If you’re staying in northern Guanacaste and are interested in visiting another country, the Nicaragua one day tour from Costa Rica is perfect for you. It takes you to the highlights of Nicaragua such as Masaya, Granada, Masaya Volcano National Park and Laguna de Apoyo. The tour is an excellent way to see a bit of Nicaragua especially if you don’t plan on taking a dedicated visit to the country.
Read more about the Nicaragua one day tour in this article and if you want to do this tour, we have an exclusive Mytanfeet discount! Get $10 USD off the tour!
**The Costa Rica land borders between Nicaragua and Panama have opened on April 5, 2021 but unfortunately the 1 day tour with our tour partner has not. We will update this post when it has.
Nicaragua One Day Tour from Costa Rica FAQ
When Does This Tour Operate?
This tour runs nearly every day with few exceptions during extremely busy times of the year (Christmas/New Years and Easter). They aren’t able to run the tour during these times because the border is extremely busy and sometimes can take the whole day to cross. We will let you know what days the tour is not running if you are inquiring about those dates.
Who Operates the Tour?
It is operated by Plus Papagayo, the only tour company that runs this tour every day.
What Is Included In the Tour?
The Nicaragua one day tour from Costa Rica includes breakfast, lunch, border fees, a bilingual guide, entrance fees, pick up and drop off and water.
How Much Is the Deposit and How Do I Know My Tour is Confirmed?
The deposit is $20 USD from Coco/Hermosa/Panama/Riu Guanacaste/Liberia/Dreams Las Mareas/La Cruz and $30 from Tamarindo/Flamingo/Conchal/Brasilito/JW Marriott/Portrero.
When you fill out the form, you will automatically be taken to Paypal in order to send the deposit. We will also send you an email with all details and send you a confirmation email once the tour is reserved.
How Long Is the Tour?
Depending on your location, pickup is usually around 4:30 AM – 6 AM. Depending on how long the border takes, you will return around 8 – 10 PM.
What Do I Need to Bring?
Please being your original passport, a printed ticket out of Costa Rica (a screenshot on your phone works too if you don’t have a paper copy), comfortable shoes and clothes, a rain jacket during rainy season, a day bag and camera.
We also highly recommend buying/bringing snacks. The tour includes breakfast and lunch but not dinner. Sometimes the border returning to Costa Rica may take awhile so it is best to bring something to munch on as the tour doesn’t make any stops for food in the evening except the border. The tour company includes water.
You can buy snacks at the border, Masaya market or Granada.
Does Nicaragua Take USD?
Yes. If you want to do some souvenir shopping, bring small USD. They will give you your change back in cordobas, the Nicaraguan currency. If you want your change back in USD, you have to ask.
Do I Need a Visa to Nicaragua?
United States and Canada do not need a visa. Please check the Nicaragua embassy website for your passport country to see if you need a visa. You will be responsible for checking if your passport needs a visa to Nicaragua and if so, for any extra visa fees.
Can I Do the Nicaragua One Day Tour From San Jose?
No. This tour only picks up in northern Guanacaste, the furthest they go is Tamarindo/JW Marriott Guanacaste.
San Jose to the Nicaraguan border is a 6-7 hour drive, so it is much too far. If you’d like to do the tour, the best option is to travel to Liberia and get picked up from there.
Lori says
Does this tour include a boat ride on the Nicaragua lake?
Sammi says
It does!
George Dowler says
Hi, We are tentatively planning on doing this tour on the 13th of March and will be staying at the Best Western in Liberia. Is it possible to be picked up/dropped off there? If so how would we arrange it.
Thank you for the help…….again…
Regards
George D
Sammi says
Hi George, yes they pick up and drop off there. Select Liberia in the location drop down and write the name of the hotel.
Margaret says
We will be in Costa Rica on February 9 to 15 and planning to do a day trip to Nicaragua for 3 people. We will be staying at Breeze Private Residences. Is a pick up possible from there? Also, can you please recommend a private shuttle company for pick up from Liberia to Breeze Private Residences.
Thank you.
Sammi says
Hi Margaret, they can pick you up from Breeze Private Residences, the meeting point will be at the gate of the complex.
Margaret says
Great! Thank you.
Katie says
Is the tour running any days from Dec 23-28?
Sammi says
It is except for 24 and 25!
Christina Logue says
Hi
Can you tell me where the pick up is in flamingo?
