Costa Rica National Parks Tours & Trip Packages

Costa Rica National Parks Tours & Trips

287 Costa Rica trips. Tours from 130 tour companies. 894 reviews. 4.8/5 avg rating.

126 trips exactly matchall of the the filters you selected.
My selections:
National Parks
Costa Rica Extended
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5/5 Excellent
100+ reviews
Small Group Tour
Lodging level
Standard - 3 star
Physical level
Moderate
Trip pace
Full schedule

Visits

Arenal Hot Springs, Manuel Antonio National Park

Highlights

  • Sunset dinner at Playa Hermosa
  • Enjoy the beautiful beaches of Costa Rica
  • Explore local waterfalls and hot springs
  • Get hooked on some of the best coffee in the world
  • Uncover the mysteries of Costa Rican rainforest while hiking
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Themes

18 - 30's, Cultural, Eco, Sustainable & Green Travel, High Adventure, Hiking & Walking, National Parks, Nature & Wildlife

What travelers are saying

"I had an amazing time on the Costa Rica starter trip. This was my first time traveling solo and U30X was a great way for me to safely see another part of the world and meet new people. Our trip leaders were Adrian and Delphine; they were very knowledgeable and fun. It felt more like we were just hanging out with our friends who happened to know a lot about the country rather than following around tour guides."

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Costa Rica Adrenaline
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5/5 Excellent
100+ reviews
Small Group Tour
Lodging level
Standard - 3 star
Physical level
Strenuous
Trip pace
Full schedule

Highlights

  • Visit Virgen de Los Ángeles Basílica Church in Cartago
  • A two day whitewater rafting adventure
  • Canyoning, rappelling, and zip lining in an action-packed day
  • Mountain bike through untouched rainforest
  • Hike to hidden waterfalls
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Themes

18 - 30's, Eco, Sustainable & Green Travel, High Adventure, National Parks, Nature & Wildlife

What travelers are saying

"I had an amazing time on the Costa Rica starter trip. This was my first time traveling solo and U30X was a great way for me to safely see another part of the world and meet new people. Our trip leaders were Adrian and Delphine; they were very knowledgeable and fun. It felt more like we were just hanging out with our friends who happened to know a lot about the country rather than following around tour guides."

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Costa Rica
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5/5 Excellent
8 reviews
Small Group Tour
Lodging level
Standard - 3 star
Physical level
Moderate
Trip pace
Balanced schedule

Visits

Manuel Antonio National Park, San José

Highlights

  • Curated itinerary to give you access to exclusive experiences
  • Visit one of the most remote corners of Costa Rica
  • Enjoy whale watching on a catamaran

Themes

Cultural, Eco, Sustainable & Green Travel, High Adventure, Local Immersion & Homestays, National Parks, Nature & Wildlife, Singles Travel, Transformative, Volunteering & Community Service, Scuba Diving

What travelers are saying

"We went to a custom trip to Nepal with the Vacation Project in April and it was the best time of my life. Getting to know new people, traditions and culture was truly amazing. Our guide Rakesh was well prepared and made us feel like we were long time friends, which made the time in Nepal really special. Working with the children in Changu was amazing and all i can hope for is that i made an impact on their lifes, just like they made on mine. I can totally recommend a trip with TVP!"

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Costa Rica Adventure Tour
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4.7/5 Excellent
100+ reviews
Private Guided
Lodging level
Luxury - 5 star
Physical level
Moderate
Trip pace
Flexible schedule

Visits

Arenal Volcano, Manuel Antonio National Park, San José

Highlights

  • Visit the Arenal Hanging Bridges, a complex of suspended bridges and trails through a beautiful rain forest
  • Cherish the moments in river rafting
  • Explore Manuel Antonio National Park
  • Hike through the trails in the Arenal Volcano National Park

Themes

High Adventure, Hiking & Walking, National Parks, Nature & Wildlife, Rafting, Kayaking, Canoeing

What travelers are saying

"Andrew stole our money ($22,000) that we paid for a luxury Ecuador / Peru vacation. He also stole $8,000 from our friend that was meeting us in South America. He first took our calls in 2020-2021, then disconnected all numbers. We went to the credit card company, and were unable to get a refund. He is a scammer. Beware! The trip was in April 2020, but I finished with the credit card company in May 2022."

