Costa Rica Luxury Tours & Experiences

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Experience Costa Rica's highlights in luxury. Our local travel specialists will help you put together an amazing custom trip that pairs world-class lodging and tours with scenic landscapes, local culture, and wildlife.

Want to explore the best that Costa Rica has to offer? Get started by describing your ideal trip, and we'll connect you with a local specialist to plan out the details.

Costa Rica Travel Insights

Arenal Volcano
Map of Costa Rica Luxury Escape: Arenal, Bajos del Toro, & Uvita - 15 Days
Costa Rica Luxury Escape: Arenal, Bajos del Toro, & Uvita - 15 Days

This luxury tropical vacation combines the natural highlights of Costa Rica with VIP pampering. On this 15-day itinerary, you'll visit three of the most beautiful regions in the country: Arenal Volcano National Park, the Pacific coast, and the remote and wild Osa Peninsula. Throughout you'll enjoy adventure tours and first-class services that combine to create an unforgettable vacation.

Photo courtesy of Hacienda AltaGracia an Auberge Resort
The 8 Best Luxury Hotels in Costa Rica

Epitomizing laid-back travel, Costa Rica has hundreds of hotels, but only a few make the list for luxury. With the help of local specialists, kimkim has narrowed down the best to these eight unique options that choose quality over quantity, simplicity over opulence. Pick one or more and make your next trip to the land of "pura vida" extra special.

Arenal Volcano
Map of Costa Rica: Natural Highlights Luxury Tour - 6 Days
Costa Rica: Natural Highlights Luxury Tour - 6 Days

Even a mere six days is enough time to experience the highlights of Costa Rica. On this brisk itinerary, you'll do just that, visiting both Arenal and Corcovado National Park as well as enjoying waterfall hikes and exotic wildlife safaris. In between all this adventure you'll find time to relax in natural hot springs and enjoy the first-class amenities of your luxury accommodations.

(Photo courtesy of Nayara Springs)
The Best Luxury Hotels in Arenal / La Fortuna

La Fortuna is a famous mountain town that needs no introduction for those familiar with the cone-shaped Arenal Volcano and its surrounding rainforests, hot springs, and waterfalls. Indeed, this is one of Costa Rica's top destinations, with dozens of accommodations. So, how to skip hordes of tourists? We sought advice from our local specialists and kimkim staff to round up the most luxurious hotels in La Fortuna.

Manuel Antonio beaches are known for sunset views
Map of Costa Rica Luxury & Nature Tour - 10 Days
Costa Rica Luxury & Nature Tour - 10 Days

This adventurous itinerary checks off four of Costa Rica’s key regions. Raft down some of the world’s best rapids, head to Arenal for hikes and hot springs, and lounge on the Pacific beaches of Manuel Antonio National Park. End your journey on the remote Osa Peninsula, where rainforests, wildlife, and a near-empty coastline await.

Hermit crab on the beach of Corcovado National Park
Map of Arenal and Osa Peninsula Luxury Getaway - 8 Days
Arenal and Osa Peninsula Luxury Getaway - 8 Days

In this eight-day luxury itinerary, you'll travel in style to southwest Costa Rica and the Osa Peninsula. Here you'll embark on excursions in Corcovado National Park, a veritable Lost World preserving one of the country's few lowland rainforests. You'll then fly to Arenal Volcano National Park, where even more active adventures await.

Arenal Volcano
Map of Costa Rica Luxury Adventure: Volcanos, Cloud Forests, and Rivers - 16 Days
Costa Rica Luxury Adventure: Volcanos, Cloud Forests, and Rivers - 16 Days

On this 16-day itinerary, you'll explore the biodiversity of Costa Rica while visiting three distinct regions of the country. First is a visit to Arenal Volcano National Park for some adventure sports, then it's off to remote Bajos del Toro and its three incredible waterfalls. As a grand finale, you'll embark on a guided hike into Corcovado National Park, the most biodiverse region in Costa Rica.

