Christmas & New Year Tours & Trips in Costa Rica
Ready to zip-line through cloud forests to Pacific beaches during the festive period?? Visit the small town of La Fortuna and the majestic Arenal Volcano, exploring Monteverde National Park on a walking tour, discovering exotic wildlife of Manuel Antonio National Park, and wandering San Jose's markets. From thermal hot springs to Pacific beaches, Costa Rica during the holidays delivers.
Excellent
- Choose from 150+ Costa Rica tours
- 1,400+ verified reviews from TourRadar travelers
- 24/7 customer support
The only thing I would say is the pick up to the airport sucked they got the wrong time and I had to get a taxi other than that it was an amazing experience and would definitely go again!
Costa Rica ExperienceHi, This is my seventh trip organized by Intrepid, and I’ll definitely continue to trust you for the next ones. If you want a complete change of scenery and love nature and animals, Costa Rica is a perfect destination.Impressive rain forest Some litle treks and safari in those forests to alot of animals. You will learn al lot of things on the history, plants, animals. You’ll be amazed by the lush nature and all the animals you can encounter if you’re a bit lucky — sloths, tarantulas, tree frogs, lots of different bird species, and more. Without our excellent guide Tayron, this trip wouldn’t have been nearly as exceptional. The hotels were beautiful, set away from the villages, right in the heart of nature—with pools (and sometimes animals ;-) ). The hotel in Manuel Antonio was especially lovely, with a view of the ocean. There wasn’t too much driving—about three hours on average—so we had plenty of free time to enjoy ourselves. March is a great time to go: few tourists and not too hot. It was actually quite peaceful in the end. Just note that Costa Rica is a fairly expensive country when it comes to restaurants, juices, cocktails, etc., and plan for an extra budget if you’re interested in optional activities. And also very good group with nice and kind people Thanks Tayron Thanks Intrepid ! Pura Vida !
Classic Costa RicaExcellent guide and driver. Will need to come back!
Premium Costa Rica (8 destinations)
Our traveler's Moments
- Costa Rica: Monteverde and La Fortuna
- Supersaver | Costa Rica Essentials Plus, 8 days
- Eco-adventure in Costa Rica
- Costa Rica Quest
- Classic Costa Rica
- The Best of Costa Rica
- Essential Costa Rica - Package with Manuel Antonio National Park
- Beaches and Nature with Santa Teresa
- Mystic Waterfalls & Forests Of Costa Rica
- Costa Rica Adventure
- Our Costa Rican Highlights
- Costa Rica Highlights
- Essential Costa Rica - Package with Guanacaste
- Tortuguero National Park Tour – 4-Day Independent Adventure
- Basic Costa Rica: Coastlines & Cloud Forests
10 best Christmas & New Year Costa Rica tour packages
Compiled by
SteffCosta Rica travel expert at TourRadar
Costa Rica Experience
“the whole experience was just wonderful. A nice sampling of several areas of the country”
Laura, traveled in March
Natural treasures from Monteverde Cloud Forest to Manuel Antonio beaches sparkle during holidays. Santa Rosa de Pocosol homestay features festive meals, wildlife appears at Arenal Volcano, and tropical Quepos hosts New Year's celebrations.
Duration 8 days Destinations San Jose, La Fortuna, Monteverde, Manuel Antonio National Park, Quepos Age Range Ages 15+ Operator Intrepid Travel From $1,480
20% Off- US$1,184
Premium Costa Rica (8 destinations)
“A wonderful way to explore Costa Rica. The hotels all had amazing views from the balcony, and the food was really tasty.”
Catherine, traveled in July
Natural wonders meet holiday cheer in Costa Rica. Hike Arenal 1968 trails on Christmas, observe wildlife in Monteverde Cloud Forest Reserve, and join traditional festivities in San Jose's central market. Upscale accommodations and festive farewell dinners included.
Duration 9 days Destinations San Jose, Poas Volcano National Park, La Fortuna, Arenal Volcano National Park, Monteverde, Manuel Antonio National Park Age Range Ages 15+ Operator Intrepid Premium From
20% Off- US$5,245
Holiday magic fills this Costa Rican adventure. Christmas dinner with locals in Santa Rosa de Pocosol pairs with wildlife watching in Tortuguero National Park and New Year's celebrations on Manuel Antonio's beaches. Special holiday activities highlight local traditions.
Duration 15 days Destinations San Jose, Tortuguero National Park, Santa Rosa de Pocosol, Tenorio Volcano National Park, La Fortuna, Caño Negro, Arenal, Monteverde, Manuel Antonio National Park Age Range Ages 15+ Operator Intrepid Travel From
20% Off- US$2,938+$43 local payments
Costa Rica: Ocean Waves & Sunsets
“The nature in Costa Rica is incredible, the adventures were so much fun, the group became a little family.”
