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Costa Rica Vacations & Adventure Tours

Costa Rica Adventure Trips

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Fall in love with this slice of paradise as you explore from beach to rainforest on our Costa Rica adventure tours.

With a motto of Pura Vida (pure life), it's easy to see why Costa Rica tops the charts for adventure travel. Rolling green hills, lush cloud forests, mighty waterfalls and picture-perfect coastlines are just a few of the features that await your discovery on our Costa Rica adventure tours. As you explore Rincon de la Vieja National Park, Playa Carrillo, Isla Chora and more, two guides will be by your side, ensuring every detail is looked after. By day, take to the skies ziplining, snorkel amongst colourful fish and hike to breathtaking waterfalls. Then by night, relax in charming accommodations with endless views of mountains and the sea. Whether you're relaxing in a hot spring at the foot of Rincon de la Vieja Volcano or watching monkeys play amongst the native trees, there's no doubt you'll fall into the relaxed paces of life Costa Rican is known for. Sit back, let your incredible guides do the hard work and make memories of a lifetime on a Costa Rica adventure tour.

Hear from our Happy Guests
4.85/5 Rating | 6,500+ Reviews

Reviews from our Costa Rica Vacations

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Costa Rica Guanacaste Adventure - January 2024

Pura Vida

"The ziplining and tubing were great. I always felt safe, but had a lot of fun. I am not sure what I enjoyed more, ziplining and rock climbing, or tubing. Tubing in the rapids was very unique. The tubes just bounced off the rocks as we went down the rapids. Everyone had a blast!
The guide for standup paddle boarding was a great teacher. Just about everyone was able to standup at some point. The trip was a good mix of activities with some down time. We enjoyed sampling the local cuisine. The guides took great care of us and all the locals we met were so nice! My only complaint is that we only saw a small part of Costa Rica. We hope to come back and see some more of this beautiful country.

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"The ziplining and tubing were great. I always felt safe, but had a lot of… read more

"The ziplining and tubing were great. I always felt safe, but had a lot of fun. I am not sure what I enjoyed more, ziplining and rock climbing, or tubing. Tubing in the rapids was very unique. The tubes just bounced off the rocks as we went down the rapids. Everyone had a blast!
The guide for standup paddle boarding was a great teacher. Just about everyone was able to standup at some point. The trip was a good mix of activities with some down time. We enjoyed sampling the local cuisine. The guides took great care of us and all the locals we met were so nice! My only complaint is that we only saw a small part of Costa Rica. We hope to come back and see some more of this beautiful country. read less

5 Stars (11 reviews)

L Lee | January 2024

Costa Rica Guanacaste Adventure - January 2024

Love this place!

"The guides were excellent - the bird watching, hiking, sup boards, kayaking, adventuring, waterfalls and more were much to write home about. Thank you, Alex and Jose for such a wonderful experience. You rock!

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"The guides were excellent - the bird watching, hiking, sup boards, kayaking, adventuring, waterfalls and… read more

"The guides were excellent - the bird watching, hiking, sup boards, kayaking, adventuring, waterfalls and more were much to write home about. Thank you, Alex and Jose for such a wonderful experience. You rock! read less

5 Stars (11 reviews)

D Diana | January 2024

Costa Rica Tortuguero Adventure - September 2023

Abundance of birds and animals

"We had an amazing experience in Costa Rica watching monkeys jumping through the trees, turtles laying eggs, all while also trying to see as many different birds as possible.

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"We had an amazing experience in Costa Rica watching monkeys jumping through the trees, turtles… read more

"We had an amazing experience in Costa Rica watching monkeys jumping through the trees, turtles laying eggs, all while also trying to see as many different birds as possible. read less

5 Stars (41 reviews)

D Donna | September 2023

Costa Rica Guanacaste Adventure - April 2023

Knowledgable Guides

"Sure, we could have done a lot of the activities in this vacation on our own, but having great guides makes a world of difference. For instance, we could have researched and hiked 10 miles to the secret waterfall on our own, but without our guides we would have missed the history, the stories, 90% of the animals, and the jar of special insect repellent that actually works. We could have rented a car to get ourselves from place to place, but on the last day, on our way back to the airport, could we have found a detour through farm country down dirt roads and across streams to avoid a major police protest blocking the main roads? No.