Arenal Volcano
Map of Costa Rica: Luxury Wildlife Safari and Multi-Sport Adventure - 10 Days
Costa Rica: Luxury Wildlife Safari and Multi-Sport Adventure - 10 Days

If you're looking for an adventurous holiday without roughing it, then this itinerary is for you. On this 10-day tour of Costa Rica, you'll enjoy all the creature comforts of a luxury vacation while still embarking on wildlife safaris and adventure sports activities. Take to the air on a zip-line tour over the rainforest, hike to exotic waterfalls, and view the most exotic animals in the country—it's an exclusive vacation tailored just for you.

Arenal Volcano
Map of Costa Rica Luxury Wildlife and Adventure Sports Getaway - 11 Days
Costa Rica Luxury Wildlife and Adventure Sports Getaway - 11 Days

In Costa Rica you can combine the relaxation of a luxury vacation with all the adventure and exotic wildlife found in the tropics. On this 11-day itinerary, you'll enjoy an array of adventure sports, from canopy tours in the rainforest to wildlife expeditions in national parks and rivers. In between, you'll soak your weary muscles in natural hot springs and retire each night to luxury eco-lodges and villas.

How it works
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Meet our Local Travel Specialists

Experienced travel agents with a passion for Costa Rica
Travel specialist Olman Romero
active 10 hours ago

Olman Romero

I was born in Turrialba, it is a region famous for hosting the Guayabo Archeological Monument, which is the oldest and most important pre-hispanic archeological site in the country. Turrialba is...

read more...
Travel specialist Elena Mora
active 3 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...

read more...
Travel specialist Bryan Leon
active 3 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...

read more...
Travel specialist Yuliana Valverde
active 10 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

BEST VACATION OF MY LIFE. Traveling with Ki...
Costa Rica | Mar 21 - Mar 30, 2026

Ellen
Ellen M.
Newark, NJ | Reviewed on Mar 31, 2026
BEST VACATION OF MY LIFE. Traveling with KimKim is a dream. No stress about making big decisions, getting reservations or planning activities. In the past, I've hit a wall vacation planning - not knowing what hotels to stay out, what to do - I would just get overwelhmed and shut down. I plan to travel the world now with KimKim. Our trip to La Fortuna, Monteverde and Tamarindo was beyond exquisite. I was travelled with my 15 year old daughter and we came home closer than ever before.... Read more

BEST VACATION OF MY LIFE.

Traveling with KimKim is a dream. No stress about making big decisions, getting reservations or planning activities. In the past, I've hit a wall vacation planning - not knowing what hotels to stay out, what to do - I would just get overwelhmed and shut down. I plan to travel the world now with KimKim.

Our trip to La Fortuna, Monteverde and Tamarindo was beyond exquisite. I was travelled with my 15 year old daughter and we came home closer than ever before. Hiking, white water rafting, ziplining, sloths, hotsprings, anteaters, rare birds, climbing a volcano, surfing, watching baby turtles hatch, shopping, sun tanning, kayaking, eating, making friends, and most importantly memories that will last a lifetime.

Our local guide Elena was beyond extraordinary. She was available at the drop of the hat via Whats App. She provided fantastic recommendations and helped with last minute reservations.

For the hotels : The Arenal Springs Resort was fantastic. PERFECT for families and for couples. Rooms were the best on our trip. You get your own private condo like structure which provides a sense of privacy - with a view of the volcano. Breakfast was great. Hot springs were to die for. Location fantastic.

Sibu Hotel Lodge was boutique and had a gorgeous restaurant. All teak tables and interior that rivals an NYC hotspot. You get access to a nearby sister hotel with a pool, jacuzzi and spa. View was fine but very centrally location.

Diria Hotel in Tamarindo was great. Elena booked us a beachfront room with a view. I would've NEVER done that on my own and it made all the difference. We were right on the beach with astonishing sunsets. She connected us with a local surf instructor who took us sea kayaking and then taught us how to surf the next day. Nico was so awesome. We were both able to actually surf at the end of the lesson. Priceless. The turtle tour was fine. I gave Elena my feedback and she handled it immediately.

Elena also rented a car for us. I was hesitant to drive on roads, but she encouraged us to do it (plus its cheaper than a driver). BEST DECISION. We had freedom when traveling between cities and got to stop and take pictures of the breathtaking landscape. People do not drive fast so you can really control the car on the roads up and down the mountains. My only criticism is that I would've driven to the zipline park in Monteverde instead of getting picked up at the hotel by a shuttle bus. It would've given us more freedom to leave when we wanted to.

