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Green, adventure and wildlife

Round trip Costa Rica

Costa Rica is a wonderful destination for travellers seeking nature, wildlife and variety. The country is compact, yet boasts a remarkable diversity of landscapes. On a tour, you’ll travel through rainforests, mangroves, volcanoes, mountains, cloud forests and beaches on both the Caribbean coast and the Pacific coast. Costa Rica is also renowned for sustainable tourism and the ‘Pura Vida’ ethos. You’ll notice this not only in the natural environment, but also in the relaxed way of life and the friendliness of the locals.

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Discover the highlights of Costa Rica

Travelling around Costa Rica is straightforward and easy to organise. The distances are relatively short, allowing you to combine several regions in a single trip. Well-known nature reserves include Corcovado, Manuel Antonio and Tortuguero. Corcovado is one of the country’s most biodiverse nature reserves, featuring rainforest, beaches and plenty of opportunities to spot wildlife. Manuel Antonio is more accessible and combines walking trails with beaches and wildlife. Tortuguero is best known for its canals, marshes and sea turtles, which come ashore here at certain times of the year to lay their eggs. Monteverde is also a popular stop. In this cloud forest, you’ll find walking trails, suspension bridges, birds, butterflies and orchids. With a bit of luck, you might spot the quetzal, one of Central America’s most famous birds. Along the coast, you can go whale-watching, surfing or simply take it easy for a few days. Even at accommodation set amidst nature, you’ll often spot animals such as monkeys, sloths, birds and frogs.

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Sample itineraries for Costa Rica

Costa Rica trip | Round trip hidden places Costa Rica

17 days

from €10,425 p.p.

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Boutique

Costa Rica trip | Luxury trip unique Costa Rica

16 days

from €12,595 p.p.

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Signature

Costa Rica trip | Highlights Costa Rica with luxury Galaxy Zibó cruise

14 days

from €8,495 p.p.

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Boutique

Panama and Costa Rica trip | Packaged trip beautiful Panama & Costa Rica

21 days

from €6,995 p.p.

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Boutique

Avila Travel Panama Bocas del Toro tropical beach

Costa Rica trip | Wildlife, beach and adventure in South Costa Rica

18 days

from €4,725 p.p.

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Adventure

Costa Rica trip | Self-drive through adventurous North Costa Rica

20 days

from €5,450 p.p.

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Adventure

Well-groomed travel through Costa Rica

A tour of Costa Rica with Avila Reizen is carefully put together. You’ll stay in charming, small-scale accommodation, travel at a leisurely pace and be given an itinerary that suits your wishes. Costa Rica is ideal for travellers who want to be active, but also for those who wish to combine nature with relaxation. You can hike through the rainforest, visit volcanoes, go wildlife spotting, surf, go rafting or spend a few days on the beach. Given the variety of regions and microclimates, careful route planning is essential. This ensures you get the most out of your trip and prevents the itinerary from becoming too packed.

Country information on Costa Rica

Best travel time Costa Rica

Sightseeing in Costa Rica

Frequently asked questions Costa Rica

Nature in the heart of Central America
Costa Rica lies between the Caribbean Sea and the Pacific Ocean. As a result, the country boasts a great variety of landscapes and climates. You’ll find rainforests, beaches, mangrove swamps, volcanoes, coffee plantations and cloud forests. Well-known destinations include Tortuguero National Park, the Arenal Volcano, Monteverde, Manuel Antonio and Corcovado National Park.

Costa Rica: nature and adventure
Costa Rica is best known for its natural beauty. In a short space of time, you can visit a variety of ecosystems, from tropical rainforest to cooler cloud forest and from volcanic regions to coastal towns. The country is also ideal for active travellers. Popular activities include hiking, ziplining, rafting, surfing, kayaking and wildlife spotting. At the same time, there are plenty of places where you can enjoy a peaceful break, for example at a lodge in the countryside or by the coast.

Cities and local culture
San José is often the starting point for a trip through Costa Rica. The city has museums, markets and restaurants, but most travellers only stay here briefly before heading on to the natural areas. Places such as Liberia, Heredia and smaller villages along the way offer a better insight into everyday life. The atmosphere is usually relaxed and the locals, the Ticos, are known for being friendly and helpful.

