Things to do in Guanacaste and Northwest
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Liberia: Volcano Horseback, Tubing & Zipline with Hot SpringsYou ride horses on volcanic slopes, tube rapids in the Rio Negro, zipline through Rio Blanco Canyon, and soak in natural hot springs — all in one day with a Costa Rican lunch included. Transport, all gear, water and cooler are provided. Plan for a full day of back-to-back activity, not a leisurely pace.Is it for me?Right for travelers who want maximum variety in one day and can handle four different activities back-to-back without breaks — the combo format is what keeps the cost down and the schedule tight. Not suitable if you have spinal issues, are pregnant, or have cardiovascular limitations.
Flamingo & Conchal Beach: Zip Line & ATV Adventure TourYou’ll ride ATVs through real Costa Rican towns, zip line above jungle trees near Flamingo Beach, and cool off at Playa Conchal’s shell-white shore. Expect wildlife sightings (if you’re lucky), laughs with your local guide, and moments you’ll want to photograph—but might forget to because you’re living them.
Costa Rica: Zipline, Hot Springs & Horseback Day TourYou’ll taste fresh Costa Rican coffee on a working farm, fly over rivers by zipline with a local guide, ride horses through jungle trails spotting monkeys, then relax in volcanic hot springs with an optional mud treatment—all in one day near Rincón de la Vieja. Expect real flavors, laughter, and moments you’ll want to replay long after you leave.
Palo Verde: Boat Safari, Wildlife & Chorotega Pottery Day TripYou’ll drift down the Tempisque River spotting monkeys and crocodiles with a local guide, then recharge over a traditional Costa Rican lunch before watching Chorotega pottery come to life in Guaitil village. Expect real wildlife moments and warm smiles—plus maybe a lopsided bowl to bring home.
Costa Rica: Coffee, Chocolate & Cooking Tour with TastingsYou’ll join a Costa Rican family for a day learning how coffee is grown and roasted, making chocolate by hand, cooking empanadas together, and tasting fresh sugarcane juice. Expect laughter with locals, earthy smells from roasting beans, and real hands-on moments—plus plenty of snacks along the way.
Horse riding tour Long Beach: River, jungle and beachA horse riding tour from Long Beach through Guanacaste forest and across Buenavista river to Buenavista Beach, where you ride into the Pacific on a deserted stretch of grey sand. The tour runs about 2.5 hours with a trained guide, small groups, and calm, well-cared-for horses; helmets are provided. Children from age 5 are welcome, and guides speak English, Spanish and French.Is it for me?If you speak English, Spanish or French, you can follow the guide comfortably without translation—pick the language when you book. Small groups are the default, though larger parties are welcome if you arrange it.
Snorkeling and Sunset Catamaran Cruise from Playa FlamingoA 4-hour catamaran snorkeling cruise departing Playa Flamingo at 2 pm takes you 45 minutes out to a calm bay where you snorkel with a guide, use a waterslide and floating platform, then return at sunset. Grilled fresh fish, pasta, fruit and unlimited tropical cocktails are included; the crew searches for dolphins, whales and sea turtles, though wildlife sightings depend on ocean conditions. Pickup is included; the guide speaks English and Spanish.Is it for me?The guide speaks English and Spanish throughout, so language is not a barrier to following the snorkeling briefing or the commentary on the way back. Book this if you want to snorkel in open water with a crew watching for wildlife, and you're comfortable in deeper water where dolphins and whales actually travel.
Liberia Airport to La Fortuna: Private Transfer 1-6 PassengersYou get picked up at Liberia airport by a bilingual driver in an air-conditioned van, travel directly to your La Fortuna hotel, and have one free hour to stop for photos, food, or a bathroom break along the way. The price is fixed before you land, and hotel drop-off is included — so the transfer handles itself while you settle in.Is it for me?Book this if you're arriving in Liberia and heading to La Fortuna without a rental car — the fixed price and direct hotel drop-off mean you skip the airport taxi negotiation and arrive knowing exactly what you've paid.
La Fortuna: Sarapiquí River White Water Rafting & LunchYou’ll start your day with hotel pickup from La Fortuna before heading out to tackle Sarapiquí River’s Class III-IV white water rafting with local guides. Expect wild rapids, fresh tropical fruit on the riverbank mid-journey, laughter (and maybe nerves), plus a hearty Costa Rican lunch after you dry off. This is one of those days you’ll replay in your head long after you’ve left Costa Rica.
Surf Lessons in Tamarindo: Small Groups, All LevelsSALT Surf As Life Therapy offers two-hour surf lessons in Tamarindo for all skill levels, from brand new to intermediate, with personalized instruction and a low student-to-instructor ratio. Lessons begin with 20 minutes of pre-surf coaching on safety, technique and mindset, then move into the water to practice waves during optimal tides. Instructors speak English and Spanish; children as young as 4 are welcome, though kids 8 and under require a private lesson for safety. You choose between group, semi-private or private instruction at checkout.Is it for me?Book a group or semi-private lesson if you want to build skills alongside other surfers and keep the cost down; choose private instruction if your child is 8 or under, or if you want one-on-one coaching to move faster through the fundamentals.
