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Costa Rica

Costa Rica Vacation Packages & Tours at -50%

Our recommendation to visit Costa Rica

-45%

From $3,459

$1,899

Per night: $211

Costa Rica in 10 days +

Pura Vida & Paradise in Tamarindo

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    Arenal
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    San José
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    Tamarindo
  • Accommodation
  • All flights
  • All transfers
  • Some meals
  • Activities
Family
Alex, Travel Expert

Alex
Travel crafter

The perfect overview of Costa Rica for those short on time, including lush rainforests, abundant wildlife and paradise beaches.

Live your dream trip then do it again!

Our recommendation to visit Costa Rica and neighboring countries

Vacations to Costa Rica

Extraordinary Costa Rica Vacation Packages & Tours

Book a Costa Rica vacation package to discover one of the unsullied holiday destinations in the world. Marvel at the beauty of astonishing wildlife-filled rainforests, huge volcanoes, serene beaches, and eye-catching landscapes.

Immerse yourself in various adrenaline-rushing activities or savor a relaxing moment in this Central American paradise.

Exoticca’s vacation packages to Costa Rica include most flights, tours, hotels, transfers, and some meals. Join us to discover the most exciting points of interest in this nation.

Trips to Costa Rica from Canada

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Our astounding Costa Rica vacation packages take you to a phenomenal nation nestled in the heart of Central America. Bordered by Nicaragua, Panama, the Pacific Ocean, and the Caribbean Sea, this country provides an unforgettable holiday experience.

Book your trip to Costa Rica from Canada. Flights depart from airports in Toronto, Ottawa, Montreal, Calgary, Vancouver, Quebec, and other major cities.

Top points of interest in Costa Rica


Join millions of tourists to discover the unparalleled beauty of this country. Below are some of the top points of interest to uncover during your tour in Costa Rica.

Guanacaste


Famed as a phenomenal tropical haven, Guanacaste sits in the northwestern part of Costa Rica. It boasts astonishing mountain ranges, diverse geographical features, numerous volcanoes, and a spotless coastline.

Visit the Rincon de la Vieja National Park to see its active volcanoes, lake, and waterfalls. Watch various animals rummage for food in their natural habitat.

Do you want to immerse yourself in the waters during your Costa Rica tour? Don’t hesitate to check out Hermosa Beach, Flamingo Beach, Matapalo Beach, and the many other awesome beaches in Guanacaste.

Tamarindo


Take a short trip to Tamarindo, a small community with serene beaches, beautiful landscapes, and numerous parties.

Go to Playa Tamarindo, Playa Grande, and Playa Avellana to surf the coastlines of Costa Rica. Visit the less-crowded Lagosta Beach to swim or lie down around the shoreline as the sun caresses your skin. Dive into the Pacific Ocean to see numerous sea creatures.

This calm fishing town is an impeccable spot for snorkeling, scuba diving, sport fishing, zip-lining, sailing, and kayaking.

Tabacón


Found around the Arenal Volcano, Tabacón is a first-rate resort with remarkable attractions. Pamper yourself with a session at the famous thermal mineral springs as you view the sprawling lush vegetation surrounding the site.

Check out the on-site restaurants and bars to satisfy your appetite with local and international cuisines. Take your Costa Rica trip to the next level by relaxing at the Shangri-La Gardens, an adult-only area.

A short trip to the nearby Arenal Canopy Adventure exposes you to many adrenaline-pumping activities. Put on your gear and take part in zip-lining and other adventures.

Puerto Viejo


Puerto Viejo is a tiny coastal destination located on the southeastern side of this Central American gem. Explore the town’s exotic wildlife, astounding jungles, and serene beaches

Kick off your Costa Rica group tour with a visit to the Jaguar Rescue Center. Look out for wild sloths, monkeys, margay cats, and several bird species.

Cruise through Puerto Viejo and fill your belly with raw chocolates from different cafes. Interact with the locals and learn how they grow cacao to prepare your favorite chocolates.

Go to the Punta Uva River to rent a kayak to sail on the waters while watching out for various animals.

Tortuguero


Tortuguero is a wonderful village blessed with wildlife and lush forests. The Tortuguero National Park is the major attraction around this area.

Visit the black sand Tortuguero Beach to see turtles and sharks. Be on the lookout for turtle eggs laid around the beach. Rent a canoe and paddle down the serene canals in the heart of the town.

