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Wildlife Safaris

Costa Rica Nature Vacations & Safari Packages

An amazing itinerary. Your version of perfect.

100% customizable. Every part of it.

Start with a trip you love. Change the hotels, swap the tours, choose your transportation, add days, or rethink the route. We’ll help make it your Costa Rica.

  • Hotels
  • Every tour
  • Transportation
  • Number of days
  • Destinations & pace

Explore Costa Rica through forest walks, river outings, and time in its varied natural landscapes. Compare sample nature itineraries, then shape the destinations, guided experiences, hotels, and pace around your wildlife interests. Sightings vary with place, season, and conditions.

Great trips to make your own

Find the vacation that feels like you.

Explore a route. Compare your favorites. Customize every detail.

6 sample trips

Your dates. Your pace. These ranges are suggestions; any itinerary can be shorter or longer.

A jaguar among tropical leaves

Osa Peninsula

Osa Explorer

7–9 days100% customizable

Your starting stays

  • 2 nights at Country Inn and Suites
  • 4 nights at Pirate Cove HotelEcolodge

Included experiences to make your own

  • Cano Island Tour and Snorkeling
  • Corcovado National Park Tour Sirena Station

These are the starting hotels and experiences. Change any hotel, tour, transportation method, or number of days with your planner.

A leatherback sea turtle resting on coastal sand

Tortuguero & Arenal Volcano

Leatherback and Lava Pac

7–9 days100% customizable

Your starting stays

  • 1 night at Hotel Presidente
  • 2 nights at Mawamba LodgeFamily-friendlyEcolodge
  • 3 nights at Los Lagos Hotel Resort and SpaFamily-friendlyResortHot springsEco-style stay

Included experiences to make your own

  • Tortuguero Town Tour - Mawamba Lodge
  • Tortuguero Canal Tour - Mawamba Lodge

+ 2 more in the full itinerary

These are the starting hotels and experiences. Change any hotel, tour, transportation method, or number of days with your planner.

A sloth hanging from branches in tropical forest

Tortuguero, Arenal Volcano & Monteverde

Costa Rica Safari

9–11 days100% customizable

Your starting stays

  • 1 night at Hotel Presidente
  • 2 nights at Mawamba LodgeFamily-friendlyEcolodge
  • 3 nights at Los Lagos Hotel Resort and SpaFamily-friendlyResortHot springsEco-style stay
  • 2 nights at Sibu Boutique HotelFamily-friendlyEco-style stay

Included experiences to make your own

  • Tortuguero Town Tour - Mawamba Lodge
  • Tortuguero Canal Tour - Mawamba Lodge

+ 3 more in the full itinerary

These are the starting hotels and experiences. Change any hotel, tour, transportation method, or number of days with your planner.

A green-and-black patterned frog on a tree trunk

Tortuguero, Osa Peninsula & Costa Ballena

Turtles Macaws and Dart Frogs

11–13 days100% customizable

Your starting stays

  • 2 nights at Hotel Presidente
  • 2 nights at Mawamba LodgeFamily-friendlyEcolodge
  • 3 nights at Pirate Cove HotelEcolodge
  • 3 nights at Hacienda BaruFamily-friendlyEcolodge

Included experiences to make your own

  • Tortuguero Town Tour - Mawamba Lodge
  • Tortuguero Canal Tour - Mawamba Lodge

+ 3 more in the full itinerary

These are the starting hotels and experiences. Change any hotel, tour, transportation method, or number of days with your planner.

A howler monkey on a branch beneath green leaves

Tortuguero, Arenal, Monteverde & Manuel Antonio

Rainforest Safari

14–16 days100% customizable

Your starting stays

  • 1 night at Hotel Presidente
  • 2 nights at Mawamba LodgeFamily-friendlyEcolodge
  • 3 nights at Arenal Springs Resort and SpaFamily-friendlyResortHot springsEco-style stay
  • 3 nights at Sibu Boutique HotelFamily-friendlyEco-style stay
  • 4 nights at La Vela Boutique HotelBoutique hotel

Included experiences to make your own

  • Tortuguero Town Tour - Mawamba Lodge
  • Tortuguero Canal Tour - Mawamba Lodge

+ 4 more in the full itinerary

These are the starting hotels and experiences. Change any hotel, tour, transportation method, or number of days with your planner.

