Private Tours & Trips in Costa Rica
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10 best Private Costa Rica tour packages
Compiled by
SteffCosta Rica travel expert at TourRadar
- Private 7 Days Costa Rica Rainforest Vacation Tour, Daily Start & Exclusive Guide
- Customized Private Costa Rica Trip with Daily Departure
- Costa Rica Highlights Adventure 8D/7N
- The Best of Costa Rica, Self-Drive
- Essential Costa Rica - Package with Guanacaste, Self-drive
- Costa Rica Express - 7 days
- Mountain & Volcano Costa Rica Tour
- Costa Rica Road Trip: Jungle beats & Ocean Waves (including Arenal)
- 8-Day Costa Rica Luxury Tour
- Costa Rica Adventure & Beach - 11 Days
Duration 7 days Destinations San Jose, La Fortuna, Arenal Volcano National Park, Monteverde Age Range All Ages Welcome Operator Agate Travel From
- NZ$6,951
A personal guide leads your Costa Rican adventure. Visit Poas Volcano, Arenal Volcano, and La Paz Waterfall Gardens at your pace. Flexible scheduling allows for Tortuguero channel wandering and Cahuita National Park snorkeling.
Duration 9 days Destinations San Jose, La Fortuna, Arenal Volcano National Park, Tortuguero, Guapiles Age Range All Ages Welcome Operator Agate Travel From
- NZ$8,609
Costa Rica Highlights Adventure 8D/7N
8 Reviews by TourRadar travelers“We saw far more than we would have ourselves. Once you are okay with that then you will have an amazing time.”
Daniel, traveled in August
Eight days of wildlife encounters await with private transfers from San Jose Airport. Intimate tours through Tortuguero National Park and Arenal Volcano hikes complement your stay at Evergreen Lodge, featuring customized meals and English-speaking guides.
Duration 8 days Destinations San Jose, Monteverde, La Fortuna, Arenal Volcano National Park, Tortuguero National Park Age Range Ages 10+ Operator Bamba Travel From
- NZ$3,661
The Best of Costa Rica, Self-Drive
3 Reviews by TourRadar travelers“Everything went very smoothly. Accommodations were great, and the food was delicious.”
Kirsten, traveled in December
Private transfers from San Jose Airport lead to comfortable stays at Turtle Beach Lodge and Casa Luna Hotel. Intimate wildlife viewing in Tortuguero combines with self-paced Arenal exploration and tailored Monteverde activities.
Duration 10 days Destinations San Jose, Tortuguero National Park, Arenal Volcano National Park, Monteverde, Tortuga Island Age Range All Ages Welcome Operated in English, Spanish Operator Destination Services Costa Rica From $2,912
10% Off- NZ$2,620You save $291
Essential Costa Rica - Package with Guanacaste, Self-drive
4 Reviews by TourRadar travelers“Great guides and we especially loved the boat ride out to Tortuguero.”
Ingrid, traveled in January
Duration 10 days Destinations San Jose, Tortuguero National Park, Guapiles, Arenal Volcano National Park, Santa Elena, Monteverde, Playa Tamarindo Age Range All Ages Welcome Operator Destination Services Costa Rica From $2,955
10% Off- NZ$2,660You save $296
Costa Rica Express - 7 days
1 Review by TourRadar travelers“Country is stunningly beautiful. I enjoyed exploring nature and saw a lot of wildlife.”
Natia, traveled in November
Private airport transfers launch your wildlife adventure. Guided excursions wind through Tortuguero's canals, Arenal Volcano National Park's lava trails, and Manuel Antonio's coastal jungle, with nights in select 4-star accommodations.
Duration 7 days Destinations San Jose, Tortuguero, Tortuguero National Park, Guapiles, La Fortuna, Arenal, Arenal Volcano National Park, Manuel Antonio National Park Age Range All Ages Welcome Operator On The Go Tours From
10% Off- NZ$3,745
Mountain & Volcano Costa Rica Tour
5 Reviews by TourRadar travelers“We especially loved the activities, and appreciated the way we never had to worry about our transfer transportation.”
Emily, traveled in July
Your Costa Rican adventure adapts to your preferred pace. Pick your ideal time for Monteverde ziplining, Arenal Observatory visits, and wildlife viewing along Tortuguero's waterways.
Duration 7 days Destinations San Jose, Monteverde, La Fortuna, Arenal Volcano National Park, Tortuguero National Park Age Range Ages 15+ Operated in English, Spanish Operator Marvelus Travel From
10% Off- NZ$2,030
Duration 9 days Destinations San José, La Fortuna, Arenal, Playa Tamarindo Age Range Ages 99+ Operator journaway DACH From $1,550
33% Off- NZ$1,046You save $504
Private transfers whisk you from Alajuela through Bajos del Toro. Local guides reveal Místico Hanging Bridges and arrange Sky Tram rides, while El Silencio Lodge and Amor Arenal provide luxury accommodations.
Duration 8 days Destinations Alajuela, San Jose, La Fortuna, Arenal Age Range All Ages Welcome Operated in English, Spanish Operator Rebecca Adventure Travel From
33% Off- NZ$8,865
Private transfers shuttle guests between San Jose airport and 4-star hotels. A personal guide leads tours to Irazu Volcano's summit, Virgin of Angels Basilica and Lankester Garden's orchid collection. Luxury transport connects Rincon de la Vieja's zipline adventures to Samara's shores.
