ef tours costa rica reviews

EF Ultimate Break – Costa Rica Adventure Review

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After taking the Costa Rica Adventure tour with EF Ultimate Break, Costa Rica is one of my favorite countries.

The trip was amazing, the activities were so fun, I loved everything, and that’s all I have to say. 

Honestly, you don’t even need to read this article; go book the trip and experience it for yourself!!

Jk, I didn’t write this review for nothing 🙂 

This EF Ultimate Break review has everything you need to know about the Costa Rica Adventure trip, including where you’ll stay, what activities you’ll do, and the general itinerary. 

(EF Ultimate Break trips are for anyone between 18 and 35!)

Ready to book?  Use this link  and get $100 off your first trip with EF Ultimate Break!

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Last updated: March 9, 2024

Published: January 9, 2024

Table of Contents

My Trip to Costa Rica

Here are some quick facts about my trip, including when I went, my flight info, and how much I paid!

When: December 28, 2023 to January 6, 2024

Trip type: Essential

Flights: ORD-DFW-SJO and SJO-CLT-ORD

Price: $3,019 trip fee with flights + $135 optional activities + $179 travel protection

Savings: $300 REPEAT discount (Read more about EF Ultimate Promo Codes )

Total price: $3,033

Group size: 40 people

I also did this trip over New Year’s, which was a special departure, including nicer hotels and an additional dinner on New Year’s Eve. Read more about New Year’s with EF Ultimate Break .

Itinerary for EF Ultimate Break Costa Rica Adventure

Costa Rica is now one of my favorite countries, and this EF Ultimate trip packs a lot of adventure and some relaxing beach time into ten days of fun. 

Below are the highlights from each day of my time on the Costa Rica Adventure trip.

This itinerary can change anytime, and the activities below were just what we did on my specific trip run. 

Some of our activities were moved around to give us more time to *rest* after our night out on NYE. 

*optional activities provided by EF Ultimate Break 

**optional activities provided by my TD

Day 1: Arrive in Costa Rica

• Fly into San Jose (SJO)
• Meet your tour director and check into your hotel

If you book your own flights, make sure you land on the right day, as EF’s itineraries include the flight days. You must land in San Jose on Day 1 of this trip. 

Day 2: Fruit, Kayaking, and Welcome Dinner

• Fruit tasting 
• Pineapple tour**
• Lunch at an organic farm
• Kayaking on Lake Arenal 
• Welcome dinner in La Fortuna

Day 3: La Fortuna

• Whitewater rafting on the Sarapiqui*
• Hike to La Fortuna Waterfall
• Baldi Hot Springs

Day 4: La Fortuna to Monteverde

• Free morning in La Fortuna
• Chocolate tour**
• Lunch at Cafe & Macadamia
• Night Hike*
• NYE Celebration in Monteverde

Day 5: Ziplining and Cloud Forest

• Free morning in Monteverde
• Ziplining above the trees
• Hike through the Santa Elena Cloud Forest

Day 6: Monteverde to Playa Arenas

• Lunch and souvenir shopping at El Jardin Co-op
• Paddleboarding and free time at Playa Mantas

Day 7: Manuel Antonio National Park

• Beach day at Manuel Antonio National Park
• Dinner and karaoke in Quepos

Day 8: Catamaran Cruise

• Crocodile tour**
• Catamaran Cruise*
• Dinner in Quepos

Day 9: Return to San Jose + Coffee Tour

• Beach massages**
• Farewell dinner in San Jose

Day 10: Leave San Jose

• Fly out from SJO airport

EF Ultimate Break Costa Rica Hotels

The hotels on this trip were nice for the most part, except for the rooms at the hotel on night one, which were clearly outdated and not clean. 

Every night, I had one roommate, although, on Essential trips like this one, you can have 5+ travelers in the same room. 

The location of the hotels could also improve, especially in Playa Arenas, where we had to drive 30 minutes to the nearest town (Jaco) and nearly two hours each way to Quepos (for the national park and catamaran cruise).

Hotels on my specific trip

• Holiday Inn Aurola – San Jose (Night 1)
• Eco Arenal – La Fortuna (Nights 2-3)
• Atardecer – Monteverde (Nights 4-5)
• Hotel Arenas – Playa Arenas (Nights 6-8)
• Casa Conde San Jose – San Jose (Night 9)

Food in Costa Rica

The food in Costa Rica is good, but I found it wasn’t easy to find authentic food on the trip. Fruit, rice, and beans are popular in Costa Rica, especially for breakfast. 

For lunch and dinner, expect to find sandwiches, seafood, meat, and salads. 

Due to schedule restrictions, many meals on the trip are included or only offered at one place. You must be flexible with your tastes and eat what is offered or bring snacks to fill you up.

Food restrictions:  Vegetarians and people with other food restrictions (dairy-free, gluten-free, etc.) found it easy to find food to meet their needs. 

Costa Rica Adventure – Included Activities

There are a lot of fun, adventurous activities included in this EF Ultimate trip. You can always opt out of them, but they are included in the price of your tour! 

• Hot Springs
• La Fortuna Waterfall
• Monteverde Cloud Forest Hike
• Coffee Tour

Optional Add-ons

There are some optional activities that you can add on at checkout or before you depart at an additional cost:

• White Water Rafting the Sarapiqui River
• Costa Rican Catamaran Cruise
• Monteverde Night Hike

On my trip, everyone did the Catamaran Cruise, nearly everyone went white water rafting, and just over half the group did the night hike. 

These activities cost extra; you can book them when you book the trip or add them to your account after booking. 

Additional Activities

My tour director, David (the BEST TD EVER), also allowed us to enjoy some additional activities during our tour, which we could do during our free time (aka, we didn’t miss out on anything else to participate). 

Each tour cost $25 in cash, and we had to decide if we were going the day before! I took the pineapple and chocolate tours. 

Here’s what was offered:

• Pineapple tour:  explore a pineapple farm, pick and eat fresh pineapples, and enjoy pina coladas. 
• Chocolate tour:  learn how chocolate is made, from tree to tasting
• Crocodile tour:  hop on a pontoon boat and look for crocodiles and birds in the wild

Your TD may or may not offer additional tours, but these are some examples of what might be offered!

EF Ultimate Break Costa Rica Trip Types

Here are the options EF Ultimate offers for the Costa Rica Adventure trip (descriptions from efultimatebreak.com):

• Ultimate Plus: Stay in hotel-style accommodations, room with just one other person, and enjoy more included meals. Designed for friends, couples, or anyone that just values their me time, Plus combines an immersive itinerary with more space to unwind.
• Essential: The budget-friendliest way to explore the world. Bunk up with your travel BFFs in handpicked, shared accommodations with sweet common areas. Perfect for solo travelers and social butterflies.

I took the essential trip, which can have 5+ people per room. However, I was on a special departure for NYE , so I only had one roommate each night.

