Things to do in Costa Rica
Hanging Bridges in La Fortuna27 optionsLa Fortuna Zipline22 optionsTortuga Island Tours19 optionsNight Tour La Fortuna16 optionsZiplining10 optionsATV Tour La Fortuna6 optionsHiking La Fortuna66 optionsChocolate Tour La Fortuna18 optionsCanyoning La Fortuna56 optionsTamarindo Snorkeling Tour14 optionsHorseback Riding La Fortuna11 optionsTortuguero National Park Tours14 options
The unmissables
Most booked
Manuel Antonio: Wildlife Walk & Beach Time with Nature Guide★ 4.81 (4,576) · 4h
Top rated
Arenal Volcano Tour from San Jose: Zip Lining & Hot Springs★ 4.92 (3,723) · 14h
Best value
Hacienda Alsacia Coffee Tour Alajuela: Wet mill & roaster★ 4.88 (3,275) · 1h 30m
Recommended (7)
Manuel Antonio: Damas Island Mangrove Boat Tour & Lunch★ 4.86 (2,882) · 4hUS$ 75View ›
Surf Lessons in Tamarindo: All Levels, 90 Minutes★ 4.93 (2,804) · 1h 30mUS$ 69View ›
La Fortuna Waterfall & Arenal Volcano: Full Day with Hot Springs★ 4.82 (2,584) · 11hUS$ 92View ›
Coffee and Chocolate Plantation Tour near Hot Springs★ 4.96 (2,574) · 2h 30mUS$ 46View ›
Costa Rica: Balsa River White Water Rafting & Local Lunch★ 4.96 (2,090) · 5hUS$ 80View ›
Sloth Watching Tour in La Fortuna: Wildlife Walk with Guide★ 4.96 (2,052) · 1h 30mUS$ 63View ›
Upper Balsa River White Water Rafting Class 3/4★ 4.97 (1,992) · 5hUS$ 85View ›Top rated (10)
Tamarindo: Surf Lessons with Video Analysis & Coffee BreakYou’ll start your Tamarindo surf lesson learning technique on land before heading into the Pacific for hands-on practice—wiping out is half the fun here! With a certified local instructor guiding you (and video analysis after), you’ll laugh at mistakes over coffee and leave feeling braver than when you arrived.
La Fortuna Night Walk: ANURA Wildlife Tour & Eco TrailsYou’ll wander restored jungle trails near La Fortuna as dusk turns to night, guided by locals who know every croak and rustle. Expect close-up views of frogs (yes, those famous red-eyed ones), bright insects, maybe even an alligator or two reflected in your flashlight beam. Small groups make it feel personal — sometimes muddy shoes included.
Rio Celeste: Tubing Adventure with Guide, Photos & PickupYou’ll float down Rio Celeste’s vivid blue waters with a local guide leading the way, feeling cool currents and jungle air on your skin. Expect laughter as you hit gentle rapids, snack on fresh fruit by the riverbank, and get photos snapped along the way—all with transport included. The memory of that wild blue will stick with you long after you dry off.
Costa Rica cooking class: Traditional dishes with Doña ChelaA hands-on cooking class in Costa Rica where you learn to prepare traditional dishes—rice, beans, salad, picadillo and tortillas—in a wood-fired kitchen using garden ingredients, then sit down to eat what you've made. The class runs two hours with a guide in English or Spanish, and children from age 5 are welcome.Is it for me?The guide speaks English or Spanish, so choose the language that lets you follow the instruction comfortably and ask questions as you cook.
Surf Lesson + Beach Day in Jaco Beach: 2-Hour Group ClassA two-hour group surfing lesson at Jaco Beach teaches the basics of reading waves, technique on land, and practice in chest-deep water, with an instructor guiding you through every step. The lesson includes a surfboard you keep after class, rashguard, sunscreen, fresh water, and access to beach chairs and umbrellas before and after. Pickup is included if you need it. Children from age 6 are welcome; kids under 10 and adults over 50 should book a private class instead.Is it for me?The two-hour lesson leaves the rest of your day free, so you can fit it into a morning or afternoon without blocking out the whole day. Book early in your trip when you have energy for it, and plan to stay on the beach afterward—the chairs and umbrellas are there for you to use as long as you want.