We are staying in the flamingo towers condos so just wondering where I’d need to leave my car.
Thanks
Christina
Sammi says
Hi Christina, the company can pick you up at Flamingo Towers Condo!
Christina Logue says
Awesome! Thank you!
Jackie says
Would you recommend the one day tour even though there is a travel alert to Nicaragua?
Sammi says
Hi Jackie, the one day tour has been operating normally for awhile and it is not that bad anymore in Nicaragua. We recently went on the one day tour a few months ago and I just went to Nicaragua last month and it was fine for where we went (the touristic areas where the tour goes to). There is a possibility of things starting up again but the tour companies are always on alert and making sure they know the situation so if it gets bad, they will cancel the tour due to safety but so far, it’s been running like normal.
Sabrina says
Hi we are staying in Rinconcito Lodge 918, Provincia de Guanacaste, Bagaces, 50403, Costa Rica is there a way to go on the tour to Nicaragua?
Sammi says
Hi Sabrina, they can but there is an additional transportation cost due to the distance as they have to hire a separate vehicle just to pick up at Rinconito Lodge. The extra fee is $100 for the roundtrip transfer (total).
Sheena Ross says
Hi. For the Nicaragua Day trip, does the company pick up in La Cruz? I can’t find that option listed on the booking form. If they do, do you have any idea of timing, pricing and pick up location?
Thank you
Sheena
Sammi says
Hi Sheena, they do pick up at La Cruz (on the form you can choose the Dreams Mareas option but write that you will be in La Cruz and which hotel you’re at). Usually the pick up is around 630 AM depending on your hotel. The price is $140 USD per person, $130 USD with our discount.
Kay says
Hi there:
A group of us are visiting and staying at the Pacifico Condo in Coco . We are looking to go on the one day tour to Nicaragua with 3 adults and 2 toddlers age 2 years old and 3years old. We wanted to find out if there is a pick up where the condo is located as we have the toddlers travelling with us. ? Please let us know if there is pick at the Pacifico Condo in Coco or a pick very close by within walking distance.
Also we are looking to do the tour on the week of October 7th 2019. Do we need to book in advance and are there daily trips with open spots in that week.
Thanks in advance
Kay
Sammi says
Hello Kay! The tour company can pick you up at the gate of Pacifico Condos so you just need to go from your condo to the main gate.
They run this tour everyday with a minimum of 2 people so for sure they can book it for your group, you can wait and see the dates if you’re not sure and book it a day or two before.
Matt says
Is there a discounted rate for children? My daughter is 2 and my son is 7 months. Thanks!
Jai says
Hello:
we are staying in Samara (Azura), do they pick up there?> we will be there June 25 to July 2nd.
Sammi says
Hi Jai, no Samara it is much too far for the Nicaragua 1 day tour. The furthest south they go is Tamarindo/Hacienda Pinilla.
Christopher Naldo says
Hello, we will be staying at the Margaritaville Resort, will pickup be available for us for this tour?
Sammi says
Yes! 🙂
Shannon Cormier says
Going to CR in a few weeks, is tours to Nicaragua safe?
Sammi says
Hi Shannon, the tour company started running the day tour again several months ago and we actually just went on Sunday and it was very nice! The political unrest has died down a lot and tourists are going back to Nicaragua. We felt safe the entire time and had a great day.
Laura says
Is there a tour on March 29th 2019? 2 adults 2 kids. From CoCo/Hermosa area?
What is the current itinerary for Nicaragua?
Thank you
Sammi says
Hi Laura, the tour company we work with runs this tour everyday so there is on March 29th. You can read what the itinerary is like here: Nicaragua one day tour from Costa Rica
cory says
do you pick up from this hotel:
Occidental Papagayo – Adults only
Blvd. Playa Hermosa 800mts al norte , 48-5000 ,
Golfo de Papagayo , Guanacaste , Costa Rica
Golfo Papagayo, Costa Rica
Sammi says
Hi Cory, yes! The price from the Occidental is $140 per person, $130 with our discount. You can select the Coco location and write in the comment section Occidental Papagayo as your hotel.
Darlene says
Do you pick up at Best Western Tamarindo Vista Villas on Guanacaste Beach? And what day is the tour? There will be 6 of us.
Sammi says
Hi Darlene! Yes they do! They run this tour every day 🙂
V.H. says
Hi, does the company run tour on or around 16 December 2018?