A guide and travelers observing the coast beneath tropical trees

Arenal Volcano & Manuel Antonio

Rainforest Volcano and Beaches

7–9 days100% customizable

Your starting stays

  • 3 nights at Arenal Springs Resort and SpaFamily-friendlyResortHot springsEco-style stay
  • 3 nights at Los Altos ResortFamily-friendlyBoutique hotelResortEco-style stay

Included experiences to make your own

  • Arenal Volcano Natural History & Rainforest Hike
  • Arenal Mistico Hanging Bridges Guided Hike Through the Canopy & Rainforest

+ 1 more in the full itinerary

These are the starting hotels and experiences. Change any hotel, tour, transportation method, or number of days with your planner.

Starting prices apply to the listed sample itinerary, per person, double occupancy—not every duration in the suggested range. Your dates and changes determine your custom quote.

Which route feels most like you?

Your ideas. Our Costa Rica expertise.

Imagine your perfect Costa Rica vacation.
Let’s create it together.

Rainforest adventures, lazy beach days, or a little of everything? Tell us what you love. Our team will turn your ideas into a vacation designed around you.

Choose the experiences and stays that excite you, then share your travel plans and budget. You don’t need to pick a package or have every detail figured out.

Start designing my vacation

Free trip planning · 100% customizable · A real team to help you

  1. Choose what you’d love to do

    Start with vacation styles, then explore activities and hotels.

  2. Tell us about your trip

    Share your dates, travelers, and budget.

  3. Make it yours with our team

    Tailor the hotels, tours, transportation, and number of days around you.

Experience the Pura Vida!

Click the images that inspire you, and we’ll design the best Costa Rica vacation for you—with more of what you love and far more value for your budget. Your custom itinerary is completely free, with no obligation.

Explore at your own pace

Wildlife Safaris: your planning guide

Open the sections that interest you. Your questions and ideas can help shape your trip.

Good to know before you plan

Good to Know

Embark on an unforgettable Costa Rica wildlife safari, exploring lush rainforests, tranquil mangroves, and diverse natural landscapes teeming with exotic creatures. Our expertly curated itineraries offer encounters with monkeys, sloths, toucans, and more, from Corcovado's jaguars to Monteverde's vibrant birdlife. Each adventure combines luxurious eco-lodges, expert guides, and seamless transportation, all fully customizable to your interests and budget. Discover the magic of Costa Rica's unparalleled biodiversity with a journey designed just for you.


Wildlife Safaris: more to explore

Imagine yourself wandering through lush rainforests, where playful monkeys swing through the trees and colorful toucans call from the canopy. Picture yourself kayaking through tranquil mangroves, encountering crocodiles basking in the sun and vibrant iguanas perched on branches.  This is the magic of a Costa Rica nature vacation, where you'll encounter an astonishing array of exotic wildlife in their pristine natural habitats.  From the elusive jaguar prowling the depths of Corcovado National Park to the gentle sloths of Manuel Antonio and the vibrant birdlife of Monteverde's cloud forests, Costa Rica offers an unforgettable experience for nature lovers.  We'll curate your perfect adventure, combining luxurious eco-lodges, expert nature guides, and seamless transportation to ensure you witness the very best of this vibrant paradise.  Explore our sample itineraries below and let's start planning your extraordinary Costa Rica wildlife safari today!

Planning your Costa Rica nature vacation is easy with us!

Planning your Costa Rica nature vacation is easy with us!

Imagine waking to the vibrant calls of scarlet macaws and spotting a three-toed sloth leisurely hanging just above you on your morning jog. This is the magic of Costa Rica, a country brimming with unparalleled wildlife encounters and breathtaking natural beauty. Nestled in the heart of Central America, this ecological gem boasts an astonishing array of species, making it a true paradise for nature lovers and adventure seekers alike.