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The Essence of Costa Rica
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4.8/5 Excellent
91 reviews
Group Tour
Lodging level
Standard - 3 star
Physical level
Moderate
Trip pace
Balanced schedule

Highlights

  • Visit San Jose – the capital of Costa Rica.
  • Enjoy the beautiful Sabana Park, Paseo Colón
  • Visit the National Museum, a faithful witness to Costa Rican history, Central Park, the Cathedral and the Congress Building.
  • Visiting the Gold Museum which is also a fascinating experience.
  • Visit Monteverde Cloud Forest, Hanging Bridges- Cheese Making Experience with Samplinga

Themes

Hiking & Walking, National Parks, Nature & Wildlife

What travelers are saying

"On our trip to Amalfi coast, the bus was parked in a field for two days. The next day, we had an 8 hour bus trip to Sicily. The bus was not properly cleaned before and after it had been parked in the field. On the 8 hour trip to Sicily, there was an infestation of ants. We had tons of ants crawling on the seats, windows, and floor. My husband killed 10 ants on his body. I received bits on my ankles and wrists. The tour guide never said anything to any of the guests. When we confronted him, all he said was that he would have the bus cleaned the next day. These was horrible conditions to travel for 8 hours. I have written to Perillo seeking a refund for that day's service. Time will tell if Perillo will actually answer my evaluation. This situation rises to the occasion where customer service was extremely poor an unhealthy, and a partial refund should be granted. If Perillo stands behind customer service as its motto, then they should provide partial refunds for this day. If not, then this leads me to assume that Perillo is more concerned about overall profits than good customer service. Time will tell!"

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9 - Day Costa Rica Small Group Adventure
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5/5 Excellent
54 reviews
Group Tour
Lodging level
Standard - 3 star
Physical level
Moderate
Trip pace
Balanced schedule

Visits

Arenal Hot Springs, Arenal Volcano

Highlights

  • Small group soft adventure trip limited to no more than 6 travelers, perfect for solo travelers and couples.
  • Raft Central America's premier whitewater river, the Pacuare River!
  • Great rainforest hikes, wonderful scenery, classic wildlife, and hot springs!
  • Beach time for R&R or surfing
  • Starts in San Jose, ends at Liberia International Airport, so no back tracking to San Jose to maximize your time in country.

Themes

Family Friendly, High Adventure, National Parks, Nature & Wildlife

What travelers are saying

"Just got back from an incredible adventure. Bhutan was more than I could have ever expected. There was an abundance of good travel karma throughout the trip. The guide, Bhim, was great, very accommodating, and personalized the trip in many amazing ways, and though him I got to know the people and the culture close up and personal. The whole thing went off without a hitch. Bhutan was the most amazing place I have ever been."

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Ultimate Costa Rica Hiking Adventure
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5/5 Excellent
54 reviews
Group Tour
Lodging level
Basic - 2 star
Physical level
Strenuous
Trip pace
Balanced schedule

Visits

Corcovado National Park, Pacific Ocean

Highlights

  • Explore cloud forest hiking of Cerro de la Muerte
  • Experience El Brujo cloud forest hiking, transfer to Puerto Jimenez
  • Enjoy Trek Los Patos to Sirena Ranger Station in Corcovado
  • Experience the best wildlife hotspot in Costa Rica: Sirena Ranger Station in fabulous Corcovado.
  • Hike Sirena to La Leona Ranger Station
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Themes

Birding, High Adventure, Hiking & Walking, National Parks, Nature & Wildlife

What travelers are saying

"Just got back from an incredible adventure. Bhutan was more than I could have ever expected. There was an abundance of good travel karma throughout the trip. The guide, Bhim, was great, very accommodating, and personalized the trip in many amazing ways, and though him I got to know the people and the culture close up and personal. The whole thing went off without a hitch. Bhutan was the most amazing place I have ever been."

Trip dates & details
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9 Days in Costa Rica
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4.8/5 Excellent
91 reviews
Group Tour
Lodging level
Premium - 4 star
Physical level
Easy
Trip pace
Balanced schedule

Visits

Arenal Volcano, Manuel Antonio National Park

Highlights

  • --Scenic Drive to San Ramon visiting en route the Artisan's Town of Sarchi --Scenic Drive to Arenal Volcano --Lecture On The Exotic Life Forms of Costa Rica --Guided visit to Manial Antonio National Park --Boat Excursion through the Tropical Mangrove Canal

Themes

National Parks, Nature & Wildlife

What travelers are saying

"On our trip to Amalfi coast, the bus was parked in a field for two days. The next day, we had an 8 hour bus trip to Sicily. The bus was not properly cleaned before and after it had been parked in the field. On the 8 hour trip to Sicily, there was an infestation of ants. We had tons of ants crawling on the seats, windows, and floor. My husband killed 10 ants on his body. I received bits on my ankles and wrists. The tour guide never said anything to any of the guests. When we confronted him, all he said was that he would have the bus cleaned the next day. These was horrible conditions to travel for 8 hours. I have written to Perillo seeking a refund for that day's service. Time will tell if Perillo will actually answer my evaluation. This situation rises to the occasion where customer service was extremely poor an unhealthy, and a partial refund should be granted. If Perillo stands behind customer service as its motto, then they should provide partial refunds for this day. If not, then this leads me to assume that Perillo is more concerned about overall profits than good customer service. Time will tell!"

Trip dates & details
Save this trip to your favorites or other list
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126 trips exactly matchall of the the filters you selected.
My selections:
National Parks

Costa Rica Reviews & Ratings

4.8/5  Excellent
894  Reviews
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Excellent
552
Great
88
Average
14
Disappointing
4
Terrible
4
A

Anonymous

Aug 2018

Provided byExodus Travels

I really wanted to see a Tapir!