Costa Rica: Off the beaten path


There are many lesser known attractions to include in a Costa Rica vacation package:

  • Check out Monteverde Cloud Forest, a haven filled with mountainous rainforests, rare animals, and one-of-a-kind plants.
  • Explore Samara, a small tourist village with less crowd and more engaging activities. Visit white sandy beaches or savor Costa Rican dishes.

Book your Costa Rica tour with Exoticca

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Are you planning to spend your next holiday in this amazing country? Exoticca offers the best Costa Rica vacation packages.

All included: Flights, hotels, tours & transfers


At Exoticca, we make your adventures more enjoyable and hassle-free by providing all-inclusive Costa Rica vacation packages covering flights, hotels, tours, and transfers. Some of our packages also include meals.

Costa Rica partially or fully guided tours


Our partially and fully guided group tours to Costa Rica take the stress out of your travels. Choose from independent, escorted, semi-escorted, and guided tours. We also offer private tours.

Crafted by our own travel experts


Exoticca’s seasoned travel curators use their expertise and experience to plan your trip to Costa Rica. Our team has organized more than 300 itineraries across 60 destinations, so they have some in-depth knowledge under their belt.

We collaborate with local guides and businesses in each location. Our partners carry out each tour we organize, ensuring your safety, comfort, and satisfaction.

Frequently Asked Questions

How many days are enough to explore Costa Rica?

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Since Costa Rica has several points of interest spread across different regions, it takes at least seven days to explore the country. More comprehensive travels may require up to two weeks.

Which side of Costa Rica is better?

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All sides of Costa Rica are great, with an abundance of attractions. Many believe the Pacific part is better, as it features lovely beaches, luxury resorts, national parks, restaurants, and lots more.

Is there a bad time of year to go to Costa Rica?

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There’s no bad time to visit Costa Rica. The peak period, from November to April, brings the dry season with lower rainfall. Visiting from May through October exposes you to fewer crowds and offers affordable Costa Rica trips.

What is Costa Rica best known for?

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Costa Rica is best known for its outstanding wildlife, exceptional biodiversity, astounding tropical rainforests, mountainous ranges, and beautiful beaches.

What kind of food do they eat in Costa Rica?

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Costa Ricans eat an array of meals, including casado, chifrijo, gallo pinto, tamal, sopa negra, pozole, patacones, palmito, and flan. The meals often come with plenty of vegetables and fruits.

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Costa Rica Travel advice

Costa Rica tourist attractions

More information about Costa Rica

Costa Rica is a Central American country, situated on a thin isthmus and bordered by Nicaragua to the north and Panama to the south. It is a country known for untamed rainforests, tropical wildlife, and colorful Caribbean culture; images of idyllic beaches, lined with lush palms and colorful flora spring to mind just at the mention of its name.

In fact, Costa Rica translates to ‘Rich Coast’, owing to the finery worn by the native population when the country was first discovered by Spanish explorers. Today, this meaning could easily be attributed to the vibrant coastline of the country, which runs along both the Pacific Ocean and the Caribbean Sea. 

It has been an increasingly popular destination for nature travel since the 1980s and today it is a world-pioneer of eco-tourism, as, despite its popularity, the abundant natural beauty of the environment has not been compromised, with businesses doing their best to choose sustainable options to accommodate visitors. Costa Rica has even been named the ‘greenest country in the world’. Combining lush rainforests, idyllic beaches and a cheerful atmosphere, a holiday to Costa Rica is a nature-lovers paradise.

Most tours of Costa Rica begin in the vibrant capital of San Jose, with a historic downtown district awash with colonial architecture, before moving on to the fantastic natural wonders of the country such as the Arenal Volcano, abundant Manuel Antonio National Park, the cloud forests of Monteverde, for zip-lining adventuresand the precious beaches and jungles of Tortuguero.

 

History of Costa Rica

In 1502 the Italian explorer Christopher Columbus landed in Costa Rica. From this time onwards, Spanish settlers began to arrive in the country, joining the native population, made up of four tribes: the Carib, BorucaChibcha and Diquis Indians. Like much of the region, Costa Rica remained under Spanish rule until 1812, when independence was declared, a date which is still celebrated annually on the 15th September. 

