Costa Rican rainforest with waterfall and distant volcano
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Custom Private Tours · Families · Intergenerational Large Groups · Corporate Teams · Solo Travelers · Couples · Anyone Seeking an Amazing Country Tour

Tica &
Gringa
Costa Rica Adventures

Meet Tica & Gringa

Amazing Trips Across Costa Rica

Tica & Gringa Costa Rica Adventures promotional flyer

The Story

A Gringa and the locals who welcomed her

Two Cultures · One Goal · Amazing Tourism WITH PURPOSE!

A portion of every trip supports the communities it visits.

The story began in 2007, when Vanessa arrived in a small village on request to help build a playground — a place where children could play, dream, and grow. What started as a single trip transformed into something far greater: traveling with purpose, with heart, with meaning, all across Costa Rica.

For fifteen years she brought groups and threw herself into local community projects on every visit, leaving each place a little more than she found it. She cultivated deep relationships with local guides, local drivers, and local restaurants — always with one unwavering conviction: support local jobs, strengthen families, honor the culture.

From those roots grew Tica & Gringa: in-country touring for all persons, countrywide — from the Caribbean to the Pacific, from cloud forest to the most hidden beaches. More than an agency, we are a promise: that every journey transforms not only the traveler, but the communities who welcome them in.

Vanessa on a suspension bridge in the Costa Rican rainforest on her first life-changing trip
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Every Journey Gives Back

Your Trip, Our Cause

We are a philanthropically-based company. A portion of every part of our company is directed straight to local projects. A portion of your dollars goes directly to the communities who welcome you — supporting women's businesses, families, schools, churches, and meaningful community projects helping reforestation and designing sports programs. Your journey doesn't just transform you: it transforms lives.

The founders of Tica & Gringa Costa Rica Adventures
The Founders · Tica & Gringa

Women's Businesses

Backing women-led enterprises and entrepreneurship.

Families

Strengthening the families who host and guide us.

Schools

Investing in classrooms and children's education.

Reforestation

Planting trees and restoring native forests.

Serve others. Be kind. Travel more.

When you travel with us, your dollars go to a great cause — because we believe tourism, done right, is the traveler and the community growing together.

Experiences

100% Customized Tours

We don't sell packages. We build every trip from scratch, with you. Mix and match what you love — your private tour is truly yours.

Customized tours to include…

  • ✦Pickleball — clinics, courts & social play for any group
  • ✦Off-the-path waterfalls the crowds never find
  • ✦Nature guides across the jungle, locally rooted
  • ✦Rafting down the rivers — from mellow to wild
  • ✦Cloud forests, volcanoes, hot springs & hidden beaches
  • ✦…and anything else you can dream up

You Imagine It

We
Design It

Tell us about your group, your dates, and what you're after. We'll build a private itinerary, made just for you.

Design My Trip

National Guides, Local Team

Adventures Beyond the Guidebook

We work exclusively with national guides — a team of local professionals across the entire country who guide in every region, from the Osa Peninsula and the Caribbean to Monteverde, Puerto Viejo, and the most secluded beaches. We custom-design your private journey to the places the crowds never reach, with the people who know them best.

Hidden Waterfalls

Hidden Waterfalls

Swim in secret pools the crowds never find, guided by locals who grew up in these forests.

Osa Peninsula

Osa Peninsula

One of the most biodiverse places on Earth — our national guides open the wild south that few outsiders reach.

Monteverde Cloud Forest

Monteverde Cloud Forest

Walk misty hanging bridges with guides who've studied this canopy for years.

The Caribbean Coast

The Caribbean Coast

Turquoise water and palm-lined sand, explored with Afro-Caribbean guides who call it home.

Puerto Viejo

Puerto Viejo

A vibrant beach town of reggae, color and culture — the slow Caribbean at its truest.

Private Beach Tours

Private Beach Tours

Secluded shores, just your group and your guide — exclusive access to Costa Rica's hidden coastline.

Volcano Trails

Volcano Trails

Sunrise hikes on Arenal's slopes with national guides who've walked them since childhood.

Canopy Flight

Canopy Flight

Soar above the cloud forest on lines built and run by locals.

Voices

Stories From Our Guests

Real words from the people who came as visitors and left as part of the Koi family.

“We (5 adults) had an incredible stay at Cabana Koi and couldn't have asked for a better vacation. Vanessa and Sylvia took exceptional care of us from start to finish. Through Tica & Gringa Adventure Tours, every detail of our week was tailored specifically to our interests, making the experience feel truly personal. The cabins were excellent—comfortable, clean, and surrounded by beautiful, well-maintained grounds. One of the highlights was experiencing authentic Costa Rican food and culture. The meals were outstanding. I treated myself to a massage and facial, which were wonderful — Sylvia is a master of her craft. We zip-lined through the jungle and topped that off with a Tarzan swing. There is nothing more freeing than swinging through the jungle, I promise! If you're looking for a genuine Costa Rica experience with personalized service, beautiful accommodations, amazing food, and hosts who truly care about their guests, I highly recommend Tica and Gringa adventures. It was a vacation I'll never forget! 🌴🇨🇷”

Tammy Brown

“What a wonderful vacation for my 60th birthday! Vanessa and crew were warm, welcoming, attentive, and accommodating. Lots of fun activities! The cabins at Cabanas Koi were beautiful, clean, and cozy. This trip was absolutely unforgettable; from the lush cloud forest at Monteverde to the relaxing hot springs at Arenal Volcano after a horseback ride nearby. The Mistico hanging bridges had beautiful views of the rainforest canopies. We had a fun whitewater rafting adventure as well as an interesting coffee and chocolate tour. It's clear why Costa Rica is known as the 'Pura Vida' paradise. I left feeling refreshed, inspired, and eager to return.”

