Somewhere above your first breakfast, a howler monkey clears its throat and the whole valley hears it. Costa Rica fits roughly 5% of the world's species into 0.03% of the Earth's surface, and protects more than a quarter of its land as parks and reserves, so the wildlife was never going to wait politely at the park gates. Cloud forest at breakfast, hot springs after dark, a different ocean whichever way you drive. Ticos call it pura vida. For the next couple of weeks, it's yours too.
RAINFOREST · SLOTHS · PURA VIDA
Costa Rica
Rainforests, Volcanoes & Pacific Beaches
Central America
Wildlife Destination
Every trip tailor-made
THE FIRST MEMORY
Fire and mist
Hot springs under Arenal, quetzals in the Monteverde cloud forest.
FIRE & MIST
Where fire meets cloud
The iconic cone of Arenal dominates the northern lowlands, rising 1,670 metres above rainforest-covered foothills. Its last major eruption was in 2010, but the area around it remains one of Costa Rica's most rewarding bases: soak in volcanically heated hot springs ringed by tropical gardens, hike old lava fields the forest has reclaimed, and cross swaying canopy bridges for a bird's-eye view of toucans and howler monkeys.
An hour or two south, the Monteverde Cloud Forest Reserve is a different world, trails draped in mosses, orchids and bromeliads, the air alive with birdsong, visibility shifting between misty and crystalline by the minute. It is one of the best places on Earth to glimpse the resplendent quetzal, the iridescent bird the Maya and Aztecs held sacred.
The two pair naturally: most trips base at La Fortuna for Arenal, then transfer to Monteverde for the cloud forest, before dropping to the coast. Fire and mist, back to back, the classic opening to a Costa Rica itinerary.
THE SECOND MEMORY
The Pacific slows you down
Sloths at arm's length, beaches inside a national park.
WILD PACIFIC
Where the jungle meets the sea
Manuel Antonio may be Costa Rica's smallest national park, but it is arguably its most spectacular, a pocket of pristine rainforest tumbling down to crescent-shaped white-sand beaches lapped by warm Pacific water. Within minutes of the gate you are likely to meet white-faced capuchins, three-toed sloths dozing in cecropia trees, and scarlet macaws overhead.
Further south, the wild Osa Peninsula shelters Corcovado National Park, described by National Geographic as "the most biologically intense place on Earth". Reachable only by boat or light aircraft, it holds jaguars, tapirs, all four Costa Rican monkey species and scarlet macaws in real numbers. Drake Bay is the gateway, and a superb base for whale-watching, humpbacks visit July to November and December to March.
The Pacific coast is where most itineraries slow down: a few nights of beach, wildlife and warm water after the volcanoes and cloud forest, with the option to go deep into true wilderness on the Osa for travellers who want it.
THE ONE YOU'LL TELL FOR YEARS
A beach full of turtles
Tortuguero by boat, green turtles by night, July to October.
JUNGLE WATERWAYS
Costa Rica's Caribbean Amazon
Tortuguero National Park is often called "Costa Rica's Amazon", a maze of canals, lagoons and rivers winding through dense lowland rainforest, explored by boat rather than road. It is one of the world's most important nesting sites for green sea turtles, which haul ashore between July and October; a guided night walk to witness it is genuinely unforgettable.
South of Limón the coast changes character entirely. Cahuita National Park protects Costa Rica's best coral reef and palm-fringed sand, while laid-back Puerto Viejo pulses with Afro-Caribbean culture, reggae and some of the country's best cooking, rice and beans in coconut milk, fresh ceviche, Caribbean-spiced jerk.
Wetter and greener than the Pacific, the Caribbean coast is the road less travelled, and the natural choice for a second, contrasting beach base if your trip runs longer than a week.
Rainforest and coast in one trip
Costa Rica rewards a twin-centre approach: pair the volcanoes and cloud forests of the interior with a Pacific or Caribbean beach, and you get two completely different holidays in one. We'll build the route, pace and hotels around your dates, tailor-made, ATOL protected, with a specialist who has actually been there.
BETWEEN PLACES
What happens in between
YOU, IN COSTA RICA
Choose the memories you'll make
TURTLES, WHALES & DOLPHINS
Turtles, whales & dolphins
Tortuguero's nesting beaches, then humpbacks and dolphins off the South Pacific. Tailor-made and ATOL protected, timed to the wildlife calendar.
