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The Best of Costa Rica

Unexplored forests, Rural Communities & Volcanoes
Unexplored forests, Rural Communities & Volcanoes

Explore the culture and biodiversity of Costa Rica in this off the beaten path adventure. Trek alongside the stunningly beautiful Rio Celeste and explore the Arenal Volcano.

Caribbean Natural & Cultural Wonders
Caribbean Natural & Cultural Wonders

Experience the adventurous side of Costa Rica on this 6 day journey through some of its most exciting destinations. Traverse the Braulio Carrillo National Park and visit the Caribbean Coast.

Here’s why you want to book with Lokal

Trusted In-Country Experts

Our local travel planners are carefully selected for their knowledge & professionalism.

True Cultural Experiences

Connect with native communities for genuine local adventures.

Support Local People & Nature

Your trip dollars help improve quality of life and natural conservation.

It’s an adage you’ll hear everywhere from the pink sand beaches on the north side of Playa Conchal to the colorful, musical city streets of San Jose. You’ll soon learn that the simple life is more than just a greeting, a goodbye, or a way to describe when all is well. Pura vida is a way of life. It’s something you feel when you’re trekking off-the-beaten-path in rural Costa Rica, learning about culture from the locals, and getting lost on a rainforest adventure. Costa Rica will remind you to slow down, take it all in, and connect with the beautiful landscapes and delightful people surrounding you.

When to visit

Best general times to visit are from December through April, which is the dry season. Or July and August when there is a little more rain but thinner crowds.

What you will be doing

Costa Rica is a nature enthusiast's dream. Outdoor activities range from hiking, rafting, wildlife viewing, snorkeling, zip lining, and more. Costa Rica also offers many opportunities to visit communities and learn their ways of life, immersing yourself in local culture.

Travel Style

Costa Rica is best enjoyed outdoors in nature. There are accommodations that fit all travel styles, from rustic all the way to luxury. First time travelers love Costa Rica because it is safe and has good infrastructure, but adventurous and off the beaten path enthusiasts also have a lot to explore and enjoy.

Best Ways to Get Around

You can either rent a car, hire a driver, or take public transportation. If you rent a car please be aware that many of the small roads are not paved. There is also a domestic airline that can help you get from one side of the country to the other quickly.

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Authentic Connections with People and Nature

5 star review
My trip to the Osa was everything I hoped it would be, and more. Lokal Travel has cultivated really special relationships with the communities we visited, so our group of 8 was welcomed so warmly into quaint accommodations that felt like comfy extensions of people's homes. We got to break bread with our hosts - the most delicious, homemade meals made with fresh, organic ingredients grown locally (often right in their backyard). We learned directly from these experts everything we dreamed to know about the jungle and life in Costa Rica. Their knowledge is deeper than books can teach, and their generosity reminds you what it means to be human. If you need a reboot, this is the right experience. Enjoy!
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Sheryl

BEST experience EVER with a guide, and just one of the best experiences I’ve had in general

5 star review
We were the first people to book this guide through Lokal, and we are so grateful we did! My fiancé and I booked a full day tour with Marcos including a day hike through the cloud forest, snacks/coffee after, then a night hike. Not only is Marcos one of the most knowledgeable nature guides we’ve ever met, he is also one of the most warm and genuinely good people we’ve ever had the pleasure of knowing in general. On the hikes he has an incredible eye for wildlife in the trees, can identify MANY birds by their calls alone, and understands the behavior of the nature around him in a way that allows him to impart some of that knowledge on whomever he is with. We were incredibly lucky with the amount of wildlife we saw, but we would not have even seen half of it if Marcos had not been there to hear or read the signs of the forest and point it out to us. It is very clear he has such a passion for nature and this type of work that the feeling of joy from being in the forest is contagious. Even if no wildlife is spotted, his knowledge of all the flora within the forest is in itself enough of an incredible experience to make the cost worth every cent. This was definitely one of the best highlights of the trip for us, and the actual cloud forest ended up being a smaller highlight then just getting to spend time with and getting to know Marcos and his wife. Can not recommend this tour enough, and I would HIGHLY recommend booking as many hikes or tours with him as you can, not only so you can spend more time hiking in the cloud forest (which is nothing short of incredible) but just so you can have the pleasure of his company. Can’t wait to get back to Monte Verde, and when we do, we will definitely be booking hikes with him again.
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Kayla Frost

A Must do Adventure!