NYE with EF Ultimate Break

My trip to Costa Rica was a special departure for New Year’s Eve , which EF Ultimate Break offers for many of their trips. The New Year’s in Costa Rica: Costa Rica Adventure trip included an extra dinner on NYE to celebrate the holiday. 

After, our tour director took us to a local bar to experience how Costa Ricans celebrate. 

Here are some of the trips in Latin America you can take with EF Ultimate Break that include a special celebration for New Year’s Eve:

• New Year’s in Belize
• New Year’s in the Caribbean
• New Year’s Peru & Machu Picchu Adventure
• New Year’s in Quito: Ecuador & the Galápagos

Other trips may also fall during New Year’s but may not include a dinner or other celebrations. Read more about traveling with EF Ultimate Break for New Year’s .

Overall Rating: 5/5

Costa Rica Adventure with EF Ultimate Break was my third tour with the company and, by far, my favorite!

I would recommend this tour to anyone and everyone, including experienced travelers, people who have never left their home country before, those who want to face their fears, and anyone looking to get their adrenaline pumping. 

The trip has the perfect mix of adventure and relaxation, and Costa Rica is a beautiful country. 

Packing Essentials for Costa Rica with EF Ultimate

In addition to your standard travel items (clothes, bathroom essentials, good shoes), here are some things I wouldn’t go back to Costa Rica without. I’ve linked my recommendation for each item!

• Waterproof shoes with a strap
• A quick-drying towel
• D ry bag (I use the 10L)
• Waterproof phone case
• Multiple swimsuits
• Anti-diarrheal medicine
• Motion sickness medicine

For more packing must-haves, check out my full Costa Rica packing list .

EF Ultimate Break Discount

For first-time EF Ultimate travelers, you can save $100 off any trip by  booking here !

(or any of the links in this article. Code & discount are automatically applied at checkout. Reach out with questions or issues!)

If you’ve traveled with EF Ultimate before, use code REPEAT for up to $300 off your next trip. 

EF also frequently runs sales throughout the year, with their biggest being in November for Black Friday. 

Send me a DM on Instagram  (or any other social media!) if you want details on their next sale!

EF Ultimate Break Trips Similar to Costa Rica Adventure

If this trip sounds fun, check out some similar options that EF Ultimate offers:

• Costa Rica & Panama Adventure
• Belize: Rainforests, Reefs & Ruins
• Caribbean Adventure: Dominican Republic
• Mexico & Belize: Tropical Adventure

Or, check out the other Latin America trips with EF Ultimate Break:

• Brazil & Argentina: Rio to Buenos Aires
• Colombia: Bogotá to Cartagena
• Colombia Escape
• Cruise Galápagos: Ecuador & the Islands
• Cuba Uncovered
• Ecuador & the Galápagos
• Mexico City: City Experience
• Patagonia Adventure: Chile & Argentina
• Peru & Machu Picchu Adventure

No matter where you want to go with EF Ultimate Break, you can save $100 on your first trip using this link (or any of the links in this post!):

EF Ultimate Break Costa Rica Adventure Verdict

I love love LOVED the Costa Rica Adventure trip, and I will recommend it to anyone and everyone. 

The price is reasonable for everything that’s included. Costa Rica is beautiful, and there’s no shortage of fun during the trip. 

Remember, you can save $100 off your first EF trip by booking here!

If you have questions about traveling with EF,  check out my FAQs , including EF Ultimate Break discounts.

Here are reviews of the other trips I’ve been on with EF Ultimate Break:

• Belize: Rainforests, Reefs, & Ruins
• South Korea Spotlight
• Costa Rica Adventure (New Year’s in Costa Rica )
• Grand Tour of Turkey (Coming June 2024)
• New Year’s Trips with EF Ultimate Break

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EF Tours: Costa Rica - Costa Rica Forum

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I am not familiar with them at all. Hopefully someone will chime in on this soon. Sit tight.

I see big buses all the time picking large students at SJO all the time...I have not heard anything bad...but also I have not heard any good thing!

roadadivsor

I went on an EF Tour with my 2 teens in June 2013 and was very impressed, though I have read mixed reviews in general. Dissatisfaction seems to occur most often with folks who had different expectations than what is promised.

Lodging is indeed economical but ours was clean and comfortable and safe. We were housed in great geographical locations. Yes, time spent on a bus but also filled with interesting information as we drove to our next site. Success depends on your tour guide.

Ask plenty of questions in advance to understand what to expect, be open minded, and enjoy the learning experience!

This topic has been closed to new posts due to inactivity.

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Costa Rica: Rainforests, Volcanoes & Wildlife

4.7 out of 5 stars

You have up to 60 days to get a full refund

Feel good about putting a tour on the calendar today: Enroll in AutoPay or pay in full when you book, and if you change your mind,  you’ll get your money back .†

Go wild in this nature-lover’s paradise.

With landscapes ranging from misty cloud forests to sun-kissed beaches, this small, Central American nation packs a mighty punch when it comes to stunning natural scenery and awe-inspiring wildlife. On this small group Adventure Tour, take it all in as you cruise along Tortuguero’s picturesque rainforest canal, soak in natural hot springs at the foot of imposing Arenal Volcano, and explore Monteverde’s otherworldly cloud forests. Along the way, get a taste of Costa Rican food and culture through the country’s warm and welcoming locals.

Your tour package includes

• 8 nights in handpicked hotels
• 8 breakfasts
• 5 dinners with beer or wine

Included highlights

• Tortuguero National Park
• Arenal Volcano National Park hike
• Organic pineapple farm
• Heliconia Ranch
• Coffee & cocoa plantation

An expert specializing in tours of this region is here to help.

Day-by-day itinerary

Fly to Costa Rica and settle in at your hotel in San José. Enjoy a light dinner this evening.

Please note: If you arrive after 9pm, dinner will be served in your hotel room.

Get comfortable on your group’s private coach and follow the scenic Guapiles Highway through Braulio Carrillo National Park. This vast, protected area features rugged mountains, lush forests, extinct volcanoes, and pristine waterfalls and rivers. Then, climb aboard a boat bound for your eco-lodge in Tortuguero. As you cruise along the Sucio River, keep your eyes peeled for caimans, a reptile similar to alligators, lurking below the surface. You might also spot crested Jesus Christ lizards, named for their ability to run atop water—upright, on their hind legs!

Enjoy an included lunch at your eco-lodge in Tortuguero, then get settled in your room.

Later, get to know your group during a welcome dinner served with beer or wine at your eco-lodge.

Travel tip: From July through September, you can book a guided evening beach walk through your Tour Director for an additional cost. During the walk, you’ll learn about the threats facing green sea turtles, whose global population has declined, and observe them in their natural habitat.

Why seeing green sea turtles here is special: Tortuguero is home to one of the world’s largest green sea turtle nesting populations, with 30,000 females nesting here per season on average.

This morning, get to know Tortuguero National Park on a guided tour. Situated along the Caribbean coast, the expansive park is home to one of Central America’s largest remaining tropical rainforests.

