Arrival + Coastal Welcome
Transfer to Manuel Antonio. Settle in with sunset over the Pacific.
← All Destinations Costa Rica
Cloud forests, volcanoes, and coastline, perfectly paced around your group.
Why Costa Rica



Costa Rica at a glance
Everything you need to know before you start planning.
When to travel
The dry season is the classic window. The shoulder months are ours.
January – April is the classic window: blue skies, big surf, peak prices. May, June, and November are our favorite shoulder months: afternoon rain, half the crowds, lush green everywhere.
Sample Itineraries
These aren't fixed packages. They're starting points built from years of planning Costa Rica trips for travelers with different travel styles, priorities, and budgets. Every trip we plan is fully customized around you.
Transfer to Manuel Antonio. Settle in with sunset over the Pacific.
Naturalist-guided wildlife walk; afternoon on white-sand beach.
Catamaran cruise, snorkel, sunset from the water.
Remote jungle waterfalls: swim, cliff jump, slow lunch.
Private farm visit. Cacao, coffee, vanilla, plus a cooking lunch with locals.
Final morning by the ocean, then fly home.
Settle into the rainforest, evening surrounded by nature.
Ziplining, rafting, or waterfalls. Hot springs to wind down.
Remote wetland boat safari + local farm dinner.
Domestic flight, transfer, sunset and happy hour on the beach.
Surf lesson, cafés, laid-back afternoon on the Nicoya coast.
Pick your pace: snorkel, jungle hike, or yoga + wellness.
Horseback ride on the beach, spa, or hotel time.
Domestic flight back to SJO, then international.
Hidden cloud-forest region, cooler climate, lush greenery.
Hike to dramatic falls, walk cloud-forest trails. Costa Rica's least-visited corner.
Cloud forest down to tropical rainforest and ocean.
Naturalist-guided wildlife walk, then beach time.
Catamaran cruise, dolphins, snorkel.
Remote-jungle waterfall day, off the tourist path.
One of the most biodiverse places on Earth.
The crown jewel: monkeys, tapirs, scarlet macaws.
Boat tour, snorkel, whale-watching (seasonal), or guided hike.
Lodge time, nearby trails, optional guided experience.
Charter back, fly home.
These are examples, not fixed packages. Tell us about your trip like who's traveling, when you want to go, and what matters most so we can put together a personalized proposal with real availability and transparent pricing.
"The ETA team was amazing. Our honeymoon to Costa Rica was absolutely unforgettable. The wonderful people who drove us to all of our destinations were amazing, and we felt extremely safe the entire time. Our itinerary was clear and easy to follow and filled with everything we wanted to do. Everywhere we stayed was beautiful, with amazing service. Thank you for keeping in touch before, during, and after our trip — we will absolutely book with this team again!"
Common questions
The questions our planners hear every week. If yours isn't here, a 15-minute call is the fastest way to a real answer.
Yes. Costa Rica is one of the easiest family destinations in Latin America, thanks to established tourism infrastructure and constant wildlife payoff. Kids spot sloths, monkeys, and toucans on naturalist-guided walks in Manuel Antonio, soak in Arenal's volcanic hot springs, and take a first surf lesson on the Nicoya coast in Santa Teresa. The unhurried pura vida culture welcomes every age.
December through April is Costa Rica's dry season: sunny mornings, reliable Pacific surf, and the busiest crowds. We also love the shoulder months of May, June, and November, when afternoon showers leave the rainforest lush and travelers thin out. The two coasts run opposite, so the Caribbean side around Puerto Viejo is at its sunniest in September and October while the Pacific is greenest.
Costa Rica holds about 5% of all species on Earth, and the wildlife concentrates in a few standout parks. Manuel Antonio delivers reliable sloths, monkeys, and toucans on an easy guided walk, while the remote Osa Peninsula and Corcovado National Park, among the most biodiverse places on the planet, reward you with scarlet macaws, tapirs, and all four of the country's monkey species.
Yes - Costa Rica's signature trio pairs naturally because the regions sit fairly close and combine three different aspects of the country. The classic route opens in the Arenal volcano region for hot springs and rafting, climbs into cloud forest at Monteverde or the quieter Bajos del Toro for misty hanging-bridge trails, then drops to the Pacific at Manuel Antonio or Santa Teresa for wildlife, surf, and beach time.
Costa Rica isn't usually considered a "food destination" in the same way as Peru or Mexico, but we think that's part of its charm. The country's cuisine is built around fresh, local ingredients rather than complicated preparations, and some of our favorite meals are the simplest ones. Expect tropical fruit picked that morning, freshly caught seafood, locally grown coffee (shoutout to coffee from Poás, our biased favorite!), and traditional dishes like gallo pinto, casados, ceviche, and chorreadas. If you are a foodie, ask us about adding creative dining experiences to your trip!
Costa Rica is a world-class honeymoon destination for good reason. The country has perfected the balance of luxury, adventure, and relaxation, with some of the most celebrated hotels consistently recognized among the best honeymoon resorts in the world. You can spend your days soaking in hot springs, spotting wildlife, surfing, ziplining, or simply relaxing by the pool with a view of the rainforest. The vibe is effortlessly romantic, and with everything from adults-only boutique hotels to ultra-luxury jungle lodges and beachfront retreats, there's truly something for every type of couple.
Cramming too many regions into one route. Costa Rica looks compact on a map, but winding mountain roads make ground transfers long, so chasing Arenal, Monteverde, Manuel Antonio, and the Osa Peninsula at once means living on the road. Our goal is to make sure you get the most out of your trip, not that you feel like you spent the entire time in the car. AND using Google Maps instead of Waze when self driving. This is the quickest way to get lost!
Still have questions? Book a free 15-minute call with one of our planners.
Book your trip
Book a free 15-minute call. We'll build your trip around you. No commitment required.
A real travel designer listens to what you want, asks good questions, and points out the things you'd miss. By the end, you'll know if we're a fit.
Pick a time. We listen, ask questions, sketch a shape.
Day-by-day itinerary, lodgings, transparent pricing.
Unlimited changes included. We don't book until it's just right!
24/7 in-trip support. We're a WhatsApp away.
Prefer email? info@exploretheamericastravel.com · Or call 1-800-226-4772
Costa Rica guide last updated June 2026.