Costa Rica
Costa Rica has long been a haven for travelers who love nature, adventure and wildlife. This small country, with its high percentage of conservation and natural protected areas, harbors 5 percent of Earth’s biodiversity and is recognized as a pioneer in sustainable eco-tourism. Costa Rica is also known for its very friendly locals or Ticos, who are delighted to welcome travelers to their home. This makes Costa Rica an ideal place for families who want to experience the natural world and immerse themselves in local traditions, custom and language – the perfect combination for anyone wanting to try out their Spanish abroad!
When to go: Peak season in Costa Rica happens in the dry season between December and April, where you may experience the best weather. Green season can be equally spectacular in different ways, running from May through November.
Great for…
Beaches
Family
Wellness
Adventure
Wildlife
Nature
Highlights
Monteverde Cloud Forest
Monteverde, the name of a settlement and a forest described as ‘the jewel in the crown of cloud forests’ by National Geographic, lies in the Cordillera de Tilaran mountain range in Puntarenas, Costa Rica. One of the rarest habitats on the planet and unique from the country’s other rainforests for its constant swathes of mist (which give it its name), the Monteverde Cloud Forest is an incredible wild world filled with thousands of plant species, insects, bird varieties, and animals.
Watch brightly-colored birds at play in the Curi-Cancha Reserve; take a guided hike or horse ride through the dense jungle; watch electric blue frogs jump about at the famous Frog Pond, or take a dip in the pools around the San Luis Waterfall. Must-sees include the Butterfly Gardens, Orchid House, Selvatura treetop suspension bridges, and coffee, chocolate, and sugarcane tour.
Manuel Antonio National Park
Neighboring the spectacularly scenic 680-hectare Manuel Antonio National Park and situated along Costa Rica’s Pacific Coast, the bustling beach-side village of Manuel Antonio offers a variety of comfortable accommodation options for eco-explorers and adventurers who flock here to explore this beautiful area. The undeniable highlight is the adjacent Manuel Antonio National Park, featuring lush bio-diverse rain-forests, mangroves, lagoons, offshore coral reefs, pristine white-sand beaches, and abundant wildlife.
Arenal Volcano
Created in November 1991, the Arenal Volcano National Park covers an area of 30,000 acres, including four major climatic life zones, the dormant Cerro Chato volcano and the Cerro Los Perdidos (“Lost Mountain”). More than 500 bird species have been identified within the park – about half of all the birds of Costa Rica – making it an exciting destination for bird-watchers. There is a great variety of flora and other animals in the park, including three kinds of monkeys, red brocket deer, ocelots, pumas and tapirs. During your visit, enjoy short trails through secondary forest to the lava fields and lookout points with spectacular panoramas of Arenal Volcano and surrounding landmarks.
Tortuguero National Park
Costa Rica is a privileged land, and some of its privileges are the beautiful turtles arriving to nest on its beaches on both the Pacific and Caribbean shores. Five species and one subspecies of sea turtle live and nest in Costa Rica: leatherbacks, hawksbills, loggerheads, Olive Ridleys, green sea turtles and black sea turtles. Tortuguero National Park in the Caribbean is one of the most popular destinations to see turtles and it was created to protect the Green turtle, since this nesting area is the most important in the Western Caribbean.
Gulf of Papagayo
On the northern Pacific Coast of Costa Rica, just north of Playa Panama, lies the exquisite untamed Gulf of Papagayo. This expansive wilderness area is known for its spectacular views, its excellent bird watching opportunities, its impressive array of exclusive, luxury resorts and its beautiful palm-lined beaches featuring long stretches of powder white sand lapped by calm, aquamarine waters. Surrounded by lush tropical forest and a dramatic volcanic landscape, the Gulf of Papagayo is the perfect destination for nature lovers eager to explore the magnificent national parks of Guanacaste, or those looking to simply unwind on one of the area’s idyllic world-class beaches.
Get Inspired
Family Adventure
5-Day Mini-Break
Pura Vida: The Best of Costa Rica


We believe that to travel responsibly, a portion of our tour cost should benefit communities in need. For this trip, our donation will go to a non-profit organization we support that is having a very positive impact around the world: DOCTORS WITHOUT BORDERS—a humanitarian-aid organization that provides ongoing emergency medical aid around the world. You can learn more about our commitment to responsible travel in our Responsibility Pledge.