• Learn about the park’s diverse habitats, including mangrove forests, swamps, and beaches, on a walk led by your naturalist guide
• Board an open-top boat (ideal for peering into Tortuguero’s tall trees) and cruise through the park. It’s early in the day, so keep a lookout for nocturnal animals who are still stirring, and diurnal animals for whom the day is just beginning. Wildlife to watch for: caimans, toucans, green macaws, and howler, spider, and white-face monkeys
• Float along the park’s freshwater creeks and placid lagoons, which are home to endangered turtles and more than 50 species of fish
• Enjoy an included lunch featuring simple yet flavorful local cuisine, such as rice, beans, and plantains

Spend a free afternoon in Tortuguero or add an excursion.

Sit down for an included dinner of traditional Costa Rican food, served with beer or wine, at your eco-lodge in Tortuguero.

Tortuguero National Park: Rainforest Kayaking Tour

From $55 per person

Journey by boat through Tortuguero National Park’s jungle canals. Then, continue by bus to the Arenal region, making stops along the way.

• Sit down at a local restaurant for a family-style, Costa Rican lunch
• Spend the afternoon exploring an organic pineapple farm in the Sarapiqui region and learning what makes its sustainable and eco-friendly practices unique to the area
• Climb aboard a tractor for a guided tour of the farm and its sprawling pineapple fields
• Learn how the farmers grow pineapples using eco-friendly methods, such as compost fertilization, natural herbicides, and crop rotation
• Nibble on just-cut pineapple and sip fresh pineapple juice or a homemade piña colada (enjoy yours virgin or with an added splash of rum)

Check in to your Arenal Region hotel and enjoy free time for dinner. This evening, trade your hiking boots for dancing shoes and meet with a local salsa instructor in a private studio in Arenal. Find out how Costa Rica’s most popular dance was introduced to the country, then hit the dance floor for a lesson in basic steps and spins set to traditional salsa music.

Join your Tour Director for a guided hike through Arenal Volcano National Park, named for the nearly 5,500-foot-high volcano that towers over the pastures and hillsides that surround it. Though Arenal hasn’t erupted since 2010, you might still spot steam snaking skyward from its caldera.

• Marvel at the mile-high volcano, a near-perfect conical shape that emerges from the Sierra de Tilarán mountain range

Travel tip: During Costa Rica’s rainy season, which lasts from May through November, clouds and mist can obscure the volcano’s peak from view.

• Try to spot slow-moving sloths, snakes coiled around tree limbs, and spiders resting in their webs
• Gaze at placid Lake Arenal—Costa Rica’s largest lake—and watch for birds such as northern jacanas, woodpeckers, and kingfishers, wading and soaring along its shores

Please note: In some places around the park, terrain can be uneven and formed by hardened lava. Travelers should be able to navigate these surfaces and hike for around two miles.

This afternoon, visit an eco-friendly ranch in La Fortuna.

• Enjoy a farm-to-table lunch featuring fresh ingredients harvested on-site, as well as local dairy products
• Explore the ranch with a local guide, and learn how it became the first carbon-negative community of its kind in Costa Rica
• Learn how sugar cane is harvested followed by a tasting of sugar cane products

Spend a free evening in the Arenal region or add an excursion.

Arenal Hot Springs & Dinner

From $95 per person

Start your journey to Monteverde with a boat ride across Lake Arenal, spotting iguanas and birds as you cruise along. Then, enjoy dramatic mountain, valley, and cloud forest views as you make your way to Heliconia Ranch aboard your coach.

• Talk with a rancher to find out what circumstances have led to deforestation in Costa Rica
• Enjoy lunch at the ranch, with dishes featuring lamb, chicken, rice, beans, coffee, and other items and ingredients grown or produced on-site
• Watch traditional Costa Rican dances performed by the ranch’s staff

This afternoon, head to a nearby coffee plantation to learn about the history and production of coffee, as well as chocolate and sugarcane, in Costa Rica.

• Get to know different kinds of coffee beans and roasting techniques, and sample a freshly brewed cup made from the plantation’s own beans
• Discover how cocoa is cultivated and transformed into various types of chocolate treats
• Try your hand at making drinking chocolate, and sample ready-to-eat chocolate made on-site

Join your Tour Director for a hike through Santa Elena Cloud Forest Reserve, a haven for birdwatchers. Be on the lookout for 30 hummingbird species, as well as toucans, great green macaws, three-wattled bellbirds, resplendent quetzals, black-faced solitaires, and other hard-to-spot bird species.

• Learn about, and keep a lookout for, the forest’s array of flora and fauna, including orchids, ferns, millipedes, tarantulas, and more
• Walk through the misty forest as you explore this rare ecosystem, which gets its name from the constant cloud coverage
• Hear about the area’s reforestation efforts and have the opportunity to make your own contribution by planting a native tree in the Cloud Forest

Please note: Travelers should be able to hike around two miles over wet, and potentially slippery, pathways.

Enjoy free time in the Santa Elena Cloud Forest Reserve or Monteverde, or add an excursion.

Later, head to a local restaurant for an included dinner served with beer or wine.

From $65 per person

Travel to San José, stopping along the way to tour a wildlife sanctuary

• Learn about the company’s mission to rescue, rehabilitate, and release Costa Rican wildlife
• Set off on a walk around the property with a local guide to see jaguars, ocelots, monkeys, tapirs, white-tailed deer, and macaws
• Discover the importance of conservation in Costa Rica as you hear the stories of how the animals arrived at the ranch

Head to a local restaurant to enjoy live music, dancing, and scenic vistas as you celebrate your trip during a farewell dinner.

Transfer to the airport for your flight home or extend your stay in Costa Rica to explore Manuel Antonio.

Make your way south, to Manuel Antonio National Park, which is noteworthy for its unspoiled beaches, scenic hiking trails, and practically unparalleled biodiversity. Get to know the park, and its plant and animal inhabitants, on a guided tour.

• Keep an eye out for some of the park’s hundred-plus species of animals. They include squirrel monkeys, a species that’s endemic to the park and dwindling in numbers
• Walk to the top of rocky Cathedral Point to take in views of the park from across the Pacific
• Watch the blowhole at Escondido Beach blast water into the air during high tide
• Marvel at the towering sea cliffs and mysterious caves of Serrucho Point
• Relax on the beach, take a dip in the Pacific Ocean—or both

Sit down this evening for an included dinner served with beer or wine.

Spend a free day in Manuel Antonio—perhaps relaxing on a beach, watching for sloths and other wildlife along a nature trail, or snorkeling among coral reefs offshore—or add an excursion.

Manuel Antonio Catamaran Cruise

From $115 per person

Travel to the quiet town of Tárcoles. Climb aboard a boat for a guided tour of the Tárcoles River, which is known for the large numbers of American crocodiles that inhabit its waters.

Soak in views of lush mangrove forests and jungle scenery

Look out for crocodiles, as well as iguanas, lizards, monkeys, and birds

This afternoon, travel back to San José and sit down for an included farewell dinner, served with beer or wine, at a local restaurant.

