Is Costa Rica Pricey for Travelers?

You'll find Costa Rica isn't exactly a budget destination these days with prices matching what you'd expect back home especially in the tourist hotspots. The good news is there's always ways to keep costs down like exploring free hiking trails in national parks. Take the Classic Costa Rica tour with Intrepid Travel it's got flexible activity options and lots of food choices but yeah travelers often mention you should expect Western prices nothing super cheap here.

What Can Adventure Seekers Do in Costa Rica?

Costa Rica's packed with amazing adventures you've got to try! Zip through Monteverde's cloud forest for a totally different view of the ecosystem or tackle the Pacuare River's world-class rapids it's actually rated among the top 10 rafting spots globally. Near Arenal Volcano you can try canyoning which combines waterfall rappelling with navigating canyon walls it's pretty incredible. Most TourRadar trips let you customize your adventure level and the Tropical Costa Rica 5 Days tour includes time at Baldi Hot Springs where you've got 25 different mineral pools to relax in.

Where Can I Experience Real Costa Rican Culture?

You can really dive into local life here learn to make tortillas with locals like Doña Mara in the Central Valley or stay with families in Coope San Juan it's this great rural community where you get to see real Costa Rican life. Over in Quepos you can join cooking classes where locals share family recipes passed down through generations it's such a genuine way to connect. The Costa Rica Adventure tour by TruTravels includes that homestay in Coope San Juan where you'll cook with locals and really get what daily life's about.

What Natural Areas Can I Visit Outside the Cities?

There's Tortuguero National Park where endangered green sea turtles nest you'll need to take a boat to get there but the jungle lodges make it worth it. Corcovado National Park on the Osa Peninsula is incredible National Geographic calls it "the most biologically intense place on Earth" and guided tours are the way to go. Getting to Monteverde's cloud forests is an adventure itself with jeep and boat rides across Lake Arenal. The Classic Costa Rica tour takes you to Tortuguero by boat from La Pavona and you actually stay right in the park.

