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
Costa Rica Pura Vida Experience
This tour takes visitors to some of San José’s most interesting cultural highlights. To get from one destination to the next you’ll walk and take local transportation.
Explore TourTalamanca Indigenous Village Half Day
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.
Explore TourCafe de Monteverde Coffee Tour
This 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 TourSloth Territory and Campesino Tour
Take 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
The 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
Who 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
This tour immerses you in the history and culture of San José. Along the way, you’ll visit parks, museums, and stores.
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
Take 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 TourFarm and Cooking Experiences
Delight 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 TourSan Jose Bites and Sights
This 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 TourSustainable Costa Rican Agriculture
Do you know where your food comes from? You do when you stay at Hotel Belmar. The hotel sources their eggs, cheese, coffee, and sugar can from their farm. Learn what goes into sustainable farming on this exciting tour of Costa Rica's first carbon-neutral farm — Finca Madre Tierra. This tour will give you the opportunity to explore the farm up-close, and learn what it really means to operate a sustainable business.
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 TourCity Walk Guided Tour
This 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 TourEcoGarden Arenal Night Tour
The 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 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 TourEspiritu Santo Coffee Tour
The 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 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 TourCinco Ceibas Full Day Tour
The Cinco Ceibas’ full day tour includes a walk along the elevated rainforest boardwalk and your choice of horseback riding, river kayaking or an educational oxen wagon tour. Transportation to and from hotels in San José area is also included.
Explore TourIrazu Volcano, Lankester Gardens, and Orosi Valley
Visit 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 TourBest
City Tour
Cultural
Guided Tours
Museum
This tour takes visitors to some of San José’s most interesting cultural highlights. To get from one destination to the next you’ll walk and take local transportation.