Mitch Shell

“Spent a fantastic week with a great group of ladies. Vanessa (host) planned activities and excursions perfectly, balancing high adventure with relaxation, camaraderie and shopping. Nikita provided great meals. Our driver Viktor was helpful and fun. The on site spa with Sylvia was excellent. The cabins at Cabanas Koi were comfortable with everything we needed. Vanessa is insightful and gracious, and provided an exceptional experience. I would recommend this to anyone!!! 5 star for sure!”

Lori

“Just finished an adventure week with T&G! Everything was very organized but options for personalizing our experience were plentiful. The pacing was great, food options were available and authentic CR! Our hosts, Vanessa and Sylvia, made us feel welcome as guests of their country, and not tourists so much. Two very special people! Cabanas Koi had everything you need from coffee to shampoo to refrigeration. I hope to return and really recommend you check them out.”

Michelle Leigh

“Recently, I had the good fortune to spend a week with Vanessa, her Tica & Gringa crew, along with a small group of women. Vanessa scheduled a thoughtful and well-planned variety of activities that were both stimulating and challenging, as well as soothing and relaxing. Her hands-on yet unimposing supervision also allowed us the space and freedom to simply be, as we embraced the cultural and geographic beauty of Costa Rica. These qualities, coupled with the economic and social support she provides local communities by way of Tica & Gringa, are the reasons why I will return, and why I highly recommend Vanessa and her wonderful crew for a stay in beautiful Costa Rica.”

Stacy Rogers

“Highly recommend this company! Had one of the best weeks of my life! Vanessa Puleo is an outstanding leader and human being. Jonathan (guide and driver) and her whole team were wonderful. Everything from the cozy cabins to the food and the adventures surpassed my expectations. Even got to play some pickleball! Costa Rica is beautiful and this is a great way to see so much for a very reasonable price.”

Jenny J.

“What I love about Tica & Gringa Costa Rica Adventure is the authenticity of the experience and being able to immerse yourself in real Costa Rican culture. Vanessa's excellent organizational skills and her willingness to go the extra mile to assure we all had what we needed made for a fun filled adventurous trip throughout the beautiful jungle trails, cloud forest, and Lake Arenal area of Guanacaste. The accommodations at Cabaña Koi are serene and beautiful being in the country just outside of Tilaran and only one mile away from Lake Arenal. Vanessa's desire to serve her community by hiring some of the best Ticos to work with her is admirable and another reason for supporting her efforts by using her services. Her crew is outstanding and I want to especially mention her guide and driver, Jonathan. He was with us everyday and very flexible, patient, and an excellent driver. If you want an authentic, fun filled, and tranquil experience in which you can help give back to the community look no further than Tica & Gringa Costa Rica Adventures.”

Bonnie McMullemn

“This is one of the best trips I've taken. Vanessa and her team have great pride in the Costa Rican culture and nature, and take great joy in sharing it with their visitors. My daughter and I joined a women's group for a week, and we quickly formed a fantastic bond with all. And even though we had diverse interests, Vanessa was able to provide tailored experiences that made everyone happy. We are already planning a follow-on trip. If you are considering a less touristy (but still very active) visit to Costa Rica, and would like to experience the culture more by staying in the local community, this could be your jackpot. Feel free to reach out, I am a fan.”

Laurie Beers

“This was the trip of a lifetime for me. Vanessa and her whole team are amazing. They have created a very special place; one in which my soul was filled and rejuvenated. If you want to experience a place of peace and tranquility while experiencing "real" Costa Rica, I highly suggest you let them take care of you. You will be treated like royalty.”

Tammy Fincher

Custom Family Vacations

We Design Family Trips All Across the Country

From families of 2 to families of 10+. We design complete vacations — from touchdown to takeoff — so you can relax and enjoy every moment together.

Tica & Gringa Family Adventure Flyer

17 Years of Family Memories

Jungle, beaches, mountains or both... Wherever your family dreams of exploring, we'll design a personalized adventure that's perfect for you.

We Take Care of Everything

Private Transportation
Family-Friendly Hotels & Lodging
Local Cabins & Luxury Resorts
Incredible Tours & Adventures
Wildlife Experiences
Horseback Riding
Whitewater Rafting
Volcanoes & Rainforests
Beach Adventures
Manuel Antonio • La Fortuna • Arenal
Monteverde • Guanacaste • Pacific Coast
Meals & Local Concierge Service

Featured Retreat 2027

Adventure for Two

A romantic 7-day escape designed just for couples, between La Fortuna & Monteverde. Reconnect, explore, fall in love with each other and Costa Rica. 7 days, $5,795 per couple.

Adventure for Two — 7 day couples retreat flyer
Between La Fortuna & Monteverde
7 Days$5,795Per Couple

Choose Your Dates

Placeholder dates — adjust later. Message us on WhatsApp to confirm availability.

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