Pacific Coast Fishing Charter: Half-Day Mahi Mahi & TunaA half-day fishing charter on Costa Rica's Pacific Coast where you fish for Mahi Mahi, yellowfin tuna, red snapper, wahoo and a rotating list of other species, using mixed techniques matched to what the crew finds biting that morning. The boat carries a trilingual crew (English, Spanish, French), all fishing equipment and bait, bottled water, snacks, fruits and beer; you bring nothing but your appetite and willingness to cast a line. The crew adjusts tactics throughout the four hours to keep the action moving and suit what everyone on board wants to catch.Is it for me?Book this charter if you want to fish in a small group with a trilingual crew who adjusts techniques based on what's biting, rather than committing to a single method for the full day.
Quepos: Surfing Lessons Manuel Antonio Beach with EquipmentYou learn paddle technique and wave-reading on sand, then catch real waves with instructors who've been lifeguarding this beach for decades. All equipment and water time are included. The guarantee is simple: you'll be standing on the board within ten minutes, or the crew keeps working with you until you are.Is it for me?Right for first-time surfers who want to actually stand up instead of spend an hour falling off — the instructors' guarantee and two decades of beach experience mean you'll feel safe learning. The lesson moves at your pace, so fitness level or age isn't a barrier.
Quepos: Naranjo River Rafting Half Day & Hotel PickupYou get picked up at your hotel, driven 25 minutes to the Naranjo River, and spend 90 minutes rafting class 3 rapids through jungle with a safety kayaker alongside. The tour includes all gear, a safety briefing, snacks and the return drive — so you show up in swim clothes and everything else is handled. Small groups mean you're not competing for the guide's attention.Is it for me?Book this if you want to raft without losing half the day to driving, and if you prefer smaller groups where the guide actually knows who's in the boat. The 25-minute distance from Quepos is what makes a half-day tour possible instead of a full-day commitment.
Montezuma: Playa Grande Surf Lesson & Fresh Fruit BreakYou’ll walk from Montezuma through jungle sounds to Playa Grande’s wide sands for two hours of surf lessons with local Costa Rican instructors. Practice on the beach first, then ride real waves—with breaks for fresh fruit and stories under palm trees. Expect laughter, wipeouts, and at least one moment you’ll want to hold onto long after you leave.
Manuel Antonio: Rappelling, Zipline & Waterfall Adventure TourYou’ll scramble through rainforest near Manuel Antonio with local guides—rappelling waterfalls, flying over treetops on zip lines, tasting fresh fruit mid-adventure. Expect muddy boots, laughter echoing under the canopy, and a traditional Costa Rican meal to end your day. It’s not polished—but it’s real adventure.
Lowest price (10)
Guanacaste Airport Transfer: Private Ride from Hotel to LIRYou’ll get picked up right from your hotel in Guanacaste by a local driver who knows these roads by heart. Relax in a clean private vehicle with all insurances covered as you head straight to Liberia Airport (LIR). Enjoy small moments — maybe a chat or just watching the scenery slip by — before your trip home begins.
Liberia Airport (LIR) to Hotel: Private Transfer, No Extra StopsYou land at Liberia, a driver meets you at arrivals with your name, and you're driven directly to your hotel in an air-conditioned vehicle with no stops in between. The rate is fixed before you book, and flight delays don't change the plan — they just adjust when the driver arrives. Wheelchair-accessible vehicles and child seats are available on request.Is it for me?Right choice if you land in Liberia without a rental car and want to avoid the taxi stand — the driver meets you at arrivals, the price is locked in, and you arrive at your hotel without negotiating the fare or making unplanned stops.
