Costa Rica Guided Tours

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Costa Rica Travel Insights

Storm clouds over Arenal Volcano
Map of Best of Costa Rica: Explore Jungles, Volcanoes & Beaches - 7 Days
Best of Costa Rica: Explore Jungles, Volcanoes & Beaches - 7 Days

With a mix of rugged jungles, active volcanoes, and world-class beaches, Costa Rica offers some of the best natural sights and experiences in the world, all conveniently packed into one country. Almost a quarter of the land is preserved within national parks, allowing a wide range of animals and plants to flourish, making Costa Rica an ideal destination for ecotourism. With this itinerary, you'll discover the best attractions Costa Rica has to offer in just a week.

The scenic Pacific Coast of Costa Rica
Map of Costa Rica Essentials: Self-Drive Tour - 14 Days
Costa Rica Essentials: Self-Drive Tour - 14 Days

In this two-week tour, you can experience Costa Rica's main attractions as well as its lesser-known marvels. Drive along coasts, rainforest roads, and hills to discover the natural sights that make Costa Rica the most visited country in Central America.

Combine rainforest hikes and volcano views with beach time and surfing adventures on this six-day family trip
Map of Costa Rica Volcano & Pacific Beach Family Adventure - 6 Days
Costa Rica Volcano & Pacific Beach Family Adventure - 6 Days

Combine towering volcanoes with Pacific beaches on this six-day itinerary that's perfect for active families looking for plenty of adventure in a short amount of time. Start with wildlife-spotting hikes and waterfall swims in Rincón de la Vieja National Park, then head for the coastal surf village of Tamarindo for family surfing lessons and laid-back beach time. Wrap things up with a sailing cruise along the Guanacaste Peninsula, stopping for a barbecue lunch and some snorkeling along the way.

The violet sabrewing hummingbird can be seen year-round in montane forests, though they're most active during Costa Rica's green (wet) season
Map of Best Time of Year to Visit Costa Rica
Best Time of Year to Visit Costa Rica

Costa Rica's dry season (December to April) is considered the best time of year to visit, with most travelers arriving for reliable sunshine and prime beach days. Yet insiders know the rainy "green" season (May to November) can be just as rewarding: think quieter trails, better availability at standout lodges, and landscapes at their most vivid (and wildlife at their most active). Besides, rain typically arrives in short afternoon bursts, leaving mornings wide open for outdoor adventure.

Arenal Volcano
Unique Ways To Experience Costa Rica

Costa Rica's most common outdoor destinations are so sought-after for a reason: they truly are beautiful landmarks. But, for every popular attraction, there are plenty of lesser-known must-sees that'll treat open-minded explorers to an incredibly fulfilling and memorable adventure.

Monteverde Cloud Forest
Map of Classic Costa Rica: 7-Day Self-Drive Tour
Classic Costa Rica: 7-Day Self-Drive Tour

Taking a road trip through Costa Rica gives you the freedom and flexibility to explore where you want. You'll pass through stunning natural scenery — from lush cloud forests to picturesque beaches — in seven days of scenic driving. This tour can be extended or shortened depending on how much time you have.

How it works
Chat with specialist icon Step 1
Tell us what kind of trip you want
Complete our quick travel quiz
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Chat with a local travel specialist
Work out the details together
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Securely book your trip
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Meet our Local Travel Specialists

Experienced travel agents with a passion for Costa Rica
Travel specialist Olman Romero
active 36 mins ago

Olman Romero

I was born in Turrialba, a region rich in history and natural beauty, home to the Guayabo National Monument, the most important pre-Hispanic archaeological site in the country, as well as the...

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Travel specialist Elena Mora
active 4 hours ago

Elena Mora

"I was born in Costa Rica and grew up on my family's sugar and coffee plantation farm in the mountains of Turrialba. From an early age, I learned from my family to deeply cherish and respect our...

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Travel specialist Bryan Leon
active 15 hours ago

Bryan Leon

Growing up in a coffee plantation area near San Jose, Costa Rica's vibrant capital, I was fortunate to have parents who instilled in me a deep love and appreciation for nature. As a certified...

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Travel specialist Yuliana Valverde
active 17 mins ago

Yuliana Valverde

For over a decade, my passion for creating unforgettable trips in Costa Rica shines a deep understanding of the country's diverse attractions and activities, as well as a genuine commitment to...

