Costa Rica tours & tailor-made trips

Plan your dream trip to Costa Rica with a local expert

See a different side to Costa Rica on a trip built just for you, by someone who lives there.

Custom itinerary planningHandpicked local experts
Complete peace of mindASTA membership, financial protection & 24/7 local support
A fairer way to travelBenefiting local communities
Costa Rica

Costa Rica's zest for life and carefully preserved natural wonders promise a journey unlike any other.

A living sanctuary of emerald rainforests, fiery volcanoes, and untamed coastlines, Costa Rica’s natural spirit captivates curious explorers and those seeking tranquility. From its high-altitude cloud forests shrouded in mist down to its golden Pacific beaches and wild Caribbean shores, the country has been thoughtfully preserved over generations.

To the modern traveler, the canopy walkways offer an intimate glimpse into a vibrant living ecosystem, each volcanic hot spring is an invitation to unwind, and a deep reverence for the land shapes everyday life. Our handpicked local experts have the know-how to bring Costa Rica’s authentic pulse into every detail, while ensuring more of your money supports local communities and preserves the wild places that make Costa Rica extraordinary.

Your Costa Rica adventure awaits

Best time to visit

Dry season: December to April, best for beaches
Green season: July to October, best for wildlife

Destination highlights

Framed by lush rainforests and two distinct coastlines, Costa Rica’s incredible biodiversity invites pure discovery. It brings vibrancy to every journey, whether exploring the mist-cloaked cloud forests around Arenal Volcano or unwinding on Pacific and Caribbean shores surrounded by cascading waterfalls, golden beaches, and abundant wildlife.

Price overview

US $1,000 - $1,500

All of our tailor-made trips can be 100% customized to your style—from budget stays to higher-end escapes.

Best time to visit

How it works

How would you like to plan your trip?

Build a trip from scratch with a local Costa Rica expert, or pick a curated itinerary as your starting point and customize it until it's yours.

  • Share your preferencesTravel dates, budget, experiences and more
  • Connect with your local expertReceive your first itinerary within 48 hours
  • Refine your trip togetherFull flexibility and a hassle-free, personal service
  • Book with confidence24/7 support, secure payment, ASTA protected

Free to plan. No commitment until you book

Trip ideas

Recommended trips to Costa Rica

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Meet your local experts

Your trip, planned by someone who actually lives there

Our local experts aren’t travel agents working from a brochure. They’re people who live locally and know the destination like the back of their hand. Alongside them, you’ll craft an authentic and immersive trip, filled with intimate knowledge and passion for the place they call home.

Start planning your trip
Costa Rica
  • Olman

    I’ll introduce you to Costa Rica’s diversity of active volcanoes, beaches and wildlife, and above all, its people - they’ll make you feel right at home.

  • Randall

    After the Osa Peninsula, I'd recommend a night on Isla del Caño, a great ecotourism destination for watching whales and other marine life.

  • Adriana

    Working with TravelLocal has helped us grow our business and support our local community.

Traveler stories

What our travelers are saying

Traveler Victoria Prowle in Costa Rica
What an amazing trip. Roberto was fantastic from the word go in terms of helping us put the perfect itinerary together to match our budget. Costa Rica is so beautiful and we have many happy memories of the scenery and wildlife that we saw.

Victoria ProwleTraveled in July 2026
Photo by traveler Anne Lockwood in Costa Rica
It was an excellent itinerary and completely suited our needs. I would highly recommend this company and would use them again without any hesitation.

Anne LockwoodTraveled in February 2026
Photo by traveler Karen Gamow in Costa Rica
I can’t recommend these folks more highly. We just finished an amazing 10-day trip to Costa Rica that I could NEVER have arranged on my own. We were blown away by every hotel and every activity that was planned for us.

Karen GamowTraveled in February 2026
Traveler Jennifer Frazier in Costa Rica
Fantastic trip! Great accommodations! We were very pleased with all the tours that were given, but especially the Hanging Bridges tour in Monteverde and the Sunset Cruise in Samara.

Jennifer FrazierTraveled in January 2026
Traveler Victoria Prowle in Costa RicaPhoto by traveler Anne Lockwood in Costa RicaPhoto by traveler Karen Gamow in Costa Rica+78k

78,000+ travelers have had a more authentic, tailor-made vacation

Places & highlights

Learn more about Costa Rica

Frog close-up; Costa Rica wildlife and natureFeatured story

Visiting Costa Rica during rainy season

Costa Rica’s rainy season brings lush landscapes and prolific wildlife. Here’s our guide to visiting at this rewarding time of year.

Good to know

Frequently asked questions about Costa Rica

Merced Church, San Jose, Costa Rica
  • Costa Rica is one of the most visited destinations in Central America and is generally considered safe for tourists. Petty theft and crime can occur, particularly in San José and busy tourist areas, so standard precautions apply. The US State Department currently rates Costa Rica at Level 2: Exercise Increased Caution. Check the latest travel advisories before you go.

  • Costa Rica’s dry season, from December through April, is the most popular time to visit. This time of year sees sunny days and reliable weather across most of the country, ideal for outdoor activities and sightseeing. May to November is the country’s green season, which brings lush landscapes, fewer crowds, and lower prices, though rainfall is heaviest from September to October.

  • Yes, a valid US passport is required to enter Costa Rica. Your passport should be valid for at least the duration of your stay, though the US government recommends at least six months of validity for international travel as a general rule. You'll also need at least one blank page for an entry stamp. Always verify current entry requirements before you travel.

  • US citizens do not need a visa to visit Costa Rica for stays of up to 90 days for tourism purposes. However, you may be asked to show proof of a return or onward ticket on arrival. Always check current entry requirements with the US Department of State before you travel, as rules can change.

  • Costa Rica is a small country in Central America, bordered by Nicaragua to the north and Panama to the south. It sits between the Pacific Ocean to the west and the Caribbean Sea to the east. This unique geography gives Costa Rica two distinct coastlines and a wide range of landscapes in a relatively compact area, from rainforests and volcanoes to beaches and cloud forests.

  • Costa Rica's currency is the Costa Rican colón (CRC). However, US dollars are widely accepted across the country, particularly in hotels, tour operators, and tourist businesses. Smaller USD bills, such as $5, $10, and $20, are often accepted only in pristine condition. Having local currency on hand is useful for smaller purchases, local markets, and tipping.

  • Spanish is the official language of Costa Rica. English is widely spoken in hotels, tour operators, and popular tourist destinations such as Manuel Antonio, Arenal, and the Nicoya Peninsula. In more rural and off-the-beaten-track areas, Spanish is used more predominantly, so a few basic phrases go a long way and are always warmly received.

  • Costa Rica is known for its stunning coastlines and natural wonders. It’s home to some of the world's most biodiverse rainforests, active volcanoes, and wildlife-rich national parks, including Corcovado, Tortuguero, and Manuel Antonio. Surfing, white-water rafting, and zip-lining through the treetops lure in adventure travelers, while the laid-back "pura vida" philosophy defines Costa Rica’s culture.

Next steps

Ready to start planning your Costa Rica trip?

Tell us what you’re looking for and we’ll match you with a local expert who knows the destination inside and out. It’s free to get a quote.

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