Liberia Airport Transfer: Private Ride, Bilingual Driver & Wi-FiYou’ll step off your flight at Liberia Airport and spot your driver waiting with your name—no confusion or stress. Settle into an air-conditioned vehicle with free Wi-Fi and bottled water as you ride safely to your destination. Along the way, enjoy local conversation or just relax as Costa Rica rolls by outside your window. It’s more than transport—it’s your first real welcome.
Liberia Airport (LIR) Transfer: Private Car & WiFiYou get picked up at Liberia airport with a name sign, ride in a private air-conditioned car with WiFi and water, and the driver takes you to your Guanacaste hotel on a set route. Stops for bathrooms or food are available if you ask. Children's seats and wheelchair access are included. The price is fixed before you land.Is it for me?Book this if you're landing at Liberia and want to skip the taxi negotiation and rental car desk — the driver knows where you're going, the price is set, and you can relax or work the whole way to your hotel.
Liberia Airport Transfer: Private Car & WiFiYou get picked up at Liberia Airport by a dedicated driver at your scheduled time, travel in a private car with WiFi, and arrive at your destination without managing transport logistics yourself. The service is wheelchair accessible and includes specialized seating for infants. Fixed pricing means no negotiation at the curb.Is it for me?Book this if you want to skip the taxi negotiation and bus-schedule hunting after landing—the driver meets you on time, the price doesn't change, and you arrive without managing the logistics yourself.
La Fortuna Waterfall: Skip-the-Line Ticket & 70m SwimYou skip the entry line and descend 500 forest steps to a 70-meter waterfall fed by mountain streams. Swim in the clear pool at the base, surrounded by rainforest and volcanic rock formations. The ticket includes entry only; last admission is 4pm, and children under 8 are free. Plan for moderate physical exertion and wet gear on the return climb.Is it for me?Right for travelers with moderate fitness who want to swim in a mountain waterfall without waiting in an entry line, and who can handle a steep forest descent. Not suitable if you have spinal issues, heart conditions, or limited mobility — the 500 steps are the core of the experience.
Tamarindo Bar Crawl: VIP Entry, Shots & Games Nightlife TourYou’ll jump right into Tamarindo’s nightlife with VIP entry to lively bars and clubs, welcome shots to break the ice, fun games that get strangers laughing together, and unlimited shots between stops thanks to Mr.Shots. Expect sticky floors, new friends from everywhere, and moments you’ll remember long after your voice is gone.
Sloth and bird wildlife walk in La Fortuna: 100% sloth guaranteeA 1.5-hour guided wildlife walk through primary forest near La Fortuna where you search for sloths, exotic birds, frogs and insects with an expert guide and telescope included. The operator guarantees you will see sloths or offers a refund. The guide speaks English or Spanish.Is it for me?The guide speaks English or Spanish, so you can follow the commentary and the animal identification in whichever language you prefer. The walk suits any fitness level and moves at a pace that lets you stop and look, so it works whether you are a keen photographer or just want to see the animals without strain.
Arenal Observatory Lodge Day Pass: 11km of trailsYou get access to eleven kilometers of marked trails, two observation towers with volcano views, suspension bridges, the Danta Waterfall, and the Volcano History Museum — all without booking a room at the lodge. The day pass excludes pool and restaurant access but includes everything else on the reserve. Bring water and plan for a half-day minimum to walk without hurrying.Is it for me?Right for anyone near La Fortuna who wants to spend a few hours in the forest and on observation towers without committing to an overnight stay or paying for meals you won't eat. The day pass is the budget option and it covers everything that makes the reserve worth visiting.
Manuel Antonio National Park: 2-Hour Guided Forest TourYou get a bilingual naturalist guide for two hours of forest walking, professional equipment, and video documentation of what you see. Park entry fees are paid separately at the gate. The guide interprets the ecosystem and wildlife as you move through the main trails, stopping at beaches and mangrove sections depending on conditions. Minimum two people per booking.Is it for me?Book this if you want a naturalist's eye on the forest and don't want to navigate the trails alone — the guide is what transforms a walk into an understanding of what you're actually seeing.
