Adventure Holidays in Costa Rica

Overview

The most biologically intense place on earth” – National Geographic

Our immersive Costa Rica adventure holidays will see you travel across active volcanoes, dense jungle, incredible wildlife and deserted beaches. Although Costa Rica is one of the world’s smallest countries, it certainly packs a big punch in terms of fascinating things to do. If it’s a wildlife adventure you’re looking for, then Costa Rica is waiting for you.

All our Costa Rica holidays are crafted by expert local hosts and curated by us for a truly personal experience. Whether a wellness, surfing or activity holiday, all our experiences will show you the lesser-seen, local side of Costa Rica for memories that stick with you. The Costa Rican people have a saying that’s used across the country which is – “Pura Vida” this literally translates to “Pure Life,” and it would be really difficult to find a phrase that’s more fitting to describe what you’ll find in this wonderful place.

Costa Rica is a magnificent holiday destination and one I predict will grow in popularity over the coming years.Carol, CEO of NITGB for TTG

 

Choose your holiday type

Choose your collection and start planning your Costa Rican adventure! Our collections are curated holidays for a truly personal getaway.

Our most popular experiences

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Browse some of our most popular and exciting holidays. All our holidays are crafted by locals and curated by us, giving you truly personal experiences.

  • Ultimate Costa Rica

    16 Nights Costa Rica
    • Cloud forest canopy walk and zip lining
    • Snorkel in Cano Island
    • Cruise the canals of Tortuguero
    • Stay in award winning hotels in the lush rainforest

    Price from

    £4646 pp*
    Take me there
  • Costa Rica Highlights Central and South Pacific

    10 Nights Costa Rica
    • Sail to Caño Island for amazing snorkelling
    • Guided boat tour in the mangroves of the Sierpe River
    • Relax on the beach in Manuel Antonio
    • Visit Cloudmaker Nature Reserve

    Price from

    £3298 pp*
    Take me there
  • La Fortuna to Drake Bay

    14 Nights Costa Rica
    • Wildlife night walk in Monteverde Cloud Forest
    • Crocodile Safari in Carara National Park
    • Mountain Adventure through the jungle in Quepos
    • Sail to Caño Island for amazing snorkelling

    Price from

    £4375 pp*
    Take me there
  • Costa Rica East to West

    14 Nights Costa Rica
    • Brave ziplining and hanging bridges in Monteverde
    • Enjoy Tenorio Volcanic National Park and hot springs
    • Guided boat wildlife tour in Tortuguero
    • Explore the charming village of Santa Elena

    Price from

    £2856 pp*
    Take me there
  • Discover Costa Rica South and Central Pacific

    14 Nights Costa Rica
    • Discover Irazú Volcanic National Park
    • Sail to Caño Island for amazing snorkelling
    • Guided boat tour in the mangroves of the Sierpe River
    • Guided hikes in the cloud forest of Dota

    Price from

    £4050 pp*
    Take me there
  • Costa Rica’s Central & North Pacific Coast

    14 Nights Costa Rica
    • Brave ziplining and hanging bridges in Monteverde
    • Swim in the Montezuma Waterfalls
    • Animal night tour in Valle Escondido
    • Learn to surf on Playa Hermosa’s beach

    Price from

    £2954 pp*
    Take me there
  • Off the Beaten Track on Costa Rica’s Caribbean Coast

    10 Nights Costa Rica
    • Boat trip from Monkey Point to search for dolphins
    • Pacuare Biological Reserve and Sea Turtle Conservation
    • Visit a coffee plantation and cook with a local family
    • Discover Irazú Volcanic National Park

    Price from

    £2382 pp*
    Take me there
  • Costa Rica’s North Pacific Coast

    10 Nights Costa Rica
    • Get off the beaten track and try quad-biking and surfing
    • Guided boat tours in the mangroves, ziplining in the forest
    • Includes a beautiful beachside glamping stay

    Price from

    £2155 pp*
    Take me there
    • Ultimate Costa Rica

      16 Nights Costa Rica
      • Cloud forest canopy walk and zip lining
      • Snorkel in Cano Island
      • Cruise the canals of Tortuguero
      • Stay in award winning hotels in the lush rainforest