Transfer to the airport for your flight home.

Book for just $99 down

That’s all it takes to secure your spot on tour with AutoPay. Then, pay for your trip in interest-free, monthly installments.†

Overall rating 4.7 out of 5

5 out of 5 stars

CR is a unique country and full of wondrous ecosystems. Tour is well planned and coordinated. Tour guide Gustavo Leon...is so well-versed and passionate on the history, flora, animals of this country and how Costa Rica interacts with the USA and rest of the biosphere. Our tour guide did not miss an ...

3 out of 5 stars

It’s was no what I expected but still having good time.

I booked this trip on a whim having talked to others who solo traveled to CR for fishing or beach experiences. That wasn’t what I was looking for. I wanted an adventure and boy did I get one. This was a small group of 17 so just a few days in, we were all caring for one and another and becoming gre...

What a fantastic adventure you had in Costa Rica! ...

Traveler photos

Hotels, flights & FAQ

This modern hotel is centrally located in San José’s Sabana Park area. Guests enjoy the rooftop pool, spacious rooms, and fitness center. Nearby, you’...

This canal side hotel is located along the Laguna Penitencia. Guests enjoy a pool, a spa, and a bar. Nearby, you’ll find the Parque Nacional Tortuguer...

This tropical paradise hotel is located in La Fortuna, Costa Rica, near Arenal Volcano. Guests enjoy the amazing grounds featuring private, mineral-ri...

This contemporary hotel is located in Monteverde. Guests enjoy a tennis court, indoor pool, and a spa. Nearby, you'll find the Monteverde Butterfly Ga...

This modern rustic hotel is located in the Quepos district of the Puntarenas Province. Guests enjoy multiple outdoor pools, a sauna and spa, and a res...

• Round-trip flight for your tour
• Airport transfers at your destination
• A great price locked in today
• 24/7 support from our dedicated service team
• Options for arriving early, staying longer, or requesting an upgrade
• Flexible rebooking options if your tour itinerary changes
• Find out more about flights
• In order to enter Costa Rica, U.S. and Canadian citizens need a valid passport with an expiration date extending at least six months beyond the date of reentry.
• We recommend having at least one blank passport page for entry stamps.
• There is no visa required for U.S. or Canadian citizens.
• If you are not a U.S. or Canadian citizen, you must contact your destination country’s consulate for your specific entry requirements.
• You can see the most up-to-date entry requirements for the destination(s) you’ll visit on tour by going to goaheadtours.com/entry-requirements and searching the code CRP.
• Round-trip flights booked through Go Ahead Tours arrive in and depart from San José.
• Transfers to and from the airport at your destination are included for travelers who have purchased their flights through Go Ahead Tours. Travelers who purchase their own flights may request airport transfers with Go Ahead Tours for an additional cost if they are arriving or departing on the standard day.
• When you arrive in San José, a Go Ahead representative will be waiting for you in the arrivals hall with a Go Ahead sign or a sign with your name(s). If you don’t see a representative immediately, please be patient and stay in the arrivals area. They may be assisting another traveler who has also just arrived and will be back shortly.

Physical Activity Level

This is a very high physical activity-level tour. You can expect vigorous activity throughout the course of the tour.

Tour Pacing

This is a very fast-paced tour. The pace of a tour itinerary considers how often you’ll switch hotels, the amount of planned daily activities, and how you’ll get from place to place. You can expect:

• Two 1-night stays
• Most days and evenings full of included activities (more if you add excursions)
• Most transportation by motor coach
• Some transportation by boat
• Daily bus time varies and can be lengthy

Walking, Terrain & Physical Requirements

• Travelers should be prepared to walk 3-5 miles per day over varying terrain- this includes city streets, cobblestones, rocky or slippery paths, uneven stairs, and steep hills.
• Arenal National Park hike is a two mile loop with steep inclines, declines, loose gravel and slick rocks.
• Travelers should be healthy enough to participate in all included walks without assistance.
• Please Note: Adding optional excursions may increase the total amount of walking on your tour.

Climate Considerations

• Travelers can expect year-round temperatures from 80Fs - 90Fs along the coasts and mid-70F - 80Fs in mountains and central parts of the country.
• Rainy season (also known as "Green season") is from May-November, with the heaviest rains coming September and October.

