Top Costa Rica Budget Hiking Trips & Packages 2025/2026

Our 40 most popular Costa Rica Budget Hiking Trips & Packages trips. Compare tour itineraries from 27 tour companies. 48 reviews.

40 Trips match your criteria (1 - 22 shown)

Coast and Rainforest
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4.7/5 Excellent
100+ reviews
Self-Guided / Independent Tour
Why we love them
As a family-run business whose history stretches back 50 years, they combine expertise with a real commitment to personalized service.
Lodging level
Standard - 3 star
Physical level
Easy
Trip pace
Balanced schedule

Highlights

  • Explore Liberia
  • Discover Rincon de la Vieja National Park
  • Enjoy a walking tour to La Fortuna Waterfall
  • Visit Arenal Volcano National Park
  • Discover Tamarindo Beach

Themes

Nature & Wildlife, High Adventure

What travelers are saying

"As customers we tend to dwell on the negative and not always on the positive, so we want to share some positive comments. My husband and I started planning our trip well over a year before actually going on this trip. We originally started with another travel agent at Goway and then we were turned over to Jessica Maunder. At first, we were a little apprehensive about starting with a new travel agent, but our fears were put to rest immediately. Jess was more than accommodating as we struggled to make this trip happen and to see as much of Australia as possible. She was always positive and willing to make changes to our agenda which we did do a lot. We knew we wouldn't be coming back to this part of the world so we wanted to make the most of it and Jess made that happen for us. In fact, we kidded her that just based on our phone conversations - we would have loved to have her join us on this trip because she had such a wonderful, fun personality! We are back in the states, we had a wonderful trip, even a little excitement to make it very memorable all thanks to a great travel agent that helped to make this happen. So if you want to work with a wonderful, fun, patient and great travel agent; ask for Jess. She made our trip a 5 star trip."

Trip dates & details
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Quest for Pura Vida
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4.9/5 Excellent
100+ reviews
Small Group Tour
Lodging level
Standard - 3 star
Physical level
Easy
Trip pace
Balanced schedule

Highlights

  • Explore the cloud forests of Monteverde and the Arenal Volcano
  • A personal journey to find your own Pura Vida
  • Visit Tortuguero National Park

Themes

Nature & Wildlife, Family Friendly, National Parks

What travelers are saying

"We particularly wanted to do this trip because of the abundance of wildlife we expected to encounter and selected this ship because they offered the kayaking experience. Overall, the weather was very good. Most people seemed like minded and were there for the adventurous experience. Accommodations Review They upgraded our cabin and we were very pleased with the amount of space and the amenities in the room. We appreciated the twin windows and being able to see humpbacks diving from our cabin. It was kept very clean and it was a treat to have our bed turned down with chocolates on the pillow each night. Meals Review We liked the variety and the quality of the food. There was always something new to try. The dining room staff was very professional and personable. Crew & Guides Review Solon was our Principal Trip Leader. He was incredibly professional and it seemed like he was constantly working to maximize the encounters with wildlife and scenery, taking advantage of all the weather opportunities and going to places that they don't often go. He worked very closely with the captain who was very accommodating and caring about us having a memorable voyage. Aymie and Andrew were our kayak guides. We went out to kayak 10 different times and were able to get to know both of them well. They worked hard to keep us safe and well informed. They made sure that we didn't miss out on any land excursions. We've had quite a few kayak guides over the years that we've paddled and we loved these two. Marla was the marine biologist aboard the ship. She was very enthusiastic and had a passion for marine mammals that was infectious. We loved listening to her presentations and looked forward to hearing her voice on the PA saying that there was another whale sighting. Colin, the geologist aboard the ship, was very knowledgeable and able to make difficult subjects understandable to the passengers. Itinerary Review The trip far, far, far, far, far, far exceeded our expectations. I had one "far" in the sentence when we left South Georgia Island after seeing 250,000 King Penguins at St. Andrews Point and added the second when we saw blue whales on two different days. The third "far" was added when we saw hundreds of whales for 6 hours along the iceberg, A68a. I added another "far" when we kayaked for over an hour with humpbacks all around and another "far" when minke whales were all around the kayaks the next day. The last "far" was added the day we didn't paddle since a leopard seal was all around the kayaks and then an orca came close. We had so many incredible experiences that we could never experience all of them in the same trip again. The guides told us that the close encounters that we had didn't happen very often and that we were very lucky that they all happened on our trip. The only thing that we didn't like was portions of the Drake Passage when it was a tad rough, but that experience gives us something to talk about. Transportation Review We made our transportation arrangements through another travel agency. Traveler Advice Make sure that you take sea sickness meds. Take advantage of every opportunity to see wildlife."