      Price from

      £4646 pp*
      Take me there
    • Costa Rica Highlights Central and South Pacific

      10 Nights Costa Rica
      • Sail to Caño Island for amazing snorkelling
      • Guided boat tour in the mangroves of the Sierpe River
      • Relax on the beach in Manuel Antonio
      • Visit Cloudmaker Nature Reserve

      Price from

      £3298 pp*
      Take me there
    • La Fortuna to Drake Bay

      14 Nights Costa Rica
      • Wildlife night walk in Monteverde Cloud Forest
      • Crocodile Safari in Carara National Park
      • Mountain Adventure through the jungle in Quepos
      • Sail to Caño Island for amazing snorkelling

      Price from

      £4375 pp*
      Take me there
    • Costa Rica East to West

      14 Nights Costa Rica
      • Brave ziplining and hanging bridges in Monteverde
      • Enjoy Tenorio Volcanic National Park and hot springs
      • Guided boat wildlife tour in Tortuguero
      • Explore the charming village of Santa Elena

      Price from

      £2856 pp*
      Take me there
    • Discover Costa Rica South and Central Pacific

      14 Nights Costa Rica
      • Discover Irazú Volcanic National Park
      • Sail to Caño Island for amazing snorkelling
      • Guided boat tour in the mangroves of the Sierpe River
      • Guided hikes in the cloud forest of Dota

      Price from

      £4050 pp*
      Take me there
    • Costa Rica’s Central & North Pacific Coast

      14 Nights Costa Rica
      • Brave ziplining and hanging bridges in Monteverde
      • Swim in the Montezuma Waterfalls
      • Animal night tour in Valle Escondido
      • Learn to surf on Playa Hermosa’s beach

      Price from

      £2954 pp*
      Take me there
    • Off the Beaten Track on Costa Rica’s Caribbean Coast

      10 Nights Costa Rica
      • Boat trip from Monkey Point to search for dolphins
      • Pacuare Biological Reserve and Sea Turtle Conservation
      • Visit a coffee plantation and cook with a local family
      • Discover Irazú Volcanic National Park

      Price from

      £2382 pp*
      Take me there
    • Costa Rica’s North Pacific Coast

      10 Nights Costa Rica
      • Get off the beaten track and try quad-biking and surfing
      • Guided boat tours in the mangroves, ziplining in the forest
      • Includes a beautiful beachside glamping stay

      Price from

      £2155 pp*
      Take me there

    What our travellers are saying...

    "The journey to the accommodation was amazing as you travel by boat on a river out to the ocean, arriving in style. The food here was great!"

    Lizzie H

    “We had a great 10 day holiday travelling around the beautiful country of Costa Rica. Not In The Guidebooks organised a fantastic itinerary which was just perfect and tailored personally to us… Every aspect of the holiday was fun filled and breathtaking… this trip was incredible. A special thank you to Not In The Guidebooks and our wonderful tour guides for making this a trip of a lifetime.”

    Faye

    "Costa Rica is simply stunning and this NITGB tour enabled us to see different parts of the country, with a perfect mix of feeling adventurous but completely spoilt at the same time. Highly recommended."

    Ruth G

    "We had an amazing time exploring the Pacific coast of Costa Rica. This trip ticked all the boxes... and the support of a local guide when we decided last minute to alter a trip and go zip lining! It was brilliant to be off the beaten trail and we saw amazing scenery and wildlife and of course the famous quetzal bird in the beautiful cloud forest... I would thoroughly recommend this as a memorable family trip."

    Ruth

    “From the cloudy rain forests with their hanging walkways to surfing at Santa Teresa within three hours. All the logistics all worked - great drivers who transported us and told us about the country… The holiday was great because we saw a lot of the beautiful country, staying in six places… We loved every minute.”

    Natalie L

    Best Time to Visit Costa Rica

    General

    To be honest, there’s no bad time to visit Costa Rica, it does remain warm throughout the year. But being a tropical country, we do have dry and rainy seasons.