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"Sure, we could have done a lot of the activities in this vacation on our… read more

"Sure, we could have done a lot of the activities in this vacation on our own, but having great guides makes a world of difference. For instance, we could have researched and hiked 10 miles to the secret waterfall on our own, but without our guides we would have missed the history, the stories, 90% of the animals, and the jar of special insect repellent that actually works. We could have rented a car to get ourselves from place to place, but on the last day, on our way back to the airport, could we have found a detour through farm country down dirt roads and across streams to avoid a major police protest blocking the main roads? No. read less

5 Stars (11 reviews)

G George | April 2023

Costa Rica Tortuguero Adventure - March 2023

Another Exceptional Trip

"We've never been disappointed by our adventures with Active and our trip to Costa Rica was no exception. Our guide, Sterling, was outstanding. He explained much about the history and culture of Costa Rica, and he had an amazing ability of spotting wildlife in the jungle and trees. I was able to take some great photos! Two wonderful cooking demonstrations gave us a chance to experience bits of Costa Rican life. Every detail was covered, and Sterling always kept us informed, so we were prepared for each new activity.

While Active trips are always well planned and carried out, the personal attention guides like Sterling have given us keep us signing up for more trips.

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"We've never been disappointed by our adventures with Active and our trip to Costa Rica… read more

"We've never been disappointed by our adventures with Active and our trip to Costa Rica was no exception. Our guide, Sterling, was outstanding. He explained much about the history and culture of Costa Rica, and he had an amazing ability of spotting wildlife in the jungle and trees. I was able to take some great photos! Two wonderful cooking demonstrations gave us a chance to experience bits of Costa Rican life. Every detail was covered, and Sterling always kept us informed, so we were prepared for each new activity.

While Active trips are always well planned and carried out, the personal attention guides like Sterling have given us keep us signing up for more trips. read less

5 Stars (41 reviews)

N Nancy | March 2023

Costa Rica Guanacaste Adventure - January 2023

Great first trip

"Family have used Austin Adventures in the past and we were excited to take this trip. It was a wonderful experience, balanced with the right combination of activity and relaxation. Would strongly recommend.

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"Family have used Austin Adventures in the past and we were excited to take this… read more

"Family have used Austin Adventures in the past and we were excited to take this trip. It was a wonderful experience, balanced with the right combination of activity and relaxation. Would strongly recommend. read less

5 Stars (11 reviews)

J John | January 2023

Costa Rica Guanacaste Adventure - January 2023

Beauty, safety, adrenaline, a trip of a lifetime

"Marco and Sergio were more than just guides, they seamlessly educated us, spoiled us, and encouraged our pure vida adventurous sides to come out. Waterfalls everyday, vegetarian empanadas, three types of monkeys, birds, army ants, volcano mud pots… everything nature had to offer. And then there was the zipline, tubing, hiking, kayaking.. all in one fantastic week. Thank you, our special Costa Rican amigos!

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"Marco and Sergio were more than just guides, they seamlessly educated us, spoiled us, and… read more

"Marco and Sergio were more than just guides, they seamlessly educated us, spoiled us, and encouraged our pure vida adventurous sides to come out. Waterfalls everyday, vegetarian empanadas, three types of monkeys, birds, army ants, volcano mud pots… everything nature had to offer. And then there was the zipline, tubing, hiking, kayaking.. all in one fantastic week. Thank you, our special Costa Rican amigos! read less

5 Stars (11 reviews)

V Veronica, United States | January 2023

Costa Rica Guanacaste Adventure - January 2023

Guanacaste adventure

"This trip is a wonderful experience for families. As a family we enjoyed sharing these many adventures. We kept very busy exploring the daily life of the rain forest. There was something to learn at every turn. Monkeys, small critters and an abundance of beautiful birds to study. Our guide Marco was amazingly talented at finding large and small life on the jungle and filling us in with every detail about their life besides facts about the vegetation and history of the land. As we transformed to the beach Marco managed to find us local treats along the was to stop and enjoy, the was really special . The beach activities did not disappoint and a truly great time was had by all.