Activity Reviews
All Day Adventure at Selvatura, including Zipline, Hanging Bridges, and Fauna Exhibitions
All Day Adventure at Selvatura, including Zipline, Hanging Bridges, and Fauna Exhibitions
Costa Rica

I would've driven to the location instead of taking the shuttle bus.

Quality of Experience
Food
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Whitewater Rafting Sarapiqui River (Class III-IV)
Whitewater Rafting Sarapiqui River (Class III-IV)
Costa Rica

We had our tour guide Bella again. He was so much fun and awesome. Challenging - but not too challenging. LOTS OF LAUGHS.

Quality of Experience
Bella
Food
SO GOOD. Real Costa Rican food.
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Knowledgable and kind.
Transport
Arenal Volcano Hike & La Fortuna Waterfall
Arenal Volcano Hike & La Fortuna Waterfall
Arenal/La Fortuna

Our tour guide Bella was outstanding. He was able to spot animals and birds that were SO FAR AWAY. The hike was fantastic. Very interactive and fun.

Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Local specialist: Elena Mora
Elena
Elena Mora
Local specialist in Cartago, Turrialba | Replied on Mar 31, 2026
Hola Ellen, Wow 😍! thank you so much for your incredibly kind and thoughtful words ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐. Reading your review truly means the world to Serendipity, specially me. I’m absolutely delighted to hear that your trip to Costa Rica was such a special and memorable experience for both you and your daughter. Creating meaningful moments, especially those that bring families closer together, is exactly what we strive for—so it’s very rewarding to know that your journey had that impact. It was a real... Read more

Hola Ellen,

Wow 😍! thank you so much for your incredibly kind and thoughtful words ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐. Reading your review truly means the world to Serendipity, specially me.

I’m absolutely delighted to hear that your trip to Costa Rica was such a special and memorable experience for both you and your daughter. Creating meaningful moments, especially those that bring families closer together, is exactly what we strive for—so it’s very rewarding to know that your journey had that impact.

It was a real pleasure assisting you throughout your trip, and I’m so glad you felt supported every step of the way. Thank you as well for your trust and openness—especially with the car rental decision! I’m thrilled it gave you the freedom to explore and added to your overall experience.

I also truly appreciate your detailed feedback on the hotels and activities. It’s wonderful to hear how much you enjoyed Arenal, Monteverde, and Tamarindo, and I’m especially happy that the beachfront room and your time with Nico made such a difference. Your note about the zipline transportation is very valuable, and I will absolutely keep that in mind for future recommendations.

Thank you again for choosing to travel with us and for taking the time to share your experience so beautifully. It would be an honor to assist you with your future adventures, here in Costa Rica.

Wishing you and your daughter many more amazing journeys together!

Thank you so much for this opportunity🙏🏼👌🏻🦋,
Muchas gracias, Pura Vida!

Elena Mora
Serendipity Adventures, Costa Rica 🦥

My family's trip to Costa Rica was exceptional.
Costa Rica | Mar 23 - Mar 30, 2026

Bryan
Bryan D.
Minneapolis, MN | Reviewed on Mar 31, 2026
My family's trip to Costa Rica was exceptional. We used Kimkim to get it set up and found it was a very easy process. Bryan Leon, at Serendipity Adventures, helped to plan, organize, and manage our trip. Bryan, Nancy, and Adrian, among others, worked diligently to make sure everything ran smoothly. Truthfully, I was very impressed. Our goal was to enjoy the vacation itself, not all of the minutiae normally required. We flew into Liberia, got picked up immediately and had a 3 hour... Read more

My family's trip to Costa Rica was exceptional. We used Kimkim to get it set up and found it was a very easy process. Bryan Leon, at Serendipity Adventures, helped to plan, organize, and manage our trip. Bryan, Nancy, and Adrian, among others, worked diligently to make sure everything ran smoothly.