Our third visit to Costa Rica was everything we expected and more (sadly we didn't see a tapir - but that was the only disappointment!). The trip is full on - if y...

A

Anonymous

Aug 2018

Provided byExodus Travels

A wonderful trip

Thoroughly enjoyed this holiday. We saw so much wildlife from sloths and monkeys and even an anteater to scarlet macaws and toucans, as well as the elusive quetzal...

A

Anonymous

Aug 2018

Provided byExodus Travels

Coastal secrets of Costa Rica

I had booked this trip to celebrate "big birthdays" for both me and my daughter, so my expectations were high and this fantastic holiday exceeded my expectations. ...

A

Anonymous

Aug 2018

Provided byExodus Travels

Wonderful holiday!

I would recommend this well organised holiday to anyone who wants to explore the diverse landscapes of Costa Rica, as well as see a wide range of wildlife - sloths...

A

Anonymous

Aug 2018

Provided byExodus Travels

A tropical paradise.

Overall we had such an amazing trip. Our tour guide was fantastic and one of a kind. He really knew his stuff and went the extra mile above and beyond for the grou...

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Costa Rica Tour Selection Trips

  • Allow at least seven to ten days for a tour that will hit many of the highlights.
  • Costa Rica caters to a wide variety of travelers, including couples, singles, and families. Whether you’re looking for hard or soft adventure, Stride can help you find the best Costa Rica tours.
  • If you have a special interest -- birding or fishing, for instance -- look for tours that emphasize those activities; you’ll be able to find them.
  • Don’t be put off by reports of civil strife elsewhere in Central America; Costa Rica has been safe and peaceful for decades.
  • The dry season runs from December to April or May in San Jose (the capital) and the Pacific Coast and from January to April along the Caribbean.
  • Some parts of the country can get rain year-round, and temperature is swayed more by altitude than season, so pack an umbrella and visit any time of year.

Additional details

Tours to Costa Rica usually focus on a combination of eco travel, wildlife, and adventure. You will usually find a tour that weighs one or two of these themes above the other.

If it’s your first visit to Costa Rica, try to find a tour that hits upon what Costa Rica is most known for. These include Arenal Volcano and Monteverde Cloud Forest. Both attractions are extremely popular and are normally included in Costa Rica tour itineraries.

bridge-in-monteverde

Outdoors and Active Costa Rica Tours

Most Costa Rica tours don’t have a heavy emphasis on cultural or historical sight seeing. Simply because the wildlife and outdoor tour activities are enough to occupy the days!

Wildlife lovers will want for nothing in Costa Rica, and most itineraries do focus heavily on the diverse wildlife found in Costa Rica’s rainforests and cloud forests. Some may not include Tortuguero National Park - and if you don’t want to miss observing sea turtles nesting or hatching be sure to find a tour that includes this park!

Some of the most famous animals you can see relatively easily in Costa Rica include the red-eyed tree frog, crocodiles, howler monkeys, spider monkeys, tapirs, basilisk lizards, coatimundis (the Costa Rican version of a raccoon!), and two kinds of sloth. A night safari might allow you to see some of the rarer or more elusive animals in the country, such as jaguars, kinkajous, tarantulas, and ocelots. Don't forget to look up - night is the best time to see snakes as they stalk for sleeping birds in the trees above. 

If you decide to go snorkeling or scuba diving, you may run into bottlenose dolphins (or go see them on a dolphin swim!), green sea turtles and leatherbacks, sharks, and all kinds of tropical fish. Whale watching is  also a great way to see orcas and humpback, blue, beaked, and pilot whales. 

If you are interested in going on a birdwatching trip, there are also tons of beautiful and exotic birds. There are green and scarlet macaws,  toucans, dozens of species of hummingbirds, and all kinds of birds of paradise -- including the rare national bird of Costa Rica, the Resplendent Quetzal. 

costa-rican-volcano

Weather in Costa Rica

It gets quite wet and humid in Costa Rica, and the country is prone to hurricane conditions. Tour activities may change depending on the time of year, but generally you can expect to be walking through the rainforest in every sense of the word.

Most tours in Costa Rica will provide wet weather gear, though it is a good idea to pack light weight waterproof clothing for the majority of your tour. Long sleeves and pants can go a long way toward insect protection as well.

Eco Lodge Accommodation on Costa Rica Tours

Costa Rica has a long history as a leader in eco travel, and a majority of trips to Costa Rica have an eco, sustainable, and green travel theme. These will often feature a stay at an eco lodge, or even a treehouse! These can vary from luxury accommodations to comfortable-but-basic.

Don’t expect terribly reliable internet and electricity - particularly in keeping with the eco lodge approach! These establishments are designed to be as eco conscious as possible, and your tour will reveal new ways you can help contribute and be a responsible traveler.

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