Top AAA Vacations Tours in Central America: Costa Rica Adventures - Trip Canvas
General
Top AAA Vacations Tours in Central America: Costa Rica Adventures
Published: May 10, 2023
Written byAAA Travel Editor, CW
For decades, Costa Rica has been a popular destination for tourists and vacationers from around the world. Visitors flock to this small country, bordered on either side by Nicaragua and Panama, to enjoy some of the most lush, dramatic natural scenery in the Americas, along with beautiful beaches, delicious cuisine and a distinctive culture blending Old World and New.
Costa Rica has become such a popular getaway destination that it can be challenging to find the top vacation packages when considering a trip there. Luckily, as a AAA member, you can access not only some of the best deals on Costa Rican vacations, but a wide range of exciting extras, valuable services and support and more. Take a look at the following guide for more information on what you can look forward to when you book your next Costa Rican vacation with AAA.
Costa Rica’s numerous national parks showcasing Central America's vibrant animal and plant life are among its most popular features with visitors. When you book the Monkeys, Jungles & Volcanoes package with AAA, you can explore the wonders of Tortuguero, Arenal and Manuel Antonio National Parks, three of the country’s most expansive and fascinating settings.
Arriving in San José, the capital, on the first day, travelers will have time to relax and acquaint themselves with “pura vida” - “simple life” or “pure life,” a Costa Rican philosophy emphasizing relaxation, friendliness and simplicity. Day two begins within sight of the Caribbean Sea with an early start through Braulio Carrillo National Park and a river journey through lowland rainforest alive with fascinating and beautiful animals, including monkeys, sea turtles, ocelots and exotic birds. By the afternoon, you’ll have reached the village of Tortuguero, accessible only by boat or plane, in the heart of Limón Province’s Tortuguero National Park. Learn about the area’s sea turtle population with the Sea Turtle Conservancy Foundation and enjoy an open-air meal next to Tortuguero Lagoon in the evening.
The journey continues along the many canals which weave through the jungle, earning the area the nickname “Central America's Amazon,” with plenty of opportunities to spot toucans, caimans, white-faced capuchins and other animals along the way. Relax and explore the rustic canton of Sarapiquí near the Nicaraguan border in the north before proceeding to Arenal National Park, the centerpiece of which is the towering Arenal Volcano. Finally, round off the trip with two days in Manuel Antonio National Park on the Pacific coast and return to San José for your next journey.
If you want to really get to know Costa Rica, book this thrilling 12-day tour ranging across the country and offering some of the most unique and memorable experiences in Central America. After arriving in San José, the trip begins with a boat journey to Tortuguero National Park to explore the village of the same name and miles of jungle home to ocelots, manatees, jaguars and countless exotic birds and monkeys over two days. Then, head back to the mainland via Sarapiquí to visit a working cacao plantation and learn about producing, refining and processing chocolate right at the source before spending an evening relaxing in peaceful fruit groves along the banks of the San Carlos River.
San Carlos offers all the chances to get familiar with Costa Rica’s unique culture you could hope for. A Peñas Blancas River Safari takes travelers through the northern Alajuela Province with a naturalist along to point out rare and exotic animals, followed by time spent at the home of a local family to relax and sample local culinary specialties, including fresh gourmet local coffee.
Next is Arenal National Park, home to famous hanging bridges and the Arenal Volcano, for four nights. Choose between hiking, zip-lining, whitewater rafting, a gentle river cruise to explore the area, or bask in luxury at Arenal Springs Resort & Spa. Finish the trip with a stay at Playa Herradura to explore Manuel Antonio National Park and a local coffee plantation and unwind on Costa Rica’s Pacific beaches.
This exquisite eight-night vacation package offers everything you could wish for in both Costa Rica’s countryside and cities. From San José on day one, visitors will travel to a working coffee plantation to find out how this fascinating crop goes from field to cup, with the option to relax in steaming geothermal springs in the evening. Next up, take a guided riverboat trip through the Caño Negro Wildlife Refuge as you explore the Arenal National Park, offering countless chances to spot animals such as exotic birds, river otters, caimans, monkeys and butterflies.
Spend a day learning about sustainable farming and set off for a cruise on Lake Arenal, the largest and most important lake in the country. Perhaps one of the most stunning sights you’ll see on this leg of the journey is the Monteverde Cloud Forest, where dense clouds weave through trees that reach over 100 feet. A nature walk through the area offers opportunities to spot monkeys, bats, or even rare resplendent quetzals.
Finish off this extraordinary journey in Guanacaste, Costa Rica’s northeastern Pacific province, where you can spend two days relaxing on the beaches or exploring the nearby town of Sámara. Guanacaste Airport is conveniently located in the provincial capital of Liberia for your onward travels.
AAA
Ready to start planning your dream vacation? AAA Vacations® offers exclusive perks and values not found anywhere else. Our team of experienced AAA travel agents is here to help every step of the way.
Contact your local AAA Travel Agent today to book your next adventure and start planning the trip of a lifetime.
As one of the largest travel agencies in North America, we have a wealth of recommendations to share! Browse our articles and videos for inspiration, or dive right in with preplanned AAA Road Trips, cruises and vacation tours.
Build and Research Your Options
Save and organize every aspect of your trip including cruises, hotels, activities, transportation and more. Book hotels confidently using our AAA Diamond Designations and verified reviews.
Book Everything in One Place
From cruises to day tours, buy all parts of your vacation in one transaction, or work with our nationwide network of AAA Travel Agents to secure the trip of your dreams!