Truthfully, I was very impressed. Our goal was to enjoy the vacation itself, not all of the minutiae normally required. We flew into Liberia, got picked up immediately and had a 3 hour drive (after a 5 and half hour flight) that felt like it was about 15 minutes long. The driver, Alex, was super friendly and was telling us stories all the way to our first resort. Every transport or activity was handled punctually and professionally. We stayed at 3 separate resorts over 8 days and each resort had it's own unique and interesting flavor. Every single guide was great and made the activities very engaging. Completely worth the cost, I've never had this much of a stress free vacation. The only thing I had to do was to show up and enjoy myself.

Serendipity Adventures set up an itinerary that was great. Transports were always 15-20 minutes early, and we had no issues the activities. Every guide was friendly, knowledgeable, and very engaging. I've never been on guided hikes with tour guides before and this trip spoiled me. It's so much more fun to go with someone who knows the area and can fill in so many details about the land and animals.

Shout out to all of the tours/guides:
Esteban at the North Fields Coffee tour (my wife now loves to mix light and dark roasted beans)
Bryan at the Arenal Volcano Park hike, thank you for being so engaging. The coconut drinks at the end of the hike were perfect.
Sergio at the Arenal Hanging Bridges walk, thanks for pointing out so many different animals and the history of the area.
Jorge at the Tapir Valley Nature Reserve Night walk. Such a beautiful area, seeing the Tapirs so close was great. Walking through the Tapir Valley at night is an incredible experience.
Manny at the Rio Celeste hike. Thank you for guiding my family on the hike and finding all of those small snakes and insects we never would have seen otherwise.
Kevin from the Patron fishing boat. I can still taste the tuna you and the crew prepared, one of the most delicious meals I've ever had.

Activity Reviews
Introduction to the Gulf of Papagayo
Introduction to the Gulf of Papagayo
Gulf of Papagayo

Absolutely beautiful area.

Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Half Day Fishing Tour with Patron
Half Day Fishing Tour with Patron
Gulf of Papagayo

Great time, was my first time fishing in the ocean. Enjoyed it immensely. Caught a tuna and Kevin and his crew prepared the best meal from it I've ever had.

Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Rio Celeste & Tenorio Volcano Private Hike
Rio Celeste & Tenorio Volcano Private Hike
Bijagua / Rio Celeste

Beautiful area, great hike.

Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Tapir Valley Nature Reserve Night Walk
Tapir Valley Nature Reserve Night Walk
Bijagua / Rio Celeste

Possibly the highlight of the entire trip. Walking through the forest at night was incredible. Starting the hike in the daylight and then watching the sun set before continuing was amazing.

Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Jorge was an incredible guide. So very knowledgeable about the area and it's history.
Transport
Arenal Hanging Bridges Guided Walk
Arenal Hanging Bridges Guided Walk
Arenal/La Fortuna

Everything was great, walking over the hanging bridges was an incredible experience.

Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Sergio, the guide was excellent and extremely knowledgeable.
Transport
Private Guided Hike in Arenal Volcano Park 1968
Private Guided Hike in Arenal Volcano Park 1968
Arenal/La Fortuna

So much fun.

Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Coffee, Chocolate and Sugar Cane Farm Tour
Coffee, Chocolate and Sugar Cane Farm Tour
Arenal/La Fortuna

So much fun, eating chocolate and drinking coffee in the morning, what more can one ask for?

Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Our guide, Esteban, definitely can talk coffee and the best way to prepare it. You're definitely in good hands if you want to learn how to brew a perfect cup of coffee.
Transport
Local specialist: Bryan Leon
Bryan
Bryan Leon
Local specialist in Cartago, Costa Rica | Replied on Mar 31, 2026

Hola Bryan!

Thank you so much, this truly means the world to us! I'm so glad to hear everything flowed smoothly and that you and your family got to simply show up and enjoy every moment.

It was an absolute pleasure helping bring this trip to life, and I'll be sure to share your kind words with Nancy, Adrián, Alex, and all the guides who made it special.

I also loved the picture of the tapir you took, what an incredible moment to capture! Hope to welcome you back to Costa Rica someday!

