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Guanacaste Small Group Tours & Trips
24 Guanacaste trips. Tours from 6 tour companies. 21 reviews. 4.8/5 avg rating.
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By Intrepid Travel
premier
Why we love them
They're highly committed to sustainable tourism and contribute to crucial initiatives like climate action, focusing on local cultures and more.
4.5/5 Excellent
100+ reviewsLodging level
Standard - 3 star
Physical level
Easy
Highlights
- Learn about the culture of Costa Rica with Premium exclusive experiences: spend time with a local family and learn how to create traditional dishes in their kitchen, and visit Matambu, the only indigenous territory of the Chorotegan people, to learn ancient pottery techniques passed down for generations.
- Experience the magnificent landscapes Costa Rica from all angles with a gentle hike in Arenal Volcano National Park, a cruise on the Tortuguero canals, and a treetop walkways experience in the Monteverde Cloud Forest.
- Enjoy two nights at your Feature Stay – a stunning and sustainable jungle hotel next to the electric-blue Rio Celeste River. Settle into your cosy casita (bungalow), an exclusive retreat just for you, and surround yourself with the sounds of nature.
12 days$708 / day
4.4/5 Great
100+ reviewsLodging level
Premium - 4 star
Physical level
Moderate
Highlights
- Life is pretty colorful on a Costa Rica family vacation
- where even butterflies like the electric-blue morpho make visitors gape in awe.More than 850 different species of birds make their homes here
- from emerald-green parrots
8 days$546 / day
4.4/5 Great
100+ reviewsLodging level
Premium - 4 star
Physical level
Moderate
Highlights
- Life is pretty colorful on a Costa Rica family vacation
- where even butterflies like the electric-blue morpho make visitors gape in awe.More than 850 different species of birds make their homes here
- from emerald-green parrots
8 days$611 / day
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By Intrepid Travel
premier
Why we love them
They're highly committed to sustainable tourism and contribute to crucial initiatives like climate action, focusing on local cultures and more.
4.5/5 Excellent
100+ reviewsLodging level
Standard - 3 star
Physical level
Easy
Highlights
- Learn about the culture of Costa Rica with Premium exclusive experiences: spend time with a local family and learn how to create traditional dishes in their kitchen, and visit Matambu, the only indigenous territory of the Chorotegan people, to learn ancient pottery techniques passed down for generations.
- Experience the magnificent landscapes Costa Rica from all angles with a gentle hike in Arenal Volcano National Park, a cruise on the Tortuguero canals, and a treetop walkways experience in the Monteverde Cloud Forest.
- Enjoy two nights at your Feature Stay – a stunning and sustainable jungle hotel next to the electric-blue Rio Celeste River. Settle into your cosy casita (bungalow), an exclusive retreat just for you, and surround yourself with the sounds of nature.
12 days$708 / day
By Collette
premier
Why we love them
With a history that spans back to 1918, they have unparalleled expertise in the guided tour industry and can cater to all types of travelers.
4.8/5 Excellent
100+ reviewsLodging level
Premium - 4 star
Physical level
Moderate
Highlights
- Discover the history of coffee in Costa Rica during your visit to a coffee plantation.
- Learn about local farming practices and learn to make tortillas while having lunch at Don Juan Finca Educativa.
- Take your journey to new heights and explore the Monteverde Cloud Forest from the elevated treetop canopy.
9 days$219 / day
By Collette
premier
Why we love them
With a history that spans back to 1918, they have unparalleled expertise in the guided tour industry and can cater to all types of travelers.
4.8/5 Excellent
100+ reviewsLodging level
Premium - 4 star
Physical level
Moderate
Highlights
- Discover the history of coffee in Costa Rica during your visit to a coffee plantation.
- Learn about local farming practices and learn to make tortillas while having lunch at Don Juan Finca Educativa.
- Take your journey to new heights and explore the Monteverde Cloud Forest from the elevated treetop canopy.
9 days$219 / day
By Collette
premier
Why we love them
With a history that spans back to 1918, they have unparalleled expertise in the guided tour industry and can cater to all types of travelers.
4.8/5 Excellent
100+ reviewsLodging level
Premium - 4 star
Physical level
Moderate
Highlights
- D
- C
- Enjoy the breathtaking scenery surrounding Arenal Volcano.
9 days$219 / day
By Globus
none
Why we love them
Despite being one of the most established names in the travel business, they continue to innovate and offer new top-notch experiences.
4.7/5 Excellent
100+ reviewsLodging level
Standard - 3 star
Physical level
Very Easy
Highlights
Livin’ la Pura Vida! This philosophy of the pure life in Costa Rica is also a common greeting you’ll hear on your Globus Independent tour. From the mind-blowing lava trails and soul-soothing thermal springs of the Arenal Volcano region to the lush tropical forests in the clouds of Monteverde, you’ll encounter pure nature of Costa Rica’s rich and resplendent flora and fauna found nowhere else on earth. Put your head in the clouds in the Monteverde Cloud Forest, home to over 3,000 plant species, some 120 mammal species, 400 bird species, and 1,200 species of amphibians and reptiles. Land in Guanacaste to laze and gaze upon the beautiful beaches of the North Pacific. Add a dose of I-time to immerse yourself in Costa Rican culture and cuisine in San José, and you’re living your best life, indeed!
9 days$211 / day
By Globus
none
Why we love them
Despite being one of the most established names in the travel business, they continue to innovate and offer new top-notch experiences.
