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.
Cultural in Costa Rica
Talamanca 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.
Life 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!
Farm 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.
Sloth 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.
Maleku 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.
Bribri 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.
San 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.
Three 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.
San 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.
City 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.
EcoGarden 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.
Tirimbina Chocolate Tour
Join one of the most popular chocolate tours in Costa Rica and explore the fascinating journey from cacao to chocolate in the heart of the rainforest. This immersive experience at Tirimbina combines culture, history, and flavor for a truly unforgettable tasting adventure in Sarapiquí.
Mi 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.
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Mini 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.
Irazu 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.
Costa Rica itineraries from local insiders
Explore hand-picked Costa Rica itineraries designed by local insiders who know every hidden corner. Each trip is completely flexible, customized to your pace, travel style, and budget.
Pura Vida Adventure Together
We both love nature and hiking so Costa Rica is ideal for both of those. We went during what’s considered the rainy season so you need to be aware of that going in. It rained at some point almost every day we were there but we still had a very enjoyable time. We visited La Fortuna and Manuel Antonio. We enjoyed La Fortuna more. La Fortuna was more jungle whereas Manuel Antonio was more coastal and felt more touristy.
Costa Rica
Adventure Through Costa Rica's Wild Heart
Costa Rica was just magnificent. The people, food, jungles, beaches were all fantastic. Can’t wait until my next trip back.
Costa Rica
Big Multi Family Group Adventure
Embark on a vibrant Costa Rican adventure that juxtaposes bustling urban energy with lush, untouched rainforests, delivering a dynamic escape from everyday routine. From San José’s lively streets you’ll head to Monteverde’s cloud‑forest canopy for sky tram rides and hikes, then dive into Rio Celeste’s turquoise waters and trek El Silencio’s volcanic paths. Friendly locals and knowledgeable guides will immerse you in coffee farms, rainforest sounds, and volcanic vistas, leaving you with lasting memories of Costa Rica’s spirited hospitality and natural wonder.
Costa Rica
Sisters Adventure Together
Incredible tours, hotels, and communities.
Costa Rica
Matt and Fran’s Costa Rica holiday
Costa Rica has a diverse landscape and every area is unique and different. We easily rented a 4 wheel drive vehicle and drove from the Caribbean to the Pacific!
Costa Rica
Family Time in Costa Rica
Michelle and her family embarked on a multi‑generational adventure in Costa Rica, where mist‑cloaked cloud forests meet surf‑kissed Pacific beaches, offering a vibrant contrast of cool heights and warm tides. Your journey weaves through Monteverde’s canopy zip lines and canyoning thrills, the turquoise Tenorio River’s Class III/IV rapids, and La Leona waterfall’s lush river tubing. Guided by local experts and supported by a comfortable van, your family will soak up Pura Vida hospitality, returning home with shared stories of soaring forests and surf‑side sunsets.
Costa Rica
Family Adventure Through Costa Rica
Rachel and her family of four spent a week moving across Costa Rica, from Arenal to the Pacific coast, with every transfer and tour arranged door to door. In Arenal they rode the Sky Adventures aerial tram and ziplines, took on the Balsa River's Class II–III rapids, and walked the EcoGarden trails to find sloths in their actual habitat, not a roadside stop, then the falls at La Fortuna. On the coast at Manuel Antonio they hiked the national park with a local guide, snorkeled the reef, and chased the Mulguri waterfall. As Rachel said, these weren't tours with twenty other tourists trailing the buses. They were the real thing, reachable only through local connections, with the family's days handled start to finish.
Costa Rica
Dream Honeymoon Adventure in Costa Rica
Embark on a honeymoon that swaps city bustle for Costa Rica’s emerald rainforests and sun‑kissed beaches, where romance meets adventure in every sunrise. From Monteverde’s misty cloud forest trails to Arenal’s volcanic hot springs, then Playa Conchal’s Pacific surf and Damas Island’s mangrove kayak tours, you’ll hike, soak, and sail. Friendly local guides and vibrant community flavors will weave unforgettable memories, leaving you with a deeper connection to nature, Costa Rican warmth, and each other.
Costa Rica
Costa Rica Off Season Adventure
We found Costa Rica to be really beautiful. I loved the flowering plants everywhere, but the wildlife is the main reason we went. We didn't see monkeys in every tree or even toucans up close, but we did see them from a distance. We also saw lots of colorful birds in the National Forests that we have never seen before.
Costa Rica
