Costa Rica
All travel Destination Guide

Things to Do in Costa Rica

Everything you need for an unforgettable Costa Rica trip — skip-the-line tickets, airport transfers, hotels, car hire and cheap flights, all in one place.

Costa Rica is one of the world's most rewarding destinations — and planning your trip is simple when tickets, transfers, stays and flights all live in one place. Below you'll find hand-picked Costa Rica experiences and travel deals from trusted booking partners, refreshed regularly so you always see live availability and fair prices.

Where to stay

Hotels in Costa Rica: see today's live prices

Browse every hotel in Costa Rica on Trip.com with today's real prices, guest reviews and free cancellation on most rooms.

See hotels on Trip.com

Best areas to stay in Costa Rica

Pick the neighbourhood that fits your trip, then compare live hotel prices.

Area photos: Wikimedia Commons (CC BY-SA)

San José (Escazú / Sabana / downtown core), Costa Rica
San José (Escazú / Sabana / downtown core)$$
First-timers & transit access

Urban, convenient, businesslike

Best for easy airport transfers, museums, restaurants, and bus connections; stay near Sabana or Escazú for safer, practical access.

Browse Costa Rica hotels
La Fortuna, Costa Rica
La Fortuna$$
Arenal volcano explorers

Relaxed, adventure-focused, lively

Close to Arenal Volcano, hot springs, waterfalls, and tour departures, with plenty of lodging and shuttles nearby.

Browse Costa Rica hotels
Tamarindo, Costa Rica
Tamarindo$$
Beach lovers & nightlife

Beachy, social, surf-oriented

Walk to Tamarindo Beach, surf schools, shops, and restaurants; it’s one of Guanacaste’s easiest bases for visitors.

Browse Costa Rica hotels
Monteverde (Santa Elena), Costa Rica
Monteverde (Santa Elena)$$
Cloud forest visitors

Cool, rustic, nature-first

Stay in Santa Elena for access to Monteverde Cloud Forest, hanging bridges, and tour pickups, though roads are winding.

Browse Costa Rica hotels
In season now · November

Summer cruises & sunset trips in Costa Rica

Sunset sails, boat trips and beach days. Book early, these sell out fast this time of year.

Before you fly

Your Costa Rica trip checklist

0/3 done
  • Book with Airalo
  • Book with Kiwitaxi
  • Book with Viator

How much does a Costa Rica trip cost?

Adjust your trip and the estimate updates instantly.

Nights

4

Travellers

2

Travel style

Currency

  • HotelTypical

    4 nights × 1 room

    $640
  • Airport transfersTypical

    Return trip × 1 car

    $180
  • Tours & ticketsTypical

    4 days × 2 people

    $480
  • Food & drinksTypical

    4 days × 2 people

    $440
  • Local transportTypical

    4 days × 2 people

    $160

Estimated total

$950 per person

$1,900

Typical costs are researched estimates, refreshed monthly. "Live" prices come from current partner fares. Exchange rates update daily.

Things to Do in Costa Rica

Tours, tickets and attractions

Tours & Day Trips in Costa Rica
ExperiencesInstant confirmation Costa Rica
KKday

Tours & Day Trips in Costa Rica

Find tours, day trips and attraction tickets in Costa Rica with KKday — instant confirmation on most bookings.

View Deal
Skip-the-Line Tickets in Costa Rica
ExperiencesSkip-the-line entry Costa Rica
Tiqets

Skip-the-Line Tickets in Costa Rica

Museums, landmarks and top attractions in Costa Rica — instant mobile tickets with Tiqets, skip the queue.

View Deal
Things to Do in Costa Rica
ExperiencesBest-price guarantee Costa Rica
Klook

Things to Do in Costa Rica

Book top tours, attractions and activities in Costa Rica with Klook — instant mobile tickets and a best-price guarantee.

View Deal
Top attractions & tours in Costa Rica
Experiences Costa Rica
Trip.com

Top attractions & tours in Costa Rica

Skip-the-line tickets, day trips and tours in Costa Rica, with instant confirmation.