Costa Rica’s forests, wetlands, and coasts support a remarkable variety of wildlife.  From the vibrant hues of poison dart frogs to the iridescent shimmer of hummingbirds, and from the majestic iguanas to the famously relaxed sloths, the wildlife encounters here are simply awe-inspiring.

This extraordinary biodiversity is a testament to Costa Rica's diverse ecosystems.  Imagine exploring lush rainforests, wandering through misty cloud forests, and venturing into captivating mangroves, all while encountering a fascinating array of mammals, reptiles, amphibians, and birds.

Let us curate your dream Costa Rica safari vacation, where you'll experience the thrill of encountering these incredible creatures in their natural habitat.  Choose from luxurious eco-lodges nestled deep within the rainforest or beachfront havens where you can witness the mesmerizing spectacle of sea turtles nesting under the starlit sky.  No matter your preference, we'll ensure an unforgettable journey filled with wonder, discovery, and a deep connection to the untamed beauty of Costa Rica.

 

Where should I go for my Costa Rica safari?

 

Where should I go for my Costa Rica safari?

For an unforgettable Costa Rica safari vacation, there are several exceptional destinations to consider. Here are some of the top choices:

  • Corcovado National Park: Located on the Osa Peninsula, Corcovado is a true gem for wildlife enthusiasts. It boasts one of the most biodiverse ecosystems on the planet, offering incredible opportunities to spot monkeys, sloths, jaguars, tapirs, colorful birds, and countless other species.

  • Tortuguero National Park: Situated on the Caribbean coast, Tortuguero is famous for its sea turtle nesting sites. Take a boat tour through the park's intricate network of canals, where you can encounter monkeys, caimans, toucans, and other wildlife.

  • Manuel Antonio National Park: This park, located on the Pacific coast, combines stunning beaches with abundant wildlife. Explore the trails to observe monkeys, sloths, iguanas, and various bird species. Afterward, relax on the pristine beaches and swim in the turquoise waters.

  • Monteverde Cloud Forest Reserve: Known for its mystical cloud forests, Monteverde offers a unique safari experience. Walk along hanging bridges, explore the trails, and keep an eye out for the elusive quetzal, colorful hummingbirds, sloths, and other cloud forest inhabitants.

  • Arenal Volcano National Park: The Arenal region offers a diverse array of activities and wildlife encounters. Hike through the national park to witness the volcano's impressive presence, and keep an eye out for monkeys, toucans, and other fascinating creatures. Don't miss the chance to relax in the nearby hot springs.

These destinations provide exceptional opportunities to immerse yourself in Costa Rica's wildlife and natural wonders. Consider your preferences, desired activities, and the specific wildlife you'd like to encounter to choose the perfect safari vacation destination in Costa Rica.

Olive ridley sea turtles at Playa Ostional, Costa Rica

What are the benefits of planning my Costa Rica nature vacation with Pacific Trade Winds?

When planning your Costa Rica nature vacation, partnering with Pacific Trade Winds offers numerous benefits that enhance your overall experience. Here are some key advantages of planning your trip with Pacific Trade Winds: Local Expertise: Pacific Trade Winds is a Costa Rica-based travel agency with extensive local knowledge and expertise. Their team of professionals possesses an in-depth understanding of the country's destinations, attractions, and logistics, allowing them to provide valuable insights and recommendations tailored to your preferences.

  • Customization: Pacific Trade Winds specializes in creating fully customizable itineraries to suit your specific needs and interests. They take the time to understand your preferences, whether it's wildlife encounters, adventure activities, relaxation by the beach, or a combination of experiences, and design an itinerary that matches your desires.

  • Exclusive Accommodations: The agency has established relationships with a curated selection of ecolodges, boutique hotels, and resorts that provide exceptional experiences. They can recommend and arrange accommodations that align with your preferences, ensuring comfort, quality, and immersion in nature.

  • Guided Tours and Activities: Pacific Trade Winds can arrange expert-guided tours and activities to enhance your nature vacation. Whether it's guided hikes through national parks, wildlife spotting excursions, birdwatching tours, or adventure activities like zip-lining and rafting, they connect you with experienced guides who can provide informative and engaging experiences.