5 star review
This adventure is epic! It is very hard to put into words how amazing this trip is but if you are considering an out of the box adventure with hidden swimming holes, jungle hikes, horse back riding on a deserted beach, snorkeling and most importantly connection to locals and their stories then this is the trip for you! The itinerary is truly unique and off the grid, it would be very hard to logistically plan this on your own. What can I say, it was amazing and I wish I was of swimming in one of those watering holes right now! Take me back:)
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Jessica

You'll work with an in-country travel expert

In order to provide a consistently local experience we make sure our Lokal trip planners are always from the country you’ll be visiting. This not only means you’ll be getting an authentic local experience but you know first hand that your money is going directly to the communities you visit. How’s that for a win/win? Rather than endless searching for "best places to stay in costa rica," "adventures in costa rica," "must see costa rica," why not just ask an expert who lives there and knows all about amazing experiences perfect for your specific travel style?

Match with a Lokal Expert

Alexa Picado
Alexa Picado
San José, San Pedro, Montes de Oca
Fun Fact About Alexa: I studied tourism at the Colegio Universitario de Cartago and am excited to join the team at Maro. I'm a very happy person who enjoys interacting with and meeting all kinds of people, almost always with a smile on my face. I am interested in learning about different cultures, and in helping expand the existing tourism offerings here in Costa Rica. I particularly enjoy spending time in nature.

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Costa Rica
Eytan's Costa Rica Adventure
Monday: Pickup, Checkin, Massage
Tuesday: Tour of Ancient Ruins
Wednesday: Zip-lining and Birdwatching
Thursday: Community Visit & Festival
Friday: Shopping in City Center
Friday: Picnic at Waterfall

Day Trips or Short Overnight Experiences

Descanso La Pizote
Day Trip
Descanso La Pizote

Xiña is the dynamic, engaging female main character of the award-winning documentary 2.5% - The Osa Peninsula about the impacts of tourism development on local communities in Costa Rica. The experience that Xiña offers to her jungle mountainside cabin is a one hour gorgeous hike up a mountain that leads to Corcovado National Park.

Overnight Bribri Culture Experience in Yorkin Community
2 Days/1 Night
Overnight Bribri Culture Experience in Yorkin Community

Venture into the heart of the Talamanca indigenous territory on the upper part of the Yorkin river for a unique, immersive cultural experience. Departing from the town of Bambú, you'll take a trip in a traditional dugout canoe to the Yorkin community.

Corcovado Beach Trek and La Leona Ecolodge
2 Days/1 Night
Corcovado Beach Trek and La Leona Ecolodge

Enjoy a stay at La Leona Eco Lodge, a wonderful beachfront tiki style ecolodge where you might get lucky and spot some marine turtles. You will also hike into Corcovado National Park where you will most certainly encounter monkeys, toucans, anteaters, scarlet macaws, and much more.

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Fully Customizable Itineraries

From the travel style, to the accommodation, the activities or transport, you name it. All our trips are custom-made.

In-Country Support

Our Lokal experts are here to support you during your trip.

Amazing Trip, Guaranteed

With an average rating of 4.85/5 our focus is clearly on providing you the best travel adventure.

Our Story

Experience the breathtaking beauty and unique biodiversity of Costa Rica's Osa Peninsula in our film. Covering just 0.0001% of the planet's surface, this tropical rainforest is home to 2.5% of the world's species. We fell in love with the region when we first visited in 2012, but were shocked to learn that the planned construction of an international airport threatened to destroy its natural beauty forever. Join us on our journey to learn more and help protect this incredible place. Don't miss this amazing film. Watch the full documentary >

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