Beach Tours & Trips in Costa Rica
Costa Rica's biodiversity is genuinely mind-blowing, and it’s something you have to see to believe. Picture yourself admiring Arenal's perfect cone-shaped wonder, sharing white-sand beaches with sun-bathing monkeys (yes, really), and discovering sloths, frogs and spectacular birdlife everywhere you look. You could even search for beautiful quetzal birds in cloud forest reserves. Nature is literally everywhere here and it will blow your mind.
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This tour was the best balance of activities at the start to make the most of the natural beauty and wildlife of the rainforest and cloud forest followed by several days at the beach with optional excursions. I don’t think we would have seen and done all we did if we planned it on our own.
Highlights of Costa Rica + Beach ExtensionThe trip was amazing, i meet some wonderful people. We all got along and enjoyed each others company. The tours were awesome, the guides and instructors were great and the CEO was top notch! Aryeri was friendly, good natured, helpful and level headed. She handled every situation with total and complete professionalism and answered all the questions we had and took care of all the problems was very accommodating. All around a really awesome trip thanks to her! The only blemish was the fact that the trip ended far from the San Jose airport. This was poorly communicated i think and made the last part of the trip very tiring. And the G Adventure office people were thoroughly unhelpful when i tried asking for airport transfer recommendation. I think it would be best to either go back to San Jose the day before or offer a closer airport drop off. But at the very least update your itinerary pdf to actually reflect that properly. There was no mentioned that the return flight needed to be after 5 PM on that day.
Wellness Costa RicaWe really enjoyed this country, the people, the vegetation, the animals, the food but especially our tour guide Rafa Calvo and our driver Julio, they are the best. Thank you for assigning them to our group.
Tropical Costa Rica (San Jose to Guanacaste) (2026)
Our traveler's Moments
10 best Beach Costa Rica tour packages
Compiled by
SteffCosta Rica travel expert at TourRadar
- Highlights of Costa Rica + Beach Extension
- Costa Rica Eco-Beach Adventure 40's - 50's and 60's Singles Vacations
- Wellness Costa Rica
- Costa Rica Escape
- Discover Costa Rica – Coastal Edition
- Tropical Costa Rica (San Jose to Guanacaste) (2026)
- Natural Wonders of Costa Rica with Guanacaste
- Landscapes of Costa Rica - 10 days
- Best of Costa Rica (Small Group)
- Uvita Beach, Short Break
Highlights of Costa Rica + Beach Extension
“It was a lovely country to visit and the beach extension hotel was well located.”
Steven, traveled in November
Manuel Antonio's three stunning beaches merge tropical forest with Pacific waters. Guided walks reveal beach-dwelling iguanas and capuchin monkeys, while catamaran tours offer spectacular sunset views over the Pacific.
Duration 10 days Destinations San Jose, Arenal Volcano National Park, La Fortuna, Monteverde, Tarcoles, Carara National Park, Manuel Antonio National Park Age Range Ages 16+ Operator Explore! From $2,510
17% Off- US$2,090
Three infinity pools at Parador Resort offer spectacular views over Manuel Antonio's Pacific coast. A convenient shuttle connects to white sand beaches ideal for surfing and parasailing. Both Caribbean and Pacific shores dazzle, from Tortuguero's turtle nesting grounds to Manuel Antonio's pristine bays.
Duration 10 days Destinations San Jose, Tortuguero National Park, Arenal Volcano National Park, La Fortuna, Monteverde, Manuel Antonio National Park Age Range Ages 35+ Operator Best Single Travel From
17% Off- US$4,015
Wellness Costa Rica
“We saw some beautiful locations in Costa Rica and had a great group of fellow travelers.”
Kathleen, traveled in February
Pristine Playa Carrillo provides an unspoiled setting for sunset yoga and surfing lessons. Golden sands and peaceful waters offer meditation spaces, far from commercial development and tourist crowds.
Duration 8 days Destinations San Jose, La Fortuna, Rincon de la Vieja Volcano National Park, Playa Carrillo Age Range Ages 12+ Operator G Adventures From $2,199
10% Off- US$1,979
Experience Costa Rica's Pacific coast from Quepos' shores, with opportunities for snorkeling and sunset cruises. Relax on Manuel Antonio's pristine beaches, spot marine life, and enjoy oceanfront accommodations with easy access to water activities.
Duration 9 days Destinations San Jose, La Fortuna, Arenal Volcano National Park, Monteverde, Quepos, Manuel Antonio National Park Age Range Ages 10+ Operator Expat Explore Travel From $2,460
19% Off- US$1,985
Check out Dominical's golden sands and surf breaks, then head to Marino Ballena National Park where you'll walk trails looking for howler monkeys, white-faced capuchins, and scarlet macaws before reaching the famous Whale's Tail reef formation. Later, grab sunset cocktails from a lookout.
