To dispell the most common travel agency rumor: travel agencies do not make their money by overcharging you, the client. Almost all travel agencies are highly integrated into the tourism industry in a country and make their money from comission contracts with the hotels and tour agencies they book. Think of them as marketing firms for tourism in Costa Rica, the individual companies pay them, not the customer!
With that in mind, travel agencies are a huge benefit to you because the travel consultant you work with should have a thorough and up-to-date understanding of all the hotels, tours and destinations in the country. They can tell you if trying to fit 3 destinations into a 7-day itinerary can work, and the best way to travel between the destinations to save you time and money.
The best way to use a travel agency to your advantage is to go into your conversation with an open attitude and remember you are in no way obligated to buy for inquiring! Then if you like what you hear, remember that you aren't going to be charged extra if you let them do the hard work and coordinate payments to all hotels and tours that you choose. Taking advice from more than one source is always recommendable (that's what trip advisor is for!) so research and then see what a resource of the human form can do for you. It's worth the [TOLL FREE] call!
As a quick Google search will prove, the web is saturated with Online travel agencies looking to grab your attention. The top two things to look for are 1. if the company is physically located in the country (thus they will have more informed agents) and 2. for safety reasons, make sure they are registered with the ICT (Costa Rican Government Tourism Board) you can find the latest list on the ICT website: http://www.visitcostarica.com/ict/pag... or Canatur (the Costa Rican National Chamber of Tourism) you can find the latest list on the Canatur website http://www.canatur.org/ingDefault.aspx. Here are some of the referenced travel agencies discussed in Trip Advisor and their specialities (consider the most important aspect of vacationing for you, and choose a company that mirrors your values as they specialize in anything from budget travel, luxury vacations, eco-friendly travel and adventure tourism). Let's keep this list growing, if you've had a good experience with a travel agency, vouch for it below or add it to the list!
1. Costa Rican Vacations
start date: 1999
phone: 1-800-606-1860
e-mail: sales@goduesouth.com
website: http://www.vacationscostarica.com/
affiliations: CANATUR, Better Business Bureau
niche: Luxury travel
comments: located in Costa Rica, personalized itineraries, 100% satisfaction guarantee, in-country assistance
2. Expediciones Tropicales
start date: 1993
phone: 1-877-281-8515
e-mail: info@expedicionestropicales.com / info@costaricaguides.com
website: www.costaricaguides.com
affiliations: CANATUR, I.C.T.
niche: Nature, adventure travel and luxury travel
comments:
Expediciones Tropicales is a consolidated tour operator, incoming
travel agency and transportation company with more than eighteen years
of experience providing high quality services to clients that want to
visit Costa Rica, Panama and Nicaragua. Expediciones Tropicales has been
operating as an authorized travel company since 1993 under the Costa
Rican tourist license number 293. As a Tour Operator it works with most
of the incoming travel agencies in Costa Rica, in particular with their
FIT services, likewise with large groups, ensuring that travelers
consistently have a unique and unforgettable experience.
3. Tachiz Travel Costa Rica
Affiliations: CANATUR, Acoprot, Friends of the National Parks. Start date: 2002. Based in Heredia, Costa Rica, we offer personalized service for all your Costa Rica travel needs, we do your own wish list with honest advice on your itineraries, as well as package itineraries.
It will cost you far less than attempting to do it yourself, to have Team Tachiz dedicatedly listen to you, understand you and then personally advice you with honest expert Costa Rica Travel Itinerary designs tailored to your wishes with the best value options. Make only one secure payment to us and also enjoy our free 24/7 in country support during your Costa Rica Vacation.
Phones: ALL available 24/7: NY (646) 736-7661, FL (305) 851-3673, CA (415) 830-3724, Costa Rica (506) 8393-5190
e-mail: info@tachiztravel.com
website: www.tachiztravel.com
4. Odyssey Tours Costa Rica
start date: 2005
phone: 506 2635 2221
e-mail: info@odysseytourscr.com
website: http://www.odysseytourscr.com/
affiliations: CANATUR, ICT, INCOP
niche: Nature and adventure travel
comments: Costa Rica expert, owned by locals focused on ecologicaly friendly tours
5. Central America.com
start date: 1995
phone: 1-800-948-3770
e-mail: info@centralamerica.com
website: http://www.centralamerica.com/cr/inde...
