Costa Rica Caribbean Coast Tours & Trips
4.6 stars on(8,683 reviews)- Choose from 17 Costa Rica Caribbean Coast tours
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The best Costa Rica Caribbean Coast tour packages
Compiled by
MelissaCosta Rica Caribbean Coast travel expert at TourRadar
- Tortuguero National Park Adventure 3D/2N
- Costa Rica's Natural Wonders
- Tortuguero Trails & Pacuare Rapids 4D/3N
- Tortuguero: A natural paradise in Costa Rica
- The Costa Rican Caribbean Adventure
- Puerto Viejo Beach, Short Break
- Tortuguero Jungle Expedition, Short Break (On Request)
- Costa Rica Family Escape
- Best of Costa Rica 9 Days Tour
- Tortuguero National Park Tour – 4-Day Independent Adventure
Tortuguero National Park Adventure 3D/2N
8 Reviews by TourRadar travelers“The tour itself with the local crew in Costa Rica was just TOP!”
An, traveled in April
Tortuguero National Park reveals pristine beaches and lush rainforest along Costa Rica's Caribbean coast. Hidden waterways showcase sea turtle nesting sites and diverse wildlife while staying at comfortable eco-lodges.
Duration 3 days Destinations San Jose, Tortuguero National Park Age Range Ages 10+ Operator Bamba Travel From
- NZ$1,033
Costa Rica's Natural Wonders
83 Reviews by TourRadar travelers“This was an awesome trip. Kudos to our bus driver Tao who expertly navigated some very challenging terrain.”
COLLEEN, traveled in April
Costa Rica's Caribbean coast unfolds through Tortuguero's canal network, mangrove forests, and pristine beaches. Two-night stay at Pachira Lodge includes guided boat tours, wildlife viewing, and optional night excursions.
Duration 11 days Destinations San Jose, Tortuguero National Park, Guapiles, La Fortuna, La Guaria (La Fortuna), Arenal Volcano National Park, Monteverde, Jaco Age Range All Ages Welcome Operator Wingbuddy From
- NZ$3,019
Tortuguero Trails & Pacuare Rapids 4D/3N
1 Review by TourRadar travelers“Excellent experience, very good value for money.”
Desmond, traveled in March
Waterways teem with wildlife in Tortuguero National Park and Rio Pacuare's pristine waters. Stay at eco-lodges, spot exotic species, and experience world-class rafting while immersed in coastal rainforest.
Duration 4 days Destinations San Jose, Tortuguero National Park, Pacuare River Age Range Ages 10+ Operator Bamba Travel From
- NZ$1,330
Tortuguero: A natural paradise in Costa Rica
6 Reviews by TourRadar travelers“The tours were fun and the transportation was really convenient.”
Gary, traveled in November
Your path from San Jose leads to Tortuguero National Park's waterways. Navigate through jungle canals on safari boats, spot wildlife with naturalist guides, and immerse in local culture at Tortuguero Village. Includes 2 nights at a rainforest lodge with full-board dining and expert-guided excursions.
Duration 3 days Destinations San Jose, Tortuguero National Park Age Range All Ages Welcome Operated in English, Spanish Operator Green World Adventures From
- NZ$1,280
The Costa Rican Caribbean Adventure
5 Reviews by TourRadar travelers“We loved him. He is sooo energetic, with lots of experiences and deep knowledge.”
Tae, traveled in September
The canals of Tortuguero lead to Puerto Viejo's pristine beaches. Stay at Mawamba Lodge, spot nesting sea turtles (July-October), and hike Cahuita National Park's coastal trails. Includes expert guides rated 4.8/5.
Duration 7 days Destinations San Jose, Tortuguero National Park, Puerto Viejo de Talamanca Age Range All Ages Welcome Operated in English, Spanish Operator Green World Adventures From
- NZ$2,401
Puerto Viejo Beach, Short Break
1 Review by TourRadar travelers“The accommodation was lovely. I've had a great trip.”
Kristina, traveled in March
Pristine beaches await at Le Caméleón or Villas del Caribe in Puerto Viejo. Trek through Cahuita National Park's coastal trail, spot diverse wildlife, and enjoy the region's unique Afro-Caribbean culture and untouched shores.
Duration 3 days Destinations San Jose, Puerto Viejo de Talamanca Age Range All Ages Welcome Operated in English, Spanish Operator Destination Services Costa Rica From $1,444
10% Off- NZ$1,300You save $144
Tortuguero Jungle Expedition, Short Break (On Request)
11 Reviews by TourRadar travelers“All worked with interesting excursions and experiences. The hotel and its facilities were good too.”
Jacqueline, traveled in November
The waterways of Costa Rica's Caribbean Coast come alive from Laguna Lodge in Tortuguero. Watch diverse wildlife, stroll through car-free village life, and join guided nature walks. Perfect base for the region's rich biodiversity and culture.
Duration 3 days Destinations San Jose, Tortuguero National Park Age Range All Ages Welcome Operated in English, Spanish Operator Destination Services Costa Rica From $874
10% Off- NZ$787You save $87
Thrilling adventures await on this 8-day tour priced at approx. $410 per day. Zip-line through Monteverde's cloud forest canopy, spot dolphins off Carrillo Beach, and enjoy natural hot springs near Arenal Volcano. Family-friendly accommodations include Monteverde Country Lodge and Nammbu Hotel, with most featuring pools and volcano views.