Sammi says
Hi, the tour company has been running the tour every day!
Sabrina Aloe says
Hi Sammi – just wondering if you could give an update on this tour after the Independence Day tour that went on.
I’ll be in Costa Rica, Ocotal on Nov 25th and am interested.
Thank you!
Sammi says
Hi Sabrina, the tour company has resumed operations for now. Although things may change until Nov 25, they are running it and if things get worse, the tour company will cancel it. My recommendation is to check again when the time is a bit closer to make sure things are running normally.
John Ramirez says
Yeison,
We would love to plan this tour on September 15. Would this be possible, due to the civil unrest within the country?
Sammi says
Hi John! THe tour company we work with have resumed this tour but things are still not 100% stable in Nicaragua. The tour is running though so it’s up to you, but Sept 15 is the Independence Day for Central America and something could happen, you never know. It’s entirely up to you and the tour company will call it off if it’s too dangerous but since things are not 100% stable, anything can change or happen. That’s just our personal opinion and recommendation.
John Ramirez says
Yeison,
Thank you for the quick response. Would you have any suggestions on where to go to celebrate Central America’s independence day. We will be in Tamarindo on the 15th and unfortunately we haven’t been able to find information on events going on within certain locations aside from San Jose, would you have any suggestions?
Thanks in advance,
-John
Sammi says
If you go to Villarreal, the local town outside Tamarindo the schools have parades. If you want something bigger, Liberia has the biggest parade (parades are the normal celebration for independence day here).
chels says
Hey planning on doing this tour jan 7 for 4 people is this available or do I have to check back at a later date?
Sammi says
I would definitely check back when it’s closer to the tour date, the situation hasn’t been resolved and there have been violent protests still so we don’t know how it will be in January, if it will be better or worse by then.
Calum says
Hi there,
Are you still running tours to Nicaragua sometime in September?
Thanks!
Sammi says
Hi Calum, the tour is running for now but the tour company does always keep an eye on it in case the situation turns worse, then if it’s unsafe they will suspend it. But as of right now, they are operating the tour. My recommendation would be to check back when it’s closer to the date you want to go, like a week before. I can check for you and we can make reservations up to 24 hours before the tour.
Philip says
Hi we are heading to playa del coco tomorrow, can you do a tour on Sunday?
Thanks phil
Sammi says
Hi Phil, yes definitely, they run this tour everyday.
Es says
Hi,
Is this tour affected by the recent unrest in Nicaragua at all? I’ll be staying at Casa Aura for a week. Is pick up form there possible?
Thanks so much!
Sammi says
Hi Es, the tour company is still operating as of now but they will cancel operations if they deem it too dangerous. As of now it is still operating and they always let us know right away if they cancel the tour. They can pick up from Tamarindo.
Derrick says
Quick question – does this tour company have a tripadvisor or some sort of review page so we can check how other travelers’ experiences were?
Sammi says
Hi Derrick! Yes you can google Plus Papagayo and they are on Trip Advisor there.
Emily Eyre says
Hi, is it possible to pay the entire cost now, instead of paying the rest when you get there? We are 2 women travelling, and I hate to carry too much cash.
Sammi says
Hi Emily, our agreement with the tour company is to pay the rest in cash upon pick up to the company and pay the deposit to us. I apologize we can’t take the whole payment before but that is the conditions we have with the tour company in order to give the $10 off the tour.
Shuman Majumder says
Hi, Can I stay back in Granada after the tour and not return back to Costa Rica since I’ll be travelling onwards to Honduras? I know it’s a one day tour. But they don’t need to worry about me after I get off in Granada. As long as they know I’m not returning back it shouldn’t be a problem. I’ve done this with day tours in Europe before.
Sammi says
Hi Shuman, in this case the tour company doesn’t allow for that for insurance and security reasons.
Janet says
How much would be the cost for the Nicaragua tour for 2 adults and 2 children ages 12 and 5, hotel pick up from Villas sol Playa Hermosa Guanacaste. Thank you
Sammi says
Hi Janet, the tour is $140 per person from Playa Hermosa and we have $10 off so it will be $130 per person.
Donna says
Hi We are staying at the LaCarolina condo is a pick up at the condo possible or do we need to drive somewhere for a pick up.?
Sammi says
Hi Donna, which town or beach is your condo at?