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Trip Reviews for Costa Rica

The latest reviews by travelers who booked their trip on kimkim

Our trip to Costa Rica was wonderful.
Costa Rica | May 9 - May 16, 2026

Patricia
Patricia L.
Katy, TX | Reviewed on May 27, 2026
Our trip to Costa Rica was wonderful. We visited a historic theater in San Jose. The next day we were off to Arenal. The hotel was nice and had a lovely pool. We hiked down and back up 500 stairs to enjoy an amazing waterfall. We had a coffee and chocolate tour that was interesting and delicious. Our tour guide David was awesome. We drove to Monteverde and had a night time wildlife tour. We saw a poisonous snake, frogs, tarantulas and a scorpion. We went to a sloth sanctuary during the day.... Read more

Our trip to Costa Rica was wonderful. We visited a historic theater in San Jose. The next day we were off to Arenal. The hotel was nice and had a lovely pool. We hiked down and back up 500 stairs to enjoy an amazing waterfall. We had a coffee and chocolate tour that was interesting and delicious. Our tour guide David was awesome. We drove to Monteverde and had a night time wildlife tour. We saw a poisonous snake, frogs, tarantulas and a scorpion. We went to a sloth sanctuary during the day. Then we drove to the beach near Jaco. We didn’t like the hotel but the beach was beautiful.

Hotel Reviews
Hotel Punta Leona
Tárcoles

We didn’t like it at all. We had an apartment upstairs with no elevator. The condition was bad. The shower faucet didn’t work. No breakfast included

Authenticity & Character
Location
The roads were awful
Staff
Cleanliness & Comfort
Casa Luna Hotel & Spa
La Fortuna

We loved the room. There were so many birds in the beautiful gardens. The pool was lovely too.

Authenticity & Character
Location
Staff
Cleanliness & Comfort
Auténtico Hotel
San José

The room, restaurant and pool were very nice. I enjoyed the open air lobby.

Authenticity & Character
Location
Staff
Cleanliness & Comfort
Activity Review
Coffee, Chocolate & Sugar Cane Farm Experience - Self Drive
Coffee, Chocolate & Sugar Cane Farm Experience - Self Drive
Arenal/La Fortuna

Our guide David was wonderful. He was very knowledgeable and entertaining. It was amazing to see the cocoa fruit and taste it. The different stages of the chocolate making process was interesting. The plain chocolate was bitter but the chocolate as you add milk and sugar was delicious. The coffee segment of the tour was just as enjoyable. Watching the lady roast the beans was intriguing. David ground the beans and brewed the coffee . It was very tasty. The farm had many different plants including pineapple. Also we saw a “blue jeans” frog on the property. Everything was fabulous.

Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Local specialist: Yuliana Valverde

La Fortuna, Costa Rica
Costa Rica | May 9 - May 16, 2026

Karen
Karen L.
Newark, NJ | Reviewed on May 27, 2026
We had a great time in La Fortuna, Costa Rica!
Yuliana from KimKim planned out a great itinerary for us, it was our first time to Costa Rica and she made it very easy with hotels, transport and tours
Read more

We had a great time in La Fortuna, Costa Rica!
Yuliana from KimKim planned out a great itinerary for us, it was our first time to Costa Rica and she made it very easy with hotels, transport and tours

Hotel Reviews
Buena Vista Chic Hotel
Alajuela

We were there for 1 night at the end of our trip to be closer to the airport. It is a very charming hotel.

Authenticity & Character
Lots of charm
Location
Close to San Jose airport
Staff
Everyone was very nice
Cleanliness & Comfort
Rooms were clean and pretty
Hotel Los Lagos Spa & Resort
La Fortuna

This hotel had amazing hot spring pools, swim up bar. Everything was very tropical. Breakfast included every day was very good. Lots to do and see on the property - did horseback riding, a very nice spa. Room was spacious and cleaned every day.

Authenticity & Character
Tropical
Location
Close to town
Staff
Friendly
Cleanliness & Comfort
The whole property
Activity Reviews
Peñas Blancas River Floating Safari Adventure by Raft
Peñas Blancas River Floating Safari Adventure by Raft
Arenal/La Fortuna
Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Arenal Hanging Bridges & La Fortuna Waterfall Hike with Lunch
Arenal Hanging Bridges & La Fortuna Waterfall Hike with Lunch
Arenal/La Fortuna
Quality of Experience
Food
Lunch at La Finquita restaurant
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Rainforest Night Walk
Rainforest Night Walk
Arenal/La Fortuna

The rainforest night walk was fun, saw lots of night critters. Dinner at the Mendez family home was welcoming and delicious.

Quality of Experience
Food
Delicious Costa Rica style meal
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Tour guide very knowledgeable
Transport
Very timely and safe driving
Local specialist: Yuliana Valverde
Yuliana
Yuliana Valverde
Local specialist in San José, Costa Rica | Replied on May 27, 2026

Hello Karen
Thank you so much for your kind words! We are so happy to hear you had a great time in La Fortuna and enjoyed your first trip to Costa Rica.