Duration 8 days Destinations San Jose, Arenal Volcano National Park, La Fortuna, La Guaria (La Fortuna), Arenal, Tilaran, Monteverde, Samara, Playa Carrillo Age Range Ages 9+ Operator Exodus Adventure Travels From
10% Off- NZ$4,510
Duration 9 days Destinations San Jose, Arenal Volcano National Park, Tortuguero National Park, Puerto Viejo de Talamanca, Cahuita Age Range Ages 12+ Operated in English, Spanish Operator GUIDEcuador Travel From
10% Off- NZ$5,261
Tortuguero National Park Tour – 4-Day Independent Adventure
16 Reviews by TourRadar travelers“The lodge was great- good variety of food, beautiful pool, clean rooms. I would do this tour again!”
Allyson, traveled in May
Cruise along Costa Rica's Caribbean Coast from Pachira Lodge in Tortuguero. Daily guided boat tours showcase diverse wildlife including howler monkeys and caiman. Includes 8 meals, comfortable accommodation, and optional activities like kayaking ($35).
Duration 4 days Destinations San Jose, Tortuguero National Park Age Range Ages 12+ Operator G Adventures From
10% Off- NZ$1,249
What people love about Costa Rica Caribbean Coast Tours
- Tortuguero National Park Adventure 3D/2N
The tour was easy to organize and we enjoyed every part of it. We had Kevin and Pedro guiding us and taking us on the boat, they were amazing in their ability to find all sort of wild life, give us time to take picture or do the pictures for us, etc. The only part of the tour that we did not enjoy much was the tour to the town, it was very hot and the town is really small not much to see. It was worth walking the main street and the beach but we would have preferred to have another ride on the boat. Overall I recommend visiting Tortuguero and thank our guides. The most disappointing part of the whole experience was dealing with Bamba Experience. We left walking sticks in one of the buses and the mexican office did not help us in due time. It took them for ages to locate the driver in Costa Rica and give us a proper answer why they did not find them. So, if you loose anything in the trip Bamba experience will not be able to liaise efficiently with the operator in Costa Rica and find them. If I were to go again to Tortuguero I would contract a different operator.
- Costa Rica's Natural Wonders
Communication was great and my concerns were addressed quickly and efficiently. Would definitely do business with them again.
- Tortuguero: A natural paradise in Costa Rica
Really great tour. Sebastian, our guide, was great and really knowledgeable about everything in the area. The tours were fun and the transportation was really convenient. The trip to the town was ok, it was kind of obligatory. You can do the tours and kayaking in two days though.
What our customers ask about Costa Rica Caribbean Coast Tours & Trips
When is the best time to visit Costa Rica's Caribbean Coast?
The Caribbean Coast follows different weather patterns than the rest of Costa Rica. The best times to visit are March to April and September to October when rainfall is minimal. During these months visitors can fully enjoy activities like hiking in Cahuita National Park or exploring Tortuguero's canals. A TourRadar traveler who stayed at Tortuguero Beach Lodge noted "we had fantastic weather in March with clear skies perfect for wildlife viewing." For those interested in sea turtles July to October marks the peak nesting season at Tortuguero National Park.
What are the must-see highlights along Costa Rica's Caribbean Coast?
The centerpiece of the Caribbean Coast is Tortuguero National Park with its network of canals and rich wildlife. Visitors can explore Cahuita National Park's beaches and coral reefs or experience the Caribbean culture in Puerto Viejo. A TourRadar traveler shared "The Tortuguero boat tours were incredible - we saw sloths monkeys toucans and even baby caimans. Juan Miguel our guide was very knowledgeable about the animals and plants." Accommodation options include places like Laguna Lodge in Tortuguero and Le Caméléon in Puerto Viejo.
What is the accommodation like on the Caribbean Coast?
The coast offers a range of places to stay from basic eco-lodges to upscale hotels. Tortuguero features properties like Mawamba Lodge and Laguna Lodge which provide rooms with views of the jungle. In Puerto Viejo travelers can choose between upscale options like Le Caméléon and more budget-friendly choices such as Villas del Caribe. A TourRadar traveler described "The Evergreen Lodge in Tortuguero was perfectly located in the rainforest with 55 rooms all tastefully furnished with private bathrooms and ceiling fans plus a swimming pool and restaurant."
How accessible is the Caribbean Coast from San José?
Getting to the Caribbean Coast from San José is straightforward. Tortuguero requires a combined bus and boat journey taking 3-4 hours while Puerto Viejo is reachable by bus or shuttle in 4-5 hours. According to a TourRadar traveler "The journey from San José to Tortuguero with Laguna Lodge was well-organized including a breakfast stop and scenic boat ride through the canals." Most organized tours handle all transportation logistics from San José.
What wildlife can I expect to see on Costa Rica's Caribbean Coast?
The Caribbean Coast's ecosystems support an extensive variety of wildlife. Tortuguero National Park houses three monkey species 123 types of tropical fish and various sea turtles. Visitors to Cahuita National Park often encounter sloths white-nosed barbets and howler monkeys. A TourRadar traveler noted "Our guide's knowledge of the plants animals history and agriculture of Costa Rica was very impressive and significantly added to the enjoyment of the vacation." The region's waters are home to manatees caimans and more than 400 bird species.
What's the best length of time to explore Costa Rica's Caribbean Coast?
While 3-4 days allows for seeing the main attractions a 7-10 day visit provides time to fully experience the region. A TourRadar traveler suggested "Make the tour a couple of days longer. There was lots more to do in each location." A typical itinerary might include 3 nights at Pachira Lodge in Tortuguero for wildlife viewing followed by 2-3 nights in either Cahuita or Puerto Viejo for beach time and cultural experiences.