Costa Rica Caribbean Coast Tours & Trips
Ever wanted to experience Costa Rica's pura vida lifestyle fully? Relax on idyllic beaches, explore lush cloud forests, venture into dramatic volcanic landscapes, and surf at some world's most popular destinations. See incredible wildlife, pristine coastlines, and that laid-back Caribbean vibe that makes Costa Rica absolutely stunning.
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- Choose from 18 Costa Rica Caribbean Coast tours
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Randolph • traveled in May
Verny, our guide, did an excellent job. Very knowledgeable about the park and the wildlife. Enthusiastic about his job.
Tortuguero National Park Tour – 4-Day Independent Adventure - J
Jacqueline • traveled in November
All worked with interesting excursions and experiences. Alex the guide was outstanding. He was very knowledgeable about the wildlife and went out of his way to make suture we all had a great experience. The hotel and its facilities were good too
Tortuguero Jungle Expedition, Short Break - G
Gail • traveled in October, 2024
This tour was absolutely amazing! It was a Dream Vacation for my husband and I the year we turned 60. We had never travelled to a tropical country together before. The organization of the tours, the customer service, the accommodations, were all outstanding. We have not one bad thing to say. The first part of the tour to La Tortugaro and the Coffee/Cocoa Tour in the Arenal area were the two biggest highlights; but the whole thing, every day, every hour, was amazing! I would do it again in a heartbeat!
Costa Rica's Natural Wonders
The best Costa Rica Caribbean Coast tour packages
Compiled by
MelissaCosta Rica Caribbean Coast travel expert at TourRadar
- Tortuguero National Park Tour – 4-Day Independent Adventure
- Tortuguero Jungle Expedition, Short Break
- Costa Rica's Natural Wonders
- The Costa Rican Caribbean Adventure
- Tortuguero National Park Adventure 3D/2N
- Best of Costa Rica 9 Days Tour
- Puerto Viejo Beach, Short Break
- Cycle Costa Rica
- Costa Rica and Panamá - 11 days
- Costa Rica Family Escape
Tortuguero National Park Tour – 4-Day Independent Adventure
17 Reviews by TourRadar travelers“The experience that we had on this tour was great from start to finish and I highly recommend this tour for anyone that enjoys nature.”
Patricia, traveled in March
Cruise along Costa Rica's Caribbean Coast from Pachira Lodge in Tortuguero. Daily guided boat tours showcase diverse wildlife including howler monkeys and caiman. Includes 8 meals, comfortable accommodation, and optional activities like kayaking ($35).
Duration 4 days Destinations San Jose, Tortuguero National Park Age Range Ages 12+ Operator G Adventures From
- US$739
Tortuguero Jungle Expedition, Short Break
11 Reviews by TourRadar travelers“Fabulous stay.”
Cliff, traveled in February
The waterways of Costa Rica's Caribbean Coast come alive from Laguna Lodge in Tortuguero. Watch diverse wildlife, stroll through car-free village life, and join guided nature walks. Perfect base for the region's rich biodiversity and culture.
Duration 3 days Destinations San Jose, Tortuguero National Park Age Range All Ages Welcome Operated in English, Spanish Operator Destination Services Costa Rica From $590
15% Off- US$502You save $89
Costa Rica's Natural Wonders
84 Reviews by TourRadar travelers“Everything went according to plan. This quickly helped build group comraderie and cohesion which added to the positive experience.”
JOANNE, traveled in April
Costa Rica's Caribbean coast unfolds through Tortuguero's canal network, mangrove forests, and pristine beaches. Two-night stay at Pachira Lodge includes guided boat tours, wildlife viewing, and optional night excursions.
Duration 11 days Destinations San Jose, Tortuguero National Park, Guapiles, La Fortuna, La Guaria (La Fortuna), Arenal Volcano National Park, Monteverde, Jaco Age Range All Ages Welcome Operator Wingbuddy From
15% Off- US$1,949
The Costa Rican Caribbean Adventure
5 Reviews by TourRadar travelers“The wildlife viewing was amazing. Our visit to the National Park was awesome, again seeing lots of wildlife.”
Wendy, traveled in December
The canals of Tortuguero lead to Puerto Viejo's pristine beaches. Stay at Mawamba Lodge, spot nesting sea turtles (July-October), and hike Cahuita National Park's coastal trails. Includes expert guides rated 4.8/5.
Duration 7 days Destinations San Jose, Tortuguero National Park, Puerto Viejo de Talamanca Age Range All Ages Welcome Operated in English, Spanish Operator Green World Adventures From $1,528
15% Off- US$1,299You save $229
Tortuguero National Park Adventure 3D/2N
8 Reviews by TourRadar travelers“The tour itself with the local crew in Costa Rica was just TOP!”
An, traveled in April
Tortuguero National Park reveals pristine beaches and lush rainforest along Costa Rica's Caribbean coast. Hidden waterways showcase sea turtle nesting sites and diverse wildlife while staying at comfortable eco-lodges.
Duration 3 days Destinations San Jose, Tortuguero National Park Age Range Ages 10+ Operator Bamba Travel From
15% Off- US$653
Start in San Jose and head through Arenal Volcano National Park to the Caribbean Coast, staying in 3-star air-conditioned hotels like Hotel Arenal Montechiari and Hotel Pachira Lodge. You'll snorkel for 2 hours among coral reefs and tropical fish near Cahuita, then take a boat through Tortuguero's river canals to look for anteaters and monkeys. Walk rainforest trails with great coastal views before returning to the capital.