affiliations: CANATUR
niche: all of Central America
comments: based in Ft. Lauderdale, FL, also offers travel to the rest of Central America
Start date: 1997
- Phone: +(281) 655 0980 Texas, USA
- Phone: +(832) 265 0349 USA
- Phone: +(506) 8821 2993 Costa Rica
- Phone: +(44) coming Soon United Kingdom
E-mail:
- Info@costaricaearth.com
- Sales@costaricaearth.com
- Groups@costaricaearth.com
- TravelAgents@costaricaeartth.com
Website:
Affiliations: ICT, BBB
Niche: Customize Costa Rica Vacation for Family Vacations, Honeymoons, Student Groups, Volunteer Work Groups, Airline Emploees, Travel Agents, Seniors, individuals and more.
Sustainable Eco Nature Adventure Educational Travel
Comments: Main objective is to provide useful information and assistance for travelers around the world. Professional travel organization with a reputation for excellence and responsibility.
Costa Rica Earth provides Sustainable and Authentic Travel Experience.
7. Costa Rican Trails
start date: 1989
phone: 1-888-803-3344
e-mail: info@costaricantrails.com
website: http://www.costaricantrails.com/
affiliations: CANATUR, Better Business Bureau, ICT, ASTA, IGLTA
niche: Nature travel
comments: located in Costa Rica, focus on ecologicaly friendly tours and hotels
8. Costa Rica Sun Tours
start date: 1988
phone: (506) 2296-7757
e-mail: info@crsuntours.com
website: http://www.crsuntours.com/
affiliations: CANATUR, ICT, Certificate of Sustainable Tourism
niche: Nature travel
comments: has local affiliates in the U.S., Canada and Australia, main agency located in Costa Rica
9. Vacation City
start date: ?
phone: 1-877-656-2465
e-mail: Web contact form
website: http://www.vacationcity.com/
affiliations: ?
niche: Travel discounts, rental cars
comments: Costa Rica based, broad offerings, lots of last minute specials
10. Costa Rica Holiday UK
start date: 2003
phone: 0207-193-3930
e-mail: richardbexon@goduesouth.com
website: http://www.costaricaholiday.co.uk
affiliations: CANATUR
niche: Luxury travel
comments: the only all-Costa Rica travel agency targeting UK and European clients, located in Costa Rica, specializes in personalized packages
10. Travel in Paradise Group Tours
- start date: April 2004
- phone: 1.800.901.0114
- email: info@travelinparadisecr.com
- website: http://www.travelinparadisecr.com
- affiliations: CANATUR
- see:http://www.canatur.org
- niche: adventure travel, family group tours, student trips
comments: owned by Costa Ricans accommodating to your needs, dedicated professionals to personalized tours, families, student trips and hiking tours.
11. Ivantours Costa Rica Eco-Luxury Travel Agency
start date: 2000
phone: (506) 2258-0308.
e-mail: info@ivantours.com
website: http://www.ivantours.com. affiliations: CANATUR, ACOPROT, ICT
niche: Nature, adventure and beach travel.
comments: Located in Costa Rica, personalized itineraries, combined programs with Panama. With representatives in Bocas del Toro and Panama City. Ivantours is specialist in designing extraordinary vacations. Experience the marvels of Costa Rica staying at the most welcoming specialty hotels that will make you feel like home, nice jungle lodges and Country Inns will put you in contact with the culture and traditions of communities, as well the most exciting ecological tours and adventure activities.
12. Nature Vacations
Start date: 2007
Phone: 1-888-280-9734
Website: www.naturevacations.com
Affiliations: CANATUR, ICT
Niche: Unique travel experiences, off the beaten path destinations
Comments: Nature Vacations is a branch of the Nature Group, which includes NatureAir, the first Carbon-Neutral airline in the world. Though new, Nature Vacations was created to offer additional travel planning services to its already large client base. The travel agency arranges custom packages to 17 remote destinations throughout the country, always emphasizing the romance in travel.