  • Seamless Logistics: Planning a vacation involves various logistical aspects such as transportation, airport transfers, and coordination between different destinations. Pacific Trade Winds takes care of these details, ensuring smooth transitions and minimizing any potential stress or hassle during your trip. They can arrange private transportation or domestic flights, allowing you to relax and fully enjoy your vacation.

  • Peace of Mind: By entrusting your Costa Rica nature vacation to Pacific Trade Winds, you gain peace of mind knowing that you have a dedicated team of professionals available to assist you throughout your journey. They provide support, address any concerns or questions, and ensure your trip unfolds seamlessly.

Overall, planning your Costa Rica nature vacation with Pacific Trade Winds offers the advantage of local expertise, customization, exclusive accommodations, guided tours, seamless logistics, and peace of mind, allowing you to fully immerse yourself in the wonders of Costa Rica's nature and wildlife while enjoying a well-planned and unforgettable experience.

Costa Rica: A Symphony of Wilds


Costa Rica: A Symphony of Wilds

Your Expert Path to Unforgettable Wildlife Encounters

Step into a living tapestry of biodiversity with our curated Costa Rica wildlife and safari journeys. Our dedicated team are not just travel planners; they are your personal naturalists, passionately guiding you to the most vibrant ecosystems and elusive creatures this extraordinary country holds. Imagine spotting sloths in their natural canopy, witnessing vibrant toucans in flight, or quietly observing monkeys from a discreet vantage point. We specialize in designing bespoke itineraries that maximize your chances for incredible sightings, taking you to pristine national parks, private reserves, and hidden gems known only to locals. With our deep knowledge of flora and fauna, alongside seamless, stress-free planning, every moment becomes an intimate discovery. Let us unlock the "pura vida" of Costa Rica's untamed heart, revealing a world teeming with life, just for you.

Planning your wildlife safaris vacation

Planning your wildlife safaris vacation

Can I customize a wildlife safaris itinerary?

Yes. Change the hotels, tours, transportation, destinations, pace, and number of days with your planner. Start with a sample route or tell us your own ideas.

How do I choose a route?

Compare Osa Explorer, Leatherback and Lava Pac, Costa Rica Safari. Look at the destinations, suggested lengths, and included experiences before deciding what to keep or change.

What does the starting price cover?

Where a sample price is shown, it applies to that listed itinerary, per person, double occupancy. Travel dates and changes to hotels, tours, transportation, and nights affect your personal quote. Confirm meal plans and other inclusions for each stage of your trip.

Frequently asked questions

Frequently Asked Questions

Can Costa Rica wildlife safari itineraries be customized?

Yes, all itineraries can be 100% customized to your budget and needs, allowing changes to hotels, tours, transportation, destinations, pace, and number of days.


What are the top destinations for a Costa Rica wildlife safari?

Exceptional destinations include Corcovado National Park, Tortuguero National Park, Manuel Antonio National Park, Monteverde Cloud Forest Reserve, and Arenal Volcano National Park.


What are the benefits of booking a Costa Rica nature vacation with Pacific Trade Winds?

Benefits include local expertise, fully customizable itineraries, exclusive accommodations, expert-guided tours, seamless logistics, and peace of mind throughout your journey.


What is included in the starting price for a Costa Rica wildlife safari?

The starting price applies per person, double occupancy, for the listed itinerary. Specific inclusions like meal plans and other details should be confirmed for each stage of your trip.


Can I change the hotels, tours, transportation, and trip length?
Yes. These are sample itineraries, and every part can be customized. Start with the route you love and make changes with your planner.
Does the starting price cover every duration in the range?
No. Starting prices apply to the listed sample itinerary, per person, double occupancy. Dates, extra nights, and changes to hotels, activities, and transportation affect your custom quote.
Do I need to choose a sample itinerary before using the planner?
No. Use Plan Your Trip to tell us what you like and share your dates, travelers, and budget. Your planner can build a vacation around those preferences.

Ask us anything about Costa Rica!

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Your version of perfect starts here.

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