Pura Vida!
Bryan Leon,
Serendipity Adventures | Costa Rica🐦☀️🌿

The hotel choices were outstanding...
Costa Rica | Mar 16 - Mar 24, 2026

Robert
Robert S.
Los Angeles, CA | Reviewed on Mar 31, 2026
Our guides, most of them, were outstanding, knowledgeable, and helpful on educating us. One guide in Manuel Antonio Park was fairly new and he was basically following the other guides and setting up his scope near them, relying on their information. He was very energetic, though and we could tell he loved his job. Our hotel in Quepos, Tabacon -- was simply outstanding and our room was THE NICEST SUITE we have ever had. The view of the volcano from our balcony was beautiful.
We realize...
Read more

Our guides, most of them, were outstanding, knowledgeable, and helpful on educating us. One guide in Manuel Antonio Park was fairly new and he was basically following the other guides and setting up his scope near them, relying on their information. He was very energetic, though and we could tell he loved his job.

Our hotel in Quepos, Tabacon -- was simply outstanding and our room was THE NICEST SUITE we have ever had. The view of the volcano from our balcony was beautiful.
We realize now that we should have stayed longer in some areas, and less in others.

I so appreciate your on the spot messaging... it was nice to receive your emails quickly and you were so on top of everything. Great trip. We want to do more trips with KimKim!!

Hotel Reviews
Hotel La Mariposa
Manuel Antonio

Once again, the view from our room and balcony was awesome. Quite beautiful and luxurious.

Authenticity & Character
Really a great place, but probably more so for younger people... we are retired and go to bed early, but the bar noise was a bit much. If we had been situated further away, it would have been better, I think.
Location
Staff
Very accommodating to us. However, some seemed a bit burned out to deal with tourists. Just a hunch.
Cleanliness & Comfort
Cloud Forest Lodge
Monteverde

This hotel was very nice. However, in comparison to Tabacon, the staff here really avoided us and were not that helpful nor kind. Often in entering the lobby, I felt like I was interrupting their day, and that they did not really want to assist us or offer any touristy information. I did leave a review of this and gave it to the front desk.

Authenticity & Character
Noise from the personnel working there.
Location
Staff
They need attitude adjustments.
Cleanliness & Comfort
The room was clean and comfortable.
Tabacón Thermal Resort & Spa
Fortuna

We had the honeymoon suite (been married 31 years!) but what an experience this room was. The balcony view of the volcano was simply amazing. The hotel offered everything we needed and more. Everyone was so knowledgeable and kind to us.

Authenticity & Character
Location
Hiking is nearby.
Staff
The cleaning staff were so accommodating and loved us being there.
Cleanliness & Comfort
Activity Reviews
Manuel Antonio National Park Nature Hike
Manuel Antonio National Park Nature Hike
Manuel Antonio

This tour was crowded with so many people. So many people on tours with guides, and our guide, unfortunately, did not really seem expert. He followed the other guides and seemed to just view from their perspective. He was very nice and energetic.

Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Santa Elena Cloud Forest Reserve Guided Hike
Santa Elena Cloud Forest Reserve Guided Hike
Monteverde

Very good experience and saw some monkeys and birds. I enjoyed going over the 5 bridges in the clouds. Unique experience.

Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Eternal Rainforest Night Walk
Eternal Rainforest Night Walk
Monteverde

Unfortunately, this guide did not speak English well and had a tendency to speak to just the one in front of the group. So we often had to ask him to repeat and say again...

Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
TreeTram, Hanging Bridges & Zipline Adventure
TreeTram, Hanging Bridges & Zipline Adventure
Monteverde

Ziplining was FANTASTIC. THOSE GUYS REALLY EARN THEIR PAY. I simply loved this activity and so glad that I did the "freefall," too. Very knowledgeable and happy personnel.

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

Great hike. Our guide did not ensure that we all had water before we left for the hike, though. Thankfully, one of the hikers gave me a bottle of water.

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

Our guide, Diego was just outstanding. He knew so much and showed us everything important.

Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Local specialist: Adam Gomez

Why travelers love kimkim

Custom trips for independent travelers who are too busy to plan
Customize your trip with the help of a local travel specialist

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.

Secure & easy booking

Once you are happy with the trip, you can easily book via kimkim’s secure payment platform.

Local support during your trip

You can always reach your local specialist with a quick message or call in case you hit a snag during your trip, or simply want some great local recommendations.