13. Best Adventures Travel (found them registered with Canatur.org)
Contact is Paulo Valerio (Tel: 2253-16-11; salesbat@racsa.co.cr and website: http://www.naturalcostarica.com/
14. LatinExplore Costa Rica
Start date: 2007
Phone: 1-888-340-4943
website: www.latinexplore.com
A U.S. Corporation with Service Providers in local countries
Niche: Latinexplore is a Travel Agency that offers online customization of packages. You can selecct fromt pre-set packages, customize the packages or create something from scratch. Small group packages (up to 8) on transfer vehicles provide the affordability of volume, with the comfort of small.
Start date: 2005
Phone: USA (732) 917-0177
website: http://www.teetimescostarica.com
Niche: Tee Times Costa Rica is dedicated 100% to offering discount golf rounds. They offer day tours from San Jose area hotels to Valle del Sol, Cariari and Los Suenos; and, also offer golf packages to all of Costa Rica's golf destination. Do it yourself by purchasing the rounds online or talk to a golf specialist to book your complete vacation
Start date: 2009
Phone: 1-888-324-9326 Toll Free USA and Canada
E-mail: info@costaricatripguide.com
Website: http://www.costaricatripguide.com
Niche: Eco-Travel
Affiliations: CANATUR ( http://canatur.org/)
Comments: Costa Rica Trip Guide is a costarican owned company offering sustainable tourism.
17. Costa Rica Birding Journeys
Start date: 2004
Phone: 1-970-315-4023 USA and Canada
E-mail: info@costaricabirdingjourneys.org
Website: www.costaricabirdingjourneys.org
Niche: Eco-Travel, Bird watching tours, Photography tours
Affiliations: AOCR ( http://www.avesdecostarica.org/ )
Comments: Costa Rica Birding Journeys is a costarican owned company offering sustainable eco tourism
18. Central American Tours
start date: 19972
phone: 1-877 674 4355
e-mail: info@centralamericantours.net
website: http://www.centralamericantours.net
affiliations: CANATUR, TTG, ASTA,
niche: family vacations, honeymoons, adventure, groups, private tours
Central American Tours is one of Costa Rica's most prestigious ground operators. From 1972 servicing Costa Rica's Tourism industry with travel packages, ground transfers and tours for Individuals, Incentives and Charter Groups. Central American Tours posses the local knowledge to present you with a customized selection of itineraries in Costa Rica.
19. Costa Rica EZ Travel Adventures
- Start Date: 2005
- Phone: 00 506 8837 15 31
- E-Mail: javier@lovingcostarica.com
- Site: http://www.lovingcostarica.com
- Niche: Mixing Adventures, eco-tourism, and education of Costa Rica and it's culture.
20. Costa Rica Experts
Start date: 1987
Phone: 1-800-827-9046
E-Mail: info@costaricaexperts.com
Website: http://www.costaricaexperts.com
Niche: Luxury, honeymoons, adventure, eco, family, private, nature travel
comments: Customized itineraries, office in San Jose for in-country assistance, personalized service with over 20 years experience making the difference between a good trip and a lifetime memory!
21. Memorable Costa Rica / Costa Rica Online Travel
Start Date: 2002
Toll Free USA / Canada: (888) 928-3688
Local Office in Maryland: (301) 217-0158
Local Office in San Jose: ++ 506-2248-0048
Websites: www.MemorableCostaRica.com
Websites: www.CostaRicaOnlineTravel.com
Websites: www.HoneymoonInCostaRica.com
Websites: www.CostaRicaSingles.com
Email: info@memorablecostarica.com
Email: info@costaricaonlinetravel.com
Niches: honeymoons, family vacations, destinations weddings, golf vacations, small groups, adventure travel, luxury vacations. Customized itineraries, home offices in Washington DC Metro Area, New York City, San Jose, Costa Rica.
22. Tucan Limo Services.
Start date: 1928 as Chinchilla Enterprises
Phone: ( 506) 8883-9115 Costa Rica, (305) 320-5372 East Coast...(925) 289-2925 West Coast
E-Mail: reservations@tucanlimoservices.com
Website: www.tucanlimoservices.com
Niche: Itineray designers, great for families, couples, etc
Since 1928, founders of Costa Rica public transportation.
Also customized itineraries by Licda. Rocio Leon Tucan Limo General Manager with a College degree in Costa Rica Tourism.
Private Transportation Services...own vehicles...Toyota Prado 4x4, Mercedez Benz coup E 320, Land Rover Discovery 4x4, Toyota Hiace good for up to 12 passengers, Toyota Coaster good for up to 30 passengers.
