Costa Rica Cultural Tours
Costa Rica’s culture is rooted in a peaceful, Catholic, agrarian society, and many of Costa Rica's most interesting cultural experiences are on the coffee farm, visiting the pineapple plantation, or eating a delicious helping of gallo pinto at the local soda (Costa Rican restaurant.) The country’s few museums and performing arts are mostly centered in the capital city of San Jose. Yet, for what Costa Rica may lack in high culture, it makes up for in human culture. As reflected in the popular phrase “pura vida” (pure life,) the easy-going nature of Ticos (Costa Ricans) is a shared cultural value that takes life “poco a poco” (little by little.) Friendly Tico guides lead many of the tours below with stories about the history and culture of their country.
How can we help?
Click and read long-form guides
Talamanca Indigenous Village Half Day
From $236Get a peek into the extraordinary lives of the Indigenous on one of the largest indigenous communities in central America. The Bribri family are extremely proud to share their heritage.
Explore TourCafe de Monteverde Coffee Tour
From $50This coffee plantation doesn’t just produce an incredible cup of coffee, it’s also a vitally important part of the community. Learn how family, sustainability, and attention to detail all combine to nurture coffee from cherry, to bean, to brew on this educational tour that’s part local history and part culture. Yes, you will enjoy samples!
Explore TourFarm and Cooking Experiences
From $300Delight your senses and explore Costa Rica’s tropical flavors, organic fresh products, and typical recipes. Join us to this nature and gastronomic experience of discovering and tasting classic Costa Rican meals.
Explore TourSloth Territory and Campesino Tour
From $301Take this tour to see some of the wildlife and agriculture that thrives around the Arenal Volcano. You’ll get to follow a nature guide to see some sloths in their natural habitat, and then visit a local farm to see more animals and have a homemade lunch.
Explore TourBribri Medicinal Plants and Chocolate Tour
From $189The Watsi Bribri people lived in Costa Rica long before the Spanish arrived. On a visit to the foothills of the Talamanca Mountains, you’ll have the chance to meet the modern-day Bribri and learn about their pre-Columbian culture.
Explore TourMaleku Indigenous Reserve
From $129Who says you can't learn something new during your vacation? The Maleku Indigenous Reserve Tour is your chance to immerse yourself in history and culture of the Maleku. Listen to them speak their native dialect, and discover how they continue to uphold their customs in the wake of a changing world.
This tour is an excellent choice for families who want their children to become educated citizens of the world. Adults with a penchant for anthropology, history, and do it yourself movements will enjoy learning about life outside of the rat race. This vacation, think outside the box and participate in an authentic cultural exchange.
Explore TourSan José City Tour
From $174This tour immerses you in the history and culture of San José. Along the way, you’ll visit parks, museums, and stores.
Explore TourSan Jose Bites and Sights
From $43This culinary tour introduces visitors to Costa Rican food and coffee. During this tour you’ll focus on the offerings at popular local markets, and pass by scenic parks.
Explore TourPalo Verde Boat Expedition & Cultural Tour
To learn about how far Costa Rica has come, you need to understand the nation's history. The Palo Verde Boat Expedition and Cultural Tour will teach you about the country's cowboy and agrarian history, as well as how this tradition influenced the emphasis Costa Rica now places on sustainability.
Enjoy the fruits of the sustainability movement when you explore protected wetlands. See a variety of animals in their native habitat. Don't worry, you'll have the opportunity to enjoy refreshments before your tour and after.
Explore TourThree Course Cooking Class
From $173Take this tour to experience traditional Costa Rican food and to help create a three-course meal. The kitchen has a view of the Arenal Volcano, and the evening comes with all-you-can-drink cocktails. Everyone is welcome — from experienced home chefs to visitors who are really only interested in the tasty final product.
Explore TourEcoGarden Arenal Night Tour
From $63The Nigth Walk tour is considered one of the best ecological activities to share with the family; where you can see around 30 species of frogs, sloths, alligators, turtles and a great variety of insects.
Explore TourCity Walk Guided Tour
From $33This 2-hour walking tour takes you to spots around some of San José’s lesser-known attractions. Sign up to get a good look at San José culture.
Explore TourMi Cafecito Coffee Tour
This tour takes you to a coffee farm surrounded by colorful mountains. Along the way you’ll see every stage of the coffee production process, from harvest to cup.
Explore TourChocolate Tour
This tour introduces you to the origins of modern-day chocolate. Along the way, you’ll learn about the history of cocoa agriculture.
Explore TourMini Coffee Tour
The Sarapiquí River courses through a tropical forest with fertile soil. Coffee thrives in this atmosphere, and on a mini coffee tour you’ll get a quick behind-the-scenes look at local coffee.
Explore TourEspiritu Santo Coffee Tour
From $26The history and development of Costa Rica has been tied to coffee plantations, and no trip to Costa Rica would be complete without the cultural experience of a coffee tour. Espiritu Santo’s 640 acre high-quality Arabica coffee plantation sits in the picturesque rolling mountains of Naranjo, conveniently located near the handcraft center of Sarchi. From San Jose, it lies in route to many northern destinations including Arenal, Monteverde, and Guanacaste.
Explore TourIrazu Volcano, Lankester Gardens, and Orosi Valley
From $299Visit the highest active volcano in Costa Rica, enjoy the beauty of tropical orchids at the Lankaster Botanical Gardens, and learn Costa Rican history in the colonial town of Orosi- all during this combo day tour.
Explore TourRainforest Birdwatching Tour
From $330This three-hour tour will take you into the rainforest to see an incredible variety of birds. This is an early-morning tour that begins at 5:00 am.
Explore Tour4 in 1 Tour - Safari Float, La Fortuna Waterfall, Volcano Hike and Tabacon Hot Springs
From $713This 4-in-1 tour takes you to Arenal’s most impressive sights, and you’ll have the chance to splash around some of Arenal’s prettiest swimming spots along the way. Get ready to see the sights with an experienced guide who can point out some of the unusual flora and fauna.
Explore TourWaterfall Rapelling and Rafting Tour
Combining two of the country’s most adrenalin-packed activities, this tour will have you rappelling down waterfalls and surging over white-water rapids! Set in Costa Rica’s Northern Lowlands near the base of the Arenal Volcano, the scenery for this tour couldn’t be any more beautiful.
Explore TourBest
Community
Cultural
Indigenous Culture
Get a peek into the extraordinary lives of the Indigenous on one of the largest indigenous communities in central America. The Bribri family are extremely proud to share their heritage.
From $236
View DetailsMake the adventure yours
My dream trip in
That I’ll spend with Group typeCosta Rica
Is filled with Trip type
Start my Adventureor
Customer Stories
Our clients, their voicesIt's more than just having a good time or visiting beautiful places (although that's absolutely a part of it!), it's about being part of a unique experience that stays with you.