THE CLASSIC LOOP
The classic loop
Pacuare rapids, Arenal hot springs, sloths at Manuel Antonio. The route that shows you why everyone falls for Costa Rica.
COAST TO COAST
Coast to coast
Caribbean canals to Pacific surf in one unhurried sweep of the whole country.
Practical Information
UK citizens do not need a visa for tourist visits of up to 180 days. Your passport must be valid for at least one day beyond your planned departure date (though six months is recommended). You may be asked to show proof of onward travel and sufficient funds. No vaccinations are compulsory for entry, but check the latest FCDO advice before travelling.
Flying in from the UK? See our guide to flights to Costa Rica from the UK for routes, the San José vs Liberia airport choice, costs and the best time to book.
Timing matters here, see our guide to the best time to visit Costa Rica for month-by-month weather and wildlife seasons.
Drawn to the dramatic interior? See our guide to volcanoes and cloud forests holidays in Costa Rica for the best regions, when to go, and how to pair Arenal with Monteverde.
Planning your trip? See our guides to the best places to visit in Costa Rica, whether Costa Rica is safe, how it compares in Costa Rica vs Cuba, and our month-by-month Costa Rica wildlife calendar.
Ready to plan? Read our complete guide to Costa Rica holidays from the UK, build your route with our 10-day Costa Rica itinerary, and find the best time to visit Costa Rica.
WHAT TO SEE
Costa Rica highlights
Explore the misty trails of Monteverde Cloud Forest and spot the resplendent quetzal
Soak in natural hot springs beneath the gaze of Arenal Volcano
Watch monkeys and sloths at Manuel Antonio National Park
Witness green sea turtles nesting on Tortuguero beaches
Raft the white-water rapids of the Pacuare River through pristine jungle gorges
Tour a working coffee plantation and taste single-origin Costa Rican coffee
Real reviews
What our customers say
From travellers who visited Costa Rica with us
“
We've wanted to visit Costa Rica for years and Travelfab put together a brilliant two-week trip. Arenal Volcano with the hot springs was the perfect start. Tortuguero's canals were teeming with wildlife, monkeys, sloths, caimans, an incredible variety of birds. The Caribbean coast around Puerto Viejo had a completely different vibe, reggae, jerk chicken, and lovely reef snorkelling. Pura vida indeed.
Graham & Pat D.
“
Costa Rica was pure magic. Monteverde cloud forest was eerie and beautiful, we saw a resplendent quetzal on our first morning which our guide said was rare. The hanging bridges walk was thrilling. We finished at Manuel Antonio where the white-faced monkeys came right up to our sun loungers. The biodiversity is staggering. Travelfab arranged everything including an excellent local driver-guide.
Victoria & Mark P.
“
Perfect family holiday. The kids loved the zip-lining and wildlife spotting, and we loved the volcanic hot springs and beautiful beaches. Costa Rica has something for everyone.
Natalie J.
Holidays in Costa Rica
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Costa Rica: Coast to Coast
12 daysEasy to ModeratePrivate to your own party (from 4 sharing)
From£5,525
ATOL 10898
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Costa Rica Wildlife: Turtles, Whales & Dolphins
8 days / 7 nightsEasy to ModeratePrivate to 2 or more travellers
Price on enquiry
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Costa Rica Northern Explorer
8 days / 7 nightsModeratePrivate to 2 or more travellers
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Costa Rica Hidden Gems: Dry Forest & Beach
7 days / 6 nightsEasy to ModeratePrivate to 2 or more travellers
Price on enquiry
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Costa Rica Explorer
9 days / 8 nightsModeratePrivate to 2 or more travellers
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Costa Rica Nature Lovers
7 days / 6 nightsEasy to ModeratePrivate to 2 or more travellers
Price on enquiry
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Rainforest & Volcano Trek
14 daysModerate4-10 persons
From£2,899
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Tailor-made · ATOL 10898
Plan your tailor-made Costa Rica trip
Tell us when you want to travel, who with, and roughly what budget you have in mind. A Latin America specialist replies within one working day with a bespoke proposal.
Plan a tailor-made Costa Rica tripPlan Your Costa Rica Adventure
Whether you're drawn to cloud forests, volcanic hot springs, or Caribbean beaches, our Costa Rica specialists will craft the perfect eco-adventure for you. Every trip is ATOL protected and tailored to your interests, pace, and budget.
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