Top Costa Rica Budget Homestays & Cultural Immersion Trips & Packages 2025/2026

Our 20 most popular Costa Rica Budget Homestays & Cultural Immersion Trips & Packages trips. Compare tour itineraries from 7 tour companies. 39 reviews.

20 Trips match your criteria (1 - 20 shown)

Costa Rica: Leaving My Footprint
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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

Highlights

  • Visit to Obras del Espiritu Santo
  • Full-day Maleku Reserve Tour
  • Volunteer Program Tour at Proyecto Asis

Themes

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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Natural Costa Rica
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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

Arenal Volcano, San José

Highlights

  • Want to stay longer? You can extend this trip up to a total of 7 days!
  • Shared Full-day Tortuga Island Tour, with Light breakfast, Lunch, Cruise & Tour
  • Shared Full-day Arenal Volcano & Local Hot Springs Tour

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 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 in 14 days - Magical Night of the Sea Turtles - Charm
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By Exoticca
preferred
1/5 Terrible
100+ reviews
Small Group Tour
Lodging level
Standard - 3 star
Physical level
Very Easy
Trip pace
Balanced schedule

Visits

Arenal Volcano, Monteverde, San José

Highlights

  • Arenal
  • Monteverde
  • San José
  • Tamarindo
  • Tortuguero

Themes

Cultural, Nature & Wildlife, 50 Plus, Local Immersion & Homestays, National Parks

What travelers are saying

"Great trip. A little more free time would be nice."

Trip dates & details
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Costa Rica in 12 days - Tropical Rainforests & Beach Escape - Charm
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By Exoticca
preferred
4.4/5 Great
100+ reviews
Small Group Tour
Lodging level
Standard - 3 star
Physical level
Very Easy
Trip pace
Balanced schedule

Visits

Arenal Volcano, Monteverde, San José

Highlights

  • Arenal
  • La Fortuna Waterfall
  • Monteverde
  • San José
  • Tamarindo

Themes

Cultural, Nature & Wildlife, 50 Plus, Local Immersion & Homestays, National Parks

What travelers are saying

"Great trip. A little more free time would be nice."

Trip dates & details
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Guatemala & Costa Rica in 13 days - Secrets of Central America - Charm
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By Exoticca
preferred
4.4/5 Great
100+ reviews
Small Group Tour
Lodging level
Standard - 3 star
Physical level
Very Easy
Trip pace
Balanced schedule

Visits

Antigua, Arenal Volcano, Central America, La Fortuna, Lake Atitlan, Panajachel, San José

Highlights

  • Antigua Guatemala
  • Panajachel
  • Arenal
  • San José
  • Tortuguero

Themes

Cultural, Nature & Wildlife, 50 Plus, Local Immersion & Homestays, National Parks

What travelers are saying

"Great trip. A little more free time would be nice."

Trip dates & details
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Costa Rica 360
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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

Highlights

  • Sea turtles, monkeys, tree frogs, toucans - you name it, you'll see it. Keep your eyes peeled for amazing wildlife!
  • Check out some local markets! Try some sweet, hand-picked fruits while you mingle with natives.
  • For a bit of adrenaline, take a walk across Moteverde's famous hanging bridges.
  • Try casado, plantains, arroz con leche, and tons of other local favorite foods.
  • Enjoy the comfort and convenience of included transfers between all destinations and airports.

Themes

Nature & Wildlife, Local Immersion & Homestays, National Parks, 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 in 7 days - A Week In Paradise - Shuttle Transfers
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By Exoticca
preferred
4.4/5 Great
100+ reviews
Small Group Tour
Lodging level
Standard - 3 star
Physical level
Very Easy
Trip pace
Balanced schedule

Visits

Arenal Volcano

Highlights

  • Arenal
  • Guanacaste
  • Samara

Themes

Cultural, Nature & Wildlife, 50 Plus, Local Immersion & Homestays, National Parks

What travelers are saying

"Great trip. A little more free time would be nice."

Trip dates & details
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Costa Rica Budget Homestays & Cultural Immersion Trips & Packages Reviews

C

Csteed

Apr 2023

Written on

Do not use Exoticca + misleading

Please do not use Exoticca travel agency. They hide behind their small print, and their advertising is misleading and they purposefully withhold essential informati...

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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