Hummingbird

Costa Rica Holidays

There’s a saying that runs right through Costa Rica: ‘pura vida’, or ‘the good life’. We can help you to truly tap into this tranquil way of being and experience the country in ways that few travellers ever do.

Costa Rica has an extraordinary wealth of ecosystems for a relatively small country. Home to cloud forests, tropical dry forests, rainforests, highlands, wetlands, plains and two coastlines it is no wonder that Costa Rica is one of the most biodiverse countries in the world.

A peaceful and forward-thinking country with a wide range of luxury accommodation, Costa Rica lends itself perfectly to many different types of holiday.

Resplendent Quetzal in flight
Osa Peninsula, Costa Rica

Why we like Costa Rica

We love Costa Rica for its principles and commitment to the environment – the army was formally abolished in 1949 and the money saved was put into improving the infrastructure and protecting the environment. In a practical sense, Costa Rica is small and easy to travel around with a huge amount of variety and activities. It offers adventure with all the trappings of comfort and fine dining.

Baby Turtle, Costa Rica
Costa Rica

Costa Rica: What to Expect

Lush green vegetation, birds of all sizes and colours, fabulous butterflies, active volcanoes and exciting wildlife. National parks cover around a quarter of Costa Rica and both the government and the people take their responsibility of protecting the environment very seriously.

Due to its compact nature, travelling around the country is easy and the money which was saved by abandoning the military has been used to develop the infrastructure of roads which are excellent. While the focus might be on activities and wildlife there is no need to sacrifice comfort and you will find hotels of every standard and size to suit any pocket.

Finally, don’t forget the jungle-fringed beaches which stretch for miles and offer superb opportunities for surfing and kiting.

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Explore Costa Rica

  • Cloud Forests
  • San Jose
  • Nicoya Peninsula
  • Puerto Viejo and Caribbean Coast
  • Corcovado National Park
  • Arenal
  • Tortuguero

Experiences

Up in the trees or out on the sea, which Costa Rica experiences best fit you?

Keel-Billed Toucan, Costa Rica

Wildife of Tortuguero

Peacefully meander down the waterways of Tortuguero National Park by canoe, getting up close and personal with birdlife, colourful frogs and lizards, playful monkeys and sloths. You are surrounded by the warm Caribbean sea, where you can watch baby turtles taking their first steps towards the sea.

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Green sea turtle hatchling

Turtle Conservation

Visit Tortuguero, one of the world’s major nesting sites for Atlantic green turtles.

Holiday idea

Manta Ray off Cano Island

Snorkel Adventure

Snorkel with manta rays and turtles.

Suggested Holiday Idea

El Silencio Lodge & Spa, Waterfall, Bajos del Toro, Costa Rica

Adventures in the Tree Canopy

Raft and zip line through the jungle canopy and abseil down waterfalls.

Suggested Holiday Idea

Cheese board, farm to table, Senda Monteverde Hotel, Costa Rica

Cookery Class

Join a local family for a cooking class, extract juice from sugarcane, milk a cow and make cheese.

Suggested Holiday Idea

Poas Volcano crater, Costa Rica

Volcano Adventure

Walk up to the ridge of the active Poas volcano for a peek into the steaming abyss of its caldera, the largest in the world.

Suggested Holiday Idea

Chocolate making course in Costa Rica

Chocolate Making

Discover how to make chocolate, from bean to bar.

Suggested Holiday Idea

Views from Maquenque Eco Lodge

Take to the trees

Live in a tree house high above the lakes and rainforest at Maquenque Lodge

Suggested lodge

Caiman, Cano Negro Natural Lodge, Cano Negro, Costa Rica

Crocodile Central

Take a boat ride along the Rio Frio near the Nicaraguan border to see hundreds of crocodiles sunning themselves along the river bank.

Suggested Holiday Idea

Arenal Volcano View, Alajuela, La Fortuna, Costa Rica

Walk inside Arenal Volcano

Take a fascinating walk into the lava fields of Arenal Volcano.

Suggested Holiday Idea

Need Inspiration?
Browse our Costa Rica holiday ideas.

Our experts have created and curated these tailor-made holiday ideas to get you started. Take the time to search through them and find something that is the spark for your unique adventure.

Where to Stay

Every captivating tailor-made itinerary needs a perfect base. Our team has handpicked this collection of properties to give you luxury options in styles to suit any adventure.

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Meet our experts

A passion for travel runs right through every one of our experts - meaning they're always ready with first-hand insight about their specialist countries.

Rachael Tallents

Adventure, discovery and my curiosity for people and the natural world is what drives my love of travelling.  I am grateful for my parents’ desire to explore, and from an early age my eyes were open to diverse landscapes, cultures, and underwater worlds.

For the last 16 years, I have worked for a leading luxury tour operator designing incredible journeys for discerning clients and travelled to some magical places. I am excited to have joined Steppes Travel, and to be working for a company with such strong ethical and sustainable values.

Talk with our experts
  • 01285 880 980

Clare Higginson

It was my passion for languages that first encouraged me to leave the UK behind and grab my rucksack. Since then, it’s been a mixture of intriguing cultures, jaw-dropping landscapes and the wonder of seeing animals in their natural habitat that sees me continuously extending my travel wish list.

Talk with our experts
  • 01285 880 980

John Faithfull

Costa Rica is simply the best spot in Central America for nature lovers, and is always John’s top recommendation for those wishing to hike, swim, zip, raft, ride or float through outstanding scenery and rich biodiversity.

Talk with our experts
  • 01285 880 980

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Why Choose Steppes?

Our knowledge, curiosity and expertise set us apart, driving us to create remarkable holidays and Beautiful Adventures tailored perfectly to you, carefully curated to help protect and conserve our planet.

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