Costa Rica Tours, Packages, and Travel Guide

Rain Forest Tours

Costa Rica Tours and Travel Guide

Rain Forest Tours’ style can best be described in three words:
Passion, Imagination, Experience!
We are dedicated to Costa Rica travel which departs from mainstream tourism and seeks to create personalized experience for our clients. We’ll listen and ask questions to customize your travel experience – making your trip uniquely about you.
Rain Forest Tours is a full service tour operator that has been a leading authority on Eco-adventure tours to Costa Rica for over 24 years. We recognize that there’s a style of travel for every traveler. Whether you are an intrepid explorer, are passionate about the outdoors and nature, have a yearning for adventure, or just seek time to relax and rejuvenate, we will create the ideal journey for you. Rain Forest Tours has the experience, passion, and imagination to make your trip everything you want and we'll guarantee an incredible, one of a kind vacation presented with the highest degree of customer service.
So contact us today and let's get started on planning your trip of a lifetime to this natural wonderland, Costa Rica,
“Pura Vida”!!

Costa Rica Top 10 Destinations

Corcovado National Park

Located on the gorgeous Osa Peninsula, National Geographic has deemed Corcovado National Park as one of the most biodiverse places on earth.

Arenal Volcano National Park

An incredibly diverse population of wildlife and a myriad of adventure activities such as white-water rafting, canopy tours, rapelling, and nature-watching awaits you in this part of Costa Rica. In addition, this area is known for its hot springs, which provide a unique relaxing environment surrounded by local nature.

Manuel Antonio National Park

Stunning tropical beaches, an amazing array of birds and wildlife, rich dense forestation, easy accessibility and a plethora of things to do, all make this park one of the most popular tourist attractions in the country.

The beaches of Tamarindo, Langosta, And Grande

Tamarindo and its surrounding beaches are some of the most easily accessible beach towns in the region. Boasting crystal clear turquoise water and pristine weather, Tamarindo is one of the most popular tourist destinations for good reason. Tamarindo has a little something to offer everyone. Whether a family is in search of an adventurous getaway or a couple is looking to relax on their honeymoon, this town has the amenities and serenity of several other destinations in one locale.

Monteverde Cloud Forest Reserve

Monteverde Cloud Forest Reserve has a unique air of mystery to it. A distinctive mountain rainforest where the humidity is usually 100%, Monteverde is home to more than 3000 species of animals and plants.

Tortuguero National Park

A key turtle breeding ground in the Caribbean, Tortuguero National Park is the habitat and nesting ground of four of the eight species of marine turtles in the world. Known for its meandering rivers and lovely lagoons, this area is also home to the endangered West Indian manatee.

Puerto Viejo & Cahuita National Park

Puerto Viejo has a lot to offer. From world-class surfing, snorkeling and diving among the many reefs in the blue waters, to mountain biking, horseback riding and cultural visits to indigenous people. Nearby Cahuita National Park, protecting Costa Rica’s largest and only coral reef, combines beautiful beaches with lush coastal rainforests to provide a truly wonderful atmosphere to relax in.

Nosara & Guiones Beach

As the perfect place in which to escape, relax, live simply, free ones mind, and find ones center it’s not surprising that Nosara’s reputation as Central America’s leading yoga hot spot is so firmly established. The soul soothing sights, sounds and ambiance of the Pacific jungle landscape were the foundations for Nosara’s early pioneering yoga communities decision to set up shop. All who come here to practice this life changing art find that Nosara’s natural environment acts as a perfect catalyst to a deep state of serene awareness, and often leave determined to return. From humble beginnings Nosara has slowly evolved into a yoga Mecca that attracts both novices and those looking to deepen their practice from all over the globe.

Santa Teresa & Mal Pais

The tiny beach village of Santa Teresa is located in the southernmost part of the Nicoya Peninsula. This beach is renowned worldwide for some of the best surfing in the entire country. Private and secluded, Santa Teresa is often described as "Paradise". Just south is Mal Pais a bit more spread out with long beaches and reefs it is the perfect place to get away from it all.

