Colorful Costa Rica (2025)

9 days
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San José, Tortuguero, Sarapiqui, Arenal & Tamarindo

On this exotic adventure, be dazzled by Costa Rica’s vibrant beauty and culture. Experience the traditional charm of a typical Costa Rican town and find rest and relaxation in San José. Enjoy local cuisine and embark on a captivating boat ride through the rainforest to reach Tortuguero National Park, where you’ll encounter a variety of wildlife. In Sarapiqui’s tropical forest, we’ll partake in an eco-farm experience. Admire breathtaking views and spectacular scenery at the Arenal Volcano while partaking in fun activities like traversing suspension bridges, soaking in hot springs, spotting colorful dart frogs, and other fun options. We’ll even get the chance to have an up-close animal experience with rescued Costa Rican wildlife at a Wildlife Rescue Center Sanctuary. Finally, enjoy the Pura Vida at Tamarindo’s beaches with their magnificent sunsets.

Looking for 2024 dates? Visit our 11-day Colorful Costa Rica with Tamarindo tour for earlier departures.

Itinerary at a Glance

2025 Tour Itinerary:

  • 1 night in San José (Central Valley)
  • 2 nights in Tortuguero
  • 1 night in Sarapiqui
  • 2 nights in Arenal
  • 2 nights in Tamarindo

Tour Highlights

  • Central Valley art experience (outskirts of San José)
  • Guided Eco Boat trip exploring Tortuguero's wildlife in Tortuguero National Park
  • Finca Eco Organica visit with farm-to-table lunch (family-operated organic farm in Sarapiqui)
  • Arenal Volcano
  • Hanging Bridges Experience (Arenal)
  • Rainforest Night Hike
  • Guided Puma Rescue Center Wildife Sanctuary Tour with lunch

Your Tour Includes

  • Ground transportation in an air-conditioned vehicle
  • Accommodations at first class hotels and eco-lodges
  • 20 Meals: 8 breakfasts, 5 lunches, and 7 dinners
  • Comprehensive sightseeing tours and entry fees as per itinerary
  • Experienced, English-speaking Tour Director

Is this tour right for you? Find out What to Expect

2025 Tour Itinerary

Flights

A white commercial airplane in flight above the clouds with the sun shining brightly in the clear blue sky.

Group flights are not available on this tour.

You can find more details on the Before You Depart page.

Day 1: Arrive in San José

A scenic view of a lush green valley, dotted with trees and fields, extending to a cityscape in the distance. Rolling hills with a mountain range covered in foggy clouds are in the background. The sky transitions from warm hues of a setting sun to a darker night blue above, reminiscent of Costa Rica tour packages with airfare included.

Our unforgettable adventure to Costa Rica begins today as we arrive in San José and check into our hotel in the Central Valley, an exclusive area of Santa Ana in San José's outskirts that still maintains its traditional feel of a typical Costa Rican town. After we check-in, we'll have time to rest and relax and might consider enjoying the hotel's art collection - the largest art collection of Costa Rican artists after the national gallery. This evening, we'll enjoy a welcome dinner together.

Accommodations: Studio Hotel Boutique or similar 
Meals: Dinner

Day 2: San José – Tortuguero

Day 3: Tortuguero

Day 4: Tortuguero – Sarapiqui

Day 5: Sarapiqui – Arenal

Day 6: Arenal

Day 7: Arenal – Tamarindo

Day 8: Tamarindo at Leisure

Day 9: Depart Tamarindo

Guided Tour Pricing

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2025 Tours
Fri–Sat
Jan 24–Feb 1
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$2,699 $2,497
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Wed–Thu
Feb 12–20
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Fri–Sat
Sep 5–13
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Fri–Sat
Nov 7–15
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Rates are per person based on double occupancy.
Single supplement applies when not sharing a room. Select a date above to see the rates for that specific departure.

For more information on this tour, please contact us here or call us during business hours (Monday-Friday from 9:00 am - 5:30 pm Eastern) at 1.800.337.7773.

Reservations and Payments
Reservations can be made online or by phone (1.800.337.7773) and will be confirmed upon receipt of your non-refundable, non-transferable deposit, which must be received at the time of reservation. Deposits are $300 per person. Full payment is due 90 days prior to departure. Space and prices subject to availability. Please see the smarTours Terms and Conditions for complete booking information.

Pre- & Post- Night Stays

Slow the pace of your tour with a pre- and/or post-night stay so you can arrive refreshed, acclimate to the time zone if needed, and depart leisurely, ensuring a seamless transition into and out of your journey.

Pre-Night in San José

Post-Night in Tamarindo

Post-Night in San José

Optional Tours

Enhance your trip with these optional tours. Indicated optional tours are available to pre-book when you reserve your trip and can be added to your reservation up to final payment. This is the best option to guarantee your spot on your preferred optional tour! Optional tours require a minimum number of participants. Optional tours are non-refundable unless they do not operate.

