I've been reading that it's best to book tours on your own through Desafio, Sunset Tours, La Roca, Sky Trek etc BUT I have also read that there is no need to book ahead.

Does this mean that you are arriving in CR and then calling these tour companies from your room to book? I have also read that there are extra fees or higher rates if you have your hotel book tours. Is this correct?

Just to be sure - is there any diffiuculty booking tours the day before during the Christmas season?

Thank you again to everyone who have been answering my posts!

I would definitely not wait until the day before during Christmas season. A lot of places will be packed then. Eco Termales sells out, Sky Trek assigns you a specific time, and those will sell out too so you may not get the time you want. Some tours like rafting won't go unless they have enough people booked. I'd book things ahead at Christmas. If there's anything we have our heart set on doing, I usually book it ahead, but I would especially do that at Christmas or at Easter since those times are so popular.

The hotels where we've stayed have not charged a higher rate to book tours for us, but some hotels do; it just depends on where you stay.

We've also wanted to book with certain companies, but if the hotel doesn't have a deal with them they'll want to book you with a different provider. We almost always just book things ourselves. It's easy to do over the internet.

In 9 trips, we have never booked anything in advance. We may be more flexible in when we do things than the average traveler. There are not any list prices for tours, no MSRPs. You do not know how the booking agent is compensated or the driver, or the guide. If you end up paying more (than what?) it is likely to be because of when you are traveling, I.e., Christmas. Costa rican celebrate this holiday too. Many tours are not provided by a name company. Those are names you have read here because of the experiences of the recommenders. Relax and go with the flow. You can plan a vacation to pieces.

Thanks for info! I think I will book Eco Termales and anything else we REALLY want to do ahead of time and then "go with the flow". I agree that it seems easy enough to do online. I know I am planning this vacation to pieces but we often don't go to the same place twice so I want to get as much out of it as I can and we love "doing" stuff. We aren't the type to sit very long.

We booked ahead because specific days and times we wanted...we booked Eco Termales through Desafio Tours as they provided our transportation and also combined with a raffting trip...they were wonderful...I would be worried about waiting as busy time to travel.

You're smart to do it ahead. We met people who couldn't get into Eco Termales because it was sold out; they ended up at Baldi instead and were disappointed. In general we book things like zipping for the morning to try to avoid afternoon rain although it isn't always predictable. We don't sit still for long either, so I completely relate!

I've done both. During Christmas season I would for sure book ahead on the tours or companies you have your heart set on We were ones who ended up at Baldi our first trip to Arenal, vc!.