The country has a strong tradition of coffee production, a crop which was first planted in the early 1800s, and due to its increasing worldwide popularity, became an important export commodity for Costa Rica. Immigrants from Caribbean nations arrived in the country to build a railroad to more easily transport the precious beans from the farms to the port of Limon, and these workers, many of which stayed for generations, have had a big influence on the country’s culture. 

Bananas were another important export during this era. With the early 20th century marked by a military dictatorship under General Tinoco and a civil war, which led to the complete abolition of the military in the 40s, there has been an uninterrupted democracy ever since. Costa Rica has successfully avoided the political upheaval of many other Central and South American countries and is known to be a peaceful and politically stable nation.

 

Nature in Costa Rica

An amazing 25% of Costa Rica’s territory is protected rainforest and jungle, home to a plethora of wildlife, including numerous species of playful monkeys and the elusive quetzal species of bird. The country is such a fantastic haven for wildlife that it is estimated to be home to 5% of the world's biodiversity. Considering its small size and in comparison to other countries, this is an amazing source of pride for Costa Ricans and a large part of the country’s appeal as a holiday destination.

The county’s fabulous beaches of white sand and clear waters, which run along both coastlines, are also worth mentioning, as is the popularity of Costa Rica as a surfing destination. Hiking is another of the common activities, with great trails and facilities for trekking in the natural environment, particularly in La Fortuna, an area known for its waterfalls and hot springs.

The highest point in the country is Cerro Chirripo, meaning ‘Land of Eternal Waters’ due to the many lakes and streams that can be found around the mountain. Its peak stands at 3819 metres above sea level. 

Lake Arenal is Costa Rica’s largest lake, overshadowed by the imposing Arenal Volcano and located close to the national park of the same name. There are 14 volcanoes in total to be found in the country, 6 of which have been active in the last century. The tallest is the amazing Irazu Volcano, famed for its other-worldly sulphurous green lagoon, its name meaning ‘mountain of tremors and fire’. With a year-round tropical climate, divided into a wet and a dry seasonCosta Rica is truly a destination of rich natural beauty.

 

Costa Rica’s National Parks

Having completely eradicated deforestation in the country, visitors on a holiday to Costa Rica can enjoy a number of protected national parks, each which their own unique nature and attractions. Corcovado National Park is renowned for its biodiversity, considered to be one of the most biodiverse regions in the world.

It has a variety of hiking trails, both along the coast and inland, taking visitors from tropical beaches into swampland, rainforests, and mangroves. Its wildlife includes scarlet macaws, tapirs, jaguars and an amazing 4 species of monkeys. The national park of Tortuguero is famed for its nesting turtles, most notably the endangered green turtle species, who nest on the beaches at specific times throughout the year.

This spectacle is a popular attraction for tourists who have the opportunity to watch quietly from a distance. Monteverde National Park is another of the popular nature reserves in Costa Rica, with a rich biodiversity of around 400 bird species and 100 mammals.

 

Culture in Costa Rica

Due to its situation, Costa Rica is thought of as the meeting point between Mesoamerican and South American cultures, and as such, has a diverse and colourful culture. Without a doubt, there is a big Spanish influence, seen in the language, religion and traditions of the country, whilst the laid-back atmosphere, music and cuisine, has roots in the Carribean cultures who also settled here.

The charming element that many visitors love about Costa Rica is its happy-go-lucky ethos. ‘Pura Vida’, translated as ‘Pure Life’ is famously the local philosophy and is understood to mean a simple, stress-free life, something you can witness first hand if you have the chance to explore the local communities on a tour of Costa Rica. 

People also use the term ‘Pura Vida’, as a greeting, and as a question, to inquire about the well-being of their family and friends. With this focus on simplicity, it is no wonder that the country was named the Happiest Country in the World by National Geographic in 2017.

Immerse yourself in the natural paradise of this country and find your ‘Pure Vida’! package holiday to Costa Rica is the perfect way to experience the vast array of national parks, abundant nature and paradise coastline that make this one of the happiest places on earth.

  • Entry requirements

    Your passport must be valid for at least 1 month beyond the date of expected departure from Costa Rica.

  • Visa

    Visa not required for stays up to 30 days.

  • Time zone

    UTC - 06:00

  • Currency

    Costa Rican Colon

  • Language

    Spanish

  • Tourist Office website

  • Electricity

    110 V. Adapter required.

  • Other useful information

    Local emergency number 128

  • Health

    Please consult your doctor regarding malaria prophylaxis.

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