    For the Central Valley and the Pacific Coastline, the main dry season and the time most popular with visitors is mid December – April. The dry season starts a little earlier for the Caribbean Coastline and to the North of Costa Rica in September-October and this remains dry through Dec-April.

    During the dry season, it’s much easier to get around and there’s plenty of sunshine, perfect for a Costa Rican wildlife holiday. It’s a time where tropical species like monkeys and sloths are joined by migrant birds from the north, humpback whales in the warm waters, and sea turtles nesting on shore.

    The best off-peak time to come to Costa Rica is June-July. Be prepared for some rain, (but no where near as much as May-June) there’s definitely fewer visitors and lower prices in the local areas. It’s also a great time for some adventure sports e.g. rafting or water rapelling on your holiday in Costa Rica.

    Best Places to Visit

    Discover your next Costa Rican destination. All our destinations are perfect for off-the-beaten track adventure holidays full of excitement and relaxation.

    San Jose

    Costa Rica's buzzing capital, with amazing food, breathtaking culture and exhilarating adventures!

    Discover

    San Jose

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    Alajuela

    Volcanoes, jungles, waterfalls and lagoons, Alajuela is one of Costa Rica's most spectacular corners

    Discover

    Alajuela

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    Monteverde

    There is nothing as out-of-this-world as an adventure holiday in Monteverde. Nestled in the heart of

    Discover

    Monteverde

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    La Fortuna

    The gateway to Arenal National Park - a small town in northwestern Costa Rica.

    Discover

    La Fortuna

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    Drake Bay

    Dreaming of a holiday in Drake Bay? This Costa Rican paradise is perfect for adventure seekers and e

    Discover

    Drake Bay

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    What the guidebooks don’t tell you, Costa Rica

    We like to be transparent about our holidays, so with that in mind, here is some information you’d need to consider when booking your getaway!

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    Unmissable highlights

    The Cloud Forest

    Of course, any Costa Rican adventure must include this misty wonderland. The cloud forest contains lush, verdant canopies that are teeming with exotic wildlife. From jaguars and sloths to quetzals and howler monkeys, the cloud forest is a true nature paradise. So, slip on your hiking boots and enjoy one of our guided tours of Costa Rica’s green heart.

    Arenal Volcano

    Feel the earth’s power beneath your feet at Arenal. This majestic giant offers thrilling hikes, soothing hot springs, and breathtaking views. Whether you’re zip-lining through the canopy or stargazing at its perfect cone, Arenal promises heart-pumping adventure and serene natural beauty in one unforgettable package.

    Corcovado

    Welcome to Costa Rica’s wild side! Corcovado is a naturalist’s dream come true. Trek through untamed rainforests, spot rare species like scarlet macaws and tapirs, and discover pristine beaches. This remote paradise offers the ultimate off-the-beaten-track experience for those seeking true wilderness and unforgettable encounters.

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    Culture and Customs

    The culture in Costa Rica is quite different to the west, so here are some things we’d like you to know before visiting:

     

    Why choose Not in the Guidebooks

    As a travel life partner and B-corp we’re passionate about not only amazing experiences and travels, but sustainability and accountability. Our holidays are not for the average tourist, with thrilling adventures and exhilarating activities you’ll be Not in the Guidebooks tourist. Here is how we work to create sustainable holidays:

    Social Sustainability

    At Not in the Guidebooks we’re committed to empowering the local communities in Costa Rica. We work closely with the local people and their businesses to make sure that they receive a fair percentage of the money you spend on your holiday there. By partnering with local guides and suppliers, we’re able to create meaningful, authentic experiences that directly benefit the people who call this incredible country home.

    Environmental Sustainability

    Preserving and protecting Costa Rica’s rich wildlife and biodiversity is a top priority for us. We carefully curate our itineraries to minimise the impact on fragile ecosystems, avoiding overcrowded tourist hotspots whenever possible. When visiting popular destinations, we time our visits to off-peak hours to reduce crowds and disturbance. Our travellers learn to be responsible guests, leaving no trace as they explore Costa Rica’s stunning landscapes.

    Learn more about Costa Rica

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