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Costa Rica Budget Tours & Travel Packages 2025/2026
Our 92 most popular Costa Rica Budget trips. Compare tour itineraries from 54 tour companies. 444 reviews. 4.8/5 avg rating.
92 Trips match your criteria (1 - 22 shown)
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By Exodus Adventure Travels
premier
Small Group Tour
Why we love them
With a wide range of trip styles, Exodus caters to every type of traveler out there- even those with specific interests from cycling to winter hiking.
Lodging level
Standard - 3 star
Physical level
Easy
Trip pace
Balanced schedule
Visits
Manuel Antonio National Park, Monteverde
Highlights
- Head deep into the Esquinas rainforest to stay in our much-loved lodge
- Take a guided boat ride through the wildlife-rich waterways of Tortuguero
- Swim under the beautiful spout of La Fortuna waterfall
- Experience the cloud forest with a walk around Santa Elena
- Search for monkeys in Manuel Antonio National Park
Themes
Cultural, Nature & Wildlife, 50 Plus, Birding, National Parks
What travelers are saying
"Excellent service"
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$6,440
15 days From$4,770
Health Safety +
Generous cancellation
More
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By Intrepid Travel
premier
Small Group Tour
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.
Lodging level
Standard - 3 star
Physical level
Easy
Trip pace
Balanced schedule
Visits
La Fortuna, Manuel Antonio National Park, Monteverde
Highlights
- Try to spot the elusive resplendent quetzal when you’re exploring Monteverde’s steamy cloud forests. Better yet, why not consider a jungle zip-line to get high in the sky for the best views?
- Spend time wandering through the Mercado Municipal de Artesanias artisan stalls in San Jose – Costa Rica’s cultural heart. With plenty of time to stop for a refresco (smoothie), this is a good opportunity to people-watch.
- Lend a hand at a farmstay outside of Santa Rosa de Pocosol and learn some home-cooked recipes and techniques from the locals on a visit to the Juanilama agricultural community.
- Marvel at the size and stature of the Arenal Volcano on the horizon, maybe taking a soak and relaxing in La Fortuna’s lava-heated thermal springs.
- With plenty of time to chill out at your own pace, Quepos’ surf vibe is ideal for catching some waves, lazing on the white-sand beaches or hiking the lush trails of Manuel Antonio with your travel pals.
Themes
Cultural, Nature & Wildlife, Local Immersion & Homestays, National Parks, High Adventure
What travelers are saying
"I went on the Intrepid 15 day "Best of Morocco" tour in 2025 and had such an amazing time that I wasn't ready to leave by the time the trip finished! It exceeded my expectations in so many ways: value for money, itinerary, a lot of included activities balanced with lots of rest stops on longer travel days, very caring & attentive local guides, and lots of optional activities. As a company, Intrepid was very easy to communicate with before the trip started (I had sent a few questions about optional activities). The website is also easy to navigate and simple for updating travel & health information. If you are considering doing a tour with Intrepid - make sure you read the Essential Trip Information they have on each tour page. It describes everything in detail so you'll know what to expect. While I LOVED my tour, I can see some people signing up for this without reading the description and then being surprised at some of the 2 star hotels (in this case it was the "Original" tour style). Overall, I am impressed at how this tour managed to simultaneously get us closer to Moroccan culture AND feel like an adventure AND feel like a vacation from day-to-day life back home. I would travel with Intrepid again."
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$1,742
9 days From$1,290
Health Safety +
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By Exodus Adventure Travels
premier
Small Group Tour
Why we love them
With a wide range of trip styles, Exodus caters to every type of traveler out there- even those with specific interests from cycling to winter hiking.
Lodging level
Standard - 3 star
Physical level
Moderate
Trip pace
Balanced schedule
Visits
Caribbean, Palma
Highlights
- Cycle through the ever-changing tropical scenery of Costa Rica, guided by our expert tour leader
- Glide downhill through the dense rainforest of the Orosi Valley
- Spot wildlife on a guided nature walk in Manuel Antonio National Park
- Take a boat ride on the animal-rich waterways of Tortuguero National Park
Themes
Cultural, Nature & Wildlife, Cycling & Biking, National Parks
What travelers are saying
"Excellent service"
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$8,100
14 days From$6,000
Health Safety +
Generous cancellation
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By Intrepid Travel
premier
Small Group Tour
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.
