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.

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Meet our Local Travel Specialists

Experienced travel agents with a passion for Costa Rica
Travel specialist Olman Romero
active 1 hour 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 12 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 20 mins 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 16 hours 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 First Visit to Costa Rica is Nothing but PURA VIDA
Costa Rica | Apr 21 - Apr 30, 2026

Jonathan
Jonathan S.
Harrison, NJ | Reviewed on Apr 30, 2026
This was our first trip to Costa Rica and KimKim created an amazing package that gave us a true, great taste of the country. My family and I (group of 6) visited Arenal, Monteverde and Manual Antonio. Each of these places gave a unique vibe and we enjoyed all of them. We experienced the torrential rains in Monteverde, which gave us a true experience of life in the cloud forest. We even experienced a 4.8 magnitude earthquake in Manuel Antonio, which reminded us that Costa Rica is part of the... Read more

This was our first trip to Costa Rica and KimKim created an amazing package that gave us a true, great taste of the country. My family and I (group of 6) visited Arenal, Monteverde and Manual Antonio. Each of these places gave a unique vibe and we enjoyed all of them. We experienced the torrential rains in Monteverde, which gave us a true experience of life in the cloud forest. We even experienced a 4.8 magnitude earthquake in Manuel Antonio, which reminded us that Costa Rica is part of the ring of fire.

The food was great all and all! The excursions were memorable, in particular the zip line over the cloud forest. We ended up seeing about 20 sloths and the elusive Quetzal (a male and a female), all thanks to the trained eyes of our guides.

This is our second time engaging KimKim and we are truly satisfied with the package and services. Special acknowledgments and thanks to Kat, Kate and Adam. They made our first visit to Costa Rica a great experience. Pura Vida!

Hotel Reviews
Hotel La Mariposa
Manuel Antonio

Amazing views. Best pool. Great restaurant. La Mariposa is a great hotel to end our trip.

Authenticity & Character
Location
Staff
Cleanliness & Comfort
Cloud Forest Lodge
Monteverde

The location of the Cloud Forest Lodge atop the cloud forest is simply spectacular. The view is breathtaking and staff were extremely personable.

Authenticity & Character
Location
Staff
Dennis, Jose, Fernando, and Benjamin were so personable and each made our stay very memorable.
Cleanliness & Comfort
Lomas del Volcán
Fortuna

Lomas provided the closest to a tree bungalow feel. Location at the base of Arenal Volcano is excellent.

Authenticity & Character
Location
Staff
Cleanliness & Comfort
Activity Review
Nocturnal Rainforest Walk
Nocturnal Rainforest Walk
Arenal/La Fortuna

The nocturnal walk is a must to see some of the Costa Rica animals in their natural habitat. Our guide was extremely knowledgeable and had a great eye in spotting the animals. We thoroughly enjoyed the walk.

Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Local specialist: Adam Gomez
Photo taken by Jonathan S
Photo taken by Jonathan S
Photo taken by Jonathan S
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Family getaway to beautiful Cost Rica
Costa Rica | Apr 4 - Apr 12, 2026

Shae
Shae J.
Atlanta, GA | Reviewed on Apr 26, 2026

Our family had an awesome time in Costa Rica. The Kim Kim Team and Serendipity Team made this a trip that we will never forget. We are looking forward to doing this trip all over again next year

Local specialist: Elena Mora
Elena
Elena Mora
Local specialist in Cartago, Turrialba | Replied on Apr 27, 2026
Hola Shae, Thank you so much for your kind words! It truly means a lot to us to know that your family had such an amazing and memorable experience in Costa Rica ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐. It was an absolute pleasure planning this trip for you, and we’re so happy everything went smoothly and exceeded your expectations. Knowing that you’re already thinking about coming back next year is the best compliment we could receive! Whenever you’re ready to start planning your next adventure, next year I’ll be here to... Read more

Hola Shae,

Thank you so much for your kind words! It truly means a lot to us to know that your family had such an amazing and memorable experience in Costa Rica ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐.

It was an absolute pleasure planning this trip for you, and we’re so happy everything went smoothly and exceeded your expectations. Knowing that you’re already thinking about coming back next year is the best compliment we could receive!

Whenever you’re ready to start planning your next adventure, next year I’ll be here to make it just as special, if not even better!

