Costa Rica Small Group Tours
Fancy an adventure, hiking through Arenal Volcano's green trails before ziplining through Monteverde's misty cloud forest? Costa Rica brings adventure and peace, from Manuel Antonio's animals to Santa Elena Cloud Forest's canopy paths. Soak in La Fortuna's hot springs, surf at Santa Teresa, and paddle through Tortuguero's waterways. Pura vida is ready.
10 best Costa Rica small group tours
Compiled by
MelissaCosta Rica travel expert at TourRadar
- Costa Rica Experience (8 destinations)
- Costa Rica Highlights, 10 days
- Exotic Costa Rica, Self-drive
- Best of Costa Rica
- Costa Rica: Ocean Waves & Sunsets
- From Arenal to the Caribbean Coast
- 9 Days Unique Costa Rican Adventure
- Costa Rica Wildlife Tour
- Journeys: Explore Costa Rica National Geographic Journeys
- Essential Costa Rica - Package with Guanacaste, Self-drive
Costa Rica Experience (8 destinations)
32 Reviews by TourRadar travelers“The accommodation was comfortable and sufficient. We were lucky to see a variety of wildlife.”
Maria, traveled in October
Groups of 12-15 fellow adventurers venture through Costa Rica. The intimate size enables personal homestay experiences in Santa Rosa de Pocosol, closer wildlife encounters in Monteverde Cloud Forest, and more attentive guidance from local experts. For ages 18+.
Duration 8 days Destinations San Jose, Santa Rosa de Pocosol, La Fortuna, Arenal, Monteverde, Quepos, Manuel Antonio National Park Age Range Ages 15+ Group Size Max Group Size 14 Group Type Group Operator Intrepid Travel From
- US$1,395
Costa Rica Highlights, 10 days
1 Review by TourRadar travelers“Extremely organized and very well planned tour! Highly recommend this tour!”
Hana, traveled in February
The 4-hour Arenal Volcano hike and Monteverde Cloud Forest trek are led by expert English-speaking naturalist guides. Premium accommodation at Turtle Beach Lodge provides private downtime between shared activities.
Duration 10 days Destinations San Jose, Tortuguero National Park, Arenal Volcano National Park, Monteverde, Playa Tamarindo Age Range Ages 10+ Operated in English, Spanish Group Size Max Group Size 15 Group Type Group Operator Destination Services Costa Rica From $3,359
15% Off- US$2,855You save $504
Exotic Costa Rica, Self-drive
2 Reviews by TourRadar travelers“The packaged tour saved us a lot of time deciding where to travel to and where to stay.”
Gary, traveled in December
The limited group size allows natural immersion at locations like Manuel Antonio National Park. Smaller numbers ensure personal attention during activities like the Las Pailas loop trail and Rio Celeste waterfall visits.
Duration 8 days Destinations Liberia, Rincon de la Vieja Volcano National Park, Bijagua, Monteverde, Manuel Antonio National Park Age Range All Ages Welcome Group Size Max Group Size 20 Group Type PrivatePersonalized Operator Destination Services Costa Rica From $1,553
15% Off- US$1,320You save $233
Best of Costa Rica
9 Reviews by TourRadar travelers“I had a fantastic trip. Bryan worked so hard to make sure everyone had the best trip possible.”
Rebecca, traveled in March
An intimate gathering of 12 travelers maximum, guided by local experts through Costa Rica's biodiversity. The select group size ensures individual attention during Terraba indigenous community visits and private access to organic coffee farms in Los Santos region.
Duration 10 days Destinations San Jose, La Fortuna, Arenal, Monteverde, Manuel Antonio National Park Age Range Ages 15+ Group Size Max Group Size 12 Group Type Group Operator Intrepid Travel From
15% Off- US$3,445
Costa Rica: Ocean Waves & Sunsets
43 Reviews by TourRadar travelers“This trip was fantastic! Would definitey recommend for anybody interested in exploring this beautiful country on a smaller budget!”