Trip dates & details
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Costa Rica Family Adventure
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4.9/5 Excellent
100+ reviews
Group Tour
Lodging level
Standard - 3 star
Physical level
Moderate
Trip pace
Balanced schedule

Highlights

  • Explore this geologic wonder of Costa Rica
  • Hike through the Monteverde Cloud Forest Reserve
  • Visit the town of Santa Elena

Themes

Nature & Wildlife, Family Friendly, Birding, National Parks

What travelers are saying

"We particularly wanted to do this trip because of the abundance of wildlife we expected to encounter and selected this ship because they offered the kayaking experience. Overall, the weather was very good. Most people seemed like minded and were there for the adventurous experience. Accommodations Review They upgraded our cabin and we were very pleased with the amount of space and the amenities in the room. We appreciated the twin windows and being able to see humpbacks diving from our cabin. It was kept very clean and it was a treat to have our bed turned down with chocolates on the pillow each night. Meals Review We liked the variety and the quality of the food. There was always something new to try. The dining room staff was very professional and personable. Crew & Guides Review Solon was our Principal Trip Leader. He was incredibly professional and it seemed like he was constantly working to maximize the encounters with wildlife and scenery, taking advantage of all the weather opportunities and going to places that they don't often go. He worked very closely with the captain who was very accommodating and caring about us having a memorable voyage. Aymie and Andrew were our kayak guides. We went out to kayak 10 different times and were able to get to know both of them well. They worked hard to keep us safe and well informed. They made sure that we didn't miss out on any land excursions. We've had quite a few kayak guides over the years that we've paddled and we loved these two. Marla was the marine biologist aboard the ship. She was very enthusiastic and had a passion for marine mammals that was infectious. We loved listening to her presentations and looked forward to hearing her voice on the PA saying that there was another whale sighting. Colin, the geologist aboard the ship, was very knowledgeable and able to make difficult subjects understandable to the passengers. Itinerary Review The trip far, far, far, far, far, far exceeded our expectations. I had one "far" in the sentence when we left South Georgia Island after seeing 250,000 King Penguins at St. Andrews Point and added the second when we saw blue whales on two different days. The third "far" was added when we saw hundreds of whales for 6 hours along the iceberg, A68a. I added another "far" when we kayaked for over an hour with humpbacks all around and another "far" when minke whales were all around the kayaks the next day. The last "far" was added the day we didn't paddle since a leopard seal was all around the kayaks and then an orca came close. We had so many incredible experiences that we could never experience all of them in the same trip again. The guides told us that the close encounters that we had didn't happen very often and that we were very lucky that they all happened on our trip. The only thing that we didn't like was portions of the Drake Passage when it was a tad rough, but that experience gives us something to talk about. Transportation Review We made our transportation arrangements through another travel agency. Traveler Advice Make sure that you take sea sickness meds. Take advantage of every opportunity to see wildlife."

