Costa Rica is home to some of the best nature-based tourism experiences in Central America, but it also has a strong culture around adventure travel and ecotourism. And while most people associate Costa Rica with its amazing beaches and jungles, something else puts this country on the map: the Costa Rica jungle tour by Monster Bus. If you want an unforgettable adventure, read on to discover what you need to know on this one-of-a-kind tour through Coats Rica’s breathtaking scenery.
*Disclaimer: This post may contain affiliate links. If you make a purchase through one of these links, I will earn a small commission. This occurs at no added cost to you.*
Where is Costa Rica?
Costa Rica is located in southern Central America on the thin land bridge connecting the Pacific and Caribbean oceans. Despite its small size, Costa Rica is an extraordinarily diversified country featuring mountainous, volcanic, and coastal areas. This rich, wild natural environment may be found nationwide and is easily accessible to curious visitors.
Costa Rica and its inhabitants are peaceful and happy to share their culture with guests so that they can see the natural beauty. Costa Rica offers the ideal blend of relaxation, adventure, culture, superb cuisine, and nature.
Elsewhere in the Central American region, lies Cartagena where you might consider a historical and cultural experience.
What is the Monster Bus tour?
The Monster Bus tour is a unique adventure in Costa Rica that takes you on a thrilling ride through the country’s stunning landscapes and hidden gems. This one-of-a-kind Costa Rica jungle tour is perfect for adventure seekers who want to experience the beauty of Costa Rica uniquely and excitingly. With its oversized wheels and powerful engine, the Monster Bus can take places other vehicles can’t, giving you a truly unforgettable experience.
In essence, these public transport vehicles have been converted into full-service buses, allowing you to enjoy the comforts of air conditioning and Wi-Fi while viewing some of Costa Rica’s most breathtaking scenery from above ground level.
A Brief History of the Monster Bus Tour
Since the early 1980s, there has been a monster bus tour. It was founded by two brothers who wanted to share their passion for nature with others by allowing them to view it for themselves. They began with a single vehicle and substantially modified it to make the ideal all-terrain vehicle comfortable and functional in the jungle setting. Since then, they have more than tenfold grown their fleet, with over 40 buses now in operation across Costa Rica (with more on the way).
The tours are conducted by trained drivers who are familiar with the environment and can describe the numerous varieties of plants and animals you’ll see along the journey. A typical 5-hour journey takes you through Costa Rican jungles, coffee farms, and volcanoes. You’ll be able to stop for photos or just sit back and relax along the journey! You’ll also see some incredible wildlife along the way – like toucans and monkeys! And if you’re lucky enough to catch a glimpse of a sloth!
This Costa Rica jungle tour is an excellent choice for people of all ages and all fitness levels. You’ll get to see some of the most famous attractions and landscapes in Costa Rica. Furthermore, an organized tour like this provides tourists with a fantastic way to get around without dealing with traffic jams or other headaches associated with driving yourself through town or getting lost in the jungle.
Note: If you are prone to motion sickness, do NOT sit in the back of the bus!
What are some of the highlights of the tour?
The Monster Bus tour in Costa Rica has a few different itineraries leaving from both San Jose and Limon, and most are packed with adrenaline-pumping thrills that will steal your breath away. Discover the country’s gorgeous jungles, stunning beaches, and towering mountains from the luxury of the Monster Bus. Viewing the Arenal Volcano, which is still active and is one of the country’s most popular locations, might be a highlight of the journey. Depending on the tour provider or cruise line, swimming in natural hot springs and ziplining through the jungle canopy are additional options.
If you want more adventure, visit Monteverde Cloud Forest Reserve–a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Alternatively, if you want a more relaxing experience, you can take a catamaran cruise in Tortuguero National Park. This is one of the only places where you can see wildlife and flora up close, which makes it an ideal spot for people who want to learn more about the country’s ecosystems.
Many tours allow visitors to visit a traditional village to meet locals and learn about Costa Rican culture and traditions.
Planning a trip is made easy with this Trip Planning Checklist Bundle. It has everything you need to keep you well organized. From Pre-planning to Budget Planning, Day Trip Planning, and a variety of Checklists, you will have the tools to plan and enjoy your vacation.