Tamarindo: Turtle Nesting Tour on Hidden BeachYou drive forty minutes from Tamarindo to a car-free beach, walk in darkness following turtle tracks, and sit behind nesting sea turtles for about an hour while they lay eggs—all under strict conservation rules that keep the turtles calm. Pickup, flashlight, water and snacks included. Small groups only, minimum two bookings.Is it for me?Right for travelers staying in Tamarindo who want to witness sea turtle nesting without the crowds or artificial light of developed beaches. Expect an evening commitment of about three hours total, with a 40-minute drive each way and a 10–15 minute walk on sand—that isolation is what keeps the beach dark enough for the turtles to come ashore.
Cooking Class in Nosara: Learn Costa Rican Food on Wood FireA two-hour cooking class in Nosara where you learn traditional Costa Rican techniques from a local chef, cooking everything on a wood-fired fogón with fresh ingredients. Lunch and natural juice are included; vegetarian options are available on request. Instruction is offered in English or Spanish.Is it for me?Book this if you want to cook rather than watch, and if working over a wood fire instead of a standard stove appeals to you. Small-group classes mean you get direct attention from the chef without the pace of a large tour.
Tamarindo to Puerto Viejo: ATV Jungle Ride & Beach TourYou’ll ride an ATV straight from Tamarindo into Costa Rica’s wild side—dry forest turns to jungle, river crossings get your heart racing (and your shoes soaked), and monkeys chatter overhead as you follow a local guide toward Puerto Viejo beach. Expect mud, laughter, unexpected animal encounters, and that feeling of freedom only open trails can give.
Tamarindo: ATV Beach Trails to Playa Piratas & MinasYou’ll ride ATVs from Tamarindo with a local guide, crossing rivers and winding through small villages before reaching quiet beaches like Playa Piratas and Minas. Expect wildlife sightings—maybe monkeys or iguanas—and plenty of time to soak up sun or just listen to waves. Cold water and showers are waiting when you return, but you might still carry that wild feeling home.
Tamarindo: La Leona Waterfall Hike & Canyon SwimmingYou hike two hours through volcanic canyons and river crossings to reach a waterfall hidden between the rock walls. The tour includes air-conditioned transport from your hotel and bottled water; lunch in Liberia is separate. Expect steady climbing and wading, not technical climbing—moderate fitness and closed shoes required.Is it for me?Right for travelers staying near Tamarindo or Liberia who want a real jungle hike without arranging transport. Plan for a full morning and early afternoon out—the two-hour hike is steady and involves water crossings, so moderate fitness and closed shoes are essential.
La Leona Waterfall Hike Guanacaste: Cave & River Canyon AdventureYou hike 1.3 miles through forest and cave passages into a river canyon, then swim in turquoise pools beneath La Leona waterfall. The guide meets you at the town bar parking lot, drives you to the trailhead, and leads you through rope sections and water crossings. You get 30 minutes at the waterfall itself, a waterproof bag for your phone, fresh fruit, and a half-day timeline that leaves the afternoon open. Book with at least one other person.Is it for me?Right for hikers with moderate fitness who want more than a waterfall photo — the ropes, caves, and river canyon mean you're actually exploring, not just walking. The fixed half-day schedule and included transport from town make it easy to fit into a day without renting a car or arranging your own logistics.
Zipline & Hanging Bridges Tour Monteverde Cloud ForestA full-day zipline and hanging bridges tour in Monteverde Cloud Forest combines a guided 1.9-mile walk across eight suspension bridges with an exhilarating 2-mile zipline course through the treetops. Hotel pickup from Tamarindo or Flamingo Beach is included, as are park fees and a live guide in English or Spanish. The tour runs about four hours of activity and operates in all weather; children age 4 and older can zipline, and all ages can walk the bridges.Is it for me?Choose the shared transportation option if you're staying in Tamarindo or Flamingo Beach and want the simplest booking—pickup times are fixed and the guide handles all logistics. Pick private transportation if your hotel is outside the standard pickup zone or if you prefer a dedicated vehicle and guide for your group.
Tamarindo: Beginner Surf Lessons with Local InstructorsYou’ll meet your certified instructor in Tamarindo, practice popping up on land, then paddle out to try real waves with patient coaching. Expect laughter, some splashes, and that wild moment when you finally stand up. Everything’s included — just bring your curiosity (and maybe some humility).
Tamarindo: Surf Lessons at Diria Hotel with Locals & GearYou’ll paddle out onto Tamarindo’s warm waves with local instructors who actually watch and help you improve — no big crowds here. You get all your surfing gear sorted for you, plus a safety briefing before heading into the water. After your lesson (and probably a few wipeouts), fresh pineapple is waiting as you flop back onto the sand.
Liberia Airport to Playa Conchal: Private Transfer & PickupYou get picked up at the airport terminal with a name sign, ride in a private air-conditioned vehicle with bottled water included, and arrive at Westin Playa Conchal without arranging anything else. The return pickup is scheduled four hours before your flight, and 24-hour support handles any changes. One fixed price, no surprises.Is it for me?Book this if you want to arrive at the resort without arranging transport, waiting for a shared shuttle, or negotiating with a taxi driver — the fixed price and name-sign pickup remove all three hassles from your arrival day.
