If you’re a seasoned traveler, you might shy away from tours and opt to visit places on your own instead. I get it: I also enjoy the freedom to go where I want, when I want, in order to avoid crowds.

However, there are benefits of booking tours, especially if it’s your first time in a new place. One of them is having a guide who can answer your questions and provide meaningful context to what you’re seeing. Another big perk is that hopping on a tour can potentially save you money, as many of them include meals and transportation.

I thoroughly enjoyed the tours I went on in Costa Rica. Especially considering the spectacular biodiversity there, it’s super helpful to have an expert with you who can point out different plants and animals that you might otherwise miss.

I’ve put together a list of the best Costa Rica tours,