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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
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
Costa Rica

Turtle Conservation

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

Holiday idea

Manta Ray off Cano Island
Costa Rica

Snorkel Adventure

Snorkel with manta rays and turtles.

Suggested Holiday Idea

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

Chocolate Making

Discover how to make chocolate, from bean to bar.

Suggested Holiday Idea

Sea Turtle, Tortuguero National Park, Costa Rica
Costa Rica

Tortuguero Turtles

Witness Atlantic Green Turtles coming ashore to nest in Tortuguero.

Suggested Holiday Idea

Violaceous Trogon in Costa Rica
Costa Rica

Go Bird Watching in Caño Negro Wildlife Refuge

Opportunity to see a number of migratory birds in Caño Negro Wildlife Refuge.

Suggested Holiday Idea

Views from Maquenque Eco Lodge
Costa Rica

Take to the trees

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

Suggested lodge

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

Some of the wonderful places to stay that we frequently recommended.

Nayara Tented Camp £££££

  • Costa Rica
  • Tented Camps

Boasting plunge pools fed by natural hot springs, thoughtfully designed tents with eco-friendly touches, and a gourmet eatery with an expansive terrace, Nayara Tented Camp offers nature lovers a unique indoor-outdoor lodging experience within the confines of a National Park.

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Ylang Ylang Beach Resort £££££

  • Costa Rica
  • Beach and Island Escapes

Ylang Ylang Beach Resort is located on a stunning stretch of coast at the southern tip of the Nicoya Peninsula and just a short walk along the beach from the small seafront town of Montezuma. Flanked by rainforest and a white sandy beach, the 20 rustic guestrooms are simple but charming. Choose between a dome-shaped bungalow nestled in the jungle, a family beach suite or even a tented cabin.

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Capitan Suizo Hotel £££££

  • Costa Rica
  • Beach and Island Escapes

Capitan Suizo is one of the original beach hotels in the centre of Tamarindo. With 35 rooms in total, comprising of standard and superior rooms, bungalows and beachfront suites, it is an old favourite and boasts a rare beachfront location. Capitan Suizo is a homely, mid-range property that is extremely welcoming and very family-friendly. There is a pool, restaurant and direct access to the beach.

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Trogon Lodge £££££

  • Costa Rica
  • B&B, Motel and Guesthouse

Surrounded by 205 acres of private cloud forest reserve at an altitude of 2,200 metres above sea level, Trogon Lodge provides 25 rooms in 12 log cabin units dotted around the gardens.

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Kura Design Villas £££££

  • Costa Rica
  • Beach and Island Escapes

A collection of beautifully designed luxury suites and villas incorporating cutting edge modern design and the best materials in a primitive and wild natural setting. There are astonishing views across pristine rainforest down to the coast. A twenty-minute transfer will see you on wild and rugged dark sand Pacific beaches that are pounded by rollers and completely undeveloped.

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Senda Monteverde Hotel £££££

  • Costa Rica
  • B&B, Motel and Guesthouse

Featuring 24 contemporary and spacious bungalows with open-air porches overlooking lush gardens, Senda Monteverde hotel offers a range of upscale duplexes and individual rooms. Light and airy yet warmed by the delightful wooden interiors, the aim is to provide a luxury stay whilst interacting with nature and experiencing general mountain living.

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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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