Thank you very much for this opportunity!

Elena Mora
Serendipity Adventures

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Much Thanks To Elena from Serendipity Adventures
Costa Rica | Apr 15 - Apr 25, 2026

R
Reena P.
Newark, NJ | Reviewed on Apr 26, 2026
From the moment we were connected with Elena from Serendipity Adventures in Costa Rica to plan our family vacation we knew we were in great hands. Elena and the team helped build us an itinerary which included all the adventures our family had in mind for our trip. She helped choose the perfect accommodations in each location which exceeded our family’s expectations. When our trip started we were picked up by Mariano who was patient, kind and professional. He also gave us great tips for our... Read more

From the moment we were connected with Elena from Serendipity Adventures in Costa Rica to plan our family vacation we knew we were in great hands. Elena and the team helped build us an itinerary which included all the adventures our family had in mind for our trip. She helped choose the perfect accommodations in each location which exceeded our family’s expectations. When our trip started we were picked up by Mariano who was patient, kind and professional. He also gave us great tips for our tours we had booked the next day with him. All of the tours started on time and all the transportation was comfortable and the guides who led the tours were knowledgeable and professional. We had a great driver who took us to Monteverde (Alex). He was very friendly and funny. He was great at giving us a lot of history and information about CR. He made the 3 hour trek seem short! He also took us to the Airport for our last day and he was extremely conscious of the time and made sure we ran on time. He is just a joy to learn from. Our favorite part of the trip was our tour of the national park in Manuel Antonio. The guide who led the tour was amazing and he had quite the eye to capture all the animals we encountered. Everyone communicated where to go, how to get picked up. It made the whole trip worry free. I was also able to communicate with Serendipity on WhatsApp if needed. We also enjoyed the catamaran and snorkeling! The lunch was delicious. Costa Rica is a beautiful country and having experienced travel agents help you make the whole experience worry free. Thank you to Elena, Mariano, Alex, faro travel and everyone else who made sure our family had the best experience. We will be back!

Activity Reviews
Private Manuel Antonio National Park Guided Hike
Private Manuel Antonio National Park Guided Hike
Costa Rica
Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Treetopia: Tram, Zip Lines & Hanging Bridges
Treetopia: Tram, Zip Lines & Hanging Bridges
Monteverde
Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Safari Float on the Peñas Blancas River
Safari Float on the Peñas Blancas River
Arenal/La Fortuna
Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Arenal Volcano Hike & La Fortuna Waterfall
Arenal Volcano Hike & La Fortuna Waterfall
Arenal/La Fortuna
Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Local specialist: Elena Mora
Elena
Elena Mora
Local specialist in Cartago, Turrialba | Replied on Apr 27, 2026
Hola Reena, Wow, thank you so much for this incredibly thoughtful and detailed review ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐. Reading your message truly made my day! It means so much to know that from the very beginning you felt confident and well taken care of. Creating an itinerary that matched your family’s sense of adventure and seeing it come to life so smoothly is exactly what we aim for, so I’m absolutely delighted that everything exceeded your expectations. I will be sure to share your kind words with Mariano and... Read more

Hola Reena,

Wow, thank you so much for this incredibly thoughtful and detailed review ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐. Reading your message truly made my day!

It means so much to know that from the very beginning you felt confident and well taken care of. Creating an itinerary that matched your family’s sense of adventure and seeing it come to life so smoothly is exactly what we aim for, so I’m absolutely delighted that everything exceeded your expectations.

I will be sure to share your kind words with Mariano and Alex—they will be so happy to hear how much you appreciated their care, knowledge, and great energy throughout your trip. I’ll also pass along your feedback to all the guides and our partners like Faro Travel. It takes a full team working together to create a seamless experience, and your recognition means a lot to all of us.
It sounds like you truly experienced the best of Costa Rica—from the wildlife in Manuel Antonio to the catamaran and snorkeling adventure (I’m so glad you enjoyed that lunch too!). Knowing that everything felt organized, smooth, and worry-free is the greatest reward for us.
Thank you again for trusting me and our team with such a special family trip. It would be an absolute pleasure to welcome you back and help you create another unforgettable adventure in Costa Rica!

Pura Vida!

Elena Mora
Serendipity Adventures

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