Marlene, traveled in May
Costa Rica's December departures blend holiday spirit with adventures. Arenal Volcano hikes ($50), La Fortuna waterfall swims ($20), and Santa Teresa surf lessons showcase perfect winter weather.
Duration 8 days Destinations San Jose, La Fortuna, Playa Santa Teresa Age Range Ages 18-39 Operator G Adventures From
20% Off- US$899
From Arenal to the Caribbean Coast
“Love the hot springs, views of the volcano and friendliness of the people.”
Michelle, traveled in April
Duration 8 days Destinations San Jose, La Fortuna, Pacuare River, Puerto Viejo de Talamanca, Alajuela Age Range Ages 6+ Operated in English, Spanish Operator Elemento Natural Costa Rica From
20% Off- US$1,665
Tropical Costa Rica 5 Days, Short Break
“The hotels were top quality, all my rooms were massive, breakfasts good and the pool clean and welcoming.”
AMY, traveled in April
Ring in the New Year with wildlife at Tortuguero National Park, where early morning boat tours through the canals let you spot howler monkeys and tropical birds. Then head to Baldi Hot Springs Resort to soak in 25 thermal pools fed by Arenal Volcano, with a festive dinner overlooking the conical peak.
Duration 5 days Destinations San Jose, Sarchi, La Fortuna, Guapiles, Tortuguero, Alajuela Age Range All Ages Welcome Operated in English, Spanish Operator Destination Services Costa Rica From $932
25% Off- US$699
Treasures of Costa Rica
“Amazing country with breathtaking views where we truly felt part of nature. Highly recommended!”
Ana, traveled in February
Duration 8 days Destinations San Jose, La Fortuna, Arenal, Monteverde, Manuel Antonio National Park, Quepos Age Range All Ages Welcome Operator Destination Services Costa Rica From $988
25% Off- US$741
What our customers ask about Christmas & New Year Tours & Trips in Costa Rica
What is the weather like during Christmas & New Year in Costa Rica?
The dry season in Costa Rica coincides with the Christmas and New Year period creating reliable conditions for holiday travel. Visitors to La Fortuna near Arenal Volcano can expect temperatures between 75-85°F (24-29°C) while Monteverde Cloud Forest stays a bit cooler ranging from 65-75°F (18-24°C). Beach destinations such as Manuel Antonio and Tamarindo offer bright days suited for outdoor activities. A TourRadar traveler confirms: "The weather during Christmas time was perfect - sunny days for activities and cool evenings for holiday celebrations."
How early should I book a Christmas & New Year tour to Costa Rica?
The holiday season requires significant advance planning with bookings needed 6-8 months ahead. Popular lodgings like Laguna Lodge in Tortuguero and El Establo Mountain Hotel in Monteverde typically reach capacity a full year before the season. Data shows most travelers secure their Christmas and New Year tours 8-10 months ahead of time. As noted by a TourRadar traveler: "We booked our December tour in March and were glad we did - many preferred hotels were already full."
How do Costa Ricans celebrate Christmas & New Year?
Local celebrations center around family gatherings for tamale making the Festival de la Luz in San Jose and neighborhood holiday markets. Hotels such as the Sheraton San Jose prepare traditional Christmas Eve feasts. Coastal areas like Manuel Antonio light up with New Year's fireworks displays. A TourRadar traveler shares: "Celebrating New Year's in La Fortuna was incredible - the locals welcomed us into their festivities with traditional food and music near Arenal Volcano."
What are the best destinations to visit during Christmas & New Year in Costa Rica?
Key locations during peak season include Manuel Antonio National Park known for beaches and wildlife Arenal Volcano with its hot springs and Monteverde Cloud Forest offering distinct hiking trails. The Guanacaste coast provides excellent beach weather while Tortuguero National Park draws wildlife enthusiasts. Accommodations like Laguna Lodge in Tortuguero offer strategic bases for exploration. According to a TourRadar traveler: "Visiting both Arenal and Manuel Antonio during Christmas week gave us the perfect mix of adventure and relaxation."
What unique wildlife can I expect to see during Christmas & New Year in Costa Rica?
The December-January period offers prime wildlife viewing. Tortuguero National Park teems with howler monkeys toucans and water birds. Manuel Antonio National Park provides reliable sightings of sloths white-faced capuchin monkeys and macaws. Properties like Selva Verde Rainforest Lodge position guests for optimal wildlife encounters. A TourRadar traveler notes: "Our Christmas week tour included amazing wildlife sightings - we saw over 50 species of birds and several sloths in Manuel Antonio alone."
What are the accommodation options for Christmas & New Year tours in Costa Rica?
Options span from simple eco-lodges to upscale resorts each embracing holiday decorations. Los Lagos Resort in La Fortuna features seasonal events and festive meals while El Establo Mountain Hotel in Monteverde provides New Year's fireworks viewing spots. Coastal properties like Hotel Nammbu in Samara host beachfront celebrations. A TourRadar traveler reports: "The hotels during Christmas were beautifully decorated and the special holiday meals were amazing."