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Custom travel planning to Costa Rica

Cloud forests, volcanoes, and coastline, perfectly paced around your group.

5% of Earth's species
28 National parks
2 Coastlines · Pacific & Caribbean
1 of 5 Blue Zones on Earth

Why Costa Rica

A small country with impossible range.

  • The world's densest biodiversity. 5% of all species on Earth packed into a country smaller than West Virginia.
  • Range, without the rush. Volcano hot springs, cloud forest, and Pacific beaches sit close together. We add regions to match the length of your trip, so you settle into each one instead of rushing between them.
  • Lodgings that earn the photo. Infinity pools over the Pacific, plunge pools heated by wood fires, swim-up sushi bars in the rainforest.
  • The Nicoya Peninsula. One of the world's five Blue Zones, where people routinely live past 100.
  • Pura vida culture. Friendly, unhurried, and deeply welcoming to every kind of traveler.
See Sample Itineraries
A man meditating atop a jungle waterfall surrounded by lush rainforest, Costa Rica
Rainforest, almost everywhere.
Arenal volcano at golden hour
Arenal, golden hour.
A woman in the clifftop infinity pool at Kura Design Villas overlooking the Pacific coast near Uvita, Costa Rica
Infinity pool, Pacific cliff.

Costa Rica at a glance

Quick facts.

Everything you need to know before you start planning.

Best time to go Dec – April
Suggested trip length 7 nights
Language Spanish · English in tourist areas
Currency Costa Rican Colón · USD widely accepted
Flight time ~3h Miami · ~5h NYC · ~5h LA
Climate Tropical · 70–90°F year-round
Time zone CST (UTC-6) · No DST
Most popular experiences Arenal hot springsMonteverde cloud forestManuel Antonio wildlife

When to travel

The best time to visit, month by month.

The dry season is the classic window. The shoulder months are ours.

A year in Costa Rica

Pacific dries first, Caribbean dries last. The whole country greens up in May.

Jan
Feb
Mar
Apr
May
Jun
Jul
Aug
Sep
Oct
Nov
Dec
Peak season Dry months Shoulder · our pick Wet months

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.

Festivals worth planning around

  • Día de la IndependenciaLantern parades the night before, school marches at dawn. Sep 15
  • Fiestas de ZapoteBullfights, food, and rides outside San José. Late Dec – Jan
  • Envision FestivalMusic + arts gathering on the Pacific coast (Uvita). Late Feb
  • Día de los BoyerosOx-cart parade in Escazú celebrating rural tradition. 2nd Sun · Mar

Sample Itineraries

Sample Costa Rica Trip Itineraries Built by Experts

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.

Coastal Welcome & Pacific Highlights

Manuel Antonio rainforest meets the ocean: wildlife, water, and culture.

5Nights
2Regions
EasyPace
Day 01 Manuel Antonio

Arrival + Coastal Welcome

Transfer to Manuel Antonio. Settle in with sunset over the Pacific.

Day 02 Manuel Antonio

Manuel Antonio National Park

Naturalist-guided wildlife walk; afternoon on white-sand beach.

Day 03 Manuel Antonio

Ocean Adventure

Catamaran cruise, snorkel, sunset from the water.

Day 04 Jungle Waterfalls

Jungle & Waterfalls

Remote jungle waterfalls: swim, cliff jump, slow lunch.

Day 05 Inland Farm

Culture & Connection

Private farm visit. Cacao, coffee, vanilla, plus a cooking lunch with locals.

Day 06 Manuel Antonio → SJO

Departure

Final morning by the ocean, then fly home.

Volcano + Coast

Arenal hot springs, wetland safari, and Santa Teresa surf culture.

7Nights
3Regions
ActivePace
Day 01 Arenal

Arrival + Transfer to Arenal Volcano

Settle into the rainforest, evening surrounded by nature.

Day 02 Arenal

Arenal Adventure & Hot Springs

Ziplining, rafting, or waterfalls. Hot springs to wind down.

Day 03 Northern Plains

Wildlife, Culture & Local Experiences

Remote wetland boat safari + local farm dinner.