Trip dates & details
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Tropical Volcano & Cloud Forest
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4.9/5 Excellent
100+ reviews
Small Ship Cruise
Lodging level
Standard - 3 star
Physical level
Easy
Trip pace
Flexible schedule

Highlights

  • Explore Costa Rica
  • Visit Arenal Volcano
  • Explore this geologic wonder and the rich surrounding rainforests filled with waterfalls, wildlife and opportunities for exploration
  • Explore Cloud Forest cruise

Themes

Nature & Wildlife, Family Friendly, Hiking & Walking, Birding, National Parks, High Adventure, Small Ship Cruise, Eco, Sustainable & Green Travel

What travelers are saying

"We particularly wanted to do this trip because of the abundance of wildlife we expected to encounter and selected this ship because they offered the kayaking experience. Overall, the weather was very good. Most people seemed like minded and were there for the adventurous experience. Accommodations Review They upgraded our cabin and we were very pleased with the amount of space and the amenities in the room. We appreciated the twin windows and being able to see humpbacks diving from our cabin. It was kept very clean and it was a treat to have our bed turned down with chocolates on the pillow each night. Meals Review We liked the variety and the quality of the food. There was always something new to try. The dining room staff was very professional and personable. Crew & Guides Review Solon was our Principal Trip Leader. He was incredibly professional and it seemed like he was constantly working to maximize the encounters with wildlife and scenery, taking advantage of all the weather opportunities and going to places that they don't often go. He worked very closely with the captain who was very accommodating and caring about us having a memorable voyage. Aymie and Andrew were our kayak guides. We went out to kayak 10 different times and were able to get to know both of them well. They worked hard to keep us safe and well informed. They made sure that we didn't miss out on any land excursions. We've had quite a few kayak guides over the years that we've paddled and we loved these two. Marla was the marine biologist aboard the ship. She was very enthusiastic and had a passion for marine mammals that was infectious. We loved listening to her presentations and looked forward to hearing her voice on the PA saying that there was another whale sighting. Colin, the geologist aboard the ship, was very knowledgeable and able to make difficult subjects understandable to the passengers. Itinerary Review The trip far, far, far, far, far, far exceeded our expectations. I had one "far" in the sentence when we left South Georgia Island after seeing 250,000 King Penguins at St. Andrews Point and added the second when we saw blue whales on two different days. The third "far" was added when we saw hundreds of whales for 6 hours along the iceberg, A68a. I added another "far" when we kayaked for over an hour with humpbacks all around and another "far" when minke whales were all around the kayaks the next day. The last "far" was added the day we didn't paddle since a leopard seal was all around the kayaks and then an orca came close. We had so many incredible experiences that we could never experience all of them in the same trip again. The guides told us that the close encounters that we had didn't happen very often and that we were very lucky that they all happened on our trip. The only thing that we didn't like was portions of the Drake Passage when it was a tad rough, but that experience gives us something to talk about. Transportation Review We made our transportation arrangements through another travel agency. Traveler Advice Make sure that you take sea sickness meds. Take advantage of every opportunity to see wildlife."

Trip dates & details
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Uncharted Isthmus! Sloths, Monkeys & Mangroves
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4.9/5 Excellent
39 reviews
Small Ship Cruise
Lodging level
Standard - 3 star
Physical level
Easy
Trip pace
Flexible schedule

Highlights

  • Transit the 48-mile-long Panama Canal connecting the Caribbean Sea to the Pacific Ocean
  • Search for untamed wildlife including two- and three-toed sloths, howler monkeys, scarlet macaws, squirrel monkeys, and white-faced capuchins
  • Discover Costa Rica’s magnificent, abundant biological diversity at two national parks and one wildlife refuge including the country’s largest park, Corcovado National Park
  • Snorkel and explore the crystalline waters and marine life at Panama’s Granito de Oro, in Coiba National Park, a UNESCO World Heritage Site
  • Stroll a butterfly- and flower-rich tropical botanical reserve
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Themes

Nature & Wildlife, Hiking & Walking, Birding, National Parks, High Adventure, Scuba Diving, Small Ship Cruise

What travelers are saying

"I love your tour program. I may think of visiting other locations you offer, but I'm really invested into Ukraine for a lifestyle. I want to make additional trips to Ukraine as roles beyond tourism."