If you are on a cruise excursion to Costa Rica, a shortened jungle tour has been prepared to offer you a taste of the Costa Rican rainforest experience. You will travel through the lush jungle mountain ranges and learn about the diverse flora and fauna. Stops usually include a biological introduction to common plants and a warning about touching plants and animals. The rainforest harbors many deadly poisonous flora and fauna. A drive through a banana plantation and a stop at a local market is also on the agenda. Visitors can learn about Costa Rican agriculture and taste the fruits that grow there in these locations.
What to Expect on the Costa Rica Jungle Tour
The Monster Bus tour in Costa Rica is a one-of-a-kind and comfortable way to discover the country’s breathtaking scenery and hidden jewels. The bus has comfortable seating, air conditioning, and huge windows for visibility. You will board the bus for your adventure once everyone has assembled at the meeting point. The mood aboard the bus is upbeat and vibrant, and refreshments are served depending on the trip. For this article, I will describe the experience as presented on a cruise excursion tour.
As previously stated, the bus is a customized off-road bus outfitted with huge tires to access more isolated rainforest sections. It has a second exit at the back of the bus with a ladder to allow access and entry at both ends, reducing passengers’ time entering and exiting the vehicle.
The Trip into the Costa Rica Jungle
If leaving from the cruise port of Limon, you will spend about 20-30 minutes on the monster bus driving through the town to reach the outskirts of the rainforest. Your first stop will be a fruit and vegetable market to use the restroom and have the opportunity to purchase additional snacks or fruit for the journey.
Following the brief pause, you will go into the rainforest. It is lush and green all year and is home to an astounding variety of flora, including over 800 types of ferns and 9,000 species of blooming plants. Trees can reach heights of 100 feet (30 meters) and provide shade and shelter to a diverse range of indigenous species. Costa Rica’s fauna includes approximately 850 bird species, 200 mammal species, 200 reptiles and amphibians, and 10% of the world’s butterflies.
The road in the rainforest ranges from open and paved to shaded, gravel, and muddy. In some places, the forest canopy meets the road’s edge and provides a tunnel-like route through the jungle. Throughout your trip, your guide will point out significant plants and trees and identifiable wildlife. This is part of the Costa Rica jungle tour that I found interesting as wildlife such as monkeys, sloths, parrots, pigs, and water buffalo were all visible along the way.
At some point on your journey, you will pass over the “Oh My God” bridge, which traverses a slope-side creek and is high above the river below. Remnants of crashes can be seen in the valley.
Mid-way in the Costa Rica Rainforest
As the Costa Rica jungle tour takes you further into the rainforest along twisty-turny mountainous roads, your Monster Bus will stop in a widened section of the road. You will get off the bus, and your guide will walk along the road. Here, he will highlight some common plants and trees unique to Costa Rica due to its incredible biodiversity. Bamboo grows exceptionally well in this warm, humid climate and has become a significant industry for the country with the production of Bamboo sheets and clothing.
During the walk, your guide will remind you that much of the vegetation is incredibly poisonous and must not be touched under any circumstances. Furthermore, some of the tiny insects and animals found in the vegetation are equally poisonous, and some are deadly. The beautiful red Poison Dart Tree Frog is one of the most poisonous!
BE Safe: DOT NOT TOUCH ANYTHING IN THE COSTA RICA JUNGLE
Related: If you are interested in wildlife, a trip to Panama might be included in your vacation. A Panama Canal Wildlife Tour will highlight some of the notable species in this region.
Banana Plantation in the Jungle
Following your 30-minute rainforest ecology lesson/discussion, you will re-board the bus and continue through the rainforest. After a short period, you will leave the main road to a more secluded trail and continue through the jungle towards a banana plantation. Before arriving, you will pass through a small community with surprisingly modern amenities despite its remote location: a few shops, electricity, Wi-Fi, and regular garbage collection, to name a few.
The banana plantation in the middle of the Costa Rica jungle is a surprise, given its remote location. The banana plants a well established in rows of varying ages and types of bananas. The typical “North American” style banana is the most common, but other varieties, including finger bananas and plantain, are also grown.
As your monster bus tour takes you through the plantation, you will notice that some bananas will have bags covering them. It is a common belief that these bags are for protection from birds, insects, or the sun. Contrary to this belief, the bags are for protection against the rain. Costa Rica is known for high rainfall, particularly in the jungle. The bags protect the tender fruits against the powerful force of heavy rain to prevent bruising.