Travelling through Costa Rica
Costa Rica is easy to explore by hire car, private chauffeur or domestic flight. A hire car offers a great deal of freedom, especially if you wish to combine several nature reserves and coastal towns. Private transport with a driver is ideal for those who wish to travel in comfort without having to drive themselves. The roads are not equally fast or well-maintained everywhere, particularly in remote areas. It is therefore advisable to allow plenty of time for your journey. This ensures a relaxed trip and gives you plenty of time for stops along the way.

Costa Rica does not have four seasons as in Europe, but rather a dry season and a rainy season. The best time to visit depends on the regions you wish to visit and the type of holiday you are looking for.

Dry season (December – April): This is the most popular time to visit Costa Rica. The chances of sunshine are particularly high on the Pacific coast. National parks such as Manuel Antonio and Arenal are also well worth visiting during this period. Bear in mind, however, that it can be busier and that prices in popular regions are higher.

Rainy season (May – November): The rainy season is also known as the green season . Nature is at its lushest and greenest during this time. Rain showers are often short and heavy, usually later in the day. As a result, morning excursions are often still perfectly feasible. September and October are often the wettest months on the Pacific side. The Caribbean coast has a different weather pattern and may actually be more favourable during this period.

Shoulder seasons (November and May): May and November are great months for those seeking a good balance. It is often quieter than during the high season, whilst there are still plenty of dry spells for travelling and going on excursions.

Please note when travelling: Costa Rica has many microclimates. It can be cool in the mountains, whilst it is warm and humid on the coast. The weather can also vary significantly from region to region. You should therefore plan your travel dates to suit the areas you wish to visit.

Costa Rica has many attractions that can be easily combined during a tour. Most of the highlights centre on nature, wildlife, volcanoes, the coast and active excursions.

Key attractions in Costa Rica include:

Tortuguero National Park: a nature reserve featuring canals, marshes, rainforest and sea turtles during the right season.
Santa Teresa: a coastal town on the Nicoya Peninsula, known for its surfing beaches, sunsets, restaurants and a relaxed atmosphere.
Arenal National Park: the area around the Arenal volcano, featuring walking trails, hot springs and views of the volcano.
Monteverde Cloud Forest: a cloud forest with walking trails, suspension bridges, birds and many unusual plants.
Manuel Antonio: a national park on the Pacific coast with beaches, walking trails and excellent opportunities to spot wildlife.
Puerto Viejo: a coastal town on the Caribbean side with beaches, Afro-Caribbean influences and a laid-back atmosphere.
Tamarindo: a lively seaside resort on the Pacific coast offering surfing, restaurants and excursions in the surrounding area.
Corcovado National Park: a remote nature reserve featuring rainforest, beaches and a wealth of biodiversity.

Costa Rica is therefore ideal for travellers who wish to combine nature, wildlife, beaches and active excursions.

1. Do I need a visa for Costa Rica?
No visa is usually required for travellers from the Netherlands, Belgium and the EU for stays of up to 90 days. However, you must have a valid passport and a return or transit ticket. Always check the current entry requirements for your nationality before leaving.

2. What is the best length of stay for Costa Rica?
A tour of Costa Rica usually lasts between 10 and 21 days. With two weeks, you can combine several regions, such as Arenal, Monteverde, Tortuguero and a coastal area. With three weeks, you’ll have more time to explore remote nature reserves such as Corcovado.

3. What’s the best way to travel around Costa Rica?
A hire car offers a great deal of freedom, especially if you wish to visit nature reserves and coastal towns. Private transfers are also a comfortable option. For longer distances or remote regions, domestic flights can be a handy option.

4. Can Costa Rica be easily combined with another destination?
Yes, Costa Rica can be easily combined with Nicaragua or Panama. Thanks to the relatively short distances in Central America, you can include several countries in a single trip.

5. Will I get by with English in Costa Rica?
Spanish is the official language. In tourist areas, people often speak a reasonable amount of English. Nevertheless, it’s useful to know a few basic Spanish phrases, especially off the beaten track.

Our travel specialists will be happy to assist you with any questions you may have about a trip to Costa Rica. Together, we’ll put together an itinerary that suits your wishes, travel dates and preferred style of travel.