Physical Activity & Tour Pace Questions

• Go Ahead Tours and the Tour Director who accompanies your group are unable to provide special mobility or luggage handling assistance to travelers on tour. The responsibility of the Tour Director is to ensure the group enjoys a smooth and informative journey, and they can’t be relied on to provide individualized assistance to any one traveler.
• This tour moves at a reasonable pace to avoid missing scheduled stops. The rest of the group cannot miss any scheduled activities because of the needs of an individual.
• Due to the pace and physical activity level of this tour, mobility aids such as wheelchairs or walkers will be difficult to use and are not recommended. Please notify Go Ahead Tours before your departure if you plan to bring these on tour with you.
• If you have mobility concerns or tour pace questions, please visit our Help Center or send a message to our Customer Experience Team. We’re here to help!
• This tour includes various modes of transportation, including boat and private motor coach. Some modes of transportation will have raised platforms or steps and often not provide access to ramps or lifts.
• A round-trip boat ride to Tortuguero is included in the price of your tour.
• All other included transportation on this tour is by private motor coach.
• Please note that our travelers are limited to one checked bag and one carry-on bag per person due to storage limitations on motor coaches and boats.
• A checked bag may not be included in your airline ticket.
• Some airlines may impose additional charges if you choose to check baggage or exceed baggage size and weight restrictions. Be advised that you are responsible for any baggage fees incurred on all flights.
• Contact your airline(s) for baggage size and weight restrictions for your flights.
• Make sure you label your baggage and keep valuables, medication, and documents in your carry-on bag.
• Travelers must manage their own luggage throughout tour as porters are not guaranteed. This includes at hotels and airports.
• We recommend packing lightweight, quick-dry and loose-fitting clothing that can be easily layered, as well as a light jacket or rainwear.
• A sturdy pair of walking shoes or sneakers is recommended for sightseeing.
• You may also wish to pack a swimsuit, as there are opportunities to swim on tour.
• You may want to pack dressier attire if you plan to visit a high-end restaurant or attend a special performance.
• A sun hat, sunglasses, and rain gear will help you stay comfortable in all types of weather.
• Bug repellent is also useful, as mosquitos are common.
• Travelers prone to seasickness may want to take special precautions for the boat rides on tour.
• We recommend packing a reusable water bottle to cut down on single use plastic waste.
• Binoculars are handy for a closer look at local wildlife and scenery.
• Some travelers find a collapsible walking stick useful for long hikes.
• We recommend packing your Insurance Card (from your primary insurance provider) in your carry on luggage.
• Go Ahead handpicks every hotel to strike the balance of comfort, location, and local charm.
• Accommodations are typically three and four star hotels.
• All accommodations include a private bathroom.
• Most rooms will include a safe for valuables.
• Your hotels will have Wifi, but it may be limited to common areas.
• Elevators in hotels are not guaranteed.
• Some hotels on this tour require travelers to walk with their luggage a few blocks as buses cannot drop travelers off right out front.
• We cannot guarantee that your hotel accommodations will have laundry services or facilities. We recommend checking directly with the hotel once they are confirmed about 30 days prior to departure.
• Specific accommodations will vary based on your departure date.
• Excursions are available for purchase prior to departure, and most excursions will be available for purchase while you are on tour directly through your mobile app for an additional $10 USD.
• We recommend purchasing excursions at least 3 days prior to your tour departure. Please note some excursions have advance booking deadlines. Check your tour itinerary for more information to ensure you don’t miss the deadline to add them.
• Optional excursions may be canceled on tour due to reasons like low enrollment, weather or unexpected closures. If an excursion you signed up for is canceled by Go Ahead Tours, you will be refunded the full cost of the excursion. Please note it may take up to 60 days for your refund to be processed.
• Your Tour Director may offer their own optional excursions which can only be purchased on tour via cash (in local currency).
• At least 60 days prior to departure, check with your doctor or healthcare provider for the latest updates and entry requirements, or visit the Center for Disease Control and Prevention website at cdc.gov .
• If you have dietary restrictions and/or food allergies please notify Go Ahead Tours at least 30 days prior to your departure by logging in to your account and updating your traveler info. To update this information closer to your departure date, please contact our Customer Experience Team.
• If you have medication that you take daily, be sure you have enough for each day of the tour and any possible delays encountered.
• Take proper care with sun exposure, as the sun can be especially strong in some of the regions on this tour.
• There are inherent risks associated with snorkeling and other water sports, particularly for those with pre-existing medical conditions. Discuss your planned activities with your doctor or healthcare provider for the best advice on participation.
• Drink bottled water only. Refrain from ingesting tap water, including when brushing your teeth.
• Avoid eating fresh fruits and vegetables unless they’re cooked or washed in clean water and peeled.
• Travelers prone to seasickness should note that this tour includes boat rides.
• This tour includes 5 lunches and 5 dinners. Included meals may be plated set menus, buffet or family style depending on the location. Dinners include one glass of beer, wine, or soft drink and water, coffee and tea.
• Breakfast each morning is also included at the hotel and is typically buffet style with hot and cold options.
• Costa Rican cuisine is based on staples like rice, black beans, and corn with beef, chicken, or fish. Fresh, locally grown fruit includes bananas, mangoes, pineapples, and avocados. Traditional desserts include custards, puddings, and simple cakes. Locally grown coffee is served strong and black, but hot milk is often available if you ask.
• At the conclusion of your tour, it is customary to offer your Tour Director and driver a gratuity in US dollars or local currency. Please keep current exchange rates in mind.
• We recommend tipping the equivalent of $10USD to $12USD per person per day for your Tour Director and the equivalent of $3USD per person per day for your driver.
• If applicable, we also recommend the equivalent of $2USD per local guide.
• Tips can only be paid in cash.
• The cost of porterage is included in your tour price, and it is not necessary to tip baggage handlers.
• You will use the Costa Rican colón and USD on this tour.
• Better rates of exchange are usually available overseas, although it’s worth ordering some currency from your local bank to use when you first arrive.
• We strongly advise that you take debit/bank cards and credit cards, which can be used to withdraw cash at local banks as needed.
• You can use most debit/credit cards at ATMs on the international networks Cirrus and Plus, but make sure to check with your home bank about withdrawal fees.
• Inform your bank and credit card company of your travel plans so that they won’t confuse your international purchases for fraudulent charges.
• International banks and businesses primarily accept debit and credit cards that work with the EMV chip system. If you do not already have at least one debit or credit card with a chip in it, we strongly recommend requesting one from your bank prior to your tour.
• Plan ahead and bring cash to tip your tour director, local guides, and bus drivers.
• To ensure you feel prepared before traveling on tour, we strongly recommend you download the EF Go Ahead Tours mobile app. The app is free and provides important deadlines, entry requirements, your detailed itinerary, packing tips and more. You can also connect with fellow travelers through the chat feature in the app.
• Wifi is available in most hotels, though some charges may apply.
• There is no Wifi on any of the motor coaches.
• Please contact your mobile service provider for information on roaming charges.
• Your Tour Director will be leading your group throughout your journey. You will have the same Tour Director throughout your tour.
• The role of the Tour Director is not only to provide information and context on the destinations you visit, but also to confirm services, coordinate inclusions, prepare each days’ activities and support travelers while on tour. As such, they must focus on the success of the group, and cannot provide individualized assistance to any one traveler.
• One of the benefits of traveling with EF Go Ahead Tours is our on tour emergency support team.
• Our extensive network of offices around the world, and our integration of ISO 31000: Risk Management Guidelines, help our dedicated 24/7 Emergency Service teams anticipate and address on-tour challenges in a flexible and iterative way.
• This team supports travelers and Tour Directors using a combination of extensive training, simulations, incident response planning, and decades of experience to help manage emergencies if they arise, ranging from personal health concerns or injuries to major world events.
• As needed, On Tour Support can facilitate additional support for travelers on tour, arrange assistance from outside specialists, and liaise with local and international authorities to help solve on-the-ground issues. In addition, the team is dedicated to supporting and facilitating communication between travelers and families in the event of an emergency while on the road or at home.
• Costa Rica is 6 hours behind Greenwich Mean Time (GMT) and 1 hour behind Eastern Time (ET). Costa Rica does not observe Daylight Saving Time.
• When it’s noon in New York, it’s 11am in Costa Rica from November through March and 10am from April through October.
• When you travel with EF Go Ahead Tours, you’ll make a positive impact on the places you visit, and the people and animals you meet along the way. That’s because our three core Responsible Travel commitments—protecting the environment, supporting local communities, and promoting animal welfare—are at the heart of every tour we offer.
• Travel, when done responsibly, can make an enormous socio-economic impact to communities. To maximize your impact, eat at locally owned restaurants and shop at local businesses. Ask your Tour Director to point out restaurants they recommend.
• Prepare for your trip: be aware of the monetary norms such as tipping and negotiating in a market, learn about the destination’s forms of etiquette, and take some time to learn a few words in the local language.
• When interacting with locals, make sure to ask people for permission before you take their picture, and approach cultural differences with empathy and an open mind.
• EF Go Ahead Tours encourages our travelers to limit their waste while on the road, especially single use plastics. You can avoid single use plastics by packing your own toiletries, using electronic documents, and bringing a reusable water bottle and shopping bag. If you need to use plastics or paper, please recycle.
• Environment: On this tour, we recommend the use of a reusable water bottle, as the local drinking water is safe for travelers or potable water is provided on the bus and/or hotel. Your Tour Director can provide additional guidance on local water standards. Make sure to bring a reusable water bottle to cut down on single use plastics.
• Environment: When visiting national parks, reserves, or other protected areas, please do not remove anything from the natural environment or leave any litter. Carry out what you carried in.
• Animal Welfare: Take the philosophies of World Animal Protection to heart during included tour activities and your free time. Do not touch, do not feed, and maintain a respectful distance from wild animals. Wild animals encountered on tour should be able to exhibit natural forms of behavior. If you feel we are not meeting these commitments, please share your feedback with us.
• Animal Welfare: Avoid buying any exploitative wildlife products such as tortoise shell or shark fin soup.