Leaving the Rainforest
After your 20-minute trek through the rows of bananas, you will head out of the jungle and back towards Limon if you take this adventure as a cruise excursion. For some, this is a welcome stage of the jungle tour, as there are no toilets on the bus. (Keep this in mind if you plan on taking this tour)
Your tour guide may stop at a local souvenir shop for you to use the restrooms before heading back to town. or a market for you to purchase some local bananas.
Other tours available in Costa Rica.
Pros and Cons of the Costa Rica Jungle Tour by Monster Bus
As with any tour, the Monster Bus Tour has pros and cons. Here are some of the critical factors to consider before deciding whether to book the tour:
Pros:
- A one-of-a-kind method to explore the rainforest: The giant bus provides guests with a unique experience.
- A chance to visit some of Costa Rica’s most popular attractions: The trip stops at various locations to give guests a sample of everything the country offers.
- Convenient for cruise ship guests: The tour is frequently adjusted to the needs of cruise ship passengers, with pick-up and drop-off at the port.
- A knowledgeable guide: The tour comes with a knowledgeable guide about the environment and local culture.
Cons:
- Crowded: The tour can feel packed and overpowering at times, with up to 60 passengers on the bus.
- Limited time at each stop: Although the tour covers multiple stops, tourists may need more time to explore each one fully.
- Not good for individuals with mobility concerns: The monster bus may not be suited for those with mobility challenges or difficulty climbing steps.
Is the Costa Rica Jungle Tour Worth It?
The Costa Rica Monster Bus Tour is an excellent opportunity to explore some of Costa Rica’s highlights in a single day! Overall, this tour provides a good combination of action, education, and relaxation, making it suitable for a wide range of travelers. It’s inexpensive and straightforward to arrange and can be done any time of year.
Is it worthwhile to take the Monster Bus tour? It ultimately comes down to your personal likes and priorities. The tour may be a good choice for you if you’re seeking a unique and easy method to discover Costa Rica’s rainforest. On the other hand, the crowded bus and limited time at each stop may be challenging if you prefer a more private or tailored experience. Whether you choose to take the Monster Bus Tour or not, make sure to do your research and weigh all of your alternatives before booking any excursion.
Final Thoughts
The Costa Rica, monster bus trip, is suited for everyone, regardless of age or physical level. You can wander around the stops and take shots if you’re fit and energetic. If you need to be in better shape, you can simply sit back and admiring the scenery while someone else does all the walking! What better way to experience the diversity of the Costa Rican jungle?
For other reviews, check out these from TripAdvisor.
Note: This company is in the process of restructuring after COVID Lockdown is is only offering tours through the cruise lines at the moment.
Remember to bring your camera!
Sunhats and Chardonnay is a space where we share our travel experiences, tips, and insights. Join us on a journey to explore the world through the eyes of a traveler. Get inspired, plan your next adventure, and immerse yourself in the beauty of diverse cultures and destinations.
If you enjoyed this post, please subscribe to the newsletter and have all the updates sent directly to you.
If you’d like to support this blog & help fund the cost of researching & maintaining the site, donations are accepted here. We appreciate all the help & support received from our readers so far!
You might also enjoy:
I love off-road and adventure tours. And there is so much to see in Costa Rica that this would be fun way to see the it
This sounds a great way to get up close with the wilder areas of the country. The bus sounds good, although I would be adverse to a group of 60 people around me and the limited time in each place. However, it sounds like driving a hire car in this terrain is not a possibility, so maybe this is the only option.
I’ve done a few similar bus tours in the past and have actually found them so good and worth it despite my initial trepidations. I would have liked to see a link to the bus company here though so I could look up prices and schedules for my own Central America tour planning.
Hi Barry, I agree with you about the larger group size but I do think that a smaller bus would probably not justify the costs in fitting it up for all-terrain. With regard to adding a link, currently they are only offering tours to cruise lines. I have added a not in the post. Thanks.
Sounds like a fun trip through the jungle and a great and well organised way to see it. Never heard of the dart frog before it’s so tiny and so dangerous
Yes, it was a lot of fun. The frogs were so cute. I was surprised at how small they were.
This looks like a fun way to explore the jungle in Costa Rica and great to see so much wildlife. Loved the Poison Dart Tree Frog – he was incredibly cute (if deadly)!
Hi,
I enjoyed reading about the monster bus tour. Not sure scared of heights me would do very well on the narrow bridge! Especially you can glimpse crashes below!