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"This trip is a wonderful experience for families. As a family we enjoyed sharing… read more

"This trip is a wonderful experience for families. As a family we enjoyed sharing these many adventures. We kept very busy exploring the daily life of the rain forest. There was something to learn at every turn. Monkeys, small critters and an abundance of beautiful birds to study. Our guide Marco was amazingly talented at finding large and small life on the jungle and filling us in with every detail about their life besides facts about the vegetation and history of the land. As we transformed to the beach Marco managed to find us local treats along the was to stop and enjoy, the was really special . The beach activities did not disappoint and a truly great time was had by all. read less

5 Stars (11 reviews)

L Linda, United States | January 2023

Costa Rica Guanacaste Adventure - January 2023

Excellent guide!

"Our guide, Jimmy was very caring and very knowledgeable. He really knew his birds and the nature of Costa Rica and was excited to share it with us. He showed great concern when one of us got injured and went out of his way to care for us. We felt like we were with a caring family member while traveling with him.

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"Our guide, Jimmy was very caring and very knowledgeable. He really knew his birds… read more

"Our guide, Jimmy was very caring and very knowledgeable. He really knew his birds and the nature of Costa Rica and was excited to share it with us. He showed great concern when one of us got injured and went out of his way to care for us. We felt like we were with a caring family member while traveling with him. read less

4 Stars (11 reviews)

A Anna, United States | January 2023

Costa Rica Tortuguero Adventure - January 2023

Animals!!

"It was amazing how many animals we were able to see on our trip!! From sloths to crocodiles to hundreds of birds!! Our guide, Marco, was an amazing source of knowledge and was excited to share it with us!! We would not have been able to see 1/10th of what we did on our own.

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"It was amazing how many animals we were able to see on our trip!! From… read more

"It was amazing how many animals we were able to see on our trip!! From sloths to crocodiles to hundreds of birds!! Our guide, Marco, was an amazing source of knowledge and was excited to share it with us!! We would not have been able to see 1/10th of what we did on our own. read less

4 Stars (41 reviews)

A Anna, United States | January 2023

Costa Rica Tortuguero Adventure - January 2023

Don’t Wait....Just Go!

"This trip exceeded all of my expectations. Everyone told me that I was going to love Costa Rica, but it’s hard to put into words how much I enjoyed every aspect of it: the people, the wildlife, the food, the accommodations, the activities, and especially, our guide Marcos (Tex to his friends). An adventure of a lifetime. If you’ve ever thought about going (or going again), don’t wait...sign up now & go!

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"This trip exceeded all of my expectations. Everyone told me that I was going to… read more

"This trip exceeded all of my expectations. Everyone told me that I was going to love Costa Rica, but it’s hard to put into words how much I enjoyed every aspect of it: the people, the wildlife, the food, the accommodations, the activities, and especially, our guide Marcos (Tex to his friends). An adventure of a lifetime. If you’ve ever thought about going (or going again), don’t wait...sign up now & go! read less

5 Stars (41 reviews)

K Karen, United States | January 2023

Costa Rica Guanacaste Adventure - December 2022

So wonderful

"I was so impressed as to the quality of our guide. We saw so much because of him, what a great experience!

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"I was so impressed as to the quality of our guide. We saw so much… read more

"I was so impressed as to the quality of our guide. We saw so much because of him, what a great experience! read less

5 Stars (11 reviews)

A Alan, United States | December 2022

Costa Rica Tortuguero Adventure - December 2022

Wonderful!

"This trip far exceeded my hopes and desires. Amazing!!!!

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"This trip far exceeded my hopes and desires. Amazing!!!! read more

"This trip far exceeded my hopes and desires. Amazing!!!! read less

5 Stars (41 reviews)

A Alan, United States | December 2022

Costa Rica Guanacaste Adventure - July 2022

Guanacaste

"Fantastic experience! Couldn't have asked for a more professional and personable guide... thank you Jimmy! Facilities were beautiful and the meals delicious. Activities were fun and challenging. Highly recommend this trip!

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"Fantastic experience! Couldn't have asked for a more professional and personable guide... thank you Jimmy!… read more

"Fantastic experience! Couldn't have asked for a more professional and personable guide... thank you Jimmy! Facilities were beautiful and the meals delicious. Activities were fun and challenging. Highly recommend this trip! read less

5 Stars (11 reviews)

C Cindy, United States | July 2022

Costa Rica Guanacaste Adventure - April 2022

Guanacaste/Costa Rica: Amazing Nature

"Really enjoyed the trip: incredible nature, a wealth of wildlife and superior guiding.

