Best Costa Rica Tours from San José

Best month to visit Costa Rica

The dry season from December to April is the best time for Costa Rica tours. During this time, the weather is warm and dry with average temperatures of 25°C - 32°C (77°F - 90°F). Perfect for exploring national parks, hiking, and enjoying the beach. However, it's also peak tourist season, which means more crowds in Costa Rica.

May - November is known as the green season, when there is more rainfall and the average temperature is 24°C - 29°C (75°F - 84°F). Tropical plants are more lush during this time, and there are fewer tourists.

The noteworthy hurricane season in Costa Rica is June–November. Costa Rica is rarely directly hit by hurricanes due to its geographic location. However, it can still be affected indirectly by hurricanes from the Caribbean Sea or the Atlantic Ocean, for example, by bringing heavy rainfall, large waves, and localized flooding.

Getting around Costa Rica

Costa Rica's main international airports are Juan Santa Maria International Airport (SJO), near San José, and Daniel Odubel Quirós International Airport (LIR), in Guanacaste Liberia. San José is the central hub for bus travel in the country.

● Buses: Costa Rica's main form of public transportation, operated by a variety of companies such as MEPE, Tracopa. Buses from the capital, San José, go to all parts of the country, including the beaches, mountains, and border towns.

● Shuttles: Companies like Costa Rica Shuttle provide service to attractions and back to the hotel. More expensive but very convenient.

● Taxis: Please note that official cabs are red cabs with a yellow triangle on top. Uber is available in larger cities like San Jose and Limón.

● Train: The train system is very limited and only operates in San José and its suburbs in the direction of Heredia and Cartago.

● Rental Car: Renting a car allows more flexibility to explore some remote areas, but 4WD is required during the rainy season, and the roads are not well marked, so please be careful with driving safety.

Top destinations for first tours in Costa Rica

If this is your first excursion in Costa Rica, we recommend San José as a prime destination. As the capital city, it is a great place to delve into the country's culture and history, plus sample the local cuisine.

Next is La Fortuna to visit the iconic cone-shaped volcano and rainforest.

Lastly, Tamarindo, a small town on the Pacific coast, is for surfing, snorkeling, and other water activities.

Popular cities, attractions, and activities in Costa Rica.

You can find plenty of cool places to go in Costa Rica that offer adventure and relaxation.

Cities & Regions

● San José: The capital of Costa Rica. Its landmark is the Teatro Nacional de Costa Rica, with its Renaissance-style interior. There's also the Museo del Oro Precolombino, with a collection of more than 1,600 gold objects. The Museo del Jade, which houses one of the world's largest collections of jade from the Americas.

● La Fortuna: A small town, but home to Arenal Volcano, which offers a close-up view of the volcano in its entirety. Thanks to the rich volcanic geothermal heat, it offers several hot springs resorts to relax and unwind.

● Monteverde: With its famous Cloud Forest, there is a chance to see the mysterious Quetzal, hummingbirds, monkeys, and other tropical highland species in the reserve. At Selvatura Park, you can take the Hanging Bridges Walk through the cloud forest canopy.

● Tamarindo: A popular surf town on the Pacific coast, with Tamarindo Beach and Playa Langosta being the most popular beaches. The Leatherback Turtle can also be viewed at Las Baulas National Marine Park.

● Puerto Viejo de Talamanca: This is a very laid back town known for its reggae culture, rich in the black Caribbean and Bribri aboriginal culture. Playa Punta Uva is one of the most beautiful beaches here.

Must-Do Activities

During your Costa Rica tour, you can do many activities. You can try zip-lining in Monteverde and soar above the rainforest canopy. You can also hike the trails around the volcano to see it up close. In the national park, you can spot wildlife such as sloths, monkeys, or toucans. Various water activities are available, including surfing, rafting, and snorkeling. Finally, there is a trip to a Costa Rican coffee plantation to learn about its production.