Things to do in Guanacaste and Northwest
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Tamarindo Estuary: Mangrove Kayak Tour & Wildlife SpottingYou paddle through 1,500 acres of protected mangrove forest with a naturalist guide who knows where the wildlife congregates and how the tides shape the day. You'll spot crocodiles, monkeys, iguanas and over 175 bird species, including a rare endemic hummingbird. The tour includes water, fresh fruit and free pickup from your Tamarindo beach hotel, with timing scheduled around the tides for the best paddling conditions.Is it for me?A good fit if you want to see Tamarindo's wildlife and mangrove ecosystem without arranging your own boat and guide—the tide-based scheduling is what makes the paddling safe and the animal sightings reliable. Plan for a half or full day depending on the tide window, and bring sun protection and a camera.
Playa Sámara: Family Surf Lessons & Free Board RentalYou’ll jump right into Playa Sámara’s surf scene with friendly local instructors guiding you through every wobbly stand-up and salty splash. Lessons are tailored for all ages and skill levels—rashguards included—and after class you can keep your board to practice as long as you like. Expect laughter, real encouragement, and plenty of sun-kissed moments that linger after you’ve left the sand.
Rincón de la Vieja: Zipline, Tubing, Horseback & Hot Springs DayYou’ll fly above canyons on ziplines, bounce down Rio Negro rapids in a tube (expect some splashes), ride horses through rainforest trails to waterfalls, and finally unwind in steamy volcanic hot springs with lunch included. It’s an active day at Rincón de la Vieja that leaves you tired in the best way.
Playa Flamingo: Rainforest Wildlife & Coffee Making TourYou're picked up at your hotel and driven into the Bijagua rainforest, where a guide shows you sloths (guaranteed), frogs, birds, and other wildlife in their natural habitat. You'll roast and grind your own coffee and chocolate, eat a traditional casado lunch, and swim at Llanos del Cortes waterfall if the season allows. Everything — transport, lunch, water, towels — is included, and you're back at your hotel by afternoon.Is it for me?Right for travelers staying in Playa Flamingo who want wildlife and culture in one morning or afternoon without arranging separate transport or meals. The two-hour-plus drive is part of reaching the closest rainforest, which is what makes the sloth guarantee possible.
Playa Flamingo: Volcano Hike & Hot Springs with Private TransportYou hike through an active volcanic landscape in Rincón de la Vieja National Park, swim at a waterfall, eat lunch, and soak in Rio Negro's natural hot springs — all with private transport and a guide who sets the rhythm. Choose between a full two-hour trail or a shorter half-mile walk through the forest. Transport, lunch, and park fees are included; you're back by late afternoon.Is it for me?Right for travelers based in Playa Flamingo who want a full nature day without arranging transport or park logistics themselves. The hike requires moderate fitness; if you're not up for two hours of forest trails, the lite version cuts that to a half-mile walk and keeps everything else intact.
Private Horseback Riding Tour in Playa Conchal: Shell-Sand BeachA 1.5-hour private horseback riding tour along Playa Conchal, where the beach's distinctive white sand is made of crushed shells and the ride passes through patches of tropical dry forest. You explore the shoreline, Pacific Ocean views, and surrounding areas home to howler monkeys, iguanas and exotic birds, with a licensed guide who speaks English or Spanish and matches horses to your riding level.Is it for me?If you speak English or Spanish, the guide's live commentary keeps you oriented and safe throughout the ride. The private format means the pace and the horse adjust to your experience, so whether you're a confident rider or finding your balance, the 1.5 hours stays comfortable.
Rincon Nature Day Pass: Hot Springs, Mud & WaterfallThe Nature Day Pass at Rincon is a five-hour tour combining thermal hot springs, volcanic mud baths, river access, a suspension bridge, hiking trails and bird watching, plus a garden-to-table lunch with coffee, juice and local dessert. The pass sits next to Rincón de la Vieja National Park on fully paved roads and includes free parking and a locker. A live guide in English, Spanish or French leads the experience, which suits all fitness levels and welcomes families with children and strollers.Is it for me?Spend your morning and early afternoon moving through thermal waters, mineral mud, river walks, and forest trails—with lunch and a guide included so you can simply be outside.
Playa Grande Surf Lessons: 2-Hour Classes for BeginnersPlaya Grande surf lessons run 2 hours with a land safety briefing, 45 minutes to an hour in the water with your instructor, and a break with fresh pineapple and ice water before a final hour of practice. Maximum 4 students per instructor; children from age 5 are welcome. The beach is a sand walk-out with no rocks, and you'll leave with 150–250 professional photos of your session included.Is it for me?The 2-hour length gives you a full morning or afternoon without eating your whole day, and the high-tide timing means the waves are best for learning. If you're staying in Tamarindo and want to avoid the crowded beach breaks, Playa Grande's secluded sand beach across the water is where the smaller class sizes and calmer conditions make the difference.
Cozumel: Try Scuba Diving for Beginners & 2 Guided DivesYou’ll feel your nerves turn into excitement as you learn scuba basics with an easygoing instructor in Cozumel. Dive twice at different sites with all equipment provided, pause for snacks on the boat, and finish before lunch—leaving you with salty hair and a story you’ll want to tell again.
Intro Scuba Diving at Catalina Islands: 2 Open Water DivesAn introductory scuba diving course at Catalina Islands and North Island in Costa Rica for divers without certification. You learn basic skills with a PADI professional in confined water, then complete two open water dives in warm Guanacaste waters while searching for sharks, rays, octopus and other marine life. Hotel pickup and all diving equipment are included; the 5-hour program is geared for first-timers.Is it for me?This is a shared-group course led by a PADI instructor, so you're learning alongside other first-timers rather than diving solo. It suits anyone who wants to try scuba without the time and cost of full certification, or who wants to know whether diving is worth pursuing before signing up for the longer course.