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"Really enjoyed the trip: incredible nature, a wealth of wildlife and superior guiding. read more

"Really enjoyed the trip: incredible nature, a wealth of wildlife and superior guiding. read less

4 Stars (11 reviews)

F Flavia, United Kingdom | April 2022

Living La Pura Vida in Costa Rica

FAQs about visiting Costa Rica

What's the best time of year to go to Costa Rica?

The best time to visit Costa Rica is between December and April on its Pacific Coast, when the weather is at its driest and brightest, with January and February providing ideal sunny beach weather. March and September are the best months to visit on the Caribbean side, with Alaska/California humpback whales; leatherback & hawksbill sea turtles around for wildlife watching in March and the rain lightening up in September, making it a great time to visit.

Is it safe to go to Costa Rica?

Costa Rica is considered one of the safest countries in Central America, however we recommend taking the same precautions you would anywhere else - just to be on the safe side! As long as you stay away from isolated areas, don't wave your valuables around, and don't travel alone at night you will be able to avoid the most common dangerous situations. Pickpockets occasionally operate in areas where visitors are found so we suggest you leave any valuables you don’t need with you in the hotel safe (e.g. passports and credit cards).
A copy of your passport and any valuables you do need with you should be kept in a passport wallet under your clothes and a small amount of money in your pocket/purse. It’s also a good idea to take a taxi after dark rather than walking. We recommend only using established tour operators and officially registered taxis, and only change money at banks or official exchanges.

Do I need a visa for Costa Rica?

It is your responsibility stay up to date on the latest visa and entry requirements for your destination. Please use the CIBT entry tracker on our website as a guideline or visit the relevant immigration webpage for more information regarding this.

Do I need vaccinations to visit Costa Rica?

For the most up-to-date recommendations please check with your doctor or travel clinic, and always go with their recommendations, as these can often change. We strongly recommend that you see a doctor, preferably one with experience in travel medicine, at least 8 weeks before your trip starts to discuss appropriate vaccinations.

Where do you fly into Costa Rica?

Many international flights arrive directly into San Jose or Liberia so there's no need to book any connecting domestic flights. The major international carriers who fly to Costa Rica are United Airlines, American Airlines, Delta Airlines, Spirit Airlines & Jet Blue.

What if I need a special diet?

We are accustomed to catering to the following special diets:

  • vegan (no meat or animal products)
  • vegetarian (no meat products)
  • fishatarian (vegetarian, and eat fish)
  • no red meat (eat chicken & fish)
  • gluten intolerant (no wheat, rye, barley or oats)
  • lactose intolerant (no dairy products)

You will get the opportunity to specify your particular requirements when you fill in our pre-trip questionnaire. If you have any other dietary requirements please let us know well in advance, via email or the online questionnaire.

Can you help me find international flights to Costa Rica?

Our preferred Travel Partner Fuzion Travel can assist with you with flights and other travel arrangements. Let them know your preferred travel plans, including any stopovers or extra nights’ accommodation, and they’ll put everything in place for you. They offer a total travel solution and five star service that you’ll want to tell your friends about!

Do I need hiking boots or are hiking sneakers okay?

You will need proper hiking boots - trail shoes are not good enough. We'll be taking you to some awesome places where you'll be hiking over a variety of terrain, therefore your boots should have full ankle support and a stiff sole with a high profile tread. It's also important that whichever footwear you decide to bring that it's well broken-in and waterproofed before you come down. If you have good ankles that will be able to cope pretty well with varied terrain, then good hiking shoes should be fine, but if not then hiking boots will give you better support.

What kind of clothing should I be packing for my Costa Rica trip?

Once you've booked your trip, you'll have access to a gear list in your portal on exactly what to bring along. The gear list is carefully thought out to provide you with everything you need to be warm and happy, or cool and relaxed, whatever the weather! So it is best to bring everything we recommend along, if you don't bring everything you need, we can't guarantee your comfort.

Can I drink the water in Costa Rica?

Tap water in Costa Rica is generally clean and safe to drink. However in some areas, mainly on the Caribbean side and in non-touristy pockets around the country, it's best to stick to bottled water and this is widely available to purchase.
Active Adventures is promoting ‘Travellers Against Plastic’ pledge, so to reduce single use plastic we encourage you to bring a durable water bottle to refill instead of purchasing bottled water.

What is the food like in Costa Rica?

