Top Costa Rica Budget Wildlife Viewing Trips & Packages 2025/2026

Our 64 most popular Costa Rica Budget Wildlife Viewing Trips & Packages trips. Compare tour itineraries from 32 tour companies. 313 reviews.

64 Trips match your criteria (45 - 64 shown)

Costa Rica Wildlife Holiday
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5/5 Excellent
26 reviews
Private Guided
Lodging level
Standard - 3 star
Physical level
Easy
Trip pace
Balanced schedule

Highlights

  • Relish the diverse flora and fauna of Costa Rica
  • Benefit from the expertise of your naturalist guide
  • Explore by boat and on foot
  • Travel to less-visited parks and reserves
  • Experience a nocturnal walk in the rainforest
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Themes

Cultural, Nature & Wildlife, Birding, National Parks

What travelers are saying

"Attention to detail, actually listened to what we wanted and our budget and delivered an experience that truly met our hopeful expectations. Great service, great communication and clear information all the way."

Trip dates & details
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Costa Rica – The Sea Turtle Initiative
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1/5 Terrible
87 reviews
Small Group Tour
Lodging level
Standard - 3 star
Physical level
Easy
Trip pace
Flexible schedule

Highlights

  • Volunteering with a sea turtle conservation organization
  • Getting up close and personal with howler monkeys, toucans and reptiles
  • Visiting a center that rescues and rehabilitates ocelots and pumas
  • Hiking through lush rainforest with a naturalist guide
  • Live steps from pristine Costa Rican beaches
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Themes

Nature & Wildlife, Family Friendly, 50 Plus, National Parks, Volunteering & Community Service, Eco, Sustainable & Green Travel

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."

Trip dates & details
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Natural Wonders Of Costa Rica With Manuel Antonio
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4.6/5 Excellent
57 reviews
Group Tour
Lodging level
Standard - 3 star
Physical level
Moderate

Themes

Cultural, Nature & Wildlife, National Parks

What travelers are saying

"Hello , first there is no airport transfer at all as they mentioned in the trip program , no one waited us at the airport as they mentioned that we should provide them with the flight schedule but unfortunately they neglected this service for arrivals and for departures as well , the level of the hotel in Lyon is under expected maybe 2 stars , the hotels are somewhat away from the city center which makes the transportation for the clients cost more and waste of time , the guide was very quick in her steps without even looking at the families and children and not being able to follow her . Rather , she was even quick to finish the designated program , such as presenting a program that was supposed to be for tomorrow and presenting it without justification , making one day crowded with her program and the second day on the contrary i.e there may be only one visit as it happened in changing visiting Eifel tower although it was late afternoon and the line was so crowded that took around 2 hours waited in line in order to gets tickets for the whole group while it was supposed to be on the 2nd day with scène river cruise , the stoppage in some cities as Geneva needs more than only 2 hours time while stoppage in between the cities in the rural area needs less than that time gave it to us .no flexibility in changing the program after booking even for a more advanced and valued trips ( changing not cancelling ) , it must be a meeting prepared for the group in a lobby of the hotel the night before or even if 1 hour before getting into the buses as a type of acquaintance and introduction between the members of the group ."

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Natural Wonders Of Costa Rica With Guanacaste
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4.6/5 Excellent
57 reviews
Group Tour
Lodging level
Standard - 3 star
Physical level
Moderate

Themes

Cultural, Nature & Wildlife, National Parks

What travelers are saying

"Hello , first there is no airport transfer at all as they mentioned in the trip program , no one waited us at the airport as they mentioned that we should provide them with the flight schedule but unfortunately they neglected this service for arrivals and for departures as well , the level of the hotel in Lyon is under expected maybe 2 stars , the hotels are somewhat away from the city center which makes the transportation for the clients cost more and waste of time , the guide was very quick in her steps without even looking at the families and children and not being able to follow her . Rather , she was even quick to finish the designated program , such as presenting a program that was supposed to be for tomorrow and presenting it without justification , making one day crowded with her program and the second day on the contrary i.e there may be only one visit as it happened in changing visiting Eifel tower although it was late afternoon and the line was so crowded that took around 2 hours waited in line in order to gets tickets for the whole group while it was supposed to be on the 2nd day with scène river cruise , the stoppage in some cities as Geneva needs more than only 2 hours time while stoppage in between the cities in the rural area needs less than that time gave it to us .no flexibility in changing the program after booking even for a more advanced and valued trips ( changing not cancelling ) , it must be a meeting prepared for the group in a lobby of the hotel the night before or even if 1 hour before getting into the buses as a type of acquaintance and introduction between the members of the group ."