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EF Education First Reviews

Reviews: ef playa tamarindo, looking for an spanish school in costa rica.

EF Playa Tamarindo is a Spanish language school nestled within the enchanting tropical landscapes of Costa Rica .

Every year, EF Playa Tamarindo remains a top choice for students worldwide who seek an immersive Spanish language program in Latin America . Our comprehensive range of programs encompasses tailor-made Spanish courses, accommodation options, meal plans, and a variety of engaging activities. Every aspect is designed to empower students to fully immerse themselves in the local culture, make new friends, and enhance their Spanish language skills, all while surrounded by the breathtaking beauty of this tropical paradise.

Explore the collection of EF Playa Tamarindo reviews shared by students from around the world over the years, and get ready to embark on your study abroad journey with confidence.

Why study in Costa Rica with EF?

Here's why you should study in Costa Rica with EF.

Global leader in international education

State-of-the-art campus, only a 10-minute walk from the beach

60 years of experience in teaching languages

All-inclusive package: language course, accomodation and meal plan

24/7 support, from the pre-booking stage until after you return home

EF Playa Tamarindo Reviews

Lasse, ef playa tamarindo.

Germany, 25 years old

Great learning experience and very flexible classes and courses. Staff is friendly and helpful and the classes are very small. You can always talk to teachers even if they are not in class. Also, as a lot of people are close to campus and it's nice to hang out on campus you get in touch with new people very easily.

Sophie, EF Playa Tamarindo

USA, 16 years old

I would recommend this program to a friend because I feel that I have learned so much. My host family helped me so much and I feel that I was able to become more confident in my Spanish-speaking abilities. The school helped me with my grammar and I learned a lot a vocabulary with my host family.

Anniken, EF Playa Tamarindo

Norway, 26 years old

I decided to stay here for 3 more months. The best decision I have ever made was going here. I get to experience another culture and climate from back home in Norway, it's like living in a green oasis. But above everything is all the amazing people I meet, to get to know and to share all of this with.

Miriam, EF Playa Tamarindo

Germany, 24 years old

I learned to speak Spanish well. I graduated in a higher level than I expected at the beginning. I love my apartment on campus, made a lot of friends in school, the staff is incredibly friendly and helpful and I loved the excursions I went on. I had a very good time, thank you EF!

Shanie, EF Playa Tamarindo

Canada, 27 years old

I didn't know a word of Spanish before I left. I traveled with my friend Jessica and we were able to live together in a host family. If you like to drink fruity cocktails, see exotic animals and swim... Playa Taramindo is for you! The staff are great and the atmosphere is super relaxed!

Brandon, EF Playa Tamarindo

USA, 20 years old

I really enjoyed my time here, but I do believe the program would be better for students if they were not completely in Spanish. it is very difficult to learn Spanish grammer and rules when you have a low Spanish level and they are explained to you in Spanish.

EF Playa Tamarindo: in-depth reviews

Ef stories: annalisa from germany in ef costa rica.

"I had wonderful roommates who eventually became friends. The teachers on campus were also very open-minded and helpful. Since I started from scratch in terms of my Spanish level, I was able to make progress very quickly . The classes were characterized by a relaxed and fun learning atmosphere."

EF Stories: Tamar from the Netherlands at EF Costa Rica

"What was nice about EF Costa Rica is that it is quite small in size. There are no large numbers of students and therefore you know almost everyone walking around the school . It gives a very nice atmosphere where everybody can have a chat with each other and nobody has to feel alone. It is very easy to make friends!"

EF Stories: Elien From Belgium at EF Costa Rica

"Overall, 10 months after my first trip to Costa Rica, I went back , and I can already say with certainty that they won't be getting rid of me anytime soon! As they say in Costa Rica: Pura Vida!"

Read all our in-depth reviews

EF Education First Reviews

Reviews: ef playa tamarindo, looking for an spanish school in costa rica.

EF Playa Tamarindo is a Spanish language school nestled within the enchanting tropical landscapes of Costa Rica .

Every year, EF Playa Tamarindo remains a top choice for students worldwide who seek an immersive Spanish language program in Latin America . Our comprehensive range of programs encompasses tailor-made Spanish courses, accommodation options, meal plans, and a variety of engaging activities. Every aspect is designed to empower students to fully immerse themselves in the local culture, make new friends, and enhance their Spanish language skills, all while surrounded by the breathtaking beauty of this tropical paradise.

Explore the collection of EF Playa Tamarindo reviews shared by students from around the world over the years, and get ready to embark on your study abroad journey with confidence.

Why study in Costa Rica with EF?

Here's why you should study in Costa Rica with EF.

Global leader in international education

State-of-the-art campus, only a 10-minute walk from the beach

60 years of experience in teaching languages

All-inclusive package: language course, accomodation and meal plan

24/7 support, from the pre-booking stage until after you return home

EF Playa Tamarindo Reviews

Lasse, ef playa tamarindo.

Germany, 25 years old

Great learning experience and very flexible classes and courses. Staff is friendly and helpful and the classes are very small. You can always talk to teachers even if they are not in class. Also, as a lot of people are close to campus and it's nice to hang out on campus you get in touch with new people very easily.

Sophie, EF Playa Tamarindo

USA, 16 years old

I would recommend this program to a friend because I feel that I have learned so much. My host family helped me so much and I feel that I was able to become more confident in my Spanish-speaking abilities. The school helped me with my grammar and I learned a lot a vocabulary with my host family.

Anniken, EF Playa Tamarindo

Norway, 26 years old

I decided to stay here for 3 more months. The best decision I have ever made was going here. I get to experience another culture and climate from back home in Norway, it's like living in a green oasis. But above everything is all the amazing people I meet, to get to know and to share all of this with.

Miriam, EF Playa Tamarindo

Germany, 24 years old

I learned to speak Spanish well. I graduated in a higher level than I expected at the beginning. I love my apartment on campus, made a lot of friends in school, the staff is incredibly friendly and helpful and I loved the excursions I went on. I had a very good time, thank you EF!

Shanie, EF Playa Tamarindo

Canada, 27 years old

I didn't know a word of Spanish before I left. I traveled with my friend Jessica and we were able to live together in a host family. If you like to drink fruity cocktails, see exotic animals and swim... Playa Taramindo is for you! The staff are great and the atmosphere is super relaxed!