23. MuchaCostaRica - Affordable Custom Planned Costa Rica Vacations
- Expertly custom planned vacations to Costa Rica with attention to detail!
- Started in 2008
- Phone: from the USA 757-644-5611 / IN Costa Rica: 506-8915-8547
- Email: info@muchacostarica.com
- Website: www.muchacostarica.com
Niche: Affordable custom planned vacations and tours for couples and families for ALL of Costa Rica, but especially the Osa Peninsula. Explore popular or off the beaten track places. Owned and operated by folks who live in and love Costa Rica and respect its natural beauty. Offering excellent customer service, individualized attention and 24hr support when clients are traveling in Costa Rica.
24. Travel Costa Rica vacation
For: Families, Groups, Singles, Students,....
Packages including Hotels, Tours and Transportation.
Also offering personalized Vacations
Webpage: www.travelcostaricavacation.com
25. Gecko Trail Adventures
Gecko Trail Adventures is full service travel agency based in Puerto Viejo, on Costa Rica's Caribbean Coast. They offer a wide selection of tours, activities and transportation all over the country. They specialize in helping clients to set up a customized and authentic experience of the real Costa Rica. Check out their tripadvisor reviews to see what their happy clients have to say about them!
Their speciality is packages loaded with adventure, highly rated small and medium sized hotels offering a unique and eco-friendly experience a great selection of tours and activities and the most complete transportation offerings anywhere.
- Website: www.GeckoTrail.com
- Email: info@geckotrail.com
- Telephone +506 2756 8412 or from the USA/Canada call 1 415 230-0298
Pacific Trade Winds is an ICT certified travel service located in Nuevo Arenal, Costa Rica. The company specializes in prompt personalized service with acute attention to detail for day trips and multi-day vacations including accommodations, tours and transportation.
~ Phone: 1-866-853-9426
~ E-mail: info@costaricavacation4me.com
~ Website: www.CostaRicaVacation4me.com
~ Website: www.EnterCostaRica.com
Affiliations: ICT, CANATUR, Better Business Bureau, CANAECO, ASTA, TIDS
27. Costa Rica Dream World
Start date: 2008
Phone: 888-584-9960
E-mail: info@costaricadw.com
Website: http://www.costaricadw.com/
Niche: Vacation Planning - Group Travel - Tour Packages
28. Osa Travel Day Tours Costa Rica - Eco daily tours to the rainforest, from Drake Bay, Puerto Jimenez, Carate Beach, Osa, Corcovado. Others activities: Dolphins tours, watching whales, Kayaking mangrove, Sport fishing, Bird watching, and much more activities in Costa Rica. private tour guide into Costa Rica. Check out their tripadvisor reviews to see what their happy clients have to say about them!
Started in 2002
- Phone: IN Costa Rica: 506 - 50 14 18 18
- Email: osatravelexpeditions@gmail.com
- Email: tours@osatravel.com
- Website:www.osatravel.com
29. Anywhere Costa Rica - Visit Your Way.
Anywhere Costa Rica has been helping visitors experience Costa Rica since 2006. Open 7 days a week year round.
- Website: http://www.anywherecostarica.com Phone: 888-456-3212 Email:info@anywherecostarica.com
- Affiliations: Costa Rica Tourism Board Member (ICT) Sustainable Tourism Certification, 4 Leaves(CST) National Chamber of Tourism Member (CANATUR)
- Reviews on TripAdvisor - Reviews on Facebook - Reviews on Website
30. Costa Rica Custom Trips
About: Founded and run by Eliot Greenspan, the author of Frommer's Costa Rica and numerous other guide books, podcasts and other articles about Costa Rica.
- Web Site: www.costaricacustomtrips.com
- e-mail: info@costaricacustomtrips.com
- Phone: 970-306-6112 (in the U.S.)
- Phone: 2282-4973 (in Costa Rica)
Specializes in personalized custom itineraries and tours, giving honest, first hand advice and recommendations, based on over 20 years living in Costa Rica and working across all aspects of the tourism industry countrywide.
31. Natural Mystic Travel
Natural Mystic Travel: Your Costa Rica Travel up to your wishes. Adventure, Wild life and Nature with comfortable loding.