Trip dates & details
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Costa Rica: Eco Rainforest Adventure
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4.9/5 Excellent
87 reviews
Group Tour
Lodging level
Standard - 3 star
Physical level
Moderate
Trip pace
Balanced schedule

Highlights

  • Visit and Poas Volcano National Park
  • Head Into the Rainforest and learn about Conservation
  • VisitCorcovado National Park
  • Enjoy a Day at the Beach

Themes

Nature & Wildlife, National Parks, High Adventure

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."

Trip dates & details
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Best of Costa Rica’s National Parks
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5/5 Excellent
5 reviews
Group Tour
Lodging level
Standard - 3 star
Physical level
Moderate
Trip pace
Balanced schedule

Highlights

  • Explore Costa Rica's splendid National Parks: Corcovado, Arenal, and Monteverde.
  • Stay in luxury hotels, rainforest lodges, and hot springs resorts (with spa treatments).
  • Experience an exciting array of activities, including whitewater rafting, sea kayaking, snorkeling, hiking, a zip line “Aerial Canopy Tour,” and optional horseback riding.
  • Hike the lava flows of the famous Arenal Volcano.
  • View some of Costa Rica’s 12,000 plant varieties, 237 species of mammals, 850 species of birds, and more butterflies than Africa!

Themes

Cultural, Nature & Wildlife, National Parks, High Adventure, Women Only

What travelers are saying

"I always wanted to meet orangutans in the wild. Going with AW to Indonesia was the way to do it. We had great local guides, delicious food, and magical experiences. Everything was taken care of. The diverse group of women made the time even more enriching. I started as a solo traveler, but within a day I had 14 new friends. I can totally see traveling with AW again."

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Pura Vida Yoga And Mountain Bike Retreat
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5/5 Excellent
12 reviews
Group Tour
Lodging level
Standard - 3 star
Physical level
Moderate
Trip pace
Balanced schedule

Highlights

  • Oceanside and studio yoga sessions
  • 6 days of spectacular mountain biking including 3 days at Pura Vida Mountain Bike Park
  • The Rincon de la Vieja to Rio Azul “Epic Challenge”
  • Natural mineral hot springs at Blue River, a one-of-kind jewel
  • Mountain bike maintenance clinic
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Themes

Cycling & Biking, Women Only, Yoga, Meditation & Wellness

What travelers are saying

"Amazing rides . Beautiful places. Great tour guides"

Trip dates & details
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Costa Rica Eco Adventures Tour
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5/5 Excellent
18 reviews
Group Tour
Lodging level
Standard - 3 star
Physical level
Moderate
Trip pace
Balanced schedule

Highlights

  • Enjoy guided walk on hotel trails and in botanical garden
  • 1 night at DoubleTree by Hilton Cariari or similar hotel in San Jose
  • 2 nights of standard accommodations at Evergreen, Aninga, or Pachira in Tortuguero
  • Enjoy Boat tour to Tortuguero National Park
  • Enjoy Trip to Tortuguero town & visit of the Green turtle museum
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Themes

Nature & Wildlife, National Parks, High Adventure, Eco, Sustainable & Green Travel

What travelers are saying

"Absolutely loved our tour. We did the Jewels of Costa Rica and had a great time! Our guide Albert and photographer Antoinette treated us like family. They were so friendly and knowledgeable, and seemed to really love sharing their country with us. We bought the tour through Groupon after a lot of research on tripadvisor, and couldn't have been happier!"

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Costa Rica Budget Wildlife Viewing Trips & Packages Reviews

A

Anonymous

Aug 2018

One for the lover of birds

It is a long flight going out, 11 hours. British Airways were the airline chosen because of the direct flight, but the standard of service on the plane had much t...

A

Anonymous

Aug 2018

Fantastic, very well organised tour. Would highly recommend

Breathtaking sights. Very knowledgable guide. Friendly yet not over bearing. Great variety of wildlife and flora and fauna seen. A very intense few days. Probably ...

A

Anonymous

Aug 2018

Natural highlights of Costa Rica.

This was a fabulous trip, giving you a slice of Costa Rica. There is a lot of driving between locations, ( at times 4-5 hours) some of the roads were still unmade,...

A

Anonymous

Mar 2018

Cost Rica for the third time.

There was a lot of hours travelling, however that is acceptable as the country's road system to the places we were going to do not allow shorter journey times, and...

A

Anonymous

Jan 2018

Fab trip with great guide and driver but be prepared for long journey times and chaotic airport

Very enjoyable holiday with similar minded folk with a superb guide and driver. Thoroughly recommend but be prepared for chaos at the airport on arrival and exit ...

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