It was a pleasure helping you plan your adventure, and I am glad the hotels, transportation, and tours made your experience smooth and stress free. Thank you for trusting me and KimKim with your vacation.

We hope to welcome you back to Costa Rica again in the future for even more unforgettable experiences!
Pura Vida,
Yuliana

La Fortuna - Arenal - Tamarindo
Costa Rica | May 16 - May 23, 2026

James
James D.
Chicago, IL | Reviewed on May 26, 2026
We stayed our first four nights at the Springs Resort and Spa at Arenal. The accommodations were stellar. The hot springs were great and the food was delightful. We took several guided nature hikes. The hanging bridges and the volcano hike were the highlights. We saw monkeys every day we were in the rain forest/volcano area. The town of La Fortuna was a short uber trip away (uber was less expensive than having the hotel arrange for the ride). There we found a couple of great... Read more

We stayed our first four nights at the Springs Resort and Spa at Arenal. The accommodations were stellar. The hot springs were great and the food was delightful. We took several guided nature hikes. The hanging bridges and the volcano hike were the highlights. We saw monkeys every day we were in the rain forest/volcano area. The town of La Fortuna was a short uber trip away (uber was less expensive than having the hotel arrange for the ride). There we found a couple of great restaurants and plenty of shopping. The last 3 nights we stayed in the surfing town of Tamarindo at the Diria resort. Our room was small but it had a great view of the ocean. We took a catamaran cruise one night that was very nice. The last day before our departure we arranged for a fishing trip (we booked this outside of KimKim). We fished with Coyote Sportfishing and caught two great sailfish as well as some fish we kept and had Walter’s Restaurant cook up for us (ceviche and fish tacos). All of the transfers were on time with professional drivers. This vacation was a 10 out of 10. We saw all of the wildlife we could hope to see. It was an active vacation but relaxing too.

Hotel Reviews
Tamarindo Diria Beach Resort
Tamarindo
Authenticity & Character
Location
Staff
Cleanliness & Comfort
Rooms were a little small but the proximity to the beach made up for it.
The Springs Resort & Spa at Arenal
La Fortuna

Spectacular views and great accommodations. We saw monkeys in the trees from our deck.

Authenticity & Character
Location
Staff
Cleanliness & Comfort
Activity Reviews
Self-Guided Beach Day from Tamarindo
Self-Guided Beach Day from Tamarindo
Tamarindo

Instead of doing this we went ahead and booked our own fishing trip through the hotel. I tried to book fishing with KimKim but they didn’t offer any fishing trips. This is the only disappointing part of dealing with KimKim. They should be able to set you up with a fishing trip too.

Quality of Experience
Kimkim should provide for guided fishing trips as well.
Catamaran Sailing Adventure with Barbecue
Catamaran Sailing Adventure with Barbecue
Costa Rica

Better than expected. It wasn’t obnoxious like other ‘booze cruise’ experienced I have had. Pretty views. Relaxing time.

Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Sloth & Bird Hike
Sloth & Bird Hike
Arenal/La Fortuna

We saw many different animals. It felt a little contrived though as we were in a preserve that was between a couple of farm fields. The guide was great and we did see a sloth as well as an owl.

Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Arenal Volcano & 1968 Reserve Hike
Arenal Volcano & 1968 Reserve Hike
Arenal/La Fortuna

Beautiful hike with a very informative guide. We learned a lot about the area.

Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Arenal Hanging Bridges & La Fortuna Waterfall Hike with Lunch
Arenal Hanging Bridges & La Fortuna Waterfall Hike with Lunch
Arenal/La Fortuna

This was in the heart of the rain forest….so it rained of course. We saw plenty of wildlife. The hanging bridges were slightly unnerving but the views were incredible. The lunch that was included was above expectations.

Quality of Experience
Food
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Local specialist: Adam Gomez
Adam
Adam Gomez
Local specialist in kimkim HQ | Replied on May 26, 2026

Love hearing that it was a 10 out of 10 experience! 🎉 Thanks so much for sharing.

La Fortuna has it all, hot springs, volcano hikes, hanging bridges, and it's so great that you get to see monkeys every day there! 🐒 And that Tamarindo ending sounds incredible. Catching sailfish and then having Walter's turn the rest into ceviche and fish tacos? That's the dream last day right there.

So glad everything ran smoothly and hope to see you on another kimkim adventure! :)

Why travelers love kimkim

Custom trips for independent travelers who are too busy to plan
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Kimkim has handpicked the world’s top local travel specialists so you will have peace of mind and an unforgettable trip that meets your exact requirements.

Authentic travel experiences

Kimkim’s local specialists ensure that you will have the best experience based on up-to-date local insights. On top of that, the vast majority of your money will go straight to support and grow local economies.

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