Jeff Borstmayer says
Hi
We are thinking of going on your tour in March. We are staying in potrero and friends of ours will be in Playa’s del coco can we both be picked up for the same tour?
Thanks
Jeff
Sammi says
Hi Jeff, yes as long as you guys book on the same day you guys will be on the tour together. They will pick everybody up and then you’ll meet up at breakfast and everyone will be on the same bus for the whole tour.
Patricia says
How many are on each tour?
Sammi says
Hi Patricia, it depends but can be anywhere from 15-40. On average, around 30.
Debbie says
Thank you so much for this wonderful information! We are leaving for CR in 13 days (but who’s counting 🙂 ). Because of your blog we have decided to add the one day tour to Nicaragua and very excited for this adventure. My only question is that we need to bring a printed ticket out of CR. How do we do that when you can’t print out a boarding pass until 24hrs before a flight. We would be doing this trip at the beginning of our trip.
Thanks,
Debbie
Sammi says
Hi Debbie, the ticketed itinerary the airline sends you is what they need, not a boarding pass. The itinerary will be fine, they just need to see you have a ticket out of Costa Rica within 90 days of entry.
Brent says
It looks like I have to get US money to pay cash this tour. Can I not pay in the Countries actual currency ? Don’t remember Costa Rica becoming part of the US. Or a credit card ? I don’t have any Yankee money.
Sammi says
Costa Rica readily accepts USD and in tourism, that is the preferred method of payment and has been for years. The reason why it’s easier in USD sometimes than colones is because the exchange rate changes every day so you will have to bring the exact amount of that day’s exchange rate. This tour company in particular doesn’t accept credit card so it will have to be either in USD or the exact change in colones.
Erica says
Is this on a large tour bus? Looking for something more along the lines of a van. We would be looking to do this next November in 2018.
Sammi says
This is a large bus tour, they normally have around 30 people or more on the tour. You can request a private tour, it will be more expensive since open tours are cheaper.
Bhanu Ramesh says
We are a group of 3 people and will be staying in Coco Beach Hotel, Coco, Guanacaste the last week of December 2017. We are interested in a day trip to Nicaragua. Is this hotel a pick up point? What days does this tour operate? We will be in Coco from Dec 22-28. Are there any vegetarian food options for us?
Sammi says
Hi Bhanu, yes they can pick you up at Coco Beach Hotel. Pick up time from there is around 5-5:30 AM. They operate the tour during that time every day except for Christmas and Christmas Eve usually so any other day will work. They do have a vegetarian option for lunch. Please let me know if you have other questions!
Christian says
Good morning again, Sammi and Yeison,
We will definitely be going on this tour, as I cannot pass up an opportunity to see another country (and get another stamp in my passport :D), especially when I can absorb another culture and surroundings. As always, have a few questions though;
Does the tour make washroom stops or do we have to go only when we disembark to the locations? Dinner is not provided, however will food/meals be allowed to be brought over the border and back or will they be confiscated/discarded? (that way, we could pick up something and bring it back, eating it on the way).
And we will most certainly be booking it through you guys, so we appreciate the discount; any little bit helps!
Many thanks again 🙂
Sammi says
Hi Christian, the tour doesn’t make specific bathroom stops but there are bathrooms at every stop they go to on the tour. Lunch is usually kind of late, around 1-2 PM and you can buy snacks or bring food. They won’t confiscate it (it’s not like an airport). The bathroom at the border on the Nicaraguan side does cost $1 so just keep that in mind.
Let me know if you have any other questions!
Christian says
I’m great for now, but I’ll let you know! 😉
Leigh says
Hi! I am currently interested in this tour for Saturday November 18 for one person. Is this still possible. I will travel to Liberia from samara on Friday for pick up but I wanted to make sure the tour is possible before booking hotel in Liberia. Thank you!
Sammi says
Hi Leigh, yes it is possible! They can pick you up at a hotel in Liberia.
Mo says
I’m definitely interested in booking this tour, as it’s the cheapest offered out of all the Costa Rica to Nicaragua one day tours. However, a lot of reviews say that these one day tours are tiring and rushed. Is there a way to pay for a hotel on our own in Granada and then go back with another tour the next day?
There’s only two people, hoping to book a tour for pickup Nov 13th, (stay overnight in Granada the night of the 13th on our own) and return with another tour group the evening of the 14th.
Thanks!
