Costa Rica packs an amazing variety of habitats into a tiny space: 2 oceans (and the Pacific coast varies hugely from the Nicoya to the Osa peninsula); cloud forest, dry forest and rain forest; lush lowlands covered with coffee plantations. Looking at the map, you’d imagine it would be easy to flit from the Arenal volcano region to Monteverde cloud forest in an hour or so. Sadly not. For one thing, the country is divided by a mighty mountain range. Secondly, the roads in some rural areas - where you’re bound to want to go - are atrocious. In the 'Green Season', you’ll need expert local knowledge to navigate the river crossings. And thirdly, the towns are as tricky to navigate as the potholed roads, due to an unconventional approach to signposting based on the premise that locals know where to go. If you don’t speak Spanish, even the friendly Ticos’ directions will mean nothing.
All this can make reaching your hotel more of an adventure than zip-wiring through a rainforest, which is why we'd advise booking a tour or bespoke itinerary with our chosen ground operator, rather than stressing about the logistics yourself. They can arrange a package that includes as much or as little as you like (drivers and guides, activities, hotels, or your entire trip), and their suggested itineraries have been designed by their well-travelled staff to help you get the most out of each region. Whether you want to birdwatch, white-water raft, surf, be pampered or enjoy a mixture of lazing and activity, their friendly staff will listen your needs and advise you.
Why we chose this partner
- Long established; the company was set up in 1999 by 2 friends. They now have 160 full-time staff in 6 countries (a mix of international expats and locals)
- They are the only company who meet you off your international flight and fast-track you through immigration
- They have access to rooms in peak season which you won't find through other websites or specialist tour operators
- A wide range of Itineraries for everyone - couples, families, adventure lovers - plus the option to include a week in Panama
- All guides are ICT (Costa Rican Tourism Board) certified, and speak English, as do their drivers
- Their staff are available any time you need help on your trip, at the end of a phone
Please be aware
- i-escape can only vouch for those properties which are featured and reviewed on our website. For other areas and accommodations, while we do trust our operator to provide the best options for your needs, you should make sure that you are happy with their suggestions before confirming
- And - for clarity - the company sells customised packages (including accommodation and transport, as a minimum); you can't book individual hotels through them
Best time to go
Generally, the best time to visit is the dry season, December - April, although in Costa Rica 'dry' still means occcasional rain. In May the Green (aka rainy) season starts but this is a great time to visit as you can avoid the crowds. Just be aware that rivers may swell and dirt roads get muddy, making travel more challenging.
Our top tips
Lodging
Accommodation in Costa Rica ranges from boutique city hotels to friendly eco lodges, secret treehouses and jungle cabanas; you can literally hide away in a cloud forest if that's your thing.
We've reviewed many of these in extensive detail, and you can request their inclusion in your itinerary. Otherwise, be guided by Tailormade Tours Costa Rica, who will recommend properties to suit your budget and preferences.
Activities
Here are some of the things we loved:
- Ziplining through the rainforest
- Guided wildlife tours to spot monkeys, sloth and adorable tree frogs
- Watching Arenal Volcano pout plumes of smoke by day, and streams of red lava by night
- Learning to surf
- Hanging Bridge tours through the jungle canopy
- Deep-sea fishing for enormous catch - sailfish, marlin, tuna, dorado
- White-water rafting down Grade IV rapids
- Kayaking through lush mangrove
- Bird watching - scarlet macaws, bright quetzals, toucans and tanagers
- Relaxing on pristine beaches
- Scuba diving past white-tipped sharks, rays and large schools of fish that create an underwater eclipse
Activities include:
- Birdwatching
- Boat trips
- Cooking classes
- Cycling
- Fishing
- Hiking
- Historical sites
- Horse riding
- Kayaking
- Mountain biking
- Plantlife / flora
- Private guided tours
- Rafting
- Safaris
- Sailing
- Scuba diving
- Scuba diving courses
- Shopping / markets
- Snorkelling
- Surfing
- Swimming
- Traditional cultures
- Trekking
- Well being
- Whale watching
- Wildlife
- Wine tasting
- Yoga
With Kids
Costa Rica is great for families, with loads of activities. We think older kids (8+) will especially love it. Children under 10 will usually be charged a child rate (which varies, according to your itinerary); children over 10 will be charged an adult rate. All hotels allow children.
We recommend choosing either the Family Friendly Tour, or a Customised Trip - where you detail your particular interests, budget and criteria so they can prepare a bespoke itinerary.
Best for:
Babies (0-1 years), Toddlers (1-4 years), Children (4-12 years), Teens (over 12)
For more family-friendly places, see our Kids Collection
Transport
The company will arrange all transportation as part of your tour. Most of it will take place in an air-conditioned 4x4 vehicle, typically less than 3 years old, such as a Hyundai H1, Toyota Hiace or Mercedes minibus.
On some routes you might take an internal flight, which is part of your package. And if you book Pacuare Lodge, you will be arriving by raft!
Location
Most tours start and end in San José, the capital city and the busiest airport - though Liberia is becoming more popular, especially among charter / package operators. Click on the links below for a list of airlines serving these airports.
You will be met at the airport straight off the plane and taken straight through immigration (unless you have agreed otherwise).
More on getting to Costa Rica and getting around
Our guests' ratings...
Based on 1 independent review from i-escape guests
Feedback is only from guests who have booked and stayed through i-escape