Costa Rica Tourist Map

Montezuma

Lying on the southern tip of the Nicoya Peninsula, Montezuma was a small remote fishing village until the 1980's when it began to gain a reputation for being an ideal budget location for the nearby areas of the Cabo Blanco National Park, Isla Tortuga and the Curu Wildlife Reserve. Nowadays, it's a popular hangout for young foreign travelers, who enjoy the village’s laidback lifestyle and mellow vibes.

COSTA RICA VACATION PACKAGES & ITINERARIES

GENERAL INFORMATION

National Parks of Costa Rica, Reserves and Protected areas
Roughly 20% of Costa Rica's territory is constituted as National Park or Reserves, including two parks declared World Heritage Site by UNESCO. This means most National Parks and Reserves are easily accessible from anywhere in the country, making Costa Rica an ideal destination if you want to be surrounded by natural settings.

Climate
Almost ideal year-round, the climate is a moderate 72 degrees in the highlands, while the lowlands and coastal areas range from the low 70's to the high 90's. Evenings in San Jose are free of humid heat, and beaches are cooled by ocean breezes. Rainy season occurs from the end of May to November, with the heaviest rainfall in October. The Atlantic or Caribbean side is driest from February through April, with a short "summer" in June and July, and the wettest months from November through January. However, you should be prepared for rain at any time during the year in this part of the country. The Pacific side and central parts of the country are driest from January through March.

Topography
Costa Rica is bordered to the North by Nicaragua and to the South by Panama and has both a Pacific and Atlantic Coast. A series of volcanic chains (cordilleras) runs from the Nicaraguan border in the Northwest to the Panamanian border in the Southeast, splitting the country in two. In the center of these ranges is a high-altitude plain (Central Valley), with coastal lowlands on either side. Over half the population lives on this plain, which has fertile volcanic soils. The Caribbean coast is 132 miles long while the Pacific coast is 635 miles long.

Entry and exit requirements
All visitors are required to present passports valid for at least ninety days in order to enter Costa Rica. In addition, guests 17 years of age or younger may be required to show additional documentation when traveling with a single parent.

Currency, banking, credit cards
The Costa Rican monetary unit is the Colon and the current exchange rate is around 570 colones to $1.00 U.S. but can fluctuate without notice. Most businesses will accept major credit cards (Visa, Master Card, and American Express), it is important to inform your credit card company or bank before leaving home that you will be visiting Costa Rica. There are also numerous ATM's around the country that work on (Cirrus, Star, and Plus) systems so don't forget your PIN.

Electricity
Standard current is 110 volts, 60 Hertz.

Telecommunications
Wifi service is widespread and efficient and there are more telephones per capita than in any other Latin American country.

Health
Public health facilities in Costa Rica compare favorably with that of many developed countries and are numerous and dependable. Many English-speaking doctors and dentists practice in San Jose.

Water
Yes, you can drink the water! It is pure and suitable for drinking throughout most of the country.

Food
Due to its' geographical location and climate, Costa Rica has a wealth of fruits and vegetables that, when combined with the interplay of native and European ingredients and culture, translate into a unique Costa Rican flavor.
The basic staples of the Costa Rican diet are rice, beans, and tortillas, which consist primarily of corn. The ingredients used by Costa Rican cooks include simple native foods, such as chayotes, avocados, and the ever-present corn. "Tico" fare is neither spicy nor, in many respects, unfamiliar. Breakfast typically features a delicious mixture of rice and black beans known as "gallo pinto" which may be accompanied by eggs, corn tortillas and sour cream. Calorie counters may prefer a tropical fruit plate of papaya, watermelon, pineapple, banana, and in season mango or cantaloupe. "Casados" popular at midday, are huge plates of white rice, beans, fried plantains, salad, cheese, diced vegetables, and your choice of meat, chicken or fish. Hearty soups are a favorite for dinner and of course Costa Rica produces some of the finest coffee in the world.

Transportation
There are a large number of affordable taxis, domestic airlines, and ground shuttle companies that service all of the tourist areas and UBER is also widespread. Hertz, Alamo, Europcar are some of the many rental car companies that offer service in Costa Rica. The road system is somewhat primitive compared to International standards, and an international driver's permit is not necessary. A valid driver’s license from your home country will suffice.

Sales tax
Costa Rica has a nationwide 13% sales tax.