Discover the Beauty of Costa Rica with Natural Mystic Travel. Costa Rica Holidays in your own style.
webiste: www.naturalmystictravel.com
email: info@naturalmystictravel.com
32. Costa Rica Deluxe
Costa Rica Deluxe: Costa Rica Tours Tailor Made. Luxury Lodging, Private Get Aways, Deluxe Services, Fine Lodging.
Costa Rica Deluxe Tour agency offers Luxury Tours in Costa Rica for All Budgets. Costa Rica Deluxe can make you the Best Deals and Offers at the Luxurious Hotels and Stylish Beach Resorts All over Costa Rica. Costa Rica Deluxe Tour will set up your Personalized, Custom Made Tour in Costa Rica in Luxury Hotels at the Pacific and at Caribbean Beaches, in the Rain Forest, in the Jungle; All Deluxe Luxury Lodges and Hotels, in Balance with the Beautiful Costa Rica Nature and Culture.
website: www.allcostaricadeluxe.com
email: info@allcostaricadeluxe.com
website: www.costaricadeluxetour.com
email: info@costaricadeluxetour.com
33. GreenSpot
start date: 2006
phone: 1-877-891-3539
e-mail: info@greenspottravel.org
website: http://www.greenspot.travel
affiliations: ecoism, Global Sustainable Tourism Council, International Eco-tourism Society
niche: Luxury, green travel
comments: Conde Nast Top Traveler Specialist for Costa Rica since 2006. Owned and operated by a real Tica and currently located in Central America. Offering customized vacations and adventures for all ages while supporting sustainability efforts, nature conservation, and local community development.
34.Horse Trek Monteverde
start date: 2002
phone: 506-2645-6673 or 2645-5874
e-mail: marvinanchia6666@hotmail.com or desafio@monteverdetours.com
website http://www.costaricahorsebackridingva...
http://www.monteverdetours.com/
niche: horseback riding specialists, horseback riding vacations and horse riding holidays, short horseback tours or multiday horse riding tours, Monteverde and other areas. Also can arrange other transport, tours and hotels (through Desafio Monteverde Tours)
comments: Owned and operated by a Costa Rican horse specialist who breeds and trains own horses and operates own tours. Located in the cloud forests of Monteverde. Offers customized vacations and adventures for all ages and all horseback riding abilites.36. Break Central America
Travel Planning Costa Rica and Nicaragua
website www.breakcentralamerica.com
Specializing in customized itineraries for groups, couples, families and friends. Take the fear and confusion out of your vacation and leave the work to our team. Adventure travel or relaxation we listen to your budget, wants and needs.
In the U.S 916-222-0272
In Costa Rica 506-2479-8151
37. Tachiz Travel Costa Rica
Affiliations: CANATUR, Acoprot, Friends of the National Parks. Start date: 2002. Based in Heredia, Costa Rica, we offer personalized service for all your Costa Rica travel needs, we do your own wish list with honest advice on your itineraries, as well as package itineraries.
It will cost you far less than attempting to do it yourself, to have Team Tachiz dedicatedly listen to you, understand you and then personally advice you with honest expert Costa Rica Travel Itinerary designs tailored to your wishes with the best value options. Make only one secure payment to us and also enjoy our free 24/7 in country support during your Costa Rica Vacation.
Phones: ALL available 24/7: NY (646) 736-7661, FL (305) 851-3673, CA (415) 830-3724, Costa Rica (506) 8393-5190
e-mail: info@tachiztravel.com
website: www.tachiztravel.com
38. Latitudes Adventure - Costa Rica
Latitudes Adventure prides itself on building vacations that are personal and memorable. Our customer service experts create a travel experience tailored to you and your interests.
Being located in the heart of Costa Rica, means our local customer service experts have in-depth knowledge of the hotels, tours and transportation companies we recommend to our clients. We are in the country should you need anything when you are here.
We know this vacation is all about you… your experience, your exhilaration… we build your itinerary to make sure you get the most out of your vacation in Costa Rica. You deserve a trip like no other…
Toll Free – 1.866.735.9115
Local – (506) 2582.1140
Emergency – cell Isaac Garcia – Travel Manager/Partner (506) 6055.6080
Email – info@latitudesadventures.com
twitter – @CostaRicaFun
Facebook – facebook.com/LatitudesAdventure