Costa Rica Tours & Trips

The best Costa Rica tour packages

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Wildlife Active Safari Eco Explorer Christmas & New Year +2
Highlights of Costa Rica
4.4 (41 traveler reviews)
"The tour was a great way to see wildlife in the national parks."
Vivian, traveled in November
Destinations
San Jose, Poas Volcano National Park,Arenal Volcano National Park,La Fortuna,La Guaria (La Fortuna),Monteverde,Tarcoles,Carara National Park,Manuel Antonio National Park+7 more
Age Range
16 to 85 year olds
Operated in
English
Operator
Explore!
20% Off
Duration
8 days
From $3,300
NZ$2,640
$374 now + easy payments of $240
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No fees, no interest, no credit checks. For departure 31 Jan 2026
Pay today$374
14 easy payments$240
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No fees, no interest, no credit checks. For departure 31 Jan 2026
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14 easy payments$240
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Family
Costa Rica Highlights Adventure 8D/7N
4.4 (8 traveler reviews)
"I liked the 8D7N trip because I got to see a lot of the beautiful Costa Rica. Nice pace too."
Stella, traveled in December
Destinations
San Jose, Monteverde, La Fortuna,Arenal Volcano National Park,Tortuguero National Park+2 more
Age Range
up to 99 year olds
Operated in
English
Operator
Bamba Travel
20% Off
Duration
8 days
From
NZ$3,635
$367 now + easy payments of $367
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No fees, no interest, no credit checks. For departure 15 Dec 2025
Pay today$367
9 easy payments$367
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No fees, no interest, no credit checks. For departure 15 Dec 2025
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9 easy payments$367
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Active Family
Costa Rica Nature Explorer 8D/7N
4.5 (2 traveler reviews)
"Pura vida, really nice experience."
daniela, traveled in February
Destinations
San Jose, La Fortuna, Monteverde
Age Range
up to 99 year olds
Country Region
Monteverde
Operated in
English
Operator
Bamba Travel
20% Off
Duration
8 days
From
NZ$2,056
$207 now + easy payments of $207
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No fees, no interest, no credit checks. For departure 15 Dec 2025
Pay today$207
9 easy payments$207
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No fees, no interest, no credit checks. For departure 15 Dec 2025
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9 easy payments$207
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Active Beach Wildlife Explorer
Costa Rica Adventure
4.8 (630 traveler reviews)
"Gema is a complete legend. She will be sung about in songs of joy."
Tim, traveled in April
Destinations
San Jose, La Fortuna, Monteverde, Playa Santa Teresa,Montezuma,Cabuya+2 more
Age Range
up to 39 year olds
Operated in
English
Operator
TruTravels
20% Off
Duration
10 days
From $2,695
NZ$2,156
$400 now + easy payments of $164
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No fees, no interest, no credit checks. For departure 29 Jan 2026
Pay today$400
14 easy payments$164
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No fees, no interest, no credit checks. For departure 29 Jan 2026
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14 easy payments$164
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Explorer Active Beach Wildlife Christmas & New Year +1
Highlights of Costa Rica + Beach Extension
4.5 (17 traveler reviews)
"The river trip and the San Antonio national park, but all of it was fantastic!"
Karen, traveled in December
Destinations
San Jose, Sarchi, Grecia, Poas Volcano National Park,Arenal Volcano National Park,Monteverde,Manuel Antonio National Park+3 more
Age Range
16 to 85 year olds
Operated in
English
Operator
Explore!
17% Off
Duration
10 days
From $3,960
NZ$3,300
$440 now + easy payments of $283
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No fees, no interest, no credit checks. For departure 31 Jan 2026
Pay today$440
14 easy payments$283
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No fees, no interest, no credit checks. For departure 31 Jan 2026
Pay today$440
14 easy payments$283
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Explorer Active Family Sport Christmas & New Year +1
Eco-adventure in Costa Rica
4.8 (63 traveler reviews)
"This was a trip of a lifetime! Zip lining, snorkeling, and white water rafting were all on my bucket list."
Robin, traveled in March
Destinations
San Jose, Arenal Volcano National Park, Monteverde,Samara+1 more
Age Range
12 to 70 year olds
Country Region
Monteverde
Operated in
English, Spanish
Operator
Green World Adventures
17% Off
Duration
9 days
From
NZ$3,141
$715 now + easy payments of $191
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No fees, no interest, no credit checks. For departure 01 Feb 2026
Pay today$715
15 easy payments$191
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No fees, no interest, no credit checks. For departure 01 Feb 2026
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15 easy payments$191
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Explorer Family Wildlife Christmas & New Year +1
Tropical Costa Rica 5 Days, Short Break
4.5 (13 traveler reviews)
"The itinerary, guides, and organization of our entire trip was remarkable!"
Kristen, traveled in April
Destinations
San Jose, Sarchi, Arenal Volcano National Park,Tortuguero National Park+1 more
Age Range
up to 99 year olds
Operated in
English, Spanish
Operator
Destination Services Costa Rica
10% Off
Duration
5 days
From $1,535
NZ$1,382
$279 now + easy payments of $74
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No fees, no interest, no credit checks. For departure 01 Feb 2026
Pay today$279
15 easy payments$74
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15 easy payments$74
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Looking for tours beyond just Costa Rica?
Explore tours with itineraries going through multiple countries, including Costa Rica.
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Active Beach Family Wildlife Christmas & New Year +1
Essential Costa Rica - Package with Guanacaste
4.5 (34 traveler reviews)
"Very organized. Good communication. Always kept me informed and answered all my questions in a timely manner."
Mary, traveled in January
Destinations
San Jose, Tortuguero National Park,Arenal Volcano National Park,Monteverde,Playa Tamarindo+3 more
Age Range
10 to 99 year olds
Operated in
English, Spanish
Operator
Destination Services Costa Rica
10% Off
Duration
10 days
From $3,041
NZ$2,738
$553 now + easy payments of $147
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No fees, no interest, no credit checks. For departure 01 Feb 2026
Pay today$553
15 easy payments$147
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No fees, no interest, no credit checks. For departure 01 Feb 2026
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15 easy payments$147
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Our most booked and loved tours
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Active Family Sport Explorer Christmas & New Year +2
Raft, Hike and Explore Costa Rica
4.7 (27 traveler reviews)
"Great trip - well set up and organized. It exceeded my expectations and I really enjoyed it."
Daniel, traveled in July
Destinations
San Jose, Arenal Volcano National Park, Monteverde
Age Range
12 to 65 year olds
Country Region
Monteverde
Operated in
English, Spanish
Operator
Green World Adventures
10% Off
Duration
7 days
From
NZ$2,562
$599 now + easy payments of $160
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No fees, no interest, no credit checks. For departure 01 Feb 2026
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15 easy payments$160
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15 easy payments$160
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Explorer Family Christmas & New Year +1
9 Days Unique Costa Rican Adventure
Destinations
San Jose, Monteverde, Playa Santa Teresa
Age Range
2 to 90 year olds
Country Region
Monteverde
Operated in
English
Operator
Wonderful Holidays UK
7% Off
Duration
9 days
From $4,459
NZ$4,147
$1,349 now + easy payments of $311
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No fees, no interest, no credit checks. For departure 30 Jan 2026
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13 easy payments$311
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No fees, no interest, no credit checks. For departure 30 Jan 2026
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13 easy payments$311
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