Some optional tours can be purchased in-destination and may cost extra. The payment methods and currency information to purchase tours in-destination will be provided on final documentation.

Organic Pineapple Plantation Tour

Half-Day Paradise Hot Springs

Half-Day Catamaran Sailing & Snorkeling Tour

What to Expect

Max Group Size: 30 travelers

Activity Level: Level 2

Expect most included touring to require walking and standing periods up to 4 hours at a time (up to 2 times per day). Included touring may feature light hiking, and/or stairs on some hilly and/or uneven terrain. Learn More

Pacing Level: Balanced

Expect either half-day or full-day tours most days with a free day or free half-day to explore independently in most cities. There may be a few early mornings or long travel days by bus (don’t worry—there are always comfort stops!), and you may expect to stay in most accommodations for 3+ nights. Learn More

No Additional Entry Requirements for U.S. Passport Holders

A valid passport is required for international tours. Currently, there are no additional entry requirements for U.S. passport holders, but this can change at any time. Before travel, both U.S. and non-U.S. passport holders should visit our Passports & Visas page to reconfirm entry requirements.

There are a few early mornings due to boat schedules. The hanging bridges in Arenal and the rainforest night walk are more advanced. Also important to note that two of the eco-lodges do not have air conditioning (none of the eco-lodges in this area do), although there are fans provided. Travelers may experience occasional bumpy rides.

For more detailed information about this tour and destination, visit our Before You Depart section.

Reviews

Lyndia D

10 months ago
Juan Diego made this trip an informative, very well organized, educational and fun experience for all. Excellent guide.

Patti S

11 months ago
If you want a tour guide who is as excited to show you the natural history (esp. birds and wildlife) of his country as you are to experience them, this is the tour for you. If you want to make sure your eco-tourism supports small businesses in local communities so you know your trip benefits the host country and its people, this is the tour for you.

Wanda B

1 year ago
First this was an amazing vacation tour. Smart Tours gave everything that was outlined in their description of the trip. So worth the amount paid!
I want to give a shout out to everyone who was a part of this group. It was a blessing to meet and tour with people from different parts of USA. Kudos to Vinicio (Vinny) Viquez, our tour guide. He was apart of our group every step of the way. He was attentive and patience throughout the trip. Wilmar our main bus driver was great as well!
This trip isn't for the faint of hearts. I could be strenuous as well has taxing on the muscle but so much fun!
Costa Rica is a beautiful country where the people are true to their culture. The beautiful forests, plants and animal is so much apart of the environment. It's nothing to pick a lychee or banana straight from a tree. This trip allowed us to experience Costa Rica from their beaches, city life, rainforest, swamps, mountain views to their upscale resorts area. It pinpointed all of Costa Rica in seven days.
Smart Tour have us sold and we will definitely go back on vacation with them in the future.

Ann O

1 year ago
Excellent sampling of Northern Costa Rica from Tortuguero to Tamarindo with an expert tour guide.

Michelle

1 year ago
This tour was great!! I went during the rainy season. Every day that I was there on the tour, it rained after the tour was completed. I finally got to see a toucan for the first time in my life! Also, I saw the blue jeans frog up close and personal in the rain forest. That frog is a tiny little creature but is very beautiful in color. Also, the tour led my group throughout the majority of the country on both the Caribbean and the Pacific sides. This tour is well worth the price.

Diana J

1 year ago
Colorful Costa Rica was an adventurous way to see the real Costa Rica. Hanging bridges, river boat rides through the rainforests, animal sightings, delicious food, and wonderful locals made this a truly one of a kind trip. Our guide Vinicio Viquez was informative and very kind. It was a fabulous trip!!

Vauri H

1 year ago
Great tour!

Patty

1 year ago
I loved the all the different places we got to see and learn about on the trip. Our guide, Vinny, was excellent in explaining the history and geography of beautiful Costa Rica. The family organic farm near Sarapiqui was one highlight where our group got to participate in sugar cane production, coffee farming, pepper, and pineapples. Lots of sampling and a delicious lunch! The river ride to Tortuguero was so cool. We saw monkeys, alligators and lots of birds. The resort there was beautiful! The hanging bridges tour was fantastically beautiful. Our guide helped us arrange a zip-line tour over the treetops up the side of the volcano. So fun! The last 2 days in Tamarindo was a perfect end to a great trip. This was the first time my friend and I had been on a tour and weren’t sure if we would like it, but we met so many lifelong friends on this tour! I will be traveling this way more often!

Mary K

1 year ago
Smartours provide great value for the price. I like the way local entrepreneurs are showcased in addition to just sightseeing and enjoying the natural surroundings. I’ve gained a great appreciation for Costa Rica’s history, culture, and contributions to the world. The tour took us to places which show how Costa Rica has protected and respected its natural environment when it could have been exploited in the name of progress. The wealth is shared with all citizens.

Robert F

1 year ago
Travel to locations ate up a lot of time, but locations were interesting.