Costa Rica food is tasty, rather than spicy with base ingredients of plantains, rice, fresh fruits, beans, vegetables and corn (rather than wheat), making it easy to cater for a gluten-free diet. Beef and pork are the most common meats, but chicken is also standard, and the fish is excellent, especially on the coasts. Costa Rica isn’t known for being overly vegan-friendly, however there are vegan food options available.

What is the currency in Costa Rica?

The currency of Costa Rica is the Colón (CRC/₡) however US dollars are accepted just about everywhere, so you won’t have to convert your cash into Costa Rican colones. 

How much spending money should I bring and where do I get local currencies?

Your trip fare includes all transportation, guiding, meals and activities (except any optional activities). Most people like to bring a little extra to cover a round of drinks at the pub, take home some souvenirs, book a tour and eat out on their free day, and tip our guides if they've had a great time. 

A small amount of cash is useful when you first arrive to cover costs until you join your group. You can withdraw either US Dollars or Colons from ATMs inside San Jose airport, as both are accepted. When paying for goods and services in dollars, you’ll more than likely get your change in colones. Bills larger than $20 may not be taken by some businesses. With larger amounts of cash, we suggest going directly to the bank for the best exchange rates.

Usually the easiest thing to do is use your credit or debit card to withdraw money directly from your home account, in local currency. 

We recommend keeping enough cash on you to handle everyday expenses like meals, however not to carry so much that you’ll worry about losing it or becoming a victim of theft. 

Will the altitude affect me in Costa Rica?

San Jose is located at 1,172m (9,350 feet) and the highest elevation reached on our trips there is 1,000m (3,300 feet). If you’re concerned about the altitude on your arrival into Quito, chat to your doctor about a Diamox prescription or consider taking alternative treatments of ginkgo or Oxyshot/Oxishot.

Do I need to speak Spanish?

Spanish is the main language of Costa Rica, with Quechua being the main indigenous language. English is spoken in some hotels, airports and tourist areas but not everywhere. A little would be helpful, especially on arrival and for ordering food in restaurants, but it's certainly not required. Our trip leaders are all fluent Spanish speakers so if you don't have time to learn a little Spanish before arrival you don't have to worry... they will take care of everything.

What time zone is Costa Rica in?

Costa Rica is in the Central Standard Time. It is -6 hours behind of Greenwich Mean Time (GMT).

What type of plugs and voltage do you use in Costa Rica?

Costa Rica is in the Central Standard Time. It is -6 hours behind of Greenwich Mean Time (GMT).

Will I have access to internet/WiFi in Costa Rica?

WiFi is available almost everywhere in cities and easy enough to find in most towns/villages so you can rely on having regular access during your trip. If you have data roaming switched on, then you'll be able to use the internet on your smartphone, but beware of the fees! WiFi is available at some of the accommodations that you'll be staying at, usually for a small cost so check this out at each location when you arrive, though it may be sporadic.

Internet cafes are readily available, economical (~US$0.60 per hour for high speed access), and have long opening hours, so we don’t recommend bringing a laptop - although the Spanish keyboard can sometimes be a little challenging!

What is the weather like in Costa Rica?

Costa Rica is made up of many different climate zones, which also creates a lot of microclimates within the country. This tropical couintry is very close to the Equator, with a dry (high) and rainy (green) season, and plentiful sunshine! The temperature difference between January as opposed to July does not vary greatly, with the average annual temperature sitting between 70° and 81°F (12° and 27°C), with February to April recording the highest temperatures. However the amount of rainfall in Costa Rica does fluctuate fairly drastically with the heaviest rainfall from May to November.
Dry Season (December - April)
During these months, the weather in many parts of the country is very warm getting little to no rain, and with temperatures ranging from the mid 80’s to the high 90’s (F) depending on which part of Costa Rica you are in. However, in some provinces, seasonally cool winds offer some respite from the heat, particularly in January and February. Temperatures tend to reach their highest in March and April at the peak of the dry season.
Rainy Season (May - November)
Its affectionately called “The Green Season” and is the time of year when all vegetation starts to grow again and the country blooms into life and becomes incredibly lush. The overall climate is much wetter, and thunderstorms, heavy rains, and tropical depressions are far from unusual, especially in the afternoon, though it’s unarguably the time of year when Costa Rica is at its most beautiful, with temperatures rarely drop below the mid-60s (18°C).

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