Sammi says
Hi Mo, no the tour company can’t do that as they can’t be responsible if anything happened and they can’t change schedules for anyone as they have big groups. You will need to travel to Nicaragua tour on your own if you want to stay a night.
Iris says
Hi! Me and my husband are planning on taking this trip at the end of Januari-beginning of Februari 2017. The only thing is, the most northern place we go is Guayabo De Bagaces, Guanacaste. We will stay at Paraíso Camping Lodge for 2 nights. What is the best thing for us to do so we can take the trip to Nicaragua?
Sammi says
Hi Iris, the tour company can pick you up any hotel in Liberia, that is the closest they can go. Pick up time in Liberia is around 6-630 AM and they will drop you off there too. If you have a car, you can drive there or arrange a taxi.
Iris says
Thanks! We switched hotels. We’re going to stay at Best Western El Sitio Hotel & Casino in Liberia. Is this okay for picking us up?
Thanks again for your information. Looking forward to the trip!
Sammi says
Hi Iris, yes that’s perfect they can pick you up and drop you off there 🙂
Katie says
Hi!
I have a group of 4 interested. We were wondering about the possibility of spending more time in Nicaragua. We were thinking if we could do the day tour and then instead of going back to Costa Rica we stay behind from the tour (in Granada) for the night and then head to San Juan the following night, and then perhaps pick back up with the tour at the border to head back to the conchal area. I’m sorry this sounds so complicated! Please let me know if this would be possible and if any extra fees would apply!
Sammi says
Hi Katie, it is not possible for the tour company to do that since they run large groups and it is too complicated to keep track. You would need to find your own transportation and arrange the trip on your own or hire a freelance guide if you want a driver.
Angela Roesler says
Hi, we are thinking of taking this one day tour of Nicaragua on 14 or 15 Sep 2017. Forecast is scatter thunderstorm with 80% chance rain. Will it be an unpleasant trip with this weather? Just wondering if the rain will be continuous or just a few minutes of down pour then stop. Thanks.
Sammi says
Hi Angela! Usually rainy season days are sunny in the morning, cloudy and rainy in late afternoon and night. Sept is one of the rainiest months but tropical weather in rainy season changes in a drop of a hat. It’ll be sunny on second, cloudy the next. Rain ten minutes, sunny right after. One day is super sunny and hot, the next rainy and cloudy and it’s very difficult to accurately predict how it will be. Unfortunately you may not be able to see the volcano or the lake if it’s too cloudy though and the tour stops at those places for only about 15 minutes. I went in July once and wasn’t able to see either of them as it was too cloudy.
yeison says
Hello Alexia,
Thank you for reading our blog! The drive depends of where your group will be pick up, if you staying in the Tamarindo area it might take around 3 hours to the border and from Playas del coco 2 to 2.5 hours. Then from the border to the first activity it might take 20 minutes.
Alexia says
1.how far if a drive is it from Guanacsta
2. Do you give an additional discount for a party of 10
yeison says
Hello Pamela
Thank you so much so your comment, I already fixed the problem, you can try again.
Thank you
Pamela Moore says
Hi there, I am trying to book the Nicaragua tour for 4 on July 8th and it will not save my information on the form once I click next. Please help book this for us. Thanks!
David says
Hi! I’ll be staying in Playa del Coco in mid-July. How do you coordinate where to pick us up?
Sammi says
Hi David, the tour company will pick you up at your hotel or vacation rental, just please put the name of the hotel in the section for pick up or if youre staying at a condo, the name of the condo complex, number and any other information that will help the tour company find you. In your confirmation, we will include the pick up time.
Natalia Kuzmina says
Hello! I plan to stay on Playa Negra in May. Is it possible to be picked up from this beach?
Sammi says
Hi Natalie, what hotel will you be staying at?
Manida says
I would like to book a day tour leaving in the beginning of July, 2017. I am staying at The Peace Retreat in Nicaragua. Can you send me more info on how to book and cost, exact dates etc.
Sammi says
Hi Manida, this tour only leaves from Costa Rica as it is a day trip to Nicaragua from Costa Rica.
Sammi says
Hi Dana,
From Dreams, it is $140 original price and we offer a $10 discount for Mytanfeet readers so it will be $130 per person. We require a $20 per person nonrefundable fee and then you will pay the remaining balance on the day of the tour. The pick up is around 6-630, I’ll confirm the exact time if you book the tour.
I hope this answers your questions!