Brandon, EF Playa Tamarindo

USA, 20 years old

I really enjoyed my time here, but I do believe the program would be better for students if they were not completely in Spanish. it is very difficult to learn Spanish grammer and rules when you have a low Spanish level and they are explained to you in Spanish.

EF Playa Tamarindo: in-depth reviews

Ef stories: annalisa from germany in ef costa rica.

"I had wonderful roommates who eventually became friends. The teachers on campus were also very open-minded and helpful. Since I started from scratch in terms of my Spanish level, I was able to make progress very quickly . The classes were characterized by a relaxed and fun learning atmosphere."

EF Stories: Tamar from the Netherlands at EF Costa Rica

"What was nice about EF Costa Rica is that it is quite small in size. There are no large numbers of students and therefore you know almost everyone walking around the school . It gives a very nice atmosphere where everybody can have a chat with each other and nobody has to feel alone. It is very easy to make friends!"

EF Stories: Elien From Belgium at EF Costa Rica

"Overall, 10 months after my first trip to Costa Rica, I went back , and I can already say with certainty that they won't be getting rid of me anytime soon! As they say in Costa Rica: Pura Vida!"

Read all our in-depth reviews

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Reviews 4.4.

14,273 total

Most recent

Good support staff

Date of experience : April 08, 2024

Switzerland/Italy 2024

Our daughter enjoyed her trip to Switzerland/Italy. The hotels they stayed in were nice, the venues and tour guides were excellent.

Date of experience : April 15, 2024

Overall, I feel my twin daughters' experience was excellent. However, I would have liked to know their flight information sooner than when I received it. I was also not happy with the hotel selection in Florence, Italy. My daughters expressed that it was not clean and that they did not feel safe. They also expressed the meals in the evenings, for the most part were just ok.

Date of experience : April 10, 2024

My son had a wonderful experience

My son had a wonderful experience! I would highly recommend taking a tour.

Reply from EF Educational Tours

We're glad your son enjoyed his tour! Thanks for sharing and for being part of the EF Tours family!

Great experiences, awful food

The experiences and organization were wonderful! The tour director was wonderful (we requested him again after a tour 2 years ago)! The food was awful!! We pay a lot to go on these tours and we felt very much like cattle being fed at a trough. They made our group too big (50 total) by combining 2 groups, so every restaurant and hotel had to mass produce food. We had pasta, a mystery meat and a veggie/potatoes every single night of our trip. In Italy! It got old and it wasn’t good food. Disappointed. ☹️

Date of experience : March 30, 2024

Our tour guide Giordano is extremely…

Our tour guide Giordano is extremely knowledgeable and helpful. We happy with his tour. The bus service e was good. The paces we went was very diverse and not places I would normally go.

Yes! We know how a great tour director can impact the travel experience. We're glad to hear your tour director was a great fit for the group! Thank you so much for sharing your kind words. We hope to see you on another tour again soon!

Scheduled tours never happened

Poorly planned. Tours that were scheduled,listed in the itinerary, and included in cost were canceled once in Paris. The explanation for these disappointments were "couldn't get tickets" and "the Olympics". Both are poor excuses as this trip was planned and being paid for more than a year in advance. No apologies or refunds were extended by EF Tours. In addition, I believe a trip planned for high school students should included three meals a day. Teenagers do not have the means and resources to navigate a foreign city independently to search for a meal. They were forced to find restaurants, usually unhealthy fast food, that was within walking distance of the hotel. Very disappointed with 1/3 of the trip that didn't happen...waiting for the refund equivalent to 1/3 of the cost for EF Tours failings.

Date of experience : April 14, 2024

We're sorry to hear about your disappointing experience. It's important to us that our travelers have the experiences they expect and deserve. Your feedback is valuable, and we'll make sure to address these issues internally to prevent similar occurrences in the future. Regarding the meal arrangements, we strive to provide suitable dining options for our travelers, and we apologize if this fell short of your expectations. We appreciate your patience and understanding as we work to resolve these matters. If you have any further concerns or would like to discuss this further, please don't hesitate to reach out to us.

Elena our tour guide was amazing!

We're glad to hear your tour director was amazing! Thank you so much for sharing your kind words. We hope to see you on another tour again soon!

Absolute scam

We're sorry to hear that you feel this way. If you have any specific concerns or feedback about your experience, we'd appreciate the opportunity to address them. Please feel free to share more details so that we can assist you accordingly.

What a great variety of activities

What a great variety of activities. So well organized and on time. So much for the price. Airfare, hotels, train and tours. Very pleased.

We're glad you enjoyed your tour! Thank you for your review - we hope to see you again soon!

My experience as a parent was amazing …

My experience as a parent was exceptional. We were informed about everything. No question left unanswered and our daughter had the experience of a lifetime! We are grateful she had the opportunity and one of the best spring breaks ever!!!!

Date of experience : April 20, 2024

Amazing! We're glad your daughter enjoyed their tour abroad with their classmates. Thank you for taking the time to share your experience and for being part of the EF Tours family!

Great Experience - Costa Rica

Great Experience! My son loved meeting new people, opening up to new culture, exploring, ziplining, time on the beach and dancing! I am so glad that we were able for him to have this chance to try something new.

The children felt safe and the…

The children felt safe and the destinations were beatiful.

Thank you so much for sharing your kind words! We're glad you had a great time on tour. We hope to see you on another tour again soon!

I must say that our tour guide was good…

I must say that our tour guide was good and the locations were great but I was disappointed that I paid $175 for the Gibraltar excursion, was told that my daughter signed up too late but I could get a refund, then on the way to the airport was informed that since my daughter declined to go that morning when spots freed up I would not receive the refund. At the end of the day, my child did enjoy herself but that left a poor taste in my mouth toward the experience. There was also the poor food at the hotel prior to our travel to Costa del Sol outside of Sevilla. I was made ill after one bite of the friend calamari and it was definitely freezer burned. I will say that when I paid for food at the restaurant afterward, the food was great but we had many teenagers that traveled to a store to get food while others purchased pizza. It helped to build the local economy but we had not paid for food we did not eat. In the future, I encourage you to be more open about processes because I would have asked for a refund the very next morning if I had known I would have lost my money in such a manner. I also encourage you to scout the places where future travelers are to stay to ensure they have a better experience. I am giving 3.5 stars in all actuality because we did enjoy the experience but I could not do 4 stars due to my experience. Thank you.

Thank you for sharing your feedback with us Eugene. We apologize for the disappointment and inconvenience you experienced regarding the Gibraltar excursion refund process and the food at the hotel. We understand your concerns and will take them into account to improve our processes and ensure better experiences for our travelers in the future. Your input is valuable to us, and we appreciate your honesty.