Duration 9 days Destinations San Jose, Arenal Volcano National Park, Tortuguero National Park, Puerto Viejo de Talamanca, Cahuita Age Range Ages 12+ Operated in English, Spanish Operator GUIDEcuador Travel From
15% Off- US$3,100
Puerto Viejo Beach, Short Break
1 Review by TourRadar travelers“The accommodation was lovely. I've had a great trip.”
Kristina, traveled in March
Pristine beaches await at Le Caméleón or Villas del Caribe in Puerto Viejo. Trek through Cahuita National Park's coastal trail, spot diverse wildlife, and enjoy the region's unique Afro-Caribbean culture and untouched shores.
Duration 3 days Destinations San Jose, Puerto Viejo de Talamanca Age Range All Ages Welcome Operated in English, Spanish Operator Destination Services Costa Rica From $851
15% Off- US$723You save $128
Cycle Costa Rica
7 Reviews by TourRadar travelers“The last hotel in Manuel Antonio was the icing on the cake after some quite gruelling cycle rides.”
Sally, traveled in January
Lush rainforests of Tortuguero welcome you with diverse waterways and unique wildlife. The route winds through banana plantations and tropical landscapes before heading inland toward the Pacific shores.
Duration 14 days Destinations San Jose, Tortuguero National Park, Guapiles, La Fortuna, Arenal Volcano National Park, Guanacaste National Park, Canas, Volcan Miravalles, Manuel Antonio National Park Age Range Ages 16+ Operator Explore! From $4,800
15% Off- US$4,080You save $720
Duration 11 days Destinations San Jose, Tortuguero, Tortuguero National Park, Puerto Viejo de Talamanca, Sixaola, Bocas Del Toro, Panama City Age Range All Ages Welcome Operated in English, Spanish Operator Receptivo Aborigen Tours From $1,725
10% Off- US$1,553You save $173
Thrilling adventures await on this 8-day tour priced at approx. $410 per day. Zip-line through Monteverde's cloud forest canopy, spot dolphins off Carrillo Beach, and enjoy natural hot springs near Arenal Volcano. Family-friendly accommodations include Monteverde Country Lodge and Nammbu Hotel, with most featuring pools and volcano views.
Duration 8 days Destinations San Jose, Arenal Volcano National Park, La Fortuna, La Guaria (La Fortuna), Arenal, Tilaran, Monteverde, Samara, Playa Carrillo Age Range Ages 9+ Operator Exodus Adventure Travels From $3,898
20% Off- US$3,120You save $778
What our customers ask about Costa Rica Caribbean Coast Tours & Trips
When is the best time to visit Costa Rica's Caribbean Coast?
The Caribbean Coast follows different weather patterns than the rest of Costa Rica. The best times to visit are March to April and September to October when rainfall is minimal. During these months visitors can fully enjoy activities like hiking in Cahuita National Park or exploring Tortuguero's canals. A TourRadar traveler who stayed at Tortuguero Beach Lodge noted "we had fantastic weather in March with clear skies perfect for wildlife viewing." For those interested in sea turtles July to October marks the peak nesting season at Tortuguero National Park.
What are the must-see highlights along Costa Rica's Caribbean Coast?
The centerpiece of the Caribbean Coast is Tortuguero National Park with its network of canals and rich wildlife. Visitors can explore Cahuita National Park's beaches and coral reefs or experience the Caribbean culture in Puerto Viejo. A TourRadar traveler shared "The Tortuguero boat tours were incredible - we saw sloths monkeys toucans and even baby caimans. Juan Miguel our guide was very knowledgeable about the animals and plants." Accommodation options include places like Laguna Lodge in Tortuguero and Le Caméléon in Puerto Viejo.
What is the accommodation like on the Caribbean Coast?
The coast offers a range of places to stay from basic eco-lodges to upscale hotels. Tortuguero features properties like Mawamba Lodge and Laguna Lodge which provide rooms with views of the jungle. In Puerto Viejo travelers can choose between upscale options like Le Caméléon and more budget-friendly choices such as Villas del Caribe. A TourRadar traveler described "The Evergreen Lodge in Tortuguero was perfectly located in the rainforest with 55 rooms all tastefully furnished with private bathrooms and ceiling fans plus a swimming pool and restaurant."
How accessible is the Caribbean Coast from San José?
Getting to the Caribbean Coast from San José is straightforward. Tortuguero requires a combined bus and boat journey taking 3-4 hours while Puerto Viejo is reachable by bus or shuttle in 4-5 hours. According to a TourRadar traveler "The journey from San José to Tortuguero with Laguna Lodge was well-organized including a breakfast stop and scenic boat ride through the canals." Most organized tours handle all transportation logistics from San José.
What wildlife can I expect to see on Costa Rica's Caribbean Coast?
The Caribbean Coast's ecosystems support an extensive variety of wildlife. Tortuguero National Park houses three monkey species 123 types of tropical fish and various sea turtles. Visitors to Cahuita National Park often encounter sloths white-nosed barbets and howler monkeys. A TourRadar traveler noted "Our guide's knowledge of the plants animals history and agriculture of Costa Rica was very impressive and significantly added to the enjoyment of the vacation." The region's waters are home to manatees caimans and more than 400 bird species.
What's the best length of time to explore Costa Rica's Caribbean Coast?
While 3-4 days allows for seeing the main attractions a 7-10 day visit provides time to fully experience the region. A TourRadar traveler suggested "Make the tour a couple of days longer. There was lots more to do in each location." A typical itinerary might include 3 nights at Pachira Lodge in Tortuguero for wildlife viewing followed by 2-3 nights in either Cahuita or Puerto Viejo for beach time and cultural experiences.