View Deal
Authentic Coffee and Chocolate Tour at North Fields
ExperiencesFree cancellation Costa Rica
Viator

Authentic Coffee and Chocolate Tour at North Fields

5.0(2,607 reviews)· 2h 30m

North Fields Coffee and Chocolate Tour offers a two and a half hour local family owned experience in Costa Rica, located close to Arenal Volcano area and its hot springs As you move through our fields, you’ll follow the entire process step by step, from freshly picked coffee cherries and cacao pods

from$46
View Deal
Arenal 12 Zipline Cables Experience Fly over La Fortuna Waterfall
ExperiencesFree cancellation Costa Rica
Viator

Arenal 12 Zipline Cables Experience Fly over La Fortuna Waterfall

4.8(962 reviews)· 3h 30m

"Elevate your adventure with a unique and captivating half-day journey. Join our guided experience and prepare to be amazed as you soar above canyons, through pristine forests, and alongside cascading waterfalls. We're the only zipline that crosses above one of the most visited natural wonders in

from$107
View Deal
La Fortuna: ATV Adventure Through Rainforest & Volcano Views
ExperiencesFree cancellation Costa Rica
Viator

La Fortuna: ATV Adventure Through Rainforest & Volcano Views

4.6(368 reviews)· 3h

Get ready for a 2-hour tour of pure adventure and adrenaline! Our experience begins at our private farm. After a safety briefing and practice ride. We start by riding through muddy trails, crossing small rivers and streams, and driving through natural puddles—all surrounded by beautiful rainforest.

from$100
View Deal
La Fortuna Waterfall, Arenal Volcano, Hot Springs Full Day Tour
ExperiencesFree cancellation Costa Rica
Viator

La Fortuna Waterfall, Arenal Volcano, Hot Springs Full Day Tour

4.8(2,616 reviews)· 11h

The tour that has it all!! In this tour we will proudly show you the spectaculair nature that La Fortuna area has to offer. We will take you allong rivers, over high hanging bridges, jungle staircases, mountain trails, the magnificent la Fortuna waterfall, butterfly garden, Maleku Indian village, g

from$89
View Deal
La Fortuna Waterfall, Hanging Bridges, Arenal Volcano Combo Tour
ExperiencesFree cancellation Costa Rica
Viator

La Fortuna Waterfall, Hanging Bridges, Arenal Volcano Combo Tour

4.9(1,883 reviews)· 8h

perfect for nature lovers. perfect for active travelers ideal if you don't have many vacation days. you will see the 3 best attractions in the area You will visit the best parks in the area start of activities early, to avoid the largest number of tourist groups small groups good food you ca

from$154
View Deal
Sloth Watching, Coffee, Chocolate & Waterfall from Guanacaste
ExperiencesFree cancellation Costa Rica
Viator

Sloth Watching, Coffee, Chocolate & Waterfall from Guanacaste

4.9(1,015 reviews)· 6h

Sloths up close, a waterfall swim, coffee & chocolate and a delicious local lunch: the day our guests call "the best part of our trip." We are a 100% local, family-owned company from Guanacaste, founded in 2008 by Carlos Méndez. Our guides grew up here, and the farmers and rainforest trackers you'l

from$160
View Deal
Guachipelin Volcano Combo: Zipline, River Tubing & Hot Springs
ExperiencesFree cancellation Costa Rica
Viator

Guachipelin Volcano Combo: Zipline, River Tubing & Hot Springs

4.8(1,580 reviews)· 8h

The best all day adventure combo on Rincon de la Vieja Volcano that includes ziplining, river tubing, full lunch, hot springs, and volcanic mud bath. Ziplining The course takes you into a steep canyon where you will go down 8 zip line cables, 18 platforms, a hanging bridge, rappel, and a tarzan swi

from$145
View Deal
Upper Balsa River White Water Rafting Class 3/4 in Costa Rica
ExperiencesFree cancellation Costa Rica
Viator

Upper Balsa River White Water Rafting Class 3/4 in Costa Rica

5.0(1,995 reviews)· 5h

The balsa river is the best white water rafting choice in the northern area of Costa Rica this great class 3 &4 on the upper part, Balsa River for an adventure you won’t forget anytime soon! Stop along the way to rest a bit, do a little swimming, and enjoy some fresh Costa Rica fruit. After white w

from$85
View Deal

Airport Transfers in Costa Rica

Get from the airport to your hotel, hassle-free

Airport Transfers in Costa Rica
TransferFixed price, no surge Costa Rica
Kiwitaxi

Airport Transfers in Costa Rica

Pre-book a private airport transfer in Costa Rica with Kiwitaxi — fixed price, flight tracking and no surge pricing.