Caleb, traveled in June
Small groups averaging 12-15 travelers, primarily aged 20-35. The select size allows for personalized attention from your CEO guide, rated 4.9/5 by past guests, and enables flexible scheduling of optional activities like white water rafting and surf lessons.
Duration 8 days Destinations San Jose, La Fortuna, Playa Santa Teresa Age Range Ages 18-39 Group Size Max Group Size 18 Group Type Group Operator G Adventures From $899
10% Off- US$809You save $90
From Arenal to the Caribbean Coast
3 Reviews by TourRadar travelers“We really liked the experience in the canals, in a very secluded place as an alternative to Tortuguero.”
Michael, traveled in June
Travel with a private group of 2-6 people, getting personalized attention from local guides throughout your 8-day trip. Visit Arenal Volcano National Park's lava flows, navigate the secluded canals of Barra Pacuare by boat, and relax on Puerto Viejo de Talamanca's Caribbean beaches. The small group size allows for flexible pacing during the 500-step descent to La Fortuna Waterfall and closer wildlife encounters in the Pacuare Reserve's rainforest trails.
Duration 8 days Destinations San Jose, La Fortuna, Pacuare River, Puerto Viejo de Talamanca, Alajuela Age Range Ages 6+ Operated in English, Spanish Group Size Max Group Size 6 Group Type PrivatePersonalized Operator Elemento Natural Costa Rica From
10% Off- US$1,665
Small groups ensure personalized wildlife viewing at Curu Refuge and Monteverde's night tours. Private transfers provide comfortable travel between San Jose, Monteverde cloud forest, and Playa Santa Teresa's secluded beaches.
Duration 9 days Destinations San Jose, Monteverde, Playa Santa Teresa Age Range All Ages Welcome Group Size Max Group Size 10 Group Type PrivatePersonalized Operator Wonderful Holidays UK From
10% Off- US$3,216
Costa Rica Wildlife Tour
90 Reviews by TourRadar travelers“Communication of facts on wildlife, socio-economic, history, geography, politics and culture were excellent.”
Bill, traveled in January
Groups of 16-24 travelers share wildlife encounters with expert guides. The setting is ideal for viewing sloths in Tortuguero National Park, quetzals in Savegre Cloud Forest, and capuchin monkeys in Manuel Antonio, plus local finca visits and chocolate tastings.
Duration 15 days Destinations San Jose, Los Quetzales National Park, Turrialba, Tortuguero National Park, Arenal Volcano National Park, Manuel Antonio National Park Age Range Ages 16+ Group Size Max Group Size 16 Group Type Group Operator Explore! From $3,830
20% Off- US$3,060You save $770
Journeys: Explore Costa Rica National Geographic Journeys
26 Reviews by TourRadar travelers“Fabulous Costa Rica Trip.”
Shirley, traveled in July
Limited to 16 travelers, with average age of 56. Close wildlife viewing in Tortuguero's canals and Manuel Antonio National Park. Personal attention from CEO guide ensures authentic experiences like home-cooking classes and reforestation projects.
Duration 14 days Destinations San Jose, Tortuguero National Park, Puerto Viejo de Sarapiqui, La Fortuna, Arenal Volcano National Park, Monteverde, Santa Elena, Manuel Antonio National Park Age Range Ages 12+ Group Size Max Group Size 16 Group Type Group Operator National Geographic Journeys with G Adventures From $3,639
10% Off- US$3,275You save $364
Essential Costa Rica - Package with Guanacaste, Self-drive
4 Reviews by TourRadar travelers“Great guides and we especially loved the boat ride out to Tortuguero.”
Ingrid, traveled in January
Small groups averaging 8-12 travelers share excursions in Tortuguero. The intimate size ensures personal attention during wildlife spotting in Braulio Carrillo National Park and creates authentic cultural interactions in Tamarindo beach town.
