panama, Honduras Discovery Trip code CAE
Discounted
Refreshed itinerary
25 Days
Was From NZ$9900
Now from
NZ$9460
Flights not included
Costa Rica, El Salvador, Guatemala, Nicaragua, Honduras Discovery Trip code CAQ
Discounted
Best Seller
16 Days
Was From NZ$6820
Now from
NZ$6160
Flights not included
Costa Rica, Nicaragua, Panama Cycling Trip code CNCP
14 Days
Price from
NZ$7920
Flights not included
COUNTRIES VISITED

Costa Rica tour highlights 


Embrace the pura vida lifestyle on our immersive small group holidays to Costa Rica, which can take you from through the highlights of Monteverde and Manuel Antonio National Park to exploring Costa Rica by bicycle. We even offer family holidays to Costa Rica, with a range of exciting activities for children aged 7 and over.

Traversing volcanic trails, discovering the wildlife of the dense cloud forest and escaping to laid-back Caribbean beaches: take a closer look at some of our favourite highlights of Costa Rica:

Tortuguero National Park
Perhaps one of Costa Rica’s most famous inhabitants is the sloth. One of the best places to view these extraordinary creatures is Tortuguero National Park, a coastal reserve where the rainforest meets the sea in a network of complex canals and lagoons. Tortuguero national park is known as the ‘mini Amazon’ for its diversity of wildlife – with more than 400 different species of birds and 60 species of mammals including manatees and tapirs. Accommodation here is generally in traditional forest lodges, where you’ll have the chance to get up close and personal with sloths, as well as a variety of birdlife including heron, stork and kingfisher who feed on the rich fish stocks. Tortuguero National Park actually translates as ‘land of the turtles’, so as well as the furry and feathered inhabitants you may also get to spot the sea turtles that call the area home. You can go sloth-spotting in Tortuguero National Park on many of our Costa Rica trips, including our best-selling Explore Costa Rica tour or our shorter Highlights of Costa Rica adventure.

Volcanoes
Costa Rica’s volcanoes are a must-see for all visitors, whether you come for the spectacular views or the hiking trails. Arenal is an active volcano and is perhaps the country’s best-known, situated in the north of the country. You can view the volcano from a variety of angles on one of the many great footpaths – or perhaps try something more adventurous like rafting or zip-wiring, perfect for families. The base of the volcano is edged by the tranquil Lake Arenal, and if you opt for our Cycle Costa Rica holiday you’ll skirt the northern shores of the lake with magnificent views of the volcano’s perfectly conical shape.


Rainforests and cloud forests
With monkeys swinging in the trees and a cacophony of sound, exploring the dense and vibrant Costa Rican rainforest is a multi-sensory experience. One of the finest examples of dense jungle is in Monteverde Cloud Forest Reserve, believed to have been inhabited since 3000BC. If you’re feeling brave you can fly through the treetops on a zip-line, or perhaps take a jaw-dropping stroll along the treetop walkways. At night the cloud forest comes alive; on a nocturnal walking tour you may spot tarantulas or pacas – a spotty herbivorous rodent.
 

Solo travel in Costa Rica


Every one of our Costa Rica holidays is ideal for solo travellers. It depends on the tour, but generally around half of our customers will be travelling solo. If you’re a considering travelling on an Explore holiday on your own, you’ll meet likeminded fellow travellers on the trip to share your experiences with. You can leave all of the logistics to us and just enjoy preparing for your holiday.
 

Best time to go to Costa Rica


High Season
Costa Rica’s dry season typically runs from November to March when you can expect hot, humid days with plenty of sunshine. Due to less rainfall and more desirable weather, this is also the busiest time to travel, though we tend to avoid the tourist hotspots wherever possible. Book towards the start of the dry season to see the rainforests at their best.

Green Season
To see Costa Rica in full bloom, head there during the Green Season which typically runs from April until September. Although the country experiences more rainfall and is slightly hotter during this time, the jungle is fully nourished, and waterfalls cascade through the valleys in full flow. The country also experiences less tourism during this time, so you’re more likely to enjoy quiet white-sand beaches and clear forest trails. 

Microclimates
Despite the general split of dry and rainy seasons, Costa Rica’s unique geography means it consists of several different ecological zones, each characterised by twelve microclimates. Due to this, the weather can vary significantly from place to place, even on the same day. Areas near to the coast will feel warm, but you can expect it to be colder as you head into more mountainous regions. 

Turtle Nesting
To experience the magical sight of nesting turtles, book a trip to Costa Rica between July and November. During this time, over five-thousand green sea turtles land on the beaches of Tortuguero. Witness this spectacle on our Explore Costa Rica tour. Walk along the shore at dusk to watch these spectacular creatures rest on the sand, waiting for their eggs to hatch.

An adventure travel company you can trust

There's a reason why 98% of customers say they'd book an adventure with us again.

Unforgettable experiences

From big wows to hidden gems, our tours leave you feeling that you've really explored.

Expert tour leaders

Chosen for their great knowledge of your destination and a passion to make your trip extraordinary.

Small group tours

Average groups of 11; solos, couples and friends, united by a desire for authentic experiences.

Responsible at heart

How we operate sets us apart; our flexible booking policy, our loyalty scheme & sustainable approach.

Costa Rica tour reviews

Average customer rating:

/

Independent service rating based on

 

 

reviews.

Need some inspiration for your Costa Rica tour?