Playa Flamingo: Catalina Islands Snorkeling & Two Dive SitesYou get two separate snorkeling sessions at Catalina Islands with all gear provided, spotting sharks, rays, and reef fish among rock formations. Hotel pickup is included, and the morning timing means you're back by midday. Bring a towel and sunscreen — the boat provides water and snacks.Is it for me?Right for snorkelers who want two separate reef sites in one morning without arranging transport or renting gear separately. The early 7:30am start is what gets you to the islands when visibility is best and the boat traffic is light.
Rio Celeste: Blue River Tubing, Waterfall & Wildlife Day TripYou’ll hike rainforest trails to Rio Celeste waterfall, tube down its bright blue river with fresh fruit breaks, spot wildlife like sloths and monkeys with your local guide, and share a typical Costa Rican lunch before heading home tired but happy.
Flamingo Beach: Small Group Sunset Sail with Snorkeling & LunchYou’ll leave Playa Flamingo behind on a relaxed 50ft yacht with just 13 guests, sharing laughs with your local crew as you snorkel quiet coves and enjoy fresh lunch with an open bar. There’s no loud party vibe—just ocean breeze, warm light on your face, and time to soak in those last golden moments before sunset.
Sunday Funday Tamarindo Party Bus: Beach and Pool CrawlThe Sunday Funday is a guided beach and pool crawl that departs Tamarindo every Sunday at noon, hitting Flamingo Beach, Playa Potrero and the black sand shores around it, then returns around 8pm. The bus picks you up at Crazy Monkey Tamarindo Pool & Bar, includes a welcome drink at each of three stops, happy hour discounts, live entertainment and a bonfire at sunset; the guide speaks English and Spanish. Minimum age is 18 and the shared bus requires at least 15 people to run—if the group doesn't fill, you get a full refund.Is it for me?The shared Sunday Funday bus suits groups who want the full Tamarindo beach party scene without renting a car or figuring out which bars to hit—the stops, the timing and the bonfire are already locked in. If you're traveling solo or with friends and want to meet other travelers, the shared bus fills that; if your group wants the bus to yourselves and your own schedule, book the private option instead.
Arenal Volcano & Hot Springs Day Trip from LiberiaYou start with breakfast overlooking Lake Arenal and the volcano, then walk the hanging bridges of Mistico Park to see the rainforest canopy up close. After a traditional lunch with volcano views, you spend the afternoon soaking in the natural hot mineral springs. Hotel pickup from Papagayo or Tamarindo is included, along with all entry fees and a professional guide.Is it for me?Book this if you want the main Arenal highlights—volcano views, rainforest, hot springs, and two meals—without arranging transport or entry yourself. The fixed schedule and included pickup mean you show up at your hotel and the day is already planned.
Costa Rica: Turtle Watching Night Tour with Naturalist GuideYou’ll walk Costa Rica’s wild beaches at night with an expert naturalist guide searching for nesting turtles—maybe leatherbacks or Olive Ridleys—while learning their secrets by moonlight. Includes pickup from Tamarindo, bottled water, and flashlights so you can focus on quiet moments you’ll remember long after you leave.
Tamarindo & Flamingo: Horseback Ride to Conchal Beach with PickupYou’ll ride horseback from Tamarindo or Flamingo through Guanacaste’s forests to reach Conchal Beach’s shell-white shore. Led by a local guide with hotel pickup included, you’ll get gentle instruction before setting out, then have free time to walk barefoot along the water or rest in the shade. It’s relaxed, unhurried — you’ll remember how it felt long after you brush off the sand.
Tenorio River Rafting: Class III-IV rapids with lunchWhitewater rafting on the Tenorio River near Tamarindo covers 12 kilometers of Class III-IV rapids, including over 22 named rapids and a 12-foot drop at Cascabel Falls, with hotel pickup, transport, lunch and a guide included. The full day runs about 10 hours from pickup to return. A minimum of two people per booking is required, and the activity suits travelers with moderate fitness; those with spinal injuries, poor cardiovascular health or pregnancy should not book.Is it for me?Choose shared transportation if you're comfortable meeting other rafters and want the standard option; book private transport if you're traveling with a group and prefer to start and finish on your own schedule. Self-drive works if you have a rental car and want to meet the group at the launch point instead.
Sunset Boat Tour Tamarindo: Snorkel, Paddle Board & DinnerA 5-hour guided sunset boat tour from Tamarindo takes you along the coast to a beach accessible only by water, where you snorkel, paddle board or rest on the sand. The tour includes all snorkeling gear, paddle boards, a buffet dinner with chipotle-style burritos and fresh fruit, and an open bar; the guide speaks English and Spanish. You depart at 1pm and return as the sun sets, which happens at nearly the same time each day near the equator.Is it for me?Book this tour if you want to snorkel and paddle board without arranging your own transport to a remote beach—the boat does the traveling, and the sunset timing is already locked in so you don't have to chase it.
Liberia Airport to RIU Guanacaste: Private Transfer, Bilingual DriverYou’ll step off your flight into warm Costa Rican air and spot your driver waiting with your name. Enjoy a private transfer from Liberia Airport to RIU Guanacaste Hotel with a bilingual chauffeur, cold AC, and no stops for other passengers. There’s time for small talk or silence—and maybe even a glimpse of monkeys along the way.