Duration 11 days Destinations San Jose, Irazu Volcano National Park, Orosi, La Fortuna, Arenal, Rincon de la Vieja Volcano National Park, Samara Age Range Ages 15+ Operator On The Go Tours From
33% Off- NZ$5,145
What people love about Private Tours in Costa Rica
- Costa Rica Highlights Adventure 8D/7N
Tour was awesome. We saw far more than we would have ourselves. Be prepared for long bus journeys and late collections/ delays. Once you are okay with that then you will have an amazing time.
- The Best of Costa Rica, Self-Drive
Our family of 4 with kids (ages 15 and 10) from the USA really enjoyed this trip! We like to see a lot of different things on our trips rather than just lounging. This trip definitely does that. Everything went very smoothly. Accommodations were great, and the food was delicious. All driver pick ups were on time, clean, and courteous. A few improvements or things for other travelers to ask about: I would have liked to get the final, detailed itinerary sooner. The web site indicated we would get it 2-3 weeks before the trip, but I received it less than 2 days before. I was trying to pre-book a couple of excursions in La Fortuna and Monteverde, and it would have been nice to have the confirmed dates and accommodations sooner. Also, I forgot to mention during booking - and no one asked - that we would want vegetarian meals. Most meals included in the package were buffet style, so that was fine. But on the day trip to Isla Tortuga, there wasn’t much for us to eat. We also did not know that the snorkeling at Isla Tortuga was an “add-on” part of the trip. Snorkeling near the main beach isn’t good, so don’t bother bringing snorkel gear if you don’t book the extra excursion. At the end of the trip we stayed in downtown San Jose, so we were the first to be picked up for Isla Tortuga at 5:20am (that’s rough with kids!), but then stopped to pick up people at many other hotels along the way - so we did not even leave the city until about 6:45am. I wondered if there would have been a different hotel to stay in for the end of the trip that would have been closer to west side of the city (later pick up!), but also not too far from the airport for the departure day.
- Mountain & Volcano Costa Rica Tour
For a budget tour, everything went really well. We especially loved the activities, and appreciated the way we never had to worry about our transfer transportation. The vans were always there on time, and it took a huge load off our minds never having to worry how we're going to get to the next place. I wish the places we stayed at were a bit nicer, but they were always clean at least and again- we did do a budget tour. We can't expect 4 stars. All in all, we had an amazing time in Costa Rica and we're so glad we did this tour.
What our customers ask about Private Tours & Trips in Costa Rica
When is the best time to take a Private tour in Costa Rica?
Costa Rica's prime touring seasons differ across regions. The Pacific coast areas of Manuel Antonio and Tamarindo see the best weather from December to April. On the Caribbean coast near Tortuguero visitors find favorable conditions in February, March September and October. Clear morning views of Arenal Volcano are most reliable from December to April. A TourRadar traveler noted: "We went in February and had perfect weather for both rainforest exploration and beach time plus our private guide could adjust the schedule around occasional afternoon showers."
What's the typical cost range for a Private tour in Costa Rica?
Daily rates for private Costa Rica tours run between $150-300 depending on your choices. A 10-day tour visiting Tortuguero Arenal and Manuel Antonio averages $2776 per person. This price point includes stays at premium properties like Evergreen Lodge in Tortuguero private vehicles dedicated guides most meals and exclusive activities. One TourRadar traveler shared: "While pricier than group tours the flexibility and personalized attention of our Private tour was worth every penny."
How much wildlife can I expect to see on a Private Costa Rica tour?
The wildlife viewing possibilities are extensive with dedicated guide attention. Tortuguero National Park offers chances to see green sea turtles from July through October along with howler monkeys and hundreds of bird species. Private guides lead specialized quetzal spotting in Monteverde while Corcovado National Park houses 140 different mammals including jaguars and tapirs. A TourRadar traveler mentioned: "Having a private guide in Manuel Antonio meant we could spend extra time tracking sloths and monkeys spotting way more wildlife than we expected."
What kind of accommodations can I expect on a Private tour in Costa Rica?
Accommodations focus on upscale properties tailored to each location. Options range from Casa Luna Hotel & Spa with volcano views in La Fortuna to the beachfront Tamarindo Diria Resort. Nature-focused stays like Evergreen Lodge in Tortuguero provide private bungalows set in rainforest surroundings. A TourRadar traveler noted: "The private accommodations were carefully selected each offering unique experiences from rainforest immersion to beachfront luxury."
How flexible are the itineraries on Private Costa Rica tours?
Daily schedules remain adaptable while covering key destinations like Arenal Volcano and Manuel Antonio National Park. Visitors can modify activity timing pace and specific experiences based on their interests. This might mean extended wildlife viewing in Tortuguero or adding an impromptu sailing excursion in Tamarindo. One TourRadar traveler commented: "Our guide was incredibly accommodating adjusting our schedule when we wanted to spend more time at certain locations or add spontaneous stops."
What's included in the meal plan for Private Costa Rica tours?
Standard meal plans cover daily breakfast at select hotels like Hotel Presidente in San José with additional lunches and dinners at quality restaurants. Lodges such as those in Tortuguero typically provide all meals featuring local ingredients. The private format allows easy accommodation of dietary needs when arranged in advance. One TourRadar traveler mentioned: "The private dining experiences were exceptional from gourmet rainforest lodges to intimate beachfront restaurants."