Day 04 Santa Teresa

Scenic Flight to Cobano + Santa Teresa

Domestic flight, transfer, sunset and happy hour on the beach.

Day 05 Santa Teresa

Santa Teresa Beach Day & Surf Culture

Surf lesson, cafés, laid-back afternoon on the Nicoya coast.

Day 06 Santa Teresa

Ocean & Nature Experiences

Pick your pace: snorkel, jungle hike, or yoga + wellness.

Day 07 Santa Teresa

Free Day in Santa Teresa

Horseback ride on the beach, spa, or hotel time.

Day 08 Santa Teresa → SJO

Departure

Domestic flight back to SJO, then international.

Cloud Forest, Coast & Osa

Bajos del Toro to Manuel Antonio to the wildest corner of the country.

10Nights
3Regions
CuratedPace
Day 01 Bajos del Toro

Arrival + Bajos del Toro

Hidden cloud-forest region, cooler climate, lush greenery.

Day 02 Bajos del Toro

Waterfalls & Cloud Forest Exploration

Hike to dramatic falls, walk cloud-forest trails. Costa Rica's least-visited corner.

Day 03 Manuel Antonio

Scenic Transfer to Manuel Antonio

Cloud forest down to tropical rainforest and ocean.

Day 04 Manuel Antonio

Manuel Antonio National Park & Beaches

Naturalist-guided wildlife walk, then beach time.

Day 05 Manuel Antonio

Ocean Adventure

Catamaran cruise, dolphins, snorkel.

Day 06 Manuel Antonio

Jungle & Waterfalls

Remote-jungle waterfall day, off the tourist path.

Day 07 Osa Peninsula

Into the Osa Peninsula

One of the most biodiverse places on Earth.

Day 08 Osa Peninsula

Corcovado National Park Exploration

The crown jewel: monkeys, tapirs, scarlet macaws.

Day 09 Osa Peninsula

Wildlife & Ocean Experience

Boat tour, snorkel, whale-watching (seasonal), or guided hike.

Day 10 Osa Peninsula

Free Day in the Osa Peninsula

Lodge time, nearby trails, optional guided experience.

Day 11 Osa → SJO

Departure

Charter back, fly home.

Like one of these itineraries?

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.

Tailor this 5-night trip

From a recent traveler

★★★★★

"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

Costa Rica, answered.

The questions our planners hear every week. If yours isn't here, a 15-minute call is the fastest way to a real answer.

Is Costa Rica a good destination for families?

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.

When is the best time to visit Costa Rica?

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.

Where do you see the most wildlife in Costa Rica?

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.

Is Arenal, the cloud forest, and the Pacific coast actually a good combo?

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.

What is the food scene like in Costa Rica?

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!

Is Costa Rica a good honeymoon destination?

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.

What's the biggest mistake travelers make when planning a Costa Rica trip?

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

Customize your Costa Rica.

Book a free 15-minute call. We'll build your trip around you. No commitment required.

What you get on the call

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.

  • A working draft itinerary, tailored to your group
  • Honest pricing, with our reasoning
  • Recommended lodgings we've personally vetted
  • Zero pressure. Most calls don't end in a booking, and that's fine
Book a 15-minute call
1

15-minute call

Pick a time. We listen, ask questions, sketch a shape.

2

Proposal in 48 hours

Day-by-day itinerary, lodgings, transparent pricing.

3

Refine together

Unlimited changes included. We don't book until it's just right!

4

Travel

24/7 in-trip support. We're a WhatsApp away.

Prefer email? info@exploretheamericastravel.com  ·  Or call 1-800-226-4772

Follow our trips on Instagram@exploretheamericastravel

Four travelers posing by a river with the cone of the Arenal Volcano behind them, Costa Rica Maroma resort, Mexico Medellín skyline of red-brick buildings filling the Aburrá Valley below the green Andes, Colombia The snow-capped cone of Cotopaxi volcano rising above golden páramo grassland and wildflowers, Ecuador The Milky Way arcing across a dark star-filled night sky over the Atacama Desert, Chile Aerial view of a small green island ringed by turquoise reef water in Bocas del Toro, Panama

Costa Rica guide last updated June 2026.