4.7/5 Excellent
100+ reviewsLodging level
Standard - 3 star
Physical level
Very Easy
Highlights
Livin’ la Pura Vida! This philosophy of the pure life in Costa Rica is also a common greeting you’ll hear on your Globus Independent tour. From the mind-blowing lava trails and soul-soothing thermal springs of the Arenal Volcano region to the lush tropical forests in the clouds of Monteverde, you’ll encounter pure nature of Costa Rica’s rich and resplendent flora and fauna found nowhere else on earth. Explore Tortuguero National Park to navigate the pristine waterways where turtles nest amid nature at its best. Put your head in the clouds in the Monteverde Cloud Forest, home to over 3,000 plant species, some 120 mammal species, 400 bird species, and 1,200 species of amphibians and reptiles. Land in Guanacaste to laze and gaze upon the beautiful beaches of the North Pacific. Add a dose of I-time to immerse yourself in Costa Rican culture and cuisine in San José, and you’re living your best life, indeed!
11 days$220 / day
3 trips exactly matchall of the the filters you selected. We are displaying some similar trips.
My selections:
Best Guanacaste Tours by Duration
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Guanacaste Reviews & Ratings
T
Trudy Hofstede
Dec 2022
Written on
Costa Rica Eco Adventure with Guanacaste Beach
Both German and Mikol were so knowledgeable on all wildlife and forest det...
C
Review of Tropical Costa Rica
Service rating : Yes. Everything was organized well and the guide was outstanding. It was a wonderful tour of New York. Product : It was a great tour. The guide w...
E
Review of Tropical Costa Rica
Service rating : It was awesome, great tours great food great transportation and Matt was wonderful learned a lot meet great people Product : This was a wonderful tr...
S
Review of Tropical Costa Rica
Service rating : Everything was perfect. Very well thought through and well organized. Lots to see. The tour guide was terrific. Very respectful and knowledgeable. P...
E
Review of Tropical Costa Rica
Service rating : Great guides. Marc was so efficient and informative. Zora was a lot of fun and told us so much in a short time. Pedro the bus driver was great. Ver...
Guanacaste Tour Selection Trips
- Decide ahead of time whether or not you’re looking for a relaxing beach vacation, or an active, hiking-focused one. The differences between the two can be quite stark. While the coastlines are developed and very tourist friendly in Guanacaste, the national parks in the area can be very rustic and vast.
- If you are looking to save some money, consider buying your own groceries. There can be up to a 23% “tourist tax” (VAT and included tip) at local restaurants, so limiting your meals out can save a significant amount of money.
- If you are visiting one of the more popular beaches, like Tamarindo, don’t worry about packing snacks. You can expect locals hawking freshly cut coconuts, plantain chips, and other goodies to make their rounds. These treats are inexpensive, and delicious!
Additional details
When to Visit Guanacaste
Guanacaste has the driest climate in all of Costa Rica, although it does have a rainy season. The tourist season takes place during the dry season, which falls between December and March.
During this time, prepare for the heat (Guanacaste typically reaches temperatures of 94 to 100 F), but you will also never have to worry about the rain cancelling a beach day. The dry season is also well known for the trees that flower during it, and the monkeys they attract.
If you want to visit during the wet season, we recommend that you still do. You will not only benefit from lower prices, but it's unlikely that you will ever be drenched. The rainy season in Guanacaste usually consists of only partly cloudy days and occasional afternoon shower. You will still be able to visit the beach, probably everyday if you want to!
What to Wear in Guanacaste
Guanacaste is notoriously hot, sunny, and dry throughout its main tourist season, so make sure to dress appropriately. Wearing light, layered clothing, and bringing bathing suits as well as sun caps are musts.
If you are planning on exploring Guanacaste’s natural parks (which you should), make sure to pack some sturdier footwear, like waterproof sandals or sneakers.
Top 3 National Parks in Guanacaste
There are multiple national parks in the province of Guanacaste, and if you have a limited time there, it may be hard to decide where to go. Here is a list of the best parks in Guanacaste:
1. Palo Verde National Park - This park is spectacularly diverse for its size; it is both a wetland and prime example of a tropical dry forest. This park is known for its spectacular birding, and even has a small island called Isla de Pajaros -- or “Bird Island” -- the breeding ground of spoonbills, egrets, ibises, and herons.
The best season for birdwatching is the dry season, when many migratory birds spend their winters in the park. Another popular activity in Palo Verde is mountain biking, and there are many trails throughout the park to explore.
2. Rincón de la Vieja -This massive park has access to both Caribbean and Pacific coasts, and dozens of hiking, cycling, and horseback riding trails. The many tropical forest biomes in the park provide habitat for a variety of animals, include rarer mammals such as kinkajous, jaguars, monkeys, sloths, tapirs, and pumas.
For families and the adventurous, there are also great freshwater lagoons and hot springs throughout the park that are open to swimming, and if you love geothermal activities, be sure to check out the bubbling mud pits!
3. Guanacaste National Park - This park is for dedicated outdoorsmen who truly want to step off the beaten path. Guanacaste is a rustic, massive park with virgin forest, open pasturelands, and a prime destination for wildlife observation.
It is home to a wide variety of bird and animal species, which are able to travel freely between Guanacaste and neighboring Santa Rosa park. There are more scientific researchers in this untouched wilderness than tourists, so if isolation in nature appeals to you, Guanacaste is your park.
Food in Guanacaste
Most restaurants in Guanacaste serve typical Costa Rican fare, meaning rice, beans, plantains and corn are staples in the majority of dishes, along with a solid cup of coffee. However, some of the beach areas in Guanacaste are also popular tourist territories, so you can be sure to find some international and American fare in the region as well.
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