Lodging level
Standard - 3 star
Physical level
Easy
Trip pace
Full schedule
Visits
Arenal Volcano, La Fortuna, Manuel Antonio National Park, Monteverde
Highlights
- Go beyond a biology lesson and immerse yourself in nature, from spotting rare birds in Monteverde to listening for the evocative call of howler monkeys in Manuel Antonio National Park.
- Harvest produce and come together to cook a rustic meal from scratch during a homestay with family in an agricultural community.
- Get active on guided walks through forest and jungle, plus an incredible canopy walk along suspended bridges in Monteverde Cloud Forest Biological Reserve.
- Family holidays aren’t always relaxing, but this trip offers plenty of opportunities to take it slow in thermal springs and pools and on beaches.
- End this adventure by hitting Manuel Antonio National Park, where the evergreen forest grows right up to the long, white beaches and irresistible water.
Themes
Nature & Wildlife, Family Friendly, National Parks
What travelers are saying
"I went on the Intrepid 15 day "Best of Morocco" tour in 2025 and had such an amazing time that I wasn't ready to leave by the time the trip finished! It exceeded my expectations in so many ways: value for money, itinerary, a lot of included activities balanced with lots of rest stops on longer travel days, very caring & attentive local guides, and lots of optional activities. As a company, Intrepid was very easy to communicate with before the trip started (I had sent a few questions about optional activities). The website is also easy to navigate and simple for updating travel & health information. If you are considering doing a tour with Intrepid - make sure you read the Essential Trip Information they have on each tour page. It describes everything in detail so you'll know what to expect. While I LOVED my tour, I can see some people signing up for this without reading the description and then being surprised at some of the 2 star hotels (in this case it was the "Original" tour style). Overall, I am impressed at how this tour managed to simultaneously get us closer to Moroccan culture AND feel like an adventure AND feel like a vacation from day-to-day life back home. I would travel with Intrepid again."
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$2,570
10 days From$1,904
Health Safety +
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By Discover Corps
preferred
Small Group Tour
Lodging level
Standard - 3 star
Physical level
Easy
Trip pace
Flexible schedule
Highlights
- Spend a morning helping out at a wildlife rescue center
- Hike through the treetops of a cloud forest on hanging bridges
- Experience life in a rural town, planting trees and savoring local cuisine
- Rejuvenate in a natural hot springs at the base of a volcano
- Traverse a coastal rainforest to uncover pristine beaches teeming with wildlife
Themes
Nature & Wildlife, Family Friendly, Volunteering & Community Service
What travelers are saying
"Our trip started off with a lunch at Maya Gardens. We went to see the poultry in their pens while waiting for lunch, thinking it was a petting zoo. The poor birds did not have water or any indication that they ever had water. One of the turkeys was lying on it's side looking very sick. No one would give them water when I asked them to. The lunch was so awful I did not eat meat for the rest of the trip. I sent a video to Angela Bailey telling her this is not what we want to see when on a conservation trip and she acted like I was lying. Our guides were lazy and not caring about us. They took us to overpriced markets to get fleeced by the sellers there. At the anti-poaching farm tour, we had to walk over a bridge with wires on it, to keep wildlife in. One of our travelers, who was 65 years old, tripped over it and had to go to the hospital. No one warned her about the wires. Then, trying to get off the safari trucks, she was so very very sore and no guides helped her to get out of the truck. Completely appalling. The guides had very poor communication skills that worked for Discover Corps. I was forced to get vaccinated while in Kenya, because the laws changed while we were there. I asked if I could try to get out of the airport first and if I could not then get the vaccine. Discover Corps said "If you choose to do that, you are on your own". The conditions of medical in Kenya is not like the US and it was awful. The airport didn't even ask me for my vaccine card on the way out. DC could have worked with me on trying this first before forcing me to get this vaccine in a poor 3rd world country. Also, my vaccine card had the wrong date of birth and my name did not match what is on my passport. The doctor tried to get me to tip the nurse giving me the vaccine. The guides dropped us off curbside at the airport and left us there to navigate. I will NEVER use this company again. They did not have my back on anything that happened and Angela Bailey never contacted me to follow up about my experience after this trip was over."
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8 days From$2,995
Price updated 1 year+ ago
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By Solos
none
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."