Dana says
Hello. We are at Dreams Las Mareas now. If we booked a tour for this weekend, can tell me how much it will be? And what the pick up time is since we’re closer to the border. The tour company at Dreams is charging $198.
Also is there a cancellation fee?
Thank you in advance!
Fred Chonkan says
Hi, Are you aware of any tour operators offering similar 2-day trip from Guanacaste with overnight stay in Granada? Planing for last week in March.
Sammi says
Hi Fred, no we don’t, sorry. It’s a really complicated process to do overnight tours from CR to Nicaragua so tour companies don’t do it. The best option is to find a freelance guide but it will be very expensive.
Bird says
Hello! Love your blog– I am visiting Costa Rica in April. We are staying at a hotel (El Mangroove) on Playa Panama in Guanacaste. Would we be able to be picked up at the hotel and take the tour?
Thanks for your work and this blog! 🙂
Sammi says
Hi Bird, yes! They can pick up and drop off at El Mangroove.
Lucy says
Hi we are going to riu guanacaste in April we wants to know how much is the day trip to Nicaragua and if you guys pick up us at this hotel .
Sammi says
Hi Lucy, yes they pick up from the RIu and it is $140 and with our Mytanfeet $10 discount it’s $130 per person.
luz reyes says
\hola. We want to go on one day Nicaragua Tour, on Tues, Feb 21. We are staying at Primevera \hotel in Liberia. Can we get picked up and dropped off at Primevera Hotel? what time is the pickup and how much for 2 adults?Can we pay cash when we get picked up, do we still get 10 percent discount? Do you have an office in Liberia?
Sammi says
Hi Luz, yes they can pick you up and drop you off at your hotel in Liberia. We always require a deposit and then you pay the remaining balance in cash and you’ll get the $10 off. Can you please fill out the form so we can book your tour? Thanks!
luz reyes says
hi. We will be in Costa R. from Feb 14-23 and want to do a 1 day trip to nicaragua while spending 2 -3 days in Playa Hermosa. We have not planned the exact day yet when to go to Nicaragua bec of 3 other friends involved in this trip,. When we decide to go, it would be 1 to 2 days before the day we decide to take the 1 day tripper to Nicaragua. i wonder if you have a store front or a direct number to contact the tour agency for the 1 days trip to Nicaragua.
Sammi says
Hi Luz, no problem about booking it 1-2 days before, a lot of people do that. If you want to get the $10 discount, you can fill out the form on this page and we can take care of the booking for you. From Playa Hermosa, it’ll be $130 pp (originally $140).
Edwin says
Hello, I’m planning on taking this trip with my family in mid-February 2017, but I was wondering if you can pick up near La Cruz in Guanacaste. We had plans on staying near the border instead of getting picked up in the peninsula. Do you do pick ups in La Cruz?
Sammi says
Hi Edwin, yes they can pick up in La Cruz, that’s actually where the breakfast is and they pick up people at the Dreams Las Mareas and bring them to La Cruz. In the form, can you please specify your hotel or exact location and we’ll get it figured out with the tour company.
Edwin says
Is there a phone number I can call you for additional info?
Kenny Su says
My family will travel to Liberia this summer. How much it cost for two adults and 2 kids age 8 and 11 ? pickup point is Liberia (either Hilton Garden or Best Western).
Sammi says
Hi Kenny, it’s $140 from Liberia and with the Mytanfeet discount, it is $130 per passenger (kids and adults are the same price). If you want to book the tour, just fill out the form and we’ll handle the rest 🙂
Lenka says
Hi, I would like to ask who organizes the tour? and how much in advance should we book it / is it OK to book last minute (for beginning of February)?
Sammi says
Hi, they run this tour everyday and they can take large groups so you can book it even 2 days before.
Jenelle says
My grandpa and uncle are staying in Costa Rica for they winter. I’m coming down to visit and would like to take them on the tour of nicaragua. They do not have a ticket out of costa rica. Can they take the your to Nicaragua?
Sammi says
HI Jenelle, yes absolutely they can do the tour. They can purchase a refundable ticket out of Costa Rica and then cancel it after the tour (safest option) or print out your ticket, show all your passports at the same time and use your ticket out for everybody. Most of the time the officers don’t mind too much for big tour groups since they’re trying to get through as fast as possible. The tour guide can help you too, tell him that they forgot to print their ticket out and they can help you at the window.