Duration 15 days Destinations San Jose, Tortuguero National Park, Tortuguero, La Fortuna, Arenal, Monteverde, Santa Elena, Manuel Antonio National Park, Dominical, UvitaSee all destinations Age Range Ages 16+ Operator Exodus Adventure Travels From $5,773
7% Off- US$5,370
Tropical Costa Rica (San Jose to Guanacaste) (2026)
“We really enjoyed this country, the people, the vegetation, the animals, the food.”
Elena, traveled in March
Playa Carrillo showcases Costa Rica's coastal beauty with two nights at Nammbu Beachfront Bungalows. Samara town's local charm complements stunning Pacific sunsets and pristine sandy beaches, creating a perfect base for nearby adventures.
Duration 9 days Destinations San Jose, Arenal, Monteverde, Samara, Guanacaste National Park Age Range All Ages Welcome Operator Collette From
7% Off- US$2,699
Natural Wonders of Costa Rica with Guanacaste
“The tour itself was great; this was very upsetting to pay a lot of money to miss things that the other travelers were experiencing.”
Cindy, traveled in January
Three nights at Guanacaste's ocean-front resort showcase pristine Pacific beaches and water activities. The journey includes Ecotermales Hot Springs near Arenal and Tortuguero's Caribbean coastline.
Duration 11 days Destinations San Jose, Tortuguero National Park, Tortuguero, Sarapiquí, Arenal, Arenal Volcano National Park, La Fortuna, Monteverde, Santa Elena, Guanacaste National Park Age Range All Ages Welcome Operator Globus From $3,429
7% Off- US$3,179
What our customers ask about Beach Tours & Trips in Costa Rica
Which are the must-visit beaches in Costa Rica?
Costa Rica's coastlines feature diverse beaches on both the Pacific and Caribbean sides. The quiet Playa Carrillo in Guanacaste draws visitors with its undeveloped shoreline and white sand while Manuel Antonio pairs beach access with wildlife encounters. Tamarindo Beach has earned a reputation among surfers and swimmers. A TourRadar traveler notes: "Tamarindo Diria Beach Resort was beautiful with plenty of places to sit in the sun or shade several swimming pools and easy beach access." On the Caribbean side Puerto Viejo offers a relaxed atmosphere with snorkeling spots near the Cariblue Beach & Jungle Resort.
What kind of accommodation can I expect at Costa Rica's beaches?
Beach lodging spans from simple eco-lodges to upscale resorts. Tamarindo provides options at different price points including the 3-star Hotel Pasatiempo the 4-star Wyndham Tamarindo and the 5-star Tamarindo Diría. Manuel Antonio features properties like the mid-range Villa Bosque and high-end Parador Resort. According to a TourRadar traveler: "The Parador Resort in Manuel Antonio offered stunning ocean views and excellent access to both the beach and national park."
How accessible are Costa Rica's beaches from major airports?
The main beach areas connect well to international airports. Reaching Tamarindo takes about 4 hours from San José International Airport or 1 hour from Liberia Airport. Manuel Antonio requires a 4-hour drive from San José with shared or private transfer options. A TourRadar traveler shares: "The transfers were well-organized and comfortable though some roads to beach destinations can be winding." Caribbean destinations like Puerto Viejo need 4-5 hours from San José using public or private transport.
How do I choose between Pacific and Caribbean coast beaches?
Each coast offers distinct experiences. The Pacific side including Tamarindo and Manuel Antonio features more tourist amenities and reliable weather during dry season. The Caribbean coast around Puerto Viejo delivers authentic Afro-Caribbean culture and better snorkeling conditions. A TourRadar traveler notes: "The Caribbean coast offers a laid-back vibe with the Cariblue Beach & Jungle Resort providing easy access to white sand beaches and tropical gardens." Pacific waves suit surfing while Caribbean waters tend to be calmer.
What wildlife can I see at Costa Rica's beaches?
The coastal waters host diverse marine life. Caño Island near Uvita offers sightings of various fish species sea turtles stingrays and white-tip reef sharks. Guanacaste's coast attracts seasonal whales and nesting turtles. A TourRadar traveler reports from Manuel Antonio: "We saw dolphins whales during migration season and countless tropical fish while snorkeling."
What activities are available at Costa Rica's beaches?
Beach activities range from water sports to nature experiences. Playa Samara provides horseback riding stand-up paddleboarding and yoga sessions. Guanacaste appeals to sport fishing enthusiasts and surfers with some of the world's top surfing locations. A TourRadar guest at Bosque del Mar Hotel shares: "The variety of water activities and beautiful surroundings made our beach stay unforgettable."