Trip dates & details
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Costa Rica Blt
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4.7/5 Excellent
88 reviews
Group Tour
Lodging level
Basic - 2 star
Physical level
Strenuous
Trip pace
Balanced schedule

Highlights

  • Boat trip through the Tortuguero National Park and Canals
  • Mountain water slide at Rincon de la Vieja
  • Guided hike through Manuel Antonio National Park
  • Sunrise boat trip through the rainforest
  • Informal Spanish lessons from your tour leader
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Themes

Nature & Wildlife, Hiking & Walking, National Parks

What travelers are saying

"my 3 favorite holidays where all with Trek America! loved the trips... the groups, the trekleaders and ofcourse the beautiful nature! I can recommend this for everybody!"

Trip dates & details
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Walks & Treks – Costa Rica Walking
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4.2/5 Great
15 reviews
Self-Guided / Independent Tour
Lodging level
Standard - 3 star
Physical level
Strenuous
Trip pace
Flexible schedule

Highlights

  • Enjoy walking through the lush rainforests at Monte de Barva
  • Chance to take a dip and relax in the Arenal Volcano’s thermal waters atEcotermales Hot Spring
  • Hike past boiling mud springsin Rio Celeste National Park
  • Enjoy a hike along the suspension bridges trail at the Heliconias Lodge

Themes

Nature & Wildlife, Hiking & Walking, National Parks, Singles Travel

What travelers are saying

"Met all my expectations, and I had a thoroughly enjoyable time. The tour manager, Gary, was the best I have come across - very hard working, making sure everyone in the group was getting what they wanted from the holiday. The hotel was very well appointed, comfortable and clean, and the food was very good."

Trip dates & details
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Costa Rica Explorer
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4.1/5 Great
100+ reviews
Self-Guided / Independent Tour
Lodging level
Standard - 3 star
Physical level
Easy
Trip pace
Flexible schedule

Visits

Guanacaste

Highlights

  • Arrive in Costa Rica's capital San Jose and tour a few of the city's highlights including the neoclassical Teatro Nacional.
  • Watch thousands of turtles nest at Tortuguero National Park, then tour its canals and village!
  • Explore the secret waterfalls and rainforests of Bajos del Toro, one of the most beautiful areas in the country.
  • Hike, bike, and see the elusive Resplendent quetzal bird at Arenal Volcano and its national park.
  • Learn to surf in Guanacaste, a northwestern province on the Pacific known for its pristine beaches and perfect waves!

Themes

Nature & Wildlife, Local Immersion & Homestays, Relaxing Retreats

What travelers are saying

"Hotels were great except the 8 hour ferry back to Athens"

Trip dates & details
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Costa Rica Budget Hiking Trips & Packages Reviews

d

dro

Apr 2023

Written on

Think twice before you book your travel through Road Scholar

Think twice about booking your travel through Road Scholar: Recently I booked a trip with Road Scholar and used their travel department to book my trip. As luck woul...

K

Kyle

Jun 2020

Written on

A fun adventurous trip to meet new people and experience new culture.

Wanted to go on a fun adventurous trip to meet new people and experience new culture. This group hit it out of the park. The 9-Day Costa Rican Trip was wonderful. We...

R

Rachel

Jan 2020

Written on

I had such an amazing time

Hey! I just went to the Costa Rica trip with Yoza as our leader. I had such an amazing time meeting great people and going on new adventures. Yoza set everything up ...

M

Michael

Nov 2019

Written on

I did two trips, Iceland and costa rica and both were amazing

I did two trips, Iceland and costa rica and both were amazing. Jon our leader in Iceland and Jurgen/Emily our leaders for Costa Rica were awesome beyond words. They ...

C

Catrina

Apr 2019

Written on

I loved every minute of it.

I am just back from the Costa Rica extended holiday and I loved every minute of it! we went ziplining, hiking, white water rafting with a dog!! we also had surf less...

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