Duration 10 days Destinations San Jose, Tortuguero National Park, Guapiles, Arenal Volcano National Park, Santa Elena, Monteverde, Playa Tamarindo Age Range All Ages Welcome Group Size Max Group Size 30 Group Type PrivatePersonalized Operator Destination Services Costa Rica From $1,747
15% Off- US$1,485You save $262
Reviews of Small Group tours to Costa Rica
- Costa Rica Experience (8 destinations)
Great guides and good transport, including a public bus back to San Jose. The accommodation was comfortable and sufficient. We were lucky to see a variety of wildlife thanks to our guides. Many extras, in USD, along the way.
Marina was a wonderful guide, so knowledgeable and friendly. She always had great suggestions for each location. I was a little disappointed that the cost of the tour didn’t really include anything beyond transportation and lodging, though I did know that going in. All activities are extra, which definitely drives the cost of the trip higher. It’s a beautiful country and I’m glad I went, but it’s definitely an expensive place to visit!
Costa Rica: Ocean Waves & Sunsets
Amazing. Love the hot springs., views of the volcano and friendliness of the people.
From Arenal to the Caribbean Coast
What our customers ask about Costa Rica Small Group Tours
What destinations are best suited for small group tours in Costa Rica?
Costa Rica's prime locations for small group tours center on Tortuguero National Park where visitors can spot wildlife Monteverde Cloud Forest for hiking and canopy exploration Arenal Volcano for outdoor adventures and Manuel Antonio National Park which combines beach and rainforest experiences. Small eco-lodges like Pachira Lodge in Tortuguero and Hotel Belmar in Monteverde specifically welcome intimate groups. The Country Inn & Suites in San Jose provides a practical starting point before venturing to these natural areas.
How do accommodations differ on small group tours versus larger tours?
Boutique hotels and eco-lodges that host small groups offer a more personal experience than large-scale resorts. Places like Le Cameleon Hotel in Puerto Viejo and Savegre Lodge in San Gerardo de Dota typically feature 15-30 rooms creating a more intimate setting. A TourRadar traveler shared: "The small eco-lodges we stayed at in Tortuguero and Monteverde felt so much more special than big resorts - we really got to know the staff and local community."
What is the ideal small group size for exploring Costa Rica's national parks?
Groups of 8-12 travelers work best for exploring parks like Arenal and Monteverde as shown by tours such as "Costa Rica at its Best." This size lets visitors get closer to wildlife and receive more attention from nature guides. A TourRadar traveler noted "The guides were excellent and being in a smaller group meant we could spot more wildlife like sloths and monkeys in Tortuguero National Park." Properties like Evergreen Lodge in Tortuguero and Savegre Hotel in Monteverde cater well to these smaller groups.
How does transportation work with small group tours in Costa Rica?
Travel happens in 16-20 seat air-conditioned minibuses for land routes while small boats that fit 15-20 passengers serve areas like Tortuguero National Park. One operator notes: "Due to the type of vehicles we use luggage is often transported on the roof covered by tarpaulin." Smaller vehicles can reach remote spots and stop easily for wildlife viewing.
How does dining work on small group tours in Costa Rica?
Tours include daily breakfast and select meals at local restaurants or lodge dining rooms. At Savegre Hotel groups eat at Las Bromelias restaurant which serves seasonal local produce. A TourRadar review states "The small group size meant we could eat at authentic local spots rather than tourist restaurants. Our guide took us to amazing family-run places in La Fortuna where we tried traditional Costa Rican dishes."
What is the typical age range and demographic on small group tours in Costa Rica?
Tours attract travelers aged 30-70 years old with many outdoor enthusiasts. Places like Tabulia Tree Hotel in Manuel Antonio and Arenal Montechiari welcome various age groups. Tour data shows solo travelers make up 34% while couples account for 49% creating a social yet personal environment. A TourRadar traveler shared "Our small group had a great mix of ages and backgrounds which made for interesting conversations and shared experiences."