View Deal

Where to Stay in Costa Rica

Hand-picked stays and live rates

Hotels in Costa Rica
HotelLive hotel prices Costa Rica
Trip.com

Hotels in Costa Rica

Browse every hotel in Costa Rica with today's real prices, guest reviews and free-cancellation options.

from$102
View Deal

Cheapest car hire in Costa Rica

Live rates at Juan Santamaría International Airport, from US$5/day. Change the dates to compare every partner.

3 days
Cheapest
Toyota RAV4

Toyota RAV4

Compact SUV · or similar

54Automatic
  • Unlimited mileage
  • Free cancellation
Economy Rent A Car

Economy Rent A Car

via Trip.com

US$5/day

≈ US$15 for 3 days

View deal
Hyundai Tucson

Hyundai Tucson

Intermediate SUV · or similar

54Manual
  • Unlimited mileage
  • Free cancellation
Economy Rent A Car

Economy Rent A Car

via Trip.com

US$5/day

≈ US$15 for 3 days

View deal
Toyota Raize

Toyota Raize

Small SUV · or similar

53Automatic
  • Instant confirmation
  • Unlimited mileage
  • Full to Full
NÜ

NÜ

via Trip.com

US$8/day

≈ US$24 for 3 days

View deal
Suzuki Ertiga

Suzuki Ertiga

Minivan · or similar

71Automatic
  • Open 24 hours
  • Instant confirmation
  • Unlimited mileage
Fox

Fox

via Trip.com

US$10/day

≈ US$30 for 3 days

View deal
See all 6 cars and 5 partners

Compare car & bike rentals for Costa Rica

5 trusted brands side by side. Check two or three to get the best deal.

QEEQ

Best for: Lowest price search

Cars · Worldwide

Low-price search

Economybookings

Best for: All-inclusive pricing

Cars · 30,000+ locations

No hidden fees

Trip.com

Best for: Big-brand airport rentals

Cars · Worldwide airports

Free cancellation on most cars

Localrent

Best for: Islands & local deals

Cars · Europe, Asia & islands

Local prices

GetRentacar

Best for: Flexible bookings

Cars · 10,000+ locations

Free cancellation

Find the cheapest eSIM for Costa Rica

Real plan prices from each brand, cheapest first, for plans that last your whole trip.

Prices checked under 1h ago on each brand's site. Prices may change at checkout.

Compare travel eSIMs for Costa Rica

2 trusted brands side by side. Check two or three to get the best deal.

Yesim

Best for: Instant activation

Regional, global & pay-as-you-go · 150+ countries

from $5.16

Instant activation

Airalo

Best for: Most destinations

Local, regional & global packs · 200+ countries

No roaming fees

Costa Rica travel FAQ

What are the best things to do in Costa Rica?

The most popular Costa Rica experiences are skip-the-line attraction tickets, guided city tours and day trips. You can book them above with instant mobile tickets from trusted partners like Tiqets and Klook — no printing required.

How do I get from the airport to my hotel in Costa Rica?

A pre-booked private transfer is the easiest way to reach your Costa Rica hotel. You'll find fixed-price, meet-and-greet airport transfers in the section above, so there's no haggling with taxis when you land.

When is the best time to visit Costa Rica?

Costa Rica rewards visitors year-round, but the shoulder-season months usually offer the best mix of pleasant weather, thinner crowds and lower prices. Compare live hotel and flight prices above to find the cheapest dates for your trip.

Do I need a visa to visit Costa Rica?

Visa rules depend on your nationality and how long you stay, so always check your government's official travel advice before booking. Many travellers can enter visa-free or with a quick electronic authorisation.

How many days should I spend in Costa Rica?

Most travellers spend 3–5 days in Costa Rica to see the highlights without rushing. Booking your tours and transfers in advance helps you make the most of every day on the ground.

Explore more destinations

As featured on GKDeals