Great guides, decent lodgings

Overall, the tour was great. Our tour guides, Brian and Ian, were fantastic and the kids loved them. We got to see and do so many things. There were times that we would have liked to have more free time so we could shop and explore, but I understand that we would be doing less if that was the case. The hotels were fine, nothing fabulous, but they worked. Our one big disappointment was the dinner provided by EF. They were usually tiny or really not good. It also would have been helpful if our schedule was more cognizant of bathroom breaks, because there were times we went for VERY long periods of time without a bathroom, which made staying hydrated difficult. Our bus drivers in France were phenomenal. The ones in Germany were psychos, especially the other bus driver who kept smoking at the door of our bus after he was asked not to. Overall, we had a great time and so did our son. The tour guides noticed that we had a lot of car lovers and changed the schedule to go to BMW headquarters, and that was appreciated. I really appreciated how hard those guys worked, but still had time to talk to the kids. They were easily the best part of the EF experience.

Date of experience : April 04, 2024

Thank you it was a excellent experience

I loved experiencing Greece!

I really loved getting to see and experience Greece! Having free time, connecting with the other school on the trip, the food and the sites it was all just so beautiful I loved it!

Date of experience : April 05, 2024

Wow! We're thrilled to hear that you had such a great time on tour. Thanks for sharing and for being part of the EF Tours family!

Great experience

Anytime there is an issue with payment or I had a payment question or a question in general, there is always someone there to answer it and to go into detail and make sure I understood. That my question was thoroughly answered. As far as the trip, they had everything set up in their app that I can see what my child was doing and seeing each day. My child said that they loved the experiences That the tour provided I felt safe that Child was being taken care of attention to detail was met, their safety was a big priority. The tour guides were very knowledgeable.

Date of experience : April 18, 2024

Thank you for your fantastic review! We take immense pride in our professionalism, organization, and friendliness. Ensuring the safety and well-being of our students is our utmost priority, and we’re thrilled to hear that it contributed to a great tour experience. Your kind words mean a lot to us, and we look forward to welcoming you and your students back for more memorable adventures!

Life changing experience!

My son and I had the time of our lives! We visited many villages and historic sites. Had plenty of time to immerse ourselves in the culture. The tour guides were knowledgeable and entertaining. Our tour director, Nilton, was kind, personable, and very competent. We felt comfortable and cared for. The Peruvian people were welcoming and friendly. While the pace was sometimes fast and there was a lot of travel involved, every minute of the trip was exciting and memorable!

Date of experience : March 22, 2024

Grear company

My daughter went to Spain in April and she had a fantastic time.

Thank you so much for sharing your kind words! We're glad you had a great time on tour. We hope to see your daughter on another tour again soon!

Costa Rica & Panama Adventure

Sometimes you just need warm weather, sandy beaches, jungle ziplines, and a healthy dose of immaculate vibes. Give your body what it needs on an 11-day adventure through Costa Rica and Panama.

Picture yourself

Locking eyes with a sleepy sloth in the jungle

Snorkeling the vibrant reefs of Cahuita National Park

Visiting a cacao farm and eating chocolate from the farm

Sticking your feet in the sand on a Caribbean island

Donning a Panama hat and exploring Casco Viejo in Panama City

What you'll get

Round-trip flights & airport transfers (or book ’em yourself)

10 nights in handpicked accommodations

10 breakfasts

Expert Tour Director

24/7 support

Zipline excursion in Veragua Rainforest

Board your flight to San José, the capital of Costa Rica. Hope you brought some sunglasses, because your future in Central America is bright.

Today's highlights:

• Meet an EF representative and fellow travelers as they arrive at the airport.
• Transfer to your hotel to check in and check out your room.

It’s been real, San José, but it’s time to get out and explore the beauty of Costa Rica. You’re heading east, to Puerto Viejo on the Caribbean coast. But first, an adrenaline boost.

• Hop on the bus and stop in Veragua Rainforest for a heart-pumping zipline excursion.
• Settle into Puerto Viejo and enjoy a Welcome Dinner of local cuisine and drinks with your group.

Cahuita National Park has it all—jungle, sandy beaches, and a vibrant coral reef. Explore on your own or join the optional excursion to get up close and personal.

Find out what makes Costa Rica so special on a rainforest walk and coral reef snorkeling adventure.

It’s just what the doctor ordered…a free day in the Caribbean. Go all in on some R&R or join in on one (or both) of the optional excursions.

Free time suggestions

Playa Puerto Viejo: Escape to the golden sands of this nearby beach for a day of swimming, sunning, snorkeling, sleeping, and any other alliterative words you can think of.

Jaguar Rescue Center: Tour this center dedicated to the rescue and rehabilitation of a range of animal species. And no, the center does not actually house any jaguars, despite its name.

Caribbean dance experience (extra cost)

Learn how to dance salsa, merengue, and more with a local Caribbean hip-moving expert.

Chocolate experience (extra cost)

Visit a cacao farm to learn how the plant is harvested and transformed into drool-worthy chocolate. 

New country alert! Today you’ll cross into Panama, which is exciting for a lot of reasons, but mostly because Panama hats are a thing.

Bocas del Toro bike tour (extra cost)

Take in your surroundings by bike on a guided tour of Bocas Town and make your way to Bluff Beach.

When in the Caribbean, do as the Caribbean-ites (yeah, not a word) do: hit the beach! Bocas del Toro is made up of several islands, and today you’ll check out one of the larger ones, Isla Bastimentos.

• Explore Old Bank, a colorful town on Isla Bastimientos
• Kick back and relax on one of the nearby beaches.

Now that you’re comfortable with the whole kick back on the beach thing, it’s time to become a true expert in leisure during a free day.

Carenero Island: If you just can’t get enough of these Caribbean islands (we get it), take a quick water taxi ride to nearby Carenero, which offers all the classic beach activities plus some scenic hiking trails.

Bluff Beach: This is Isla Colón’s largest and most accessible beach, so if you’re looking for a no-brainer activity, go here. The waves can get pretty gnarly, so keep an eye out for surfers doing their thing.

Sunset cruise (extra cost)

Cruise around Isla Colón with drinks and snacks, then take a dip in the water as the sun goes down. 

Next stop, the Boquete Region, considered by many to be the coffee capital of Panama. Look up about 11,400 feet—you might see Volcán Barú, a big ol’ volcano and Panama’s highest point.

• Grab a window seat on the bus as you journey to the Boquete Region.
• Tour a coffee plantation with your Tour Director.

You’ve only seen the western side of Panama—let’s change that. Time to fly east to the country’s buzzing and modern capital, Panama City.

• Head to the nearby airport for your flight to Panama City.
• Arrive in Panama City and settle in to your new hotel.

Casco Antiguo (also known as Casco Viejo) is the city’s Old Town, and it tops all the lists of things to do in Panama. UNESCO even named it a World Heritage Site in 1997, so you know it’s legit.

• Experience the charm and history of Casco Antigo with your Tour Director.
• Gaze out at the calm waters and boats passing through Panama Bay.
• Share some laughs (and maybe shed a few tears) at an included Farewell Dinner with your group.

¡Adiós amigos!    Translation: Goodbye, friends. Your next destination awaits—home. But this isn’t goodbye. It’s “See you later.” The only question is, where?

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