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12 days
Inquire
More
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By Exodus Adventure Travels
premier
Small Group Tour
Why we love them
With a wide range of trip styles, Exodus caters to every type of traveler out there- even those with specific interests from cycling to winter hiking.
Lodging level
Standard - 3 star
Physical level
Moderate
Trip pace
Balanced schedule
Visits
Arenal Volcano, Caribbean, La Paz
Highlights
- Explore one of the world’s great wildlife-watching destinations with other families
- Navigate the Tortuguero waterways in search of monkeys, caiman and more
- Play and relax on both the Caribbean and Pacific coasts
- Cruise down the river at the Sloth Sanctuary
- Feel the rainforest come alive on a night walk in the Tirimbina Biological Reserve
Themes
Cultural, Nature & Wildlife, Family Friendly, National Parks, High Adventure, Rafting, Kayaking, Canoeing
What travelers are saying
"Excellent service"
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$6,278
15 days From$4,650
Health Safety +
Generous cancellation
More
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By Intrepid Travel
premier
Small Group Tour
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.
Lodging level
Standard - 3 star
Physical level
Easy
Trip pace
Balanced schedule
Visits
La Fortuna, Manuel Antonio National Park, Monteverde, Tenorio Volcano National Park, Tortuguero National Park
Highlights
- Swap the concrete jungle for real jungle on this journey into the rainforests, waterways, hot springs and the palm-lined beaches of Costa Rica.
- Spot long-nosed tapirs, white-faced capuchin monkeys, ocelots and three-toed sloths on this wildlife adventure – Costa Rica is home to many exotic animals, and this trip puts you in the perfect position to see them all.
- Go deeper than the average tourist with a homestay in a quiet agricultural community – the perfect opportunity to experience local life and practice your Spanish. You’ll even have an informal cooking lesson with the locals to make dinner!
- Refresh yourself after jungle hikes, spotting wildlife in the rejuvenating hot springs of volcanic La Fortuna.
- Visit the indigenous Maleku community to share a traditional meal and learn about their way of life – this small tribe has big ambitions for regenerating local forests and natural habitats.
Themes
Cultural, Nature & Wildlife, Local Immersion & Homestays, National Parks, High Adventure
What travelers are saying
"I went on the Intrepid 15 day "Best of Morocco" tour in 2025 and had such an amazing time that I wasn't ready to leave by the time the trip finished! It exceeded my expectations in so many ways: value for money, itinerary, a lot of included activities balanced with lots of rest stops on longer travel days, very caring & attentive local guides, and lots of optional activities. As a company, Intrepid was very easy to communicate with before the trip started (I had sent a few questions about optional activities). The website is also easy to navigate and simple for updating travel & health information. If you are considering doing a tour with Intrepid - make sure you read the Essential Trip Information they have on each tour page. It describes everything in detail so you'll know what to expect. While I LOVED my tour, I can see some people signing up for this without reading the description and then being surprised at some of the 2 star hotels (in this case it was the "Original" tour style). Overall, I am impressed at how this tour managed to simultaneously get us closer to Moroccan culture AND feel like an adventure AND feel like a vacation from day-to-day life back home. I would travel with Intrepid again."
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$2,927
15 days From$2,168
Health Safety +
More
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Additional details
Costa Rica Budget Reviews & Ratings
Excellent
470
Great
78
Average
13
Disappointing
3
Terrible
3
A
Discover costa rica
An excellent taster of the country. Well planned with good locations Meeting the owner michael Schnitzler of esquinas lodge. Such a wonderful work, he is passinate...
Tour: Discover Costa Rica
A
Totally superb experience.
Our Guide & tour leader-Johnny [Villalobos] made this trip the best we have experienced; with his expertise, knowledge & general manner. Superior to simi...
Tour: Discover Costa Rica
A
Discover Costa Rica
I would highly recommend this trip. The trip is very wildlife oriented, so if that is not your main interest, it may not be for you. However, I wouldn’t say that i...
Tour: Discover Costa Rica
A
Discover Costa Rica
This trip was one of the best holidays that my wife and I have ever taken. . Costa Rica is a beautiful country but the attention to detail provided by Exodus and t...
Tour: Discover Costa Rica
A
Discover Costa Rica review
This was our first Exodus trip, which, to be honest I viewed with some trepidation, as I walk with crutches, and so wondered how it would be. I cannot praise Exod...
Tour: Discover Costa Rica
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